helmuthfest 2012

shooting day

getting a safety briefing...

the group

full of funny quotes

Saturday Dale was in the bathroom looking at Reagan's foot.   I asked what happened, if everything was ok.  She said, "I have a hangover.  Dad is helping me get rid of it."

*Just in case you are wondering...  she meant "hangnail."

funny quote

reagan:  mom, i have decided not to be in the world cup.  even though i am playing soccer this year.  i really just want to ride horses when i grow up.

her cabin

camp

Today we took Carsyn to the bus.  The camp bus.  She is headed to camp for the next 12 days.  Overnight, stay-away-from-home camp.  Carsyn was excited, yet a bit nervous- it is 12 days after all!

We have spent the last 2 weeks shopping, washing, labeling, and packing.  We talked and prayed and tried to mentally prepare.  I am fairly certain she was ready.  After crying when the bus left I'm fairly certain I was not really ready.  I know camp will be great and she will love it.  I know she is safe and that she is going to have a blast and that we will see her soon.  But, I was still a mess.  Cause I have this baby girl, who seemingly was just placed in my ams, that left on that camp bus....  

 waiting for her friend....

 bus mates and bf's

 see you soon mom!

it's ok, it's funny to me

Each of us thinks our own kids do and say cute/funny things.  While the rest of the world often thinks differently.  Parents, especially new ones, hold the receiver up to the phone so their child can babble into it to unappreciative friends or family members.  They also take random videos of their kids playing in the swimming pool and put it on youtube and email it out to everyone they know asking us to watch and comment on the awesomeness of their kid (well, you and millions of others).  :)  More often then not we are asked to listen to or watch as antics are thrust upon us while parents wait to hear how great their kid is.  

I am no different.  I think my kids are talented, I think they do and say hilarious things AND are they cutest things ever.   I often blog about their wonderful attributes or the funny things they say and do.  

Just so you know,  I am not pushing anyone into reading or watching.  I am merely documenting this because tomorrow.... I won't remember.  And I want my kids to read about their daily antics 20 years in the future.

So, with that.....

Today Reagan and I were in the car.  She asked to see my phone.  After having it a bit I asked her what she was doing.  She exclaimed, "nothing serious."

I think that's funny- even if no one else does.  :)

captain america made our lunch today

PS- if your child can pogo stick AND jump rope at the same time you SHOULD put it on youtube for all to see because it is the coolest thing ever!  :)

i promise i'm teaching him!

This summer Dale and I have been focusing on teaching our children life skills.  I guess, really, we have been doing it all along but have decided to be more intentional.

SO... this summer we have focused on those daily skills.   I read this blog (click here) that listed life skills and attached them with age categories.  When I read through the site I was impressed and surprised.

here are the skills for my kids (the ones in blue we already have achieved!):

Age 7

·         Use a vacuum cleaner

·         Clean pet cages and food bowls

·         Use a broom and dustpan

·         Sweep porches, decks, driveways and walkways

·         Take a written phone message

·         Learn basic food groups and good nutrition habits

·         Cook canned soup

·         Read and prepare a simple recipe

·         Be familiar with cooking, measuring tools and their uses

·         Make Jell-O and boil eggs (hard and soft)

·         Money management (earning money and saving for a goal)

·         Pack own sack lunch

·         Cut up own meat, pancakes, etc.

·         Water outside plants, flowers and garden

·         Arrange refrigerator or bulletin board "pictures"

·         Weed flower beds and vegetable garden

·         Strip bed sheets

·         Carry dirty clothes hamper to laundry room

·         Sort clothes for washing by color and fabric and check pockets

·         Straighten book and toy shelves

·         Begin music lessons

Age 8

·         Fold clothes neatly without wrinkles

·         Remake own bed with clean sheets

·         Clean interior of car

·         Vacuum furniture (ie., chairs and couches), especially under cushions

·         Water house plants and lawn outside

·         Clean bathroom sink, toilet, and tub

·         Load and turn on dishwasher

·         Trim own nails and clean own ears

·         Learn model making

·         Set table correctly

·         Mop floor

·         Peel carrots and potatoes

·         Begin teaching time management skills, assignment deadlines, or short blocks of time

·         Money Management:  Spend, Save, Give principle

Age 10

·         Replace light bulbs and understand wattage

·         Distinguish between good and spoiled food

·         Bake a cake from a mix

·         Cook frozen and canned vegetables

·         Make pancakes from scratch

·         Understand the importance of ingredient and nutrient labeling

·         Plan a balanced meal

·         Know how to select and prepare fruits and vegetables

·         Bake cookies from scratch

·         Repair bicycle tire and learn basic adjustments

·         Know basic emergency first-aid procedures

·         Understand uses of medicine and seriousness of overuse

·         Wipe down kitchen cupboards

·         Be able to do family laundry completely

·         Mow lawn

·         Know how to handle a pocket knife

·         Sew simple crafts on a sewing machine (pillows, bean bags, etc.)

I realized we fall short in many areas.  So the Beachys are intentionally teaching/learning more life skills. 

funny story:

Tonight after dinner I asked Luke and Carsyn to head downstairs to fold the laundry (Carsyn had already done 3 loads today, this was her last one).  Luke complained and didn't want to go.  Finally after moaning and groaning more he got up to go.   He then turned around and said...  "When I'm married my wife is gonna do this!"   

I called him back over and "explained" that he was GOING TO HELP his wife with the laundry!  And under the tickle spell he agreed....