Kiera's Homeschool

I love homeschooling Kiera. It's probably her age, but her mind works in such different ways! I find it challenging and entertaining!

Like above, she can't write her numbers yet, but she tried (see the purplish 6, and my blue 3 that she traced)... she often gets frustrated, but this time she just started making circles. She counted the items, and then drew that number's worth of circles on the line. I love it! I watched her in amazement, surprised that she came up with this on her own.

And this morning, she was doing the pages where you cross out the item that doesn't belong in the group. I was more interested in how she thought the group went together than if she crossed out the correct item. One time she had a refrigerator, a stove, and a bear. She crossed out the stove and said the bear and the fridge go together because bears like food! Other times she would cross out a random item because she associated the other two with people instead of actually with each other, so she crossed out the one she didn't associate with people.

FUN times!!!

Oh my... so funny

Costco Composters: East Wenatchee

If you are interested in one of the round, rotating compost bins that Costco had earlier this spring, they *may* be arriving Saturday. I'm checking into it more tonight, but there are only 6 on order, and they FLEW out the door when they were in several weeks ago. Many many people have been asking, so if you want one, let me know and I will make sure to pass the word when they come in.

PS, yes, I do want one, so there's really only going to be 5! ;-)

Oh the things they say...

I want to remember all of them! Kiera is just priceless in the things she comes up with.

This morning, she's watching me cook bacon. As I poured the grease into a jar...
"Mommy, what dat?"
Me: "It's bacon grease. I'm cleaning it out of the pan."
K: "Ew yuck. We drink it?"

Oriental Trading Order

Is anyone interested in splitting some crafty kits from Oriental Trading? Melia is specifically interested in the Treasure Chest kit... But one unit makes 12! They break down to be pretty cheap individually, so I thought I check with all my friends :-)

We would also be up for splitting other items if your kiddos have some they're interested in.

More randomness

Mommy: Guess what I found in the freezer! Popcorn Shrimp! Would you like to have those for lunch?
Kiera: Blech- I never had that kind popcorn before.


It's funny, as the day goes by, there are many things that catch my attention and I think "I should blog about that..." and then I forget amidst the business of the day. There was something really funny that I wanted to blog about, but now I can't even remember what it is! Oh well. I'll ask Gabe and see if he remembers, I know I told him about it.

Oh yeah, this morning, I gave Isaac pear chunks for breakfast. Yesterday he had mandarin oranges for lunch, and would put them in his mouth, bite down with his mouth open, and ended up being just soaked. So for the pears, I put the heavy duty bib on with the hopes that it would catch all the juice. I then placed the bowl of pears on his tray.... and he promptly picked up the bowl and dumped it on the floor. So much for planning on the bib saving the day :-)

Toddler Emotions

Nothing tries my patience like tears. And Kiera has become the waterworks princess.

She turns starts to cry when I say no, she starts to cry when I say yes to sissy, she starts to cry when I get irritated that she's already crying, she starts to cry when she has to pick up something or put something away, she starts to cry when I want her to finish her meal, she starts to cry when I say no more tea/juice, only water. She starts to cry when it's time for bed, she starts to cry when she's tired by 10 am, she starts to cry because she's tired and all of the sudden misses Ezri. (Rose and Cocoa? Not a word.) She starts to cry when she has a wet pull-up or an accident, she starts to cry because she's driving sissy crazy and sissy wants to play by herself, she starts to cry when I say we're staying home today, she starts to cry when her friends aren't home... Get the idea?

Oh yeah, and those new rules I was talking about? Now, she starts to cry when a timer goes off. *sigh*
Patience, Lord. Please grant me lots and lots of patience.

(Then again, you know what they say about praying for patience.... ;-)

What plans have you changed since becoming a parent?

Since reading Andrea's post on their plans for parenthood, I've been thinking about what we planned for and how each child has changed our thoughts and perspectives. It's been fun, and I've laughed out loud at myself a few times. I thought I'd share :-) (BTW, this is not to contradict her post- their plans are great, and I'm sure they will be super parents! I was just thinking about us and the past six years!)

