The nutcracker ballet

The Nutcracker Ballet has been a tradition for me and my girls for the past 10 years!

The first time I took Morgan was when she was 3 years old.

Ashlyn joined us the year she turned 3.

And then Madelyn at 3 too.

We don't got to the same venue every year, but look around and try out new productions of the ballet.

This year we went to see one that a girl from our Ward at church was performing in.

Sadly, Ashlyn wasn't able to go with us.

But we still enjoyed our night.

Madelyn brought her little nutcracker. And was excited to see a wooden nutcracker bigger than she was!

Morgan & I before the show started.

My lovely friend, Carolyn joined us this year too!

She has only boys, who wouldn't enjoy the ballet as much.

So, we decided that she should join in our tradition with us!

It just doesn't feel like the Christmas season without the Nutcracker Ballet!

Merry Christmas!

Visiting with the Big Guy!

Three days before Christmas, and we still hadn't sat on Santa's lap!

The girls had wanted to go the Saturday before, but I figured that would be a MAD HOUSE!

So, since we started our Christmas break today, BUT public school was still in...I figured it would be the perfect time to go to the mall and visit with the Big Guy!

First, the girls wrote letters to Santa and dropped them in his mail box. 

Just to make double sure he got their requests!

Madelyn also told him: "I love your reindeer!"

Then it was time to go sit on his lap and get a photo.

Here's were it got fun.

Brian had left work and met us at the mall (because he didn't want to miss out on the Santa trip).

In years past, as long as we weren't standing on their 'red carpet', they let us take a photo with our phones.  Well, this year they positioned themselves so that you really couldn't see Santa if you were off the red carpet. Unless of course you stood in the plants up against the escalators!

So, that is where Brian stood to take a picture.

"Sir, you can't take a photo." said the photographer 

"I'm NOT on your red carpet." replied Brian

"Sir, you can't stand there!"

"Look, I'm not on your carpet, AND I'm not on the plants!"

(He was standing on a small curb that surrounded the plant area)

The man then left to go talk to his manager.

They both looked back at Brian, said something to each other, then the photographer came back.

He ignored Brian and had the kids sit on Santa's lap.

And Brian snapped this photo!

I was glad he met us there, because there's NO WAY I would of done that just to get a photo!

But, I also didn't want to pay $20 for a photo with Santa!

What ever happened to the days of just sitting on his lap, telling him what you want, and mom taking a photo of it?

Even the Santa at Macy's in NYC let us take a photo ourselves!

Anyway, the kids all told Santa what they wanted, and laughed about daddy being in the bushes for the photo!

Merry Christmas!!

Homeschool Highlights for December!

December seemed to just fly by (with regards to school).

We took a 2 week Christmas break, so only did school for 3 weeks.

We worked hard, but had lots of fun too!

Here's some of what we did for school...

Build a castle out of Rice Krispie Treats.

Then ATTACKED it!

There were some sore tummy's after this one.

"Just eat a little bit!" did seem to be heard by some children.

In science we made our own thermometor.

For Kindergarden Group we had baby Jesus themed snacks, 

and craft.

(And yes, there were lots of comments made about eating baby Jesus....didn't think about that when I planned it!)

In our Middle Ages class, we designed Coats of Arms, and put them on our own sheilds!

Weekly library trips are a favorite around here!

We generally have 100 books out at a time.

There is no worry about these kids NOT enjoying reading!

A visit to the indoor pool for some cold weather physical activity.

And our last science project of the year (for the younger girls) was to see what melts ice quicker.

Salt, sugar, or water?

It's so fun to watch the kids learn and explore.

BUT, I am also looking forward to 2 weeks off from school work!

Merry Christmas!

National Archives & The Library of Congress!

During the Fall Session of our Homeschool Co-op (SHARP), Hayden & Ronan both took a Medieval History class. Their teacher organized a field trip to see the 1297 Magna Carta at the National Archives, as well as the 1215 Magna Carta that is on display at The Library of Congress for a period of time (on loan from the Lincoln Cathedral in England).

