Better Than I Should Be

You would think that I would have lost my mind by now. You would think that I'd be climbing the walls - that cabin fever would have surely set in. We've had 3 feet of snow come down in the last week and it's started again today with another 20 inches predicted.

But here I am - calm, content and enjoying every minute of being stuck in the house with 8 kids.

I haven't accomplished much of anything. I have spent the better part of each day happily doing nothing. Oh I'm doing stuff - just not anything that needs to be done. I've changed all the music on my Ipod and browsed for hours in the Itune store. I've played with my pictures on the computer and have read about a million blogs and spent hours watching what you're saying on Facebook.

The kids have been in and out of the house at least 43 times each day and I've happily dried their snowsuits and gloves and by the way, how exactly do boys manage to destroy the lining in their boots?

I don't know what's wrong with me. I wouldn't care if this went on for another couple of weeks.

It's like I'm on snow crack.

Well....off to do nothing!

Super Hero Down the Hall

I know I'm going to sleep better tonight.

As I tucked Samuel into bed he showed me that he was wearing his Spider- Man suit under his pajamas and that if anything bad happened it wouldn't take him that long to save me.

Can I just have this one that never grows up?

Game Review

Our daughter, Kirsten, sent us a new game for Christmas called "Ticket to Ride Europe" and last night we gave it a try.
Although it seems complicated upon explanation, after a few rounds we were playing like pros.
The game involves crossing from one city to another on railroads that you construct with cards drawn from various piles. There's a lot of strategy and equal amounts of luck. Kirsten said her kids are able to play but I would think 10 would be a good age to really "get it".
It's a little lengthy of a game but nothing like Monopoly (which I hate) and can be played in under an hour.
We all really liked it and we give it 5 stars.

Go Outside and Learn Something

Homeschool Learning with a snow man:

Bible - Thanked God for the snow and no school.

Math - Estimated the circumference of 3 circles and placed in order of largest to smallest.

Science - Learned about the 3 physical states of water and how quickly the sun melts the snow mans head. Also experimented with properties of gravity while rolling snow balls down hill.


Social Studies - Developed social skills necessary to work together on a group project. Discovered that girls are inherently better at being the boss.

History - Remembered the last snow man they made and did a better job this time.

Music - Listened to me sing "Frosty the Snow Man" off key and didn't complain.

Nature's Perfect Lesson Plans!!

Games

I love my 5 year old but his choice of board games is boring to say the least. He will always choose "Super Heroes Memory Game". I'm really bad at all the memory games but remembering if the card is the good Spider man or the Black Spider man is so beyond my ability to focus. I basically suck at it and Samuel wins every game. I'm not the best loser and he can brag like no body's business. Fun.


Tonight I broke out Candy Land. He still beat me but the Licorice Guy and the Fairy girl with the candy canes was a welcome change. And best of all the teens all had this nostalgic thing going on and agreed to play Candy Land with him, leaving me to do really fun stuff like Facebook.

B-3

Yesterday was our monthly BINGO night. This incredibly fun tradition started when Jeremiah received a BINGO game at his class gift exchange.

And it's a BIG deal at our house. The teens will even cancel all plans with friends to participate.

Everyone has to donate a prize to be eligible to play and the prize has to be approved by me. That leaves out most action figures and Bible coloring books. Boxed candy from the Dollar Tree is always welcomed and James usually has an old phone to donate which often is the Top Prize of the night.

We put out tons of junk food, which although not good for you, is way better than the chain smoking that usually accompanies Bingo games.

I always get to be the caller - because I'm the Mom.

Last night the grandkids were invited and not only did we have a fantastic time, but Jocelyn and Sam had some great reading number practice!

They're Back!

After a few years on the mission field in Chad, Africa, my daughter and her big wonderful family have come home for awhile. They are living next door in our missionary house which means we get to see them every day! Sweet!
Since Kirsten was last home we have added 5 new boys and 1 daughter to our family. It's been great having the kids meet their new nieces and nephews especially since they are all about the same ages. It's great having an uncle who'll play Spiderman with you.
This is going to be a great year!!