Monday, December 5, 2022

November 2022

We started the month off with a trip to Red Rock Canyon.  Our nature study was focused on rocks so it seemed perfect.  It was a beautiful day. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fZsSNEUlIMnuSUaJ38xaX2Zi-NIueb-2https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1w-Giz27U1QFdQ4KEZysaGyKVWQSHFLHF
We also finished up Hinckley’s soccer season at the beginning of the month.  After being pretty standoffish all season at his games (he did really well at practices but would just run around at the games) he scored not once but twice during his last game.  He had the biggest smile on his face, along with a look of disbelief both times as he walked as though in a trance back to his side of the field.
On the way home afterward he asked me, “how did I do it?”  I'm not sure how I responded but we were all so proud of him!
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18-AtvJBHZDKMb8iLYFHDsEi0ay-W9FKOhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zlvxNtV53KzvoGztoHLwiGLbtfNIGxY1
Right after his game we got the kids ready and had a sweet friend take some family photos for us.  We wish Lucy's sweet, zany personality had shown through a bit more but she did come around in a few photos.  And now she will finally be up on our wall! 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1H9tMtWPS8vLJRregE6PoDC34FL8HYobxhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1K8DKSbVEDqtQ053LP5DTEAq4O5hADAfbhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PAiypkVq6k_s-gOnPdoJ4phaYvGKcfnjhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1siIWkitJrPH11kd4lZKS1ItakGHqOKTfhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SVt1FOFpBl9BzgfTmw4HAxDrssVHgqQ_
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ICM1jkc_m7lPLQwHufwsO43vQYjwTttThttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Oa1gr3vac4_TFlvzN_h0bS4X9lgYG0eHhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1tFgkAulQBN4BS-AFekfRBwB0zrEluNfZhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CHW1A9yuWnyDA3695X_5NW8BI0vthoYbhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1giarquFycmX4jgjq24kvyoHz-pJfVAz_
About halfway through the month we had Hinckley's (rescheduled) birthday party.  We were so fortunate to have almost all the children we had originally invited attend.  Since we've changed our focus this year from Batman to Spider-man it was Spidey party, complete with swinging, memorization, spider-like reflex checks, web target practice, "bad guys" to spray with webs and a Spider-Man pinata.  Hinckley is so cute and quiet.  You can see in the picture- he stayed toward the back of the photo at his own party.  Once all of the official activities were done, rather than play upstairs or outside with his friends he asked to read the new Superheroes book he'd received from his friend Evelyn. 
We were so glad we got to celebrate our sweet little crime-fighting 5 year old, even if it was two weeks late!
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lXAoOC9fnet2CYYzf3Zq-yoQsMl_Lc_xhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1E5RSy6Gi-2SAogQuYRuzvAWh1W1Gup5p

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pGkozL-9VfuQDiXIWVp0Cq3wSelavaDr
A couple of weeks later it was time for Thanksgiving!  We stayed home again this year and it was so simple and delightful.  
Each day for the entire month of November we tried to put leaves on our Thankful Tree on our door.  We missed our fair share of times but I loved it.  It set such a nice tone for our month.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UCyMe3O6AQs1_Ybh0BBtYBX8nhcXSdbU
We started off with a Turkey Bowl at the park.  It was extra fun because it was combined with our old ward and our current ward.  There was football, soccer and Dane even got the smallest kiddos playing a little baseball.  It was a great way to start off the day.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SIN04wQ-S31xPExi5revO79LVijkPyQR
Then we worked on a craft- cute "prayer hands" to put on the placemats the boys had made the day before.  Hinckley's were hilarious- he wanted Spidey hands, so we traced his hand on red paper and Atticus drew on some webs.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19Uashq8OHrkx5deq8L9rCkEhcvh6x76h
I was surprised after this when Atticus chose to stay and help me- more than ever!- for the rest of the dinner preparations.  (Normally it is Hinckley who is my assistant in the kitchen.)  It was such a pleasure to listen to beautiful music while chopping and seasoning.  

Hinckley did, eventually, make an appearance.  Since all the food had been prepped he insisted on making an adorable little "salad."
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1p16T4BcREu_6eUev9Ld3UGJzb7IVVqiA
We did a little reading, watched a movie, ate dinner and played charades.  Charades was especially fun because the boys started acting out books and evens we had read about in homeschool.  Notable moments included Hinckley's version of Curious George and Atticus's version of John Smith and the Pilgrims.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jVj3H1Yo9HBdZ8FJkXjW8tfcAQ4Htz8J

As for the kiddos, we'll start with Atticus.

