L is for Leaf

Last week was our third week of Kindergarten and it was a tricky one. We took the week before off because the weather was ridiculously freezing, -19 degrees one day! So we didn't do much but try to stay warm.

It was a tad bit better the next week but still not ideal for a 'Leaf' study, which was the theme we were doing. There aren't many leaves to be found outside this time of year where we live so we improvised and went to a local plant nursery instead.

Not the same, but we found leaves! It worked.

We are starting to get the groove with the curriculum. My Father's World Kindergarten curriculum has set up with a routine where we do the same thing on the same days of the week. For example, every Day 1 looks the same schedule wise, every Day 2 has the same activities/routine, and so on for all 6 days of each unit. We both appreciate that, as Evalyn is catching on to what we do next and there isn't as much needed instruction as when we first started.

On of our first daily activities is looking at the calendar and talking about the date and the day of the week. She gets to practice her counting, writing {she traces the number}, shapes and colors {she draws a shape around the number with a color I chose}.

Next, she puts the day on her '100 Chart' while we keep track of the days we have done school. When we get to 100 we are going to have a celebration! After logging the day on her chart, she adds a straw to a cup and when she has 10 loose straws in the cup we put a rubber band around them and start a new set of 10. It helps her learn skip counting by 10's.

Pictures from our trip to the nursery:

Trying to reach up to the tallest plant we saw. Also the largest Leaf!

Watching the coy fish swim and trying not to get splashed!

Working on her math page, this week it was the number 3 and she was coloring the leaves in a certain pattern. They gave her the first 4 colors and then she had to figure out the pattern and finish the rest.

Another activity was doing a leaf rubbing. We used the leaves we picked up off the floor of the nursery.

27 weeks

{Actually taken at 26 weeks}

Pregnancy Update

How Far Along: 27 Weeks 

Size of baby:  Baby is about the size of a 2 lb rutabaga!!

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 10 lbs total

Maternity Clothes: Yes, pants mostly. I've been getting by with my regular shirts but I'm starting to have a hard time finding shirts that cover my tummy.

Gender: We are having a boy! We announced it here, in case you missed it.

Movement: He's a mover and a shaker!

Sleep: Frequent awakenings to go pee and sometimes heartburn.

Symptoms: Lots of round ligament pain from all the stretching, heartburn and still have random nausea/vomiting at least once a week.

What I miss: Being able to do more with the Littles and in general. 

Cravings: Mexican food. I wouldn't be surprised if this kid's first word is 'Hola!'

Best Moment this week: Hearing the birds outside chirping and realizing spring is so close.... and so is getting to meet this baby!!

What I am looking forward to: Honestly, not being pregnant and I just can't wait to hold this baby boy in my arms. :)

Our life with the Littles

I've been inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Ashley Ann Campbell of Under the Sycamore. She is such a delightful blogger, I always leave her blog feeling encouraged and inspired to see life through different eyes. Instead of seeing how I wish things were I start seeing the beauty in the way things are!

Ashley has a gift of capturing beautiful photos of real life. She also loves teaching others her techniques and tips. I've been gleaning advice from her and just through trial and error I've been retraining my eye to see beauty in our everyday life.

I love the shots I captured using just my phone and my new favorite editing app: Pic-Tap-Go!

They are watching Lion King. 

If they aren't watching it they are acting it out, every detail. 

My brothers and I did the same thing when we were little.

Bowl #4.

This kid loves his cereal.

It was my first time cutting his hair. 

He was enjoying his M&M prize after being so patient. 

I tried styling it after his bath but when he got dressed it was sticking up.

He does this all day. 

All over the house. 

If only you could be as big as you think you are...

Dads and good for a lot of things.

Giving rides around the living room is just one of them.

You are 2.

Today my 'baby' turned 2 years old.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy! 

You are such a joy!

Crazy Little Baby Man

Last week Evalyn and I were out and Brandon was home with the boys. He had to, ahem, use the bathroom and left the boys down stairs to play. A few minutes later Caleb announced, as he usually does, that he needed to go poo-poo, so Brandon sent him to the downstairs bathroom. After he's taken care of his business he still needs help with the clean up part (hang in there, it gets better, how can it not...) and he yells to Brandon asking him "Can you wipe my bottom?"

Brandon assures him he will be there in just a minute....

Shortly after he hears Caleb crying from the bathroom. He heads down to find out what the issue is and finds Eli at the kitchen island with his hand in the box of Wheat Thins and he doesn't even hesitate as Brandon approaches him and asks him what he thinks he is doing... He's very confident that way.

Moving on, he heads down to the bathroom to rescue Caleb and walks in to find the entire roll of toilet paper unravelled on to the floor! Brandon asks Caleb what happened to which he replies, "Eli came in and told me he would wipe my bottom ("ME do it.") and I told him no. So he took all the toilet paper off (que Caleb crying)."

M is for Moon

Last week we studied the letter M, the moon and the number 2. We have made it through our 2nd week of school! I really like the flexibility, but we both definitely do better right after breakfast. A couple days we have had to move school to after lunch {usually rest/nap time} and I can tell a significant difference in how receptive she is. Rest time is still very necessary for this busy little girl.

Here she's working on the picture cards and tracing the letter while practicing the sound that 'M' makes. 

We read the book The Moon Might Be Milk by Lisa Shulman and in it is a recipe for Sugar Moon cookies. Of course, we had to give them a try!

They were easy, tasty and fun. 

I wanted to supplement a little more math into her school so we are using Singapore math activity book to have more practice with different concepts. She LOVES this part and I have to cut her off or she would do the whole workbook in one sitting!

I asked her what her favorite part of school is and she told me the worksheets is her favorite. Works for me! 

My favorite part is the one on one time we get to spend together. Another week down!