Here is Alexis' Journal Entry today, no corrections made.
P/23/10
IN WAN WEK
I AM GOING
TO THE DTROT
ZOO I AM VARE
IKSUTID MY FRIN
EMALE IS KAMING
TO AN MY
GRAM AN GRAPU
AER KAMING
TO LOVE ALEXIS
Ok, in case you couldn't translate -
In one week
I am going
to the Detroit
Zoo. I am very
excited. My friend
Emily is coming
too. And my
Grandma and Grandpa
are coming
too. Love, Alexis
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Toads
HS is exhausting in some ways, but not in others. It is in that I have to go back and forth between each kid a lot and sometimes that gets a little crazy. However, I have found though that the house is staying cleaner because the kids aren't running through it all day long like they were when it was just summer break - so that's been easier.
Things have been going good. We're into week 2 now. Tyrus had a big meltdown today saying he felt like he couldn't do some things well any more. He said he always writes a '9' when he's trying to write a 'p'. I tried to give him an encouraging pep talk that he can do it, he just has to set his mind to it. He KNOWS the difference between a '9' and a 'p' he just needs to slow down a bit and write it correctly. I had him shout "I CAN DO IT!" That took the tears away, and the laughter came.
A few weeks ago, I went up to our laundry room only to realize that some how the washer had flooded the room! Now, know our laundry room is upstairs, so you know what that means - water damage came into the ceiling below in our livingroom. Yesterday, a plummer came to put some sort of back flow preventer deal into the drain pipe and now it seems to be working, thankfully. I was tired, I'll tell you, of hauling the clothes to the laundry mat! Today a drywaller came and repaired the messed up part in the ceiling. The kids thought both guys were really cool. I'm just thankful the drain is working now and the ceiling repair is done - all on our builder's dime.
Tyrus said something funny today in response to Alexis' rude comment to him: "I mean it! Don't make compliments!"
The kids are super hyped up about these crazy toads / frogs / whatever they are that they've found near our property. They've made up names for them: Hoppy, Toady and Sticky. They beg to bring them to their rooms as "pets", to which I've firmly said "NO!" And, the other day, they coerced me into taking them to the pet store to look at Frog Cages. Silly kids.
Things have been going good. We're into week 2 now. Tyrus had a big meltdown today saying he felt like he couldn't do some things well any more. He said he always writes a '9' when he's trying to write a 'p'. I tried to give him an encouraging pep talk that he can do it, he just has to set his mind to it. He KNOWS the difference between a '9' and a 'p' he just needs to slow down a bit and write it correctly. I had him shout "I CAN DO IT!" That took the tears away, and the laughter came.
A few weeks ago, I went up to our laundry room only to realize that some how the washer had flooded the room! Now, know our laundry room is upstairs, so you know what that means - water damage came into the ceiling below in our livingroom. Yesterday, a plummer came to put some sort of back flow preventer deal into the drain pipe and now it seems to be working, thankfully. I was tired, I'll tell you, of hauling the clothes to the laundry mat! Today a drywaller came and repaired the messed up part in the ceiling. The kids thought both guys were really cool. I'm just thankful the drain is working now and the ceiling repair is done - all on our builder's dime.
Tyrus said something funny today in response to Alexis' rude comment to him: "I mean it! Don't make compliments!"
The kids are super hyped up about these crazy toads / frogs / whatever they are that they've found near our property. They've made up names for them: Hoppy, Toady and Sticky. They beg to bring them to their rooms as "pets", to which I've firmly said "NO!" And, the other day, they coerced me into taking them to the pet store to look at Frog Cages. Silly kids.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
And we're off!
So school has started. Whew. The first day started out rough at first when I wanted to take a picture of the kids at the beginning to record the first day. We went outside into the sunshine and they complained and fussed SO MUCH about the sun shining in their eyes. Lots of tears and eye rubbing, etc made for not so great pictures. Anyway, once that was over, we went in and started our day.
It went very good. I felt a bit disorganized as there are lots of books, manuals, readers, etc between all of us that I need to find a better system to keep track of. But, we did accomplish everything I wanted to do, and the kids were very happy to do the stuff I asked.
