January 31

We enjoyed a free circus yesterday. Well, it was free for me. The kids spent a fair amount of money on treats.

Julia got a letter at her volleyball banquet last night. 

January 30

For Christmas, we got Lucy a cooking lesson- they made pancake art. She had a great time! She has the supplies to make these at home. I see a lot of pancake art served at our house in the near future.

January 29

Elliott’s bird feeder has turned out to be a squirrel feeder. But the squirrels have provided us (and Gus) plenty of entertainment. 

January 28

Julia’s boyfriend Trey came to her volleyball game last night. It was the first time I met him. He seemed like a nice kid. 

January 27

Lucy’s Swimming Creatures class learned about whales this week. We measured out the lengths of some of the whales and also did an experiment where the kids learned how sound travels better through solids/liquids than it travels through air. 

In Anatomy, we talked about the path blood travels through the heart and then dissected sheep hearts.

January 26

Elliott had a wrestling meet this morning in IN. Nonna made the drive to come see him. It wasn’t his best performance (but that could have something to do with the fact that he wore heavy shoes to weigh in Thursday night which bumped him up a weight class). He got pinned twice (by the same kid) and pinned one opponent, which gave him fourth place overall. 

January 25

Elliott, Lucy, and I dropped Julia off at a basketball game at her school-with her boyfriend. Then we had a mini date night at the pet store and Starbucks while we waited to go pick her back up.

Go Fish and frapuccinos 

January 24

After seeing Kat’s friend Leanna complete this stunt in gymnastics on Tuesday, Elliott has been practicing and finally nailed it today. If his dreams of being an Airforce pilot or fireman don’t work out, he can join the circus! This hurts my abs just watching it.

January 23

No, I am not pregnant. That little bump in my hoodie pocket is Geronimo taking a nap. 🐭🐹

January 22

While I was reading Narnia to Elliott, Gus was enjoying the snuggle time with his boy.

January 21

Never a dull moment! For the record, I was not driving the van. I wasn’t even in the van when this occurred! This happened at a Chick-Fil-A. Do you see that nail sticking up out of the parking block? Chick-Fil-A made the claim, so now we wait to find out where to take the van to get fixed. Thankfully we have two other cars that are drivable! 

So far this is all the snow we have gotten in 2020. Hopefully we get at least one good snow to play in this winter!

January 20

Cold winter days are good Fort-making days.

January 19

Lulu was nervous (I totally relate to this) watching Elliott wrestle. 

He beat two tough opponents and got beat in the final bracket by an even tougher opponent. He looks better and more confident with each tournament. 

Second place in regionals is pretty good for a first year wrestler!

January 18

Someone (Gus) woke Grandpa up this morning. 

Grandpa and LuLu took the kids shopping to spend their Christmas money. All four kids bought shoes. Lucy also bought some toys (she had birthday money too). 

January 17

Grandpa and Lulu arrived this afternoon. Elliott loves to wrestle Grandpa.

January 15

AWANA fun: the 3rd through 5th graders learned about Gladys Aylward, missionary to China. We taught them a Chinese game called cat chasing mouse.

January 14

Someone took this cute picture of my boy at the meet Sunday.

Swimming Creatures class learning how gyres (circular currents in the ocean) work.

General Science did an experiment with earthworms. 

Anatomy class was busy today. We did blood typing (Elliott didn’t participate, so I didn’t get a picture of him). I am thankful for co-op moms that have backgrounds in the medical field for doing the finger pricks! The second picture is a blood model (plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets). 

This week all the kids’ activities are back: piano lessons, a volleyball game, two jiu jitsu classes/1 kickboxing class, 3 wrestling practices and a meet, peer tutoring, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, CrossFit, gymnastics, AWANA/youth group, and a partridge in a pear tree. I added that last one to see if you were paying attention. 😜 

January 13

Another wrestling meet in the books! Elliott won the first match by points, lost his second match, then won four more (two by pins) to come away with third place. Pretty good!