Stone Fox Book Club

On Thursday, November 15th we hosted a Stone Fox Book Club with 9 other boys, aged 6-9.  Before our group gathering everyone read the book at home, either independently or with a parent, and then we gathered for 2 hours of interactive experiences.  Each student prepared a project and then shared it with the group.  A few boys built lego sets depicting a favorite scene of the book, 2 boys drew a map, one made a poster, etc.  

Hudson and his Papa Ed worked together on his project.  They made Little Willy (the boy), a dog sled and Searchlight (the dog) and then Hudson and I put the finishing touches on his project (rope, sign and snow).  We also typed up the steps for making the project.  It was special to get Papa Ed involved and we are thankful for his help.  

After sharing time we had a snack (popcorn with dog bone and paw print cookies) while we had a group discussion in small groups about the characters, personal reflections and important events from the story.  

Then it was time for the boys to get outside and burn off some energy.  We did an obstacle course in the garage with 12 different stations, each one connecting with a different important event in the book.  For example, pay 5 gold coins for the entry fee (run 5 coins, one at the time, and put them in the bowl) and its time to start the race (shoot a Nerf gun up in the air).  

After the obstacle course we played the I Have... Who Has...? game.  This provided great practice reading aloud, reviewing details and important events, checking for comprehension and doing good listening.  

We wrapped up our time together by doing a dog sled craft.  Each boy used their thumb print to stamp and then make it look like a team of dogs, pulling the sled.  

The super group of readers showing off their art projects.  

This was another fantastic homeschool experience.  Stone Fox proved to be a great book for this age group of boys, even though the ending was quite sad.  I am thankful we could find a time that worked for everyone to attend.  The boys had lots of fantastic opportunities to share and make meaningful connections with the text.  Each mom was involved, which made it all come together.  I hosted and prepared the craft.  Two moms played with the younger siblings upstairs while the Book Club was taking place.  One mom made the snack, another lead the group discussion/question time.  Another mom planned and facilitated the obstacle course and another found and prepared the other game.  It was a team effort and we hope to do it again in the spring.  

Operation Leaf Clean Up

With the cold fall temperatures upon us Hudson and I decided it was time to do a little yard clean up. Plus, it was a part of our nature study to "Make a Space More Beautiful, just as God created beauty on this earth, He wants us to make things beautiful too!"  We decided our yard was a perfect setting for a little weekend clean up.  

Its always fun to use Daddy's power tools.  First Hudson blew the leaves out of the landscaping.  

After plenty of raking this was the size of our pile...

Jumping in a pile of leaves felt like a perfect Sunday afternoon activity.  

Then it was time to scoop up the leaves and the snow shovels came in handy.  

A family activity, soaking up the opportunity to be outside while we can.  

Two hours later we were satisfied with our hard work and the finished product.  

Birthday Recovery Week

Aunt Angela was here for a quick visit (and Mimi too of course).  Saturday night we got pizza and had a picnic on the floor while we watched the Peter Rabbit movie.  

Greta chose to go on a nature walk with Aunt Ang as their "birthday adventure" together.  

They enjoyed a hot chocolate with Pinkalicious stories to warm up afterwards.  

Time with Mimi around is always a blessing and on this visit she didn't even have to bring her painting clothes. 

"Look Mimi, I'm like the pastor at your church."  

Showing off her new Minnie Mouse costume from Mimi.  

On Saturday Daddy and Hudson went to the COLD ISU football game with Mr. Andrew.  

They walked around at half time to try and keep warm (instead of watching the marching band, which I think is the best part of a football game).  

Sitting at a freezing cold football game on a Saturday is not my idea of a fun time, but Hudson seemed to take it with stride and enjoy the time with his Daddy.  

We had a "mini birthday party" with our friends Z and B when they came over to play after school.  

Morning snuggles with this sweetheart are oh so warm and cozy.  

We took Greta in for her 4 year old well check up.  She was 3 feet 7 inches (grew 4 inches this year) and 39 pounds (gained 6 pounds this year).  She is 79% for weight and 97% for height.  

She was a bit hesitant about the whole thing, probably because she knew a flu shot was coming at the end of the appointment.  

Friends from our small group came over on Friday morning to pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with us.  This is one of our favorite projects and ministers.  We had great fun shopping and packaging 11 shoebox gifts this year.  

We had saved $200 from Hudson's Pop-Up Sweet Shop to use towards Operation Christmas Child.  

Praying for the sweet children who will receive these gifts.  May they know the grace of Christ through the presents given and the love shared.  

Pinkalicious Party :: Dinner and Dessert

The tables set and ready for dinner...

Through the help of youtube I learned how to fold paper napkins to look like a crown.  It was pretty simple and brought me back to my 4H days.  We borrowed the gold silverware from a friend and they worked out perfectly.  

The Pinkalicious center pieces.  

The beverage buffet.  We served pink lemonade and water.  

Roy grilled pork ribeyes for dinner.  Grilling doesn't work out so well in February (Hudson's birthday month) so it felt like a great opportunity to put Roy in charge of the meat.     

Plus, these are one of Greta's favorites.   

Along with the meat we served hash brown cheesy potatoes, 

fresh green beans, 

rolls with GG Mary's homemade apricot jam, 

Nana's broccoli/cauliflower salad, 

and watermelon (because its pink and another one of Greta's favorites).  

The birthday girl enjoying her dinner.  

Bapa Rog, Uncle Jacy, Papa Ed and Nana Sue...

The rest of the crew ate in the kitchen.  

Roy made pink vanilla homemade ice cream for dessert.  

The cupcakes came from Scratch Cupcakery.  They were pink, the frosting was pink and the sprinkles were gold.  

I made the little cupcake toppers (another one of my favorite things to create for birthday parties).  

Being FOUR is so sweet!  

She was so proud when we sang the birthday song to her, soaking it all in.  

The dessert is always a favorite part of a birthday party.  

And celebrating with those you love is pretty special too.  

Pink tablecloth, pink napkin, pink ice cream, pink cupcakes, pink frosting, and a pink cupcake topper...this is what she requested and its exactly what she got!  

And that's the wrap on the PINKALICIOUS party!