Our Little Artist....

When Josh and I first talked about homeschooling Ethan and Rachel while we are here in Idaho, I knew I could teach them their core subjects. I mean I do have an Education Degree :).  The only thing I was a little concerned about was art....that my friend, is something I am NOT very good at.  Thankfully, when you teach first graders anything you draw, even stick people, is a masterpiece in their book!

Well, below is a picture Rachel drew today....not too bad.  I don't know if it is because I'm such a wonderful teacher or that she really has her dad's artistic skills ( pretty sure it is the latter of the two) ...lol.

Happy Friday,
Michelle

President's Day Weekend...

After the past couple of weeks we have had with strep, stomach flu, etc, it was nice to spend a nice, relaxing weekend together as a family.  It's President's Day weekend so that meant Josh had Monday off too, which was an extra bonus!!

On Saturday, we took the kids to Boise.  Our first stop was to PetLand.  We had to get supplies for Miss Daisy May.  The kids had a blast looking at all the other animals in the store.
Next, we headed to the mall to eat!!!  We love the food court because everyone can choose what they want to eat.  Josh, Rachel and myself had Japanese food, while the rest of the gang ate McDonald's.  The funny thing was as we were eating there was this family behind us that just kept staring at us and smiling.  I could tell they were talking about us, but not quite sure why.  I'm pretty use to it because we have 4 kids that are so close in age...don't know why but everywhere we go people just think it's interesting!  Anyway as we were getting ready to leave they finally asked us " So are those 2 sets of twins?"  I smiled  and said no they are just really close in age.  The kids thought it was so funny to be called twins :)

Rachel was so excited to eat some Teriyaki Chicken..

Josh was too! 

Caleb and Ethan enjoyed their Happy Meal toys...

See the man and woman behind Michael's left shoulder...they are the ones who asked if we had twins...

It had snowed the night before and the mountains were beautiful...

After we took the kids to the Discovery Center and boy did they enjoy that!  It's a hands on Science Center in Boise with lots of fun things for the kids to do.  The pictures are on my iphone, so I will have to post those later.

Since Josh had the day off on Monday we decided to stay around the house and catch up on some housework.  My lovely husband took care of the kids all day so that I could do that....isn't he wonderful! It's amazing how much stuff you can get done without 4 kiddos around!  My lunchtime I had everything cleaned up!!  During this time, Josh took the kids outside and built a fire.  He's such and amazing daddy and the kids had a blast!!

Josh and Caleb waiting for the fire to start....

My love <3

They also roasted hot dogs for lunch....I don't think Rachel was liking the smoke..lol

These two absolutely adore each other...they are truly best buds!

Daisy decided to come out and enjoy the fun too!

After all the little kids went inside Josh let Ethan practice shooting his BB gun....

Needless to say we had a wonderful day........I LOVE my FAMILY!!!

Caleb turns 4!!

Happy Birthday sweet Caleb...my I cannot believe you are 4 today !!!!! It seems just like yesterday we were bringing you home!  What joy you have brought into our house.  You make us laugh and have the most passionate personality!  We love you SO much and wish you a wonderful birthday!!!

Caleb's Favorites at 4:

What's your favorite color? blue
Favorite TV show? Star Wars the Clone Wars
Favorite movie? Star Wars
Favorite person? Ethan
Favorite place? Disney World
Favorite veggie? none
Favorite thing to eat ? ham and cheese sandwich
Favorite breakfast food? cereal and milk
Favorite fruit? oranges
Favorite dessert/treat? ice cream
Favorite snack? cheese
Favorite place to eat out/restaurant? Jack in the Box
Favorite animal? squirrel
Favorite toy? Airplanes
Favorite book? David series by David Shannon
Favorite letter? Z
Favorite number? 3


Cutest conversation of the year:  " Mommy I know why my throat hurts"..." Why Caleb?" ....."Because there are bugs in there"..."Really, what kind of bugs?"...."There are bees, wasps, and ants!! That's why it stings so much!!" ( our conversation on the way to the Dr.....he had strep throat )


It is also my Mama's birthday too!!  I love you so much and I am truly blessed to be your daughter.  I wish you the happiest birthday ever!!! 




