LET SCHOOL BEGIN !

The day has finally arrived for school to begin. You won't see a happier more nervous bunch I think, then our family.
We finally got Hailey into the Medical Arts Charter High School and are so excited about it but for Hailey this is difficult. New school, new kids, new everything. There are the same amount of Sophomores in this whole school that she had in her guitar class last year at the High School she was in! She knows this curriculum is going to be intense too but I think she is going to do fine!


There is a positive thing . . . her "bestest" friend Alayna happens to go to this school so she will at least know SOMEONE! Actually another friend Elisha also goes to this school - they will take good care of her I am just sure of it!

And we are off!!!! Yes, the homeschooling has started too. That will be one reason you haven't seen a post on here in awhile. The curriculum through this Virtual School is also quite intense. Most of the assignments with Tyler need a hands-on teacher.

Hayden has been almost schooling himself. I am hoping to change that. I am still trying to figure out how to schedule them so they both get some one-on-one time.

This is going to be quite an interesting year! I am sure there will be more posts to come on things we have done through the homeschooling. Just keep your eyes open and your patience on the forefront . . . it might be awhile!

School Daze!

Well, the day we have been waiting for all summer long has finally arrived . . . the homeschooling supplies have made it to our door! Everyone was very excited!

All of these boxes contained just the things for Tyler!

These items are Tyler's favorites so far . . .

Some of Hayden's things - Hailey is showing no mercy, she is already grilling Hayden from his Algebra book!

Some of Hayden's art supplies.

Tyler will be learning cursive this year among some other great things as you can see!

Tyler is using his new "equipment" to take a moment and check out Willow's fur with the magnifying glass. Willow was very patient with him.

Tyler's chosen elective this year was music. I didn't think I was ready to try to approach a foreign language with him yet! Yeah, that is a tambourine. . .

Tyler's Science . . .

Did I mention the inflatable globe? I don't have the heart to tell Tyler he will not need the safety goggles for all of his subjects. He wore them for most of the rest of the day.

Believe it or not I have to fit all of that stuff into these two carts . . . not so sure about this!

Ta - Da! It fit!

Actually, we did pick up another cart with different sized drawers to keep all of the supplies the kids needed to go with their books and also to hold my teacher guides.

By the way, these are the teacher guides for me! Scary, isn't it! Whose going to school here really?

Needless to say we can't wait to get started. I am getting a little cold in the feet but I am sure once we get going this is going to work really well for us!

Awesome Helpers!

It's always fun to have help but this time I was very glad for it. We have a weedy patch on the side of our home that seems to multiply overnight! I usually do the weed pullin' myself but Kurt felt the kids should kick in and help!
I'm glad he thought of it!

What would have normally took me probably an hour or so by myself took about 1/2 an hour with everyone plus we had great conversation to-boot!

Thanks guys!

The REAL Jedi Training . . .

This is a well hidden secret in the world of the Jedi. When you are first learning the art of light saber duelling, your first training is with Bubbles!

This was really cute!

Be in awe of the level of concentration that this takes!

I am sure he is an up-and-coming Jedi Master!

Watching Garrett !

A few weeks ago we had another opportunity to watch Garrett! He was so well behaved! The kids love to have him over. He currently is infatuated with motorcycles so that was a large part of his stay!

Looking at motorcycles in Garrett's motorcycle magazine.

Garrett thought he was doing something he wasn't supposed to so he was really excited to do this but when I didn't get all excited he lost interest.

The old standby - pot lids with spoons. Yes, it was loud! But they had fun!

Watching Shilo :)

Since I don't have any babies any more I actually find it "fun" to watch babies now. Especially if it is for short periods of time where they are mostly happy, have already been fed and changed and are in the mood to play!

We had the opportunity to watch our friends little girl Shiloh, who is about 7 months old. She enjoyed herself I think. She was surrounded by people who wanted to play with her.

She really had a good time - don't let this picture fool you . . .

The boys love babies! Hailey didn't get to see too much of her because she went somewhere with Kurt but she gave Shiloh a big hug before she went.

We had a lot of fun and I was glad to see her go (tee hee) . . . babies wear you out!

Another Saturday . . .

Although this is out of date sequence, it's okay. I just like the pictures.
I think these were actually taken the last Saturday of January.

Hailey has Festival coming up again this February. One of the songs she is playing is absolutely beautiful. It is called "Sea Voyage". You just want to close your eyes while you listen. I really need to take lessons so I can play some of this music too. She doesn't always want to play for you!

Johnny was hanging out with the boys - doing guy things!
You know, light sabers, Wii, Gamecube and RC cars!
Did I mention eating everything you have in the kitchen?

I was glad they got out because the weather has been so cold. We are all looking forward to Spring!

12, Already?

I think they say that when kids hit the age of about 10 they are now called "tweens" instead of kids. So I had told Hayden since he is turning 12, he is officially a "Senior Tween"! I think he liked that. This is our last year of somewhat normal behavior before he hits the actual teenage time frame where I grip onto something tight and hang on for the ride!

Hayden loves football (still) so for (I think) the third year in a row we have done a football theme. I found these cute little gold foil footballs this year. Made it quite easy to decorate.

Hayden had a small party this year. He just wanted his boy cousins over and Grandma made the trip down to also help him celebrate. I think he had a great time!

Grandma and Brodie

Oh, Chris, Emma and Kelsey hung around for just a little bit after they dropped Jonathan off. We girls love to chat! - Except Kelsey here - she found something interesting on her fingernail I think!

Hayden says he has to wear his Brett Favre football Jersey for these birthdays and if you look back you will see that he has! After seeing it on him though, I told him this would probably be the last birthday to get away with wearing it!

Brodie, Ryan and Dylan - waiting for this party to get started.

We actually bought the game "Twister". I remember playing this when I was a kid and loved it. Nothing better than to get a bunch of teen boys to sweat . . . what was I thinking?

Football stuff . . .

Hayden's other favorite passion . . . Legos, especially Star Wars Legos!

Was pretty excited about this remote control car too!

Let the games begin!

Dylan is very excited!

They also decided to play a "quick" game of Life.

Here he goes - blowing out the candles. This year sure has gone fast!

Even Bryan hung out a bit to chat with Kurt out in the garage.

All in all it was a pretty fun day. Hayden is happy to be 12. He is such a nice, smart wonderful kid! Trying to think of where he gets that?????!!!!!