Weekly Wind Down {Game School Week, Tent Camping, First Sleepover!?, Fall Read Aloud, Popcorn Party} Oct 16-22

We started our mid October week by going to worship and classes and then coming home and getting the house into some kind of order for the week.  At bedtime I remembered Evalynn had asked for a hat for Honey for the next day's field trip, so I got out my smallest round loom and made one from scrap pink yarn after the kids were in bed.  Then I got Evie back up to show her and try it on Honey (after getting scolded for going to get Honey to see about the size).

Both customers were happy and the payment was hugs and kisses.

Monday morning we got up, had breakfast, and headed out for a field trip day at the zoo.  It was a great time with our co-op!

After lunch, our family headed over to hit Ross and Target.  I really enjoy Ross, even though you never know what you'll find.  Xavier tried on many pairs of pants and came away with none, but did get a new pair of shoes for his pain and suffering.  LOL.  Mia and Zayden also needed fresh shoes, as they just tend to wear theirs until they fall to pieces and we were about there.  Target didn't yield many treasures but it was fun to look, and then we headed home and a couple kids took van naps on the way.

Natalee had swim Monday night, we had a quick supper, and then off to bed....

{I had bought new cuddl duds for Zayden for his birthday and got them out early so he would have a warm under layer for the zoo.  He made a valid argument about how they really weren't dirty so could he put them back on after his shower and wear them for pajamas because he had just the mask to go with them.  It's the little web hand on the left for me.}

We have concluded the first nine weeks of our school year, and stayed pretty well "on schedule."  In my written out plans for the year, I worked in a game school week every nine weeks, as a way to catch up with written work if needed and just take a break from the routine.  Everyone was very excited for game school week.

I had the kids get out individual brain games to play while I read aloud to them.  

We had offered to make supper for family and so while I worked on banana cookies for their dessert, the kids played partner games.  

I'd put a roast and veggies in the oven for the supper we were taking over, so that freed me up to play Trekking the National Parks with the older 4 kids, while Evalynn naps.  We do love these longer games, they are just more of a sacrifice of time.

Our game took all of Ev's nap time and a little more, and after she woke up the kids played while I finished up our gift supper and got started on ours.  On Tuesday evenings we are all home together and I really love that.

Wednesday's school day started mid morning after morning chores and routines were done.  For breakfast on Wednesdays right now the kids have protein shakes - and while it's plenty of protein it leaves their mouths feeling snacky, so I made a large batch of popcorn and then decided to make it a really fun treat morning.

all dye free - just in case anyone is still keeping tabs on us (wink)

However, that microwave popcorn is a habit I'd like to work back out of my system and go back to stove top or one of our poppers......sigh.

Love my view.

Once everyone got settled in, I went ahead and finished the fun seasonal read aloud I'd gotten for the week, The Best Halloween Ever.  

On Wednesday we used a combination of our Osmo games, Bee Bot coding, and board games to round out our game school day.

I recently upgraded the Kindle that we use for Osmo games, and a fresh, faster device made everything so much more enjoyable.

Xavier went down and took stock of our games and decided he could teach Evalynn to play Flip Over, and he was right.  She loved it and I appreciate his initiative. 

Shut the Box while Natalee wore her braces.

Mom's turn to play with Evalynn.

spelling and speed competition between the oldest two

Ameliya decided to teach Evalynn to play Hi-Ho Cherry-O and it was another winner!

Ev asked for a turn on the Osmo, and although she tried hard, it was a 1-to-1 assistance situation and after we finished her turn I told her she probably needs to get a little older before we try again.

Bee Bot with animal tracks cards.

Our table was busy!  We continued to use these games throughout the week.

During Evalynn's nap time we play Trekking the World.

Whenever we "take" a location in these games we stop and read the information card.

Wednesday evening we had church, so the kids played outside a bit while I got supper around, and then we got ready for Awana and Youth Group.  Evalynn earned an apple patch for her memory book work!

On Thursday we had hippotherapy so that took a couple hours of our morning.

Mia and Zayden and I had some science from the previous week to catch up on so we took that along.

Xavier worked on his Awana book and I did Evalynn's Cubbie book with her.

We never did play much by way of games on Thursday but the kids logged over 6 hours of much needed outdoor time. 

Our friend, Madi stopped by with her baby girl so Evie had to go get Honey's stroller and she rocked it on the sidewalk just like Madi was.  Little mama.

Thursday evening Mike took the kids for a bike ride while I made supper.  Evie is getting faster and faster on her balance bike.

Friday morning the kids were up and at em with exercises and stretches.  I did some wall sitting with Natalee.

We jumped into our day and did morning basket outside.

While I read some of the kids played brain games, Xavier sorted ball cards that he'd gotten at the Awana store Wednesday night, and some played in the sensory bin.

Evalynn eventually left us to go swing.  She has spent hours upon hours on that swing since we lowered it.

The kids stayed out through lunch, but did come in during Evalynn's nap time and we played Ticket to Ride.

All week long I was so pleased with Zayden's ability to hold his own on these harder, challenging games designed for older kids.  On this day, the only reason his score was so much lower than the others was because he took too many challenges on his second draw and couldn't complete them all, so they deducted from his score.  He learned a valuable lesson, though, and said he wouldn't do that again!  Also, mom plays to win.  {wink}

Natalee's home ec lesson for the week was cookies.  Lucky us!  She made three ingredient peanut butter cookies and then made a second bath with chocolate chips.

The children logged another 6 hours outside on Friday and we are so thankful for this Indian summer so we can enjoy fall!

Saturday brought lazy morning cartoons, chores, and a myriad of tasks to be completed.  After most of the chores, while I was working on mopping, these three made an adventure town outside.  Daddy had to help stake their tents against the wind, but they sure had a good time out there.

While they were playing, I took Natalee to meet her friends for a birthday party and sleepover.  Yes, we did used to be a no sleepover family, and we are now an "each situation as it comes" family.  We were a bit early to meet her friend and hadn't had lunch, so I introduced Natalee to the world of pizza by the slice at the local Casey's.  And a donut, because I'm a softy.  

While we were away, Dad paused the younger four's play and had them clean out the front flower bed and pots.

And then, because he's the nicest Daddy on earth, he agreed to an overnight camp out in the tent.

It was a beautiful evening for tent sleeping.

I stayed in the house and did up all the laundry.  I finally went to bed at like 3 a.m. and then heard the door open 3 more times for potty breaks.

Meanwhile, Natalee was having a great time at her sleepover....

They went to the mall and then back home for a movie!

Technically this last photo is from Sunday morning before Natalee went to church with her friend's family, but the days seem to run right into one another.  Sara was so sweet to share photos with me, knowing that I both would enjoy them, and that this was kind of a big deal for us.

As you can see, another week where there was more fun than hours to have it, it almost seemed like.