First Day of School

The kids were really excited about their first day of school and it went great! We have a lower key week for the first couple weeks so we can take advantage of the pool. But today was so nasty and cold and gross. SO weird for August!

I don't have a ton for Kylie to do.  She practiced matching her letters and did probably 4 or 5 simple worksheets.  But she was asking for more! I'm sure her excitement will die down - otherwise I'm going to have to break out the kindergarten material! She got to use the kindle to do some preschool activities and then when what the boys and I were doing was too boring for her she got to go in moms room and watch some Mickey Mouse on the ipad.  Otherwise she was right by our side!

The boys work seemed pretty easy today. Lots of review and coloring.  It will be interesting to see how the year progresses. For the most part they weren't bored :)

Here are some pictures....

Chores

I'm a big believer in kids doing chores but I'm also a big believer in letting them play.  For quite some time they have all taken part in putting away their laundry, picking up their toys, sweeping the kitchen, handling their dishes, and emptying the dishes they can reach in the dishwasher. They also get the mail, help with the groceries, and the boys take the trash to the curb and bring it back after pick up.  At this age I feel that's enough for their contribution but in looking ahead at needs I might have, things I want to teach them, and giving them an allowance, we have learned a lot more around here recently.  In addition to the chores above they have all learned to do the following things (or the portion of those things according to their size)

Completely unload the dishwasher and put 100% of it away, 

Load the dishwasher, 

Empty the trash around the house,

Sort laundry, 

Load the washer, 

Load and start the dryer, 

Fold all the laundry and put a bunch of it away, 

Vacuum the house, 

Do some light mopping, 

Wipe down bathroom counters, 

Do a little dusting.

I don't expect them to do things perfectly but they need to do their best according to their ability and they are doing a great job!  They will not be required to do all these things every week but it will sure be helpful when I need it, especially towards the end of being pregnant and after the baby comes.  When we all work together we can knock all the house cleaning out in not much more than an hour!

Kylie even made dinner the other night in the crock pot!

School Time

I can't believe we are one week away from school starting! We are starting a bit early in case I need some time when the baby comes.  All kids are registered for an Awana program and the boys will be in their homeschool class again this year while I'm in Bible study.

Thankfully it wasn't too hard to decide what books to use this year for the most part.  Here's our plan....

Bible: Awana stuff and Apologia "who is God?"

Math: Singapore math

Science: Abeka 1st grade and Apologias "flying creatures of the 5th day"

History: learning about presidents and Abekas first grade book

Health: Abeka 1st grade

English: Shirley English

Spanish

We will also be doing projects as well as random worksheets and reading and writing assignments of course.

I will be working on letters and numbers with Kylie which she is actually pretty good at but I want to solidify it and begin to incorporate some writing and a little math.  I've never been big on preschool so her work load will somewhat be determined by her.

I'm glad we can get into a routine before the baby comes and glad the boys are able to be independent learner a when needed.

We have made our dining room into the school room.  We got some inexpensive desks from ikea and they each chose the color of their table legs.

Looking forward to it but our schedule is about to change over here at Bryant Academy!

A bunch of a randomness

I can't even begin to fill in all the details since I last blogged but here are some basics....

We got settled into our new home quickly and are happy here.  Our neighbors are great and the house feels new since they redid nearly everything.  We have had a lot of appliance issues - but that just means they get us new appliances so its all good :)

We have enjoyed the pool though, to be honest, the weather hasn't been gat this summer.  We go as much as we can.  All the kids have taken swimming lessons this year and have all made progress.  Jackson and Jaden are now decent little swimmers and have earned their yellow bands at the ymca which comes with swimming privileges as well as no longer requiring me to be in arms reach in the big pool.  It's so much more fun and relaxing! They also get to go down the slides and they LOVE i!!!!! It will be a sad day around here when pool season is over.

Everything is going well with the baby.... And it's a girl! Now for the names and the purchases.... Neither of which seem easy at the moment :)

Jared was able to go to WA for a week in June and had a great time.  The kids and I did well  and spent a couple days with my parents.

Jared has been in his new position at work for a few months now and it is nothing like we planned or expected.  So you can be in prayer for that - but overall it's ok.

I'm sure themes more - but I can't think of anything.....

Anyone there?

First of all, I would really like to know who may be reading this. There is no point in keeping it up if no one is reading, but I've been doing a terrible job of updating (even though its super easy) and at this stage of life should be doing a better job!

So.... Let me know if you are still reading this :)