At the Park with the Pitts

Jan 6, 2011

Amanda Pitts sent out an open invitation to join her and her kids at the Park this morning at 10. It was freezing! But we went and played with the Pitts, Kilmers, Garretts and well... that's it. Hannah mostly held on to Abby Pitts. Michael pulled out his golf clubs and shared with Caleb. I watched Michael hit a few times and I couldn't believe how amazing he was. He hit the ball straight and far!
Caleb already knows what he wants for Christmas next year... "golf clubs, golf balls and the tees to hold the golf ball up."



















Grandma was driving by and saw Hillari's car at the park. She stopped to hug us before she ran off and did some errands.

Back for a visit.

Jan. 5, 2011

Every Sunday for about two months Caleb has had the same conversation with Sis. Ricks:
C: "I miss you Sister Ricks."
S.R. : "Well, Caleb you should come over and see me at Preschool."
C: "Okay. When?"
S.R. : "Talk to your Mommy and have her call me."
It's the same conversation, over and over. So the last one was at target. I said, " okay. What is a good day for you?" We made the plan right there by the ziplock bags and had been counting down the days ever since.
Today was the big day. We hung out at Amber's house for an hour and then headed down the street to Sister Ricks. Caleb was very happy to be there and it turned out that one of the kids dropped out for the month of January so Sister Ricks said Caleb could take his place. We are so excited. Preschool starts up for us on Wednesday!

Daddy's Back!

Jan. 4, 2010

The kids and I left early this morning to run several errands before Cory got back from the Utah trip. When we walked through the door, Cory was already home. The kids started jumping and yelling, "Daddy's back! Daddy's back!"














We went outside together and took a walk back to the pond to finally feed the ducks some bread. We found them and boy were the ducks excited to get some bread. (Check out the white ducks puffy hair in the bottom left hand corner... cute.)
The mallards were beautiful in the afternoon sun. I had never notice the purple feathers folded carefully under their brown wings before.


We walked back home after the bread was gone, ordered a pizza from Papa Murphey's, watched a few short church videos and then called it a day. Hannah isn't taking naps any more so the kids have been in bed just before 7pm every night since Saturday and asleep by 7:15. It is so nice. By the way... Hannah put a blanket on her head and her "music dog" in her arms and said she was Mary holding Baby Jesus.

US Presidents for $500

Jan 3, 2011

(I'm Not sure why this picture came out sideways on the blog because it was right side up when it downloaded)

Last month I learned about the US Presidents.

It was really amazing to learn a few things about the Presidents of the past.

Here's a few (I won't bore you with a ton) facts:

1. George Washington was the only President who did not live in the White House.

2. Thomas Jefferson (3rd President) was basically Amazing! He did many wonderful things for our country. He believed that all Americans should be educated so that they could make educated decisions. He founded the University of Virginia. He picked the curriculum, recruited the teachers and even designed the buildings. Did you know that he was a self taught and talented architect?

3. Andrew Jackson (7th President) First President to be born in a log cabin. He once shot and killed a man (in a dual) who made an unkind remark about his wife.

4. William Henry Harrison (9th President) After delivering the longest inaugural address ever on a bitterly cold March day Harrison caught cold. It later developed into pneumonia. He died exactly one month to the day he gave his speech, serving the shortest term of any President.

5. James Buchanan (15th President) He argued that slavery was legal under the constitution and urged congress to accept Kansas as a slave state. By the time he left office civil was was inevitable.

6. Abraham Lincoln ( 16th President) First President to run under the newly formed Republican
party.

7. Grover Clevland (22nd and 24th President) personally answered the phone at the white house. Was the only President to be elected two-nonconsecutive terms.

8. Jimmy Carter (39th President) was a speed reader. He could read 2000 words per minute.


Yea... Fun facts.

January's theme is: Animals. I know. That's really broad.

Don't any of you want bread?

Jan 3, 2011

After Caleb diligently traced his letter "S" and then fastidiously colored the Snake green Hannah was bored with her line tracing and colored herself. I snapped a picture as proof that my previous post was not an exageration. Every time the crayons or markers come out, Hannah gets inspired... with her skin.














We headed outside to enjoys the sunshine. The kids played on the grass while I put away the Christmas decorations (nightmare) and the clothes that were too small but still in their dresser. Since we are one day, in the near future ,moving, I want to take only the things we need not all the things we have required. Last week I filled up the entire trunk of our car with Goodwill donations. I think we'll have more.
We took a break a walked to the pond to feed the ducks some left over bread. The ducks were nowhere in sight so the kids sat down and tried to coax the coots with the bread. It didn't work so Caleb and Hannah ate a little bread for them and threw the rest in the pond.



















Caleb pretended like he was dead and Hannah tried to revive/drag him.
















We walked to the other side of the lake and found the elusive ducks. Too bad the bread was all gone!

"S" week

Jan 3 - Jan. 7, 2011

It's the S this week...

Monday: Animals - Sea Stars and Snow Goose
Tuesday: Social Studies - Spain
Friday: Craft/Activity - Toilet Paper Skunk

Poem: Snowflakes, Snowflakes by Jean Warren
Composer: Camille Saint- Saens,
Song: The Swan

The home search continues...

Dec. 31, 2010

We drove up to Porterville this morning (Cory had the day off) to check out about 7 houses for rent. Only one we would consider the rest were "scary" either for it's location and surrounding neighbors or the house was just in poor condition. One house is crazy small (like: our couch will definitely fit in the living room but I don't know where our coffee table is going to go or the TV ) but the neighborhood is nice and the backyard is huge! There would be a lot of room for the kids to play. There is also a nice looking charter school nearby. I'll have to look into it. The owner said he would give us the paint if we wanted to paint it, and the walls are in desperate need of paint.


In between appointments We ate lunch at a park, played a little football and explored the area. Then off to the next place. The kids did good. They were really excited to go into the different houses, hide in the closets and pick out just where there toys would go.

















I packed a lunch but forgot spoons for the applesauce... of well.