Yesterday we worked on a Family Tree and the kids cut out pictures of all of the main people in their trees, all the way back to their great-great-grandmother. That was cool. We talked a lot about all the people. They didn't know that their great-great-grandmother had come over on a boat from Poland, for instance. While we were working on that, Tyrus announced to me: "I like homeschooling, mom." Well, I guess that's good, right?
After that, I read them a chapter out of Henry & Ribsy and when the chapter was over, I told them, "okay, that's all for today" and they begged me to read more! Gotta love that!
Tomorrow we have a Field Day for HS kids in our area. The kids are excited about it.
It went very good. I felt a bit disorganized as there are lots of books, manuals, readers, etc between all of us that I need to find a better system to keep track of. But, we did accomplish everything I wanted to do, and the kids were very happy to do the stuff I asked.
Yesterday we worked on a Family Tree and the kids cut out pictures of all of the main people in their trees, all the way back to their great-great-grandmother. That was cool. We talked a lot about all the people. They didn't know that their great-great-grandmother had come over on a boat from Poland, for instance. While we were working on that, Tyrus announced to me: "I like homeschooling, mom." Well, I guess that's good, right?
After that, I read them a chapter out of Henry & Ribsy and when the chapter was over, I told them, "okay, that's all for today" and they begged me to read more! Gotta love that!
Tomorrow we have a Field Day for HS kids in our area. The kids are excited about it.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Bang, bang!
Samson made it through surgery just fine, but since then has had difficulty with recovery. His temp was off (cold in sections of his body and warm in other) and his platelets have also been off. We're still keeping up the prayers.
Last night we went to a local homeschool potluck to meet some new people. It was great fun. The people we were with were super nice and their house was great! The kids loved that they had two cows and chickens running all over. I loved sitting around the campfire singing songs and listening to the people much wiser than I about their stories and experiences with hs. It was cool.
Today, my dear mil kept our kids while Josh and I went out and did something we've never done before. We went gun shooting at his friends house. The guy has 5+ acres and a bunch of different types of pistols and rifles. It was crazy! I shot a .22 and a 9mm and a .45 - and I actually hit some of the targets! Some of those kick back quite a bit, so I had to work through that. It rained steadily the entire time, but thankfully they had a canopy set up and we had ponchos and umbrellas. I'm just now thawing out after a few hours outside.
School starts Monday. I got a ton of stuff ready for it on Friday - moving around books and rearranging things. The kids are geared up. We're ready to go!
Last night we went to a local homeschool potluck to meet some new people. It was great fun. The people we were with were super nice and their house was great! The kids loved that they had two cows and chickens running all over. I loved sitting around the campfire singing songs and listening to the people much wiser than I about their stories and experiences with hs. It was cool.
Today, my dear mil kept our kids while Josh and I went out and did something we've never done before. We went gun shooting at his friends house. The guy has 5+ acres and a bunch of different types of pistols and rifles. It was crazy! I shot a .22 and a 9mm and a .45 - and I actually hit some of the targets! Some of those kick back quite a bit, so I had to work through that. It rained steadily the entire time, but thankfully they had a canopy set up and we had ponchos and umbrellas. I'm just now thawing out after a few hours outside.
School starts Monday. I got a ton of stuff ready for it on Friday - moving around books and rearranging things. The kids are geared up. We're ready to go!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Co-op
Tomorrow the kids have their first co-op class. We're doing Ancient History using the Story of the World curriculum. It's cool because the parents all rotate teaching one or two classes during the year for the kids, and then the weeks off we're free to hit the coffee shop or whatever else we want to do. I'm looking forward to having an hour and a half of time with only Carsten.
We've got all the supplies and stuff ready to go. They are excited!
We're starting actual school a week from today - the 13th. I just figure that's a good day to get started!
My cousin Samson who is 2 months old goes for open heart surgery tomorrow.
We've got all the supplies and stuff ready to go. They are excited!
We're starting actual school a week from today - the 13th. I just figure that's a good day to get started!
My cousin Samson who is 2 months old goes for open heart surgery tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Carsten
Carsten will be doing K4 preschool at home with me this year. I'd thought about sending him to a regular preschool before we decided to homeschool, since he is showing many signs of being ready to learn more stuff. He likes to ask me all the time what "eyes" or "shirt" etc starts with. It's cute.
His nose seems to be doing much better. We've only had one major nose bleed since his cauterization in the spring. He just went back for a check-up last week and the doctor said it looks fantastic! Woot woot!