His soccer team, Lightning, was tied for first place at the end of the regular season.  Unfortunately, they lost the championship match 2-1 during the playoffs.  You can tell by the look on his face that he was fighting tears afterward.  We are still so proud of him.  He scored five games in a row, he was better at controlling his emotions this season and continues to work so hard.  We are enjoying the time off now but he still plays soccer pretty much every day with neighbor friends and with Hinckley

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Xe7gJIsDs891Fu3IHg0coP3pd1gwOfT5https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RsDmR-SA5n9-3fQgsBr5BacU8mUob8XJ
He chose to be baptized and so we took some more photos at the church with the little boy whose baptism would be on the same day.  Such cute kiddos!  More important than how handsome the two of them looked, we really felt like he was ready.  Sure, he still can drive us crazy but there are such moments of greatness in him.  
For example, we have been trying to read the Book of Mormon with him these last couple of months and he never complains.  In fact, he will quickly start the next verse because he wants to keep going, ha ha.  It can be a little frustrating when we're ready for someone else to have a turn.  

There was one particularly sweet day at the end of the month when his eyes seemed to open to just how adorable his little sister.  He was playing with her and then invited her to do math with him.  He got her a pencil and paper and went through almost all of his math exercises with her, having her repeat numbers after him.  He would write the answers in his book and she would write little scribbles on her page.  My heart just melted watching them.  

The most profound experience we had was also right at the end of the month and I shared this experience at his baptism on December 3.  (I'll share more about the baptism in next month's post!)  He had been playing with some friends and they had made a HUGE mess upstairs in the playroom.  I was very upset, especially because we had made this mistake before and the boys had promised not to do anything of the kind again... and this time it was so much worse.  

So there we were, the two of us, trying to clean up the mess (tiny Styrofoam balls- everywhere!) and I was just fuming.  Atticus was quiet and we tried a few different ways to clean up with no success- it just seemed impossible.  After a while I realized I was being a horrible example and tried to calm myself down, praying in my heart.  It was only a minute or two before an image popped into my mind of how we could clean up the mess.  I shared the idea with Atticus, who responded, "Yes!  I had that idea ten minutes ago but I thought you might yell at me if I said anything."  I was very humbled but couldn't help asking, "Did you have a picture pop into your mind of how we could do it?"  Sure enough, he had.  I was quick to let him know that this was no coincidence.  It was the Holy Ghost bringing an idea to our minds.  In case you're wondering, yes.  He loves reminding me now of who was worthy to feel the Holy Ghost first!

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jwfgV1197kBM2sCKVe2Qgg729f0hq5M8
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1TnoxaOx4XUL9no3lGb6Ul-h9Kk9R3rrm
Atticusisms:
  • ("Atticus, you're tattling!") "Well, yeah... I guess I am... but Hinckley...."  
  • ("Pull up the drawbridge!  Pull up the drawbridge!") "Pretend I pulled up the drawbridge and you stopped yelling." (said completely dead pan in response to Hinckley's yells from another room.)
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1gJ_JR8B22cLfyu7Q8qwKfXx8pvMBaX4E
Hinckley did a whole lot more than score those two goals at the beginning of the month.  Early in the month he told me he wanted to write a story about a prince.  As we got his ideas down I realized he could write his own book and he was all in!  He was so patient and excited through the whole process.  He illustrated every page and I have no doubt we'll be writing more.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vFFhGb--8Dn9X3uiyFFHpKZmZOBODp9v
He also made his own Spider-Man movie, illustrating it and narrating it.  
He has such an imagination.  Even Atticus admits how much he loves Hinckley's imagination.

He also mastered his last name, easily.  He has such a hunger to read that I have no doubt he'll be mastering that very soon, too.  He is getting so good at sounding things out.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1WqxoHTo3m-ejSIT86IufOdBtXr4rBBgd
Hinckley speaks:
  • "Ah, dang it.  No squishy poops... Wait, here's a black squishy one." ("Put it in the bag.")  "It won't come out" (of his glove.)  ("That's because you squished it!") 
  • "Thanks for watching this video!" (While Dane took a Marco Polo of him for his grandparents.)
  • "Robot, can I go to the bafroom fuhst?" (Answers himself in a robot voice) "Ah, sure!"

