Maddy's Friends

Grace Place Kids (We were kind of being goofy...but just kind of!! :)


We were getting ready to sing for a testimony at Upward.


I thought it would be fun to put these pictures of my some of my friends on the blog.
The first picture is at a graduation party for Isaac and Zac. (The two guys on the front row, on the sides.) We were supposed to be taking a picture for the scrapbook but the guys wouldn't stay still. Ok, it was us girls to, but anyway, someone suggested that we should hit the guys with our shoes so that maybe they would stay still. Ha,Ha, right. As you see in the picture, that definitely worked!! NOT! It just made it worse!!This is the best picture we could find out of all the millions of pictures taken...(there were like 5 camera's.) It was quite the picture! (The people in this picture are, back row: Rachel,Becca,Sydney,Ashley,Sara,Maddy,and Aspyn : front row: Isaac Hayden and Zac)
In the second picture, us girls were getting ready to sing, "Broken and Beautiful" at Upward Basketball for a testimony. We were really nervous and as you can see I had just got done with my basketball game right beforehand. We worked for a long time on that song to get all the right parts sung at the right time. But it was a lot of fun and we made lots of memories.
I'm so grateful for all of my friends at church and I love to spend time with them.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! ALL OF YOU ARE THE "BESTEST" FRIENDS I COULD EVER HAVE!!!!!

(by Madison)

More coffee please!

This is my father. He is better known as "Popo." He is a huge hit with the kids. Can you see why?

We've finished our Zoology Course!

We've been studying about swimming creatures of the 5th day, which is a zoology 2 course from Apologia Science. Today we finally finished up the course and took pictures of our "ocean boxes." We've been working on them all throughout the school year and each time we learned about a new and exciting creature of the ocean, we would recreate it out of clay, paint it, and put it in our "ocean." I think this has been a great program for us to study together as a family because it is includes upper level vocabulary, but is written in such an insteresting and easy to understand, conversational style, that my 6-12 year olds all got out of it what they needed to at thier individual levels. It was fun...but now we must focus on history, or should I say, "HIS-story" for a semester or 2.

Chase's Oceanbox

100_2335, originally uploaded by ckmmmc@sbcglobal.net.

This is my oceanbox. I have a dolphin, a stingray, a turtle, a snake, a seal, a shark, and a jellyfish. I learned that some jellyfish have a bad sting and you should out vinegar on them. Some can kill you. Sharks have bumpy skin. If a shark is coming at you, punch it or kick it. The biggest whale is the blue whale. I really liked learning about dolphins, whales, sharks, and giant squid. God makes some big and some little animals. Coral is pretty and alive.

Madison's Oceanbox

100_2342, originally uploaded by ckmmmc@sbcglobal.net.

In my box I have a shark,squid,fish,dolphin,sea lion, manta ray, sea snake,and a sea turtle. I also have some colorful coral and then a rock on top for decoration :) I think my favorite animal that I learned about was the sea turtle. I never knew there were so many different kinds of sea turtles. The one I made for my box was an Australian Flatback. Another thing that I learned that I thought was cool was that there are these really tiny things called "Sea Squirts". I thought they were really interesting because they swim by "squirting" water away from them. I also found the Jellyfish to be rather scary. I always knew that they had stingers but did you know that if you touched one of thier tenticles, a needle comes out of it and shoots poison into you in one-thousanths of a second??? It's that fast!! But as we were studying them I really started to think that God is so amazing! He gave all the animals in the ocean a different way of living and protecting themselves. God must be extremely brilliant to be able to make all of those amazing things. Just think, he is the same God the made us too!! Studying these different animals has made me see just how great our God is.

Molly's Oceanbox

100_2338, originally uploaded by ckmmmc@sbcglobal.net.

