Full Steam Ahead

Well, maybe not quite full steam...more like a slow perk, but we did manage to get most everything done today, with a few frustrations. I'm still trying to work out the scheduling kinks...what takes more time, what takes less, who needs help with what and who can do work on their own.

Bessie has a very full schedule this year with her major challenge being CQLA (Character Quality Language Arts). She is enjoying this but it is very intensive and requires a lot of writing. This is an area that we have been lacking in the past, so she is on a steep learning curve at the moment. She is working hard and says she is learning a lot, which is our major objective. It is designed to be a one year program, but she is taking it slower and will do it over two years (Thanks, Lisa for this suggestion.).

Bessie labors over her writing

Gabe is a very smart boy, but continues to be a challenge to teach. He does not like sit down book work much and would always prefer some other way of learning. I've tried to come up with creative ways for him to get the same information without too much seatwork, but some time you just have to sit and use a pencil! He enjoys MUS (Math U See) for the most part, as long as we don't work on it too long. He likes the idea of CQLA, but does not like writing, so some of it I let him do orally and I write it for him. He learns so much for someone who seems to do so little work. It often amazes me. I'm thinking most of his learning comes from the fact that he often has his nose in a book of some sort.

A new curriculum that we are using this year is 106 Days of Creation. Gabe loves science, but wasn't thrilled with Apologia last year. I think it "sat" on one topic far too long for him. This new curriculum follows the days of creation and all that was created on each day. The topics are varied and look like a lot of fun. There are quite a few hands on projects which everyone enjoys. The Littles enjoy sitting in while we do science.

The only thing we didn't do today was history, but I am planning on alternating science and history this year, so we will get that in tomorrow.

Gabe playing with the MUS blocks

Rachel and Hannah are quite willing to do seatwork and enjoy using workbooks, so that is the route we are taking with them right now. They are also both using the MUS Primer level. They are working on Pathway and Rod & Staff Phonics books. Hannah particularly is making real good progress.

Dan and Hannah enjoy the puzzles

Dan is my greatest challenge. He is bright and energetic, but does not like to be left out, so trying to get work done with Dan hanging out can be tough. I'm trying to pair him with one of the other youngers for short periods to help keep him occupied. I have quite a few pre-school activities that I need to organize and set up for him so that he can be with us working, but not be a distraction.

I have confidence that we will work out the bugs and have a productive year!

Dan had his first speech therapy session today. Anne, the therapist seems very nice and although Dan was shy, she was able to engage him in some play and get a feel for areas that she will need to focus on. It is nice that she is able to come to the house and I'm hopeful that she will help Dan move forward with his language skills.

My Look-Alike

Kristine had this on her site. Give it a try.

Soggy Sunday

It has been raining almost all day...a nice, gentle steady rain. We have had several weeks of dry weather, so this is quite a relief. You can almost hear all of creation sighing with the moisture. My garden was getting rather dreary for lack of rain and I'm not much for watering, so this rain should perk it back up.

We went to church this morning. For one reason or another, we have missed a couple weeks. It was nice to go, to be refreshed and enjoy the fellowship. We came home with several bags of clothes for the girls and a couple for Dan. Don't panic Bri, we have already gone through them all and were very careful about what we kept.

Bessie sorting the girl's clothes

While the girls were trying on clothes and deciding what to keep and pass along, the boys retreated to the kitchen. They made a little nest on the floor with blankets and pillows, brought along some toys and plugged in the little CD player. They have been listening to the USA geography songs disk for days. It is amazing how soon they are all learning the capitols.

Gabe and Dan having some quiet "guy" time

Dan climbed into one of the empty bags...he is such a goof! After dinner, the kids took out some puzzles. Hannah and Dan have been working hard on figuring out the puzzles. Hannah has progressed quickly from simple 6-piece puzzles up to the 24-piece ones. Tonight she decided to try this Cinderella puzzle without the frame and built it on the floor. It took her quite a bit longer, but she was so proud to have done it. Good girl, Hannah!

