Look Here!!!

I won!

I'm so excited. My kids have wanted this game to badly. Our first Christmas present!

You should check out Kristine's Herbal Roots Zine. It's an awesome publication for children to learn all about herbs. My kids love it, and the best thing is that all the kids can get involved-even Kyle and Andrew help with the recipes. We love it, very much. Not to mention, the price ROCKS.

I'm so excited Kristine, thank you for having the drawing!

So, I think I will posting stuff here to see if anyone would be interested in trading or buying. Rod found out last week that he is taking a $6 an hour paycut and he is now only going to paid once a month. But, the positive thing is that at least he is STILL working.

No clue how we are going to do Christmas. I sent an email to our chapter of  Toys for Tots...but was supposed to hear back within 3 days or something, and nothing yet. I bet they are really busy!

I mailed the last of our Miracle Diapers back to Miracle Diapers, but I've still got some of our diapers here that I could sell.

I've got books books and other books we have dearly loved and need to go to a new home.

So, I'm thinking that here in a few days I'll put some stuff up of things we can get rid of and list what we need.


Wouldn't it be cool to do like an xanga barter fair?


So, the kids have been experimenting with just crayons. We had a whole week that was based on just color crayons. It was fun. They did awesome pictures, but these were the highlights.

We made out scratch art paper. (well we had to use paint and soap for this one..)



Coloring on a griddle! This was lots of fun. The crayons just glide across the paper and are so bright!



Recycling paper. Messy but fun!



Mila couldn't believe that this mess would, in a couple hours would be paper!

Today my dear friends Sari and her mama Helen came over to visit. Well, they cleaned up my house and brought me groceries. The day before that Sari had already came over and brought me an outfit, candy corn and a GC to Winco for doing their wedding pictures. What did I do to deserve this!? Oh, I know. It must be because I stand around looking sexy. Or, not..lol. Then last week Emily brought me some hand-me downs for Sis & Kyle and a mocha! (what this women calls "play clothes" are like, awesome to us.)

Any way, all this stressing about money just seems to settle itself when you are surrounded by love and kindness.

Oh, Sari brought over a tub of Halloween stuff too!!!! The kids had nothing to wear for Halloween besides some face make up, but now they are set to go! Well actually, there was so much in the tub they can't figure out what to wear now...

I think we are going to trick-or-treat in Bryn's neighborhood since we don't really "have" a neighborhood out where we live on this dirt road. Well, there is two houses that I bet we could go too.

This autumn weather has been keeping us indoors but the kids are doing a lot of fun school stuff. The kids made some candles today...pics soon, and we set up our autumn table. Nathan made banana bread with chocolate chips and we made cinnamon cocoa! Books books and more books. We have been reading so many wonderful books. Thank goodness for our library!

More later, I had to come and blog about the wonderful things!

Bryn and I drove 253 miles to meet up with Sarah to attend Barter Faire, it was awesome! We had 9 kids between the 3 of us...yeah, most of them mine.

Sarah's Dad allowed us to camp on his 20 acres in the mountains, it was great, but so so so so cold.

It got down to 17 degrees.

We could have camped at Barter Faire but it was to crowded and we wanted a place to have away from everything if needed.




Trying to stay warm. Fire, music, wine.



We were so excited to finally be here!



All the people were so friendly.







Nakai, Mila and River.



Kyle and Aden were so cute holding hands and walking around looking at stuff.



We are SO cool...lol.



Whatever this was, it was neat to watch.



Aden and Kyle again.




I swear my older boys were with us. They were so busy off bartering and playing. I didn't see them much while we were there.

We can't wait till next year, and we will be more prepared for the cold.

Bryn made pumpkin bread and cookies to barter with and they were a hit!

Sarah brought hand harvested wild rice, true wild rice from rice camp.

My kids and I brought some art, cloth diapers, baskets, etc.

A few things off the top of my head that I bartered...

• African basket for a skirt for Mila
• Art for a mocha
• Beeswax for a lunch

All the kids bartered almost everything they brought. They were so pleased with themselves. Some one even paid Nathan $10 for one of his drawings.

It will be a new annual tradition!!!!

For math we have been doing projects from the Family Math Series. It's fun. The kids like it.

For geography, we have a cool book called, The Little Man in the Map. We got some blank US maps to do our own version. The older two boys are forever reading maps and historical maps even, to pinpoint certain local areas so that we can treasure hunt and pan for gold, or find gems. Haven't found any thing of much value...lol...but that doesn't really matter, the kids love the adventure! Nathan is forever begging to search for Captain Ingall's lost treasure.

History- We have a cool blank history notebook that we fill in when we hear something interesting. Mila prefers to cut out and glue pictures into it. Although, I really don't think that Barbie belongs on the 500A.D. page.

Andrew and Mila are both doing Headsprout for reading. They like it. They are also both doing Handwritting Without Tears. Hunter as well, as he needs a bit more practice.

Lots and lots of painting. Always, art.



Pottery.



A few birthdays over the summer...

