It's Back to School We Go!

A feast for a King and a Queen

Sunday night I threw Madeline and Anthony a feast that is fit for a King and a Queen.  We had a special dinner with our Special dishes, this all fit our theme of "You Are Special"  Grant and I served the kids, which they enjoyed very much.  Madeline and Anthony each had a crown to wear.  We read a book I am a Child of God and we talked about what makes a special.  Each child received a card listing the qualities that make them special.  After dinner, Grant gave Madeline and Anthony their back to school father's blessing.  The spirit was in our home and you could tell by Anthony and Madeline's reaction that they felt something too.  It was a great evening, I am so blessed to be their mother.

Tender Mercy Moment

For talent for FHE, Madeline and Anthony took turns talking about the cards that they made.  Madeline made a card for Anthony and told about how she loves him, what a great brother he is and that she likes when he plays with her.  She also told him how special he is to her.  Anthony talked about his card that he made for me, and this is what he wrote:

"Dear Mommy I love your lessons in family home evening because they make me feel love inside.  I also like it when you play and help me because it makes me feel that you love me.  I also like the work that you do to keep the spirit in are home."

I think we could have ended our FHE with our talent portion.  I am grateful for the Lord reminding me that despite my short comings I am still doing okay and that he loves me and with His help I can do even better.

A Sunbeam....staring Spencer

This is Grant's song he sings to Spencer every night when he lays him down for bed, afterwards Spencer tells his dad bye.  Grant turns off the light and as parents we can rest because our tornado is sleeping gearing up for new adventures.

Conversations

Daddy:  Madeline you need to listen and obey what Mommy and Daddy ask you to do.

Madeline:  "I will listen tomorrow."

Mommy:  "Are you ready for Kindergarten."

Madeline:  "Yes"

Mommy:  "Is  your class going to be big or small?"

Madeline:  "Big"

Mommy:  "And you get to meet lots of new friends."

Madeline:  "Yes, but I will still be a girl."

Anthony:  Madeline when I get to college, you will be in high school and when we are done with college then there is no more school.

Madeline:  Yeah and then we can stay home and play all the time.

It is fun listening in on the conversations with are children.

Camping We A Go...Cabin style

Well it is Texas and it is summer time and that means it is plain o HOT, to hot to go tent camping so the next best thing an air conditioned cabin.  We were not able to have a summer vacation this year, but we still wanted to do something fun.  We went on a little stay cation to a camp site that is about 30 minutes from our house and found ourselves a cabin right on Lake Grapevine.  We enjoyed the outdoors and then when it was too hot, we enjoyed our time inside our nice air conditioned cabin.  It also happened to storm during our camping trip, but we were safe and sound snuggled in our cabin, our tent camping neighbors didn't fare so well; they left for safer ground and came back for their soggy wet things after the storm had passed.  The kids really enjoyed themselves and they have repeatedly asked to go back for more fun.  We will probably make a few more trips back to the cabin, but we are still on the hunt for a rustic cabin out in the country and away from the city.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Pioneer Day

In keeping with tradition of celebrating the holidays throughout the year, the Cooper family celebrated pioneer day in fashion.  I used the coloring book that I made for the Cooper reunion to talk to the kids about their pioneer ancestors, not only does the coloring book have fun pages to color and activities to do, but it gives an account in their language of who their pioneer ancestors were.  After our little lesson, we made stick horses and raced them around the house.  Then we made ink out of blueberries and used feathers to dip in our ink and draw and write with.  After that we made homemade butter which we used on our homemade cornbread.  We were going to cook our cornbread in our dutch oven, but mother nature dumped a thunderstorm that killed that idea so we used our modern day oven to get the job done.  Overall the kids enjoyed learning about pioneer life and how it is different than our life today.  It was neat to share with them about their ancestors and the faith and testimony that they had to endure what they did and to ultimately cross the plains to Utah.  We talked about how we need to follow their example and their faith for the next generation to follow.  We wrapped up the night with talking about the definition of pioneer and ways that we can be pioneers today.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Swim Therapy

Madeline participates in a Swim Therapy program that is designed for children with special needs.  It is funded by a grant so the whole thing is at no cost to us.  The program runs from April thru October and it is every Saturday for 40 minutes.  Madeline goes with her Daddy, mainly becomes Mommy is not to fond of getting in the pool in public.  Madeline has been participating in this program since she was two, and she absolutely loves it and gets excited when Saturday rolls around.  Grant gets in the water with her and he becomes her life preserver.  Madeline's confidence level has increased through Swim Therapy.  Not only is she getting stronger, but she gets a little more comfortable around the water as each year goes on.  We are so glad for this program that allows Madeline to do things that other kids get to enjoy.  Hopefully we can find more programs out there that are designed for special needs children....still looking for some.