Summertime Funnertime Field Trip

In an effort to squeeze more home-education into the summer months as well as to conscientiously try to be a more FUN parent, last summer I created a Summertime FUNNERTIME Bingo board.

They dabbled in learning and I dabbled in being more intentionally fun by hosting game nights/ movie nights/ and field trips.

But truly, it was basically just an elaborate bribe to justify riding on a train.  ;-)

I made a BINGO board with all sorts of different activities, many to do with trains, and as children won bingo, they were awarded some trivial dollar-store-esque prize.  If they completed the WHOLE BINGO board by the end of September, I hereby solemnly pinky-swore, I would take them on a road trip to ride a REAL train.

Lo and behold, they ALL won the whole board.

And we finally took our trip a few weeks ago with two tag-along cousins:

Hey!  I know her!!!!

The man behind the town

David said this was Andrew trying to get a girl.  But it seemed Moses was taking the most notes.

This picture is for Corynn.  You have to up your game, my dear.

Here's the BINGO board, if anyone would like to copy the idea.  

Even if there is no train ride at the end, it added lots of fun (and learning!) to our summer.

There Are Two Types of People

 The zero turn riding mower we have has been sitting in the barn awaiting some fixing which means we are back to using the 'ole walk-behind mower.  A sorry stand-in on these hot summer days.

Who wants to be behind a mower when it is 90 degrees out?

One day, I looked out the window to see that Judah had created a solution to the problem using an old, broken wagon and some zip-ties.  I chuckled at his ingenuity and prayed that the Lord would protect him from it too.  ;-)

A few minutes later... I looked out to check on him and saw this:

The answer to the question above?

Moses.

Moses does.

(He had grass burns on his belly for days....)

Little Cabin In the Woods

 Andrew's cabin in the woods~ not quite done, but mostly.

It's hard to take pictures of the space with my camera because it is a small cabin and I don't have a wide angle lens... but you'll get the idea.

(bet you now recognize that picture on the shelf)

This is the loft space.  It has two cots and a hammock suspended from the ceiling.  It is suspended out and over the loft floor, hovering 12 or 15 feet over the lower level so it is a leap of faith to sleep there.  

Of course, that doesn't stop Andrew.

The stone underneath still needs to be finished.  

I believe they plan to add battens eventually too.

There is no electricity in the cabin so Andrew got solar powered lights for his birthday.  

Ambiance is important for all those guy campouts, after all.

And when your son gets annoyed with all the pictures you are taking, you take even more in rapid succession until he can't help but laugh.  Because his real smile is worth it.

And then you make a gif out of it.

Because you are THAT kind of mother. 

My Little Panda

 Andrew was delivered at midnight to begin a commute into NYC to catch a flight to Idaho in order to attend a week-long Christian conference there with two other, younger guys.  This will be his first time flying (where he will remember the experience) and he'll have to navigate the whole airport experience/travelling/huge conference, not only for the first time but as the 'man in charge'.

The whole thing has got this Mama feeling nostalgic and sentimental about the little Panda that is almost all grown up.

All of this made me think that I have not yet posted his 18th birthday photos (from back in April) OR the photos I have taken of his cabin (I know some of you have expressed interest). 

 It seems to me that now might be just the perfect time to do so. 

I miss him already.  

Homemade donuts for dessert

Papa and the Newman men joked that he ought to give a speech, given that he was turning 18.  In true Andrew form, he took the joke and made it a reality.  

(Take note of his podium... he has an affinity both for shoes and keeping the boxes they come in.)

It was a good speech and it made me cry.  (surprise, surprise.)

Also- I was impressed with his public-speaking... even though he was addressing a room full of family- he made eye contact with everyone as he spoke, included jokes-but avoided silliness, spoke succinctly and loudly and had a commanding presence.

And he didn't have to do any of it at all.  It was a sweet moment.

He's a funny bird and enjoys making people laugh.  (As you can see here)

He also loves Haribo.

Aunt Holly and Uncle John's birthday card included a photo from a Christmas performance he did.

That too, was an idea he had, just for the pleasure of being witty, funny and charming.  

Hat tip to any who recognize the performance!! 

I love that Andrew doesn't shy away from being the center of attention but also doesn't need to be there all the time.  I love that he does not take himself too seriously but that he takes seriously other, important things.  

I love seeing the manly man that he is becoming and yet so enjoy that I can still see glimpses of the sweet, mischievous little boy shine through every now and again.  

And I am so incredibly thankful that he (with nary an eye roll or complaint) still lets me hug him long and hard when he is about to embark on yet another grand adventure.  

In fact, he hugs back.