I'll give you a rundown on ages.. Tyler is now 13 , Nathan is 11, Hunter is 8, Mila is 6, Andrew is 4 and Kyle is 2.

• We've been doing some science experiments. Some fun, some not. The "make your own snow stuff" was a waste of our CVA money in my opinion. The kids loved it. It seems just like that gel stuff they put in disposable diapers. At least they had fun with it, right? I need to stop nit-picking.
• We also did Sunprints, which was really cool! And a flubber blubber science experiment which I liked. We aslo did a Glo-germ kit that I thought was ok. Not to mention all the rivers we've been visiting to see the Salmon running. It's also fun to identify the different types of our native fish.

• Still doing horse back riding on Wednesdays.

• We've been driving back and forth over to Eastern, WA. The kids took turns doing fun stuff with Auntie Sarah. October 9-11th Bryn and I and the kids are heading over to meet up with Sarah for Barter Fair! WOOHOO!! So, we've been thinking of things to make, bake, trade, etc.

We have read:

• Julie of the Wolves
• 13 moons on turtles back and then we each did our own 13 moon calendar.
• Beowulf. The kids were not very interested in Beowulf, but they loved the movie we watched over reading the book for a few days. Oh, and I even found a Beowulf Dover coloring book that the kids enjoyed.

We have of course read many other books that the kids have grabbed from the library..

But Nathan's reading is a topic of it's own. He loves to read and when he finishes one book he begs me to find him another. So far since late August he has read:

• My Side of The Mountain
• Frightful's Mountain
• Number the Stars
• Diary of Anne Frank
• Hatchet
• Edges of The Earth
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Tyler, who does not find much interest in a book lately..(unless it sprouted legs and started dancing) has been reading a book about a man lost in the wilderness after a horrific plane crash. He really likes it, so yay!

Look Here!!!

I won!

I'm so excited. My kids have wanted this game to badly. Our first Christmas present!

You should check out Kristine's Herbal Roots Zine. It's an awesome publication for children to learn all about herbs. My kids love it, and the best thing is that all the kids can get involved-even Kyle and Andrew help with the recipes. We love it, very much. Not to mention, the price ROCKS.

I'm so excited Kristine, thank you for having the drawing!

So, I think I will posting stuff here to see if anyone would be interested in trading or buying. Rod found out last week that he is taking a $6 an hour paycut and he is now only going to paid once a month. But, the positive thing is that at least he is STILL working.

No clue how we are going to do Christmas. I sent an email to our chapter of  Toys for Tots...but was supposed to hear back within 3 days or something, and nothing yet. I bet they are really busy!

I mailed the last of our Miracle Diapers back to Miracle Diapers, but I've still got some of our diapers here that I could sell.

I've got books books and other books we have dearly loved and need to go to a new home.

So, I'm thinking that here in a few days I'll put some stuff up of things we can get rid of and list what we need.


Wouldn't it be cool to do like an xanga barter fair?


So, the kids have been experimenting with just crayons. We had a whole week that was based on just color crayons. It was fun. They did awesome pictures, but these were the highlights.

We made out scratch art paper. (well we had to use paint and soap for this one..)



Coloring on a griddle! This was lots of fun. The crayons just glide across the paper and are so bright!



Recycling paper. Messy but fun!



Mila couldn't believe that this mess would, in a couple hours would be paper!

Today my dear friends Sari and her mama Helen came over to visit. Well, they cleaned up my house and brought me groceries. The day before that Sari had already came over and brought me an outfit, candy corn and a GC to Winco for doing their wedding pictures. What did I do to deserve this!? Oh, I know. It must be because I stand around looking sexy. Or, not..lol. Then last week Emily brought me some hand-me downs for Sis & Kyle and a mocha! (what this women calls "play clothes" are like, awesome to us.)

Any way, all this stressing about money just seems to settle itself when you are surrounded by love and kindness.

Oh, Sari brought over a tub of Halloween stuff too!!!! The kids had nothing to wear for Halloween besides some face make up, but now they are set to go! Well actually, there was so much in the tub they can't figure out what to wear now...

I think we are going to trick-or-treat in Bryn's neighborhood since we don't really "have" a neighborhood out where we live on this dirt road. Well, there is two houses that I bet we could go too.

This autumn weather has been keeping us indoors but the kids are doing a lot of fun school stuff. The kids made some candles today...pics soon, and we set up our autumn table. Nathan made banana bread with chocolate chips and we made cinnamon cocoa! Books books and more books. We have been reading so many wonderful books. Thank goodness for our library!

More later, I had to come and blog about the wonderful things!

Bryn and I drove 253 miles to meet up with Sarah to attend Barter Faire, it was awesome! We had 9 kids between the 3 of us...yeah, most of them mine.

Sarah's Dad allowed us to camp on his 20 acres in the mountains, it was great, but so so so so cold.

It got down to 17 degrees.

We could have camped at Barter Faire but it was to crowded and we wanted a place to have away from everything if needed.




Trying to stay warm. Fire, music, wine.



We were so excited to finally be here!



All the people were so friendly.