Look at that smile!

Dan has also improved a lot with his puzzle skills. He is now doing the 12-piece ones by himself. Everyone little improvement is huge and we are pleased with how hard they work on these tasks.

Tomorrow we are attempting a full school day, plus Dan's speech therapist is coming for the first time. We'll see how it all goes.

Soccer Saturday

Both the little girls had soccer games today. Rachel's was at 9am and Hannah's at 11:30. The day started out very hot and muggy and it was tough for the kids, but they did great!

Rachel's team lost 4-0. They played well, but couldn't get it together. I guess they had the first game jitters. Hopefully they will do better next time. Rachel played well and is learning a lot.

Good sportsmanship!

Rachel was drenched from sweating so much...it was hot! In between the two games, we made a post office run and went to the little grocery store close by. I didn't buy too many refrigerator things as I didn't think we had time to go home before Hannah's game started. I was able to get through the store quickly and we buzzed home with the groceries. I left the youngers in the van and Bessie and I hauled the groceries in, left most of it in bags and put the perishables in the frig and headed back out. The kids had a snack on the way back to the field.

Hannah's team won 5-0. She plays in the micro level (6 and under), which technically doesn't keep score, but you can bet most of the kids know who scored more goals! The kids played great and Hannah is starting to figure out a little bit about what is going on.

Doesn't she look like she is right on edge waiting for that ball? Happy and hot...she had fun

We were all figuring that a dip in the pool would be the ticket today, but by the time we left the ball field, it has started to rain. I wouldn't have minded letting them swim in the rain, but we had some wild, wonderful thunderstorms to go with it! The rain didn't last too long, but the thunder kept rumbling around. We never did make it to the pool.

I let the kids have their lunch in the living room as they watched a couple videos they had gotten from the library and later in the afternoon they managed a few minutes outside in between the rain showers.

Bessie made taco salad for dinner...yum! After dinner, I rotated everyone through the shower.

I'm working on shifting our hours back to our school season schedule, so everyone went to bed a bit earlier than over the summer.

Pooh Quiz

Like Lisa, my hubby is away, so I also have extra time in the evening for playing on the computer. When I saw this quiz on her blog, I had to try it. I wasn't too surprised by the result!


Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

So, who are you?

Visiting

Today we headed over to Mom and Dad's for the day. Dad had made arrangements with his guitar teacher to give Bessie a tour of his recording studio. Bessie was thrilled with the idea of this. She loves music and Dad has been telling her about all the bells and whistles Jamie has in his studio.

It was hot and humid today...must more like August than September. It is suppose to continue like this through the weekend.

We arrived late morning and had lunch and then Bess and Dad went to Jamie's studio. Bess was quite interested in the whole operation. There was a young woman there recording music for a wedding. He showed her how it all works and gave her a tour. She asked him about doing a course in music production and he said he has done that for students before. She has his card and we will decide whether this would be a good addition to her work load.

While Dad and Bess were gone, the youngers had fun playing at Noona and Papa's. They got out the sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Gabe wanted me to make a hopscotch board on their driveway. He has been wanting to learn how to play and Noona and Papa have a concrete driveway.

Dan blowing some bubbles

Hmmm...trying to remember how to play! It was fun!

Gabe giving it a try

Snack time

We had a fun time and a change in venue is always a good distraction when Bri is away. We were home for dinner and the kids played outside. A very nice full day.

Dan doing his Hulk imitation in the van

Quiet Day

We have yet to have a full day of school! {sigh} We are doing some, a little here, a bit there, but can't quite seem to pull it all off. The days are still too nice and we miss Brian. He was suppose to come home tonight and it will now be at least another week. We have been down this road before, this is nothing new for this military family, but it never seems to get easier.

We are doing well, and enjoying the sunshine and blue skies and as always getting done more than we think. I will continue to plan and organize and we will get to the "full day" part sooner or later.

