Happy Birthday Katrina

Having your birthday on Christmas is super exciting. A whole day of presents and people just for you. We got up around 8:30 and opened presents from Santa. Then we went to my mom's house for Christmas brunch and opened more presents. And finally, in the evening, after a delicious ham from my brother-in-law, James, Katrina got the blow out the candles on her cake and open more presents.

Katrina kept telling me, "Take a picture, Mom." Then she would run over to see it, run back and say, "Take a picture, Mom."

A little before Katrina's birthday, we asked her what kind of cake she wanted. She said "Duck." Then we were trying to teach her that she was going to be three years old. So we asked her "How old will you be on your birthday?" And she said, "Duck." She was not going to be side-tracked by this new topic.

Katrina with her ducky cake. She ate some frosting, hence the blue mouth.

Katrina helped me make the cake. She put the ingredients in the bowl and licked the spoon. She was so excited about it that we had to go visit it while it was cooling. Then she helped me decorate it. Mostly this consisted of her talking a lot and sampling the frosting.

Christmas day was really nice. The temperatures were in the 40's, so in the afternoon we went outside and shot off rockets with Grandpa. The kids jumped on the trampoline and Katrina and Lia played in the sand box.

Here's Katrina in her "Santa" coat and barefeet. They were blue by the time she came in.

Katrina got so many fun presents. She played and was happy all day.

Dora and Backpack figurines that came with a Dora Candyland game.

Katrina and Jakey playing Hop goes Froggio.

Now that Katrina's reached the ripe old age of three, she has some big mile stones ahead of her. She's getting a big girl bed this week and her crib and binky are going away. She's also on her last pack of diapers. She's really excited about learning to go pee in her special potty. And she's a Sunbeam this year. She is such a happy and sweet girl.

In the air there's a feeling...

Our Christmas season got off to a roaring start this year. Festivities started on Thanksgiving day. Sure, we stuffed ourselves silly and plotted our yearly shopping trip, but the main excitement was Caleb's birthday. It's hard to believe he's five. He wanted a jungle birthday cake, of course, and picked out the animals for it himself.

Caleb's jungle birthday cake. There's a hippo, rhino, cheetah, yak and ram.

He asked for a sled for his birthday. Luckily it had snowed a few days before so Aaron and the kids went out the next morning to try it out. They had lots of fun. Caleb was also old enough this year for a friend birthday party. He invited his cousins and a couple of girls from his primary class, where he is the only boy--poor thing.

Caleb blowing out his candles. Everyone made an animal ear headband. Caleb wore his monkey leash.

He was so excited about his jungle party. We played a lot of games where you could run around a roar, so it was a great time for everyone. After the excitement of Caleb's birthday, we put up the tree.

Hannah and Maggie decorating the tree. Maggie will be trying out for Vanna White's job soon.

Caleb stood on the stool to put on the ornaments.

Mom hands out the ornaments and the kids get to put them on.

Sophie coming back for another ornament.

Where was Aaron during all this, well now that his light stringing duties have been eliminated, he took a nap on the couch.

Pictures of Dad asleep--there's nothing better.

Just kidding. He actually helped the kids put on the ornaments and took all the pictures. He even had Maggie take the staged nap one.

We always celebrate Sinterklaas with my family. It was fun to have my brother and his wife and cute new baby here to share that with us. Somehow we didn't get any pictures of them. Sometimes I wonder why I am the one in charge of taking pictures. I am so bad at getting the really important ones. Sinterklaas brought all the kids new snow pants and gloves.

Look Dad gloves!

Katrina got gloves too. If only it wasn't so early in the morning.

Unfortunately, he forgot the snow. We had to wait two weeks to try them out.

We were excited this year to be able to enter a gingerbread house competition put on by our school. We decided to make a gingerbread camp. I put together the tents and set up some of the gingerbread people. We made a gingerbread person for everyone in our family. We even had Dad poking the fire with a candy cane and Hannah fishing in a pond.

The kids kept asking why Dad always pokes in the fire. He just does.

Maggie and Sophie decorating the gingerbread scene.

The kids did most of the decorating. Sophie made a really cool bird out of starbursts that landed on one of the tents. The gingerbread competition was fun. There were a lot of fun houses and we got to go ice skating for free. The kids LOVED ice skating. They pestered me the whole way home about when we were going to go again. We were also excited about winning a prize for our gingerbread campsite. We even got a "major award"--a commemorative mug.

Aaron and Caleb have the good fortune to spend a few days with his brother in Maryland. They went to see a 3D dinosaur movie. Caleb was so excited about that. You could almost reach out and touch those dinosaurs.