This is my oceanbox. I have a turtle, blowfish, sea lion, jellyfish, shark, snake, dolphin, octopus, and crab. The brown bumps are rocks and the colorfull bumps are coral. My favorite ocean animals are snakes, crabs, and turtles. If you cut off a snakes head, it will still move. Turtles can be very big. There are crabs all over the place on Christmas Island when they are having babies. Jellyfish are mostly water. God gave animals ways to protect themselves like when a stingray stings you. Crabs can pinch food and protect themselves. Coral looks like plants but are actually animals and they can sting you too. Sharks have big teeth.

Margaret's Oceanbox

100_2336, originally uploaded by ckmmmc@sbcglobal.net.

This is my science project. It is an oceanbox. I have a turtle, snake, jelly fish, squid, fish, dolphin, and a seal in it. On the bottom is supposed to be the bottom of the ocean and the little circles are the sand. My favorite part was learning about the water snakes.Did you know that snakes are still poisonous even after they are dead? My favorite animal is the shrimp because it is a very small animal and it is not like any other. The only thing I don't like about it is that its favorite thing to do is to clean other animals off. I learned that God made alot of cool animals and that he provided food and all sorts of things for them to eat.

Violin Book IV Graduation

Madison Kellenberger will be performing a free violin concert on Sunday, April 20th, at 3:30 pm. The concert will be held at First Christian Church in Lamar, Missouri and will be followed by a reception. She will be playing all of the songs from Suzuki Violin Book IV in order to complete her graduation requirements. She will also be joined by Mariah Murphey, Molly Kellenberger, and Chase Kellenberger for some special music. The recital is expected to last 45 minutes.

8 Little Men

Tonight I have the pleasure of watching 8 little boys ages 7 and under while their families are setting up for Upward Basketball Awards Night. I sent my 3 girls to help them, but thought having the little boys here would help the adults be more productive. What a great group of little guys! They play well together, know how to share, and try to include everyone. Earlier I walked into the living room and heard one of them singing, "Jesus is the rock," while he was playing cars. I told them all to come sit up for dinner and was told, "yes, ma'am" by several of them. One of them prayed for us and I decided that he must be really paying attention to Pastor Kevin's prayers because he prayed forever.......and ended with, "and everyone said...AMEN." (Just kidding, Pastor Kevin!) When they were done eating, they asked "if they could be excused," and then each one picked up their paper plates and threw them in the trash. I heard, "may I please... Mrs. Kellenberger" many times tonight. It is funny... most of these children have not been to school to be properly "socialized," and yet they are pleasant, disciplined, FUN, and respectful. Their parents must be doing something right. I have only heard one complaint tonight, that I did not have any dessert. My bad...what was I thinking??? Next time boys, I promise!

Meet "Sammie"...

This is Sammie Rose Kellenberger. She is one of the newest members of our family. She is 9 weeks old and very playful. She likes her toys and she also likes to play with her friend , "Hershey." He is our other new puppy. Sammie is very naughty and likes to get into things that she knows she's not supposed to be in. She also loves to cuddle with you. She is not doing as well with the potty training as "Hershey" but we are trying. We enjoy having two new puppies in the house. (written by Madison & Molly)

Meet Hershey...

This is Hershey. His full name is "Hershey Kiss Kellenberger". He's a miniature Dachsund and he is the sweetest thing ever. We were going to get a girl dog, which we did, and her name's "Sammie," but Mrs. Solum just kept bringing the dogs up to us. What's really funny is that girls are usually easier to potty train but right know Hershey is way easier. He likes to run, kiss you, and play with his ball and bone. He plays tug-a-war with his friend Sammie. He has the prettiest brown eyes and black and brown fur. He is a snuggle bug and loves to sleep on top of you. He is a week younger the his friend Sammie. We got him in Jasper from a kennel. Because he is so little and almost flat to the ground it's very hard not to step on him. We also like his cute little ears in front of his face. Dashounds are the best kind of dogs to have. (written by Margaret & Bubba)

Our new babies!!!

