Time 4 Learning

We started using Time4Learning with our developmentally delayed 8 year old. I absolutely love it for him.  I don't think it is creating advanced genius children, but it is a complete curriculum and easy for him. You have access to three grades so we can have him in the level he needs of school and when he is finished he can keep going. He is learning and enjoys doing school now.  The activities are fun and educational.  The only thing I haven't liked is that the children choose the lesson they do, so I have to sit with Brian and make sure he does enough of each subject.  The other downside is they earn playground time based on the amount of time spent on lessons. I would prefer he earn 2 games for every so many lessons instead of a timer system.  But for $20 a month he is learning and that is what matters the most!

As a member of Time4Learning, I have been given the opportunity to review their program and share my experiences. While I was compensated, this review was not written or edited by Time4Learning and my opinion is entirely my own. For more information, check out theirstandards-based curriculum or learn how to write your owncurriculum review.

Summer is coming to an end already

This hasn't been the year I have planned, but we had the year God planned for us.  Having this list in the back of my mind has helped me feel more focused. Some things are not working the way we planned but some things are working better than ever.

Earl and I have had a couple of dates this summer, one was out to lunch and grocery shopping. But it was time together and that is what is important.

I started an easy chore system, with their chores written on individual index cards. We've been using it a couple of weeks and so far I like it. They have morning, afternoon and evening chores, and the house is cleaner and I am not having to micromanage them. The chores just get done.

April showers bring May flowers!

We had a baby!  April 5th, Ethan Mark was born weighing in at 5 pounds 13 ounces, and 19 inches long!  It hasn't been a great month for goals, my quiet time routine was lost, but we have managed to keep laundry and getting ready.  We are working on finding our new rhythm and keeping going with what we have.  Once again Earl and I didn't get a date night, but what can we do with a new baby?!  We did do a special dinner one night with a movie at home, so that is going to count for me :)  Caroline is learning how to read, we are working through Hooked on Phonics Level one.  Brian's school is coming together, I am learning to tweak things for his needs and he is getting it slowly but surely.  I am going to define the goals I have for kid raising, since they are vague and unobtainable.  I have been drinking lots of water so that is definitely an in progress goal!   

March updates

We are waiting expectantly for baby number 5, but in the last month I've started getting up and showered right away. It really makes a difference in my morning! I don't get up earlier, but by being ready I get more accomplished. Hopefully I'll be able to continue this when the baby is born. The other thing I've done is had Alex flip laundry for me when he wakes up so before I come out of my room I fold a load. This has kept our laundry done and ahead of the game. I love doing it this way!

I also made school packets, all of Alex's lessons stapled together for each day, so now he can just grab and go. It seems to help us get to everything, although he's not completely independent with it yet. He is motivated right now because we will be finished with math and English early May if he doesn't take off while I'm in baby recovery mode.

We went to the beach this month, and the kids went to the park with Grandma and Grandpa, so I'm counting this as park days. We also went to the St. Patrick's Day festival in Emerald Isle as a special trip. Earl and I haven't had a kid-free date, but we've been walking at night and last night we did a date at home in the hot-tub at my parents house, and that's going to be the best we get this month!

February Check-In

February was a busy month and I'm not sure why! Earl and I got to go on a date to Red Lobster which was lots of fun to get out by ourselves. The kids and I played at McDonald's playground, and we went to Pullman Park with Aunt Becky and Uncle Glen. That was lots of fun-we all rode the carousel, and the train, and Daniel got to ride the boats. Then we all played at the park. We learned about weights and balances when everyone took turns on the see-saw to see who could balance it. We didn't get to a field trip, but we had a day trip to Garner to celebrate Caleb's third birthday and go out to dinner!

I printed out our breakfast menu, and posted it on the cabinet. Most of the choices are things we have on a regular basis. I also started freezing leftovers in smaller portions for Earl's lunch, he's much happier and it makes his morning easier!

Mid-February Report

We searched and searched Lejeune Yard Sales and managed to purchase 2 twin beds with mattresses for under $100! Alex got a twin bed with a wooden headboard bookshelf, very similar to our bunk beds. Daniel was moved into the bottom bunk of a twin bed and the three boys are sharing a room! Caroline got a futon-bunk bed, it's black iron and she loves it! I love that we have a full bed if we need it when we have company. She is in her own room now, and loving the privacy. I told her when the baby is bigger she will have to share with him for a while, but she doesn't care!

We have done terrible at developing a morning routine, so that is not anywhere near accomplished this month. We have improved our breakfast routines, so I will work on a formal list and that will be our accomplished habit for the month!

One month down!

Well this was not the month I expected. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, so I am learning the fast way how to eat healthier! My goal is to learn good habits that I keep after the baby is born so that I will continue to lose weight and be healthier. I have a few friends that are keeping me accountable which is a huge help. For now I am following this diet- which seems to keep me satisfied and my sugar at the right levels.

I am still continuing with the 3650 reading program, I haven't been every day but it's been consistent and I've enjoyed it a lot! It's hard to believe I've read nearly 300 chapters of the Bible in just one month.

We did two field trips this month, one to the Tobacco Museum in Durham and one to the Wastewater treatment plant in New Bern (it's actually today, so I can't share how umm. interesting it is yet.)

Since meal planning is still going great on Google, I am going to work on morning routines this month for me and the kids.

Halfway through January thoughts

So we are halfway through January, and I thought I'd share how I'm doing so far. We have been to the park twice this month so far! One time to a high-tech park in Swansboro and the other to the Commons Park in Jacksonville. '

I did pull Daniel out of school and we are so far using Preschool handwriting without tears with him and lots of play. Hopefully we will find more he enjoys soon. He is so little I don't worry about it much yet.

Meal planning is coming along nicely! I found out I can use my google calendar to "schedule" my meals. It helps to get the e-mail reminder to plan for it and see it on my igoogle!

I've been doing a daily Bible reading, based on Professor Grant Horner's 3650 challenge that is reading ten chapters a day in different books. I didn't think I could do it, but I am really enjoying it!

Finally, I got a straw cup for Christmas, and drink a ton of water with it now! Hopefully that will continue :)