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-iruySkwQOxlV0JgzxuhGPAG6VUBj5Ct
Oh, little Lucy!  We just want her to stay two forever.

This month her love for her bed has gone to a next level.  She wants us to join her in bed so she doesn't have to come out right away.  "In, in!" she'll say, gesturing for us to climb in.  I have to admit, it's hard to resist and I often find myself in her crib, playing with her with her toys and getting covered by her blankets.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10Q7uIAanGm5CDuM3ZZWwzX5nlcfSdSel
When she finally comes out she doesn't just want her unicorn all the time (it's gone from being "ull-done" to "uldicohn.")  She wants her "banket" with her all the time, too.  As a side note, the two items have been used to cover and fill just about every item in the house.  It can be very cute to see the blanket being used as a table cloth but is incredibly frustrating when it's time for sleeping and we're not sure where she's stashed them this time.

She is definitely starting to fight us more and more.  She wants to do everything herself, insisting, "Issy!  Issy!"  Of course, she can't quite do many of those things yet and so it just means extra time for all of our activities... which can be so exasperating.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1A1BVWTmJrcTkLQxKzw3x6r31yBLylY9n
She finally started wearing her princess dresses this month!  She had been throwing tantrums if we even suggested her trying them on in previous months.  All she needed was to see another little girl put one on. 

She loves cleaning and we keep getting into sticky situations as a result.  ONe day I was too late when she grabbed a hand towel and stuck it in the toilet repeatedly.  As I tried to clean things up and wash her hands she started explaining to me, "Yucky."  She was trying to clean the yucky toilet!  

She also loves washing her hands with soap- lots and lots of soap!- and we keep having messes to clean as a result.  SHe also LOVES her swimsuits and often grabs every single one of them and takes them around with her, stuffing them in the van or other places in hopes that she might get to use one and go in the hot tub.

Listen to Lucy:
"Dat you... welpum" (she has started saying "You're welcome" to herself after offering thanks.)
"Slippers" (scriptures)
"Bess... Baby Iswael" (while praying- and she always points to her back or her bum because I pointed to my baby bump the first few times I helped her to say it.) 
"Daddy's a-comin'"
"___________'s a-poopin'"
"___________'s a-sleepin'"

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ugYe9b5hH-9wR3FOnt5usCVp8A5xQdKu
Homeschool was so fun this month.  We studied more about the colonies, reading Rush Revere and the Brave Patriots.  (Atticus LOVED it!)  We also studied the British Isles and focused quite a bit on Camelot, knighthood and chivalry.  It was time well spent!  We read King Arthur and His Knights and were captivated.  

I loved the imaginative play that came from these topics.  The boys would build forts daily.  Atticus was King Arthur and Hinckley was Sir Lancelot, that is, until he found out more about Galahad.  Then he wanted to be Sir Galahad, which is a pretty noble goal.  They also had a castle/kingdom built of lincoln logs that went several days before its destruction by a certain two-year-old.

We did have one unfortunate episode related to this unit.  One day we jousted with pool noodles with some of our homeschool friends and my boys took it to the next level.  While I was getting dinner ready they started jousting with baseball bats with their neighbor friends...  Somehow this led to an angry Hinckley hitting a neighbor kid with a metal baseball bat!  You can imagine my horror at leading them to do something like that.  But the boys were given a punishment they won't soon forget and the kids were all friends again the next day.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hsS3wBd_8I_XeaVG-8EtynUszfxvK_0_
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RJcEAugDUHMtBXxununmbmpVi7FZK5fp
The only recipes I tried this month were cottage pie and authentic British scones.  Both were very well received.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Mkob7QkV3dNOcSja8ky8FBg0EWl3jJio
At the very end of the month we were able to participate in a pizza-making class at Above the Crust.  It was so much fun!  We loved it.  They even gave Lucy a little bit of dough to play with while watching her brothers.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1h2QhincBElmtpqvKCmkvcobUO2QQppcKhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=156g4GXHS5ZW-lTjk6Gsc5s2H8ImLiRio
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1L9IiQDLm-qFIXCXYhZ2KNG-9h7Tu1Dqphttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1iA53PHlQy2X1lxjrQHRTG46mRtDx6SWu
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=193OF-dkRGS-LN-f9CDkFT4-B_KP0P8a3

And now it's time for Christmas.  I can't wait!
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qlZxR-IElgoPtUQrawKYrbief9H4_Y8z

