Wordless Wednesday- 1st P.E. Class

This & That

All week I've been trying to come up with something to write, but never come up with a good post. This week flew by! Everyone is getting used to their routines and the amount of work they need to do. I've been adding a little more work each day to get into the swing of things. This week coming up adds in one activity- P.E. Class, and next week will add in dance for Princess and (hopefully) music for Daredevil. I think it worked out rather well in that regard.

Princess is going to be part happy and part confused over P.E. class. She likes to do schoolwork and she wants to do PE, but she wants to do them her way and in her time frame. I make both her and Daredevil do Lexia Learning for 30 minutes a day. Daredevil focuses well and works for his 30 min, as long as there is a timer set by him. Princess will beg and beg for her turn, and then do one lesson and stare into space. They both know that when they finish a level, they get a nice certificate to go on the brag wall (Daredevil has one!). Princess is just hoping hers will magically do itself I guess. I'm sure she will get used to it this week.

Genius is working on his game design still, and this semester actually has to complete a game. He comes up with some neat ideas, so it will be interesting to see what he comes up with. He has been really good at entertaining Doorbuster when I need to work with someone for awhile in the afternoon. I've been looking at some homeschooler's schedules online, and some families schedule blocks for one on the computer, one being taught by Mom, and one playing with the baby. Doorbuster has figured out that he is left out of school-time, so he gets really whiny sometimes. There are days when he is happy and colors or plays with his track, and there are days when he is Mr. Grumpy.

Every Sunday everyone goes to bed early and I plan my menus, lesson plans, trips, etc for the week. This way everything is organized and ready to go, and I don't have to spend time wondering what's for dinner. I already did that tonight! I've also been starting the habit of switching laundry after every meal to keep up with it. This weekend I got all the deep cleaning (aka removing dust from everything) done, along with wiping fingerprints off the walls. Next weekend comes carpet cleaning, and I may be brave one day and bleach the grout on the floors. Or not. That's quite a bit of work. It's been too hot to do much of anything outside!

Now that everything is planned, and I've written something here, I'm heading to bed. Poor Doorbuster fell off the couch and has a fat lower lip. I imagine the falling had something to do with him and Princess being a bit wild on the couch, then add in the recliner being out and a ton of blankets, and some misjudgment, and down he went. He has a big bruise under his lip where he bit it. There's also no more blankets allowed on the couch, and no one is allowed to open up the recliner. I'm sure they will find some other way to get hurt (or hurt each other), but one less thing in the way is one less thing I guess.

Goodnight!

Day 3...so Far, so Good!

We've now been doing school for 3 days. So far everything is going well, and everyone is remembering to wait patiently or do something quietly while I help someone else. They've even been really great with only taking 5 minute breaks and not complaining too much. Daredevil even did an extra page without asking, and read 2 books to Doorbuster.

That's a milestone in itself, Daredevil is reading simple books. We have a set of I See Sam books, and I told him when he reads through all 23 of them without help (not at the same time), I will take him out for a milkshake at Chick-Fil-A, all by himself. We have a chart on the wall, and when he completes the book he colors in the fan. He likes seeing the progress the more he reads.

We save Science for the end of the day since it's the most fun to do, and also involves big messes. Genius even put on a show with a happy birthday playing circuit and a alien alarm. It was fun (and I LOVE the snap circuits set). When everyone was done with their work, I taught Genius how to make snow cones with the snow cone machine. I did not realize how tall he is getting. He will be as tall as me pretty soon, and I'm sure even taller then that.

We went to the train museum on Sunday for a few hours, and got to spend a good amount of time looking at the Middleton collection. If you go, you must ask someone to open it for you if it's not open. I love the old metal trains that are about a foot to a foot and a half long. They look so fun to play with! We also went to a Auto Show and IKEA. This week we are staying home and doing school work (aside from a possible park day), because next week we start being busy, busy, busy.

These pictures don't have much to do with schoolwork, but I feel like my blog post needs a picture or two or three. I was going to try for a trip to the CA Science museum, but we are going to the fair pretty soon, and that's enough of a trip for the month (especially since we are going twice). In science we are studying gravity, forces, and how plane's fly. I say "we" since it always ends up being a family thing anyways. 

First Day of School

She thinks she's a star. 

Kindergarten

5th grade

2nd Grade

Pre-Pre-K

Working hard on YDACS, glad that the boring stuff is done. 

