Kid Updates

It has been a while since I have posted anything on the kiddos so I thought I had better update you all on them.

Colin:
My little man is just so awesome.  In December he took his karate test and advanced to a purple belt.  This is the 4th belt color in the discipline of Goshen.  He loves karate.  We just got his report card a week or so ago and I couldn't be prouder, he has all 5's except for one which was a 4.  He loves to play games, whether they are board games or electronic games.  He still hopes to be a robot maker one day, which I would really love to see happen.  If anybody asks I have the best boy in the world.

Audra:
My little dancing queen and angel.  If I need anything this little girl is on it.  She helps me with the baby and anything I ask.  She is an amazing little dancer and her whole class watches her to get them through the show.  She loves to dance.  She also is in karate now, she hope to kick the big brother's booty one day, and quite frankly she might.  She is incredibly smart, well liked and loves school.  She also rocked the report card with mostly 5's just two 4's.  I really love this girl and she is amazing!

Elyse:
The life of the party.  Elly is busy.  She never stops except when it's time to sleep.  She is learning so much all the time and it is so fun to watch..  She is now talking and starting to put 2 words together.  Some of the words she says are: baby, hat, hot, look, me, baba, blanket, snack, mama, dada, buba (brother), Neenee (Lynnie).  Emmer's wants to be included in everything and is very opinionated.  It is so fun to have her in the family.  She is the piece that makes this puzzle whole.

Learning a Skill

Yesterday, we went up to see the property that Grandpa Garry and Neeners are renting for the year.  It needed a little TLC, so that we can camping on the property.  So, we went to help.  There were some fallen trees on the property that would make good firewood, so Grandpa thought he would teach Coli a new skill.

Yep!  He was teaching him how to use a saw.  I am all for this skill as long as it is supervised.  Audra was happy to watch for a few minutes.

But, those that know little missy, know that it was just a few minutes until this little spitfire jumped into the mix.  She was not going to miss out on learning this skill.

Traveling the World

Back in November, Bri came home from work and stated that he wanted to do more with our kids.  (Oh, dear! Was my thought.)  He said he wanted to teach them something two nights a week and he wasn't sure what or how, that was my job! (Great! More stress!)  Well, after a few days he stated he wanted to teach the kids about the different countries in the world one night a week and then work on writing another night of the week.  I told him he was going to have to share the burden of teaching.  One week I would teach the country info and that week he would teach the writing, with the next week flipping the responsibilities.
So, off on this adventure we started.  I told him I would teach the first country and I thought it should be the USA, so they have a basic knowledge.  Then I issued the kids "passports."  And we bought a nice big map of the world.  The kids really got excited about this.  Bri and I decided we would try to make food that was like the food in each country and teach the kids some neat facts.  Sometimes, if we are on top of the game we even plan an activity.  I have to say we actually have had a lot of fun with this.  The kids love the learning and ask "where are we going?"
So, this past week went went to Saudi Arabia.  I had a hard time coming up with an activity, but I wanted the kids to understand how important the Muslim religion is in the country.  So, I had each family member put similar head wear on, so that when the kids see people in the USA with this head wear they will accept them.   (PLEASE, do not take this as mockery or unkind, I am trying to teach my kiddos acceptance.)

Over all, this idea Bri had has been fabulous.  When the kids see or hear things that we have learned about they get excited.  One day, the hope is we will really be able to travel the world together.