A is for Abigail by Lynne Cheney

Our Weekly Book Review

Julia (6) and I are starting a new venture together!  We are going to review one children's book a week for the duration of the summer.

This week we chose A is for Abigail by Lynne Cheney.  We have been reading lots of great historical books this summer to prepare us for Classical Conversations this upcoming year.

This 2003 book is an almanac of amazing American women over the past 200 years.  It starts with Abigail Adams in 1776...and each letter of the alphabet is dedicated to an American Female Hero!  From Elizabeth Blackwell (the first woman to earn a medical degree) to the woman athlete of the year (6 all time winner) Babe Didrikson Zaharias.  

I loved how this book featured well over 200 amazing women from all different walks of life, careers, and races.  All of the women talked about in the book have added to our awesome melting pot in American history.  And I really enjoyed traveling through time from 200 years ago to present times.  I got to share with Julia people I was familiar with like Rosa Parks, Mary Lou Retton, Hellen Keller, Susan B. Anthony, Oprah Winfrey, Ella Fitzgerald, Laura Ingalls, and countless others.  I also learned a bit of history myself!

Julia loved the illustrations and especially loved the picture of all the First Ladies starting with Martha Washington and ending with Laura Bush.  And she loved the all the famous actresses, especially Shirley Temple!  She really liked all the historical facts that you could learn by studying little tid bits from each person's life.

Our favorite quotes in the book were, "I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman!" by Helen Reddy.

Julia liked: "Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do.Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." by Ella Fitzgerald.

This book will teach you a lot of women history (something we really don't read a lot about in our history books) and fill you with tons of pride for our country and the women who have made it so wonderful!

Julia and I give this book 5 stars ***** and recommend it to all young readers! 

P.S. Even Mark was reading it over our shoulders!  Although he did ask, "How come there aren't any boys in this book?!"  (Julia and I thought that was cute and we had to tell you!)

To order this book from Amazon go to:

http://www.amazon.com/Abigail-Almanac-Amazing-American-Women/dp/0689858191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405975882&sr=8-1&keywords=a+is+for+abigail+an+almanac+of+amazing+american+women

or click here

Why We Love DEAR Time

Drop Everything And Read

School is out.  Summer has begun.  But as a teacher by trade and a Mom who likes her children to succeed and grow and continue learning no matter the season, we will be reading every day this summer.

First of all, my kids love the library, they love books, and they love reading.  I wrote this exact post almost 3 years ago, and my son was only 2 at the time and my daughter was only 3.  I started bringing Julia to the library by the time she turned 6 months for the baby story time class.  I started bringing Marky when he was 4 months.  I think Micah was 2 weeks old the first time he went on his first trip to the library!

Click here to read that post.

Now, reading is a whole new ball game!  Both of them are actually READING!  Julia started reading fluently this year in First Grade (technically she's a Kindergartner by age by I homeschooled her a year early because at 4 1/2 she was ready for Kindergarten material).  Mark started reading mid year and he is in Pre-K.  He just turned 5, 2 weeks ago.  

Before when we did DEAR time they were choosing books they loved hearing and reviewing the pages and reliving the stories by memory.  (A great starting point for babies and toddlers).  I will never forget picking up Julia from Sunday School class when she was 3 and hearing her teacher say, "Julia CAN read already?"  Julia was in the middle of the floor "reading" a book.  "Well," I answered, "Not quite, she's using her imagination, looking at the pages, and predicting what the story is about."  But because she was such an animated reader she even had the adults fooled!!!

Why Allotted Reading Time Works

1. My kids like to predict what they are doing next!  Since they know we do DEAR time 20 minutes before nap time, they grab their pile of books, maybe a pillow and get comfy on the rug or couch.  It's just part of our calm down routine in the afternoon.

2. Start kids young! Micah, who's only 1,  walks around during this reading time and listens to each big kid read.  He even joins them sometimes for a snuggle or he sits in my lap and wants me to read to him.

3. The kids can ask me how to pronounce words they don't know!  They are broadening their vocabulary by choice!  I just love it!

4. The kids ask me questions about the plot and characters or information they are reading.  It's like a school lesson without it being planned.  This past week Julia chose a human body book for kids and it showed how a baby grows and gets nourishment inside the mother's body, how it breathes, why it cries when it is born, etc.  Julia was amazed!  We talked about that for a lot during reading time and afterwards.  It was a great learning time for her.

5. Encourages the young ones to model the good reading they hear.  Mark is so determined to read Julia grade level books now!  He is pushing himself to read harder material because he sees her enjoyment of reading.

