Homeschool Recap, Mar 30th (Week 26)...

In my life this week...

I didn't post last week because we kinda had a split Spring Break.  Last week, we had school Thurs-Friday, and this week we did school Mon-Wed... and some Saturday, lol.  Last week, Michael and I celebrated our 10th anniversary by sending the kids to grandma's for two nights and just had some time to ourselves.  It was wonderful!  Then we jumped right into a super crazy couple of weeks.  I was majorly busy with my Usborne stuff.  Which is good, of course.  And on Thursday, my mom and I took the boys to the Dallas World Aquarium with our homeschool group. We had a blast!

In our Homeschool this week...

Tot School: Callen is ... very tiring.  Lol.  But he is saying "thank you" sooooo cutely when you give him something for him.  It's very sweet, and ALMOST makes up for his rascal-ness.  Or, y'know, whatever you would call it.

Bible: Preston and I worked on memorizing and understanding Proverbs 10:9, "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."  We also finished out the books of the Bible with Jude and Revelation.  We talked about Esther and rebuilding the temple to finish out the Old Testament readings we had, and then moved on to the New Testament stories including Mary and the Angel, and Jesus being born.  Preston's illustration of Jesus' birthday:

That's God saying "Hi Son!"  Lol!  Love it.

Reading/Writing: From now on, Preston is supposed to be doing about 10 minutes of reading on his own.  He's been doing well with that, because he really enjoys reading.  We finished up the student Workbook, all done with that!

Math: Worked on graphing with some pages from our math book, and..... completed our 100's Chart! We had a 100 Celebration, where Preston got 100 pieces of cereal for breakfast and several silly things like that throughout the day.  He got a neat robot puzzle that had, of course, 100 pieces!

New puzzle!  Callen picked it out for Bubba.

Our Morning Board showing our 100's.

A fun activity involving the 100's chart.

Science:  This week's science them was Frozen Water in Science With Water. We played with ice, of course.  Melted it, saw how it expands, etc.

Music/Art: We didn't do a hymn this week.  We talked about the banjo, and listened to some banjo music.  Looked at our last landscape portrait in Come Look With Me Landscape.

Spanish: We are learning some parts of speech, like tu and usted, and several verbs, like leer (to read), jugar (to play), etc.

We are using My Father's World First Grade. See our curriculum here.

Blog Hoppin' with:
 

Prestonism on What I Really, Really Want...

I'm sitting at the computer, and Preston is in the other room playing around with his guitar and singing:

"So, tell me what you want, what you really, really want?  I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want.  I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really, really, really, really wanna MAKE FRIENDS!  You have to like my frieeennddsss! If you want to love me you have to get with my friends!"

He "learned" that song from Just Dance, I swear.

Just Along For The Ride...

So, life has been crazy.  We had a van for a week, it got totaled a week and a half ago and now we're on standby regarding our settlement because the title hasn't had time to get completely processed.  Fun, fun.  In the meantime, we've kept busy.  I've been very busy this month working towards my sales goal with Usborne.  And I'm happy to say that as of this morning, I am half way done with the 4-month long challenge to earn an iPad.  Just have to fill April and May with events and sales, and it's as good as mine!  Which, will be nice, because my laptop is still being tinkered with by a friend, but who knows if it can be revived at all. 

It just feels like the past few weeks... months?... have been a complete whirlwind.  We're not spending much time or effort on school these days.  I mean, we're getting stuff done and we're on track with where we should be, it just isn't met with great excitement each day, haha.  Michael is super busy with his multiple jobs, and having a car at my disposal has made it easier on me.  I'll be super sad to give up the rental until we can find something else now - hopefully that doesn't take too long!  Eek.  

Anyway, just felt like I needed to post something on here... because there is stuff going on, it's just hard to find a minute to sit and jot it down!  We're alive, hanging in there.  Praising God for His blessings and leaning on Him in the struggles.

Welcome Spring!

