Santa's Village

I got a good deal on tickets to Santa's Village. It closed a few years ago due to gang activity. It just recently opened so we thought we would give it a try. I went there frequently as a kid and have great memories. Unfortunately a lot has changed. They sold most of the old rides and Santa no longer resides there. It was a hot day and had the kids not just been to Great America perhaps it would have been a little more fun. It took Charlotte a while to warm up to the idea of rides. They still have the mushrooms, but no polka dots. :(


The older kids enjoyed this ride but as you can see Charlotte was very unsure.





This ride had metal seats and was way too hot. I had to put my hand under Charlotte's legs so they wouldn't burn.



The truck ride was a winner.



The balloon ride was Charlotte's least favorite ride. It went 25 ft. into the air and she cried the whole time.




After lunch we enjoyed the race cars. Ben got the Bears' car and Joe got the Packers' car. Finally, Charlotte was starting to enjoy herself.





They still have the big slide. And now trees completely shade it so it is never a hot ride.



We had so much fun on the trucks, Charlotte wanted to ride one more time before we left.

Muddy Mess!

Charlotte went out with her baby doll to play after the kids had been playing in the sprinkler all afternoon. Apparently she found a muddy area and the two of them had fun!

Vacation Bible School 2011

The Summer of Baseball

This summer Ben and Mia are playing baseball. So we spend three to four nights at the baseball field. Even Charlotte likes to get into the action.




Here is Ben in action. He tends to play catcher, second base, and right field. He had a little bit of a hitting slump mid-season but now is hitting almost every time.




And here is Mia in action. She gets helpful batting tips from her coach "aka Dad" and she plays all over the field.

Spring Ballet Recital 2011

Six Flags Great America

The three older kids went to Great America for the first time last week. My mom and dad came, too. That was a huge help. The kids were so excited but they had no idea what to expect. They had so much fun and they were fearless. Mia and Ben even rode on the Demon. It was a great day!

Happy 8th Birthday, Ben!

The Girls Reading

Our Garden 2011

We decided to plant a flower garden under the swing set in the "sandbox". We haven't had sand in it for a number of years and each year more and more weeds take root. So, on Mother's Day Tom and the kids cleaned up the weeds and we added soil. We purchase the plants, graphed the plant height and planted accordingly. The kids helped with all the planting and have been watering it. It had been warm so we had been watering every day. Now, it is cold and raining so God is taking over that job. Hopefully, too many bees won't find our garden interesting since we still use the swing set.

Happy 4th Birthday, Joseph!

We celebrated Joe's birthday with his Illinois Papa, whose birthday is three days after his. He had a dinosaur train cake and received number of Toy Story Duplos.

Thanksgiving!

Easter Crafts

We did a couple of crafts this Holy Week. This is the last supper. The kids colored the apostles and Jesus and placed them around the table.

And then after crucifying Jesus and placing him in the tomb...

He rose from the dead and here are Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of James as well as the guards and angels.

Easter 2011

We had a nice Easter this year. Here are pictures of the kids and their Easter baskets. Also, a pictures of them in their Easter outfits. Even on a cloudy Easter they squint for the camera.

Ben got Despicable Me and a Bounce-back Ball.

Amelia got Josefina and Addy.

Joe got a Map Game and a puzzle.

Charlotte (show here enjoying her first peep) got a book and chalk.

HAPPY EASTER!

Little House on the Prairie

We went to Midway Village today. We had 21 homeschool kids. One of the moms watch Charlotte and other babies at her house. Our kids all dressed-up. I had a tinge of guilt because I had nothing but a bonnet for Mia to wear so I quickly made her a dress in 24 hours. It turned out pretty good at this rate I should be able to knock off several wardrobes for her. The weather mostly cooperated. It was a little cold and misty but it could have been worse. Although it would have been nice to picnic outside. We visit a general store, a print shop, a black smith, a schoolhouse, a police station, and we had a square dance.

All the kids

At the general store...

Mia watching the lady telling us about food.

The kids at school working on their handwriting on their slates.

My kids in jail...

Here is Ben helping to make rope.

Here they are square (circle) dancing in the barn.