Smiles,
Michelle

Valentines Day at the Craig's House....

Year Round Valentine

I love you all through February,
Not just on Valentine’s Day;
I cherish you when flowers of spring
Appear in the midst of May.

I adore you in the summer,
When the air is filled with heat;
Without you in my life each day,
I wouldn’t be complete.

I treasure you in fall,
When leaves are turning gold;
I loved you when you were younger;
I’ll love you when you’re old.

I prize you in the winter,
When colder days are here;
I love you, love you all the time,
Every minute of the year.

So I’ll give to you this Valentine,
But I want to let you know,
It’s not just today, but always,
That I will love you so.

By Joanna Fuchs

Our celebration actually started yesterday, which seems quite appropriate to us since that is the day Josh asked me to marry him ( 15 years ago) !  Josh's work is having a big inspection this week, so I knew we might not see each other until late into the night. Plus, the poor guy has been REALLY, REALLY sick, so I thought this would cheer him up!  Josh is not much of a sweet eater, however he does LOVE Peanut M&M's.

I also got him the complete first season of Miami Vice...one of his favorite TV shows :)

I'm usually the one taking the pictures, so while I had the chance I made some pictures with some of my favorite Valentines...

Even Daisy got a Valentine present and she LOVED it!!

After I gave Josh his gift, I went into the kitchen and found Rachel making Valentines for us and her brothers ( isn't that the sweetest thing ever)!!

Well, Ethan liked it so much he made some too....

Here are the kids Valentines baskets stuffed full of goodies..

I found this at Walmart and thought the kids would love it.....I usually make them heart shaped pancakes anyway, but this year they are PINK!

Ethan and Rachel were the first to wake up and couldn't wait to get their baskets ( hence the bedhead and yes he does own jeans without holes, but he goes through them like crazy, so he wears these around the house).

Ethan getting ready to eat his pancakes...

Michael and Caleb finally woke up too and loved looking through their goodies....

I am one truly blessed woman.....I serve an awesome God, have an amazing husband and 4 of the best kids in the WORLD!!  Life can't get any better than this!! Wishing you all a Very Happy Valentines Day!!!


Smiles,
Michelle

When it Rains, it POURS!

Wow, if there was something going around these past two weeks, it has went through this house!  It all started last week when Caleb caught a stomach bug.  Then on Monday morning I woke up with a sore throat, by early Tuesday morning I was running a fever, having the chills and could barely swallow.  So, I went to the base Urgent Care and found out I had Strep Throat.  Thanks to modern medicine I was given two shots that made me fell alot better by that evening.  Plus Josh stayed home to take care of the kids and I got to rest ALOT during the day ( he is such a great husband and father).
Then poor little Rachel woke up this morning with a sore throat and fever. So off to the Dr. we go again! (this is where I am really thankful for military care...some complain, but I have never had a problem with any care we have gotten).  Sure enough she has strep too!  I had a dear friend who kept the other three kids for me while we went to the doctor ( sorry, Melissa and I pray your kids do not get strep).  When I went to go pick them up Ethan and Caleb were complaining about not feeling good.  They said their stomach hurt and their throat.  I checked their neck...and they were really swollen.  So it looks like both of them have it too!!  Oh, and in between all of this Josh calls me and he is at Urgent Care because he has the stomach flu ( it's been going around his office)
 And before you ask ( I always have someone who will), yes my children take vitamins everyday, they eat really good and  I have been sanitizing like crazy around here.  I could honestly buy stock in Lysol....lol.  It just happens to be one of those weeks where everything just hit.

I will be so glad when spring gets here....until then it is off to sanitize some more!