Getting to bike ride after work is done. 

Off he goes to cruise with Dad around the neighborhood. 

What will I be working on this school year? Praise and Rewards. I set up an area to put up good work, drawings, and awards. I am armed with lots of good jobs, stickers, and other small treats for when work is done. Also- organizing work to be done, and done work. Oh, and our schoolroom needs a trash can and a clock, so this weekend I will fix that problem. 

Simple Women's Daybook (Pre-School Starting)

Outside my window...
The neighbors I don't particularly care for are moving, and the house next to them I love and it's for sale. And it has a pool. I so need to call a mortgage person to see if it's even a possibility. 

I am thinking...
It's raid night tonight, my favorite night of the week. I got everything done I wanted to get done today, so my reward is very much earned. 
I am thankful... For my loving and patient hubby, electricity, and kitchen appliances.

From the learning rooms...(if this applies)
School starts Thursday! Everyone is ready to start their work.

In the kitchen...
I am making homemade rolls, BBQ pulled pork in the crock pot, rice, and fruit. Yummm!

I am wearing...
A grey skirt (that has pockets), a peach colored shirt. 

I am creating...
I got out the fabric and put it on my bed to make Princess a dress. I haven't cut, sewed or otherwise moved it, so maybe tomorrow. Walking to the store and letting Daredevil ride his bike kinda ate up that time. Oh well. 

I am going...
Out to the other city to pick up our school curriculum. We'll maybe visit my Dad, and maybe go to lunch. Maybe the mall. Maybe to a museum. Who knows. 

I am wondering...
Exactly how bad can next week go. It will be awesome! It will be the first full week of teaching 3. If we can get through the first week, the rest of the year will be easy. 

I am reading...
Nothing at the moment. I'm being a bad example. 

I am hoping...
For the watermelon and corn to keep growing! We have a watermelon about 2 inches long, and some 2 inch ears of corn. 

I am looking forward to...
School starting, getting into a routine, watching the kids at their classes, and our fair trip. 
I am hearing...
Kids building and playing with legos.


Around the house...
I cleaned out the refrigerator and pantry. In the fridge I found a can of playdoh, a lego table, a pink lego brick and a shelf bracket. I also learned the shelves of the fridge come out for easy cleaning....after I was done. 


I am pondering...
Buying a few more chairs at IKEA, or maybe buying some little school desks. The chairs are probably the cheapest route. 
One of my favorite things...
Watching Doorbuster and Princess play Just Dance:Kids. It's a great game. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:
School, school, school, cleaning, playing, bike riding. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Best way to hang out at the water park! 

Blackjack Birthday

Our little Daredevil was born on 8-13-03

He weighed 8lbs, 13oz

He was 21 inches long

8 + 13 = 21

His initials are BJ

Yes, he wore the same shirt on his birthday two years in a row. 

I didn't notice until now. 

He is our lucky charm.

And the only one who wins any money off the lotto scratchers.

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Our BIG 8 year old boy!

While I'm At It...

I was sharing this on the Stroller Swap Yahoo Group and figured I'd stick it on my blog too. This is my 2008 Uppababy Vista with a Lascal BuggyBoard.  I love this stroller, and the buggyboard is really handy. I'm 5'3 and occasionally I will kick the board, but that's only if I am not paying attention. My kiddo always tries to sit on the board instead of standing out it.

I've used this stroller so much it's almost time to order a new set of rear wheels for it. I LOVE this stroller and the buggy board too.

I also cheat and sometimes let Princess sit on the front bar of the stroller, because sending my stroller to uppababy for the frame tweaking and buying the 2nd toddler seat is expensive. Princess is too heavy for the toddler seat, and she would be way, way to comfortable in the big seat. I'd have to spend all my time lifting her in and out, and at 4, that's not going to happen. It would be a nice option to have, but this works for now.


I was not paid nor compensated for this post, or for the stroller. Just sharing what I like. 

How Does Our Garden Grow?

Well, so far we've managed to grow a nice crop of grasshoppers.

Our corn is taller then the kids, so maybe we will get some corn husks soon?

Here is our watermelon plant, no watermelons yet, but some flowers (and weeds, I'm not a patient weed puller)!

