life as we know it: August 2012

8.23.2012

{b.i.f. fourteen}

After I changed Olivia's diaper today, I stood her up and gave her a kiss. I said, "Livi Lu, how could I love you any more than I do?!"

She then proceeded to pucker up her lips and give me a big kiss.

That'll do it. :)

8.22.2012

{curriculum plan 2012-2013}

We started school on Monday! I always find curriculum plans interesting, so I thought I would post ours for this school year.

Claire {4th grade}

Math: Saxon Math 5/4 I find it slightly crazy that Claire has moved into "middle grades" math {she's not that old, is she?!}. We did Saxon for grades K-2, and we tried Math-U-See last year. While I really enjoyed how simple MUS was to navigate last year, I continually felt like it wasn't a good fit for our family.

Saxon is an extremely facts-based program. Sometimes I think it's slightly overbearing when it comes to math facts, but after using MUS last year, there really wasn't any continual facts practice written into the curriculum. I know as the parent/teacher, I could have/should have pushed it myself while using MUS, but looking back, I really liked it being a part of the daily program. I also like that at the 4th grade level, DIVE CDs can be purchased and used for daily instruction with Saxon. It's definitely not a curriculum that fits everyone's style, but I'm a fan...for now. :)

Reading: We have used Sonlight's reading program since 1st grade, and I have been nothing but impressed with it. She will be reading the 4th-5th grade readers for this school year!

Language Arts: Harcourt Language Grade 4 I've been really disappointed with the language arts options that I've seen {maybe I'm not seeing the right ones!!}. Last year, after I felt like my head was going to explode, I decided to purchase a classroom-style language arts book. I still don't feel like it's the perfect solution to our language arts goals, but I really like the set up of the lessons and that it has reviews and tests. And, it only cost about $5 {including shipping} for a used text book. Love that.

We're also going to give Easy Grammar a try. We'll see if it lives up to it's name. :)

History/Geography/Read Alouds: We'll be using Sonlight's Core C this year. It is Intro to World History, Year 2 of 2. We did year 1 a couple of years ago and took a little break. I love, love, love Sonlight's choice of history books and read alouds. The read alouds have become some of our very favorite books. If you're ever looking for great reads for your kids, Sonlight's website is a great resource even if you don't use their curriculum.

Science: Apologia Botany We did Apologia Astronomy last year and the girls really seemed to like it. We're going to try botany this year and work through a lapbook. I haven't done any lapbooks in the past, but I think the girls will enjoy doing one!

Handwriting: We've done A Reason for Handwriting in the past. I've decided that I still think handwriting is important, and I want my kiddos to keep practicing! Claire will be doing level D.

Typing: Typing is obviously not going anywhere anytime soon. Typing Instructor was recommended to us by several people.

Art: Claire is taking an art class at our local elementary school once a week along with a regular 4th grade class. She loves art, and we're excited to offer her a weekly class to challenge her!

Gym: The girls will be participating in the gym class that is offered in conjunction with our weekly co-op. They will also be taking swim lessons this fall.

Co-op: This year in their co-op classes, the girls will be studying space, art appreciation through literature, critical thinking, and performance. Should be a fun year!

Meredith {2nd grade}

Math: Meredith will be using Saxon's math program as well. We'll be skimming through Saxon Math 1 and moving into Saxon Math 2 once we're finished with level 1. I decided to go ahead and do the parts of 1 that I thought would benefit her since math isn't her strongest subject.

Reading: While math isn't Meredith's best subject, reading is. Meredith will be finishing up the Sonlight 3rd grade readers during the first half of the year, and she'll begin the same curriculum that Claire is reading now.

Language Arts: Harcourt Grade 2.

History/Geography/Read Alouds: Same as Claire.

Science: Same as Claire.

Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting, Level B.

Gym/Co-op: Same as Claire.

Hope you've enjoyed a peek into our school year!

8.15.2012

{old friends and new friends}

This blog entry has been begging to be posted for about 6 weeks now. I know, I know...I'm behind this summer as always.

We were able to get together with two of my best friends from high school at the beginning of July. Between the 3 of us, we have 8 kids with 1 on the way {7 girls/2 boys}. The older girls always enjoy playing together, and this year they were excited to have Grayson to play with as well!

Claire, Meredith, Harper, Amelia, Grayson.

They all enjoyed jumping off the pier over and over and over and over and over again.

G needed a little help. :) And just look at how cute Rachel is when she's preggers.

Julie and I have been friends since kindergarten {28 years ago}, and Rachel moved to town at the end of 6th grade {22 years ago}. As you can imagine, we have lots of memories together, and it's a whole lot of fun to make new ones!! As always, it was so nice catching up with you girls, and I'm so glad that our kiddos get to play together from time to time!

8.13.2012

{b.i.f. thirteen}

As I was wiping Amelia's bottom today, I said to her, "When are you going to start wiping your own bottom?"

Answer..."Maybe when I'm 15."

I was thinking more like next week.

8.03.2012

{10 years}

So, last Friday, Josh and I celebrated 10 fabulous years of marriage. I could not be more thankful to have such a loyal and loving husband. I know I say it over and over, but we have been blessed beyond measure in this life.

One of these days, I'm thinking I'll have to do an in-depth post about all of the things I've learned and the ways I've grown up since I was that girl in the wedding dress. :) Can't wait to see how much we'll grow in the next 10!!

So, for our 10 year anniversary, we took an absolutely beautiful vacation to the Riviera Maya in Mexico. We spent 6 days and 5 nights at an all-inclusive resort with some of our best friends, Dave and Deanna. It.was.fabulous.

We sat on the beach, read a ton, and swam by day. And we played Settlers of Catan by night. {Side note: I did not win at Catan, but I did score 9 points during one game, and that in itself felt like a huge victory.} Although the food wasn't overly impressive at our resort, we did much better with our food choices by the end of the week! We learned that Mexicans know how to do chicken, potatoes, and guacamole. :)

Other than Deanna puking while she was para-sailing and me leaving my kindle on the beach during a rainstorm, we had a perfectly relaxing and memorable trip. I would like to say a special thank you to the people in room 1220 who promptly returned my kindle unscathed. {I was internally freaking out because I have no password protections on any of my Amazon, facebook, and email accounts on my kindle...yikes!!}

The weather was perfect, our traveling buddies were excellent, and our flights/customs were uneventful. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

8.01.2012

{menu plan: august 2012}

Wow...August already!! I'm not quite sure who said that we could rush through July so quickly, but we're here already. I have quite a bit to post about in the coming weeks regarding our lovely summer.

Obviously, we've been enjoying our lazy days and blogging has taken a backseat {as has been the case each and every July since I started blogging}. I think next year, I'll just give myself permission NOT to blog in July. Then, if I happen to blog something, that would be truly impressive. :)

I menu planned yesterday and shopped last night. It feels great to be ahead of the month already!

August 1-4

1: fiesta chicken burritos {crock pot}

2: baked sweet and sour chicken {new}

3: cinnamon french toast bake {new}

4: english muffin mini-pizzas

August 5-11

5: homemade pretzels {bridal shower day}

6: fajitas

7: no cooking

8: eggs, bacon, and toast

9: amy's sensational summer salad