It's felt like Spring for nearly the entire length of Winter which has not made me too happy. I think we had ONE day of Winter (and we saw a few flakes of snow)... but at least now it's OFFICIALLY Spring and I can't help but enjoy it! We had an incredibly windy day yesterday as a storm system blew through... a giant system that reached from the Rio Grande in the south and beyond the Red River in the north (translation: the entire state of Texas!). It rained hard and long, it thundered, it lightened (lightning-ed? :::shrug:::) and blew! This morning, my yard was a mess of mud and the little dry creek bed behind our house was a raging river, but these sweet Calla Lilies that bloomed a few days ago survived! Yay!

Spring beauties!

And though I feel like I was deprived of a real winter, I welcome spring with open arms... and my allergy medicine on standby.  Bring it on!

Homeschool Recap, Mar 16th (Week 25)...

In my life this week...

Well, we enjoyed our van for just over a week, and then it was involved in a wreck.  Lol.  We did get a lot of errands taken care of in that week, and the freedom was nice.  Now we're back to square one, I guess.  Today is our anniversary, 10 years!  Wow.  We'll celebrate later this weekend... and I'm really looking forward to that.  Other than that, I can't really think of much to report on.  So, on to the homeschool stuff...

A quote to share...
Prestonism: "Hot sauce is my arch enemy!"

In our Homeschool this week...

Tot School: Callen is officially two, and acting every bit of it.  He is constantly in trouble, and yet... turns around with that adorable face and a "mommy!" and I melt.  Oh yeah, he knows how to work it. 

Bible: Preston and I worked on memorizing and understanding Proverbs 25:21, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink."  Also went over 2 Peter through 3 John in the New Testament books, as well as talked about the Fiery Furnace and Daniel in the Lion's Den.

Reading/Writing: Worked on antonyms and various things.  Finished up reading Hank the Cowdog #11, The Case of the Unchanted Forest.  We don't have #12, oh no!  Haha.

Math: Worked on reviewing measurement in his Complete Book of Math. 

Using the ruler to measure.

 Science:  This week's science them was "Taking in Water in Science With Water. We did some fun "experiments" with what would absorb water and what wouldn't.

Newspaper takes in water, but not completely!

Music/Art: Continued the hymn, "America, the Beautiful." We talked about the guitars and electric guitars!  We looked a Picasso portrait. 

Spanish: We went through some songs in Spanish that help review previous words we've learned in the Complete Book of Spanish.  Went back over counting numbers up to 40, and counting by 10's.

We are using My Father's World First Grade. See our curriculum here.

Blog Hoppin' with:
 

Celebrating Ten Years!

Today is my 10th Wedding Anniversary!  I have been married to Michael for TEN YEARS!  I don't feel old enough to be able to say that.  But, since I've been out of high school for 13 years, have a 6 year old and a 2 year old... I suppose I am!

Michael gave me my anniversary present yesterday:

Crash, bang, boom!

Yep, that's my van.  Y'know... the one I was so thankful for last week.  The one I only had for A WEEK!  Praise God that Michael is ok... he got a bit of an airbag burn on his wrist and he is pretty sore today, but overall, he's ok.  Michael drove my van to work, then was on his way to have his brother do some minor repairs that the van needed (it had a small oil leak and needed the struts replaced).  An old man pulled out of a Sonic driveway into traffic, and Michael just couldn't avoid hitting him.  The man had to go to the hospital to get checked out because he was already kind of frail, I guess, and was complaining about his side hurting (Michael hit him in the driver side door, so yeah... yikes).  Praying that he is ok too!  We're not sure if the van is totaled at this point, but considering we didn't pay much for it and the airbags deployed, plus the damage to the front... it most likely isn't worth repairing.  I'm kidding about that being my anniversary present, of course.  Just one of those crazy things.

Our present to each other is shipping the kids off to Grandma's for a few days and getting to enjoy some time alone together.  That never happens, so I'm looking forward to it.  Unfortunately we'll have to spend some of that quality time dealing with insurance/car/doctor stuff.  =/  Oh well, I'll take what I can get!

March 16th, 2002

Happy Anniversary, Michael!  It's been a wonderful 10 years so far!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Callen!

Love that laugh!

I can't believe my wee-one is now an official two-year-old.  That's not even fair.  Callen Levi has turned into a handful, for sure, but also a sweet, smart little man as well.  He's adding more words to his vocabulary every day.  He can jump with both feet off the ground, enjoys racing through the house with his brother, swinging, sliding, and throwing things (anything, really!). 

