Fun stuff..

The Springs Preserve for Mother's Day.  We wondered around the gardens.  It was a beautiful day.


We took a fieldtrip on Friday to see a homeschool production of The Taming Of The Shrew.  Tricia was the Shrew.  It was an inspiring production.  And the kiddos had fun with their Life Learner friends.  Afterward, they all came over for lunch and play.  It was a great day, just like old homeschooling times....  
Quinn with Tricia, the shrew.  All the costumes were made by the parents.

What to do when you are grounded at our house...

We were all feeling a little off... rushed, irritable...so we took a week to get grounded.  That means, we slow way down, take care of ourselves, do not schedule any extras, no playdates, and we take a techno break, so no screentime.  

That week, our praying manthis hatched.  We had about 75 babies to feed.  I think they waited for us to be grounded, because if we were rushing around as usual, we may have had a hard time catching enough insects to feed them...

The kiddos rediscover "together time".  They dug out the art supplies, and enjoyed creating together. 

Of course there was time to get naked and go swimming.

The Brio trains have not been out of their chest in years...but the kids had a fun time making a layout together.

The Lincoln Logs can't compete with video games, but when the video games are away....

The week had us reading every night, playing games together, talking, getting to bed on time, eating healthy, talking at meals, doing things together, and being peaceful together.  The kids had a chance to reconnect.  We felt great by the end...we love getting grounded...

Our Weekend...Shows, shows and more shows

Friday night we got free tickets to Barry Manilow from House seats.  The show was great!  The kids loved it and so did we.  So did many audience members...a lady told me on the way out that this was her 50th time seeing the show...wow.  

Saturday morning, bright and early, Quinn had a soccer game.  She played a great game.  Then she and I were off to see the new Hannah Montana movie.  To my surprise, I really liked it.  It had my favorite theme of leaving the fast life to find yourself in slow, country living, just a little something I am usually going on about....Saturday night, we were off to a Signature Production of Thoroughly Modern Millie at Summerlin Library, another great production.  

 
Sunday, we met our friends at the Highlands Games and Celtic Festival at Floyd Lamb State Park.  Will I ever remember to bring Keegan a sword?  We left with another to add to his collection.  
Then we were off to the Flamingo Hilton to see another show compliments of House Seats, Nathan Burton Comedy Magic.  It was pretty good, the kiddos enjoyed it, and we got to show them the wedding chapel where we were married.  

The weather is warming, so we ended our weekend by releasing 10 painted lady butterflies we hatched last week.

Mexico

Before we left for Mexico, spring break began with 3 days of tennis camp with their Tae Kwon Do friends.  Keegan really liked it, and wants to do some more tennis when he is finished with Tae Kwon Do.

Mexico at last, with his cousins....what could be better?

Quinn gets her hair done.

She loves the look!

Resort activities...

The first weekend in April...

We hosted our first couch surfer!  We had such an amazing night, hearing all about the adventures of such an interesting 23 year old.  Then he broke out the instruments...a guitar, banjo and a mandolin.  What a special treat for us!  Quinn got her first banjo lesson, and is inspired to sign up for more.

Just before the couch surfer, some friends from San Diego stopped by.  We had a great time showing off the best of Las Vegas(in our opinion)... a hike at Red Rock, and then a visit to the Springs Preserve.  They loved it all, and even agreed to skip the cruise to the strip after our full day of nature and culture!

Quinn is playing soccer again.  The Silver Stars!  She is more and more interested in sports.  She is going to Tennis Camp today for the start of Spring Break.

When I Think of Home...

I think of a place where there's love overflowing......

We went to see The Wiz tonight.  It was a fabulous LVA(High School) production.  It was our third year seeing their spring musical.  I loved when Dorothy sang Home.  I wanted to remember the first two lines of the song.

Black Belt

I finally did it!  Last night I earned my black belt.  The kiddos and Jim also went up a belt.  I don't know whose thumb that is, but....I agree!

Skiing at Flagstaff

This can't be comfortable!  But he didn't complain, and skied like this most of the day.  

Quinn loves Uncle Devon.

Jim and I waiting in a very long lift line.

Valentine's Day dessert, after a fun day of snow play!

Couch Surfing

We went skiing with my sister and brother in law last weekend.  After a nice dinner at the cabin, and a few glasses of wine, my brother in law talked me into signing up for Couch Surfing.  Couch Surfing is an international organization for travelers to host each other in whatever way the host wants, from meeting for coffee to having surfers stay at your home.  He didn't have to twist my arm too far, he has been doing it for years, and I have had some experiences through him, mainly in Ireland.  It was a couch surfer who called us to that glorious town of Killaloe, and then proceeded to invite us to a Waldorf School's advent fair in Ireland-a definite highlight of our trip.   

Today we had our first couch request...a couple from Paris to come next month!  We e-mailed back and forth, and expect the Parisians to be here in March for a few days.  We are all so excited to hear about Paris, especially before we go in June, and to practice our French for a few days.  An international experience brought right to our door!  How wonderful! 

Candlemas

We wrote down what we hope to accomplish in the coming year, and what our passions are.

We read a verse....according to Las Vegas weather on February 2, winter has another flight.

We lit lots of candles and ate crepes for dinner.