Jets & jelly fish

We skipped our letter fun on Monday and jumped back in to letter J fun on Tuesday!  We made blow jets.  Practiced our jumping.  Played slap jack...which turned into go fish as they like that game better.  We learned about jelly fish.  They are crazy cool.  I got stung one time when I was younger...not sure how old, under 14 though.  My mom, dad, sister and I were in Galveston at the beach and all I remember was walking out to get a better look at that pretty thing in the ocean.  Bad move Jen, bad move.  I walked right into the jelly fish!  My dad was right there and scooped me up...getting stung in the process.  Even still, I think they are pretty and amazing.  Although I think that about almost every living creature...even spiders which I uber dislike.  Speaking of spiders, we learned about jumping spiders.  The boys love spiders...eew!  Later that night as we were snuggling before bed, we were watching an animal show on tv and wouldn't ya know a blurp about jumping spiders came on!  I love when stuff like that happens.  

Vann used the stencil to make his jet.

The rest of the kids used a pre-made one.  I helped Ash cut and fold his, but boy did he enjoy blowing it!  

Over and over and over again!

Squeals and yays every time he launched his jet!

Chaycers following the instructions on where to fold it.

Then you tape it to a large straw, insert a smaller straw and blow to make your jet fly.

Vann's turn.

We spent a lot of time outside as well.  Watched our baby birds.  Rode bikes.  Rollerbladed.  Ate popsicles.  I read some of my book.  It was a lovely afternoon!

He's gotta protect at all times!  A little dangerous I know.  But he's a boy and I've gotten used to them living on the edge just a bit.  

They made a mini roller rink out of the driveway.  

And then this happened lol.  Which turned into Chayce riding his bike while he pulled Vann on blades down the sidewalk.  And you guessed it...a big bump on the 'road' and boom...two scraped knees.  He got 'em pretty good.  But I doctored him up and he's all good now.  I hate when they hurt themselves.  

Finishing a book is bittersweet sometimes.  I was happy to be at the end, but sad it was over.  Such a great read this one.  I've discovered I'm so drawn to historical books, both fiction and non.  Also books about other countries and war.  It still surprises me when I get engulfed in these such books as I disliked history the most in school.  Probably because text books are boring.  But now I can't get enough!  If you haven't read this book you totally should.  It's fantastic.  

Letter D

We had another gorgeous day today.  Oh how I love the sun!  Can you guess what some of our letter D activities were?  Of course we had to chat about dinosaurs!  Ash loves them.  And we played dominoes, dodge ball, and danced to some music.  The big kids hopped on the computer and did some division and/or decimal work.  The math website we use is called Khan Academy...and it's free!  We've been using it for over a year now and really like it.    

Dot markers and dinosaurs...yes!

Dodge ball...it was Vann against all the other kids.  

And the little kids did win a few times!

First he built a domino tower...

He loves this stuff.

Tumble!

And then we played dominoes.  

Ash 'Is it my turn Mom?'

He did good with this game too!

So, I've been in a book slump lately.  I want to read, but the last few books I've gotten from the library have not grabbed my attention.  And I've learned when that happens, just let them go.  No sense in forcing something that just isn't happening.  Well I started a new book today, Obedience by Will Lavender, and I'm officially out of my slump!  It was a last minute grab at the library from the 'what the staff is reading' section.  And after just a half a page I was hooked!!  Love when that happens.  I can't wait to get back into it tonight.  Have you read any good books lately?  If so, comment below!  I'm always on the hunt for a great read :)

New Bikes

So I showed you Ash's new bike yesterday.  Well the older two each got one too!  They love them and ride them every chance they get.  We've been having crazy weather.  Like yesterday it was chilly...in the 30's, snowed on and off.  While today is super nice...in the 60's, sunny and windy.  Mother Nature can't decide if she wants spring to be here just yet lol.  Anywho when it's nice outside, the boys hop on their bikes :)

My crew :)

From bikes to yoga.  Great transition huh?!  If we're friends on Facebook (if not please friend me!), you know I love yoga.  It has changed me on the outside and the inside in such great ways.  I'm so grateful to have found Bloom.  Besides spending time with my munchkins, which is my most fav thing, Bloom is one of my favorite places to be!

