Tuesday, January 24, 2012

OFF TRACK

The boys (except the oldest) have been off track now for a week-
and we have another two weeks to go.

So here are a few things we do when we don't have to get up and go to school.

First of all we sleep in. This is the best part.
We have long, slow mornings. It is a nice break from the norm.

J and P get to practice their typing skills on the computer. Here J is trying to not look at his hands while typing. It is good for them to have this practice time at home since they don't get a lot of keyboarding time at school.


There is a lot of rough housing going on-
which sometimes turns into a pose for the camera session.


Some of the kids try out their spinjitzu moves.


We play board games.



And thanks to this nice, mild winter weather we are having-
we have spent a few afternoon hours outside practicing our kicks and showing off our lightsaber skills.



There is also much reading going on (especially the day we visit the library), as well as playing with friends and having friends over. I really enjoy these long full days that I have with my children. Some days I don't see it that way, but I am always grateful for it in the end.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eagle Scout

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Saturday, December 31, 2011

A Few of My Favorite Holiday Things


Girl dolls in mouths of Nutcrackers found here,
Wondering if they will survive another year,


Boy growing up whose smile delights me,
These are a few of my favorite holiday things.



Festive sugar cookies we make for our neighbors,
Girl who thinks playing with dough is a favor,

Lining up cracker men with spoons she did bring,
These are a few of my favorite holiday things.



The holding of a strange holiday visitor's hand,
Wondering and hoping he will not misunderstand,

Big Boys who still love the magic Christmas brings,
These are a few of my favorite holiday things.


Bright shining lights that peak through a green Christmas tree,
I wish my little ones could just let the ornaments be,

Family parties we can attend with no strings,
These are a few of my favorite holiday things.

Hope you had a Wonderful Christmas and
Wish you a Fabulous New Year!!

Love,
The Deans

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

I can still be THANKFUL in December


I am very Thankful...
that when I put up a very large piece of brown parchment paper on the wall and asked the family to write down all the things they are thankful for, they complied. And I really enjoyed reading everything that they wrote.



I am very Thankful...
that we had the opportunity to eat our Thanksgiving meal with the Dean extended family and am grateful they didn't mind when we had to then scurry off to St. George to allow our son to play in a thanksgiving weekend soccer tournament.



I am very Thankful...
that my kids can enjoy different activities and have the privilege of excelling in them as well. Mr. P was very thrilled to win 1st place for his division at this tournament. And it was exciting and fun to watch him and his teammates play.



I am very Thankful...

that Miss M found her girlfriend, aka her cousin, and could enjoy a little girl play time with her.



I am very Thankful...
that we had a get together with my side of the family, since a lot of them live in St. George this worked out pretty nice. We got the chance to play games, visit, enjoy a nice meal, and hoop it up (with the 3 teenage boys). Then, we had a special reading of Elf on the Shelf for all the kiddies given by the eldest of my siblings. It was a great night.

I am just Thankful...
for family all around. My family. The family I grew up in. The family I married into. The memories. The laughs. The good times. Keep them coming!