Showing posts with label Homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeschool. Show all posts

potty talk, spring time, and other things . . .

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

"You are a poopy!" 

This is her new favorite thing to say. I hear it several times a day. I have never had a problem with a potty mouth child before, not as consistently as is the case with this one anyhow. 

So far nothing I have tried is working. 

I work hard to teach my children to be kind, and take care of their siblings. 

Truth be told (although I won't ever admit it to her) most of the time when she says it, someone is acting rather poopy! 

We will keep working at it.



I have been chilled to the bone since coming home from Hawaii. 
I have not been able to adjust very well. We were only gone seven days. 
I think it is all in my head. Even so, I miss being HOT! 

But spring is here. And it brings many good things. 

The frogs are coming out . . . 


. . . And boys are coming in from a good, long play outdoors (right where little boys should be!) VERY DIRTY!

Along with frogs those dirty little hands carry spring's first flowers. 

My heart is grateful to bursting every time one of these boys gives me a freshly picked flower. 



Umbrellas. 

My children have a particular fascination with umbrellas, as I am sure most kids do. 
I, however, dread spending money on something I just know (without a doubt) will be broken within days. 
But when I saw these in the dollar store, I did not mind in the least spending that looney on a girl who has patiently waited for one for about a year now. 

So far, so good. 

It goes with her, rain or shine, to the library, to the grocery store, while playing games with her momma, and even to bed! One of the most rewarding dollars I ever spent. 


We were able to go to the airport and welcome home one of our most favorite people. 
After two long years serving a mission, Kevin is home! We love you. 




Everyday I am grateful for a safe, warm, comfortable home in which to raise my family. 
Some days, however, I feel squished. We have five children in two bedrooms.  
One room housing three girls and all their stuff can become quite cramped. 
We do not have the space, nor do I have the personality to be pack-rattish. 
We regularly purge and organize. 
This is the only way we don't drown in our things, and I stay sane.  

Most of the time we do a pretty good job at keeping things tidy . . . 











. . . sometimes we don't. And we go to bed too tired to pick up.



 Although only two share this space - the same goes for the boys room. Our goal (or should I say 
my goal) is to be neat and organized - but some nights it is just easier to admit defeat and go to bed! 


  They do ask sometimes you know - If they can have their own rooms. As if rooms just appear when you beckon. I look them in the eyes, give them a smile and ask, 
"Would you trade your brothers and sisters for your own room?" They always say, "No!" 

But somehow when children are tucked into their beds for the night, and I go around and kiss each one, It does not seem so tight, it just seems perfect for us.






 My house is in desperate need for a fresh coat of paint . . . everywhere.

I started with the mantle. It was painted to look antique and rustic, which was cute 
seven years ago when we moved in, but over the years it has just begun to look old and dusty. 

It turned out really beautifully. It inspired a furniture rearrangement and new accessories. 
Not new really, I shopped the house, moved some things around, tried painting my coffee table, twice (which for the record did not work out, 
it has now, once again, been painted white) it feels like a fresh, new, clean space.  










We have been busy as ever attempting to homeschool. 
We learned all about edges, faces, and vertices today. 


 That led to castle building, naturally!





Happy spring, and everything else.

refresh

Wednesday, September 26, 2012


It is early.
All the kids are still asleep.
I woke up this morning to an alarm...my least favorite way to wake. I much prefer a tiny face whispering, "Mom", than the buzz of an alarm. But I know, from past experience, that if I get up before the children, somehow I get a jump start on my day.
I have been having a hard time trying to figure out how to home school and fit in things like exercise, hobbies, even a shower. If I want these things to happen I must get up while it is still dark, before the children wake.
I always feel better when I do. Why don't I remember this? Somehow it just does not hold the same appeal as a couple more hours of sleep.
I sit here in front of my computer, when I should be in the shower. I finished my workout and thought I would quickly check a couple of my favorite blogs before I get ready for the day.
It just so happens that I am off to a two day home schooling conference today. I have plateaued. I need fresh ideas, help, and inspiration. I hope, and pray that this will be just the thing.
And what do I stubble upon in my precious few minutes in blogland? A post by a lady I greatly admire, as if written just for me, just this day, in the wee small hours of the morning.
Enjoy.

Why I almost gave up home schooling

a fresh new year

Thursday, September 6, 2012

At the end of May my heart is light and the skies seem extra blue - Summer is here {in regards to the end of homeschool, that is}.
In August the panic and doubt start to creep back in. 
Slowly. 
In from the back door, disguised as unease.
Another year is approaching, and I have yet to begin to prepare. 
I will be, once again, responsible for the education of these children. 
Daunting. 
But this year is going to be different. I say that every year, but this year... this year it really, truly is. 
I pray for help and guidance.
And then I being my planning. 
The ideas fill my mind so quickly I fear I will not be able to remember them. 
I scramble for paper and I feel that peace that always comes - everything will be okay. It will all work out. 
They will learn. I can teach. And we will have fun. 
I read this not long ago on pinterest and decided that it would be my personal theme for this year of home schooling:


And for the children:


You have to have a sense of humor if you're gonna make it out alive!

What ever your style of learning, from our home {school} to yours, have a good one!


As for Long Beach - It was damp and cold, with some sun, but still so much fun.




I was so careful in my packing. I packed enough clothes for 10 children, but when it came to shoes, 
they grabbed what they did on the way out the door. You would think I would check at least Nya, 
but she always gets her shoes, and I assumed she would pick her crocs. But no. 
Not good enough for this lady. She prefers to camp in ballet flats!
(we stopped and bought her some flip-flops on the way)











Nya did not leave my sight. Not for one minute of one day. 
Wherever I went, there too you could find Nya.
Whereas the other children where off with their cousins and friends.
Therefore, most of the pictures I took were of Nya.

And if you like mexican food, and you are ever up Tofino way, please promise me you will eat here!
I waited for 45 minutes and paid $11 dollars for the BEST fish burrito I have ever eaten, 
and I would do it again!



And when good shoes are in need of a wash, I put them in the machine.
When they come out I fill them will cloths and let them air dry. They always come out great. 
And I figure if shoes are wrecked anyway, why not give it a go.