Word-Full Wednesday

Now that the schoolroom is clean and Princess has books on her shelf, she asks every day, repeatedly, if it's time for school yet. She'll ask every 10 minutes until I show her the day on the calender and how many days are left. I'm just ready to get started and get into a routine for school. Getting Princess to do her work the way she is supposed to do it, when she is supposed to, is going to be a pain. She really wants to play school with herself, she doesn't want to do it the way it needs to be done. I have a feeling Kindergarten will be more learning to follow directions, and learning to work quietly. I like kindergartners, but I don't think that is a grade I could ever teach.

Daredevil turns 8 on Saturday. When you ask him what he wants for his birthday, he says he wants to go shopping at the dollar store. It's not so much the stuff, it's going and picking a bunch of things. He doesn't quite get the quality over quantity yet, but he's getting there. I explained that I spend the same amount on each of them for their birthdays, so if they wanted 2 Wii games, or 22 things from the dollar store, or a few legos, they had to think about what they asked for. We've also been working on being thankful for what we have and what we are given (like when he got a $3 gift card from toys r us in the mail, and he said he didn't want it, he wanted a $4 one). I know he'll get it soon.

We went to the water park with my Niece on Monday, which was lots of fun! All the kids got to play and run (and so did all of us adults). I found out they have an annual pass to a few of the regional parks for $35 a person for the year, so I'm going to find a way to put that in my budget. We go almost every week, so it would pay for itself really quick. School seems to have started by us, so hopefully the other water park we go too will be a lot less crowded.

I'm trying to be better about exercising every single day, since I saw a picture of myself at the water park and was not too happy! I don't want to look good for "having four kids". I know if I got motivated and kept at it, the pounds will fall off. The hard part is eating a little less, but my hubby cooks such good food it's hard not to eat tons of it. Like his carne asada, and the apple wood smoked chicken. YUM. I've also been raiding almost every night in the evenings (it's progression time, which takes some work), so I've been forcing myself to do an extra 15 minutes of exercise for every hour I raid. I can't wait until the weather cools down a bit, then Genius and I are going to start walking and jogging in the evenings. He has to do the presidential fitness test this year, and I'd like him to feel comfortable at walking and jogging the mile.

My kitchen is currently screaming for attention, I need to straighten up the backyard while it's not a million degrees outside, and my stockpile is overflowing, along with the laundry baskets. I think I broke a finger, but I probably strained/jammed/something to it, so yesterday I didn't do more then load the dishwasher. My finger feels much better, so I've got to get three days worth of housework done today. It's not too much stuff to do, I'm just trying to organize and sort things out a little bit so I don't have as much to do when school gets underway. I also have coupons to cut, and I need to check and see if there are any deals I need to shop before Sunday.

Our Schoolroom!

My hubby was so nice and took the kids off to visit relatives so I could clean! I wish I would of been enjoying some relaxing time to myself, but it sure saved my sanity to get everything cleaned and done! I spent close to 6 hours cleaning, dusting, moving things, and picking up the lego bin that fell over. I also found all of the missing pencil sharpeners, most of the math counting cubes, and a ton of pens and pencils in the lego bins.

Here is is looking in from the doorway. The computers on the right used to be right next to each other, but it was causing a lot of "stop looking at me" fights, so I rearranged so there was room between them. I know it wont make the fighting go away entirely, but I hope it helps. If it really came down to it, I could probably make some PVC pipe partitions.

All the way to the left we have bookshelves and legos. Each kiddo has their own shelf with their workbooks, discs, etc. They each have their own pencil box, and there are two boxes full of extra supplies. I stack all the extra stuff on the top shelves that they don't need to be playing with. The white bins are all legos.

Back towards the door we have a table for doing work (or to separate kids out). I was kinda undecided on leaving the table there since that is the path from the house to the garage (and the washing machine), but it gives way more space to the room.

And that's our classroom for the year! NASA has lots of posters you can order from them for free, and Dollar Tree has a lot of posters and school stuff for $1.

Looking Forward to School Starting!

Things have been quiet around here while I finalized all the curriculum we will be using this year. I actually managed to get everything ordered the first day the funds were released. Aside from planning the next school year, we've been soaking up the warm weather.

We'll still visit our favorite hang outs once school starts, but it's nice to enjoy without worrying about getting work done. The kids are ready for all the other kids to go back to school so it wont be so crowded! I agree with them, it stinks when unattended children are running around with no manners.

