Happy New Years

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Years Eve!!!!

On a short note...we decided to celebrate early.

We did several things to kick off the celebration...a combination of chores and goals!

1. Decided it would be fun to run ten miles into the new year. I really wish now we would of done 11 miles for 2011 but we didn't think about it at the time.

2. We took down all of the Christmas Decorations and carried the tree down the ravine which is a tradition. The boys had fun carrying it with dad plus they checked out the cove that's down there by the lake.

3. Logan had to get his reading assignment. In less than, a week he went from not being able to read a single word to reading very simple sentences.

4. I decluttered my wardrobe and decided to get rid of a lot of old clothes.

5. Leroy and the boys had some bonding time shooting his pellet gun.

6. I didn't spend any money this week but leroy had a couple of slip ups.

7. All the kids ate their dinner and we meet another goal leading up to New Years. We sat down as a family and ate together.

8. We also read scriptures at the dinner table as a family for the whole week as well.

9. So, we meet several goals.

10. Time to celebrate. Leroy took the kids to the border and bought fireworks to celebrate reaching our accomplishments.

11. So, we celebrated early...I can't wait to meet our new goals for the year.

12. Also, I'm working hard on my new weight loss plan. I'm hoping to drop five pounds by the end of Jan.

Marshmallow Sciene

What do with the kids when it's too cold to go outside to play... a pratical sciene experiemnt. I told a good friend that we would not be joining them to Jump zone today becuase I told my hubby I wouldn't not spend any money this week. It really sucks to pass up a good opportunity to spend it with friends and even harder to tell someone you can't do something becuase you don't have money. Life stinks sometimes. I really fighting the urge not to run to the store for every little thing. So, I came across this idea at ABC-123 blog and here's the link to the blog, if you want to do the same thing.

The kids loved this idea...We decided to be smart and use the marshmallows that I have in the cabinet left over from Xmas and some old Halloween Peeps. The boys were so excited...what boy wouldn't be excited about playing with a candle of course with proper supervision. We discussed all the different aspects of how a flame works, why does the marshmallow burn faster when it's closer to the flame, we talked about how the marshmallow changes when it's heated up. I could go on but I don't want to bore you with all the details...you get my point.

I came to the conclusion that you don't need money to have fun and it sucks having to tell a friend "no" becuase you don't have the money. I'm really working hard on fighting the urge not to run to the store everytime I want something for the kids. Plus, being my kids teacher is very rewarding and fun!

Logan's Reading Tree

I never thought this day would come...Landon was reading before he started Kindergarten so I was hoping for the same thing for Logan but that didn't happened. His teacher told me not to worry but I wouldn't lie it concerned. Since Logan started school in the fall...I would pull out my Phonics Pathways book which is the same book that I used wtih Landon. He flat out refused to do it. So, on Monday...I decided to give it another try. Sure enough...he was sounds out simple short vowel words.

I love how this book is set up. The directions are very clear and simple to follow. The student learns how to read by using strictly phonics not sight words. Logan's class has been working on sight words which are great but it's not really reading it's just memorizing words. It really gives a child a false sense of reading. As soon as a child comes across a word that he doesn't know it freaks them out. I think both methods have their merits but I love this program.

To keep Logan's attention and help him see his progress. I came up with this great idea. We made a tree on his bedroom door. For every words, he can sound out and read he gets a leaf to put on his door. He only has about ten minute attention span. This is really helping. Logan is reading one page in the morning and one page right before bed. After reading each word, he writes down the word on a leaf...but I decided to change this up. I have him write up to six words and I do the rest. It was a little bit to much of reading and writing in one session.

I'm so proud of him. Reading is hard work but Logan's reading confidence is getting better each day. It wouldn't be long and he will be reading by himself.

4 years ago

Leah was finally evicted...after weeks of false labor. I finally gave up trying to go into labor on my own. It only took the doctor breaking my water for Leah to make her grand entrance. I think I was in labor for a total of four hours. Let me just preface...I wasn't overdue. My boys only weighed about 7 lbs each. I have know idea where she came from...the german side of my husband's family. Is the only thing I can think of...because it's four years later and she's still a big girl!

Birthday

9 lbs 4 oz

4 years old

38 pounds

On a side note...I just finished making Leah's birthday cake. The look on her face explains it all.

Free Canvas Gift

A really cool Christmas gift to all of my friends.

One free 8x10 canvas print...it's $50 value.

You still have to pay for shipping but's still an awesome deal.

I decided to go ahead and order my favorite picture of my little girl to hang up in her room.

Click here, if you want to save $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ money!