Alex has decided that he would like to keep up his own blog and tell you all what's going on in his life. How can I resist allowing that when I think of all the writing skills he will be using? You can view his blog here. www.homeschoolblogger.com/alexsblog
Each year, the boys submit an art project for the Indiana Homeschool Convention. (This is the first year that Ryan and I won't be attending because we have decided to go to Cincinnati for the Midwest Homeschool Convention this year. However, Indiana hold a children's conference during their convention that I thought the boys would enjoy attending. So this year, I will take them to Indy on Friday only for the children's conference.)
Anyway, since the boys will get to see the artwork submitted to the convention, I thought they should submit their own this year also. Here are their submissions.
Nicolas's age group include a choice to draw an illustration from a favorite book. He loves to read the Henry and Mudge book series.
I gave him a little help in getting the size and shape of Mudge. Medium: colored pencil
Alex's age group gave a list of authors to draw an illustration from. Lois Lenski was one of the authors in the list. Since he was a toddler, he has loved the book The Little Farm by Lois Lenski about Farmer Small. He chose this picture from that book.
I helped him with the shape and size of the cow's head. Medium: pencil
They both enjoyed drawing these pictures and I'm sure will love seeing it on display at convention in April.
Each year, the scouts hold the Blue & Gold banquet. The boys must bake a cake with their fathers - no women can help. They have categories - flattest, tallest, best theme. Alex won the flattest.
Nicolas won the tallest.
The boys enjoyed a co-op party on Valentine's day. We played a BINGO game, shared valentine's, ate lunch, watched a movie and to close the party - a pinata!
For Indiana history, 2 families visited the Indianapolis Capitol building for Homeschool Day at the Capitol. We got a tour, got to sit in on the House of Representatives session, tried to sit in on the Senate, but they were on "Senator time" - we were on "parking garage time", so we couldn't wait around. Overall, it was a good learning experience - although I think the adults learned more than the 4th graders.
Governor Mitch Daniels' office - he was in meeting all day, so we did not get to meet him.
Just wanted to share with you all some pictures of moving day.
Our old kitchen and dining room.
The trailer is loaded.
Taking a Wii break.
God is really trying to teach me something in 2009! The subject of patience has come up several times in our ladies Bible study of James and trials. One of the ladies in the group mentioned that she heard that God will continue to send us trials to teach us what he wants us to learn - until we LEARN IT. I guess I'm not a fast learner. 
After moving day, February 7, we have been unable to locate an internet provider. Since our tax season began, officially, on February 10, and our internet is so important in our business, it was important for us to get internet service. But setbacks and delays continued. FINALLY - we are back on.
Another trial - our bathroom remodel. We got behind in January because of frozen pipes. Then after we moved in, we had a sewer pipe back up into the house. I was getting frustrated fast. I enjoy our new home and I enjoy living in the country - but it's been so long since I had been in the country - I guess I had forgotten about the situations that can come up.
So, as I continue to learn patience, God is still testing me and refining me.
