Lexi in a Grammie Shorey’s Famous Dress

When my mom came to visit she bought something very special with her. She brought a dress that she wore in a picture of her and her siblings. In the photo, she is probably a preschooler. I remember her telling the story that she was originally sitting in the chair that is in the photo but the photographer kept putting the hem of the dress in a way she didn’t like above one knee. When the photographer would walk away she would brush it down smooth and then the photographer would try to fix again. Finally Mom was made to stand next to the chair and her sister was placed in the chair. This famous dress has “lived” some years and made it to Arizona.

Mom and I took a few pictures. As you can tell Lexi was not thrilled to be taking pictures, but what a special moment to see a 3rd generation in the dress.

Flower Science Fun

Zander loooooves science.  This year we are just introducing Biology, Botany, and Physics.  We read some great books recommended by Sonlight and every week we do at least one experiment.  He also keeps a Science notebook/journal; which he loves looking thru and talking about the different things he has done.

Here are some pictures of when we began looking at plants.  We looked at the different parts, drew them in his notebook and labeled them.

Playdough Fun

With a new little one around the house and I was getting ready for vacation; I made some home made playdough. The kids had a blast and I was able to get things done. Here’s the recipe I use.

Koolaide Playdough

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 pkg unsweetened Kool-aid (just the dry koolaid)
• 1 cup of boiling water
• 1 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Directions:

In a bowl, mix flour, salt and kool-aid

Stir in water and oil

Knead with hands for about 5 minutes.

You might need to add a little more flour or a tad bit mroe oil until you get the consistency you desire.

The first day the playdough is a little gooy but after that its great. It last a long time especially if you take very good care of it by putting it in a ziploc bag and/or an air tight tuberware.

It smells great and if the kids decide to try to eat it..it taste bad but won’t hurt them. =)

Use like regular playdough and have fun!

Zander and Daddy on a Bike Ride

Zander was getting to big for his trike that he just absolutely loved so during the summer (2009) we purchased a “big boy bike”. With his birthday and Christmas only a couple weeks from each other, I find that its really hard to wait for certain things to be given as a gift. Dale agreed that Zander would get much more use out of it in July than waiting for Christmas and then it be too cold. (these are Arizonian kids how wear winter coats, gloves and hats when its 70 degrees out)

I’m glad we made this decision, Dale and Zander rode bikes together up until the move in November. I’m glad they are able to spend this time together especially since Aiden has joined us so that Z could have more one on one time.

While the rest of us took the van, Dale and Zander rode to Burger King.

these pics are from July…I’m a lil behind but working on catching up.

I’m behind but not for long

Ok sooo I have not posted to my blog since October. This is not because there is not thing to say and that we are boring people. Just the opposite.

One, I had a baby. He doesnt like to sleep, unlike my previous kids who slept all the time. He also eats more often and you guessed that means needs more diaper changes. Also he’s my first who thinks he must be held at all times. ugh We Love You, Aiden!

Two, I have been potty training Lexi. At first this is very time consuming as I try to put her on the potty every 1/2 hour and then hour and so forth until she starts telling me she has to go. This also requires more time for changes when accidents happen and more time for laundry and bed changing.

Three, I homeschool. This requires time to research, time to prep, time for the lesson and time to explore with the children. From 930 to 1230 we do some type of school…reading, math manipulatives, coloring, cutting, writing, workbooks…right now we have an ant farm and butterfly habit going that we are observing and making lap books with. I will say that Sonlight (the curriculum we use) does help me with my schedule but I add hands on activities and extra fun field trips. And now that things are doing better he has 2 extracurricular activities: Awana and Karate.

Four, chores. Every woman’s nightmare and daily nag on our conscience. Laundry, dusting, vacuuming, moping, bathrooms, trash/recycles, dishes, kitchen, meals/snacks prepped, cooked and cleaned up, mail, bills, errands. It is tasks that has a never ending list and a never ending cycle. Daily, weekly, semi weekly, monthly chores… Ladies, here are two resources that have helped me get my life back on track. www.modivatedmoms.com and www.eatathomecooks.com

Five, WE MOVED. In November, we moved. Not only did we move; we moved 55 miles away and in less then 2 weeks. I packed and packed and packed. I am trying to not unpack but yet stay organized and the place livable. We will be moving again. Long story email me if your curious.

Six, A Baby Connection. All though I have put this on hold. Some of my customers still wish to make purchases and need customer assistance with some issues. I should have put the business on hold a long time ago cause after 2 weeks of on hold message on the site….I got flooded with sales.

Seven, I have a husband. I love him dearly. He requires quality time. This one on the list (husband him self) actually helps with some of the list but he also adds to the list. He also makes more work, more laundry, more dishes and more picking up around the house. He also added football to our list..he is not home to help on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursday as he is at practice. I do not see him till after 11pm and most nights till midnight. Also this occupies our Saturday. Takes an hour to get there, have to be there 2 hours before games, the game last 2.5 hours, then an hour to get back home. (thank you Grammie Sackrider for your help with the kids during this time)

Eight, a little personal her but I have a thyroid problem. Right after Aiden was born, I was ill. (not as bad as with Lexi) but I couldn’t get it regulated and I had extreme exhaustion. Any one with a thyroid problem that couldn’t get it fix will relate. On top of not being correct, I had a newborn up at all hours of the night and day.

