Dinos and Octopus!

This homeschool thing has, surprisingly, turned out to be a whole lot of fun and not nearly as much stress as I thought it would! Kate presents the greatest challenges for us, but most days we are able to get things done during nap time. We've just finished up a couple units on Dinosaurs and Octopus, so here are a few highlights!

Ella's reading has really taken off, and I'm hardly needed anymore! LOVE that she's able to read to her sister sometimes!

Sometimes I feel like Claire gets the most out of the days when she's with us! Really proud of the progress she's making this year!

Running the length of the largest known dinosaur.

A fall craft play date with Heritage Builders!

Learning how to tell time...

Noah meets Willy Nilly Dinosaur...

Ella completely her first math book!

Underwater ocean habitats.

What exactly does the ink the octopus squirts do in the water???

"Ohhhhh...." :-)

Time for subtraction!!

Trying to run with the weight of our sin bearing down on us...

Running free "from the sin that entangles us"..

 

 

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Bug Week!

One month into our homeschooling journey, and while I'd never thought I'd admit it... I'm thoroughly enjoying it! Ella and Claire seem to love it as well. While I've slacked on the blogging big time over the last couple years... I'm really hoping to use it more to post our pictures and memories. In part, to spare the Facebook world who could care less about every craft we do! And mostly, to document our days so the girls can't come back one day and accuse me of never doing anything with them when they were little!! ;-) SO... Without further ado, I present BUG WEEK!

Doing her "wake up and pay attention to Mommy" jumps.

Studying our Ant habitat.

Not a fan of my counting by 5s song...

Homemade Roly-Poly Habitats.

Ladybug snack

 

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In Review:

May 18th: Kathryn Olivia joined our family. It was instantly unanimous... We all decided she was a keeper!

Sometimes the blessings are overwhelming... In a good way of course. I often find myself staring at them all. Sometimes in wonder of the miracles they are, sometimes in amazement that I was chosen to be the one to Mother them, and often... in exhaustive bewilderment of what in the world we've gotten ourselves into!! There are most definitely days when I long for the old days of "freedom"... when I could walk out the door and jump in my car with nothing but a purse in hand... Days when I didn't have to explain every noise or move I made to a child who can never have enough explanations. But 6 years later, I remember vividly how my heart and thoughts spent those days of "freedom" wanting nothing less than all that I now have. Truly, by my own standards set way back when... I have "arrived". I don't pretend to really believe that that statement is true, but what is true, is that I have been beyond blessed - particularly throughout the last 8 years, beginning with a precious baby boy. I know many, who would give up a limb for the chance to have one day of the chaos I experience constantly... So thank you Lord - for the constant noise, the lack of privacy, even the heartache of missing the one who couldn't stay. I am thankful for it all!

 

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I'm back! I swear!!

So I'm a little behind on updates... Here's what's been keeping me busy:

Christmas, 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas this year... there was definitely enough going on, but the month of December - though it flew by - did not see ridiculously busy as it sometimes does. It was so much fun to see things through the eyes of the girls - Ella especially - as she can grasp more and more the excitement of the season. It definitely makes it that much more exciting for us as well, and I enjoyed every minute. Here are just a few photos of some of our favorite moments...

Reading the Christmas story...

Always time to give the hair a little twirl...

Our one and only family photo - Ella's preschool Christmas program.

Grandmo and Grandpo

Getting a little tired of the photo shoots by the time it was Papa & Grandma's turn.

Sledding down the Children's Museum slide!

Rethinking the desire to visit Santa...

Finally realized she better talk to him... or risk getting NOTHING for Christmas!!

The End Result.

Christmas Cookies!

Surprisingly brave at the nursing home!

Guess which one did the decorating, and which one did the eating!

I rest my case.

Out of the Loop???

It suddenly occured to me that there are people out there who do not belong to Facebook... So for those of you who may be out of the loop... the girls had a message to share:

Doing Her Thing

 Claire's been taking a little gymnastics class with Mommy. It's been fun - and enlightening to see exactly what a challenge it is to keep this little ball of energy focused on one thing for a period of time. She's trying - bless her heart - but so far I've found that 20 minutes is about the maximum amount of time the poor thing can devote to following any form of organized direction. After that it's all over...

 Guess which one is doing it "right"?

 Ball pit!

 Running and Jumping! Her favorite combination!

 "Peek-a-Boo!"

 

Waiting for stickers... the only time she'll sit still!