Valentines Day Song

This is the audio that Cassidy, Austin, and Cooper sang. I could not load the video, but this was the other little thing they did.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I wish I could show you the dvd that my 11 year old son made me for Valentine's Day!! It is so clever that the file format is too big to bring up on the file.

What I love about homeschooling are the opportunities! When they are home all day there are moments, and hours to do things that would have to be squeezed into the evening if they were in public school.

This Valentine's Day, our 11 year old C. said that he had a project that he wanted to make on the computer. I knew it was a secret from the way they were so careful when I came into the room.

Watching Big Brother Create a DVD

It was wonderful to watch the boys put it together. Big brother, Colt, was in the office doing his schoolwork, but every so often his expertise would be needed as one of the boys would ask him how to spell as word.

Spelling Help

The little ones would be seen running upstairs with my camera. Their big brother, Dane, was the photographer.

Photographer

Other times, I would come upstairs to hear hushed whispers and doors quickly closing, to be sure I didn't see what they were doing.

Love Heart

See the hearts they created in between their bodies with their arms and hands.

Once before my son had done the same thing. He has created a dvd for his brother's birthday and done a remarkable job. This time, we had a new computer and he had not even used it before, plus he had my camera and he had never uploaded pictures before. Well obviously he figured it out pretty well!! He did a remarkable job creating this video. I was truly amazed at what they accomplished as a little unified team, with an 11 year old leader! I wish I could show it, but the file is too big to upload. It was wonderful with special effects and music and all the pictures that I have shown on this blog.

This is Cassidy's cast:

Cooper

Briton

Austin

And the Director

Cassidy took a picture of his own face, hence the close up. *smile*

While this was going on, the boys had fun writing their Valentine's cards. They each took their supplies and sneaked off to their own little corner to create their special cards. Then one by one they slipped them into the slots of their brothers mailboxes.

Being in school I remember Valentines Day as being a day of getting cards from lots of little friends, but once we hit highschool it became a day of 'who had a girl/boyfriend' and who didn't. I remember Colt's first week of school last year. He quickly had girls liking him and the poor boy! The first week of school and he was already getting pressure from girls that a certain girl liked him and he would just 'have' to buy her a rose from the stand where they were selling them. Talk about welcome to the system! It was so nice in our house this year. Everyone making cards and creating surprises and totally a day about loving each other.

Ray brought me a box of chocolates, a red rose, and a nice card. He signed it to the effect of "Ray and Justine Plus Six and More." *grin* - who knows how many 'more'!! I bought Ray two cards - one funny, one sweet, and a box of chocolates.

Our little sentimental son, Cassidy, the one who likes to make birthday parties, (and dvds) made sure to buy his dad some chocolates to go along with my dvd. He also made an envelope for all the cards he made for the family as a whole.

Briton Signing His Fingerpainted Cards With Mum

Delivering His Cards.

Having Fun Making His Deliveries

Briton had a wonderful time delivering his Valentines. He had a terrible time keeping his little mitts out of the envelopes once they were delivered!!! *smile*

Lots of Little Envelopes of Treats and Cards

I can't wait til next year, when we have two or three more little envelopes lined up filled with treats!

Enjoying Their Treats

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!