last day of school

(so it's way late)

The last day of school came really quickly this year. I guess as we get a little bit busier each year the time passes faster. This year Chris and I saw so much grow in each of the boys. We feel really blessed to have each of the boys at schools that fit them each so well.

2 Corinthians 9:8-11

 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,

    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.

His right-living, right-giving ways

    never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

"spookiness" school

I haven't posted any of our "school" work in awhile bc my boys have major camera attitude. 

Sam said he wanted to do "SPOOKINESS SCHOOL" so "spookiness school" we did!

school days 2012

It's OFFICIAL...school has begun!

Now I need to figure out how to get everybody everywhere and work part-time...lol!

It is very different having to get Tanner to school by 8:00 rather than 9:00...the traffic stinks so we have to leave earlier. I had to move my morning runs up a little to get back in time but I love starting my day with some quiet time so it's no biggie.

MORNING SUCCESS

If we get everything ready...snacks, lunches, clothes pressed, bags ready...at night then we have a smooth morning....usually.

Such a handsome 1st Grader

This photo summarizes my children's personalities...silly goose and serious!

Tears have been shed over my BABY in Pre-K

chalk paint

We are desperately trying to beat the summer heat around here...I'm sure you are too! In my effort to keep the TV off (most of the time) and the technology out of reach, I gathered the goodies for a few fun activities.  A friend posted this easy sidewalk chalk recipe a few weeks ago so I thought we'd try it out.

SIDEWALK CHALK

Equal parts water and cornstarch

a few drops of food coloring

The boys mixed their own concoctions so our were not perfect.

The colors they created.

In true boy fashion, the artwork quickly turned to a racetrack. What can I say it entertained them longer...woo-hoo!

last days of school

We have so blessed to send the boys to such amazing schools and more importantly to have truly amazing teachers! 

We love EUMK and SKF!

EUMK SENIOR K CLASS OF 2012

Taner has been at EUMK since he was 2.  He starting by going just 1 day a week over 4 years ago. I can not believe sweet Tanner's time as EUMK has ended. The school is so hands on, creative and small. One of the things that attracted me to it over 4 years ago was that it was a mix between Montessori and traditional. I also loved the options for days because so many of the other preschools you had to go 3-4 days.  We were able to ease into school and even do K part-time.
Tanner will be going to Westminster Academy next fall. 1st grade is 1/2 days so I feel so blessed to have one more year a theme with him!

1st Day of EUMK...the 2's

Today was Sam's last day ever at Special Kids and Families. I am so very sad not only is he going to be in Pre-K next year but he will no longer be next door to me on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at work. I have been very spoiled the last 2 years being able to read to him, eat lunch with him and give kisses anytime!

Last day at Special Kids Play, Do, Learn preschool.

That's his..."I graduated and I'm going to EUMK"...thumbs up! He is so exciting to be going to Tanner's school.

1st day of Special Kids Play, Do, Learn...16months

Shrinky Dinks

Did you make these when you were little?

They were a "staple" craft at the Tanner household.

Now they are a "staple" craft at for the Phillips boys.

The little market down the street from our house sells just about everything on styrofoam trays...broccoli, chicken, grapes, pecans...since I frequent the little market we have a big pile of trays.

You have to use sharpies when you are coloring.

***Side-note...if you leave them out your child may draw on the cream walls in his room with a lime green fat tip sharpie!

Oven on 250-300.

Put on a pan.

Takes only a minute or 2...WATCH...they will roll up then flatten.

When you take them out they are hard.

At Christmas, we poke a hole in the top and add ribbon...Viola-ornament!

fireman SAM

One of the perks of my job is always being right down the hall for all of the fun activities with Sam's class.  Sam loves firetrucks BUT seeing as he has been in an ambulance twice in the last few months he was terrified the "medics" were going to take him. 

crafty boys

my crafty boys

Turning our coat closet into the "art and school" closet a few years ago has been one of the best things we did in our small house. Craft supplies are right at the boys fingertips. Now...with that said you must be willing to put aside your neat-freak, OCD and controlling wayat least I can organize the closet when they destroy it...right?
Here is why I love that the "art supplies" are at the boys fingertips. This is what I came out of the shower to see last Friday morning. Tanner helped get Sam paint and he had gotten contact paper and scissors for himself. I never heard a fuss or a peep during my shower(this is when you wonder if everyone is still alive) BUT Sam had painted his entire body...I washed him in the tub pre-photos.
They are big "window" decorating fans so now we are all ready for the BIG upcoming holiday...
Happy Valentine's!

a little art

A leaking water heater...becomes ART! 