6. It gives parents (Moms) a time to read a magazine, a devotional, the Bible and model good reading to the kids.  Our kids should always see us learning more, and gaining knowledge.  We want them to see that reading and research and learning is a life skill, that it is important and that there is incredible value.  We have to model it!

7. It encourages my kids to want to read even more throughout the day because if they start a book they haven't finished they bring it to nap time and read it, or they wake up and want to finish it.  It cuts out "I'm bored!"  And it limits TV time.  We rarely watch tv during the day.  I want my kids playing outside, using their imagination, or reading, writing or coloring.  I don't want them in front of an IPAD or TV.  Seriously.  I don't.

How to Start it:

1. Grab some books for your kids.

2. Set the timer! We started at 10-15 minutes when they were 2 and 3, now we go for 20-30 minutes.  You know what your kids can handle.

3. Choose a cozy spot.  Add pillows, a favorite blanket or beach towel or find a soft rug.

4. Set some reading rules: Read quietly, Whisper read, After you finish a book start a new one, do not get up from your cozy spot, do not disturb your friends aka siblings, etc.

5. Model reading with them!

6. Try to do it at least once a day at the same time to start a routine!

Happy Reading!

Kids Love A Challenge!

Our Reading Challenge

Happy April!!!!

Doesn't every kid love a good challenge?  Mine sure do! In fact as a teacher in the classroom years back, I think one thing that made me a good teacher is that I was always looking for additional ways to stretch my students and challenge them to learn more, grow more, and do better.

Julia and Mark and I are winding down the school year.  All we have left are about 25 Math lessons, 3 Spelling Lessons, and a few pages in our reader.  We will be done with our Bible Curriculum on May 1st when Awana is finished.  Right now we are enjoying learning about Amy Carmichael  (Julia's extra credit Awana booklet since she finished the original book in Dec.)

I wanted to think of ways we can continue to learn over the summer months since we will be done with school mid May (but we will start Aug. 4th our Fall Semester before baby arrives).  Julia and Mark love the library and love to read so I created a Reading Challenge.

Each week we will visit the library at least once a week (Monday seems to work well for us).  The kids can stock up on some books, and in addition read some books from our own collection.  The goal is for Julia to read 20 books a week (she read 5 today so I do not think this will be a problem).  Mark's goal is 7 books a day since we basically do most of the reading for Mark still.

There is now a Longaberger basket by our front door for all of the library books and DVD's we take out (the basket ensures that we don't put library books on our own bookshelves and cause mommy to have late fees)  It's also easy access so when we know our next library trip is coming up we grab our books to be returned and stock up on the new ones.

We have a clipboard and paper to be attached to the basket with a pen.  And each week the kids get to tally up how many books they read.  They must reach their assigned goal but they are of course allowed to go over.  If they complete their goal for the week then on Friday/Saturday they will get a special reward.  This reward will change from time to time.  Like this week I have two coupons to Baskin Robbins so on Friday I will take them out to ice cream if they reach their goal.  But next week we may just run to Dollar Tree for a prize.

I'm super excited about our Reading Challenge!  I explained all the rules today in the car after we left the library and the kids read their books for the rest of the day.  Like I said....this will not be a problem!  I set attainable goals and having a reward each week will be fun for all of us!  We are excited to finish the rest of the school year strong!

Happy Reading!

Happy Birthday Micah Quiz!

Micah Boy Quiz

We always do a quiz that we print out and give to all the guests at the big family birthday party.  This year all 53 guests got this quiz:

Happy Birthday, Micah boy!

1.    What was Micah’s birth weight?

2.    At 3 weeks old what did Micah weigh?

3.    When did he start to army crawl?

4.    What month did he start to climb the stairs?

5.    What did he weigh at his 4 month visit?

6.    What was Micah’s first vacation?

7.    How many siblings does Micah have?

8.    When did he start walking?

9.    What does he drink in his sippy cup?

10.          What is his favorite dinner???

11.          Fruit or veggies?

12.          How did Micah do at his photography cake smash shoot?

13.          Who does Micah resemble the most in the family?

14.          How many great-grandparents does Micah have?

15.          What words does Micah say?

16.          Who does Micah enjoy playing with the most?

17.          Who gives Micah the most attention?

18.          What is Micah’s favorite song?

19.          How many hours does Micah sleep at night in his crib?

20.          How much does Micah weigh now?

21.          What is Micah’s favorite bedtime book?

*********************************************** Answers

1. 9.2lbs

2. 11 lbs

3. 2 months

4. 6 months

5. 20 lbs

6. Camp of the Woods

7. 3 (2 older and one on the way)

8. 9 months old

9. apple juice with water and coconut milk

10. spaghetti

11. veggies

12. fail-he ignored the cake

13. Julia

14. 3!!! We are so blessed (they all came to the party!)