We have exciting plans for our Christmas break. We are going ice skating with the Smalleys. Every day since we planned it, some one has told me at least once, "I can't wait until we go ice skating." We will be watching a fun movie on Christmas eve. We haven't reached a decision yet, but Despicable Me and Tangled are in the running. And, what I think the girls are most excited about, we will be painting Hannah and Maggie's room. We got paint samples at Walmart the other day. According to the girl's plans, their room will be a kaleidoscope of color. I think they have seven or eight colors picked out for various parts of their room. I'm going to try to talk them down to one or two.

We also have plans to stay up to 11pm every night and sleep in until 9:30 every morning. There's the all important TV watching that needs to be done, not to mention the computer gaming. And let's not forget the fudge, toffee and other evil treats that abound at this time of year. Sounds like a great holiday. Merry Christmas to you all!

Snow Day

Katrina LOVED the snow. She was happy the whole time and threw snowballs and laughed hysterically at you.

So we woke up last Wednesday to 7 inches of snow. It was super exciting. We decided to take a snow day from school. After an hour of scrambling around trying to find snow pants, boots and gloves that fit everyone, we trouped outside. Maggie and Sophie made a snow fort. Caleb wanted a snowman. Grandpa came out and helped us. And as it was just before Halloween, we actually made a snow witch. Then Hannah thought it would be funny to dress her up in a hula outfit. You can't see it in the picture, but she's wearing Hannah's flip-flops.

Our fabulous snow witch.

Then we had to go over to the park to go sledding. We were there for another 45 minutes, until everyone was crying. Then we came home, snuggled up under blankets, drank hot chocolate and read about the Romans. (If you haven't read the Magic Tree House research book on this, you should. It's really interesting.) Then we also finished the Rapunzel retelling that we had been reading. I think it was called Rapunzel, the one with all the hair, or something. It told the story from both Rapunzel and the Prince (who was called Benjamin)'s point of view. Then I think we may have watched Mythbusters. So, let's see--that's PE, history, reading, and science. Not a bad snow day. And no one thought they were learning anything.

Three kids on a sled.

By the time the regular schools got out, the snow had melted quite a bit. There were still big patches in the shade, but nothing like what we enjoyed in the morning.

Home School

As I suppose you are all now aware, we decided to home school our kids this year. For those of you who didn't know, I apologize. I told Emily and Dad Abbott called me about it, so I just figured everyone knew. Let me explain a little about the program we are using. It's called K12. It's an online school, so it's more like a traditional school than what you are probably thinking when you think of home school. It's a charter school, so the state pays for it. They sent us a computer and all the books and supplies we need for the year. There are two teachers who check work samples from the kids once a month. They are also there to make sure we are on track and if we have any questions. The kids do get a grade from the school. There are also lots of chances to meet other kids from the school in outings and clubs.

I really like it because I don't have to come up with lesson plans for three kids. I get up in the morning, check our schedule for the day, and do any minimal prep work that I might need before they start school. It takes me around 15-20 minutes. Hannah does most of her work on her own. I am only there if she has a question. Maggie needs a little more prodding and closer supervision. I especially have to help her in science and history. Sophie can be set small tasks to complete on her own, but I spend most of my time working with her.

One of the fun things is that we can start school when we are ready, usually about 9am. We can also designate fun dress up days. We've had several pajama days and the other day we had hat day, because the kids wanted to.

Hannah, Maggie and Sophie on Hat Day wearing their super-cool new hats.

We use our project room as a school room. All of our computer work is done here. But the kids can take their offline work anywhere in the house they can concentrate. They like to work in the toy room and our spare bed room. Aaron's office gets used and we've even gone outside.

Here's Hannah at our main computer. I love the color scheme in this room. Miekka designed it. It is so fresh and upbeat. We have supplies in the boxes and our school folders on the shelves. To the right you can see the magazine rack we use for on-going projects. And on the left is a spot for posting work. The pink page is an essay Sophie wrote and illustrated about parakeets.

This is our other computer work station. The cupboards holds all of our art and science supplies. You can also see a red topped jar. It holds pom poms for motivation. When you finish a lesson or Mom says, you can put a pom pom in the jar. When it is filled we get to go on a outing.

One of the subjects that I enjoy most is science. Each science lesson has an experiment of some kind. So it's fun to see the science principle in action and do it yourself.

Sophie doing an experiment with parachutes and quarters. She is trying to find which of three parachutes will be safest. She is experimenting with friction.

Maggie had a fun experiment with static electricity. After this we went out to the trampoline and played shock Mom. Caleb was especially good at it. I actually saw the electric shock come to me. Freaky!

