Friday, September 24, 2010

A post to my favorite 6 month old

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You are really going on 7 months but we will just say 6 so I don't start crying. You are so petite but you make up for it with the big bright eyes and wide mouth kisses. You are just starting to sit up and finally like to spend more time on the floor as long as the circus is in the same room.

You finally had a fully belly chuckle because of Miss Izzy's antics, of course (one day she will be happy to know that). You are starting to adore your Daddy (you were a bit standoffish at first). You like to take a little cat nap with him when he is trying to wake up. You are turning into a blonde hair blue eyed little beauty we have years of trouble ahead of us x3. You are eating solids and nursing and biting. You still love to be worn all day if I could bare it. You sleep through the night and your early morning feeding is turning mommy back into the early bird she likes to be. As I sit here typing this you are sitting in my lap fighting sleep, you are trying to get your face as close to mine as possible, I think that is your way of saying I love you.

You suck both thumbs (I call it chain sucking because you switch back and forth constantly when you are tired)
Left
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Right
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While sitting (look mom no hands)
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You play with toys and reach for everything. The sound of water running makes you happy not getting in the running water makes you mad. You talk with your mouth full and rarely when its not. You hold your feet all the time even in your sleep.
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You are impatient and yell alot but you are easy to please.

This is your serious face
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Happy Face
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Curious Face
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Your sweet little stature and happy personality keeps reminding mommy to enjoy and be grateful for every moment I get to spend home with you and your siblings watching all of you grow before my very eyes. I love you little pied piper.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Confidence, reliance & anxiety

My confidence in schooling my children is growing, slow but steady "I can teach them". I must rely on God completely, His way is the only way I can do this. And I am learning to filter the things that make me anxious through His hands, His voice is clear and calm. I need to listen.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Oh my....

Our first week of homeschooling under our belts and I can finally write about.
In really nice words it kinda sucked. It didn't help that Daddy was working extra hours and attending a work conference. We survived by the skin of our teeth, I yelled more than I would like to mention. I can't say I didn't want to give up a time or two, or that I heard the bell ring up at the school and wanted so badly to drop half my kids off up there. But we made it and we are starting fresh this week.

A few things I learned last week:
-Schedules and routines are two different things and scheduling is a joke.
-I learned that just because God called you to do something does not mean He is going to make it easy.
-I now understand better why God called me to do this.
-I knew my daughter was struggling in school now I know why and I know we have made the right decision to homeschool her.
-At the end of the day the basics are what really matter.
-Juggling a baby and toddler while homeschooling 2 older children is hard, hard, so hard.

Things I want to do better this week:
-Lose the schedule focus on routine
-Make our way to the park a lot more, it is recess for all (including mommy).
-Make teachable moments, teachable moments.
-Don't be afraid to improvise, change or skip the lesson plans completely when we can learn more just from life.
-My children are brilliant and special and they have an opportunity to take the reins in there education don't be afraid to allow them some control.
-When struggling for focus, or attention, find a good book and just read out loud.
-Cordelia's Suggestion: Read the bible everyday till we finish it.

So this week my children have laid out the subject order for the day. We have agreed on expectations and I am allowing Cordelia the freedom to study a subject or two without a period of instruction from me. I have at least two days set aside for the park as well as a field trip for good behavior.

I will start pictures again when we start back on Wednesday.