Saturday, June 23, 2012
testing
Hello. I am trying this from a devise, to see if it will be a useful tool. So far so good. Sorry for the lame post, I am working on blogging more soon.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
A peaceful Moment
The music in the background is "Every Little Thing, is Gonna Be Alright". The toddlers come happily running down the hall, "and JUMP in muddy puddles..." *jump jump jump* I am standing in the dining room with the big girls, helping guide them through a document based question essay. The baby just put her self to sleep in my room, and I love that she is doing this. :) It's moments like this that give me great joy.
As you and I both know, it's only moments later that someone will screech, and someone will whine, and soon someone else is hollering... but you know, it's those peaceful moments in between that make it all so wonderful. :)
It's not a picture from today, but here is a picture Heather took of Sarah. :) She was sooo tiny and cute!! :D
As you and I both know, it's only moments later that someone will screech, and someone will whine, and soon someone else is hollering... but you know, it's those peaceful moments in between that make it all so wonderful. :)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Time keeps on Slipping... Into the Future...
Things have been very busy for me, for a long time. So much is always happening, I have a constant blog post running through my head. I think 'oh! I should type that up...' and *poof* the thought is snatched away by a random little voice calling my attention to the next blog worthy event already happening.
Can you believe that one of those voices is already 1 year old? She says "Momma, Up Please" now, and holds entire conversations; if you listen VERY carefully, you can actually understand what she has to say too! Sarah's skin is quite fragile, and yet she is on the move. She's climbing up onto the toddler beds and the couches, climbing into the cupboards and playing peek-a-boo. She's able to say 50 or more words, and has another 10-15 in sign. She's grasping concepts at lightening speed, and moving onto the next.
This week, my little Kayleigh turns 5. I can't believe so much time has passed since I was pregnant with her. She was so tiny, no one was brave enough to ask if I was pregnant. She was so tiny, she weighed only 1950 grams, and the doctors didn't know what to think. She is still tiny. She weighs only 36 pounds and is 38 inches tall. Her little brother is now taller and heavier than her. She's still very much into Dora, but she is even MORE into education. She LOVES doing her school work, her classes, and her activities. She's already recognizing her favorite shows on the TV Guide, spelling her requests to daddy (coffee, Wii, and store) and trying to sound things out. Her fear of the water has gotten MUCH better, and she now paddles around in her swimming vest with confidence.
Jacob is turning 3 on the Ides of March. He has come a LONG way in the last 6-8 months. He now speaks clearly, and communicates understanding of concepts pretty good for such a little guy. He is strong, full of energy, and very curious. He can destroy my entire house in 2 minutes flat, and then turn and share the last of his favorite drink with his baby sister giving her kisses and crooning songs to her. He LOVES Dinosaurs and Trains, Monsters and Wow Wow Wubzy. He still hates shoes, socks, confinement, and would prefer to live stark nekkid. We compromise most days with a pull up and a shirt.
Heather is now 9 years old. She's doing wonderfully in Math, and has come quite a ways in reading. She is loving her History, as it gives her great ideas for creative play later. She has been spending a lot of time on the computer, working with a drafting program, designing houses. She loves setting it up (I did too, still do!) and then changing different things to make it better. She's such a loving girl, I often find her cuddled up with her sisters or brother. :)
Anne-Marie is now 12 and a half. That half is very important you know. She is working hard on responsibility and reliability, understanding that without those qualities, you can't get anything else accomplished. A new saying in my home is "Only criminals refuse to work" and when you look at it that way, you find the energy to get up and take care of those last few things before relaxing. She *thought* she was already doing the best she could... until I gave her a bigger chunk of responsibility :-D You can only imagine how her eyes opened up after 2 hours of truly WATCHING the baby.
I have a lot more to write about, I am sure... except that I am supposed to be scanning, and I am yet again distracted. :) I'm sure we all have times like that. Well, things are good here, and I am gearing up for this years gardening adventure. That's another post, on the Garden blog~ to be done at a later time LOL. Sorry there's no pictures... I'll do a photo post soon. God Bless you!
Can you believe that one of those voices is already 1 year old? She says "Momma, Up Please" now, and holds entire conversations; if you listen VERY carefully, you can actually understand what she has to say too! Sarah's skin is quite fragile, and yet she is on the move. She's climbing up onto the toddler beds and the couches, climbing into the cupboards and playing peek-a-boo. She's able to say 50 or more words, and has another 10-15 in sign. She's grasping concepts at lightening speed, and moving onto the next.