Nine, the holidays happened….For Thanksgiving we went out of town to visit my brother. I loved seeing them. (they probably noticed my extremed exhaustion) I loved being there and wish we lived closer…for christmas we did some traditional activities and joined Dale’s family for the day. Dale’s sister came to town…Zander’s birthday with festivities happend…My birthday…

Ten, LIFE. I have several more I could list but I’ll just leave with this for all the rest of the things that happen cause LIFE happens…

I say all this cause although things are crazy…I want to remember this time and things are getting better. The number one difference I can see is I’m starting to feel better, get my energy back and therefor can deal better with it all. Aiden is starting to sleep thru the night. (I know doc say 5 hours is sleeping thru the night but that just doesn’t cut it. sorry. I NEED more sleep than that. If 5 hrs is sleeping thru the night, he has been doing that for a very long time but sleeping thru the night for me requires not up and playing in the middle of the night.) I’m getting more organized and back to routine and structured life. ahhh the way I like it. I also am developing friendships and spending time with some great ladies. Thank you, Rosa and Monica, for my surprise birthday party. It meant more to me than you know.

The blog is important to me as I want to look back and see our lives and how it unfolded when I’m old and grey and even read my thoughts as we went thru it. I’ve been working on some posts to catch up my blog from where I left off till now. In the next several weeks you will see part of our lives for the past 4-6 months on fast forward. =)

Zander remembers!

Sometimes as a homeschool mom, I wonder just how much does he retain or learn.  One of his lessons in science was about rainbows.  He recently was watching a cartoon and I heard him say, “Hey, that isn’t right!”  I looked up to see a rainbow.  I asked, “what’s wrong?”  He said, “that is not the correct order of a rainbow.”  I smiled.

Zander Writes His First Book

I’m so proud.

So one of our activities in week 11 Language Arts is the cat book activity. They give you the illustrations and the child is to tell you the story.

I had him color the pics, cut the pages, make the book, we put construction paper cover on it and stapled it together. I asked him if he could tell me the story. He glanced thru the pages and told me his version. I thought we were done. He quickly let me know we were not finished.

“Mom, we need to write the words on each page. Books are like that.”

So I dictated the words he wanted on each page.

Then he told me to write the title of the book on the cover and write “The end” at the end.

Next he asked to put the author on the front. (his name..hehehe)

and now here’s where I was like WOW..

He told me he need to write about the author and the book on the back “like real books.” He had me dictate about him and the book on the back. He kept saying, “he” instead of me or I or Zander. I asked him why. He replied, “that’s the way books do it, Mom.”

Finally he finishes up with, “I need a picture of me to go on the back.”

WHAT?!?!

He explains, we see pictures of authors on our books and wants to add his.

How cute!! So I got a wallet picture and let him cut and paste it to the back.

I think my Kindergartener knows his parts of a book. lol and he “wrote” his first book. =D

Week 10 of Kindergarten

The last few weeks have flown by. We are working on week 10.

We started the Fun Tales readers. He read with no problem. (kinda wondering if I should have done 1st grade readers; it was so easy for him) When I was cooking dinner he stole the box and I caught him reading ‘em. I told him, “oh I wanted you to read those to Mommy.” and he replied, “but Mommy, I can read these by myself.” Kinda sad I missed him reading them for the first time but was so happy to see him excited to be able to read by himself.

He really enjoyed “The Hundred Dresses”. He’s asked several times to reread it. Also the other day, Dale was teasing Lexi and Zander said, “Daddy, you shouldn’t tease Lexi.” and turned to me and said, “It could hurt her feelings like Wanda”.

He definitely caught on to that book but for some reason, isn’t following “The Light at the Tern Rock” as easily. It must be to wordy or something. I was pleasantly surprised he understood about the weak net and really enjoyed our conversation on keeping promises. We finish this book tomorrow.

We started the book “Living Long Ago” for History. He was totally and instantly into this book. I loved his answer to what would you use around the house to make clothes. Without missing a beat, “I would gather up all the cds and dvds and string and tape.” Which of course developed into great conversation. Stuff like this is why I’m loving Sonlight Curriculum. I think we might have to try his idea. =)

Math we are using Horizon. I am loving it. Singapore was just too cartoonish and distracting to DS. He wanted to make up stories about the pictures. lol Also, I didn’t like the learn it, test it and then its over. I like that Horizon is less busy picturewise and that a concept is seen several times thru out but in different ways. This way I can see he really does get it. Singapore did a unit on money but Horizon is slowly introducing coins with different concepts like dimes with 10s. He was able to grasp it better this way. YAY

Lexi is demanding to “Do school. Do school.” Previously she has played in the play area, sat in my lap, played with chalk and chalk board or something like that near us. She has always listened in to some of the books but now if Zander is doing handwriting…she wants to do handwriting…If Zander is doing science…she wants to do science. Its been interesting. I don’t want to discourager her so for now I plan to just let her be involved as she is able. If she decides not to participate, I’m ok with that, too, since she just so young. She seems to be following in Mommy’s and Brother’s footsteps and LOVES school.