Brotherly Love

He enjoys chasing after "bubba" and getting thrown around by "dada."  I love to wake up to him saying, "mama, up, morning!" (though I may not always show it, lol).  We celebrated his birthday today by having a few friends over for a little birthday party.

A little yearly comparison:

Newborn Callen & giraffe

1 year old Callen & giraffe

2 year old Callen & giraffe

Mommy, Daddy and Bubba love you so much, Callen!  Happy birthday, baby!

Homeschool Recap, Mar 9th (Week 24)...

In my life this week...

Well, we scored a van this week so I have been busy going places!  I had two Usborne events yesterday, at opposite ends of the Metroplex - and the van was awesome!  Praise God!!  That kept me busy all week... car stuff and book stuff.  Oh, and Callen's birthday and party!

In our Homeschool this week...

Tot School: Callen is just racking up the new words... finally!!!  He still enjoys dry-erase markers and the white board.  When I tell Preston it's time for school, Callen runs over to his drawer, points at his markers and says, "ME!"  He can't be left out!  A few days ago, we were out running errands and as we were heading home from our last stop he fell asleep in the van.  I decided to stop and get gas, and when I was done pumping, Preston needed to go to the bathroom. So, I had to unbuckle Callen and pull him out of the warm car seat and out into the chilly, drizzly weather... he suddenly sprung awake and started asking, "What?!  What?!!"  It was so cute... he hadn't really used that word before, so him using it like, "What's going on?" was so great!

Bible: Preston and I worked on memorizing and understanding Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that succeed against the Lord."  Also went over Philemon through 1 Peter in the New Testament books, as well as talked about the prophets Elijah and Elisha.

Reading/Writing: Reviewed alphabetical order.

Math: Continued working on 2-digit adding and subtracting in his Complete Book of Math. 

Science:  This week's science them was "Tricks with Water & Air in Science With Water.


Music/Art: This week we started the hymn, "America, the Beautiful." We talked about the cello and stringed bass!  We looked an abstract landscape paitning.  And we skipped Drawing with Children this week... just didn't have time (again).

Spanish: We continued with school/classroom words and worked in the Complete Book of Spanish.

We are using My Father's World First Grade. See our curriculum here.

Blog Hoppin' with:
 

Praising God for Our New Van!

Filling her up for the first time.  Yikes!

After nearly two years of being a one-car family, we now have two cars again!  I got a 1997 Honda Odyssey!!!  It's runs great, handles well, only needs a few minor things worked on and has a bit of cosmetic distress (the hood is all primer, I think) and the inside is rather nasty right now... but all in all, it's AWESOME!!!  And, best of all, it was in our extremely limited price range!  :::doing a happy dance:::

I know that not having a second car was certainly a "first world problem" to have, but the freedom of just knowing I can take the kids to the doctor without having to track down a ride or inconvenience other people is such a relief!  I can run to the store whenever I need to, don't have wait 4 days till I'll have access to a vehicle.  We can go on field trips and drive across town to visit grandma without making her come to us all the time.  I'm so excited!!!  Thank You, Jesus, for Your blessings!!!

Homeschool Recap, Mar 2nd (Week 23)...

In my life this week...

Wow, we were super busy.  Or, I guess I was the one who had more going on than usual.  Tues-Fri I worked an Usborne table at the Rhea Lana's Children's Consignment Sale in Mansfield.  It was a bit slow for us this time around, but picked up towards the end, thank goodness.  I had a great time, though... getting to meet people, talk about books and hang out with the other vendor ladies. 

Our tax return finally deposited on Tuesday morning, but since I was booked this week we waited till today (Saturday) to go try to find us a van.  Unfortunuately, the two we found online that looked like our best options turned out to be nothing of the sort.  The one that was affordable had too much wrong with it, and the one we THOUGHT was a great deal wasn't really priced that way at all.  Really?  Grr.  So, I dunno.  I think maybe we had unrealistic expectations.  All we want is a super cheap, but reliable minivan... but I guess our "super cheap" budget needs to come up a bit to fit the "reliable" part.  =/

A story to share...
Sigh.  Callen loves to take our kitchen chairs and move 'em around so he can climb up on things, lately the cabinets.  Well, after several good scoldings about not moving the chairs, I went to the bathroom, came back and found him like this.

