2013-2014 Homeschool

In March I attended the INCH Conference with a couple girlfriends! What a great experience to be surrounded by other homeschool families!  I walked away feeling more confident in my role as a homeschooling mom.  I started thinking about the upcoming school year with my kids.  I was picking curriculum for each child, deciding what to buy, and getting excited about writing up my own lesson plans.

I was sharing with James the depth of my lesson planning.  I was struggling with what to do for science. I was excited to include Jackson more this year.  I was ready to begin the Bible curriculum from Firmly Planted, written by Heidi St. John & her husband.

But recently, my reality hit. And hit hard.

I realized I didn't want to be consumed by lesson planning.  It takes a lot of time and a lot of prep.  James, being the amazing man he is said, "Why not give Maizie a solid year and just order a boxed curriculum? AND enjoy our new baby!" 

There he said it!  I didn't know I what I was expecting him to say when I mentioned buying a whole set of curriculum versus just using what I had already purchased and buying a couple things.  What I do know is that feeling of relief. That he understood and that he supported me!

I'm looking forward to this year with a new perspective.  Savoring the sweet cuddles of a new baby, opening a Teacher's Manual and just reading through the daily lesson, reading stories on the couch, and helping Jackson learn his letters.  I know Colton will be there rolling all over us! I am blessed to have this vision in my head and look forward to posting pictures.

Boys

It's a new journey, trying to homeschool 

with two active little boys around, 

let's see how 

long I can get them to sit still!

I'm Back

So I'm back, just real quick for now, but I'm working on it!

I look forward to connecting with you all again! I've reworked my schedule, have planned posts, and squeezing blogging into Ladies Bible Study, MOPS, homeschool, kid activities, and general wife and mommy duties!

So I'll see you soon!
I can't wait to catch up!

-Amanda

PS- My favorite season is just around the corner and I'm beyond excited!!! Colton gets to wear "THE" Pumpkin hat this year! What a blessing God has blessed me with three!

Mommy's Favorite Grover

Materials gathered, I'm going to try to attempt to knit Sesame Street hats for my kids!

Col-Train

He's losing his newborn cry, he talks all the time but especially to Maizie, he's working on sitting, but prefers to stand, he's outgrown two sizes of clothing, he smiles really big at Lil J, he was sleeping through the night at 7 wks old, but he's growing so we're up once during the night, he snores like his Daddy, but you know above all these things...is that I know each day that he is mine, that God picked me to be his Mommy and I am blessed!

Family- Brothers

Here are the boys at around 2 months old...do you think they look similiar?

JACKSON:

COLTON:

JACKSON:

COLTON:

My Two Sons

Sons

As I have watched Maizie, I've been reminded of my childhood playing girly things, like tea party, dolls, watching "girlish" cartoons (as Maizie calls them). But watching Jackson grow and develop has been so fascinating, it's so different. I have noticed things from the time he was a baby, I would be changing his diaper or pick him up and he would grunt. Colton does the same thing and it makes me chuckle all the time. Silly little 8 week baby already has me laughing. While watching the Superbowl yesterday, Jackson was making car noises with his pretzels and driving them all over his highchair tray. I am delighted to have a daughter to have the special girl-time with and I am delighted to enjoy these two little boys!! Two, I have two, woohoo!

Settling

I'm enjoying settling into a new routine. So far I've only had 6 days by myself as a mom of 3. I've been accepting lots of help, for instance dictating into my phone that types my words for this post or using  meals from the freezer.

Maizie and I got to do homeschool for the first time in weeks today. She has been asking to do homeschool for days and days, each time we sit down for a lesson she is thrilled to be writing and learning something new. That has been fun for me as she is learning such simple things, like shapes, colors, numbers, letters, history, US States, animals, etc. I think some of this us too basic, so I need to come up with more detailed lessons.

Colton is a good little guy, he usually sleeps one 4hr shift during the night, which is great since the other two have been getting up before seven. He does prefer to sleep in my arms and gladly I oblige because I know these moments pass much too quickly. He joined us for school today!

Jackson has been irritable lately, my guess is that he us working on his two year molars. He is constantly my little helper and always looking to give kisses or bring Colton his blanket.

Christmas Time