I am 100% ready for Christmas. I just don't have a single present wrapped nor any food preparation done. But, in my mind I am so ready, lol. "Iiii am gonna wrap presents all Niiiight and baby sit all of the day." (to the tune of that rock n roll all night song).
We've been reading the Christmas story (the real one about Jesus, not Santa) out of the kids' story Bible. The first part was the Angel coming to Mary. I used Little People to demonstrate. Unfortanetly I couldn't find Mary so I had to use a teacher instead. We've also been reading Christmas books, well, Santa, winter, the Arctic, etc. You catch my drift. If you ask the girls where Penguins live, they will tell you Antarctica. If you ask them whether Antarctica is north or south, they will tell you south. It's amazing how well kids retain information when it's presented through literary sources as well as with hands-on activities.
Christmas certainly makes curriculum aids simple, just google "Christmas activities" or "Christmas worksheets" and BAM a million different things to choose from. Today we are foregoing Kelly's Abeka worksheets and doing Christmas ones. She's been really excited about doing them. Zoey's been begging for Christmas worksheets too. If I'd let her, she would do worksheets all day every day. Seems slightly odd for a super active 4 year-old. Also on the agenda are Christmas BINGO and "A Secret Message" encrypting paper (think that's what it's called).
Well, gotta get some things done before lunch. Blog U later!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Almost Christmas!
Wow! It's already the end of December. Homeschooling has been going great. Kelly is reading, writing and overall doing very well. So far homeschooling has been a fun and definitely education for myself as well as for the girls. I know that this is what was right for us right now. Kelly is VERY compassionate. She says things like "When I grow up, I want to give my clothes to people who don't have anything." She always thinks to pray for people when we mention they are sick. I am thankful that she is around positive infuences and has a small teacher- child ratio. I know that lots of kids are in public and do great, and that's great, but this is what we feel the Lord has for our children's lives.
The first concern friends and family had when we first started talking about homeschooling was... socialization. Which totally makes sense, because it's like if a kid is at home every day all day how will they learn social skills? I googled and asked others and listened to podcasts to gain some confidence in this area and now I also have my own answers. Socialization is so much more than having classmates in a school. My kids are with other kids Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. Of course that's just counting time at church. We also have at least one extra kid at our house 2-5 days a week. Plus, thankfully we have joined a large local homeschool group. A couple weeks ago we went to the Omni and saw "The Polar Express". Last week was the Christmas party of which there were about 30 kids there of all ages. The kids make friends with almost everyone they meet right away. I really don't think they are missing out on any socialization. lol.
We have gone to the zoo, the Omni, granparent's houses, the vet, etc. The cool thing about homeschooling is that it doesn't actually have to be done at home. Now, we do have reading, writing and math curriculum that I purchased from Abeka that we use at home, but nevertheless, learning takes place everywhere. Not just in a classroom or a home. The store is a great place to learn about math and nutrition. Kelly likes to tell me how much things cost (in whole dollars) and sometimes give descriptions of things. She knows a lot about what things are healthy and what things are not.
In addition to using the Abeka worksheets, we play educational games like number match ups, opposite games, do puzzles, etc. Play-Doh is sometimes used. Last week we were learning about penguins and the Arctic. Kelly made an ice burg and I can't remember what else out of play-doh. When we use moon-doh, Kelly still likes to crumble it up and say "I made particles!"
Anyhow, I think I've rambled on long enough, lol. I just wanted to possibly express the success so far in our homeschooling journey. Partially to ward off concerns of friends and family, but also to encourage others who homeschool or are debating starting to.
Snack time! Gotta run, I'll post again soon.
The first concern friends and family had when we first started talking about homeschooling was... socialization. Which totally makes sense, because it's like if a kid is at home every day all day how will they learn social skills? I googled and asked others and listened to podcasts to gain some confidence in this area and now I also have my own answers. Socialization is so much more than having classmates in a school. My kids are with other kids Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. Of course that's just counting time at church. We also have at least one extra kid at our house 2-5 days a week. Plus, thankfully we have joined a large local homeschool group. A couple weeks ago we went to the Omni and saw "The Polar Express". Last week was the Christmas party of which there were about 30 kids there of all ages. The kids make friends with almost everyone they meet right away. I really don't think they are missing out on any socialization. lol.
We have gone to the zoo, the Omni, granparent's houses, the vet, etc. The cool thing about homeschooling is that it doesn't actually have to be done at home. Now, we do have reading, writing and math curriculum that I purchased from Abeka that we use at home, but nevertheless, learning takes place everywhere. Not just in a classroom or a home. The store is a great place to learn about math and nutrition. Kelly likes to tell me how much things cost (in whole dollars) and sometimes give descriptions of things. She knows a lot about what things are healthy and what things are not.
In addition to using the Abeka worksheets, we play educational games like number match ups, opposite games, do puzzles, etc. Play-Doh is sometimes used. Last week we were learning about penguins and the Arctic. Kelly made an ice burg and I can't remember what else out of play-doh. When we use moon-doh, Kelly still likes to crumble it up and say "I made particles!"