Monday, October 31, 2022

October 2022

October was a very busy month.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18RFm37eyitC71mEAPAjCln_n6SE80GTh
We started off with a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Lucy wasn't sure to make of some of it but I think the apple cider doughnuts won her over.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1s6H9mqlrWnfap37wRSLUZC7j7wdxwZt2https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rbSDXsigBLzL1Z7ZG8lIV6oJyHzhGFWLhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1sIJfyq0EEntW1jrfdXZn0Tl4FPMxxX1xhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lL6IVrCLcaF4gMkVV9Gag1A62JdAld8Chttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1QkfNlJ0oYdhySsnBKt0pDWD2wxpPOu3ahttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1NjZ3SS8k1e_ds2UqyItBXyu9dGgo0Ayg
That weekend we watched General Conference.  It was a spiritual feast.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14zyH-1kUPVEUOyF6uxYQ0OZ_mF9fNpP8
Then on Monday we went to the aquarium.  We were studying oceans and lakes this month and it was the perfect way to start the month.  The boys were in heaven.  Atticus kept saying, "This is the best day ever!"
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1w_zhGzEof1ss9lMqostoCNT4wgHO6WIWhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1NxSvMeIw8r30DuukxHwtcHxGRWyq4nzC
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1h2zqwL4GIgZBtppfljbjyN9kZItdyiFdhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ZZ6P0wdAGPdBnLaFAhd8n4xYghmE_P8Ghttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1d8LrI1bYjGX-VjUxuATGxn7TLGvMATBNhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jHDlO16JgHh-1HycMG0p0L9l9Mxn5psO
On Wednesday we found out the gender of our little one who is due in February.  We are so excited to share our news!  "The Fourth is with us.... and he's a boy!"
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1yUW4fiyYZQG30lAznse5628IYuIaegZBhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Ad_FRzJTMP8Zk15OFcknYNEDqfu0FdnYhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FJvs1rswZA7enrZMKU9lIGgGf1J9yiGf
That Friday we went to the Renaissance Fair.  We ended up spending all our time in the Pirate area and the boys loved it!  They watched a cannon and gun demonstration, made pirate maps and flags, watched swashbuckling pirates fight on stage and did much more.  It was so fun.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XlHQgWejBBQwK6IG0Loi6qZZGxQEZpxWhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1gEpGarD8QnS47e1m1UYHJSxQ4MkHGkSGhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1TkFhIr0V_hf6TYAejtb0yDUciOE0OHXD
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ZK6zLv7DjH-kaLXol3VQFwvCnt_SBtQghttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18YKjB9-67vQj72W-zcgl8TfpS78EmlbUhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=15iqZe5GDCOfHlKqz0Y3mbMp7Os5KAabX

Next came the Primary Program.  It was my first time ever heading one up and so I struggled to manage my stress.  Fortunately, everything went great and I feel like we all had a wonderful, uplifting experience. 

Primary program recording:
Phew!  I am so happy it's over.  It feels like a huge weight is off my shoulders.

Then, of course, came Hinckley's birthday and Halloween.  

Unfortunately, Hinckley woke up the night before his party with a barking cough and a sick tummy.  After staying up with him a good part of the night I realized we would need to postpone the party for a couple weeks.  Thankfully, my sweet mom had planned to come that day and decided to brave the trip, even after our long night.  Her trip saved the day and made our weekend so special.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LhLJN83BY6fZatJznFOF-EBRAoROXy58
We still tried to give Hinckley the royal treatment, especially since the next day, other than some stuffiness, he really didn't seem very sick.  I had made a giant cake for his party so we cut into it on his birthday and made fettuccine alfredo, which is a favorite of all the men folk in these parts.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PCAABENMyljh4EqTcjhbJ31eoRO1MkG8
Although he was so disappointed at first when we postponed the party Hinckley recovered quickly and then he was the sweetest little birthday boy.  He woke up that morning and told me, "I feel different... My legs feel different!"  Later that day he told our good friend, "Ms. Kate!  I'm SOOO much older now!"  He was so grateful for each of the presents he received and has played happily with them ever since.  I think five is going to be a good year for this handsome little guy.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LgGlV0ydgf3Yj1jCa--WGfr1_xcB74ku
The next day was Bobba's birthday and all three kiddos drew him some fun cards.  