I planned out the whole school year. Go me! The kids helped give input on what they'd like to learn for the next few months. Here is what we will be using:

Reading: Genius will be using Reading Plus, Vocabulary in Action, and Voyages in Reading. Daredevil and Princess will be using Lexia Learning and I See Sam books, along with writing and penmanship.

Math: I almost, almost went with Math-U-See, until I showed the kids the video sample. That wasn't going to fly around here. So we went with Singapore Math. Funny thing is- I had a math workbook I really liked for Daredevil, and I went to check who it was by. It was a Singapore Math book! I got a good laugh out of that one.

Science: Science was a hard pick for me. I really, really love the Science in a Nutshell Kits, but the included activity book is too hard for Daredevil to write on, and Genius would rather learn other things. I finally came up with a solution- Genius will continue working on circuits (I bought snap circuits and the book that goes with it), and the younger two will do Science in a Nutshell. I picked Science in a Nutshell kits that worked with two sets of Let's Read and Find Out Science books, since we have a few of those books here and Daredevil loves them. So the two younger's can do the activities with me reading and assisting, and we can read the books to learn the why's of the experiments. I think that works as a good middle ground, as I wanted a book to go with the kit.

History: I took the simple choice here and did the McGraw-Hill history for each grade. Genius will learn about the USA, Daredevil will do whatever 2nd graders do, and Princess will do the 1st grade stuff, since we still have the book from last year. Genius and Daredevil did best with the read the book, answer the questions and be done History, so we are going to stick with that. There wasn't any other History that was like that.

PE: We are going with EMH sports, since that was who we used last year, and they are awesome. At $20 a month for classes, that all 3 go to at the same time, you just can't beat it. I also loved not having to fill out PE logs, or worry about what they were learning. It's done and taken care of! As a bonus, it even works out that we can do PE class, and then head to park day afterwards. That cuts down on the trips we make!

Life Skills: Each of them picked an extra "fun" activity to do. Genius will be taking two classes in YDACS, Daredevil will be taking karate (once we figure out the specifics), and Princess will be taking Ballet/Tap. I'll be working on keeping everyone occupied during all these classes. At least when it's cooler we can always watch movies in the car.

We will also be taking field trips to the LA County Fair (even though we didn't enter any contests this year), the California Science Center, the Raymond Alf Paleontology Museum, the Western Science Center, the LA Natural History Museum, the Griffith Observatory and hopefully Sea World when they have their homeschool day.

I think they will be very busy once school starts up! I just can't wait for the field trips, I love going places.

Things Sure Change in 11 years!

Friday we celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. It's been an interesting 11 years! We've most certainly gone through better & worse, and we've been richer, poor, sick, well and everything in between.

We got married back in the dark ages, when you got your wedding pictures printed out, and people were just starting to use digital cameras. We had disposable cameras with film at the tables. This digital camera used 3.5 floppy disks. Things sure change in 11 years.

In 11 years, the two bridesmaids are both married (my maid of honor with 5 kids now), the best man is married, and the groomsman has fathered the cutest Niece ever. The two little flower girls aren't so little anymore. They've turned into beautiful teenagers. Don't tell them, but I still see them as these two little girls. Things sure change in 11 years.

We had a luau theme wedding reception. We aren't stuffy people, and a pool party was perfect for us. The ladies in the picture above are my Great Aunt (the avocado farmer), my Grandma, my Mom, and my Great Aunt. My Grandma & Great Aunt on the right are no longer with us. Things sure change in 11 years.

My hubby still drives this car. It now has all 4 hubcaps, and a new engine, and plenty of scratches from kids & their scooters. When hubby and I were dating, I drove his car to go get lunch. On the way back, I hit a bump and spilled some soda on the cupholder/center thing. I didn't want to get his new car dirty, so I tried to grab a napkin or two to wipe it up. Instead, I hit the tire on the curb, popped the tire and lost a hubcap. He still married me, what a guy.

We've been fruitful and multiplied. 

We've moved a lot. 

Changed a lot.

We spent our anniversary taking Princess to the dentist, buying woodchips for the BBQ, playing at the Bass Pro Shop, meeting a friend for lunch, and hubby then got called into work for a drug bust or something. We spent the rest of the weekend laying around the house, BBQing, mowing the lawn, and riding bikes. Just us. No work, no people knocking on the door complaining about their toilets, and it was absolutely perfect.

Things sure change in 11 years!