One of the boys has been struggling with some 'executing' issues ~ mapping out, planning, following through, completing, etc.  After some research, we are hopefully in the process of revamping some things.  We are striving to remove all foods with red dye in them, loading up with more protein (fascinating how proteins affect the neurons in your brain) and bringing on the omega 3s.  (I finally found a great product that tastes amazing and nothing like fish oil ~ Barleans Omega Swirl ~ just like a fruit smoothie.)  It appears that at least the older two boys are in the middle of huge and fast brain development, so in order to support and maximize all the growth, this has become a priority for us.  We have also gotten a membership to lumosity.com ~ brain games that can be completed in 15 minutes a day.  Really a lot of fun and challenges them without them even realizing how good it is for them.  All indications are that their distractions/forgetfulness/unorganization can somewhat be diminished and that part of the brain more developed through these key growth years if we give the brain what it really needs to properly grow.  Time will tell!  It certainly can't hurt putting all this stuff into place :-)

Another thing I am trying to be intentional about is strategy/quick thinking games.  Now that the boys are older, they are really getting into board games and that makes me so happy.  I got Ticket to Ride for my birthday and these two quickly picked it up.  JR even played 2 games and he seemed to enjoy it!!!  Jbird has asked for a variation to this for his birthday and Benjamin has found another board game by the same company that he wants for his birthday.  Hopefully board games will become a part of our weekly schedule now!  

This guy had some kind of a run in/altercation (depending on who you ask) with his brother and he ended up on the ice!  Quite the markings right now.

We had a quiet weekend.  Jacob and Joseph each had a basketball game on Saturday.  It was fun watching the Broncos Sunday secure a place in the Super Bowl after seeing a game live. There has not been much snow lately and does not look like much, at least in the next 5 days.  At least the weather has been cold enough not to melt any snow that we do have.

Benjamin has earned a ski day, on Tuesday, with the neighbor because he has cranked out his math.  When he focuses, it is crazy what he can do!!!  Then the follow week, he will start a ski P.E. class~ a total of 3 days, spread out on a few weeks, but will be with lots of other homeschoolers.  A great break for both of us.