zumbatomic zumbathon

This past weekend, I did a zumbathon for kids at local gym.  I had 40 kids ages 3-8 and then a class of fifteen 9-13 yr olds.  It was so much fun.  I have been teaching zumbatomic for about 5 weeks and the most I have ever had has been 7, so a class of 40 was so different.  It was so cute watching them freeze in their coolest poses and I could tell I fed off their energy too.  

answered prayers

Every day we take time out to pray for our family, immediate and extended.  I created these prayer boards for us remember our prayers and so we could keep track of when God had answered our prayers.
Each family member has a small post it note pad in their fave color so they can add their prayer requests.  Then, on Monday we go through the prayer requests and move over to our blessing boards, the ones God has answered.
So, far it has worked really well, we have been doing it for it about six weeks and we have seen God move and the girls are really starting to be more thankful for things God has done for us.  Our prayers have become more intentional too, instead of blessing Fluffles and Pooh, we are remembering to pray for Granny when she has a cold and helping to use gentle words.

bella-isms

Mommy: "Bella, you need to turn your shirt around, it is on backyards."

Bella: "It's ok, people want to see the decoration when I go."

sick baby

Read has RSV and a double ear infection.  I thought he was just having a hard time with this round of teething, he is cutting 3 teeth.  Yesterday, his fever jumped, his cough worsened and his nose gunk turned yellow.  I took him in this morning and hopefully with lots of prayers, medicine, saline, a humidifier working overtime and rest he will re-coop quickly.  However, we are quarantined to the house for 10 days.  We would appreciate any prayers we can get.

wordless wednesday

Stone Soup Recipe

Heat some water in a pot.
Add some stones you've scrubbed a lot.
Sprinkle pepper, salt and herbs.
Let it boil undisturbed.
Drop in carrots, onions too.
Let the soup heat through and through.
Stir in milk to make it sweet.
Add potatoes for a treat.
Toss in meat cubes.  Let it stew.
Let it bubble, let it brew.
Taste the soup and when it's done,
Share stone soup with everyone.
~Stone Soup by Marilyn Sapienza

Richards Family Five Simplified Soup:
Boil water, add a clean stone.
Add 2 bay leaves and a whole chicken.
When chicken is cooked through, remove skin and debone.  Toss bay leaves.
Add 1 pkg of frozen mixed veggies.  Cook until tender.
Add 4 pkgs of Ramen noodles and seasoning packets.  Cook until noodles are tender.
Serve.

croquet badge

Bella got a croquet set for Christmas and this past weekend the weather was so gorgeous we decided to spend some time teaching Daddy how to play.   The girls have to play three games and be able to explain the rules in order to earn their badge.  They have played 2 games and they must have done a good job teaching Daddy how to play b/c he beat us all.

love for the birds

I found this project on pinterest and it actually inspired me to begin our bird unit.  It is using a bird suet which I found for $2 at Wal-mart.  We stuffed it with yarn and hung it on our "bird tree" outside the classroom window.
We also bought a bird feeder and wild bird seed to hang from the porch of our shed.
I am hoping the birds appreciate all of this work and find it soon, so we can start journaling the birds in our backyard.

for the birds

We have found great literature on birds as we have been working on our badge for keepers.  The most informative book has been Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest . Our project has expanded and we have added some of our own projects.  We made bird feeders out of some pine cones that Paw-Paw and Mimi picked for us on their last trip north.  We spread peanut butter on them and then rolled them in bird seed.  Then, we tied a piece of yarn and hung them from one of our trees in the backyard.  We are hoping the birds can smell the peanut butter.

prayers needed

We found out today Xai Xai, Mozambique was hit by a tropical storm.  Mission of Mercy has posted the details on their website and I have seen our friends, Mel and Diane on facebook today.  Our two special children, Elsa and Leo are in Xai Xai along with hundreds of other children.  We are praying they are safe, but it will be awhile before we get any word.  Please join us in prayer for this community, Elsa and Leo.  If the roof of the metal church was lifted I cannot imagine the damage to the lean-to homes that are all over this area.

fun with family

Happy Birthday Brady!
We recently drove to San Angelo for my nephew's 2nd birthday.  My brother was able to get us a house to stay in and it was a holiday weekend, so we tried to make it into a weekend getaway.  Problem with 3 young children is their isn't very relaxing 3 day weekend get-aways.
R2 hated the car drive and wasn't to keen on sleeping in his pack-n-play.  Other than that the kids had a blast and we had great birthday food.

