Winter Fun

Why not add a sheet of plywood to the picnic table and create a launch!! Something only boys would do!

Higher is Better

Waiting For His Ride

Snowy days! The Best ATV Rides!

What Happens When Big Brother Babysits?

He gives little brother a Faux-Hawk!

I Love My Brother

Who Needs A Play Kitchen?

I bought a play kitchen for Colt and Dane when they were small. But truly, if you let your little ones be part of your kitchen, who really needs a fake kitchen? It doesn't give them the same reality as using our kitchens and food items do. Mind you, it is tidier!!

Briton has a blast going into my pantry. He will regularly go in there and find potatoes and onions.

Cutting His Potatoes

He stands there for the longest time peeling the outer layers off the onions.

Peeling the Onions

Then he uses my bowls to mix up his concoctions.

Finally, he cooks it all in his little toaster oven. He loves to turn the timer and hear it making its noise. His big brother complains about the fact that I let him do this as Briton is not too neat about picking up his onion skins! *smile* And of course, Dane often ends up cleaning it up. What are big brothers for?

Don't Mess With Big Brother

Briton knows how to hold his own with his brothers. One day he decided to tease his biggest brother, Colt (16). He grabbed a towel and tried flicking him.

Get Me!

Tongue Sticking Out - Teasing Big Bro'

Don't Mess With Big Bro!

Briton knows how to hold his own with his brothers. One day he decided to tease his biggest brother, Colt (16).

Homeschool Fashion

Kids in school have the misfortune of having to conform to the standards that are held by the rest of the crowd. Homeschool kids have the blessing of being able to dress anyway they like - and they do!

And WHO Dressed Him?

Army Gear and Scruffy Coats

Mismatched Footwear

Little Brother's Ski Pants, Runners, Dad's Gloves

Dad's Shoes, Three Hats, Big Brother Pants

Kids in school have the misfortune of having to conform to the standards that are held by the rest of the crowd. Homeschool kids have the blessing of being able to dress anyway they like - and they do!

Giraffe in School?

Wings McGee

This fall the boys found a crow limping around our back yard. Dane arrived at the back door carrying this crow! My first reaction was GERMS!!! Get rid of it!! Over the back fence!! Out out out!



The boys sorrowfully trailed after Dane out the door, through the yard and over to the fence that leads to the woods. Then Dane said, "What about the vet. Can't we ask him what to do?" They figured the bird had broken a wing. I continued with my mantra - Germs!

Finally, as they were near the fence, I felt like a crumb. So I called to them to stop and told them I would call the vet and see what he said. Upon calling them they said that we wouldn't get germs from it and we could try to help it.


So the boys got the dog cage and some food and water and put the bird in.




I still insisted on them covering up and wearing hand coverings! I wasn't taking any chances on some dreaded lurgy coming from this crow! *smile*

We saw that the bird had broken his feathers on one wing. In a few days we realized that there was no way this bird was going to grow back his wings very quickly. He was not going to be happy being cooped up and so we ended up letting him go. Hopefully he made it. We did see his friends hanging around when we were near the cage. I had heard that crows are very loyal. I think it is true.

Our Own Birthday Planner

Cassidy has such a good heart. He always takes charge of making Ray's and my birthdays! I remember once when he was six years old. I was feeling a little down cause it appeared that Ray had forgotten my birthday. Of course he hadn't. But as any girl knows they want their husband to acknowledge their birthday at the beginning of the day - not the end. So there was Cassidy running around the house and setting up the basement - complete with throne and balloons and presents and all kinds of good things.

At one point, he came past me and he asked me where the balloons were. Of course I didn't let on I knew what he was up to. * smile* At the end of the day he and his brothers led me downstairs to a wonderful party. I sat in my throne as each of them gave me his present.

Our oldest was a bit upset because I even had to help make my own present *grin*! Cassidy didn't know how to make a photo frame with wood and the gluegun, and he wanted help making it - so I did. Colt did not think that was right. I was okay with it! I loved their love!