Nakai, Mila and River.



Kyle and Aden were so cute holding hands and walking around looking at stuff.



We are SO cool...lol.



Whatever this was, it was neat to watch.



Aden and Kyle again.




I swear my older boys were with us. They were so busy off bartering and playing. I didn't see them much while we were there.

We can't wait till next year, and we will be more prepared for the cold.

Bryn made pumpkin bread and cookies to barter with and they were a hit!

Sarah brought hand harvested wild rice, true wild rice from rice camp.

My kids and I brought some art, cloth diapers, baskets, etc.

A few things off the top of my head that I bartered...

• African basket for a skirt for Mila
• Art for a mocha
• Beeswax for a lunch

All the kids bartered almost everything they brought. They were so pleased with themselves. Some one even paid Nathan $10 for one of his drawings.

It will be a new annual tradition!!!!

For math we have been doing projects from the Family Math Series. It's fun. The kids like it.

For geography, we have a cool book called, The Little Man in the Map. We got some blank US maps to do our own version. The older two boys are forever reading maps and historical maps even, to pinpoint certain local areas so that we can treasure hunt and pan for gold, or find gems. Haven't found any thing of much value...lol...but that doesn't really matter, the kids love the adventure! Nathan is forever begging to search for Captain Ingall's lost treasure.

History- We have a cool blank history notebook that we fill in when we hear something interesting. Mila prefers to cut out and glue pictures into it. Although, I really don't think that Barbie belongs on the 500A.D. page.

Andrew and Mila are both doing Headsprout for reading. They like it. They are also both doing Handwritting Without Tears. Hunter as well, as he needs a bit more practice.

Lots and lots of painting. Always, art.



Pottery.



A few birthdays over the summer...

I'll give you a rundown on ages.. Tyler is now 13 , Nathan is 11, Hunter is 8, Mila is 6, Andrew is 4 and Kyle is 2.

• We've been doing some science experiments. Some fun, some not. The "make your own snow stuff" was a waste of our CVA money in my opinion. The kids loved it. It seems just like that gel stuff they put in disposable diapers. At least they had fun with it, right? I need to stop nit-picking.
• We also did Sunprints, which was really cool! And a flubber blubber science experiment which I liked. We aslo did a Glo-germ kit that I thought was ok. Not to mention all the rivers we've been visiting to see the Salmon running. It's also fun to identify the different types of our native fish.

• Still doing horse back riding on Wednesdays.

• We've been driving back and forth over to Eastern, WA. The kids took turns doing fun stuff with Auntie Sarah. October 9-11th Bryn and I and the kids are heading over to meet up with Sarah for Barter Fair! WOOHOO!! So, we've been thinking of things to make, bake, trade, etc.

We have read:

• Julie of the Wolves
• 13 moons on turtles back and then we each did our own 13 moon calendar.
• Beowulf. The kids were not very interested in Beowulf, but they loved the movie we watched over reading the book for a few days. Oh, and I even found a Beowulf Dover coloring book that the kids enjoyed.

We have of course read many other books that the kids have grabbed from the library..

But Nathan's reading is a topic of it's own. He loves to read and when he finishes one book he begs me to find him another. So far since late August he has read:

• My Side of The Mountain
• Frightful's Mountain
• Number the Stars
• Diary of Anne Frank
• Hatchet
• Edges of The Earth
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Tyler, who does not find much interest in a book lately..(unless it sprouted legs and started dancing) has been reading a book about a man lost in the wilderness after a horrific plane crash. He really likes it, so yay!

Look Here!!!

I won!

I'm so excited. My kids have wanted this game to badly. Our first Christmas present!

You should check out Kristine's Herbal Roots Zine. It's an awesome publication for children to learn all about herbs. My kids love it, and the best thing is that all the kids can get involved-even Kyle and Andrew help with the recipes. We love it, very much. Not to mention, the price ROCKS.

I'm so excited Kristine, thank you for having the drawing!

So, I think I will posting stuff here to see if anyone would be interested in trading or buying. Rod found out last week that he is taking a $6 an hour paycut and he is now only going to paid once a month. But, the positive thing is that at least he is STILL working.

No clue how we are going to do Christmas. I sent an email to our chapter of  Toys for Tots...but was supposed to hear back within 3 days or something, and nothing yet. I bet they are really busy!

I mailed the last of our Miracle Diapers back to Miracle Diapers, but I've still got some of our diapers here that I could sell.

I've got books books and other books we have dearly loved and need to go to a new home.

So, I'm thinking that here in a few days I'll put some stuff up of things we can get rid of and list what we need.


Wouldn't it be cool to do like an xanga barter fair?


So, the kids have been experimenting with just crayons. We had a whole week that was based on just color crayons. It was fun. They did awesome pictures, but these were the highlights.

We made out scratch art paper. (well we had to use paint and soap for this one..)



Coloring on a griddle! This was lots of fun. The crayons just glide across the paper and are so bright!



Recycling paper. Messy but fun!



Mila couldn't believe that this mess would, in a couple hours would be paper!