On Thursday night we went to pick up our puppy....but we came home with two puppies! It really wasn't my fault, the kennel lady just kept coming up with these adorable dogs and they all wanted to snuggle with me and I promised my husband I would feed them and love them and I would walk them and bath them and he could use my allowance to buy their food.... and HE GAVE IN !!!! Surely I can blame him, right??? He is supposed to be the level-headed one, right???
Honestly, the dogs came from a Kennel run by Merida Solum in Jasper Missouri. She does a fantastic job of raising several breeds and has lots of experience. She gave us a great deal on a male and a female. So here we go...on to potty training. Wish me luck!
You'll be reading more in the days to come as the kids introduce you to each little sweetie!

The Kindergarten Class

These girls are working on the dance, "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair!" As you can see, the two little men, (my son, Chase, and Levi Taylor) get pushed around quite a bit, but I really don't think they mind!!

The 5:45 Class

This is the 5:45 class and they are 4 & 5 year olds. They have been polishing their dance & tumbling skills this year in order to get ready for a recital in May. I am very proud of them!!

The 5:00 Class

This is what I do at 5:00 pm on Tuesday nights. I get together with an awesome group of 3 & 4 year olds and DANCE - DANCE -DANCE!!!! We are currently working on tondues and plies in first position, shuffles, and the difference between left and right. We work on the balance beam, gymnastics mat, and mini trampoline. These guys really keep me on my toes!

One Good Reason to Homeschool

You get to snuggle up with your little brother and read a book on a cold winter's day.

Madison Kellenberger has passed her audition and earned a seat in the Northwest Arkansas Philharmonia Orchestra!!!

After performing a stunning audition with Vivaldi's 3rd Concerto in A Minor, Madison was asked to play with the orchestra for this semester. It is an orchestra sponsored by The Northwest Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and is housed at the NW Arkansas School for the Performing Arts. If she works hard, she could earn her way into the Youth Star Orchestra which is a full orchestra (brass, percussion, all strings, etc.) and they are performing at Carnegie Hall every other year. We are all so excited for her to have this opportunity and can not wait for their first concert in May! We thank God that He has blessed her with the gift of music and the opportunities to develop this gift!

Our new pet!! "Winston"

We'd like you to meet our pet bird. His name is "Winston." He is a budgie also known as an Australian parrot. As you can see, he is very colorful and playful. His favorite toys are pennies, balls, and bells. He likes to ring his bells and often puts them on his head.

He is really easy to take care of because all you have to do is change his water every day and give him new food once every two weeks. You also have to clean his cage once in a while. Sometimes, when we are washing dishes, he will come over and take a little bath. He goes to sleep around 10:oo pm when mom puts the drape over his cage.

We got him in October when his owners moved to Saudi Arabia to work. They used to be neighbors with our Momo & Popo. To be honest, we really wanted their dog, but they took him with them. So now we have the bird instead.

Winston is really funny when he sits on your finger, shoulder, or head. He loves to eat spaghetti and macaroni and will steal them off your plate. We learned that we have to close his cage before dinnertime or he will think he can eat with us at the table.

He is a great pet to have and we love him dearly, especially when he gives us kisses.

Written by Margaret & Molly

Molly's Birthday Party!

Three weeks ago I had my 8th birthday party. It was lots of fun. I invited Margaret (she is my sister so she was there anyway) , Maggie, Allie, Blythe, Merida, Courtney F. and Courtney G.

We ate lots of pizza, drank lots of pop, and ate LOTS of candy. We were all stuffed.

We put on a dance show, watched a movie, and slid down the stairs in sleeping bags. The sleeping bag part was TONS of fun.

Then we opened presents. I got lots of cool things. I got poly-pockets, necklaces, a stain glass paint set, a treasure box that you can paint, and a bracelet making kit.

Thanks to all who came!! I've played with everything and love them all. I had lots of fun and I hope that everyone else did to.