2013 begins

Looking back over the last year I was feeling like I failed at my goal reaching attempts.  But then after talking to my hubby we really did accomplish a lot this year.  The kids have had a great first semester of homeschooling, many of the projects I wanted accomplished were done and we all have grown. So I updated and redid some goals for this year.  We are trying to homestead and provide more of our own food. I feel like this is a way I can contribute to our household.  And as our kids get older we have more hands to help with it!

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!