Box Day {Take Two}.......Letting in the Sonlight

So, sometimes trying something new doesn't quite work out the way we think it will :-) After giving our Heart of Dakota program a fair shot, we decided to switch back to Sonlight! This was a tough decision to make, mid-year- but we're happy we did! The "issues" I struggled with last year using Core B (the Instructor Guide) has been redesigned and is so much more user friendly- way to go Sonlight!! Colton is so advanced that he just wasn't challenged with HOD the way he is with Sonlight. That's enough of a reason to switch back for me ;-) So, we're moving on to Core C and can't wait to get started!! Pictures to follow........

Recess Time!

She might be a bit confused about what types of sports equipment go together- but she sure is a cutie!!

Making Me A Proud Momma!!

This handsome young man makes me one proud Momma! For the past two years, Mikey has been singing in his high school's Men's Choir. They earned a second place gold at the Heritage Festival this year! During this year's Spring Choral Concert, Men's Choir sang "Fire and Rain" which made me tear up of course (I guess that was their intention- to make all the sappy moms in the audience cry). It's so wonderful yet bittersweet to watch your little ones growing up to be young adults.

Mother's Day 2012

Getting everyone together for a family picture is a big deal these days! It was so nice to be able to have all my "little chicks" in the nest this Mother's Day! We had a BBQ with Nana Joan and Papa Mike- lots of good food and fun! I'm kicking myself, though, for not getting a picture of me and my mom while we had the camera out!!

Box Day!!!!!

One of our favorite days of the year!! We should start our next school year in July! I wanted plenty of time to read my teachers guide for Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory as well as the guide for Drawn Into The Heart Of Reading. We are beginning a new adventure with Heart of Dakota. Matthew and Anna just started using the preschool program, Little Hands To Heaven from Heart of Dakota too. I went back and forth so many times trying to decide what to buy for next year (like many homeschooling mamas!). But, we are very excited about being close to finishing Sonlight Core B (which has been great) and moving on to second grade :-)

Ready to dive into "Dolphin Adventure"!!

 Could you say no to that cute little face when he says, "Awww, can't I read this one BEFORE we start school!"?

Colton is feeling the braille on the back of the "Helen Keller" book. 



Swimming in a sea of books! What could be better :-)



Wordless Wednesday

                                                  Okay, one word.......ADORABLE!!!

Josie Turns One!!!

 Our sweet baby Josie is now a big one year old! She is the most precious blessing to our family. Colton keeps asking when we are going to "get another baby". He loves his baby sister so much!

                                                                Daddy's little girl!

Auntie Beth helps Josie take her first little nibble of cake frosting! Yummy!

Making Progress

Matty just learned how to paint with watercolors. This is a huge step for him since he is usually opposed to holding anything that resembles a writing implement. I'm encouraging him to do lots of activities that will strengthen his grasp since he has issues with low muscle tone. It will likely be a long road to writing for him- but we'll get there eventually. His other HUGE accomplishment was going up and down a step without holding onto anything. Way to go Matty!!!

Happy New Year!

Look who's crawling! Josie turned 8 months on Christmas Eve and started crawling on New Year's Eve! Time to baby proof the house even more. One thing I refuse to do is crisis management all day, every day. Something that has saved my sanity (and I use that phrase very loosly) is doing a thorough job on baby-proofing. This entails the use of lots of baby gates, cabinet locks, outlet covers, etc... You can tell by the pics of my little cutie pie that she's quite proud of her new found skill!