Home School

When we moved to Parkdale our Pre-school options were limited. If I wanted options I was going to have to be willing to drive a lot so I decided that it would be best to home school. It turned out to be a good decision because we are moving again and things are all up in the air right now. I found a program and order the CD with a 9 month curriculum. It is called ABC Home Pre-School and if anyone wants it after I am done with it just let me know. The program is filled with worksheets and activities that covers reading, writing, arithmetic, science and social studies. The program is divided up by months and what you need to cover during that time. (super easy to follow)

So this was our first day and Natalie loved it. As soon as we were done with today's lesson she asked if she could do tomorrows. Natalie had 1 year of pre-school already which has helped me because she has the basics and is remembering quickly the stuff she had learned. For her age are big thing will be working on reading words and learning the sounds of the letters. I am hoping this will help prepare her for Kindergarten.

Katelyn did so well for her age but I have decided that it is best if I don't go over an hour because she will lose her focus after that. She is still pretty young and still has two and a half year before she goes to Kindergarten so I just let her do what she can. She did trace the dotted line letters but didn't want to write any of her own. She is really not that excited about school so it just may turn into a coloring hour for her This fall when Natalie is in school I can just work with her and give her one on one attention and maybe she will be more into it then.

New bike

We got Natalie a new bike and of course it has princesses all over it. Funny thing though the barbie helmet was the only one that fit so it is not all the same theme. This was a problem for me but Paul said I just need to get over it.

As soon as we got home Natalie was ready to go so Paul took her back and forth around the driveway. She did really good except she kept pushing backwards on the pedals at random times so she would all of a sudden come to a screeching halt.

I felt really bad for Katelyn because she is the second child and she gets the hand-me-down trike from Natalie. I told Paul that I wanted to buy Kate a bike too but when we put her on one she didn't like it. Paul said she isn't ready which I know she's not but I felt bad about the hand-me-downs. Paul says that's just life and I buy plenty of new stuff for Kate. I always got hand-me-downs and I know that it is what it is but I hated it so when it is reasonable I buy new for Kate too.

As I read through this I want to make it clear that yes I do spoil my kids and I don't have a problem saying that....sometimes haha. I am however teaching my kids to be nice and grateful for what they have....hopefully. Natalie told me a few days ago that I say "no" to much and I need to learn to say yes more. I laughed and said "no". HAHA I told Paul that is proof that they aren't that spoiled.

Natalie's moves

I caught Natalie on the back porch dancing and singing but by the time I could tape her she saw me so it is not as cute as before I could tape her. I had to post this for Emily so she could see that Natalie is improving....not by much but anything is an improvement. Natalie has no grace or rhythm at all....takes after dad!!!!

Sick kids

We had a couple days of laying around due to the girls being sick. I think blankets covered the living room floor for about three days. Natalie got sick first and I know this is really bad to say but I love it when she is sick. She takes like four naps a day and still goes to sleep on time. I could really get a lot done on those days except normally I just lay on the living room floor with them. With Natalie getting sick first I knew Katelyn wasn't too far behind. In the past I hated it when Kate got sick because that meant 24 hours of whining but this time no whining.....just more sleeping!! I guess know matter what I shouldn't complain because I can't even remember the last time my kids got sick. I think that it has been at least over a year. I have always had really healthy kids....I am so lucky in that area of parenthood.

Ride

So today I thought I would brave it and I took my first motorcycle ride. I...of course was not driving but I was holding so tight to Paul that I think I might have bruised some of his ribs. haha I think the whole motorcycle thing is definitely a guy thing. I don't get it....it wasn't that much fun in my opinion. The worst part is the turns I felt like I was about to fall off so my survival instincts kicked in and I was leaning away from the road....silly me! As soon as we got back home Paul informed me that you are suppose to lean into the turns. I don't think so!!!! The other thing I didn't realize was how heavy the helmets are. I seriously need to work on my neck muscles before I do that again. Although I think it might be a while before I take another ride and I don't think Paul with be offering any time soon. He couldn't understand why I was screaming so much and he said that I make it harder for him to drive. I am just glad that we made it home and I can check off death defying act off my bucket list now.

Spring time clothes

Our whole family got some needed new clothes. OK maybe the girls didn't need them but I couldn't help myself. Gymboree had some really cute clothes and I had a coupon!! The girls had to try on their clothes the second they were out of the box.....of course! I also got their Easter dresses there and Paul's comment was "well good thing we got those or else we would have had to cancel Easter". I love having a husband that doesn't really mind that I buy my kids cute clothes. He says that I treat them like my dolls and dress them up all the time but if you had cute kids like mine who wouldn't want to dress them up! I love the tutu for Kate and the shirt has alligators on it so it is not too girly because that is who Kate is. She loves the girly stuff but definitely has a strong tomboy streak in her. Natalie saw the tutu and asked where is mine but I want it to be pink. She is all girl and she was a little sad when I told her she didn't get one.

Good Day!!

I don't have any pictures for this post but it was a good day so I thought I would document it. We signed papers on the old house today!!! We are no longer responsible for two houses and what a load off! Although.....because we are working with the state we still have up to another 4 weeks before all the money transactions are done but I don't have to worry if the old house burns or not. Natalie has decided that she doesn't like Buster's name anymore and came down stairs and inform Paul and I that his new name is Hod-chi. I spelled it how it sounds because I have no idea where she got the name from so I had no reference to look at. So all day long when we would call Buster name was right on our heels saying "no.....he has a new name......remember". I got new jeans in the mail and they were too big....anything too big is awesome!!! It does suck that I have to send them back but I will get over that. Katelyn has gone two nights in a row with a dry pull-up! We are on our way to being completely potty trained. She just has to go potty before bed and we are good. I am not going to say that pull-up are behind us yet but we are getting closer. Overall it was a good day, we got to spend time as a family and enjoy the day.