Waiting In the Van

One evening we were waiting for Dave to go in & pick up the other kids at AWANA. Princess & I hung out in the van. She was desperate to get out of her car seat so while we were parked I let her. She cracked me up with her antics.

Hee, hee, hee!

Rope Beds & Helping Each Other

We made rope beds to go with our straw ticks. The kids were surprised to learn how beds were made in Colonial times. Of course ours were models using materials we had around the house. =0) The kids understood the difference between what materials were really used & what we were using for our models.

Cutting out the cardboard for the frame.

We used cereal boxes.

Measuring it to size.

Here he is measuring to see how long to cut the "rope".

We experimented a little on how to "tie" the rope to the frame. Since we were using cardboard & yarn we couldn't use nails, pegs or tie it on like they would with the real beds. We tried using tacks but the cardboard wasn't thick enough. I thought of tape but I didn't like that idea. We decided to use the stapler. Kind of like nails right?

After measuring & cutting both the frame & yarn we stapled the first round. Then it was time to do the cross rope. The kids learned that weaving it helped to make it stronger.

Weaving

They also learned that if the yarn/rope was pulled tight it would hold the straw tick better.

Finished!

Elvis' looks a little different than Bugsy's because his was the first we worked on. Therefore his was kind of the "experiment" one. Lol! But it all came out well & everyone was happy.

Boo with her rope bed.

I adore this photo.

This was a precious moment as well.

It warms my heart when they freely help each other.

Math & Silly Bands

Toddlers crack me up. She had fun for quite a time in this box.

Even though some days are rough I wouldn't trade homeschooling for anything. I love capturing all these different moments of learning, teaching, sharing & playing.

Bailey

I think his expression says it all. LOL!

Before & After

Last night we worked on the boy's room. AGAIN. Even though they are limited in their time in it & I have things in specific bins it doesn't seem to matter. I swear they can destroy their room in Guinness Book of World Record Time. We'll keep trying new things & hopefully will find something to help out. In the meantime we figured we'd take down their bunk beds. One of the mattresses is junk anyway & they never sleep in their beds. All that happens is junk is piled on them & under them making more mess to clean up. We were going to store the beds but decided instead to bless another family with them. What will we do when the boys are ready for beds one day? Well, we are trusting God will provide when that time comes.

A Before Picture

I was surprised how upset Elvis became when Dave started taking down the beds. He cried about losing "his only bed". Thankfully the tears disappeared & were replaced with cheers & a huge smile when he saw the new set up.

This only begins to show the disaster. If only photos could share smell too. Never mind. I wouldn't torture you so.

AFTER

After hours of scrubbing carpets, walls & furniture and sorting 100's of small toy pieces we were done. Here is the entry now.

Most of the furniture was moved. The desk, drawers & crates are now sitting in the space where the bunk bed used to be.

Still plenty of room to play!

The closet is once again organized. The toys are happy to be back in their bins & the clothes hang sweetly on their hangers.

The boys absolutely LOVE their tents!

As you know Bugs received his for his birthday. Elvis received his several Christmases ago. It's like having their own room within their shared room. Each has their bedding, pillows, special stuffed animals & a few treasures inside.

Last night was the first night they both slept in their room since we moved in! I'd call that a successful room change!

Straw Ticks

We have been working on projects as we have time for our history co-op. This is the same group we went on the dig with. We are studying Colonial Life. Sewing was on our list this time!

We read about how they made straw ticks to sleep on. We cut out material to make our own models of them.

Bugs had to get in one more snuggle with Molly first.

Sweet Pea is helping as a Teacher's Helper. This is to give her credit in her AWANA work.

Threading the needle.........

Sweet Pea sews one too.

Boo helped teach Bugsy.

Princess wanted to help too.

His first sewing lesson.

All that sewing inspired Sweet Pea to get out her cross-stitch.

I treasure moments like this.

We know our material is fancier than what they used in colonial days but I didn't want to spend money on muslin. We talked about the difference together & then used scraps we already had. We plan to stuff them with newspaper rather than grass in order to keep them from getting musty.

He's Loving It!

Bugsy's tent is a big hit!

The night of his birthday Bugsy, Elvis & Boo all slept in the tent. They were super excited!

Bugsy put his flashlight to good use.

Nighty Night!

Bugs has been sleeping in his tent every night!

It makes me smile to see how much he loves his surprise gift. =0)

Bugsy Turns 5!

My youngest son turned 5 last week. He is definitely a big boy now. He was very excited about his birthday & had been counting down the days all summer.

He chose Chinese food for his special dinner.

After supper he chose to do presents before cake.

He started with the biggest box.
He had seen the box sitting in my room for at a week.

Oh, the anticipation!

Surprise! His own tent!

Of course you need a flashlight to go with it.

Elvis gave him his toy camera.

Elvis also bought him silly bands with his own $.

From Sweet Pea

From Mommy

C-A-N-D-Y!

More silly bands!

From Sweet Pea

She thought of this & bought it all on her own.

From Boo Bear

It was full of candy, coins & stickers.

A horn for his bike.

Buzz to the rescue!

Transformer silly bands.

He also received CARS & Thomas the Tank Engine ones.

Posing with all his birthday goodies

Yep, they are all his.

And he received even MORE later!

Cake time!

Making his wish

A very happy birthday boy.

Being goofy!

He told us he had a terrific birthday. I can't believe another year has passed. I am so blessed to have been there every day to see him grow & to celebrate this special day.