15. hi, mama, dada, iron man, ball, all done

16. Mark

17. Julia

18. Itsy bitsy spider

19. 9 hours

20. 23lbs

21. Caps For Sale

Teaching Your Child How To Read Without Knowing It

Mark Is Reading

I have vowed that with Mark I would not push him as hard as I did Julia.  I was trying to teach Julia to read before she was 2.  We did TV programs like Your Baby Can Read, we bought Hooked on Phonics, we started homeschooling her at age 3 with curriculum and used How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons...and guess what it wasn't easy and she did not learn from any of those methods.

I was an over eager parent seeking to get her ahead of the game and be the poster child for reading at the age of _____! Whatever I thought would get me an award or a pat on the back I'm sure. Needless to say I got very frustrated.  Julia didn't start really reading until the end of last year (Kindergarten), and is now reading well as a First Grader.  What was the rush?

I think I was so determined to do it right with the first kid that I ended up doing it wrong.  So this post is really a post on what not to do and how by not doing any of what I did with Julia (of course I had good intentions) and just going with my gut with Mark.

Mark was not ready to homeschool at age 2 or 3.  He wouldn't write like Julia.  He wouldn't practice his words like Julia, and he didn't memorize like Julia.  And I didn't push it.  I wanted to, but I held back and let him enjoy circle time, reading book time, library time, etc.  I never made him do school unless he seemed like he was interested.

This year, oh my word.  I can not find enough curriculum to contain this kid.  We do school in shifts and Mark begs for his turn and wants to keep going and going and going, and mommy gets so tired.  He is only in pre-k doing Kindergarten reading and First grade Math.  And it has been all on his own.  He has wanted to and he has shown interest.  I can't tell you how many trips I've made to the teacher store buying him more books to keep him busy and satisfied.  He's like this learning sponge that won't be quenched.  It's a great problem to have.  So here is how I think it happened.

Read Books Daily and Visit Libraries Often

Family reading time is our favorite, that and eating ice cream and tickle fests.  Since the kids were in the womb we have read to them.  Even now with Micah at 8:00 pm, we sit on the floor with a pile of books and read to him.  He walks around the room sits on all of our laps and points to the books he likes and we all read.  There are always books that babies choose as their favorites and Micah has these two flap books that I literally have to read 5 times each and he keeps pointing and asking for "again".  

Mark and Julia are on to novels now.  Currently we are reading The Pilgrim's Progress for little kids and we read a chapter a night.  We do not skip a night or a word in the book.  They love it.  We also visit our public library at least once a week and sometimes twice because now Micah really loves going there!  Julia and Mark are allowed to go into the older preschool class by themselves.  Parents sit outside the door and wait for them.  The big kids love going and they love telling me what the theme of the day was and what books the teacher read to them.  I have found that the more I expose the kids to the library and reading they just want more and more books.

Journaling

Since August we have filled up composition notebooks with journaling.  I bought the kind of book where there is space for a picture and then lines for words.  The kids LOVE journal time.  I started out the year by picking the topics but now they like to pick their own.  They draw a picture and then write sentences describing their topic.  I started out the year writing for them as they dictated to me but now Julia writes on her own, and Mark likes to do some words on his own.  The beauty of journaling is they are becoming their own writers, they are making up ideas, writing stories, and creating on their own.  They are broadening their vocabulary and using spelling words.  I can't wait to look back on these journals in a few years and smile at them.  They are works of art.  

Special Sounds

I believe Mark picked up reading just by exposing him to books, the library, and special sounds (Abeka curriculum)  For example ch is a special sound like in church, watch, chirp, and check.  We do flash cards 3 times a week and the kids take turns and love practicing.  We make a game out of it.  These special sounds help them to read not just one word but begin sounding out many other words they come into contact with.  I have found that constant practice and consistency has been my best friend.

Spell Everything

Some homeschoolers do not believe in taking the time to teach spelling words.  I am not one of them.  I want my kids to know how to spell and to build their vocabulary so we do spelling words each week.  We have completed our spelling curriculum for the year and we still review and practice and now make stories and write sentences from our spelling words.  Mark doesn't do spelling yet.  However, he will next year.  Mark is a spell-a-holic.  Every where we go he is spelling things for me, sounding things out, and reading signs, posts, bill boards, posters, cereal boxes, magazines, comics.  He loves to spell!  It can be very annoying though.  Sometimes we have to tell him it's time to eat right now we are not spelling!  He is so over zealous.  

I refuse to not feed this desire he has so instead of waiting til first grade to start spelling, my little happy kindergartner will do it next year!  I feel like, if he is ready, and he is willing and able, I will not hold back!

