Luke Says, Seamus Says.

 We have a guest for a few days: J'Mark!  He's a really popular guy in our house because he does excellent animal imitations, plays rock, paper, scissors indefinitely, reads books with all the voices, and tosses giggling little boys up in the air, or holds them "up-see-down" (Seamus says) if they're really naughty.

My favorite part of having one of my favorite people in the whole world here for a few days (besides having an awesome role model of someone who helps clear the table after meals), was having an inspirational artist to teach Luke his art lesson this morning.  How special to get a lesson in drawing expressive forms and faces from J'Mark!!  Of course we ended up using a Ninja Turtle as a model...because it's John-Mark, after all.

I should note that this is a turtle John-Mark drew very simply so that Luke could follow his directions.

Seamus says

I like the dump-o-wings with sass-kup (translation:  I like the dumplings with ketchup).

Daddy drives his hat around on his truck (referring to the WBS decal).

We love one 'chother.

Let's read Cutie and the Beast!

You're so smart, Mom.  You're just a smart guy.

(to Elaine, at church)  You gotta take your sandal off and SMACK! the scorpions, okay?

Luke says

Finders keepers, losers leapers!

Our neighbor has orange hair with a crack in the middle.

me: Remind me to wash your jacket tonight, Luke.
L: Okay, but only if I remember.

J'Mark!  I'm dead!  Come check in my pockets to see if there's anything good.

Danika's Our Excuse for a Boat Ride

Back in September, when the leaves were first starting to turn, we went to visit baby Danika in the NICU.  Since this photo was taken she has left NICU and come home!  She has some future medical treatments that none of us look forward to, but for now she is doing well at home.  And we are so happy to have her nearby.

What we got to do AFTER visiting Danika is just one of the perks of being homeschoolers. We got to go on a river tour of Winnipeg with Grandma Helene and discuss how most large cities are built on or near some sort of water source (after reading the book, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans).

Both  boys even took turns captaining the ship!  Seamus was hesitant at first, and only wanted a short turn.  Luke would have steered the boat in circles for hours!  His erratic driving made a lot of people laugh (turning sharply towards the bank shouting, "Look at those people on the racing boat!").
  
 

Manitoba Legislature Building

Provencher Bridge

St. Boniface Cathedral

Silhouettes

If you want to know what we did in school today, see below!  Derek has yet to get his silhouette made.  I will add it to this post when it's complete.  And our class had a special guest this morning.  Gramma came for breakfast and even she got her silhouette made!  It's always good to have Gramma over.

Linus

Seamus

First Day of Kindergarten

This morning started with a phone call to Grandpa to chat about what's expected of a kindergartener.  Then we ate Apple Spice Waffles with apples from our very own tree (Simply in Season), and Derek came home from work to celebrate with us.  Luke is in Kindergarten!  And that makes me a kindergarten teacher!  Whew.  We are in for an adventure, I think.