lately

Lately I've been missing. It's just been a strange start to our year. Between sickness and a TON of yucky weather we haven't been out doing many things and when we do I haven't been bringing my camera. Usually January is our slow activity month and filled with many museum trips, chuck e cheese, and day trips.  But...this year started off different. The kids haven't mentioned a thing about it (though I am constantly thinking about all the things we aren't doing). They are having fun playing at our basically toy-less house (since it's on the market) and playing outside in the hot temps...then today in the cold rainy temps.

Braden's still going to the eye doctor but THANKFULLY they let us see one right near Brian's work so instead of a several hour event it's condensed into one hour.  They have had to pull several of his eyelashes because they are growing backwards...into his eye and are contributing to damaging his cornea. It's very strange. I wonder if all the drops and goop are causing it but they say no. Who knows.  Lately Braden has been wanting to do journal entries on anything Science. First a whole research paper on the different types of rocks (which he also taught to his scout den) and yesterday he did one on atoms.  I actually had to get him to call dad and read it to him to be sure it was all accurate.  He's reaching the point in science where mommy stopped...and he LOVES it all.  Another love of his came back this week too.  That is the love of running.  He started back over the weekend and is up bright and early (then drags daddy out of bed to go with him) happy as a clam to go out in the hot/cold/rain..whatever and run.  He missed all his fall races because of everything that happened with his eye but he is very hopeful that he can get back to it this spring.  Braden is finished with his first book of TnT and will be saying the entire thing next week to earn his Gold award! 

Cailey hasn't been sick lately and for that we are thankful!! She's loving school and usually does it between the hours of 8-10 pm. Yup...she is a night owl and does all of her independent work the night before it's due which this year means math, journal, handwriting, latin practice, typing, word problems, drawing, and state project.  Since she's finished all her awana books she is now working on memorizing 1 John.  Yup...the whole thing.  She's already memorized 1 John 1, 2, 3, and is learning 4. Once she finishes she is hoping to continue with 2 John and 3 John.  We love hearing her say her verses.  Her current love is basketball (though she can't wait for soccer!) She started off the season and by her second game scored 4 points in one night:).  She has the desire to run a couple races coming up but has yet to train so we'll have to see what happens with that.

Kinsey is our healthy one this year (and last) and the only one who didn't meet their deductible!  She has her allergy problems but nothing serious..and for that we are thankful.  She's made SO much progress with reading and now reads me Magic Tree House books.  She's finished the first grade Right Start Math book and started second grade (about 35 lessons in now).  It AMAZES me to see how far she's come since a couple of years ago!  She has finished her Awana book and is now working through the flight plan.  Basketball is her sport right now and she's constantly practicing outside.  She loves drills, shooting, and just the game in general.  She wants to steal the ball but with Upward you aren't allowed to do that until you are in the 4th grade league and it's driving her bonkers!  This is an area where she excels for sure which is neat to see. 

Ephram has been healthy since right before Christmas.  He's no longer taking naps more than a couple times a week (if that) because he has trouble falling asleep at night if he does.  We always make sure he gets a Sunday nap but other than then he thinks he's big stuff staying up and playing with the kids all afternoon.  He is turning out to be a helper like his older brother and constantly wants to help fold laundry or sweep for us:).  LOVE IT!  He is also quite eloquent with his words and well beyond his years with some of the things that come out of his mouth.  Brian and I often listen to him then stare at each other wondering where in the world Ephram learned whatever was just shared. And he's observant too...then can apply his observations. Fascinating.  Can't wait to see how easy/hard school comes for him.  (praying for easy:.)

There have been other things going on in the house contributing to the lack of blogs but hopefully I will get my act together and start again soon. I've never gone so long without blogging and really want to keep it up for the kids...

That's what we've been up to lately.