More from the Skating Party

Here's some more photos from the homeschooling skating party.

There's Nathan on top showing that nuclear physicists also know how to skate. He told me that the cap was really warm as well as being fun to wear. Note the bin next to him. It's empty now, but it carrys the skates for all five of their kids. Well not quite five yet. The youngest is just two.

John is modeling his matching black and gold helmet and gloves in the lower photo. He has done a great job to stick with skating. He is far from the fastest one on the ice, but he sure is the steadiest. He took a few laps around the rink, then came inside for hot cocoa and snacks.

Me? I just had the hot cocoa and the snacks.

Finally Snow

Now that we finally have snow we also have to shovel it. Janine is a big help in this area. She takes care of the level part next to the garage, while I do the hill. Of course after shoveling she likes to ride her sled down the hill. But the best part is the hot cocoa when she comes inside.

Just before I took this photo, Janine asked if she could shovel other peoples' driveways. I told her yes, but just as long as she finished ours first.

Why do I feel like Tom Sawyer with my own daughter?

Hmm, I have to start working on Sarah and John as well!

Skating Party

Our local home school network had a pizza party at the local skating rink yesterday. There were almost 80 people at the event. Most of them skated, except me. That's a skill I have yet to master.

Sarah has been doing well with skating lessons this winter. She is almost ready to move to the next level but needs to work on her crossovers. Here she is in the middle of the pack. Of all three kids, Sarah is always the first on the ice and the last off of it.

This was a hard photo to get because she was at the very center of the rink and people kept skating in front of me. But at least it's finally cold enough to skate outdoors.

Fun at the Museum

Here's what the three of them were doing while Nana sat patiently.

They were overcome by a display snake.

John got into the aquarium.

No wonder they were so tired that evening.

Nana Came Along Too

Nana came along when everyone went to the museum two weeks ago. Here she is waiting patiently while everyone else played with the hands-on exhibits. I think the museum management was very wise to not only design an interactive section for the kids, but also to add a couch for the parents and grandparents.

Portrait of a Lady

Here is a great portrait of my wife by a budding young artist who is not one of her children.

This past fall Bobbie taught two ballet classes for little girls aged four to six. One of her students was a very enthusiatic little girl who wanted to give Bobbie a gift at the end of the fall session.

You see the result here, Bobbie with her hair in a bun wearing a pink leotard. Now if she only had a pink leotard, the picture would be complete. Nonetheless I think this little girl has painted a fine impressionistic portrait, flower and all.

I have asked Bobbie to thank her if the same girl is in any of her future classes. In the meantime I might just pay a visit to the frame shop...