Anyhow, I think I've rambled on long enough, lol. I just wanted to possibly express the success so far in our homeschooling journey. Partially to ward off concerns of friends and family, but also to encourage others who homeschool or are debating starting to.
Snack time! Gotta run, I'll post again soon.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Whew!
Wow, I can't believe how fast time's going by. We've been CRAZY busy so the time is flying, seriously. Luke is so big walking around talking and letting his super silly personality bud. He says "Uh uh" and "Uh hu" when you ask him yes or no questions. "You want a diaper" "Uh uh". "You want gummies?" "Uh hu". He loves climbing on things, surprisingly he kind of likes falling. He also tries to sit on things. This morning her was attempting to sit on a tiny, purple, hard plastic Barbie couch... He succeeded.
Kelly is a very talented little girl. She has gotten really good at anything art, both art art and dance. She's been going to dance and is so cute inher little outfits. Her dance recital is in May. I can't wait! She also has learned a lot regarding reading and writing skills. She's gotten to where she'll even ask me how to spell something and then write it down, she just turned 5 in March and I'll be starting officially homeschooling her in kindergarten in August. She's excited about it, we plan on taking plenty of field trips, even if sometimes they're to the produce stand or something. Learning takes place anywhere being out learning presents unique, hands on opportunities.
Zoey is an enternaining wild woman. She's super affectionate but hardly sits still for more than a couple minutes. She loves animals and anything messy. Her shoes are almost always on the wrong feet and if it's really a good day, her pants and/or shirt will be backwards or inside out, sometimes both. She keeps ups laughing with the silly things she says and does and how she just doesn't care if things are how they're supposed to be or not. She's a juice girl. Loooooves juice, she'll want it over milk anytime, hands down (whatever that means). lol.
Kelly is a very talented little girl. She has gotten really good at anything art, both art art and dance. She's been going to dance and is so cute inher little outfits. Her dance recital is in May. I can't wait! She also has learned a lot regarding reading and writing skills. She's gotten to where she'll even ask me how to spell something and then write it down, she just turned 5 in March and I'll be starting officially homeschooling her in kindergarten in August. She's excited about it, we plan on taking plenty of field trips, even if sometimes they're to the produce stand or something. Learning takes place anywhere being out learning presents unique, hands on opportunities.
Zoey is an enternaining wild woman. She's super affectionate but hardly sits still for more than a couple minutes. She loves animals and anything messy. Her shoes are almost always on the wrong feet and if it's really a good day, her pants and/or shirt will be backwards or inside out, sometimes both. She keeps ups laughing with the silly things she says and does and how she just doesn't care if things are how they're supposed to be or not. She's a juice girl. Loooooves juice, she'll want it over milk anytime, hands down (whatever that means). lol.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Repairing and Maintining Autos Made Simple
Repair Pal is a San Diego auto repair company that takes a tremendous amount of hassle out of the auto maintanance and repair process. Thier website makes it easy to track all of the work you get done on your vehicle, whether it be a Volkswagon Bug or a Ford F-150.
Their site is very user-friendly and offers a "Get an Estimate" option so you can go in knowing about how much your repair will be. Also, before you even get to that point, as soon as the check engine light comes on, there is an encyclopedia with things you can do to try and fix the problem.
So the next time you start having problems with your ride, check out Repair Pal and make things easier on yourself. I was sent an email about this company and it looks very convenient.
Their site is very user-friendly and offers a "Get an Estimate" option so you can go in knowing about how much your repair will be. Also, before you even get to that point, as soon as the check engine light comes on, there is an encyclopedia with things you can do to try and fix the problem.
So the next time you start having problems with your ride, check out Repair Pal and make things easier on yourself. I was sent an email about this company and it looks very convenient.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Loads of activites.... loads of laundry
Whew! It has been crazy the past several weeks. Between kids, college, church and extra events time has just flown by.
I've had the kids doing some different art activities that are solely from their imaginations. They've come up with some pretty unique completions. The girls love to be eachother's dog, you know "Here puppy!" One will call and the other is on all 4's crawling and panting with their tongue hanging out of their mouth. Luke pretty much just wants to play his xylephone and climb on everything. He's an excellent climber but tell him to stand up, and nu-uh, no way. He just doesn't want to do it. Why walk when you can crawl faster than Superman can fly?
The girls are great big sisters. They tend to Luke's every call (except when what he wants conflicts with what they want). They're always translating his baby talk for me "Luke's hungry!" "Luke wants gummies!" "Luke wants a cat!" You get the point, he typically "needs" what they want, lol. Kelly is very artistic, she can draw, paint, paperpiece.... you name it and she can do it. Zoey is really good at- being Zoey. She's crazy and entertaining and has an awesome talent of making messes and her ultimate talent of which I have NEVER seen a kid be able to do before is have a totally clean face, not play with anything messy and then 5 minutes later have a brown face. You probably think I'm overexaggerating, just ask everyone that knows her and you'll find that I'm not.