Just when I think my son and daughter are the smartest and most intelligent kids in the world they bring me right back down to earth.  Mark in the tub tonight told me when he grows up he is going to definitely be a super hero, it's a toss up between iron man or bat man....he thinks bat man because he gets the poison ivy lady.  It's times like that I remember they are normal kids, growing up like the rest of kids everywhere, happy to just be loved, alive, and learn and play.

The Jesus Story Book Bible

The gospel safely into the hands of our children...

It is so important to John and I that our children learn about God by reading the Bible.  Right now they need an age appropriate Bible that they can grow with and read the stories of the Bible and understand how God created the world, how He created us, how much He loves us, why Jesus came to earth, and how Jesus will come back!  We want them to learn the gospel message, that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and that our Savior Jesus is truly a hero!

I want them to want to read the Bible.  So many children's Bibles are too simplistic, or not engaging, or they skip around so much it's hard to find the true flow of the Bible from Old Testament to New Testament.  Until now!!!

A friend of mine from my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class has three children also ages 10, 8, and 6.  And she highly recommended I buy this for my kids.  I bought it today, and we LOVE it.  My 5 year old daughter can NOT put it down.  She keeps reading it out loud to us.  She loves it!

So if you are still needing a Christmas gift idea...here is a great one for little kids!  I bought my copy at Barnes and Noble!  It was very reasonable...only $16.

Countdown to Christmas

Making Life Wonderful For Your Family:

The whole month of December is rather exciting!  The Christmas music on every radio station, the smiles on children's faces, the crisp, cool air, and hints of snow, hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows, Christmas movies, Christmas carols, shopping, wrapping, hiding packages from nosy or shall I say "curious" children, and the blessed birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Come on, who's not happy around Christmas time???

Once September hits I am in full-fledge shopping mode (trying to be ready before December), and by the time November rolls around I am wrapping like crazy, ordering our Christmas cards, and deciding which decorations we are going to use.

Two years ago I started a new family tradition of wrapping up Christmas movies and books for the kids.  I would wrap 24 presents and each night Julia or Mark would open up the book or movie (we gave them odd or evens so that it would be fair).  This was really a hit last year!  Mark was 3 1/2 and Julia was practically 5 and each night they opened up a present and we got to read a new Christmas story or watch a new Christmas movie (mind you we've had these books and movies, but when something is wrapped it just makes it EXTRA special).

Here is our list of Children's Christmas Books:

1. The Story of Jesus by Patricia A. Pingry

2. Let's Find the Christmas Shapes by Disney

3. The Nativity by Estelle Corke

4. Spot's Magical Christmas by Eric Hill

5. A Christmas Goodnight by Nola Buck

*6. From God with Love by Mack Thomas

7. One Night in Bethlehem by Tim Wesemann

8. When Jesus was Born by Sara Hartman

9. Deck the Halls Clifford the Big Red Dog By Maria Barbo

*10. The Stable Where Jesus Was Born by Rhonda Gowler

11. Biscuit's Christmas Eve by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

12. Merry Christmas from Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

13. The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas by Jan and Mike Berenstain

14. Iggy Pig's Snowball Fight by Vivian French

15. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

16. Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

*17. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz

18. The Story of Christmas by Randy Rehberg

*19. The Best Thing About Christmas by Christine Harder Tangvald

*20. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Christmas Movies:

*1. Saint Nicholas (Veggie Tales) A Story of Joyful Giving

2. The Star of Christmas & The Toy that Saved Christmas (Veggie Tales)

3. A sesame street Christmas Carol

4. Disney's Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

You may be wondering how we got so many Christmas books (we have more than 30) and Christmas movies, we actually go to our library and buy used books in great condition, we take hand me down books from our friend's whose children are now teenagers, and we ask at Christmas time when the grandparents or aunts and uncles ask, "what can we get the kids?" we say "how about a great Christmas book or movie?"

By reading each night to the kids during the month of December we have the chance to really share the true meaning of Christmas (although getting gifts IS wonderful...the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus and why He came to earth to die for our sins).  It's really exciting to read books all month long on the same topic!

I chose my top 5 favorite books and highlighted them with a star if you are interested in ordering the book for your own children.

The countdown to Christmas has begun! Forty-three days left!!!

Great Fall Kids Books

Fall Fun

There are so many great books out there for the kids to read in the library that it can really sometimes be overwhelming to know which books to read, and when to read them.  I've been creating a home school children's library from our own books at home and cataloging them in stand up file folders according to months in the year and seasons.

I wanted an easy way to find all of our theme specific books and also be able to grab on the go when we go Apple picking or Pumpkin picking.  We like to read in our car on the way to our field trips or when we are waiting in line.