Keepers Badges

The girls have been working really hard lately to get earn their badges for keepers.  I told them when they earned ten I would order the badges for their sashes.  I figured it would take them till the end of the school year to do so.  Since the first of December they have earned:

• abc (letter and sounds)
• setting the table (5x, including linens & silverware) 
• reading the book of Daniel (NIV)
• stamping (3 cards)
• card making (3 cards)
• puzzles (20, 50 and 100 pieces)
• cookie baking (3 different kinds from scratch)
• Jesus loves Me (learning all 3 verses)

We are presently working on our badges for birds, croquet, and cooking.  

silver sneakers- check

Over the Christmas holidays, I took my final exam for my silver sneakers healthway accreditation and I passed.  I have taken 8 courses over the past 18 months, been observed 3 times and had to do a practical in San Antonio.  I can now teach anywhere Silver Sneakers is offered and I can teach any of their formats. 

Sea World Christmas

Mimi blessed the girls and I with tickets to Sea World for the Christmas Spectacular.  The girls have only done the homeschool days, so they were really able to experience all of the park.  The weather cooperated nicely, there weren't tons of people and we were able to see all 4 shows early in the day which gave us the afternoon to play.  Bella rode her first roller coaster.  I sat with her and LE sat in front of us.  Both girls came off crying, but I was so happy they tried it (idea of their own). 

Read's Christmas

Read had a great Christmas.  He got the idea of opening his gifts and enjoyed playing with the paper as much as what was inside them.  He got little cars, bath toys and little people.  He enjoys pushing his cars, but I think he likes throwing them more.  Christmas at Mimi's wore him out and he crashed in Daddy's arms, a first for him in about 8 months.

Bella's Christmas

I got to surprise Bella with a gift from DW of little prince dolls to go with her vast collection of princess (Polly Pocket-sized).  She also got 2 more Pooh Bears, one a pillow pet, a Belle watch, slinky dog, a croquet set, Barbie furniture, pair of winter boots, and a new backpack full of activity books.  She also got a glow-in-the-dark etch-a-sketch, but thankfully she has not discovered after bedtime yet.

more adventuring

Read let go of the couch and took his first steps last night (13 months, 2 days).  I think if he had slowed down, he might have gone a little farther, but sense he wants to run before he walks, he doesn't get very far.  Look out world~

Landry's Christmas

Landry's wish list included a light saber, go-kart, nativity and a miniature Christmas tree.  I guess one out of four isn't bad, but she got some great alternatives.  Mimi found a re-purposed American Girl Doll on her vacation this summer and was able to keep it secret even from me.  She made her a pioneer dress and matching jammies for LE.  She found glasses and winter boots to match LE's.  Bella surprised her with a Mickey and Minnie doll b/c she didn't want one while we were at DW, but changed her mind about a week later.  She got a hot pink bath robe, Hello Kitty watch, Princess and the Frog cookbook, backpack filled with busy books, Barbie furniture, games, new boots, and a lightsaber.

stocking sutffers

13 month old adventure

Mommy forgot to close the baby gate today and I went on my first adventure up the stairs.  I called her and told her I was going up, and she must have not heard me or she trusts me.  I made it up 6 steps and then Mommy followed me the rest of the way.  Afterwards, I needed a big nap.
Mommy also forgot to tell you I give open-mouth kisses now, but only to Mommy.
-Read

13 months old

Apparently no one told R2, there is no crying at Christmas.
Happy 13 months Sweet Boy!
This past month was HUGE for him.  He is still not walking, but boy is he talking.  He says, Go, Up, Down, Touchdown, plus all of the other words he already knew.
He LOVES food, lots and lots of food and he WANTS to feed himself.  No more bottles, cup (another word he is learning) is his preferred method of drinking.  He likes juice, whole milk and occasionally water. 
He likes to play ball, push his cars, and dump his sister's markers out and put them back in the basket.  He hides his toys under the bed and in the couch cushions.  I have found things behind desks and I am quite sure the trash is where the majority of his magnetic letters have disappeared to.  Bath time is his fave time of day and I thought it was b/c of sisters, but discovered this week he has even more fun when they are not in the tub with him.  We love you sweet boy.

visit with Paw-Paw Claus