Over a quarter of the way finished. Its gone fast but extremely well. I’m in the middle of reviewing everything to see where I could do better and Zander’s strengths and weaknesses. So far academically he is so advanced but I see that I need to get him back involved in soccer or t-ball; something physical and social would just complete and make a well rounded curriculum.

Horizon vs Singapore Math

Let me first give the disclaimer that every child is different and learns in different ways.

Zander has used (so far) two different types of Math– Singapore, which I believed was curriculum developed by the state of California to meet state requirements and Horizon, made by Alpha Omega Publications.

Zander and Lexi glueing shapes.

Singapore introduces one concept, has several lessons on it and then a review. The pages area very colorful and busy.

Horizon builds upon itself; reviews past lessons within a new lessons. The pages are clean looking with extra objects to count or use for more teaching.

Using both, Horizon has worked so much better then Singapore for Zander and I. Singapore had too much going on, on a page and distracted my student from the real task at hand. It was also the same thing over and over in a short time which lost his interest. There was a 2 page lesson that was nothing but tracing and copying 1 – 10.

Horizon’s pages were white background with only directions, math work and a few extra objects to use to count or work with for the lesson. Horizon builds concepts onto each other. Instead of giving a bunch of pieces to the puzzle at different times like Singapore, Horizon gives the whole puzzle in different ways to better understand it and see how it works all together. Concepts are reviewed multiple times in different ways in future lessons instead of review at the end of a unit of lessons. I found that this really help to see if he truly understands and retain the concept or as with Singpore just learn just for the test.

Zander had a difficult time with the crash course style of the lessons with Singapore regarding money, calender and time but with Horizon since it works slowly with other concepts he has already gained a huge understanding with in 4 weeks. For example, when Horizon teaches ten, they will work in by objects, counting to ten, ten on the clock, a dime, tally marks, on a calender, on a domino, etc.

I also have the Horizon Teacher’s Guide and love the premade lesson plans.  I know exactly what I need and what to teach.

I was so amazed at the difference of learn from just switching from one to the other. It goes to show when you find the right way, it will all click.

Week 8 of Kindergarten

I am so behind in blogging.  I really want to keep a log of the year.  I’m a bit behind but better to start late then never to do.

We are working on week 8.  The previous 2 weeks have been so busy and I am coming down with something. My throat hurts which is making talking and read alouds difficult.  Dale is helping and reading the bible readings.  Since I haven’t felt well, we’ve been doing school in the afternoon/evening and I so amazed how smooth and fast its gone.  I don’t know if its because he’s gotten out some energy or Lexi is not as distracting but we might continue at this time for awhile as its working very well.

Last week we finished The Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett.  We both so enjoyed this book.  We read a chapter or two a night and every night Zander said he wanted more.  When I said, “The End”, he said, “NOOOOOOOOO”.

We started the Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes and I can already see the wheels turning in his head.  Its about two girls repent of “making fun” of the poor girl in their class who says she has a hundred dresses. He had a little trouble with the flashback/remembering part.  After he said, “I thought Wanda was missing,” I had to explain that Maddie is remembering what happened.

Zander reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear to Lexi and Aiden

He is reading already..Just a few weeks of working on phonics and every time we turn around he’s reading…signs, magazine, books, where ever he sees words he tries to pick out words he can read and learns new ones.  He had a cup from a restaurant that has writing on it and tell Dale, “hey, dad, my cups reads, ‘Fit Kids’!”  Dale is totally impressed.  (so am I)  Zander is also using his new found skills to write words.  So amazing to watch this new skill blossom.

He is thriving in Math.  He doesn’t like to trace and copy numbers but he’s doing well in learning new skills like counting money and adding.  He’s already mastered reading a calender and can count by his self to 100 by one and by ten.

The beginning observations of our bean project

If you ask him what his favorite subject is “Science”.  We have been doing lots of project with plants.  When we were in Hawaii, we went to the Dole plantation and visited their gardens.  It was very cool as he points to the different parts of the flowers and tells me what they are. Yea, he is getting it.  Also, he was watching Dora and remembered from week 1, “Hey, that’s not right” as he points to the rainbow and knows the correct color order.  And we were in the van and the lightening flashes and he explains, “hey, Dad, know why you see lightening before you hear it?  Light travels faster then sound.  Mommy taught me that”  Make my heart melt.  Our latest project is growing kidney bean plants.  And it has progressed to now we have #1 getting sunlight and water #2 only getting sunlight and #3 only getting water.  Today as we made our observation he sees that #2 is drying out and has withered.  “MOM, we can’t let it die.  It needs water to survive.”

Zander transplanting the bean plants and Lexi helping.

The first 2 months have gone so fast and he’s learning so much.  I hope he continues to learn but I really wish time would slow down. =)