Roller Skating & a Rodeo Field Trip (& Lots more...)

Our fish tank is finally coming together.

We apparently shocked the fish when we 

put all of them in the tank

at the same time

we lost 3 the first 24 hours.

Unfortunately they were all J's fish.

We let each of the older 3 kids

pick out a fish.

And since they were schooling fish,

we supposedly had to get 3 each.

The neon tetras are the ones 

that didn't make it.

We got "hardier" replacements.

And everyone seems to be happy.

R got 3 IDENTICAL fish

but swears he can

tell them apart...

so he named them.

(its a long way from Uncle Jack's but its a start!)

We were invited to a birthday

party on Saturday.

A roller skating party...

not the best idea with 4 little ones.

But everyone

did

FANTASTIC!!!

We got skates on the older boys

and let them skate around on the carpet.

R finally got up the nerve to make it out on the rink.

We are tough in this house and MADE him

go around the rink 

(holding on)

one time.

PRAISING him

and getting overly

EXCITED

when he completed it.

He waited,

then decided to try it again.

Then that was IT!

He turned into a little speed demon after that.

But keeping his balance with those flailing

arms was a SIGHT!

We finally made J got out 

and go around the rink once

too.

He was more apprehensive but

he responds really well to the 

excitement and praise too.

So he stayed out there but hugged the wall

almost the entire time.

He finally started getting brave when it 

was about time to go.

A...

oh my mercy!

I had no idea about skating for her.

Honestly, hadn't even planned on her skating.

They had the little plastic "starter" skates

that fit over your regular shoes...

guess what shoes she happened

to be wearing that day!

She kept trying to make her way out 

on the rink,

but neither daddy nor I were

brave (or dumb) 

enough to get ourselves

skates.

So we did our best to keep her off of the rink.

I finally caved and let her get on.

I walked around the outside of the rink

within arms reach.

Every time she bit it

I looked over the rail and said

"Where'd you go?"

With a big smile on my face...

she popped right and kept right on going.

They all LOVED it!

Needless to say,

both boys were

literally black and blue

and had knots on their

knees and elbows 

though.

:(

Little T was even patient enough to

let his big sister put the skates on

him!!

He made it onto his feet briefly,

but I didn't let it get too far

since he is new to this whole

walking thing as it is.

School is going well.

We have incorporated

history and religion

into our studies so far this week.

Tomorrow we will look at our 

lima beans...

I peeked 

and noticed that one is sprouting...

more on that in a later post though.

We have decided to try out 

our green thumb on aquatic plants...

so the boys planted some aquatic bulbs 

in the aquarium...

we will keep you posted on those as well.

I also have an art project planned.

Will fill you in when and if that works out. HA!

This week we also went

on our first

homeschool field trip!!!

I have always loved participating in the kids

schools and was room mom when they were 

in public school 

and did my best to stay involved!

I loved doing the field trips 

and ALWAYS wanted to be there

but with the littler ones at home...

I couldn't.

I can't express what it meant to me to 

take all of my kids on this field trip.

It was wonderful!!  

The kids were great and we had a great time!

We went on a trip to the San Antonio Rodeo!!!

It was basically just a tour 

of some of the exhibits at the rodeo.

It is a lot like the State Fair 

that I have gone to for as long 

as I can remember back home.

But smaller!

Apparently all the exhibits and rides are

built around the rodeo and stock show.

So the main draws are those items...

with the exhibits and rides 

being almost an after thought.

I would love to go back

and see the 

REAL RODEO 

though.

Might as well...

already brought out a little

of my inner redneck since

we have been here 

at the Monster Jam!

We had about 45 people I think go with us.

The craziest part...

there were only 8 families!

A checking out the chickens...

J Checking out the pigs...

Then we all had to stop and pose as a cow!

I have volunteered to be

the field trip coordinator

for our group

and attempt to plan about

one field trip a month.

Wish me luck!!

 Here are some other random pictures

from this week with one straggler thrown in there...

Enjoy!

No explanation needed or available for this first set:

 I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the set of skates on this kid!

My mercy - that is a serious skater!  

Look at those wheels!

 "Fook Mommy - my bawberry has a hiney, hahahah!"

Oh good gracious...

Guess who got to feed himself yogurt for the first time...

I think he did well, 

kinda.

Today - 

Mommy:  "A, if you don't take a nap you cannot go to dance class"

This was a first... 

Impressive coloring job by my newly turned 3 year old!

She got this picture from dance class...

we got to go since she took a nap.

Then tonight I discovered that there are camera settings

on my phone...

hopefully I can take better pictures now.

Here is one under the new settings.

And final random picture of the day...

To ring in the new year

we decided to purchase a piece of 

exercise equipment. 

We finally had room for one.

It arrived unassembled...

in an AWESOME box!

And we all know the 

deal with kids and boxes...

We still have this silly box...

wonder when we are going to get to 

throw it away!