This week, my little Kayleigh turns 5. I can't believe so much time has passed since I was pregnant with her. She was so tiny, no one was brave enough to ask if I was pregnant. She was so tiny, she weighed only 1950 grams, and the doctors didn't know what to think. She is still tiny. She weighs only 36 pounds and is 38 inches tall. Her little brother is now taller and heavier than her. She's still very much into Dora, but she is even MORE into education. She LOVES doing her school work, her classes, and her activities. She's already recognizing her favorite shows on the TV Guide, spelling her requests to daddy (coffee, Wii, and store) and trying to sound things out. Her fear of the water has gotten MUCH better, and she now paddles around in her swimming vest with confidence.
Jacob is turning 3 on the Ides of March. He has come a LONG way in the last 6-8 months. He now speaks clearly, and communicates understanding of concepts pretty good for such a little guy. He is strong, full of energy, and very curious. He can destroy my entire house in 2 minutes flat, and then turn and share the last of his favorite drink with his baby sister giving her kisses and crooning songs to her. He LOVES Dinosaurs and Trains, Monsters and Wow Wow Wubzy. He still hates shoes, socks, confinement, and would prefer to live stark nekkid. We compromise most days with a pull up and a shirt.
Heather is now 9 years old. She's doing wonderfully in Math, and has come quite a ways in reading. She is loving her History, as it gives her great ideas for creative play later. She has been spending a lot of time on the computer, working with a drafting program, designing houses. She loves setting it up (I did too, still do!) and then changing different things to make it better. She's such a loving girl, I often find her cuddled up with her sisters or brother. :)
Anne-Marie is now 12 and a half. That half is very important you know. She is working hard on responsibility and reliability, understanding that without those qualities, you can't get anything else accomplished. A new saying in my home is "Only criminals refuse to work" and when you look at it that way, you find the energy to get up and take care of those last few things before relaxing. She *thought* she was already doing the best she could... until I gave her a bigger chunk of responsibility :-D You can only imagine how her eyes opened up after 2 hours of truly WATCHING the baby.
I have a lot more to write about, I am sure... except that I am supposed to be scanning, and I am yet again distracted. :) I'm sure we all have times like that. Well, things are good here, and I am gearing up for this years gardening adventure. That's another post, on the Garden blog~ to be done at a later time LOL. Sorry there's no pictures... I'll do a photo post soon. God Bless you!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
"Just Go" ~ After Church Musings
We went to another new to us church today, after the young pastor had come by yesterday. He had come by before, and I couldn't remember WHERE the church was. He left us a little flyer with the website and address.
Can I say WOW?? The parish is very warm and welcoming!! The pastor has 3 children and is trying for #4 and had been talked into homeschooling by another homeschooling family of 6(!!) in the parish!! We went early enough that we attended Bible Study and the service.
My son is 2, and several of the bigger churches were letting him cry and scream so I could attend service, and this is not what I want, nor how I want it. Today I tried another approach. I set aside my desire for bible study and stayed with my son in the classroom. He slowly decided to follow along (in his own stubborn way) after he realized I wasn't leaving. (I camped out and fed the baby) He was the only kid in the room, as the pastor's son was home sick today. By the 1/2 way point in the time, he was actually GONE from my side, digging happily into the Lego box and helping the teacher put together a complex house. His lesson today was about Peter, and how Peter wrote to the people that Gods cares about them. I doubt any of it got through, LOL but I have a good idea of things to do with Wild Boy to help make church times easier on us all.
My oldest sat with me and the baby, while after the readings, the children went to Kids Service. I was slightly horrified by my Wild Boy's behavior in the service, but he was rather quietly contained (I hope). I was so relieved when he WANTED to go back to the class room. I pray he behaved there LOL!! I will say the baby's babbles and raspberries and Indian war cries were cute and somewhat quiet for the remainder of the service.
Today's topic was on missions, both afar and close to home. It was about bringing the Word to more people, to bring their souls to the Lord. I know personally, that the young pastor is doing his part, beatin' the streets of the local neighborhoods, and inviting those who will listen to come. :)
It's funny, really. You see, I have been looking for a church, and feeling God's push to GO to church. At one point, I think the message was: "I don't care WHICH church, just go". I asked Him, "Well, you know Lord, I'd like to find a church that is in agreement with how I live and what I strive to be. Where will I find a christian church where it's ok to be me?" The SAME TIME I started attending the Foursquare church, this pastor came by my house! I didn't get a flyer, and soon forgot the name, let alone WHERE. (CRAZY too, that street has at least 8 churches between the main street I turned off of, before I got to it.) ALSO at that same time, Teens for Jesus also started beatin' the streets of my neighborhood, and I have this sweet 19 year old girl coming by once a week for bible study with the girls!!!
I can see Him moving and shaking in this stage of my life. :) I feel very blessed, and look forward to where this is all leading!
Can I say WOW?? The parish is very warm and welcoming!! The pastor has 3 children and is trying for #4 and had been talked into homeschooling by another homeschooling family of 6(!!) in the parish!! We went early enough that we attended Bible Study and the service.
