Griffin 2y 4mo

Griffin is well on his way to 2 and half, even though it is only 2 and a third officially. He amazed Brett the other day while sitting down with a book, he started counting dogs and practically got all the way to 20! He certainly is absorbing things from his brothers, both the good and bad. He doesn't mind a little rough housing with his brothers, he just gets in trouble when he experiments with his new wrestling moves on unsuspecting younger kids at the gym who he easily takes down. Just his way of showing (inappropriately) dominance over lesser opponents. Griffin has enjoyed his newly equipped room that he loves to enter by himself where he can play construction or trains or cars uninhibited for the most part. The problem is that he also loves to go into his room alone when he needs to poop, and we have found some unpleasant messes on occassion when left on his own too long...





This is my version of ride 'em cowboy.



I'm organizing my little construction site.

I like it when I have some one-on-one time with Mommy.

What a cool tractor with catepillar tracts and everything! This is a mighty machine.

Come chase me, Daddy.

My Mr. Potato head creation...Bryce didn't leave me any Star Wars parts.

Now I can climb up into my chair all by myself...food please?

Bryce 4y 1mo

Bryce has made some real advancements in his involvement with the homeschool process. He now is more of an active participant and is learning things quickly. It is exciting to see the joy on his face as he gets to learn and have his own accomplishments. Bryce enjoys drawing right along with his brother. His specialty is drawing people, especially our family and he likes to include the fingers and arms as well when he has the space. He still tends to write his words backward, but for now we aren't going to complain too much because he IS writing. He still likes to put his pants and shoes on backward too, so...





This is our family portrait. Word up!





If there is something to build or put together, I will try and do it. Another success story.

This is great tasting science Mommy, can we do this everyday?

I think I have contracted the blue shadow virus...oh, I mean I'm all sticky with cotton candy!

I'm strong enough to pull one of those cows down too.

How do I get this rope ready to toss again?

My abstract art in the sand...do you know what this means?

Garrett 6y 3mo

Garrett started first grade this month and is enjoying his second year of formal homeschooling. He is drawing more pictures these days and when given free reign over the topic of his drawings lately it will be tanks and planes for the most part. He also started soccer practice for his new team the Green Dragons (ages 6-8). It is exciting to see him take the instructions in practice and apply them. He is asking to play soccer in the backyard with Brett and his brothers. He is also recognizing the need to work at it and "condition." He enjoyed a trip to the baseball card shop where he had to do math with money and figure out what he could and could not buy with the coins he was given--of course Brett enjoyed the trip as well. Garrett still enjoys playing with his brothers and all varieties of toys that are present in the house.
Some of most recent artwork: inspired by toys and by our family camp experience.

Think I can get this thing running?

I'm feelin' like king of the little playground at camp.

Rope 'em cowboy!

And down she goes.

Science experiments at camp...kinda like homeschooling.

Construction site! Playin' with my shirtless brother Bryce.

Garrett & Bryce's Room project

As the boys have taken over many different parts of the house with their toys and rearranged things in the process, Joy started a campaign to take back parts of the house needed to performs tasks of daily living. The train table was moved from Garrett and Bryce's room to Griffin's room and we began to search for a table to put in the boys room that they could set up stuff on and play on. Not finding anything that fit our specifications, Brett decided to build one. And while he was at it, built more shelves for the closet for their toys. Oh, the satisfaction of completing a project and satisfying both wife and children.



I have taken over the kitchen...good luck making dinner Mommy.



I have taken over the kitchen floor, good luck walking here.

We have taken over the CD case, good luck finding music you want to listen to.

We have taken over the game shelves, good luck getting anything out of here.

We can build it...yes we can! And I can sand it with a new power tool for Dad.

Daddy had us help when we could, here I am screwing on the corner brace.

Hooray, we have a great table in our room to play on AND hide things underneath.

I can leave my setup this way for as long as I want now!

And now we have spots in our closet for our toys so they aren't all over the floor...

Now if we can just remember where everything goes...

School Starts - August

The school year began this month and so did class time for both Garrett (1st grade) and Bryce (pre-K). The key so far has been varying the location of different subjects and moving around and using different parts of the house for our active boys so they don't get too locked down in one location. We have implemented some changes that we picked up on from the homeschool conference and then things are a little different on Friday when Brett is in charge. The boys are enjoying the historical fiction books from the Sonlight cirriculum. Bryce has started some kindergarten level math and is thriving in it. He has really learned to focus and perform tasks. His fine motor skills have allowed him to start some things earlier than expected this year. Griffin enjoys both of his brothers being occupied so that he has free reign to play in the house.







Good to know Star Wars can motivate writing and artwork.

Is this a wish or a statement?

I'm not sure where my brother went, but we were working hard together at math just a few seconds ago...he's camera shy...

I got to sit in Daddy's lap and show him all the math work I did that day.

Bryce's bird artwork and his (backward) signature.

Max was a little curious about the start of school, so she got a birdseye view.

Building our sundial with a batting tee.

Documenting our measurements with the sundial.

Theo wanted to get educated too, 1 cat + 1 cat equals 2 cats.

Focusing on our task makes a Mommy proud.

Another spot to work so as not to wear out our welcome anywhere...and food helps too.

More fun art projects!

This is the story of the Santa Maria with rainclouds over the ship.

As Bryce says: "it's Fun diagrams with Daddy." This time we chose Star Wars figures with the categories: lightsaber wielding, wears a cape, and green on them.

This time it was hats with the categories: "Giants, strapless, and yellow."