Of course, the day after that was Halloween and there were plenty of festivities to celebrate.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1O6jsOlUaSN04FdE6d0sMsjQHk-NwEga2

At the ward Trunk r Treat our judges gave our cute Lucy 1st place for her costume as Rey.  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ymBOGYjEvKGn4zK_fEfJldRuei-BkeLuhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10Xy5VWHpuLbCmRlfH3wMt0FBRUJHAcVj
And somehow my ghost chili placed in the cook-off!  What a pleasant surprise.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1esj2GLo7RloiwX4eR9jE0u9ZmIHY0q0V
We went with a Star Wars theme (again!) Atticus went as Kylo Ren, Hinckley as Luke Skywalker and Lucy as Rey.  I joined them as the Death Star.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FkS46OgrDOtdYp7Uw4Z2frWaVD8sTm_Y
Lucy loved all of it, dancing to the music at the Trunk r Treat and walking way further than we'd expected on Halloween night. She kept talking about "cahnies" all night and her first word was "cahnies" when she woke up the next morning.  She even started saying "Ti-teet" to our neighbors toward the end.  At the last house she added "Ha-aa--eeen!" after telling them "Dat doo."  I'm assuming it was her version of "Happy Halloween!"

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cGz45r41qUCCm9LjkwbeZxLy5ovf2BLF
Atticus had a very successful month as far as soccer is concerned.  He scored at four games in a row, scoring twice at one game and getting a hat trick at another.  It seemed he just needed to gain confidence with that first goal.  As I've said before, it is so fun to watch him play.  He has so much energy, he positions himself so well, and his ball handling skills are amazing.
 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wqaqXq0iAqEZFg2vszzNhYC7J0oE0Y64
Atticus's artwork is also improving.  He's usually in such a hurry that I can't see what he's capable of but every so often he really concentrates.  When he slows down he does a wonderful job.

The boys have been catching crickets on and off all month.  At one point they had caught 19.  While they are not my favorite critter their excitement can be contagious.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pyFb1qzar2NsvrFPC7laZllPwr3bCSJ7
His confidence and skill continue to grow with his piano playing.  I love listening and try to sit down with him to do duets or show him new songs at least for a few minutes each day.  This month marks the first time he's ever written a song on the piano.  He played it for me repeatedly and I was able to write it on some composition paper.  We absolutely love that he enjoys himself enough to be creating new songs.    

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1mI7O3tLnQBRMn2igjxCDsKteCJAmFVEZ
We're also pleased to report that Atticus has chosen to be baptized.  It will be in December.  Dane took him to a nearby park and took this fantastic picture.  I feel like it captures our little man- his playfulness but also his goodness and incredible potential- so perfectly.  Best of all, we were able to forever capture his toothless smile. I love it so much. Sometimes I hope those top teeth never grow in. 

Atticusism:
  • "Woah!  You got bigger today!... I mean..." (sheepish laugh) "The baby got bigger..."
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dYvQtfly8TZY8MCeLCewG75z6E7rAGbR
Oh, Hinckley.  As I mentioned earlier, he turned five this month.  He weighed in that morning at 38 lbs and when we measured him he was 40 inches.  

While he is starting to get mouthier (sigh!) he can also be the best peacemaker.

His artwork is really becoming impressive.  Once again, our wall is getting covered with Hinckley drawings.  This time, however, they aren't all of Batman.  They're beautiful, fully colored pictures of his favorite animals or of Jesus.  I love them and, as far as I'm concerned, he can wallpaper the place.  I love how much confidence he's gaining. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RcwpLtTV25gpupt6c8cdCI9_-OBNQdhU
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1W_hjOYbjeLPjqKr8Gw9xV9d-K1dDAzBc
Similarly, his handwriting is getting so much better.  He asked to write out all the invitations for his party and I am just treasuring the way he wrote them.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dqzc31xpzKBVJTwBa0YKeZo1JX2TDH28
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ZqBlsHpdC9oG9W3egdMItYcU9Z3sxhsw

I wish I could capture just how much we enjoy this kid who plays his new guitar and sings at the top of his lungs, who always wants to help me in the kitchen and who always remembers Lucy, his itty bitty baby brother Israel and everyone else around him.