My son is 2, and several of the bigger churches were letting him cry and scream so I could attend service, and this is not what I want, nor how I want it. Today I tried another approach. I set aside my desire for bible study and stayed with my son in the classroom. He slowly decided to follow along (in his own stubborn way) after he realized I wasn't leaving. (I camped out and fed the baby) He was the only kid in the room, as the pastor's son was home sick today. By the 1/2 way point in the time, he was actually GONE from my side, digging happily into the Lego box and helping the teacher put together a complex house. His lesson today was about Peter, and how Peter wrote to the people that Gods cares about them. I doubt any of it got through, LOL but I have a good idea of things to do with Wild Boy to help make church times easier on us all.
My oldest sat with me and the baby, while after the readings, the children went to Kids Service. I was slightly horrified by my Wild Boy's behavior in the service, but he was rather quietly contained (I hope). I was so relieved when he WANTED to go back to the class room. I pray he behaved there LOL!! I will say the baby's babbles and raspberries and Indian war cries were cute and somewhat quiet for the remainder of the service.
Today's topic was on missions, both afar and close to home. It was about bringing the Word to more people, to bring their souls to the Lord. I know personally, that the young pastor is doing his part, beatin' the streets of the local neighborhoods, and inviting those who will listen to come. :)
It's funny, really. You see, I have been looking for a church, and feeling God's push to GO to church. At one point, I think the message was: "I don't care WHICH church, just go". I asked Him, "Well, you know Lord, I'd like to find a church that is in agreement with how I live and what I strive to be. Where will I find a christian church where it's ok to be me?" The SAME TIME I started attending the Foursquare church, this pastor came by my house! I didn't get a flyer, and soon forgot the name, let alone WHERE. (CRAZY too, that street has at least 8 churches between the main street I turned off of, before I got to it.) ALSO at that same time, Teens for Jesus also started beatin' the streets of my neighborhood, and I have this sweet 19 year old girl coming by once a week for bible study with the girls!!!
I can see Him moving and shaking in this stage of my life. :) I feel very blessed, and look forward to where this is all leading!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Posters
Yesterday I spent some time writing up some posters for the children. They are nothing fancy, I assure you. I made 3 so far. The first is Routines, listing out Morning and Evening Routines. The second is Chores, and the third is the Daily Schedual. The posters need more work, as they are only written out in pencil. I'll take pictures later.
Some of my friends are already expressing curiosity as to what's on the Posters, that is working so well. I will write ours out for you :)
Routines:
Morning~
*Make Bed
*Hair, hands, face, teeth
Evening~
*Final clean-ups
*Pjs on
*Dirty laundry to hamper
*Hair, hands, face, teeth, last drink, and potty
Chores:
Some of my friends are already expressing curiosity as to what's on the Posters, that is working so well. I will write ours out for you :)
Routines:
Morning~
*Make Bed
*Get Dressed
*Dirty laundry to hamper*Hair, hands, face, teeth
Evening~
*Final clean-ups
*Pjs on
*Dirty laundry to hamper
*Hair, hands, face, teeth, last drink, and potty
Chores:
- Put away clean dishes
- Wash dirty dishes
- Trash out
- Laundry hampers to wash room
- Fold and put away
- Wash table & highchair
- Pick up LR floor
- Pick up K floor
- Pick up H floor
- Sweep up entry floor
- Rabbit care
- Dog care
- Bird care
- Clean up bedroom
- Clean up playroom
- Clean up nursery
- Clean up bathroom
- Clean up outside toys
Now, now, don't freak out on me. These are things the children all work on together as a team, and we manage to get them done in a very reasonable amount of time, as long as we are doing it EVERY. DAY. I work with the children, sometimes helping with the task they are doing, other times doing the next step or a bigger part of the picture along side of them. 99% of the time, they are cleaning up messes they made :D So it's not impossible.... unless we don't bother doing the work after the play.
Daily Schedual:
8 am Wake up, Morning routine
8:30 Breakfast
9 am Morning Chores
10 am School -or- Project time
12:30 pm Lunch time
1 pm Recess Outside
1:30 School -or- Project time
3 pm Afternoon Chores
4 pm Recess time
5 pm Start Supper
7 pm Evening Routines -and- baths
*** 7:30 pm EARLY BEDTIME (consequence only)
8 pm Final Clean-ups -and- Feed Dogs
8:30 Story time
9 pm Lights out. No excuses.
Yes, I have Final Clean-ups in there twice in the evening. Jacob is as fast as greased lightening and as destructive as a hurricane when he's in a mood. LOL When it's not needed, they get that extra time for other things. We're not there yet.
Yes, I have 2 hours of chore time. They just wasted 37 minutes building forts behind closed dorrs while I typed this up for all of you. :) I need to go deal with that. ;)
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