The kids' Christmas projects for the secret santa's

This year we decided to draw names for Shan's family.  So, below you will see projects in progress for the people the kids drew names for.  They are each very excited and working hard for the person they drew.

LIFE is Good Homeschoolers Christmas party

I didn't remember to get the camera out until the end of the party.  We were having so much fun!  Some of the kids watched Horton Hears A Who.  while others played either outside in the play yard or upstairs in the kids' rooms.  Below is Hope.  She brought the MOST awesome wreath desert.  They were a spin-off of rice Krispy treats ~ only with corn flakes.  VERY good!!!

This is Jennifer.  She brought gifts for EVERY child at the party.  That was 16 kids!!  Wholy smokes!!!  But, if you look at the last picture, you'll see that the kids were loving the gift.  :o)  Thanks Jennifer!

Quinn's last baseball game of the season

Uncle Steve and Aunt Tasha came to watch Quinn's last baseball game of the season.


Sloane and Tasha played pattycake.


When we got home, we presented Quinn with his very own trophy because we think he is the best baseball player EVER!

Sloane's 4th Birthday

Today is Sloane's 4th Birthday.  She wanted a doll cake.  You know the one ~ where the cake is the dress and the body and head are sticking out of the cake.  Well, I labored over that cake all day today because we had a party planned in the park at 3:30.  As you can see from the pictures below, Sloane and Quinn were a big help in the process.  :o)

Seriously tho, we all had a great time.  The kids kept busy with the left over fondant while I tried to figure out how to make those BLASTED flowers for the dress.  As you can see, it all worked out eventually.  That is, after I consulted the neighborhood cake decorator.  She told me my icing was too thin.  Sure enough!  I thickened it up and the flowers worked gloriously.  ahHHHHH.

Once Dave came home from work, Sloane opened her gifts from us.  She got a fuzzy, pink jacket...which she adores.  :o)  I mean, who couldn't!

And a new beach barbie doll...

WITH new clothes for the barbie.

You can't tell from the picture below.  But she is excited for the Polly Pockets that she just opened.  I thought this was just too cute of a picture.  She was doing a little dance about it.  :o)
Now we are at the park party and she is opening a gift from her little homeschool friend, Sarah B.  It's a jump rope!!  How much fun that will be to take to homeschool park days!
Next gift is from her dear friend, Luna.  You can't tell from the picture, but it's a magnadoodle.  We LOVE magnadoodles.  Lots of fun in the car, for sure.
Oh!  And Katie gave her Hannah Montana paraphenalia.  Move over Hannah!  Here comes Sloane!!!  

And no birthday would be complete without a set of jacks and a ball.  Sloane has never played before, but we sat down tonite after Quinn's game and I showed her and Quinn how to play.  They sat for quite a long time trying to figure out how to get the jack while the ball was still in the air.  It was quite comical!

Now it is time for the birthday song.  Sloane was in heaven, I tell ya.  

She just loved being sung to.  

Make a wish and blow out the candles.

Dig in!!

Today, the kids had a great time riding each other around with the salvaged tricycle from yesteryear.  It is so rickety.  But they don't mind. 

                  

They enjoyed each other so much.  It is fun to see them when they are in this state.

Now, they are playing Santa and Reindeer.

What fun!