This Fall

This fall the girls will be attending Enrichment Classes on Fridays as part of the local homeschool group we recently joined.  They will be taking 2 classes: Beginner Spanish and Around the World, where they will learn about other countries, geography, make flags, etc.  It doesn't start until mid-September so I haven't told them yet but I'm very excited about it!  There are 44 families in the group and they get together regularly for park days, field trips, etc. 

We also have a group of friends that we see regularly at the library story hour and sometimes we get together afterwards to play at the Burger King playzone, or have a picnic at the park.  If they were to go to public school, they wouldn't start Kindergarten for another year and 3 months so this upcoming year would be their preschool year.  I think we'll have fun!  =)

Here is our beloved Miss Shawn, who leads the story hour, reading to the girls afterwards:

Library friends:

I went to the statewide homeschool convention a few weeks ago and was amazed at how many people, and how many different types of people, homeschool.  The amount of curriculum choices are overwhelming.  I walked around for 7 hours, visiting most of the booths, picking up free catalogs, and just being amazed.  Jody watched the girls all day so I could go by myself (thank you!) and I really enjoyed it.

Current statistics say there are more than 2 million students who are homeschooled, which is a 75% increase since 1999.  Homeschooling is definitely not what it used to be.  There is SO much available.  Unfortunately...none of it is free!  I did win a free bag of books though!

So, our biggest reason for wanting to homeschool is just that...we want to.  It sounds very appealing to us, we've already been doing it somewhat for the last year and I enjoy teaching them, I like the flexibility and increased family time...it just seems like it would be a nice fit for us.

I'm not against public school.  I don't think everybody should homeschool.  Our choice to homeschool does not mean that we think everyone who makes a different choice is wrong...every family is different and this is just what we truly want to do!  I don't think it's for everybody but it seems like it would work great for us. 

=)

Conversation with Ava

Last night at supper Ava asked, "Mom, when I'm a grown-up like you, and I have children who are this many (holding up 4 fingers)...will I be able to drive?"

Me:  "Yes, you will."

Ava:  "What kind of van will I have for my family?"

Me:  "Well, whatever kind you like.  You could have a silver one like ours or a different color."

Ava:  "Maybe my children could sit in the middle and I could sit in the back, and you could drive...if you want to."

Me:  "Sure, I'd be happy to drive."

Ava:  "I could sit behind my children and fix their hair."

Gracie:  "Yeah!  We could both sit in the back and fix our children's hair!"

Then they decided that they would each have their own van.

Ava mentioned again that I could drive...if I wanted to.

  

Talking to Grandma

Mother's Day 2012

 

Makes Me Smile

The other night we had gotten home late and I told Ava I was too tired to read them any books before bed.  She said, "I could read one!"  By the time I made it into the living room, they had each picked out a Bob book and were both reading.  Makes me smile!

Nature Walk

We went on a picnic out near the lake with John and Jody.  The girls had a great time throwing bread to the geese:

Trying to catch butterflies:

 

Blowing the fuzz off a dandelion:

Walking the trails:

Watching their dad climb way up high:

Doing their own version of rock climbing:

 

 

 

 

 

Fun evening!

I'm Baaaaack

It's a good thing I don't try to earn money by blogging, considering how inconsistent I am!  Sigh...it just requires time to sit down, think of what to write, gather pictures from various folders, upload videos, etc.  I definitely want to keep at it because it's nice for me to look back on and also to keep family, and a few friends, updated on our lives.  Anyways...

My mom recently had a major back surgery so Matt and I drove up for 5 days.  It was great fun to surprise everyone!  Definitely should have videoed the reactions!  We got to help her come home and a spend a few days with family before heading back home.  I'm so thankful for Jody, who came to the house each morning before Joel went to work and took care of the girls during the day!  She even fed Joel a couple of meals.  Joel did great taking care of the girls and even managed to boil some eggs for them!  He had to Google how to do it, but he did it.  =)  
It was strange to be away from them for so many days but it was also a blessing to be able to go home for a few days and it would have been harder to do that with the girls along.  My mom has a long, painful recovery ahead of her but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end!

Our dear friends from next door have moved 30 minutes away.  We definitely miss having them so close!  They don't currently have room for their big swing set so we are keeping it for now and having a great time using it!

We've also been blessed with a new kitchen table that I brought back from my parent's house, and a set of bunk beds,  with a matching dresser and desk, from John and Jody.  The girls are LOVING the bunk beds!!!!!!  I rearranged the living room and have been getting rid of a few things, which feels great!  We took our old kitchen table and the bed that was in the spare room to Donnie and Rene's ranch for them to use when they are down here, and we're taking the cribs and quite a few other pieces of baby equipment to a friend who is having twin girls in August.  

So we've had lots of excitement lately!  It's always fun to get new things, and fun to be able to pass things on to other people as well.  If you know me very well, you know that I LOVE to get rid of things!  I'm definitely not a hoarder.  =)

Joel has spent many hours fixing our fence and rebuilding the gate that the wind tore off last fall.  It is SO nice to have the back yard enclosed again!

I'll post some pictures soon!