Nature study

I'm teaching a nature study class at co-op. one week we went out to look for moss and made a little terrarium that the kids could take home to grow their pet moss.  I have really been fascinated buy all the different hunts that we have been on to look for different plants and nature outdoors.  Being outside, reminds me of our wonderful Creator and causes my heart to soar to the heavens in thankfulness for all he has created and made.  The kids and I are memorizing this poem, "All creatures bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all."

Ice cream

This is make your own ice cream and butter day for our Cub School.

Leaves

Big boy

The potty training continues this week and we are making some strides in the process. we have our stack of Sandra Boynton books in the bathroom that Joe likes to read when he is sitting to try to go potty.  I realize with all my kids that potty straining like life is a journey,i ups and downs,  good days and bad days.  None of them have ever been super easyb we persevere.  Last night we put little Joel in a big boy bed. We did find him on the floor asleep once before bedtime but other than that he seemed to sleep in it like a champ.

Potty training

 Potty training 101-  Last week we took the plunge and started to work on potty training for Joel. I have to admit that this is my least favorite job as a parent. I felt pretty anxious going into the week but was just praying that God would help me have a relaxed perspective. Though it does add chaos to our days, we're slowly working on this little boy becoming a big boy.  He is so funny with what he repeats back to me and often says oh puddle no chocolate chip. One day, he went 20 times in his pants in a four-hour period, I'm not sure if he was just going a little bit and trying to stop himself but I felt like I was changing his underwear every 5 minutes. And  so this begins week two of our pottying adventures.  One of the harder things this time is trying to focus on my youngest while trying to do school and help the older ones. I was vividly reminded that God gives much grace even in potty training. 

Cub School

Twice a month on a Tuesday afternoon, Laura and I do cub  school together.  It is such a blessing to do some cousin time and we focus on doing science and science experiments together. Last week, we tested different laundry detergents to see which would get out stains better. The kids loved creating their own washing machine and seeing who would clean things the best. Though it is not always about competition, a friendly competition especially for the boys helps motivate them.

Hiking Club

While the weather is nice, Tuesdays are our hiking day in the afternoon!  We are so thankful for some time to get outside and see beautiful leaves.

Fall festival

 This week we had dress-up day at co-op. and the kids enjoyed a little harvest festival at a church on Thursday evening.  

We also hosted a Little Fall November 1st party reading about the life of Martin Luther on Friday with some friends.