This way all I have to do is go to our September book folder for example to find all of our Back to School type books.  In October you would find all our Fall, Pumpkin, Apple, and Leaf books.  Each book title will have a link that you can go to where you can actually see the book for yourself.  We buy a lot of our newer books from Barnes and Noble or I order online from Amazon.  

I have found that the more often I read to my kids the same book at the same time it is like putting on a favorite sweater.  It makes them feel all warm and cozy.  It has also given Julia confidence in reading as she now sounds things out and picks out the site words she knows.  Repetitive reading is just so important!  

Here is what we have been reading the past 2 months:

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing

The Night Before First Grade

There's a Zoo in Room 22 by Judy Sierra

Miss Nelson is Missing by James Marshall

Miss Nelson is Back by James Marshall

Spot Goes to School by Eric Hill

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever

Happy Reading!

Mark's Struggles as Being the Middle Child

Yesterday, Mark and I had a two hour date!  Julia had a birthday party to attend and so it was just me and my guy.

First, we bought Mark some brand new neon green, and black sneakers!  They are so cool.  We hit up the Toy Genius at the Old Bridge Shoppes and Mark picked out two cop cars and some stilts, and then we went to Panera Bread for lunch.  The boy ate an entire Classic salad (yes he did share with me).

We ended our date with getting Mr. Mark a much needed hair cut at Snip and Snap kids (best place ever for you to get your child's hair cut.).

I love spending time with my guy...and lately Mark has really needed some TLC.

Please pray for him because I do believe this baby is going to be hard for Mark to adjust to.  Although at Toy Genius he DID pick out, all on his own, a toy for Micah which I had to buy because Mark picked it out.  And he does check the bassinet in my bedroom every morning to see if the baby "magically" appeared there yet.

But I think because Mark has been the only boy, and they youngest for almost 4 years, he really got used to his role...and now that is all about to change.  He is excited about helping mommy with the baby, so that's good.  But on Friday when we were driving the babysitter home, he told us all to Puh-lease stop talking about Baby Micah!  He said he was tired of hearing that name!  That really made me stop and think, "do I talk about the baby too much?"  I think we all are just so excited we forget that it may be hard for the middle child.

I am the Middle child in my family.  I have an older sister who is 7 years older than me and a younger sister who is 8 years younger than me and honestly we probably all felt like the only child or first born for so long...but I clearly remember being very excited for Sara to arrive, but when she was born I was very jealous at how enamored my parents were with her, especially my dad.

I remember she would be in the car seat on the kitchen table and my dad would just talk to her, and she would coo, and he would just eat her up!  I was so jealous at the attention she got.  I felt so left out.  At one point we had a family meeting and I remember telling my parents that it felt like we were being treated like silver and Sara was treated like gold.  Pretty funny comment coming from an 8 year old, I know, but that is really how I felt.

So I am really trying my best to give Mark extra mommy time.  Extra book time.  Extra one on one date time.  And we even purchased a bag full of presents for each Julia and Mark for the hospital so that we can tell them that their baby brother Micah picked out the gifts for them.

I also have this book from a friend that is called, "You're all my Favorites."  It's about a family of bears with 3 bear cubs and each one thinks someone else is the favorite and mommy bear and daddy bear assure each child they are loved just for who they are.  And it's certainly true.  I can remember having contractions with Mark when Julia was 17 months old and crying in the car because poor Julia's whole life was going to change and how could I love this new baby as much as I loved her??? Then I had Mark and WOOOSH the love came!  I do feel the same way about this baby...how can I love another little boy as much as my adorable red head son who snuggles me, tells me he loves me in my ear, caresses my face, tells me I'm pretty, tells me he likes my hair, I mean he is such a sweetie...how will I love this baby as much as my Mark?  But I know the minute I have the baby WOOOSH the love will come.

So if you think of it, please pray for Mark's adjustment as the middle child and pray for us as parents that we meet all of our children's needs.  That we instill a great love inside of them, and that they all know they are indeed our favorites and that we love them equally and the same and yet uniquely because each one is so unique.

And for those of you who have 3 or more and you have advice about how you handled the "middle child insecurities" please let us know!

Wherever You Are...

My Marky at 1

My Love will Find You...

"In the green of the grass...in the smell of the sea...in the clouds floating by...at the top of a tree...in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved.  You are loved.  You are loved," they all say.

My Mark at 1 month

"My love is so high, and so wide and so deep, it's always right there, even when you're asleep."

My Julia at 3 months

"So hold your head high and don't be afraid to march to the front of your own parade."

Julia and my Mom

"If you're still my small babe or you're all the way grown, my promise to you is you're never alone."

