Polar Express coming through!

Every Christmas the kindergarten classes at Coral Canyon Elementary get to do a 'Polar Express' train parade. The kids decorate a box to look like either a Christmas present or a train car (whichever they want to do, I guess), come in their pajamas and have a good ol' time choo-choo-ing through each classroom to show off their train. It's really cute. Ian wanted me to go in and make sure that it was happening on that day and that kids were really in their pajamas. Who wouldn't be scared to show up to school being the only one in a bright yellow pajama set? I know I would. Obviously, everyone was in on it too and he had a lot of fun. I couldn't tell by his face, but I know him enough to know he did. Just trust me. For some reason my kids get stone-faced when it comes to getting attention or performing. Who knows.

Homeschooling Blogs

We are having the best time homeschooling. In an effort to solidify lessons, we have started notebooking. It is a creative idea to have children summarize or point out valuable facts through writing and/or art. Taking notebooking a step further....
I have thought a lot about ways in which the children could share their knowledge or simply have a place of their own to share. Rob said "okay" to the idea....so the three oldest kids now have their own blogs.
On my page is a link to their blogs and below is the url. As of now, they haven't posted anything. I'm sure within the next couple of days you'll start to see their writing.

Mikaela: www.reallifeofahomeschoolingteen-kayla.blogspot.com
McKenzie: www.adventuresofahomeschoolingtween.blogspot.com
Matthew: www.crazydayswithacrazyboy.blogspot.com

Mele Kalikimaka

Adam and James have been practicing for the 2nd grade Christmas program for a while and they finally got to show us on Wednesday. They did a fabulous job. They talked about a lot of other country's Christmas traditions, including Hawaii. Mr. Lowe's class got the part of doing the Hawaiian dance. I got a video of it, so go look.
Adam wasn't the most expressive kid in the group except for when he was obviously bored to tears. I thought it was funny so I snapped a picture. James said their cafe-gym-atorium has really bad lighting, so the picture isn't crappy cause of me. So knock it off, you. You know who you are.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Well Mom is not going to post about her own birthday on the blog like she does everyone else, so I guess I will do it.



Mom, we all love you so very much. You are such a great example of love and service and have such a strong testimony of the gospel. I look up to you, and thank my heavenly father every night for sending me to such wonderful parents. I love you!

This past week!

Well, my dear ones, what a whirlwind of a week! December 1 snuck in here without warning and celebrated the birth of our very own Dylan! Eleven years old he is and doing quite well for himself as he is developing his talents. Although the card got mailed it seems that not getting home until after 8 pm from work caused grandma to lose her mind again and didn't find it until tonight when over hearing a man talk about missing his granddaughters birthday! Oh my! how my heart began to beat with the remembrance that I forgot to call one of my grandsons on his birthday! Can that happen?? Unfortunately yes. : ( I love ya Dylan! I hope you know that and I hope you had a grand day.

Thursday was spent in bed, then in the bathroom, in bed, then in the bathroom, etc, etc, etc....... ~yuck~
Thursday night we received the awesome visit of Kelsey, Alexis, Jordan and Caeden! For 2 1/2 days! They are getting picked up Sunday morning. Friday both grandpa and I had to work but the kids were visited by aunt Melissa, Brianna, Eli and Isaac (because momma Sarah was helping at the school). Then on Saturday aunt Sarah, Adam, Ian and Isaac (once again) visited helping to break up the monotony for the kids.
Life would be perfect if that could happen with each family of grandchildren once a month!! I love ya all and hope you are enjoying this time of year when we think more on the birth of our Savior.