PAWS

The other week we got to do something really, REALLY cool for homeschool.

We got to read to rescue animals from a local shelter!

It was an awesome experience.

The group, PAWS, here in Kuwait is new to this program, and our homeschool co-op was only the second group to do a reading with the animals.

The three animals getting familiar with our co-op cuties...

We'd been there all of 11 seconds before Sister had her arms around a white cat. 

(her Love Language =) )

Since there were only three animals to be read to, the children all took turns so the animals were not overstimulated. While the kids waited for their turn, this volunteer read them stories about animals...

And they played with a parachute...

Soon it was our turn to read to the animals!

Brother picked out "Happy Birthday Hamster" to bring with us and read, as it's a favorite and he has it memorized, and "it has dogs in it", he reasoned.

Sister also brought a favorite, "Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus" 
(Mo Willems is a family favorite around here!!)

This cat was SO cuddly, and A was in Heaven!!

She wanted to take this sweet kitty home somethin' fierce. 

I was all "baby, remember...when we get back home, you can pick out a kitten to keep! If we pick one out here in Kuwait, it wouldn't be able to come home with us next year..."

And the PAWS people were all "oh! We have people to help with that! We have staff that specialize in assisting people with exiting the country with new pets!"

THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.

Other activities included making dog puppets...

...and learning about animals. I was SO impressed with this program! They talked about how to "read" a dog...as in, "when it's tail is tucked between it's legs, what does that likely mean the dog is feeling?" and gave tips such as "when it's really cold outside, please bang on the hood of your car before you start it, to make sure a kitty hasn't crawled up inside to get warm!"

Each of the three animals had a "handler" with them as well, and was watching the animals closely and would occasionally say something like "this animal is showing me he needs a little break...let's give him a minute alone to drink some water and then we'll start the next reader..."

I loved how much they loved these animals =)

And all the readers had such a great time having the opportunity to read to an animal! The twins can read several Sight Words, but are by no means "reading" yet, and this was a perfect way to practice reading without any pressure. 

Giving this sweet pup some loves...

After our time with PAWS was over, we made our way to the playground to run around with our friends for a bit...

What a great day in Kindergarten this was!

Hey now, you're an All-Star...

...get your game on, go plllaaayyy...

=).

The twin's regular T-Ball season ended, but we had two more practices and one last game to play for the All-Stars!

Six players from each T-Ball team made the All-Star team, and we were delighted when we got a text from our coach saying both kids had made it!

They even got new "Kuwait Little League All Star" shirts and everything ;).


Sister on deck to bat...

Sweet L, looking so much like his handsome Daddy...

On deck...and pumped about it...

Brother and his buddy cheering on their team...

Brother at First Base, making the play at home...

Sister playing Catcher, making the play at third...

Sister cops a squat while watching her team...

The game ended in a tie (shocker), and it was time for high-fives all around...

"Go All-Star Blue Team!"

2016 TBall All-Stars...

L&A with two of their sweet Dodger teammates and their awesome coach...

Not only was this Kuwait Little League All-Star tournament day, but it was also "Family Fun Day" with music, food, games and bouncy castles.

L and A busting a move to "Uptown Funk" with their buddy...

Pretty sweet moves.

For games, they had this set up of cans that you pitched a ball at to knock them down, and to the right of that they had a small board with balloons on it that you threw darts at to attempt to pop.

Directly behind these two stations - where balls and darts were being propelled at - were people sitting and watching the minors game.

Because KUWAIT.

 Face painting!

Cotton Candy!

David took some pictures of the lovely flowers planted around the grounds while we waited for our cab...

I know I've said it pretty much every post this season, but I really do love Spring in Kuwait.

Desert Living

Picture taken in the middle of the afternoon, during one of those infamous Kuwaiti sandstorms...

Picture taken two days later, on a clear afternoon...

Also, it's April 24th, and we're having our first 100 degree day.

IT BEGINS.

Sand, surf and sun...

One day last week, the twins and I decided to take advantage of the glorious weather and the fact that we can walk to the beach.

We loaded up some snacks, water, beach toys and sunscreen, and headed out for the less than ten minute trek to the ocean.

I had been feeling like we'd been spending a lot of time working on school stuff (we took the week off while Papa and Gaga were here, so we were "catching up" in the days after) and just needed to enjoy the freedom that homeschooling allows, while recognizing that some of the greatest minds ever concluded that "play is the highest form of research" , and that perhaps this was a day at school after all =)

We stopped to play on the play equipment for a few minutes...

I attempted a selfie of the three of us with my phone...

...and learned my selfie game is not strong.

This was one of those days when I kept offering up Thanks that we were blessed with twins. It was rarely not often easy to have two infants and two toddlers, but it's SO great having two little kids the exact same age. Most of the time, they play together so well, and I'm so grateful they have a buddy and a playmate built in.

I adore this sweet girl of mine!

And this amazing boy, too!

Sister tried to dig a pool...

...and quickly deemed it impossible =).

These two kids dug in the sand...

...and played in the surf...

...and found shells...

...and ran in the surf...

...and played in the surf...

...and waded out in the water...

(this boy would live in the water if we'd let him!)

...and built up their inevitable collection of "treasures"...

...and found ladybugs...

...and became braver and braver with how far out they were willing to wade...

...and LOVED being wet and sandy...=)

After about three hours of ocean play, they decided they were ready to be dry, so we switched them out to dry clothes and hung out in the sand watching the newly arrived jetskiers show off for us...

After we'd purchased ice cream cones, naturally...

Once we hit the four hour mark, I knew we'd probably had enough direct sun vitamin D for the day, so I declared it time to pack up and head home.

Would you believe they claimed they weren't ready to go yet?!?!

And I actually loved that =) (don't tell them that though)

I love that they just got to spend the entire morning playing, exploring and being kids...and yet wanted more of it.

I'm a big believer in just letting little kids be little, and I feel like especially this day in age where there is so much access to screentime, we have to be intentional about literally unplugging our children and making sure they know how to just play.
(but I say that from no GrandStand...the TV is on plenty in this house!)

So while I maintained it was time to leave, I agreed to stopping at the playground for a bit on the way out...

I love Spring time here!