"You are my angel, my darling, my star...and my love will find you, wherever you are."

"You are loved."

I read this book to Julia during nap time last week and I couldn't help the tears.  Nancy Tillman is an awesome author and this book (I only picked a few of the pages here to share with you, the whole book is awesome) is one of my favorites.

It talks about this mother/father's love that is so high, so wide, and so deep that she/he could follow their child wherever they go.  It of course reminded me of our heavenly Father's love for us. 

God's love is so deep and so radical and so amazing we cannot even fathom how big it is. 

Parents are lucky to get a glimpse of this miraculous love when they have children of their own.  It's a bond that goes deeper than even words could explain.

Our love can reach mountains, stretch itself, it can fly, swim, you name it, our love can do it!  My favorite line is..."Make a big splash!  Go out on a limb!  My love will find you.  My love can swim!"

All of us as parents want our children to be daring and brave and dream big in their lives.  We want what is best for them and we want the world for them.  We don't want our children to limit themselves or think small.  And I believe God's love is even better than that!  God pushes us to change and transform and conquer new dreams and goals each day if we are brave enough and strong enough to do it!

Here's to a great week filled with big dreams!  And lots of love.

Happy Monday :)

Good Morning, Jesus

Morning Devotions with the Kids

Each morning I like to set the tone of the day by reflecting on the Lord with the kids.  Since the kids have been waking up earlier and earlier it seems I have to plan the night before what book we will read or what story I will tell from the Bible...sometimes I use a children's bible or children's devotional book and sometimes we just talk about the Lord.

But while I have them eating and sitting still it is the absolute perfect time to talk about God and all He is to us.  Recently the Weavers gave us an awesome book called, "Oh, Yes! Oh, No!"  It's a God made me special book by Christine Harder Tangyald and it discusses obedience, not talking to strangers, car safety, and even not letting anyone touch private parts where your bathing suit covers.  It is an AWESOME book for 3 and 4 year olds.  This author also wrote our favorite: "The best thing about Easter."  She is an awesome Christian author for children.

John read it to Julia last night and I read it before nap time, and tomorrow morning we will read it as our devotion.  It's a short easy read but it talks about how special God made us and how we need to take care of ourselves.

Morning devotions is not only good for the kids...it's great for me too!  It keeps me accountable to read the bible first thing in the morning and set the tone for the day!  We get to thank God for all the blessings we have, read His word, and pray about our concerns.  We take time to pray for safety for John as he heads off to work, and lately we've been praying for potty training successes for Marky.

I want my kids to see that I read the Bible and make it a priority.  It's not just a check off list thing, it's important because God helps us all throughout the day and we can start our day by acknowledging him and inviting him into the rest of our day by sharing it with him and talking about His goodness.

The blessings I've seen from this time we set aside for the Lord, is children who realize the importance of prayer, Julia and Mark always bring their concerns to me and say, "Mom pray for me!"  They know the power of prayer!  I love to see their faith growing in the Lord.  It's exciting to plant these seeds now while they are young.  Also, we get to hear them share bible stories they've heard before.  It never fails, while I am reading the Bible, Mark will say, "Mom, I want to tell that story!"  Then he will re-tell it in his own words with his own imagination, and every story ends with "Jesus died on the cross for us!  For the whole wide world!"  Emphasis on whole wide world!  He is definitely our little preacher.  Julia is our teacher who likes to hold the book and turn the pages so everyone can see.  I love the enthusiasm for God's word.

Mark and Julia also have their own Bible verse that before bed each night we say together...Julia's verse is Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want  (Julia loves the sheep at the farm and she loves the fact that God takes care of us like a shepherd watching his sheep...sometimes the sheep don't obey but God loves the sheep and he gives them everything they need)...Mark's verse is found in Deuteronomy 6:5...Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might...(Marks name means strong and mighty warrior so we have hand motions for that verse and his favorite part is to say loudly, "with all your might!!!")

This June and July we will be doing a Bible study on the fruit of the spirit and each week we will focus on one of the fruits found in Galatians: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness and Self control...so each morning I can tell a Bible story relating to one of our "fruits"....I'm really looking forward to that!

Suzette and her family!

Check out Suzette's blog: The Joy of Homemaking by clicking on the title to see what she has to say about Morning Devotions also!

Suzette and I used to be NJ buddies and go to the same church when we were in our teens.  We have kept in touch over the years and both blog faithfully about our faith in God and our precious growing families.  Our daughters Julia and Addie are only months a part.  And we both have young sons.  Suzette is a godly woman who takes raising her children very seriously.  I love her dearly.