As this is the time period we are studying in our own homeschool history class, we were super excited about the oportunity!

I guess I should say SOME of us were excited. Morgan has proven to not be as into history as the rest of us. I don't know quite what to do with that.

 I just don't grasp NOT being interested in history.

Anyway, we gave her the option to come with us or stay home. Only, we said if she stayed home, she would be watching the girls as well (who I knew wouldn't have the interest and stamina to spend a day in D.C. at two different museums to see things that just wouldn't capture the interest of a 5 & 7 year old). She choose to stay and watch them.

So, Brian & I took the 3 boys the Nations Capital for a great History field trip!

There were 6 kids from the Co-op class, and Duncan.

It was a fun time!

I enjoyed spending the day with my boys.

The National Archives was our first stop. We really enjoyed all there was to see there!

And had a great tour guide.

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos.

So, these of the outside are all I got.

After lunch we walked over to the Library of Congress.

And had a nice walking tour of sights.

The Supreme Court Building.

The Library of Congress.

I absolutely loved the architecture inside The Library of Congress building.

Just so beautiful!

The Giant Bible of Mainz.

This is one of the last manuscript Bibles before the invention of printing.

It is from 1452.

It is just amazing to me that we can look at something written almost 600 years ago!

The Gutenberg Bible.

Printed in 1455.

The first great book printed in movable metal type.

We recently learned about this in our history lessons, and Duncan was so excited to see it!

We were taken on an Architectural Tour of the building, and I very much enjoyed it!

Just beautiful.

We then went on the Magna Carta tour...

And got to see the 1215 Magna Carta.

At the Library of Congress I was allowed to take photos.

They also had some other great documents.

Like George Washington's draft of the US Constitution.

We also enjoyed just walking around and looking at all the the wonderful books that they had.

 

A book lover's heaven!

Although, I do have to say that poor Ronan was a bit upset.

He had a different picture in his mind as to what the trip to The Library of Congress would be like.

He envisioned being able to wander about the library freely, looking at any all all books he pleased.

That is not how it went.

First off, you need to have a Library of Congress library card.

And you need to be 16 years old AND have a valid reason for needing one.

We were to get Hayden one, BUT he didn't bring his ID with him.

So, we will be making another trip back to get one and have him do some research.

The Reading Room in The Library of Congress.

Temple Lights and a Concert

The lights at the Washington D.C. Temple are a favorite holiday tradition for our family.

And each year the have wonderful concerts/performances every night during the month of December.

Which make it a great night out!

Kids walking around the lights.

The Nativity scene on the grounds.

The temple just looks even more beautiful with the Christmas lights all around!

Charlie, Duncan, & Madelyn waiting for the concert to begin.

(silly faces)

Brian & Ashlyn

Morgan, Hayden, & Ted

This year we got to see Jenny Oaks Baker perform!

It was extra special because a friend of ours was performing with her!

It was fun to watch her perform.

And she hooked us up with tickets so we didn't have to wait in the CRAZY line to try and get some!

It was a wonderful night watching these amazingly talented people perform!

Homeschoolers Caroling!

Our Homeschool Group Field Trip for December was to go caroling at a Nursing Home.

Such a great experience for the kids and the elderly as well.

We had lots of solo performances, and group carols.

Ronan is not a fan of music, and didn't want to join in for the caroling.

But, he loved talking with the residents afterwards!

I told him that was just as important as the singing.

Great way to kick off December!

November Homeschool Highlights

Some highlights from our homeschooling in November...

Thanksgiving crafts.

Volunteering at the Horse Farm.

Duncan helping Morgan with her math.

I love that she thinks its cool that her little brother is ahead of her in math.

Learning about solutions in Science.

And hot air!

Obstacle course for PE.

Duncan tried out the drums for the pipe band.

He decided to just stick with learning the bagpipes.

Creating King Charlemagne's crown.

These guys love anything to do with art!

If we add art into history, they will remember it forever!

We took off the week of Thanksgiving.

It's been a fun & full November!