We played a little after a wonderful yin class
where we worked to open our shoulders.  

Looks fun right?!  It totally was :)

I read this book a few weeks ago.  It was really good!
I'm so drawn to stories that take place in other countries.
I love learning about their traditions and how different
things are as compared to here in the United States.  

Alrighty, I'm off to switch the laundry and maybe finish our taxes.  I've been really good at procrastinating them this year.  But I gotta get 'em done here soon!  Chris is cooking dinner.  I'm not sure what he's making, but I know it'll be delicious because he's amazing in the kitchen.  Hope your day is going great!

School work, origami and more...

It's gorgeous outside today!  The boys are digging the open windows and fresh air.  I think I'm gonna need some detangling spray for Ash's hair because it's so windy out.  You should've seen it blowing around outside!  I love his crazy head of hair. 

It's hard to see, but Vann has such nice handwriting,
especially his cursive.  He tries so hard I love it. 

And my Chaycers is really blossoming in math.
Here he is doing a division problem...82614 divided by 3.
Yes he really did that!  I love watching him work.

We got new school books yesterday, yay!  Vann needed the next
level in spelling and I also wanted to try these Mini Mysteries
for some fun reading comprehension.  

Check it out...they were both doing the
same thing with their pencils.

Cute huh?!

This little cutie loved our Valentine's Day activity of sorting and
graphing and counting candy hearts.  He was thrilled that his fav color orange had the 'mostest'.  

Okay so Vann loves origami right?  Well Chaycers is getting into it a bit too!  My fav is when Vann teaches him how to fold something.  Listening to them work together is the best.  

Chayce made this tuxedo...isn't it the cutest thing ever?!

A bunch of cool pop up origami by Vann.
I love the peacock, he's my fav.

A few more of Vann's creations.  The yellow flower is all his
own...he made it up himself.  Love when he does that!

Oh this one is cool too.  The pic of the left is without light,
the one on the right is with the light shining through.

An origami lesson in action...

Their completed creations!  It's a pop up heart.

I mean for reals, look at these music notes.
One piece of paper guys, he makes all of his creations
with just one piece of square paper.  Amazing!

We were playing
Labyrinth last night...

And Ash wanted to
do silly faces lol. 

I haven't been good about making the time to read this year.  But I want to work it back in because I love it so much.  Nothing beats losing yourself in a good book!  I plan to hit the library this weekend for a few great reads...can't wait. 

I reread one of my most fav books this week.
Have you read it?  

Okie doke, I hope you have the most lovely day!  

Books, Playdough & Origami

Gosh I feel like I haven't posted in forever!  How have you been?  Did you have a nice holiday?  I'll post about our Christmas and New Years Eve fun soon :)  

Chaycers has a new book series that he loves!  It's called Kingdom of Wrenly.  He just finished his 4th book and is patiently awaiting Amazon to deliver the 5th one tomorrow.  He enjoys reading during our 'reading time', but my fav is when I find him reading all on his own.  And sometimes he chooses the funniest reading positions.  Just check out the pics below.  I was cracking up while I watched him, he was so squirmy lol!  

Hey, I don't care how he reads!  I'm just happy he loves it.

Chris's early Christmas present!  He was soooo excited about it.  He loves to grill and smoke and has been wanting one of these for years.  I foresee lots of yummy food being cooked on this thing!

I taught Chaycers how to play double solitaire the other day.  I love this game!  

Vann asked if we could make homemade playdough one day so of course I said sure thing!  It's one of my fav activities because the kids not only get to mix it up, but also play with it for quite some time.  It usually keeps them busy for over an hour.  And clean up is a breeze as the playdough doesn't stick to anything...I love it!  Here's the recipe we always use...Homemade Playdough.

My crew :)

Look Mom!

Making a fish.

Look at that belly!

These two are best buds :)

Vann created this origami marble run...it's so cool!!  I'm always in awe of the creations he makes.  The patience he has to fold like that is amazing!