Emerald Isle...

Rather than wait until the end of our trip, I thought I'd post pictures here and there of our trip. Here are a few of my favorites so far...

more promotion pics

promotions

Nathan and Zach both tested for their orange belts today, and despite being nervous they still passed. Nathan's decided orange is his favorite color. Sensei Glover has some nice, very official, certificates made with Japanese writing on them and everything, they really are special. We're proud of them for their hard work and dedication...

Jordan and Clara Kate

Here's Jordan with her good buddy, Clara Kate, and a picture of her twirling in the yard.

and the surprise is....

Mychael was invited to spend the week at the beach with Jon's grandfather and some other family members. Mainly, they were thinking he would be a good companion for Jon's aunt Melanie, who has Down Syndrome and is therefore perpetually 12. Anyway, tonight he called to tell me to keep it a surprise that he bought a hermit crab (he called earlier in the day and asked for permission to buy it, but I held off telling anyone). When he talked to each of the other kids he told them that he had a surprise, but they wouldn't find out what it was until he got home on Saturday. So, we got off the phone with him after saying our good nights, and about a minute or so later Jordan says, "I know what the surprise is, it's a wife."

crazy kids

Recently, at a park we frequent, an older man known as Clown Willie sat down on a bench with a bucket for tips (hard times for clowns) and began making balloon objects. He ended up outfitting our gang with crazy hats, swords, and a whole lot of animals. The older kids were marching around on the playground equipment, and from where we were sitting all you could see were the hats, it was a funny sight, for sure! What was really cute was the way other kids would join in and everyone was friends, I love that about homeschoolers...all ages, all-inclusive. The weather was absolutely perfect, 70's and no humidity. It was a good, good day.

our little ballerina

Jordan with her friend, Jenna.

another Jordan funny

I'll post a picture of her in her ballet stuff later, but I had to relay this conversation she and I had on the way home in the car, this is classic for one of my kids:

Jordan: Mommy, this girl was chasing me around the room at ballet class, I can't go to ballet class ever again.

Mommy: What do you mean she was chasing you? Did you tell Miss Kim to make her stop?

Jordan: No, (then she gives some reason why she stopped).

Mommy: Well, didn't you have fun at ballet class?

Jordan: Yes, except for that freaky kid.