I don't have a picture of it, but Hannah finished school in an hour one day, and I asked my Dad to take her up to the canyon to see some recent landslides. She was talking about soil erosion and composition. She and Caleb had a lot of fun climbing around in the dirt. Later, my Dad emailed Hannah some pictures and an article about a big landslide that happened in 1983, in Thistle, UT. It was pretty cool.

The kids are also taking piano lessons from Aaron. We are so grateful for the way in which we got Great-Grandma Abbott's piano. It was a real blessing and is a very important part of our home school. Thanks too to Emily for giving us her kids old piano books. They have been just perfect for our kids and very helpful.

Has it been hard? You bet. There have been a few days when I have thought, what were we thinking? But the kids have really enjoyed it, for the most part. Utah curriculum requires that kids take Utah history in 4th grade, but K12 doesn't have a good Utah history course. I decided to supplement it and was looking around for resources, when my Mom suggested that I let Maggie go to the elementary school and take history. I thought she would jump at the chance to hang out with her friends for an hour or two a week, but she didn't want to.

Overall, I think it has been a good experience. I have been able to help the kids in ways that I wouldn't have been able too. And I think that the kids have grown closer together. We have a lot less fighting and meanness. The kids have also been more helpful. There's been less whining at requests for help.

Caleb is starting preschool this next week. It's also a free online school. I think he will really like it. He went in for some preliminary testing last week and was so excited about the test, he wanted to go back and do it again the next day. So, I can't think of anything else to tell you, but please email me or comment with questions, because I would love to answer them.

My Summer

I know that many of you have been wondering how our home school is going. It is going well, and I hope you will forgive me not talking about it right now. I really wanted to post some of the fun things we did this summer. One of the first things we did was get a trampoline. The kids choose it over a new swing set. I bought it in early May. When I told the kids I had brought it home and it was in the car right that minute, they all ran outside and tried to push it out of the car. The kids and I all helped to put it together. I didn't think we were going to make it, but we got it in the end. Then they all jumped on it. They were absolutely exhausted that night.

First time on the trampoline.

Aaron and I went out to Ben and Barbara's wedding in early June. Aaron had a class and trade show in Vegas and the family was going to go out and stay the week with him. But then he had to work and we actually ended up only staying the weekend with him. We had fun in the pool and visited one of the casinos and saw their amazing garden display.

Looking at all the amazing things in the garden with Grandma.

A snail we saw all covered in flowers.

We got a season pass to "This is the Place" monument park. The kids have a lot of fun doing the crafts and activities there.

Maggie trying to walk on stilts. The pioneers make it look so easy.

Their favorite thing was going to the school and learning what it was like for pioneer children to go to school. The teacher taught the kids how to spell their names using the Deseret alphabet.

Hannah's name in the Deseret alphabet.

Fourth of July is generally low key at our house. We decided we don't love getting up early on a holiday to go sit in the sun and see a boring parade. So, we do a celebration at home. We had a water fight, the kids made patriotic hats, decorated the float, and threw candy in our at home parade. Then Aaron set off a bunch of fun fireworks in the front yard.

My niece, Lia, in her patriotic hat.

At the end of the evening, Hannah recited/read the Gettysburg address.

We spent a wonderful week at Bear Lake with Grandmother Renee. We visited the Oregon trail museum, explored the ice caves, and the older kids went to Pickleville Playhouse and saw "Crazy For You." We also rented a water ski and played in the water and sand at Bear Lake. But, wouldn't you know it, I forgot to take any pictures. I guess when we're with the Smalley's we have too much fun to step back and take pictures. But, we did break out the the camera for our last day. With Renee on the steps at Keetch Kottage.

When we got home, I promised Sophie and Caleb that I would paint their room. It took a while, and I let the kids help, but it turned out cute.

Caleb's first painting experience. I love the huge paint shirt.

Sophie was a great helper.

Hannah had a friend over that day and she and Maggie and her friend made a tea party for the kids while I was painting. They made peanut butter chew cookies, tea, and found something else for Caleb to eat. My kitchen was a disaster, but everyone was occupied and happy for a few hours. It was all worth it.

Enjoying the fruits of their labors.

We drove out to California in mid-August for Ben and Barbara's reception. We had a fun week with our family there and especially enjoyed staying with Hilary and Dave. Aaron ran a 5K with a group of guys from the family.

Here they are heading up to the start line.

Unfortunately, my camera died at this moment, so I didn't get their triumphant return. But they got a cool T-shirt out of it and had fun. On our way home, we picked up Grandma Abbott's piano. It was pretty exciting getting it home, but we made it. And Aaron, especially, is loving having it. He is teaching the girls piano right now. They have been excited about learning and are doing well.