* Breastfeeding is natural- it can't be that hard. Of course we will do it.
Real life: Breastfeeding is one of the hardest and most painful things I've ever done. Even three kids later, it took all of my stubborn will-power not to give up.

* We won't use a pacifier to plug our kids up.
Real life: Um, yeah. those are great little tools... especially in church! I do love that Isaac sucks his thumb, but I wish we could use a binkie with him too!

* I don't want my kids to be attached to anything, so we don't have to take it away later.
Real life: Babies are going to attach to things; parents might as well at least try to control what it might be. Melia's was her binkie, Kiera had a binkie and a stuffed bear, and Isaac is all about his thumb and blankie. The only troublesome ones were the binkies, but true to what I read, it took 3-7 days to "untrain" them. That thumb might be a different story. In the economy of babies, exchanging 3-7 days of work for a good 12-18 months of magic is a good trade!

* I hope to give my kids a better education through homeschooling.
Real life: That's not what it's about. Our greatest desire is that our children are educated within a Biblical worldview, not a humanistic one. Plus, the joy that I get from watching them learn is unmatched... try the whole "first-step" thrill times 20! It's not the easiest thing, especially when trying to decide which tools to use, but the benefit is well worth the effort.

* If I discipline the right way, my kids will be well-behaved.
Real life: We are sinners expecting baby sinners to be "good!" Consider how we disobey our Heavenly Father, and yet we wonder how our little darlings can be so naughty!? I truly believe that at the heart of obedience is a respect for authority, which as our children mature will develop into a heart of obedience to God. If we strive to instill this at a young age, hopefully our children will have an easier time following the Lord. Not to say we don't constantly have to be prayed up- because when I'm not, I'm the one who needs a "talking-to!"

* I might co-sleep. I might even nurse while sleeping!
Real life: Bad idea. Bad bad idea. Nursing while sleeping causes damage, which translates Pain! Co-sleeping is great for some, but not for us! Gabe can sleep through anything, but I'm such a light sleeper that those babies keep me up all night!

* We won't let our kids watch a lot of TV.
Real life: While this is a constant battle, nothing captures their attention quite as strongly as that darn light-box.... Even enough to let Mommy get a shower... or possibly even sleep in a little longer!

* We won't do this, and that, and that...
Real life: I was discussing "loving your husband" with an older co-worker (what an encouraging conversation we had! Blessing!!!) and she mentioned that with young children everything is so much more difficult because some days you are just trying to survive! Isn't that the truth! I needed to learn that sometimes it's ok to let the "parenting rules" slide because it's a rough day. And when it's been a rough day, the best decision is to sit down and settle in with the kiddos. Get a bunch of books, or a movie (!) and enjoy your moments together. This is much more healing that the promoted "mommy alone time," even though we all need our quiet moments too. I end up feeling closer to my kids when I've spent quiet time with them instead of quiet time by myself. However, nothing seems quite as rejuvenating as a relaxing date night... ;-)

I am sure God will keep teaching me lessons... and hopefully someday my perspectives will reflect more of Him than me.
What about you? Have any funny perspective adjustments you'd like to share? ;-)

Game Suggestions?

Ok, so one of our new rules (because we are always making new rules!) is that the girls get a quarter for every three pages of school work they do (with a minimum of three). Another new rule is that they have to pay for their computer time (which helps regulate it between the two of them).

My issue is that the games that they've been playing aren't exactly challenging for Melia. I want to find some better ones, and I did find some on Sesame Street, but I'm wondering if any of you have suggestions on some good learning games that you've let your kiddos use.

The ones that they've been playing are Hidden Pictures, Sesame Street and PBS.org. Thanks!!!

So thankful for Lavender oil..

I burned myself on the coffee pot this morning. When I woke up it was still on, but I pulled it out to check if there was any coffee left... nope. So, smart me, touched it to see if it was still hot.

Yeah. It was still hot, and all four of my fingers told me so.