Doin' it Homeschool

How did Riley and Coulter look for their first day of school this year?

This year at our house we decided that we are just too cool for school. Actually, after a lot of thought and research we decided that the small and understaffed school here in Wikieup was doing more harm than good for our kids. So, we followed suit with our neighboors and put the kids into a homeschooling online program. We never have been ones for homeschooling, but After 150 pounds of equipment arrived via UPS the other day, including enough gear for a science lab, 100 books, art supplies and math books the size of phone books (one for each semester), we decided that our kids are going to be geniuses. So what if they are a little socially awkward, they will be too busy ruling the world to notice.
(They will be going back to regular school as soon as we move.)

Hiatus

We have been on hiatus in Utah again this week. We went to Lagoon, Meadow and Camping in Nevada near Lehman's caves for a family reunion.

Here are the highlights:

*Maycie again throws up ten minutes into the trip.

*5 year old Coulter rides Wicked at Lagoon.

*Maycie repeatedly screams "HELP..HELP" on the Dragon Ride.

*While camping Fergus barks at a cactus for two days, then eats it.

*Alia gives me a heart attack by sticking a weed in my ear.

*Maycie learns to use the bathroom and dry heave at the same time in the stinky campground bathrooms.

*A fish within a fish is caught by "The Rick"

*The lights are accidentaly turned out on us during our tour of the cave.

*While driving his truck, Grandpa Talbot is passed by someone on a pedal bike.

3 skinned elbows, two Bee stings and 27 bruises later, we are finally back home to the HEAT. 114 degrees by the way.

Taking the junior ranger pledge.
Inside Lehman's Cave

Family Campfire


Maycie and Gator.

Roundup Days

A couple weeks ago we went to Utah to celebrate Roundup Days in Lehi.

Here are the Highlights:

*Maycie throwing up 10 minutes into the drive up.

*Watching Coulter's face as he watched the motorcycle tricks during the rodeo.

*Stepping all over 75 people going down the bleachers at the rodeo to take the two girls to the bathroom, suddenly niether one had to actually use the bathroom once we got there.

*Stepping all over 75 people going back up the bleachers at the rodeo. We were very popular that night.

*Justin in his Float tube Bibs.

*Fergus became a manly mountain dog jumping in/being pushed in the river several times.

*Watching Justin swallow 50 gallons of water from the wrath of Cody's bumper boat sprayer.

* Me becoming the ultimate Laser tag winner for the second time in a row.

*Seeing old friends, every time without fail my children either looked liked homeless people or were screaming like maniacs.

Cant wait till next year.

Fab Fourth

We partied harty at our house this year for the Fourth. First we watched the hot dog eating contest, Riley was fascinated. Then we went to Kingman for some KFC and the fireworks show. We had an excellent spot in the park right beneath the fireworks. There was no shortage of fat men walking around without shirts, so we had some entertainment before the show as well.

Then on Sunday we wowed all the neighboors with our...ahem...illegal fireworks obtained on our trip to Utah. All fireworks are illegal in Arizona...sad, but true.

Kung Foo Coulter Strikes Again

This one's for you Uncle Rick. Now you know what you are up against. Coulter Competed in his first Karate Tournament today. The Sarah J Barnes Memorial Tournament. He performed an open hand Kata and took first place in his age division. He was so excited. He also sparred, but didnt win his match, he had to spar against his friend from class. Coulter was by far the smallest kid there. I will sleep better tonight knowing that my five year old has got my back.
Coulter and his friend getting their trophies, they each got a second and first place.

Coulter performing his Kata.

Coulter introducing his Kata to the judges.

A Little bit of Coulter's Sparring match. He is the shorter one with the dark blue gear and red bandana in the back. Not sure how he could move with all that gear on. He also had his first experience with an athletic cup which mortified him.

Happenings

Here is what has been going on at our house in a quick post. Maycie: Has joined the ranks of spending our money and using all our free time with her toddler gymnastics class. Her leotard gives her a chronic wedgie which makes it extra cute.

Coulter: has a Karate tournament next week he will perform a Kata and also Spar against another kid. Not sure how I feel about training him to fight other people, but he sure seems to enjoy it.

Cody: recently had a run in with an angry Barbeque propane tank that exploded in his face. After a 90 mile an hour drive to the hospital in kingman and some numbing medicine to his singed lips, he was in tip top shape again. He is currently focusing on regrowing his eyebrows and eyelashes, we wish him well.

Keeping Cool

What did our tax refund buy us this year?

A reason for us to want to go outside...

(and some pretty snazzy goggles)