Maggie got a cabbage plant from her school class that we planted in our garden. It was huge. I think it weighed almost 8lbs.

"Mom, take the picture, this is heavy."

For Labor day we decided to go up the canyons and have a picnic. Of course we climbed all around on the big rocks they have there. It was a cool day, but nice in the sun.

Posing on the rocks.

Finally, on September 11th, we had a family reunion with my side of the family. It was only one day, but we packed in lots of fun activities.

Katrina made two necklaces and decorated a hat.

My Tante Wendy brought all her beading stuff and let the big girls make bracelets and necklaces. Hannah made a beaded glasses chain. They were so excited about beading.

Tante Wendy, Sophie and Grandma beading.

My Dad brought his rocket launcher. Everyone made a rocket and we shot them off across an open area. Caleb especially loves shooting off the rockets and retrieving them.

Caleb and Grandpa getting ready to shoot off a rocket. My uncle Doug on his cell phone.

And finally, what day of camping would be complete without s'mores.

Roasting marshmallows around the campfire.

I always go into summer thinking that it will be a quiet relaxing time. And for part of the summer it was, but as usual, we planned so many fun things, that in reading this I keep thinking "I need a vacation from my vacation."

Sophie's Special Treat

You know, I kind of felt bad that I had blogged about Maggie and Hannah's birthdays, but hadn't published anything about Sophie's birthday. As it turns out, that was a good thing. Don't get me wrong, Sophie had a great backwards birthday party with lots of fun friends. But, on the 7th of July, my Mom came over and said "Hey, come to Disneyland with us." They were leaving in half an hour. "No," I said, "I can't afford it and what will I do with the kids." An hour later, we were all packed and walking out the door. Hannah and Maggie went to the Smalleys for a fun filled weekend with Allison. Caleb was camping at a Fathers and Sons outing with my Dad, Aaron, and my sister's husband and kids. So, Sophie, Katrina, and I went to Disneyland with my sister, her little girl, my Mom, and my aunt. Sophie had lots of fun.

Here we are on the first day, heading into the park. Yes, Sophie got her own stroller.

We started out in California Adventure. While my aunt and sister were getting tickets for the World of Color show that night, my mom and I took the kids to the Redwood Adventure area to climb around.

Sophie and Katrina on some rocks. I told Katrina to take her binky out and smile.

Katrina loved putting her hand on the wall in the Brother Bear cave. Apparently her sister animal is a deer.

One of the things I like about CA Adventure is Bug's Life Land. It is fun to see all the big things that make you feel small. Sophie liked it best of all. She even requested a Bug's Life ride as her last ride of the evening.

Yumm! Candy corn!!

World of Color was fantastic. The fountains were so pretty and the way they lit everything up with colored lights was amazing.

My niece, sister and mom waiting for World of Color to start.
Look Mom, pretty!

After a super late night, we got up early the next morning so we could be in Disneyland when they opened. As we walked along Main Street, all the shopkeepers were out waving at us with giant Mickey hands. We rode all the Fantasy Land rides that morning. There weren't many people and we were able to walk on to almost everything.

You gotta ride Dumbo. Sophie steered--up and down, up and down.

Here's a side of my mom you weren't aware of--wild animal.

Do you think my aunt looks a little nervous that Sophie is driving?

Going to Disneyland with my Mom is the absolute best. She doesn't like to ride the roller coasters, so she watches the kids for you while you go. My sister, aunt and I rode on almost all the roller coasters. My favorite is Splash Mountain. But I couldn't talk Sophie into going on it.

My sister thought her boys would get a kick out of her funny face.

When you're the only kid, Mom caves much more easily to the cotton candy requests.

Sophie shared a few pieces with us, but she mostly ate the whole thing.

We always buy a souvenir when we go to Disneyland. My Mom found this fantastic crown for that Sophie absolutely loved. We gave her the fairy princess treatment. I put her hair up in a bun on top of her head, she put on the crown, and she had a wand for making magic.

Sophie likes this picture because you can see the bun.

Sophie works her magic.

One of the best things about Disneyland is that all the workers are trying to make sure that you have the best experience possible while you are there. When Sophie had her crown on, lots of workers went out of their way to say "Hi, Princess" to her. She giggled every time.

All the girls at Disneyland.

It was a really fun trip. Sophie loved being at Disneyland. She loved hanging out with me. And she loved having this special time that was just for her. One night as she was going to bed, she put her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear, "Thanks for bringing me to Disneyland, Mom."

Sophie says, "I want to go to Disneyland with Mom again." Maggie says, "Hey, what about me?'' And now she is threatening Sophie. It's time to post before this gets any sillier.