Tot School - day 1

I am always looking for a better way to manage my 4 kids during our homeschooling days.   I have 2 kids in school (2nd grade and kindergarten) and 2 kids in diapers!  This makes for an interesting day.  

I stumbled across this blog recently  1+ 1+ 1=1 that incorporates some time for the little ones into our school day.  It is more play than real school, but it still helps my little ones with counting, colors, shapes, letters, and whatever else we can think of.  Today was our first day to attempt this, and I think it went quite well.  I bought some cheap dishpans at The Dollar Tree and put some fun items in each bucket last night.  Most of these were toys that had been put away, so they were new to Baby Broccoli (28 months).  

While Baby Cakes (16 months) was taking his morning nap and Monkey Boy (8) and Banana Girl (6) were working on school work at the table, BB and I were able to do some Tot school.  She loved the one on one time with mom.  I let her choose which bucket she wanted to use first.

We started with the counting bears, but eventually made it through all the buckets. 

We sorted the bears by color.  We counted the bears, and we put them in the red pitcher(also a Dollar Tree find) and poured them back into the dishpan. 

 

She liked the shape sorter, although she did figure out it was easier to get them in if you just take the lid off!

Overall our Tot School was a success.  I can't wait to try some more fun ideas like the Tot books.

Eating my words...

I remember, long before I had kids, I would look at parents of small children and wonder why their kids behaved the way they did. I would never say it, but of course I would think...my children will never behave that way...but of course they do! I remember before I had kids I would see people give their kids junk food and let them stay up late and think they were crazy...and of course I am now that crazy mom! Of course I do try to feed them well...but you'd never know it by the way my 19 month old yells "BURGER" or "CHICKEN NUGGETS" ever time we pass a fast food place! At each stage of parenthood I have said,"How can they let their kids..." but each time I end up eating my words! I think too often as moms we are able to look at other moms and expect that their experience should be just like ours...but as a mom of three I realize that each child is completely different. Each child has been uniquely created by God! They have their personality, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. They have their good days...and their bad. There are many times where I have looked back and wished I had done something differently...but I can't change the past. God gives us those moments of "eating our words" to teach us. I know as a mom I have learned not to be so judgmental of others, to apologize to my children when I make a mistake, and most importantly to trust God with the lives of my children. He loves them even more than I do.

waiting for news...

About 6 years ago we began sponsoring a child through Compassion International. Veniel is now 14 years old now and in 9th grade. Veniel lives in Haiti. When we heard the news of the earthquake in Haiti we immediately began praying for Veniel and his family. Tonight as I tucked our 7 yr. old into bed, he said a prayer for Veniel. He prayed for all of the doctors in Haiti that they would be able to help Veniel if he is hurt. My heart is heavy as I think of the situation, but I love to see how God is using this situation to teach my children compassion for others. We've never met Veniel, but we love him. He sends us letters regularly to tell us about what he is learning in school. He always draws us a picture and includes a scripture that he has read. We hope to hear news soon...please join us in praying for the people of Haiti.

http://blog.compassion.com/haiti-earthquake-update/

Haiti Earthquake

2010 -A New Year!

It is hard to believe that it is a 2010 already! I don't really make New Year's resolutions, but I certainly try to set new goals for myself.

This year I want to... spend more time playing with my kids, and less time disciplining. I want to have more dates with my husband, even if we stay at home. I want to spend more time writing my book and more time reading good books. I want to declutter my home so I can sit down and enjoy it more. I want to invest in other people so they can know JOY in Christ like I do. I want to build deeper friendships with other women. I want to pray more, read my Bible more, and serve Jesus more. I want to watch less TV. I want to eat healthier and exercise more.