Now We Are Six

by A. A. Milne

When I was one, I had just begun.
When I was two, I was nearly new.
When I was three, I was hardly me.
When I was four, I was not much more.
When I was five, I was just alive.
But now I am six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six, now and forever.

And tonight, at his surprise birthday dinner (we took him to Buffalo Wild Wings - he loved it!)~

I loved being six. I hope it's a great year for him. Tomorrow, we're celebrating with my family and a Super Bowl party.

Science and Industry

With time quickly running out on free admission, we took a quick trip into the big city today. First stop - Stagecoach Sam~

This was at the German U-Boat exhibit. Very interesting~

We checked out the Great Train Story...

while waiting for the chemistry show, "Bangs, Flashes, and Fire"~

After the pyrotechnics, we ate a quick lunch, then descended into the Coal Mine (our first time - no lines!), rode the Pioneer Zephyr, and headed home. Another place, we'd like to return to soon.

DuPage Children's Museum

A generous friend gave us guest passes to the children's museum today. This was Mary's first time. She was pretty much in awe of everything~
It's hard to get a picture of the three of them all looking at the camera...

There were some new exhibits, like this kaleidoscope~

We went following Sam's cello lesson, and only spent about 2 hours there. But we had fun, and hope to visit again in the near future :)

Upward

Sam finally is old enough (with a little creative math) to play basketball through Upward. Charlie's been playing for a couple of years now, while Sam waited patiently on the sidelines. The program is sponsored through the Lombard Church of the Nazarene. I am always in awe of their generosity of time and money. Both boys had their first game today. Here's Sam, always ready to rumble (he's on the same team as his good friend, Cole)~
He's the littlest on the team, but definitely keeps up~

Science Fair

Charlie's science fair was tonight. The root beer was a hit!

Skating in the Wind

by Kristine O'Connell George

History

The Humphreys came and watched the inauguration with us today. Even though Obama didn't get our vote, this is a huge deal - I'm excited my kids will remember this amazing day. Tracy brought chicken tortilla soup and we made brownies~

Yum~

Sam Skates

We had a little party with Sam's friends in honor of his impending birthday. Cole, Isaac and Jacob came skating with Sam (and Charlie) today. John and Tracy came along to help, since I stayed home with Mary (strep throat).
What a big boy~
Charlie~

Isaac~

Jacob~

Big sisters~

And little brother~

Somehow, there aren't any pictures of Cole :( Sam wanted only boys, and only those who could skate. That cuts out most 5 and 6 year olds. They had pizza and cupcakes, and a good time - I'm sad to have missed it. But I'm happy Sam had fun!

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Tonight while cleaning the boys' room, we found Sam's cup from baseball last summer. He sniffed it and said, "Ewww, that doesn't smell too good." Charlie and I were like, "Why did you smell your cup Sam??" He replied, "What? I needed to know what my penis smelled like back then."

Give Us This Day

It was freezing cold today (10 below when I woke up) and after running all week, I decided to keep Charlie home from Latin. I wanted to bake something to warm up the house, but we were out of eggs. We made two loaves of whole wheat bread instead~
It smelled heavenly and tasted delicious! The perfect way to spend a day housebound.

Picking Up A Split

Sam today~

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Don't Halve A Cow

This is what half a cow looks like, all chopped (and ground) up. We split this with the Merricks and the Humphreys. Its organic, grass fed, from Wisconsin, and comes out to just over $2.00/lb. It really is a great deal.

Silly Sam

Sam can be such a sweetheart, but he's also a goofball! He got himself into the highchair, and Charlie snapped the picture :)

Sweet Sam

Turkey Dumpling Soup

Last night I made a turkey in my crockpot. After we ate, I threw the carcass back in with some onions, celery, and carrots and let it simmer while we slept (the yummy smell kept waking Scott and me up!). Today I strained the broth, and used it to make turkey soup. Charlie helped me make dumplings to go with it. They were soooo good (and easy)!
Delicious~

My friend Janelle explained how to make the dumplings - I think they're going to be a new staple :)

Brewmasters

The Greenhouse is hosting its first annual Science Fair. Because we had so much fun touring Rock Bottom in September, Charlie decided to brew some root beer, as his science experiment. We found this recipe, and got started.

Equipment and Supplies~
Starting with sugar~

Now yeast~

We're using two different kinds of sugar (raw and white) and two different kinds of yeast (baking and brewing) to see either ferments faster.

Root beer extract, found here~

It smells really good~

Tap water~

Two Brothers Brewing, Co.~

Shake, shake, shake~

Keep going~

Now we wait...

Let's hope it doesn't take longer than a week, the science fair is only 16 days away!

O You Skate!

We went ice skating with other homeschoolers today (we generally go once a month). Charlie and Sam are really good~
Mary's good, too - at spectating~

Sam, Charlie and Cole~

Sam would really like to play hockey. If there were more hours in a day and money grew on trees, I know he would be a natural. As it is, we're having his birthday party at the ice rink in a couple of weeks :)

Strive

Today we attended our friend Cole's Book 1 Recital. Sam was very excited, because he loves Cole, but also because it's something he can look forward to himself. Cole was amazing!
Sam and Cole after the show~

Shillelagh Tournament

We surprised Sam with tickets to Notre Dame's Shillelagh Tournament. Somehow, he's become a fan of the fighting Irish (football, but hockey tickets are less expensive and easier to obtain). I think ND has the best hockey team in their conference right now!

I love that he brought his Ranger Rick binoculars along~

Grandpa was able to join them, while Mary and I stayed at home and were surprised with a visit from Aunt Darlene, Uncle Dan, Madeline, Luke and Maddi's friend Lauren :)