Swim, Bike, Run...sleep.

 His goal was to survive (and finish) the Honolulu Triathlon.  He did!!  So proud of you, baby! 

And this is how I found him that night. 

Waimea Beach Park

While Dan's been on leave, we have managed to make it to the beach a few times!  We woke up early one morning and drove out to Waimea Beach Park on the North Shore.  It is such a beautiful beach, but even in the summer the undertow is pretty strong and we had to stand in the water right next to the kids.  The little ones figured out pretty quickly that the water was unpredictable and decided to play together in the sand instead.  Evangeline and I hung out under the umbrella and visited with some friends from our old homeschool group that just happened to set up right next to us.  That was such a blessing since they have children Q's age.  In the last picture you can see Q and her sons on top of the big rock ready to jump.  Quintin proclaimed this as the best beach trip he has ever had. 

Inspiration for play dough.  I found this wooden tray at the thrift store and thought it would be a good nature box. 

Thea's copywork

No idea why it's upside down, but here are some paintings the boys did to illustrate our history lesson of pioneers going down the Ohio River to new settlements.  It's been a fun way to learn and retain the information...and I figure it can count as art, too! 

Some cooking

 Here are my little helpers in the kitchen.  Lately I have been making some simple meals that we all like.  Every Wednesday while the big kids were at art/ballet these little guys would help me make "potato pizza".  It's so good and so easy.  Put mashed potatoes in a 9x13 baking dish and top just like you would a pizza.  They loved to help me get the toppings on. 

 We used basil from our garden on this one.  Sooo good! 

 Thea loves to cook.  In this picture she is browning beef. 

 My new favorite dinner has to be black eyed peas with kale, carrots and ham.  I sometimes add a can or 2 of diced tomatoes. It's so inexpensive and everyone really enjoys it. 

 It seems that homemade carrot cake with cream cheese icing has become the new request for birthdays.  I could eat this three times a day!  It's especially nice that we can make it with all whole wheat flour, applesauce instead of oil and honey instead of sugar. 

 Ham, rice and broccoli with cheese sauce. And a cute little helper :)

Happy Memorial Day!!!

2013 Spring Showcase

 Five Bond kid preformed this weekend at the Moments Unforgettable Spring Showcase.  It.was.awesome.  Thea won the most dances award with 4 dances.  Ashton and Landon both performed in 3 and Quintin and Mareea in one.  They did so well.  It has been a long semester of driving back and forth to the studio, but this show made it all worth it.  They're all ready for a little break, but I'm praying they'll be excited to get back into it in a month or so.  There's even talk about mama taking the adult hula class. 

 Thea with one of her costume changes

 Mareea running her dance

 Thea and her friend Hunter from class

 The 3 oldest boys took the art class the studio offers and had a piece displayed at the show.  Here is Ashton's. 

 Quintin's (we could not find Landon's and I forgot to ask which was his) :(

 Finally in the car!  I about killed myself getting everyone dressed with hair in buns, make up on and all the food made for the dinner in between shows (there were 2 of them). 

It was so fun.  I can't wait for next year. 

Well hello blog.  It's been awhile.  There's been a lot going on with Dan home and all.  Mostly though, we've been having a rough time around here.  We recently found out a lot of things that were going on with our oldest that we were not aware of.  I can't even describe how awful it's been.  I've had my heart torn out and stomped on and each day is a struggle.  I try so hard to find joy so that I can be there for my younger ones.  It is so unfair to them that once again our lives are revolving around the self centeredness of one child.  Please pray for us.  It's one thing to have your kid mess up big time, but it's another thing to have them completely pass the blame onto others and onto us.  Angry, sullen attitude, stupid remarks and all.  Apparently it's my fault...if I had given more freedom and bought a better ipod and a phone for him he would not have done it.  Really.  It's so ridiculous I can hardly keep from exploding. 

Anyway.  Pray for us...for me.