Here are some recent pictures of birthdays this past year that Cassidy has taken on. For my birthday, the boys went shopping with me, and I had to keep my eyes averted as they loaded things in the shopping cart - it was a bit anxious for me because I had *no* idea what price tag they were carrying! Seriously!! At one point, I (through my peripheral vision) noticed that there was a nice doll (said funny things and was meant for a woman) on the bottom of the cart - this was $20. One child's gift. I had to very creatively figure a way to show that it wasn't the greatest idea. Oh, the stress of shopping for your own gifts!! LOL!! But our children are so thoughtful and want to do their shopping, by themselves, and in advance of our birthdays. They don't rely on their dad and therefore, I end up helping them. *smile*

At one point, as we are going through the store, Cooper (4) chooses something off the shelf and tells Cassidy (the organizer) that he wants it cause "I want it for my birthday," and off he walks. He kept insisting that it was 'for my birthday'. Cassidy knew it was not something I would want *smile*, and Cooper had to find something for me, so he had to diplomatically return it to the shelf. Cooper was not impressed as he figured he could shop for his birthday at the same time as they were shopping for mine.

On my birthday, Cooper insisted on opening the gift he gave me. He was pleased to see what he bought!

Opening Mum's Gift

Austin shopped independently and did not heed Cassidy's advice. So when I opened my gift I was surprised to find such an interesting gift!!! He is still waiting for his daddy to make it!

Thrilled With His Choice

Happy Little Gift Givers

Cassidy and His Cake

Proud Young Man

He was very creative with his candles. He used 3 candles and put a paper number 10 beside them - to signify 30. Then he put a flashing number 9. Then a paper number 1 with one candle. He thought I was 40 (not 41).

My Considerate Sons!

Colt made a beautiful table top mirror in his woodwork class and gave that to me.

The cutest thing was a card they gave me. The inside said: We thought we'd make you the designated driver. They had no idea what that meant. Cassidy just found a card in the computer program and liked the front of it, and so figured the inside went along with the outside! *grin*

How Blessed I Am to Have Such Wonderful Sons!!!

When Ray had his birthday, Cassidy was at work with him that week. One day, he shot in the door right after work and set into the kitchen immediatley. This is a ten year old boy! I love the fact that he is comfortable in the kitchen and can follow any recipe and does a fine job!

Wearing the Traditional Birthday Hat

We figured if we got him a big enough flashlight the kids couldn't make off with it!! They haven't - the rechargeable cord has gone missing! *laugh* You can't win!

It is time for us to buy Cassidy cake decorating tools and take him to the next level!

Fall Fun Day - mid November

In our family we have nothing to do with halloween. Some years we do nothing and other years we have come up with a variety of fun things to do. This year we had a Fall Fun Day. The kids all had fun dressing up in these neat animal costumes I bought this year.

Sweet Breakfast

The fun began with the boys having all kinds of dessert for breakfast. Why not break the rules on Fall Fun Day!

Cassidy and Dane didn't fit the costumes and kind of waited until the last minute to come up with any costumes. Dane came as a bed, complete with teddy bear and pillow.

Dane the Bed

Pumpkin Crafts

Cupcake Decorating

Baby Pumpkin Carving

Colt came home from school and decided to come as a rock star. It was an easy costume for him, since he owns an electric guitar and leather jacket.

Rock Star and Fan

Cassidy kept coming up with ideas that he couldn't complete in time for our fun time, so in desperation he decided to come as a fan. A girl fan. *grin* The boys got a real kick out of his antics.

Pizza Party

We then had a pizza party complete with pizza, orange pop, and orange nacho chips.

Pizza Party

After we had eaten our dinner the boys had a jello and whipped cream and vanilla pudding eating contest - no hands!

Jello Eating Contest

Get Set - Go!

The Last Player - Determined to Finish

After the dessert the boys and I played a trivia game. For each correct answer that any of them got they each got candies in their bag.

Our boys don't get candy through the year, so they were happy to have a place to earn it.