Awesome Aquarium Trip

I brought the kids to the Jenkinson's Aquarium on Thursday, with my friend Janice (who is my hero because she has 3 kids under the age of 5).

I knew it would be fun and exciting trip for the kids because it was new and we've never been there before, but I never realized how much they would learn in just a 2 hour visit.  They saw seals, sharks, piranhas, alligators, frogs, penguins, parrots, jelly fish, snakes, sea horses, star fish, it was amazing!

They went to every tank and talked and touched and were in such awe.  I didn't realize how they are at such a perfect age for trips like this (they are fun trips for me too!)

I will next time prepare better by reading books on the fish or sea creatures we might see at the aquarium...because they said the word aquarium the whole day on Wednesday, but I knew they had absolutely no idea where we were going, I explained that it was right by the beach and on the board walk and they were sold!  Plus meeting Ava, Gavin, Olivia, and Miss Janice there was a huge plus.

When we got home the kids were really tired, but tomorrow we are going to go to the library and find some books on sea life, or maybe research some on the computer.  I want to have a follow up on our learning filled field trip!

I was SO proud of their behavior.  Mark didn't want to touch any of the sting rays or sea urchins in the Touch Tank, but Julia and Ava sure did!  Mark was in awe by the little turtles, and the penguins being fed, and the snakes and of course the seals and the sharks.

I had to text Daddy pictures of our trip because he was dying to see their reaction and he texted back, "I am so jealous...I want to go!"  I think our next trip there will be just as special, because then they will be the experts and can show John all the cool stuff they saw!  Plus, Daddy will bring them to the really cool gift shop at the end!

***Today is Friday, March 2nd...Dr. Seuss birthday!  Check out my pinterest board to see some of the crafts we will be making and fun things we will be coloring! Click on the word below to view my Dr. Seuss board.

PINTEREST

We are also going to be reading our favorite Dr. Seuss books:

1. Horton hears a Who?
2. Green Eggs and Ham
3. The Sneetches
4. The Lorax
5. Hop on Pop
6. Mr. Brown can Moo!

A child like theology

"Mom, God knows everything because He's the TALLEST!"--Julia Star (age 4)

I am keeping a quote book of the things my children say and the age/date when they say them...it's amazing how such a young little person can have such a strong theology already!  God is so good.

This week we are reading a book about Easter called: The Best Thing About Easter. (click on the title to view)

It talks about how springtime is great, dying Easter eggs is fun, hiding Easter eggs is great...BUT the best thing about Easter is what Jesus did on the cross for us.  Mark and Julia sat so still as I read this book to them.  And Julia was looking so thoughtful afterwards, especially after hearing about the cross part again and how Jesus had to die for us.  She looked at me and said, "Mom, I just want to hug God."  And as her mommy I know just what she meant.  God has done so much for us.  He loved us so much.  That He sent His own son to die in our place so Christ can live in us.  Whoa!  It's a lot to take in.  And for a child to just hear it and be so thankful and just want to hug God, brought tears to my eyes.  I said, "Julia you can't hug God right now, in heaven you can, but right now you can hug all of us because we love you too!"

We went potty and got ready for nap time and Julia ran back into Mark's room after he was already tucked in bed.  I started to scold her, but she said, "Mom, I just want to give him one more hug and kiss."  (Okay, how could I say no to that?! Especially after watching the movie Courageous!)  She took a long time in his room so finally I peeked in on them and she was leaning over his toddler bed whispering in his ear, and he had a big smile on his face, she gave him a quick hug and kiss and gently closed the door.  I tell her all the time how she is such a nice big sister, because she truly is.  She loves Mark so much and she is so kind and tender to him.

She was whispering what they would play when he woke up, and boy oh boy was he happy.

I tucked her in her bed and she hugs me so tight these days saying, "Mom I love you So So much."

Isn't it so true that when we realize how much God loves us, and how much He does for us, it just becomes so much easier to share that love with others.

Our Awana homework this week was to make up a Praise song with our child to a familiar tune.  We used three blind mice and I made up this quick little song for us to sing, we sang it all morning/afternoon long, "I love God, I love God, He's so Good, He's so Good, He loves me so, He loves me so, I really want the world to know, I love God, I love God...(keep repeating)"  


God thank you for your sweet, precious love, and child like faith.

Home School Monday

It's the most wonderful time of the year...but oh so very busy!

Extra trips to the grocery store, Christmas shopping, drop offs at the post office, not to mention, Ladies Bible study, MOPS, play dates, sick kids, ER visits, sick mommy, trips to the doctor's office, Library time, Awana, Gymnastics, when do we fit school in?

