Preschool

Well, it is obvious that I haven't blogged FOREVER. As if having a newborn and my 20-month-old in a hip spica cast (basically a little less than a full body cast), and a couple of family reunions at our house, isn't busy enough this summer, I am now teaching preschool. And so far I am totally loving it!

I battled with my decision to do it, weighing out many pros and cons, and eventually made the final decision to do it! I have had to sacrifice in a few areas, and work harder in other areas to make sure that my own children are still my first priority, but I am gradually getting a system down! I only have three kids, which is less than I would have preferred to have. However, it is a good trial year for me to get a system down and get my curriculum lined out.

My incredibly talented, and most anal (OCD) sister has given me all of her old kindergarten curriculum, which has been a blessing in itself. My major challenge has been to simplify what I have been given into only 5 hours of learning a week. And I also have a good friend who has walked me through her daily schedule, her tricks of the trade, and shared her curriculum and other tips as well. I feel very blessed to have had such fantastic resources!

I struggled last year to teach Tyler and Kimberly at home. Kimberly was very eager to learn, but Tyler's attention span was less than desirable! Doing preschool with him has given him a sense of responsibility for learning and "going to school" like his three older siblings. And the social setting has been wonderful for him to sit still long enough to accomplish something!

I took a few pictures of what was formerly the "office" and now has earned the name of "the school room". Oh how I love yard sales and thrift stores! The two school desks (which are for my girls) were picked up at a yard sale for $5 each! And the preschool table and chairs my friend found at a thrift store for me - $25 for the whole set up! Then I have my computer desk, and Bryson's desk is on the other side under the alphabet (Yard Sale & D.I. specials from years ago!) And yet another friend donated her cute circle rug! You have to appreciate the baby blue cellular shades that were already in the house! I added the red/khaki valances (which look really cute when the blinds are up and you get to see the beautiful view out my school room windows - it is only at night that the blinds are down!)

THE SCHOOL ROOM

My Preschool Kids (in alphabetical order)

Aspen, Hannah, & Tyler

WINTER... here we come!!!

I knew that Sunday, October 4th would be a wonderful day... simply because we were going to get the opportunity to hear from our dear prophet and apostles in General Conference. But... I had no idea that when I woke up at 3:30 am to feed Eli, that I would discover the ground outside the window looking different than it has for the past few months. In fact, it appeared that there was movement (a sprinkling) in front of the outside porch light. I knew it wasn't rain, but I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw SNOW! And this is what our morning at 7:30 am looked like... much like a Winter Wonderland! (Did I mention that we lost power from 5 am to about 7:45 am?)

These trees were not prepared to be covered in snow! Their branches are hung over like an umbrella because they still have most of their leaves (which haven't all turned colors because our fall has been so short) and the weight of the snow is too much for them to bare.

This is my most favorite part of winter... the pine trees flocked with snow!

This is our pond in the backyard, still covered in lily pads. We got enough snow that you can't see the grass anywhere around it. If you look closely, there is a canoe that is half-covered in snow and a paddle boat at the edge of the pond that is mostly covered as well.

Jason's truck that just happened to be parked out front after unloading a cord of wood that we fortunately got just two days earlier! And my flower boxes filled with dead flowers!

And my little snow buddies who pulled out their winter gear - with great excitement - to go out and retrieve the apples off our tree before they were ruined from the snow!

But... it was a good day. The kids played bingo, we put up the pictures of the apostles as they spoke, we felt the spirit, and we learned MUCH to improve on and become better! And we had a PURE, WHITE conference!