We're BAAACCCCKKKK!!!

It's been just over three weeks since our last update. We took some much needed R&R and had a lovely three week break from sit down school work. The kids had unlimited access to video games, and pretty much free rein over their time during the break, apart from our regular commitment to karate. I was worried that they would have a hard time adjusting to our routine this week, but they have done so seamlessly!

While school was not "in session", we still did some learning. We made delicious milk chocolate/ white chocolate chip cookies. Jayden did the measuring and Caitlin did the mixing!

We read a TON of books. These were a few of our favorites. The kids learned about Helen Keller. They also learned about braille.

Of course we read through a bunch of Christmas books as well!

In karate, the kids are practicing a series of movements known as kata. In order to earn their first belt promotion to yellow belt, they must be able to perform kata in its entirety. So far they know the first half, they just have to perfect it.

It's been really amazing watching the transformation in the whole class. They have really progressed with their movements. I really love how seriously they take it.

Once they perfect the first half of kata, they will earn a new stripe one their belts.

These pictures were taken Christmas Day. They were beyond exhausted from having woken up at 4:30am, but the excitement was too much, and a nap was out of the question!

  

I'd say this accurately represents what our vacation looked like, especially after Christmas. Caitlin baked with her new Easy Bake Oven.

Jayden played with his new lego sets. He is a huge fan of all things lego!

Caitlin put on enough make up to last a lifetime. I finally convinced her less is more with makeup, lest she get an infection in her eye! (See that awesome vanity table of hers? Fedex delivered it to the wrong home on Christmas Eve. I was pretty bummed and thought we would never see it. On Christmas morning a man called me and told me that he saw my package sitting in front of his building. He brought it into his apartment because he saw it was delivered to the wrong building. He saw my number on the box and called me and I was able to pick it up Christmas morning! Talk about amazing neighbors!)

Jayden is loving Minecraft more than ever! He actually spent a lot of time reading his new Minecraft book this vacation. He is currently taking an online homeschool class which he loves! (More on that in another post)

This mom of twins strolled her babies around town with their new wheels!

 And finally, this boy has been learning to play chess!

This is probably my favorite picture of the entire vacation- my babies snuggled together by the tree, reading together on my iPad. <3