Back in July my husband went back to work with the city that we live in. This great because they offer great benefits including a lot of time off so we can actually do things together as a family AND if he gets sick, they offer sick time- what a novel idea.
Lately I've done some scrapbooking with my mom which is a lot of fun and to live such a loud, busy life... very theraputic.
Well, I guess that's it for now. The girls are getting a little crazy with their snack. Luke's high chair tray is buried somewhere under a massive pile of Cheez-Itz and the girls aren't even using their plates anymore, they've moved on to eating from the gallon-size baggie.
TTYL!
I've had the kids doing some different art activities that are solely from their imaginations. They've come up with some pretty unique completions. The girls love to be eachother's dog, you know "Here puppy!" One will call and the other is on all 4's crawling and panting with their tongue hanging out of their mouth. Luke pretty much just wants to play his xylephone and climb on everything. He's an excellent climber but tell him to stand up, and nu-uh, no way. He just doesn't want to do it. Why walk when you can crawl faster than Superman can fly?
The girls are great big sisters. They tend to Luke's every call (except when what he wants conflicts with what they want). They're always translating his baby talk for me "Luke's hungry!" "Luke wants gummies!" "Luke wants a cat!" You get the point, he typically "needs" what they want, lol. Kelly is very artistic, she can draw, paint, paperpiece.... you name it and she can do it. Zoey is really good at- being Zoey. She's crazy and entertaining and has an awesome talent of making messes and her ultimate talent of which I have NEVER seen a kid be able to do before is have a totally clean face, not play with anything messy and then 5 minutes later have a brown face. You probably think I'm overexaggerating, just ask everyone that knows her and you'll find that I'm not.
Back in July my husband went back to work with the city that we live in. This great because they offer great benefits including a lot of time off so we can actually do things together as a family AND if he gets sick, they offer sick time- what a novel idea.
Lately I've done some scrapbooking with my mom which is a lot of fun and to live such a loud, busy life... very theraputic.
Well, I guess that's it for now. The girls are getting a little crazy with their snack. Luke's high chair tray is buried somewhere under a massive pile of Cheez-Itz and the girls aren't even using their plates anymore, they've moved on to eating from the gallon-size baggie.
TTYL!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Zoey's Birthday!
Zoey is 3 today! from the moment she was born she screamed and cried. As soon as she could crawl, she was constantly following me around the house saying in a deep voice saying "Ma Ma Ma Ma". As long she was getting ALL of your attention she was perfect! LOL.
I've heard that colic is actually a personality thing and I TOTALLY believe it. As she's gotten older she got older and older her paersonality developed into a hilarious, rambunctious cuddle bug. She's always on the go saying super cute things and knows how to make you laugh no matter how upset you may be with her or about something else. We nicknamed her "Zoey Monster" When she was born and the name still stands...our sweet, wild and crazy entertaining monster.
Every day she's been saying "I'm ready for my birthday now!" and it's finally here! Yo Gabba Gabba brithday, here we come!
I've heard that colic is actually a personality thing and I TOTALLY believe it. As she's gotten older she got older and older her paersonality developed into a hilarious, rambunctious cuddle bug. She's always on the go saying super cute things and knows how to make you laugh no matter how upset you may be with her or about something else. We nicknamed her "Zoey Monster" When she was born and the name still stands...our sweet, wild and crazy entertaining monster.
Every day she's been saying "I'm ready for my birthday now!" and it's finally here! Yo Gabba Gabba brithday, here we come!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Gonna try this
Well, I really enjoy looking at other people's blogs so I decided I'm going to ry it out myself. I think I'll some pretty entertaining stories, quotes, etc considering I have 3 kids 4 and under. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 6 years (July 10th is our anniversary). He is the absolute best husband to me and the best father to my kids. I could not have even asked for someone more perfect. When we're together we have fun and we're apart I miss him. He's really good about listening to me and playing with the kids.
Kelly is my oldest, she's 4. She's very calm, loving and emotional. She is so caring and considerate all the time. She is willing to give anything she has to anyone. When we go to the store she doesn't say " I want this", she says " I want to get this for Zoey" or Luke or daddy or whoever, but never for herself.
Zoey is 3 (tomorrow!) and she's my wild and crazy always either making you laugh or making you frustrated girl. She's always on the go and that little round face that's always messy, shoes on the wrong feet and shorts on backwards just melts your heart. She does not run out of energy!
Luke is 8 1/2 months and he's my little cuddle bug. When I was pregnant with him I thought "If people can claim people healed in the name of Jesus and it work.... I wonder if you can do that with a baby???" So, I did. I prayed for a boy and I said he was going to be a boy and he was! The girls absolutely LOVE him! Sometimes a teensy bit too much, if you know what I mean.
Guess that's it for now!
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