Hinckley speaks:
  • "Why is he whistling?" (About President Russell M. Nelson while he was talking.)
  • "Is President Nelson still alive?" (While we were watching him speak!)
  • ("Are you ready to get up?")  "No.  My goose head still hurts." 
  • "Mom's not fat, Atticus!  She's pregnant!"  (But see the next day...)
  • "It looks like Mommy's got two bums!" (We all died laughing.  It's true!)
  • ("Why did Mom take your blanket?") "Because she's a mean 'ole witch!" (He had slapped me in the face with the blanket just a few minutes earlier.)
  • "Mom, what does human meat taste like?" ("Hinckley!!") "No!  I mean a dead human!" (he said it so defensively.)
  • "I'm all done guitaring" (putting down his new guitar.)
  • "If Lucy tries to touch my statue I'm going to pick her up and slam her on the couch." ("Hinckley!") "I'll do it softly!"
  • "I wish Israel was here." (while we were hiking on a beautiful day.) "Can he hear me?" 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1AkjlOUXkyhT_Rag8XEvPkExbMpgb5dKY
Our little Lucy is so stinking cute.  She loves to make us laugh by hopping around wherever we go.  She tells us she's bouncing.  Whatever it is, it's adorable.  

She's getting faster on her balance bike.  On Halloween she glided on her balance bike for the first time.  She did fall shortly afterward so she might be careful for a while but she's definitely getting the feeling.

She loves the "Freeze Dance" and this month she has started singing single words from "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock."  She does almost all the actions.  It is so cute!

She has started "reading" scriptures with us (one word at a time) and she is putting more and more words together.  She's still hesitant and shy but I'm not a bit worried at all.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18VohSCoFT-NBMtUooo5pxTdjgvXWWCmm
Listen to Lucy:
  • "A-muls/Adimals" (animals)
  • "Pan-died!" (Bandaid- for herself or anyone else who looks even remotely distressed.)
  • "Bay-downd" (Playground.)
  • "Bebe" (She is just LOVING babies.)
  • "Bops" (her crocs/shoes)
  • "Nean up!" (Clean up)
  • "Kine up" (Climb up)

Homeschool Updates:
One of my favorite things we did this month was this little art/writing activity.  Atticus enjoyed it so much he asked if he could do a second one.  While making it he said, "Thank you so much for having us do this!"  No complaints from this teacher!
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Cr1Kil9w6j7tglvcCNvAx8hYbsZlwHm2https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FXLcGH3ZWq82Hp5xzdiUCw2oG4AMZA9ehttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18SWj2hgVpbmVTyZwEVPwp-lQ6rfJYTjHhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13rznWx_Sa8e2n5LcUd1x3y1ZkGZIfk0_
This month we started our studies with pirates, reading Peter Pan again (it's so good and the boys begged me).  
We finished up the book Freckles during the first half of the month.  Although I was surprised with a little bit of mild language (so we had to read it, rather than listen to a librivox recording) it was a good book with some VERY exciting parts.
We then moved on to Spain, finding out some not so fun family history (the boys are related to some conquistadors... then again, they're also related to Native Americans... and a whole host of other ethnicities!)  We read and watched Ferdinand again, ate sopa de lentejas and spanish rice (delicious!) 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rAXCDcWsJPaMmn9DcXOwsb4Jhg6ZlqH6
and churros (not great!  we'll go somewhere else next time).  
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Xyp_5dSbao5FeBjL03mcipq-eS1UdLuo
We also made castinets.  The castinets were such a hit!  Even Lucy decorated hers and loved them.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1EZ9fuRPJ4wJLGsOdo0tVA_pfThl9XvhK
Next we studied Holland.  Man, we loved it.  We ate stroopwafels with (Dutch) hot chocolate, 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oleEeYz4GosAUAg-IQjKKA4eetl2fE3g
had yummy Dutch stamppot with split pea soup and tried some yummy Dutch gouda cheese.  We also made some fun tulip paintings and read Wheel on the School, among many other great books and stories based in Holland. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1HLp1BnOqbM_YtPJa9Y6m9PL60m-SDq7I
Another fun update that is related to home school is that we have a garden!  We had dirt delivered (right before the primary program, actually- that timing was terrible...) and planted some fun winter vegetables.  Some are doing awesome, some aren't doing great but it's so fun to have something growing.  And one of the tomato plants that I started back in March is finally doing so well! 

As busy and stressful as the month has been, we have so many blessings to count.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PNeVcu2r88Q4HoXGY2Ng4My1qTua6VSc

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1K9UMyAzx1Q5O_vE7B4nwT-_j3VYiIoCNhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1gEyPLFsrL48FTNpR0a6B1Bfp29tCW1eG