We fit school in first thing in the morning (Circle Time), and review after nap (Math and craft), and right before bed (Awana verse and reading)!  And Mommy can't wait for January when we start a whole new classical curriculum!  I will have a month off of leading Bible study and will be able to teach 4 days a week instead of 3.

I'm sure all of you can relate to a busy November and December, right?  I'm excited for the quiet days of January and February...

Julia and I were given this book by Christy Weaver and we just loved it.  Julia helps me read it by figuring out what the pictures in the prayers stand for, it's really fun to do together.

I don't know if it's the age or her artistic ability but Julia could color for hours if I let her.  This month I printed out lots of advent pictures, candy canes, Christmas trees, and holly to color.  And Julia does such a great job of choosing the different colors she likes and coloring in the lines.

In Awana we memorized this verse last week (Psalm 33:4) for Bear Hug #10...and our family month verse is Luke 2: 11 For unto us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord...and I'm so proud to say that even my 2 year old son knows this verse!!!

Flat Stanley continues to travel across the United States.  He's been mailed to Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Delaware, California, Oregon...and we still have lots more letters to mail out...we are waiting til January to send out some more!

Pictured here is Carson who lives with his Mommy, Julia and Daddy, Jay, in North Carolina!

We've been so thankful to all the parents who have emailed pictures to us and continue to send facts about their states.

Mark's favorite part about the Flat Stanley project: getting to stand on the red chair to point to the different states!

I'd Choose You

Julia and I enjoy "Girl Time" at nap time and just before bed, we talk about our day, we plan what we will do when we wake up, and we read books.

Julia's Godmommy, Christy W., gave us a boat load of books that she used to read to her kids when they were little (we really hit the jack pot!)

And one of those books is called: I'd Choose You by John Trent.

This book is wonderful!  It's about an elephant who has an awful day at school, and how momma elephant makes him feel better and special again.  It's also about passing on a positive Blessing to your children each day, something I'm very BIG on, because our words to our children are so powerful.

Click here to read about The Blessing Challenge post I did recently.

Click here to read the post about Girl Time with Julia.

Each evening John and I read books to the kids and pray over them.  This is a great time to also put your hands on your child and bless them.  Here is an example of a blessing that Dr. John Trent wrote (I used Julia and Mark's name instead of his children's names):

"Lord may you bless Julia and Mark, today.  May you help them to know how much you love them and what a wonderful future you have for them.  Thank you for all the warmth and love you've put in their lives, and how kind and strong they're both becoming.  And Lord may they always know that we love them...and that out of all the kids in the world-we'd choose them. Amen."

Deuteronomy 7:6 "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.  The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."


And to all of you wonderful readers out there, you are just as special, and you have a great future ahead of you!  Keep seeking the Lord, and keep trusting that He has great plans for you even when you can't see them up ahead, remember, faith is believing without seeing.

Hands-On Learning

My favorite memories as a classroom teacher was hands-on learning.  I was never, ever the type of teacher that just used a workbook page by page.  I much rather do a project, get a little dirty, go outside, build something, read something, do a skit, or USE OUR HANDS!

Yes, there is always a time and a place for using workbooks, but kids will remember picking up garbage outside to celebrate Earth Day, practicing their spelling words in shaving cream or chocolate pudding, creating weather forecasts in groups, or praying around a flag pole for the President, much quicker than how they completed a workbook.

On Saturday, we went Apple Picking as a family!  And afterwards we made an Apple Crisp together (click on Apple Crisp to get the recipe) and we read a book entitled, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. by Marjorie Priceman. (click on title to order or view on amazon)

Apple Picking is near and dear to my heart, as every teacher just loves apples, and I got to watch my kids pick their own apples off a tree and eat a freshly grown apple that they picked themselves along the way (and we did offer to pay for them, but the cashiers wouldn't let us!) and I got to hold John's hand, come on, you just don't get any better than that.

Hands-On learning is not only fun but memorable.  This week we will color pictures of apples and talk about different types of apples.  We will also make another apple crisp together for our MOPS meeting this week!  Our apple learning will continue even after our picking event.  As the kids get older we will journal about our outing and what we liked best and what we didn't like (Julia did NOT like all the bees that were on the apples on the ground, it made her nervous!) Mark liked eating his apple all by himself!  At the orchards we showed Daddy where the peach trees were when we went peach picking in August with the Coyles.

Homeschooling continues to go well...this week we are excited to add Awana to our weekly routine!  Julia has her badge vest, she will get her handbook in class, and we are working on her memory verses already.  I can't wait for class to begin!  Today we also bought her a Giants jersey to wear on Sports Night next week!  Awana will be the bulk of our Bible curriculum this year.  Completing our handbook together, memorizing, verses, and taking on new challenges will be our goal this year!