Debate

So far, we have really enjoyed debate.   We're now on the homestretch with only one more tournament to attend.  Below are pictures from the Parkside Tournament, the Midland Tournament, and the Hillsdale Tournament.

Nathan and his partner Kurtis quickly discussing something before Nathan goes up to speak.

Team picture with the coaches - Mr. and Mrs. Schubert!

 Relaxing after Parkside at the Steak 'n Shake.

Stephen giving his Impromptu speech in Midland.   He has two minutes for make a five minute speech on the phrase that he receives in the room.   At the Hillsdale tournament, he advanced to finals and was fourth!

 At Hillsdale, Nathan participated in Sweepstakes.   You have to participate in three speech events.   He did Impromptu Apologetics, Dramatic Interpretation, and Biographical Informative.   All the Sweeps participants get called on stage during the awards ceremony.  He did okay this time and hopes to do better next tournament.

 At Hillsdale, Deborah competed in the JV Biblical Interpretation.   She did the story of the hand on the wall and the lion's den from Daniel 5-6.   She did pretty well for her first time.   She didn't make it to finals but got a two 2nd rankings and a 3rd ranking for her three rounds.

 And when she wasn't competing, she played with the other younger siblings that were hanging around the tournament.

Happy Easter!

We wish you a very happy Easter!   We had a wonderful day, starting out with worship with our church.

 And followed by the annual Easter Egg hunt.   Though this time, we had 8 hiders (older kids) and only 6 hunters (younger kids).   So since there were so few hunters, the older kids got to hunt as well only the younger ones had found enough eggs.

 After a really tasty brisket and onions, Au Gratin potatoes, green beans, and salad dinner, the three younger ones had an Easter Egg hunt.   I was helping Nathan with his oratory speech for the upcoming debate tournament so the three stuffed their own eggs and hid them for each other.

 Stephen hid Deborah's, Aaron hid Stephen's,...

 and Deborah hid Aaron's.

 I just watched and took pictures.

Bird Boy

Encouraged by his previous success, Aaron went out twice this week to see if he could any birds to land on his hand.  This one flitted from tree to tree getting up his nerves.

Finally he got up the nerve and landed.

 It's a little hard to see, but I caught this one hovering right above his hands.

 Finally he landed as well.

 A blurry close up.

 Aaron has really enjoyed getting the chickadees to land on his hands.   He's even touched one of them on the  back.   Now his next goal is to get a nuthatch to eat out of his hands.

Birds and Snow

Aaron, our bird lover, went outside to fill up the bird feeders.   He stood very still for a long time and was finally successful.

 If you look very closely, you'll see a bird eating out of his hand.   It was a brave and hungry chickadee.

 Our chickens really love the ground under the birdfeeders.   But they don't like walking in the snow.   So Aaron shoveled a path from our coop to the bird feeders.

 The chickens appreciated the path very much.

 But it was a narrow "one chicken wide" path.   Whenever two chickens going opposite directions met, neither one wanted to give way and step into the deeper snow on either side of the path.   It made for entertaining viewing from the window.

Finally - Sledding Snow!

We FINALLY got enough snow to go sledding.

 So we did school faithfully until lunchtime...

 and then hit the big sledding hill in town.

 If the pictures look blurry, it's because it was still snowing while we were sledding.

 Thus the blur by our friend's face!   It looks like one of those crime pictures where they try to hide the face of the innocent person.

 Stephen and his friend relaxing on the slopes.   Stephen took it easy on the sledding hill due to a previous injury.  Nathan and Stephen were trying to run and see how far they could "ski" down the   "generator" ramp sidewalk this morning.   Eventually gravity caught up with them and Stephen came down hard on his hip.   He's mostly disappointed that there isn't a great bruise there.

Debate Round Robins

Stephen and Nathan have joined our local homeschool debate club.   In December they participated in a debate round robin.   Each team got to debate two rounds, one negative and one affirmative.   For Stephen, this was the only debate he would be allowed to do since he is too young to compete and is auditing the course this year.    He seems to be a natural at debate and astounded my dh and myself with his passionate speaking style and presence at the podium.

Consulting with his partner before he gets up to speak.

 Stephen as first negative speaker.

 Stephen did very well and got the win for the team and best speaker in the round.

Nathan and his partner Kurtis preparing to defend their affirmative case.

 Nathan in his first affirmative rebuttal.

Nathan and Kurtis won their round as well.   As a former debator myself, I am thrilled to see them get this chance to speak and debate.   And it brought back all my memories of debating weekends in Kansas City.

Merry Christmas 2011!

Merry Christmas everyone!

 We had a blue spruce tree again this year.   Blue Spruce is my favorite kind of Christmas tree.

 Going to church Christmas morning.

 A fun time was had by all.   Many Legos were received with joy.

 Nathan's new gladius sword.   So far he hasn't broken anything in the house...yet.

 A present from my mom - Camo socks!!

Student Statesmanship Institute

This week Nathan and Stephen took part in Student Statesmanship Institute (SSI).   They played the parts of representatives. They researched bills (that had already been through the Michigan House), listened to testimony, and prepared speeches in favor or against bills.

In the evening of the second day, they all gathered together to give their speeches and vote on the bills.  

 Nathan defending the ban on stem cell research.

 Stephen passionately defending his bill for a Marriage Amendment.

 They both enjoyed their time and enjoyed seeing both of their "bills" pass.

Fall Kittens

Our cat Mavis had a batch of fall kittens.   This time she had them close to the house and we were able to tame them very easily.

It got so that whenever we went outside, the kittens would hear us and come running.

 Stephen liked the kittens best.

 A couple of them fell asleep while they were on his chest!