activities: chess and nature

Yesterday we discovered a new chess club at a not too far away library. The boys were thrilled to be really learning how to play. They meet each week for an hour and then there will be a few tournaments in the Spring. The instructor was so nice and said we should come early next time and he will sit with the boys and really teach them.  All this offered for free. I am amazed at how many cool library programs I have found and you do not need to be a resident of that town to participate.

Then today we went to the nature class that is offered once a month for homeschoolers. They talked about tracks and signs that all kinds of animals leave. They made their own track story with stamps and learned how to take a plaster cast of a print. We need to stock up on some plaster because I see that in our near future. We find lots of tracks around here.
It was all very interesting to the boys. However they seem to think the class size was a bit too big. They like things to be small and quiet- kinda like their Mama.  For a once a month class we will manage.

Hardy Boys

A few weeks ago I urged the boys to try out reading the Hardy Boys. They are on a serious secret detective kick and I thought they would enjoy them. I have tried in the past but no one was buying what I was selling. However, this time it peaked their interest. William checked out 5 or so and was done reading them within a week.  Eric is reading them aloud to both of the boys. He used to read them when he was a kid, which they think is cool. We learned that there are around 60 of them. William wants to read them all. The other day they each got a package in the mail. Grammy and Grampy had sent up a copy for each of them. They were thrilled.

Then Eric told them about the Hardy Boys TV show he added to our instant cue. It has been non-stop questions as to when can they watch. Today they viewed their first episode. They love it, and think its neat that Daddy watched them when he was a kid- even though Grammy apparently didn't like him to. Or so that's what we've been told.

I love watching them get excited about books!

fragments

odds and ends

thoughts that have crossed my mind

each one not enough for its own post

but giving you a small glimpse 

 into the daily life of ours 

**my heart has been heavy the last few days, sending all my prayers and hope to those affected by Sandy Hook**

**the boys finished their building, photography, swim and tennis classes**

**ski club/team started, the boys are loving it, although miss skiing with mom and dad**

** i am tired so often, and feeling very big, 31 weeks!**

**finally found a yoga class to participate in- right in my town- yeah!**

**trying to remain calm the next week and realize all my ideas and hopes are just not going to get done, and be OK with that. it's about just being with one another**

**loving my bread making class. connecting with some really nice people and learning new bread techniques**

**holding my boys just a little bit longer each day, loving them always and forever**

tree hunting

Ooh it was cold out there today. The wind was whipping and howling, the snow was coming down in a furry. We say let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Santa's Sleigh

created by Landon

12-12-12

 William's

 Landon's-he accidentally switched the two around- oops

We decided to celebrate a day that only comes every 100 years.

I made a chart of 12 things to do.
We went through the day checking off each thing that we did. The boys thought it was quite a clever idea  their Mama came up with.  The boys tried adding more things- such as watch 12 shows- which did not happen. However, it kept our day full and busy. By nightfall I was pretty exhausted.  But it was a fun and memorable day.

Sunday Smiles

My first homemade bread without a bread machine. Landon helped with the design on top.