Chris went into the attic the other night...thank the Lord...and he noticed the water heater was leaking.  Can you imagine the mess if it had flooded...geez!  Needless to say, he cut off the water, ran to Lowe's, recruited a friend to help carry it into the attic (thanks Wilson) and then he worked through the night.
TWO GOODS...
1. The boys made lovely messes art from the giant cardboard box pieces.
2. You can now take a shower and someone can flush the toilet without freezing you out...why a new water heater fixed this is beyond my comprehension of house repair knowledge but WOO-HOO to consistently hot showers!

Mollie...this is Will's apron!  It was a party favor from Tanner's 2nd birthday...do you want me to put in on your porch...lol!

applesauce&cinnamon ornaments

Cinnamon and Applesauce Ornaments

INGREDIENTS

Big jar of cinnamon(target)

Big jar of applesauce

Pour cinnamon into a bowl first.

Slowly add applesauce and mix as you pour.

It will seem like you don't have enough applesauce

but the cinnamon really soaks up the applesauce. 

 If you add too much applesauce it will be too sticky to roll.

Roll.

Cut.

Dry.

Hang.

Really fun. Really easy. Really yummy smelling.

Ours from last year are still in great shape!

"wise men"

 "We have been following His star."

This was Tanner's line in his Kindergarten Christmas musical. He was one of the Wise Men. It was more precious than I expected.  How can 14 Kindergarteners re-inacting the Christmas story and singing not be?  I can not believe my BABY is 1/2 way through Kindergarten:(

When we picked him up from school, he was reminding us that the Shepards were the first ones the Angel told the good news of the Jesus' birth. It was such a great opportunity to talk about how God choose ordinary Shepards to hear the Good News first not someone with riches, fancy cars or the best toys. We talked about how in our relationship with Christ, He is the Shepard and he watches after HIs flock(us). It is amazing to me how much a 5 year old can comprehend about God's unconditional love for us. Praying that the Holy Spirit will continue to work on his little heart. I love these moments when I can share God's love with the boys:)

 

5 little pumpkins...a fav game

Five Little Pumpkins

5 little pumpkins sitting on a  gate

the 1st one said "oh my its getting late"

the 2nd one said "there are witches in the air"

the 3rd one said "but we don't care"

the 4th one said "lets run and sun and run"

the 5th one said "we're ready for some fun"

wooo-ooh went the wind

and

out went the lights

and the 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight

ok...the boys can play this game for hours

what's the game??

when you sing "out went the lights"...the boys take turns turning out the lights

so SIMPLE

but

they LOVE, LOVE playing this

Sam likes to play with the felt pumpkins and some wood pieces.  He builds a fence thens adds the pumpkins as Tanner and I sing or read the story.

sewing with boys

Did you know Tanner loves to sew?

I think it's getting to use the sharp needle.  About a year or two ago, I made him a sewing bucket with plastic needles, yarn and felt.  He picked up two simple stitches fairly quickly so we moved to real needles.  It had been a while since he had sewn anything so I thought a pumpkin would be perfect.

1. He hand drew his pumpkin shape then cut it out.

2. Trace the first pumpkin onto another piece of felt.

3. Pin the two pieces together.  He loves this part because it involves lots of sharp pins.

4.  Sew!  I always thread the needle, tie the knot and get him started.

Hint: Use a short piece of thread.  It's easier for little fingers...he needed 2 short pieces for this piece.

5.  Then he sews.

Our pumpkin became a Jack-o-Lantern bean bag...we filled it with beans right before he sewed the last few stitches.

ghost paint

GHOST PUFF PAINT

a big squeeze of Elmer's glue

a bigger squirt of cheap shaving cream

mix together...should be very thick

The boys love this recipe especially because they can pour, squirt and mix themselves.  You CAN NOT mess this recipe up.  I love that I always have the ingredients on hand.  It's very to use food colring to color the puff paint also! Once our ghost dry, we will cut them out and hang them in the windows "to scare people", according to Tanner and Sam.