His nose seems to be doing much better. We've only had one major nose bleed since his cauterization in the spring. He just went back for a check-up last week and the doctor said it looks fantastic! Woot woot!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Hummm... What else?
Let's see? What else? The kids.
We've talked about Tyrus some, but here's a bit more. He's really grown this summer! I'm sure he's put on at least two or three inches and at least 5 pounds! He's in size 12 pants now! But, he's always been tall for his age, so this is no different now, I suppose.
Alexis is really figuring out reading. She loves it when I work with her. She does get frustrated some times, but I try and remind her that's she's doing great - and '"look at all the pages you HAVE read!" Her emotions are still very evident - good and bad.
We had an incident the other day that just really threw me. Unbeknownst to me, Tyrus took 5 quarters with us to Steak N Shake when we went for dinner. He then purchased 5 gumballs. He ate one and left the other 4 in his cupholder in the van. We went in to our company for a while. When we came out, he was looking all over for his gumballs and couldn't find any of them. He asked Alexis if she'd taken them and she said "no." I could tell she wasn't telling me the truth though, because she had that smirk on her face. I asked her again - "did you take his gumballs?" She again says "no" then pauses and says "well, I took one of them." Then Tyrus starts climbing under the seats looking for the other gumballs and Alexis pipes up that she did "take all four and eat all four."
I was flabbergasted. Not only has she lied multiple times, she's also stolen something she knew wasn't hers. Then, she started laughing. I called her father to ask what I should do because I was totally stunned at her behavior. He had the brilliant idea that when we got home, she was to empty her piggy bank and dump all of the money into Ty's piggy bank. When I told her that, she flipped out and cried and fussed and made a big racket. But, I think she learned her lesson!
Later, I asked her if she had it to do again would she take Ty's gumballs? And she said "no - I didn't know I'd have to give him all my money for it!"
A few days later, I noticed a pile of coins on her dresser. Now remember, she didn't have any money since she'd had to give it all to Ty. I asked her where she got it. She nonchalantly says "Ty's room." I said "Do you not remember the incident we had a few days ago with the gumballs?!" She said "Yes." I said "why did you do that again?!" She then says "because I wanted it." She then lost her cd player for 5 days... and the rest of the money she'd earned in commissions.
I hope she's learned. Gah.
We've talked about Tyrus some, but here's a bit more. He's really grown this summer! I'm sure he's put on at least two or three inches and at least 5 pounds! He's in size 12 pants now! But, he's always been tall for his age, so this is no different now, I suppose.
Alexis is really figuring out reading. She loves it when I work with her. She does get frustrated some times, but I try and remind her that's she's doing great - and '"look at all the pages you HAVE read!" Her emotions are still very evident - good and bad.
We had an incident the other day that just really threw me. Unbeknownst to me, Tyrus took 5 quarters with us to Steak N Shake when we went for dinner. He then purchased 5 gumballs. He ate one and left the other 4 in his cupholder in the van. We went in to our company for a while. When we came out, he was looking all over for his gumballs and couldn't find any of them. He asked Alexis if she'd taken them and she said "no." I could tell she wasn't telling me the truth though, because she had that smirk on her face. I asked her again - "did you take his gumballs?" She again says "no" then pauses and says "well, I took one of them." Then Tyrus starts climbing under the seats looking for the other gumballs and Alexis pipes up that she did "take all four and eat all four."
I was flabbergasted. Not only has she lied multiple times, she's also stolen something she knew wasn't hers. Then, she started laughing. I called her father to ask what I should do because I was totally stunned at her behavior. He had the brilliant idea that when we got home, she was to empty her piggy bank and dump all of the money into Ty's piggy bank. When I told her that, she flipped out and cried and fussed and made a big racket. But, I think she learned her lesson!
Later, I asked her if she had it to do again would she take Ty's gumballs? And she said "no - I didn't know I'd have to give him all my money for it!"
A few days later, I noticed a pile of coins on her dresser. Now remember, she didn't have any money since she'd had to give it all to Ty. I asked her where she got it. She nonchalantly says "Ty's room." I said "Do you not remember the incident we had a few days ago with the gumballs?!" She said "Yes." I said "why did you do that again?!" She then says "because I wanted it." She then lost her cd player for 5 days... and the rest of the money she'd earned in commissions.
I hope she's learned. Gah.
