Monday, April 28, 2014

Check-up with Dr. Lorio

It's time for a checkup with Dr. Lorio.  The kids still love the dentist, and look forward to their visits.  
None of the kids had cavities.  Woo Hoo!
Natalie didn't want anything to do with getting her teeth checked, but was happy to sit and watch Nolan get his done!
Lookin' cool in his shades
So excited to get to use "Mr. Thirsty" again.
Sissy's turn!
Loving the small chairs

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Gettin' all dolled up

Natalie's hair is finally long enough to put in sponge rollers at night.  It's always a bit of a mystery whether or not they will still be in her hair in the morning.  Thankfully, this particular Sunday, they were all still there!
All dolled up and ready for church.
Big Sissy all ready for Sunday School, too!
Out for Sunday lunch with Papa and Granny.  Natalie loves her Papa!

Laundry helper

Natalie loves to help with the laundry.  If she sees me getting clothes out of the dryer, she is hot on my heels to get involved.
Oops! Dropped at few things!
She also loves to help load the dryer.
Can't wait until she can do all of the laundry independently! Although, when the time comes, I'm sure it won't be quite so fun and voluntary!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Resurrection Sunday

Here's a few pictures from Resurrection Sunday.  I always plan to get pictures before we leave the house... while the kids still look half-way put together; but as usual, we didn't have extra time, so we did the majority of them after church.

Sunday School
The kids weren't really in the mood for a photo session.  Oh well, we tried.
 Love our Sunday School kids!
Natalie was so happy... as long as Kylie was holding her.  She loves Christie and Kylie!
Aunt Norma came to visit for a couple of weeks, and made all of the kids hats.  They are so cute, and the kids absolutely love them!
We had a huge ham dinner with all of the fixin's, the kids played outside in the sunshine, and we had a nice, relaxing afternoon.
In the evening, we went to Grandpa and Grandma Bauer's to visit.
Talon found Grandpa's motorcycle helmet.  What a goof-ball!
Nolan and Grandpa deep in conversation.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Homeschooling

In September of last year, we attempted something we had never done before... homeschooling.
At first, it was rough.  I won't lie.  I was a bit overwhelmed, and was afraid we had made a big mistake.  I didn't feel like I was doing a very good job teaching, AND being mom, AND balancing all of the other things I had to do, not to mention working full time.  Anthony and I had a long talk, and he helped me see what the problem was... I am too much of a perfectionist, and was expecting perfection out of my 6 year old, as well as myself.  I couldn't understand why he was having so much trouble writing his letters, and I felt like a failure when he got a problem wrong.  Once I realized this, everything went so much better!
We started the ACE curriculum.  It starts out with 12 PACEs (work books) in each subject... Math, English, Social Studies, Science, Word Building, Bible Reading, and Animal Science.
It has been so exciting to watch him go from only writing his name, to doing math problems and reading entire books.  He absolutely loves to read!  He would spend half of his day on the couch with books if we let him.
He has been working so hard to get his school work done so he can be on Summer vacation.  Last week, I got home from work one morning, and he said, "Guess what, Mom..... it's Summer!".  I said, "No, honey, it's still Spring."  To which he repeated, "No, it's Summer.  I'm on Summer vacation!".  He had completed all of his school work!
I have to give so much credit to Anthony.  He has done an awesome job with Talon's schooling this year!  I got to be involved when I didn't have to work or sleep, and I got to teach him his ABCs, read stories, and do the fun songs and activities; otherwise, Daddy did the majority of the work.  I was concerned that he would finish late in the Summer- because we started so late, and took a day off here and there to have 'family day', but he finished super early!  He had a certain amount of pages he did in each subject every day, and opted to do a few extra pages, to get done early, towards the end.  It amazes me how little time it actually takes, when all of the focus is just on getting school work done.  It took him an hour, maybe 2 at the most, to get his work done each day.  He did a lot of reading aloud and coloring as well.  I'm sure it will take a little longer the more kids that are doing work, but I'm glad the 1st year has gone so well.
We decided we would have him do Math pages over the Summer.  I'm quite sure he wont forget how to read, but we gotta keep that Math sharp in his head!  He has really inspired Kaitlyn, and now she can't wait until the school year comes around again.  She's so excited to start 1st grade in the fall, and is already practicing writing her letters.
I'm so thankful that Anthony is able to stay home with the kids and focus on their homeschooling.  It has been a huge blessing to our family; and, since I only work 3 nights a week, we get a lot of family time.  Not to mention the benefits of providing a Christian education for our kids!  God has been so good to us!

Talon with his star chart.  Every time he completes a PACE, he gets to put a star on his chart.
Way to go, Buddy!  Congratulations on finishing the ABCs of ACE, and learning how to read!

Family Fun

I work most Friday nights now, so on Saturday evenings, we try to do something fun with the kids.
Last weekend, we went to The Burger Hut, an old-time diner in town.  The kids love their kid's meals.... burger, fries, AND their own milkshake!
 Natalie has learned the routine.... always gotta do a goofy shot!
 Natalie does love her fries!

 Tonight I was off,  so we went out for pizza at our favorite place...
Sparky's!
 (Not using the best manners, but having fun anyway!)