Gabe spent quite a bit of time today playing Zoo Tycoon. This game continues to entertain us. We found an online site that has a lot of extra downloads for the game...animals, fences, plants, etc. Gabe is working on one of the harder challenges and added a lot of these new items today. He had so much fun.

Darth Gabe

Dino attack Hannah and Rachel...all smiles

We went to the library after lunch. Gabe picked out his two books for participating in the summer reading program and Bessie and I got tote bags for doing the adult program. We got some new books, videos and some fun magazines which were on the "free" shelf.

We spent several hours outside enjoying the warm sun. We got a call from Bri. He is doing well, but missing us.

Gabe and Bess

We picked up after dinner and had a quiet evening.

Test, Test

I think the monitor on my computer is going. The pictures on my blog are looking grainy all of a sudden. I've posted two pictures below...one full-size and one re-sized. I have been told that it doesn't make any difference on line, but I wanted to make sure. So, do they look different?

Moments from our Week

It has been pretty quiet this week. We have been enjoying some wonderful days with warm temps in the day and nice cool temps at night.

We have made trips to the library, post office grocery store and pharmacy. Nothing unusual.

We didn't go to the fair this year. It just didn't seem right without Bri here, plus I'm sure I would have been stressed out trying to keep track of all the kids by myself. I was glad we didn't go, next year will seem even better.

Monday, Mom and Dad came over for a visit. They are so good about coming over when Bri is away to visit and make sure everything is okay.

I finished up my school ordering and tried to get things organized to get back into our full fall schedule. We eased into it a bit this week, but not our full load yet. I don't think any of us are ready to let summer go.

Hannah and Dan enjoy the dollhouse

Popsicles...yum!

Dan tries his hand at "Snoopy"

Dan and Gabe had a bike wash

(good excuse to play with the hose)

Looking at those two!

One day the kids had a scavenger hunt. I would tell them an item to get and they would head out across the yard and find it. They had a great time finding pinecones, rocks, feathers, leaves, bark, ferns and other assorted items. It kept them busy for quite a while.

Soccer season started this week. Hannah and Rachel are playing. Bessie aged out of our athletic associations teams and Dan is too young. Gabe does not enjoy team sports that much. This week he informed me he wants to play golf! Last week it was fencing, although I think he has visions of Star Wars type light saber battles. The little girls enjoy playing and are doing much better than last year. They each had a couple practices. They both have games on Saturday.

We miss you Bri, hope you are having fun while you wait. I'll try and post everyday and take more pics of the kids. Enjoy your time as much as you can. We love you!

Friday....last week!

I'm a bit late with my posts! Yikes!

Brian headed out on another trip yesterday. He has been traveling so much this summer. He enjoys it, but I think he is getting weary of being away from home and I know we miss him so when he is gone.

Today the kids and I spent the day with friends. Deb is a wonderful friend who can always cheer me if I am feeling low about all these kids! She is an older parent like we are...actually even older! LOL They have four bio children and three adoptive children. The little ones are 8, 5 and one! She humbles me. They are in the process of bringing home two more children...13 and 11. They have wonderful hearts for the orphans of this world.

We had a lovely visit. We went on a nice long walk. Gabe borrowed Ben's bike and Ben took his skateboard. It was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed the outing. Bessie and Debbie's daughter Bethany stayed at the house as Jonathan was taking a nap. I think the girls enjoyed some alone time without all those little ones around.

Gabe and Ben "wheeling" along the road

Dan always has to collect quite a few sticks

After we got back to the house, we hooked up the sprinkler and let the kids play. My guys didn't have their swimsuits, but I almost always have extra clothes. The boys especially enjoyed the cooling off.

Gabe dodging the spray

Gabe and Dan cooling off
It is always a pleasure visiting at Deb's home. We stayed long enough to say hi to Dave (her hubby) before we headed back home.