So, November has been very mellow for us. We spent a lot of time doing crafts and service projects and just enjoying the season of Thankfulness.
One of our first activities this month was a Girl Scout workshop on stop motion animation. Eris had so much fun and her little movie turned out great!
She is considering a career in animation, movie effects and editing so this was a great opportunity for her.
In theaters everywhere (or at least on your computer right now) "Dino Zilla" by: Eris Peterson
Soon after we had a Cub Scout outing to the local police station, which is always fun. The boys are always much more interested in what the police are wearing than the actual workings of the station.
Eris has been attending the teen council activies at our local library. They do book reviews, writing exploration, teen issue discussions, teen interest crafts and games.
This is a pic of the duct tape flower she made at one of the meetings.
I have always been a big believer in giving service and teaching my children to contribute in meaningful ways. To our environment: recycling, planting trees, donating to animal charities. To humanity: blankets for hospitalized infants, toys for underprivilidged children. You always have something to give, even if it is just time or a kind smile.
One of my favorite quotes: Be the change you wish to see in the world!
We helped the Salvation Army pack Thanksgiving Dinner boxes for homebound seniors.
Beren really enjoyed this project. He was moving so fast it was hard to keep up with him. He was happy with all the choices they were being given.
Of course to finish off the month we had Thanksgiving. My brother and his family came over. It was very nice to visit and enjoy a traditional holiday dinner. I was surprised to realize that at some point in my life I became that person that hosts the meal. It seems so grown up, when did that happen!
This is a picture of our Grateful tree. It was very full this year. Some of our leaves: I am grateful for my friends. I am gateful for my family. I am grateful for hugs.
My intention was to update our blog every month. Unfortunately life gets in the way sometimes, as we all know too well. As a consequence I haven't updated since July, so a lot has happened.
So it is now Fall, my personal favorite time of the year. I love everything about it. The colors, the smells, the holidays, the food!! We also do a lot of crafts this time of year like the melted crayon leafs in the windows!
One of the biggest things that has happened is our new puppy! He is a boxer/lab mix, he was 10 weeks old when we brought him home and we named him Juno, since he came to us from Alaska. He has grown a lot since this picture and has been quite a handful but he is very intellegent and the kids LOVE him.
I was lucky enough to get away for a weekend with my bestfriend from Juneau (yes she is the one who sent us the puppy.) We had a fabulous time relaxing and concert going. We went to the Gorge Ampitheater to see Dave Matthews band. It was such a great venue and I recommend it if you've never been.
Then we went to see Bonnie Raite, WOW is all I can say!! She is incredible, hands down one the best, if not "The" best, concert I've been to.
Once I got back is when things really got crazy. September and October are just the busiest months for us. We have Eris's School start, both kids new curriculum and schedule for the year, soccer, and scouts for both. It is a lot for one parent to handle, especially when you throw a puppy into the mix!
As if I didn't have enough going on I thought now would be a great time to tackle a home improvement project, by myself!! I just couldn't stand the carpet on our stairs any longer, so I ripped it up, hand pulled all the carpet tacks, sanded them down and painted them a nice dark mocha!
I love, love, love the results. Soooooo much better and easier to clean!
So Eris started eighth grade this year. She is still in the part time program she was accepted into two years ago. It is such a great program and she is really excelling both academically and socially.
To get ready for the first day she needed new glasses and a hair cut. Here are the before and after.
As you can see she has a lot of confidence in expressing herself. She doesn't like to follow trends, she likes to be her own person and does it soooo well. I really hope this is a quality she carries all through life!
Eris getting a little homework help!!
One of our first Cub Scout activities this year was Spelunking. Unfortunately Beren Spelunked right into a boulder! His first question was, "Is it going to leave a cool scar?".
Yes, yes it will!!
I couldn't resist this picture of Beren studying geography. This really captures the spirit of Homeschooling!
He is having a fun year. He is in advanced math, here he is building a 3d prism!
He is also studying early american history, so we went on a great field trip to a local tribal ceremonial house, where they re-enact a tribal storytelling night. It was AWESOME, I am going to go back with Gregory and Eris.
After, he picked a Native American tribe to study more indepthly. He choose the Pueblos and built a diorama replicating their village life.
Then we also have Soccer, which Beren loves. This was their first year playing with goalies, and Beren was a natural. The coach was so thrilled, he said most boys don't want to play goalie because they miss out on scoring. So he was glad Beren was so enthusiastic. During practice he would do goalie drills with the assistant coach.
