A Trip to the Farm

Wow! I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post anything or a chance to do anything worth posting pictures! I administered the ITBS for my homeschool group these past two days. Whew, I'm tired!

On Monday, we took the afternoon to go to "the farm" with our friends who have horses.


Lindsey saddled up the pony for Chase to ride.


Gerren had a turn, too.


But when Landon couldn't get his shoe in the little saddle, she saddled up her horse, Ebony for him. He was smitten!

He's the last child I would have thought would fall in love with horses.

After Landon got to ride the "big horse", Gerren wanted to give it a try. This is as far as he got, however. I guess Ebony was just too big for him. Miss Angie told him, "I've been around horses all my life, and the first time I got on her I was scared, too."


Of course, Chase wanted a turn next.


They had a blast. Oh yes, Carys and I were there, too!

Left or Right Brained?

Got this neat quiz off a loopy friend's blog! The rest of my family took the quiz, too. Oh, no! They're all right brained. I'm outnumbered. Well, Landon is slightly more left brained than right. But everyone else is definitely right-brained. No wonder no one cares about whether the house is neat or not. I'm beating my head against a wall here!

You Are 65% Left Brained, 35% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Little Drummer Boy!

Okay, he's not so little, but Gerren did finally get his new drums. We wanted to buy him a tom for his drum set for his birthday. However, they had discontinued the entire set, which we just bought in November! His drum teacher expressed his displeasure with the rep who sold him several of these sets. So, for about $65 more than what the tom itself would have cost, we traded in his old set for a completely new and even nicer one. He was shocked. Here he is up in the playroom where we have the drums practicing.

In back of him you can see the totally awesome playhouse Greg built for Chase in the corner of the room. He finished it this summer!

Happy Birthday, Gerren!

Unfortunately, Gerren's 12th Birthday got somewhat lost in the shuffle this year. First of all, it fell on the Saturday of the time change. We usually go out to eat at someplace nicer for birthdays, but losing an hour of sleep when we had to leave for church at 7:15 a.m. Sunday morning was not conducive to a late night out. So, we planned either to do breakfast out that morning or lunch after church Sunday at a nice place. Gerren and I had a 24-hour stomach virus Wednesday night and Thursday, but we were feeling better by Friday when we made these plans. The virus wasn't through with the Meahls yet, though, and by 7:00 p.m. Friday night Chase was throwing up. Landon started in at 10:30 p.m. and I was up with Chase at least every 30 minutes until 2:30 a.m. Greg was up with Landon until 5:30 a.m. We were exhausted, and we obviously did NOT go out to breakfast on Gerren's birthday. We did manage to open presents. Again, that was a slight disappointment because the main gift we got him, a tom for his drum set, did not come in. He was still very surprised at the "coupon" Greg made on the computer and put in his card.


He loved his Star Wars Legos, too.


Chase made him this latch hook rug which goes with the theme in his bedroom.

Landon kept telling Gerren that he was getting him a can of sardines for his birthday. So, even though he did give him a Lego Racer, he had to have a can of sardines for a joke!


Gerren's birthday supper was Arby's eaten in the car on the way home from church Saturday night. Nobody but Greg ate much; Landon didn't eat at all. We did eat at Fazoli's per Gerren's request after church Sunday afternoon, but Landon didn't eat anything again. We thought we were through with the virus until Greg started throwing up this morning. Carys seems to only have had a few runny diapers, thank the Lord! What do you do with a 14 month old who is vomiting every 30 minutes? We should be able to pick up Gerren's drum at lessons Wednesday. I'll take some pictures then!

Carys' Developing Taste Buds

No longer will Carys eat anything and everything. She's beginning to show a preference.

Graham crackers are in...

and cream cheese is out!


She's also very interested in what's in the oven, and the oven itself tastes pretty good, too!

Carys!

I had to post this hysterical picture of Carys. Yes, that is a bulb syringe (used to suck snot out of a baby's nose) that she has in her mouth. The other kids said, "Yuck! Gross!

Landon's Pictures

Landon had his pictures taken today. They are so good!

This is my favorite!





A great close-up of his beautiful face!


He looks so grown up here.



How did I get such photogenic kids?



And of course a silly pose!