More pictures and Homeschooling

First Part - Pictures!

... because that's the main purpose for this blog!

Alvin is learning card tricks. He wants to be a magician and laments over not living in a magical world. 

This is his magician's hat.

Jackson loves his binky.

He also loves being propped up. We're looking into getting him toys for his BebePod. 

Alex is still learning to sew. This project is about weaving. We were learning how to weave paper and learning how threads are woven to make fabric. 

In this picture, he is sewing a star shape with yarn through thin foam. 

This is Rilie covered in dirt.

This is Rilie enjoying a soda bought by Great Grandpa Welsh. 

Soccer: Alvin loves it. Alex does not. 

Alvin and Alex are playing soccer this fall. We haven't played a sport in a long time. This league only lasts for 8 weeks, so we thought we'd give it a try again.

Alvin LOVES soccer. He is actually really good. Alex is even better... but doesn't care for it. He's not an "organized sports" kind of guy. Alvin's teammates called him their good luck charm and have him rub their shin guards during the game for good luck!

It's such a miracle to watch Alvin play. 

Six months ago, he could barely keep up with his peers when running. 

I am so glad we gave chiropractics a try. 

He is no longer in pain and enjoying so many activities with kids his age. 

An amazing blessing to everyone, most importantly him!

Grandpa & Grandma Anderson came to visit!

Is there a better place to sleep?

(Huckleberry Lemonade... Mmmmm... need I say more?)

Alex scrapped his shin really good, but we got him to smile. 

This is a slick slide! 

If you haven't learned how to run past a tire swing and not get knocked in the head... 

you haven't experienced childhood. 

Enjoy family!

Great Grandma & Grandpa Welsh.

Snuggling with my baby. 

Kael & Jackson with grandparents. 

All the most the grandbabies.

Adam and Andrea's family picture... with Rilie. 

No shot is complete with out him :)

And ours... 

I really need to think about how I look before these... sheesh!

Jackson's favorite spot! Looking at family photos. 

He is cooing in this picture.

This is his "pondering" face. 

Now he has an idea he will share with us. 

All in all, it's been a great autumn. I've brought my camera to so many activities and taken 0 pictures. I just don't have enough hands to keep up with Rilie, hold Jackson, and take a picture. Alvin and Alex aren't forgotten... they just don't require an arm... most of the time. 

Second Part: Homeschooling.

Subjects

Reading - 20 minute reading lesson (Explode the Code); 20 - 30 minutes child reading to me (Sonlight Readers); 30 minutes being read to (chapter books - generally something that goes along with our history or a classic, preferably both!)

Writing - 30 minutes (Writing with Ease)

Math - 30 - 60 minutes (Math U See, sometimes combined with something fun from the Costco work books and Wrap Ups).  

History - Formal lesson 60 - 90 minutes/2x week (Story of the World). Also, we spatter the week with books, art projects, online activities, National Geographic/PBS specials, audio books, and family readings associated to our history lesson.  

Homeschool Co-Op - Reading, Writing, Science, Spanish, PE, and Art. 

PE - Soccer

The boys love homeschool. I must be honest, I'm waiting for the day when they realize their mom is crazy and would rather go to school. I'm hard on them. I snap. We don't have regular friends we hang out with on a regular basis (like friends in a classroom). With that said, I do love homeschooling them. I just don't know why they like it. They got away with so much at school... apparently they wanted more from their day. A couple days ago, we had a mini discussion about this while coloring together.

Mom: Do you guys miss school?

Boys: No. 

Mom: Did your teachers ever snap like mommy?

Boys: Oh no! Our teachers were really nice, they'd never yell at us.

Mom: Do you wish you went to school?

Boys: No. 

Mom: If your teachers were nice, then why?

Boys: Because you're crazy and it's fun. 

I guess crazy wins out as long as it's fun! Ha! 

On top of it all, I'm trying to be conscientious of getting out and making friends. Alex is an extrovert, so this is our line up: Church, Cub Scouts (Alvin), Soccer, soon Swimming, Homeschool Co-Op, trips to the park... once we settle into our schedule we'll join the homeschool field trips put on by our community. We are busy. But, it is super fun!