Their team finished the season undefeated, and Beren was only scored on twice the whole season!! So proud of that little guy.
We went to the Zoo with the Cub Scouts. We just never get tired of Zoo trips. This was such a great day. It was cold and we had to bundle up, but ALL of the animals were out and very active. Also, there was hardly anybody else there. We had a great time!
Then before I knew it Halloween was fast approaching. We went to this great pumpkin patch in Oregon.
The kids in the corn maze. They were both terrified we would get lost in there!
They had professional pumpkin carvers. We loved this and could have watched all day.
They had so many activities that I couldn't post them all. But here is one of the giant slides. I almost couldn't get the kids off of this one.
Halloween!!
One of our favorite holidays.
Rainbow dash, and an Aztec Warrior. We love to make our own costumes. The kids plan them months in advance.
Here is a more recent pic of Juno. We finally had to implment a no dogs on the couch rule for various unpleasant reasons. He is a fast learner and understood by the end of the first day. However, he does think that as long as one or two paws are still on the floor he isn't technically "on" the couch.
So now that soccer is over and our schedules are falling into a rythym I hope to keep posting on a monthly basis. I like being able to keep intouch with those that mean so much to us, and keep you all up to date with what we are up to.
A VERY busy month for us, with summer activities and visits in full swing.
Our month started with a trip to play at the river with Uncle Rusty.
As you can see Beren definately enjoyed himself.
Then Daddy arived and we took a trip to see Grandma and Grandpa.
We love our Grandparents!!
Next on the itenerary for the month was Scout camp for both kids.
This year was Eris's first year as a PA (program assistant). It was a full circle moment dropping her off and watching her join the group of leaders guiding the little girls. I remember when she was one of those little babies!
She had so much fun working with the girls. We are so proud of how hard she worked to be accepted into the PA program. Good Job Eris!!
In another first, Beren attended overnight camp this year. He was sooooo excited that Daddy got to go with him.
Actually I'm not sure who was more excited, Beren or Gregory!
At camp the boys had to take turns helping serve for their den. Beren loved that part (wish he did at home!).
They spent time in archery.
And BB guns.
Durning down time they enjoyed a giant Slip-n-Slide!!
We took a moment out of all the activities for a memorial for my Grandmother.
All but one of her Grandchildren were there. Her two children and five of her Great Grandchildren.
Two of my three brothers!
It was a beautiful memorial that Grandma would have loved. I am grateful for everyone's partcipation and support.
Our cousins were kind enough to have it at their property, where the kids were able to run and play,while the adults shared memories, laughter and tears.
We were so happy to have Uncle Matt stay with us for a week after the memorial, and we packed in a ton of fun!
The Boys!! Beren was in hog heaven with all the male energy.
With Daddy, Uncle Matt and Nany we headed to Seattle for two days. First stop, the "King Tut" exhibit on its last stop on the North American Tour.
Beren hamming it up on the tram ride to the museum.
The 4,000 year old collosal statues of King Tut and Ramses. These were massive statues that were nothing short of awe inspiring!
This is the tomb for King Tut's cat. Eris was so fascinated by this, she has always had a thing for cats. In fact her first word after Momma and Dadda was "Meow"!
Egyptian God statues found in King Tut's Tomb.
That night we stayed in a hotel.
Ginger is becoming quite the well traveled pup!!
The next day started with a trip to the Music Museum.
Beren and Uncle Matt rockin it!
Believe it or not ACDC is one of Beren's favorite bands, so we were very excited they had an exhibit at the museum.
Downstairs of the Music Museum is a Science Fiction museum. We are HUGE Sci-Fi fans and really enjoyed these exhibits.
Some of our favorites were the Star Trek ones. Here is Captain Kirk's chair with Tribbles.
Ohura's uniform with ear piece.
Data's uniform. Data is Beren's favorite character. He could not believe this was real!
On our way home we stopped at the Seattle Zoo
My favorite at the Zoo has to be the Gorillas, I could just sit there with them all day!
One of our last activites before Daddy and Uncle Matt left was gun safety with the kids.
This is Beren's second time shooting a .22. He did a great job of following all the safety rules, and making sure everyone else did as well.
This was Eris's first time and even though she was apprehensive at first she did a great job!
Matt and I have shot together many times, I learned everything I know about handling a gun from him. I'm glad to know I can defend my family if I ever need to.
We are having a great summer full of family and fun. Moments and memories to treasure. We are so blessed to have our family and friends and time together. It is the experiences in life that we take with us as we move forward.
