2013-2014 Homeschool Line-Up

Here's what we are using this year, I'm so excited to have started two weeks ago.  We are easing back into curriculum and know we will be breaking once Baby #4 arrives!

MAIZIE:
My Father's World: our base curriculum to include Bible, History, Geography, Science, Art
Phonics: Hooked on Phonics
Language Arts: Rod & Staff and Primary Language Lessons
Art: I Can Do All Things
Science: MFW lessons with the addition Magic Schoolbus supplements
Math: Horizons with a little Pinterest fun

This Hobby Lobby ClipBoard houses our We Choose Virtue Card for the week! Morning devotions usually include the Jesus Calling for Kids!

Magnet Board, also from HB, right now has our schoolroom rules!  So far Jackson knows them better from memory than Maizie!

JACKSON:
Raising Rockstars: which uses My ABC Bible Verses
Blocks, legos, and anything that is hands-on!
He's been doing great with letter writing and I'm shocked at his interest in school this year already!

My philosophy last semester was that school was all around.  Especially all around the house, curled up on the couch, spread out on the kitchen table, experimenting at the counter, and going on adventures.  So I'm keeping up with that mentality.

And thanks to Megan, the binder system I started last semester, is now even cooler 

with the pbTeen Study Binders.

"Kids grab your binders and let's do school on the couch!"

"Kids grab your binders we are heading to Pops and Nini's!"

"Kids grab your binders school is on the quilt at the park today!"

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.

Mommy's Favorite Grover

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

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!

Farmer Grover asks, "What did you do today?"

We colored, we made Honey bars, did laundry, played with toys, some took naps, others buried winter gear out of the basement! But mostly we just enjoyed being together!

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

Very Sappy Christmas Tree

Jammies Day

It was jammie day at MOPS today, so to keep up that relaxed attitude lunch was indoor picnic style!!!

Fun Around the House

Apple Season

This is one of my new favorite pictures of the season, a sink full of MacIntosh & Ginger Gold apples! Maizie & Jackson had a blast helping me prep the apples for applesauce! I was impressed Maizie even had the strength to turn the Pampered Chef Apple-Peeler-Corer-Slicer! We made a small batch of applesauce, some plain and some cinnamon/brown sugar! I look forward to heating up this sidedish during the cold winter evenings, as we adjust to a family of five! Woohoo!

Busy

My husband told me to update my blog, I told him he should update his. His last post is from 3 MONTHS AGO!

To be honest, I've been a little busy this week. I am busy unpacking again, settling in again, reorganizing again, finding our household rhythm, doctor appointments, furniture rearranging, grocery shopping, getting ready for visits from friends and family, toy sorting, menu planning, cleaning, laundry, childcare for 2 kiddos, running miscellaneous errands, AND planning a preschool curriculum for Maizie.

James has been asking my opinions about Homeschooling our children. I am still sorting out how I feel about teaching my own kids. I told him I would work with Maizie this school year to help with her educational advancements. I am planning a structured curriculum specific to Maizie and her personality and interests. I'm sure I'll post more on this later, but I plan on starting this Monday, so I finishing up with my lesson plans.

Please bear with me this week, as I am tending to my family and home!
Thank You!

Adventures

Jugo Juice = Yummo!, according to this Little Darling who likes to sip the Wacky Watermelon!

Here I am sporting my new maternity ruffle blouse my Dad got me! Stay tuned for why I dressed this cute! We had a fun adventure!

Last week, we bargained shopped. Canadian thrifting = high prices. I mean in the grand scheme of things, it's still cheaper than "mall shopping" but I can't find the .25 cent bargains. I think these Strawberry Shortcake jammies were $2.99! I did find a cute doily and skirt for me.

Here is Little Miss again who is absolutely delighted to be wearing these jammies. Did I mentioned she begged me to wash them, then once I did, she folded them herself and set them on the table by her bed to change into at bedtime!

My Girl

A List

My friend, Meagan, did this LIST over on her blog and it was great...especially for a List-Maker like myself. Please join us and do this on your blog too!

Making: via knitting a red lace scarf and a gray pair of mittens
Cooking:
Drinking: gross Ammaretto coffee
Reading: Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Wanting: Converse Shoes
Looking: at my kids playing, Maizie pushing her stroller and Jackson walking with a cup in his mouth
Playing: animals and making their respective noises
Listening: Hillsongs, getting ready for their concert in a few weeks
Wasting: that's rare, because our township Recycles a lot of materials
Sewing: about 6 nightgowns for Maizie
Wishing: in was Autumn
Enjoying: when my family of 4 is together
Dreaming: of another little baby due in December
Waiting: for the motivation to organize the kids clothes and their closet
Liking: Tazo Passion tea lightly sweetened over ice
Wondering: if it's a boy or a girl
Loving: my little family
Hoping: for a safe delivery of Baby #3
Marveling: at the miracle of life
Needing: to clean and finish laundry
Smelling: fresh brewed coffee
Wearing: maternity jeans...oooh so comfortable
Following: the Bachelorette and the occasional reading of people.com
Noticing: that buying thriftly is a huge cost save...give it up for Goodwill/Salvation Army/Garage Sales/Village Discount Thrift Store!!!
Knowing: Jackson's hair will be long enough on top to spike-it in a few weeks!! :0)
Thinking: I miss my husband and he just left 3 hrs ago for CA
Bookmarking: Sesame Street.org, PBSkids.org, and sprout
Opening: the diaper bag
Giggling: at Maizie's coaxing to get her brother to do follow her
Feeling: excited

A Tea Party w/a Special Guest

Spring Fun

Just Because My Kids...

Just because my kids are growing up....




DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO!!!


When we were back in MI after our ski trip...M and I had an excellent finding these fantastic New Balance tennis shoes at ..... MARSHALLS!!!

I Wish I Knew...

I wish I knew that cloth diapering is NOT that big of a deal! A lot has changed since my Mom cloth diapered us all those years ago! I was impressed with the "modern cloth diapers!" Research has revealed much to me lately regarding commercial disposable diapers. With Jackson's eczema, I found myself buying lots of diaper cream because of severe irritation. So this week, I did it! I took the small financial plunge and adjusted to the routine of Cloth Diapering!

My Conclusions:
1-Do your research! Yes, it's less in landfills and better for the environment. But more importantly, educate yourself on what's really in disposable diapers and it's effects. In comparison, disposable cost a fortune, even the generic. Talk to other mothers who cloth diaper!
2-After 12 hours, Jackson's bloody behind was improved 50%! And within 24 hours, almost completely gone!
3-Brand doesn't matter, you just need to learn what you need, how to use them, and be patient by giving yourself a few days to figure it out!
4-Disposing of the XX isn't that bad, mind you, Jackson is moving into a more solid diet, so it is easier for me. :)
5-I wish I'd tried this with Maizie!
6-Kushies work great! Canadian made, so I was able to find these at the local Babies-R-Us and WalMart!

Felt Food

I gave myself a little project so that I could recover from this yucky cold. I am glad I did because withthe move I was trying to get everything unpacked and not resting. I've had a few felt squares laying around and was looking for time to make a Felt Food for Maizie. I loved the little sets at Pottery Barns Kids this Holiday and kept thinking I can make that! So after much research thanks to Flickr Photos, I found a lot of inspiration. I have a pile of goodies cut out and will slowing be adding pieces to Maizie's kitchen.
But I had to get things started off on the right foot, so I chose to make four little pink sugar cookies and four tea bags. Maizie has been going around saying, "Would you like a spot of tea?" So I thought this seemed appropriate!

This is Maizie when I surprised her yesterday, she's mid-sentence saying, "This is soooo CUTE!"