The Birth of a Train Ice Cream Cake

I must really love this my oldest boy! This truly was a labor of love. There are a lot of things I would do differently, and I think that I hope that I have a chance to do it again! Jonathan said "Thanks Mommy for making me an ice cream train cake. I'm going to love it!". That made it all worth it!

(You can click on the picture and it will enlarge it so you can see it better.)

Grab The Tissues

My mom emailed me this video today. I have seen this team highlighted on the Ironman coverage on TV. I leave you with one question...is there something that, if you child dreamed of being able to do but couldn't, that you wouldn't find a way to make happen?

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby J

Manly Man (that would be your dad) and I love you very much and hope that you have the best day ever! Your birth was our second best ever! I came up with "Sweet Baby J" when you were a few days old. We continued with that name and eventually shortened it to "J." Then Jacob came along and "J" was a little confusing for you I think. You are still my Sweet Baby J. I feel all gushy thinking about your birthday. You didn't want to come out...you were snug as a bug. But when you made your appearance into the world, you came out in style, with the coolest hair ever! It was highlighted and spiky! I instantly fell in love with you. What mother doesn't? You were really cute though. So cute that I was almost a little nervous about your brother being born! (Love you Jakey!) You melted my heart instantly. When we picked your name, we wanted you to be a loyal friend, just as Jonathan was to David. I can see already that you will love fiercely and will fight when an injustice is done, to you or someone you know. You have that passion in you. And so young. It must frustrate you at times, that you don't know how to handle it all right now...but you will. God will use you, if you will let him.

I could snuggle up to you any time, even though you hate it. I love that when you are sick, only I can make it some what better...no one else. I love the way you tell me that you love me. I love it when you hug me. I hope that one day, you will look at me with a great sense of love and a little pride.
Now, on to the embarrassment...

Happy Fifth Jonathan! We love you!

The First Week of Homeschool

(GRRRRR...I tried to post this yesterday, but blogger wouldn't upload my photos!!!)

August 18th officially marked our endeavor into homeschooling our boys. We aren't sure how long we will home school...we're taking it one year at a time. So, Jonathan is in kindergarten and Jacob is three. Jacob has been the most challenging part because he so wants to be able to do everything that Jonathan does, but really isn't able to yet. He tries though.

We are following the book The Well-Trained Mind (it is a classical education "guide" if you will). Formal classical education doesn't start until 1st grade, but you can start in kindergarten with the basics...handwriting, math, and phonics.

Curriculum:

Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser (they teach continuous stroke which makes it easier to transition to cursive writing...so wish they would have taught Jonathan this in preschool since we are having to redo a few letters!)

Math: Singapore Math (I love math and really want my kids to love it and maybe even excel at it too...they teach multiplication and division together, since they do go together!)

Phonics: An Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading (the boys are both do this...why not let Jacob learn his sounds right?)

We start with a Bible lesson and then go on to the other three...I let Jonathan pick which to do first, math or handwriting, then we do the other and then phonics. I will have to do another post about what I am going to do with Jacob, after I see if it works.

I would have to say that I enjoyed the first week, and that I can honestly see us doing this for at least a few years, if not all the way. I am not sure if we can afford it though, me being at home and not working. We will have to see.

Here are a few snap shots of the first day.

Here they are at the table working on handwriting and tracing lines.

Here they are being horizontal and vertical lines.

Here they are learning phonics.

I love that I can teach on the floor!

I am trying to implement a rest time for Jonathan during Jacob's nap. He normally piles up with me to watch some TV. I am trying to be more proactive about the TV time. Don't get me wrong...I turned out OK and grew up watching a lot of TV and I think there is a place for TV, but I am starting to wonder if the attitudes we are getting from our boys are coming from the TV. Hmmm??? So, I will let you know how the rest hour and a half goes. Today, it went tell. Jonathan went to his bed with some mazes, which he loves, and a few books. He did great! I slept, showered, and worked on the computer a little.

So, I imagine that my schedule will change a hundred times or so. Once I get it tweaked a little I will post it.

Jacob's Funny

Jonathan: How many planets are there? 7?
Me: No, there are 8.
Jonathan: What does Pluto make?
Me: Pluto would make 9, but it isn't a planet anymore.
Jonathan: Why isn't Pluto a planet?
Jacob: Because Pluto is a dog!!!!

Melt My Heart (x 2)

I just finished our Bible study for the morning with the boys. I am using a one year Bible for children and as asking them questions after I read them the lesson for the day. I started at the beginning even though it is August. Today's lesson was about Adam and Eve being sent away from the garden because they had sinned. After the lesson, I prayed for us that we could stand strong when tempted and that we would try our best to obey. I also prayed for the boys to have kind hearts and loving hearts when their friends came over in a little while. After I said the words "kind hearts and loving hearts", they both, at the exact same time, sat up on their knees and kissed me on my cheek, one on each side! I started to cry and could barely finish the prayer. I am truly blessed! Thank you Lord for these sweet boys and for the chance to be home with them!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for...

1. Manly Man working so hard for us
2. second chances (and third, and fourth...)
3. the right to home school my children
4. homeopathic allergy relief "medicine"
5. friends who really know me
6. Jacob's laugh that I have to get on tape because it is just way too hysterical!
7. my family's health
8. health and dental insurance for all of our upcoming things that need to be taken care of (next on the list...wisdom teeth out for me...if I can be brave enough)
9. Jonathan randomly hugging me, kissing me and telling me he loves me
10.God not giving up on me, even when I don't believe Him...Lord help my unbelief!