"Fishing Game"

I love teaching our boys in our day to day play as an additive to the school time we spend together.

I have always loved the 'fishing game' at parties and a while back (this time last year) I thought that making a learning game out of the fishing game would be fun for the boys. Then I thought... hmmm maybe someone else my benefit from this too so I shot some photos for you all to join in the fun!

So grab yer fishin' buddy, fishin' pole and yer swimmin' gear and get goin'.

 How I did it:
I hung a blanket from two tall chairs, rigged up some fishing poles using paint sticks, yarn, and mini clothes pins.

I made a lot of different types of fish from construction paper (probably need to laminate them for more stability) and put numbers and dots on them for counting.

I then labeled a small brown paper sack with each it's own number matching the fish for them to drop off their fresh catch in the correct bag.

Now that they are older and can do addition and subtraction the game is still going strong. Just throw some plus signs and minus signs in there and put two or three fish on at a time with the math sign and you've got it going on. They just add or subtract the correct numbers and there you have it... they put it in the correct bag for the answer and when they are done you get to come out and check their bags.

 I had to bring in my substitute fish put-er on-er while I snapped photos.

The empty co-pilot seat belongs to our rambunctious 2 year old

eating his fresh catch in his high chair for snack time. While his brothers enjoy

a fun game with out "NO, BEN!" Every 2 seconds!

 

 counting dots

 having a stare down with the fish!

We do this right after their school time and right before their snack time so at the end of this game you can throw on a bag of gold fish for their catch of the day. And everyone can retreat to the table for their snacks. Sometimes we have them as a snack on a picnic blanket in the house too :).

Happy fishing!

We're EXPECTING

...two new forever members to join our family November 18th 2011 at 4PM!!! (yeah I know, that wasn't nice :)... haha)


Moe and Roo will both be adopted on National Adoption Day this year. I am beyond ecstatic! When I talk to Moe about adoption and his name changing (middle and last) he gets all excited and says "I want that for me like Tristan". He loves saying our last name and it is so fun watching him delight in knowing that will soon be his last name as well.

Roo, well he has NO idea he's getting adopted so it will just be one big party to him with lots of people celebrating with and around us!

So if you live around us and would like to partner with us on this fantabulous day, mark your calendars. It is Friday, November 18th at 4 PM. I can't tell you that the time won't change as I have heard stories of such, but it will be in the later afternoon so that people don't have to miss work or too much of it anyway. There will be drinks and light snacks (or maybe just cake) served and lots of fun for everyone! Please if you can RSVP to me so I will be able to get some sort of head count.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES ... C'MON!

Who's plans?

When we first started foster parenting we figured God would add to our numbers as HE saw fit. We never really put a limit on where we wanted it to end. We just trusted that God knew what we could handle.


3 boys has suited us well. We were great with that and have been for a while now. As they are getting older J and I started discussing the idea of closing our home for a bit while the boys grow a little older and we get them to a good age to understand all the backs and forths of 'fostering'.

That was until the call for Little Miss came in.

She is as sweet as maple syrup but also as unpredictable as rain in TX.


We are unsure how long she will be with us but for now she is here and the boys are LOVING all the 'sparkly, pretty' things that accompany girls! She is no princess though, she LOVES her rough and tumble f.brothers and hangs with the best of them!

We are set to adopt both Moe and Roo on Nov 18th.. FINALLY! And here we thought we were going to take a LONG break. Hmmm Guess God has other plans for our family. So funny how over night and with one phone call everything can change.

All in the blink of an eye.


It is so amazing watching her grow spiritually as well. She LOVES going to her class Sunday mornings and in the evenings going to Lifegroup. She has been learning all the memory verses now right along side the boys. I am amazed at seeing all that God is stirring in her little heart. Now when someone is hurt she says "I'm gonna pray for that" and she is right there with her f.brothers praying over the hurts. What a hungry little heart she has!

Oh, and she's also 3! haha that makes 3-3 year olds and a 1.3/4 year old! Bear will be 4 in 3 weeks appx so it will change the monotony of it all for a little while.

Thank you Lord that YOU know the destiny of our footsteps and we need not worry for anything. You have planned out this family long before we were born. I will trust in YOUR plans!