Oh my stars, this boy is a handful! =)

He has pushed the large ottoman (not the chairs!) from the living room into the kitchen, climbed up on the stove (not the cabinet!), dumped out a box of toothpicks, opened the olive oil, was playing with my Fiestaware salt shaker.  Yes, before I scolded him, I took a picture.  I couldn't help it.  It was too ridiculous.  This boy is a live one, I tell ya!

In our Homeschool this week...

Tot School: Callen came out with a bunch of new words again this week, and doing a much better job at repeating stuff we try to get him to say.  We're working on his name, but he's having a really difficult time making the hard "C" sound, poor kid.  He still loves sitting at the table during school going crazy with the dry-erase markers, lol.  I think he thinks that what "school" means, 'cause when I tell Preston it's time for school, Callen will run over and start pointing for his dry-erase board and markers.  And this evening he got so messy at dinner that I just threw him in the bath afterwards.  Before the bath, I sat him on his potty, but nothing.  Afterwards I was drying him off and he pulled away from me, sat down on his little potty and went pee pee!  We had a big, loud, happy celebration - and he was so excited!  Hopefully that's really the start of something with the potty training!!!


Bible: Preston and I worked on memorizing and understanding Proverbs 29:25, "The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe."  Also went over 2 Thessalonians through Titus in the New Testament books, as well as talked about King Saul, David and Solomon.

Reading/Writing: Talked about -er and -est (as in great, greater, greatest) and some more silent letters, like "wr" and "mb."

Math: Worked on 2-digit adding in his Complete Book of Math.  Preston caught on to this easily enough!

Science:  This week's science them was "Water Power."  We were too busy, and school was rushed, so we didn't really do anything but read from Science With Water about the subject.

Music/Art: This week we continued with the hymn, "Take My Life, and Let It Be." We talked about the violin and viola, and read the book Play It Again, Rosie!  We looked at a Picasso portrait.  And we skipped Drawing with Children this week... just didn't have time (again).

Spanish: We continued with school/classroom words and worked in the Complete Book of Spanish.

We are using My Father's World First Grade. See our curriculum here.

Blog Hoppin' with:
 

February 2012 Tweets to Remember...

Feb 1st - Using my 8,000th tweet to say something deeply profound: #coffee #lipbalm #books #free #hahahahah #dork #nitenite

Feb 3rd - Snuggle time with BOTH my boys this morning.Yay for 6yr olds who still like to snuggle! Yay for nearly-2yr olds who stay still for a min!

Feb 3rd - Skyping with Gma & Gpa Clark in Michigan! http://twitpic.com/8fdor1

Feb 6th - [Rant] People, answer your phone! Or return a voicemail, fb message, email, text, smoke signal or acknowledge my existence. [/Rant]

Feb 8th - Praise God, we have a brand new white Kia Soul!

Feb 10th - Love it when my baby kid wants to snuggle in my bed and we end up sleeping for another 2 hours! Wow!

Feb 10th - My Friday nite = baking, printing, cutting, bathing 2 boys, listening to Veggietales on cassette. I'm a rockstar, don't ya know?

Feb 12th - Oh, friends, it's been so long! Nomz! http://twitpic.com/8j599y

Feb 12th - Snoooowwwww!

Feb 17th - Thanks to a middle-of-the-nite visit to the ER, we have now experienced croup. Or at least Preston has.

Feb 18th - Just performed the entire soundtrack to Singin' In the Rain in my kitchen. Callen yelled, "More!" Yeah, I'm that good.

Feb 19th - Cocoa, animal crackers & OC Supertones Pandora station, also feat. FIF, RelientK, Insyderz, etc equals Sunday Night Awesomeness.

Feb 23rd - Happiness is a warm, sleepy toddler saying, "Mornin' Mama" and giving a big hug! :::swoon:::

Feb 27th - Finally took down my 'Let it Snow' and Winter-ish front door decor. It obviously ain't happening in Texas, we skipped right to Spring.

Feb 28th - Praising Jesus for His provision! One of these days I'll learn not to doubt. Thankful He gives me grace when I fail.