The Trampoline:
Last year the trampoline we "inherited" from a neighbour that was going to throw it out, but gave it to us since we have a zillion children...well....that tramp died. (How's that for a run-on!)
For Christmas we got the children all "combined" presents. There were games, videos and the promise of a new trampoline in the spring. That day was long anticipated. It was great for me too! The morning after I purchased our new trampoline, a small army of Valks hauled it out of the van, spread the parts on the back lawn, one took charge with the directions in hand (I'll let you guess who that was!), and within the hour....viola!
Many hours of bouncing fun!
Yes....I am actually on the trampoline underneath Jacob.
All in the name of a cool photo! :)
The Graduation:
Macayla has completed grade 8!
Our homeschool group is fairly low-key, but the parents and graduates gather together for dinner out at a local buffet restaurant (The Mandarin). The students really look forward it!
Here is Macayla with her close friend, Emma.
The young ladies at their end of the table.
Macayla and Emma again. The girls were excited about having new dresses to wear.
Macayla with her fellow graduates and friends. Dean Allison is a local MP. He kindly gives our graduates a fancy (personally signed) certificate of congratulations. A nice touch.
And the proud parents with their daughter!
We are so thankful for the many gifts that God has given Macayla and pray that He will work in her heart that she will love Him more and more!
The Battle of Lego Organization:
A number of months ago we organized all of the Lego into various colours. This was in response to the bedroom looking like Lego exploded EVERYwhere every other day!
Cleaning up the Lego is a bit more time consuming, however the original messes were mostly a result of the Lego builder child looking for a specific piece in the huge tub and not being able to find it (creating the explosion effect).
NOW.....since they all know the colour they want or the colour of the precise Lego block they want to use, the builder knows where to go. Hence the mess in MUCH less, and overall I am happy with the method!
The Battle of the Monkey Baby:
Oh yes. He is still focused on his main goal in life.
That being "UP."
Here is his latest mountain to climb. He is strong and determined that is for sure!
I attended a homeschool conference a number of weeks ago. My parents kindly watched the five youngest boys. With my dad's engineering mind he set out to create a giant playpen out of the back deck. The goal was that Malachi could enjoy the sunshine as could Opa and Oma without chasing their grandson around 27 acres.
Opa found some old 2 1/2 foot bookshelves in the barn and used them to block the two exits off of the deck.
Opa wins the award for "containing the 1 year old"......for about 2 weeks. He now uses sheer muscle and tips the shelves over to create a space for escaping.
This too shall pass.....I think.
The super cute photo of Gideon and Malachi to end this post:
