I'm going to my first Homeschooling Conference tomorrow!

I am so jazzed/nervous/excited/beyond overwhelmed!

Here's my Tentative K curriculum, all subject to change after I see what I see tomorrow!

Math:
Math U See

Phonics/Language Arts/ Handwriting:
Explode the Code
Handwriting Without Tears
Starfall
Library

Science:
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science Books - ???
Unit studies: Dinosaurs, Bugs, Outer Space...

Social Studies:
Galloping the Globe

Foreign Language:
Sign Language, haven't picked which

Phys. Ed.:
(various times through the year)

Tae Kwon Do
Soccer
Swimming
Skiing/snowboarding
Outdoor / indoor play

Art/Music:
Violin Lessons? Piano?

I'm going to my first Homeschooling Conference tomorrow!

I am so jazzed/nervous/excited/beyond overwhelmed!

Here's my Tentative K curriculum, all subject to change after I see what I see tomorrow!

Math:
Math U See

Phonics/Language Arts/ Handwriting:
Explode the Code
Handwriting Without Tears
Starfall
Library

Science:
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science Books - ???
Unit studies: Dinosaurs, Bugs, Outer Space...

Social Studies:
Galloping the Globe

Foreign Language:
Sign Language, haven't picked which

Phys. Ed.:
(various times through the year)

Tae Kwon Do
Soccer
Swimming
Skiing/snowboarding
Outdoor / indoor play

Art/Music:
Violin Lessons? Piano?

Mmmmm.... bread....

Sun Nut Bread

1 1/4 C Water
3 T. Honey
2 1/2 C. White Bread Flour
3/4 C. Wheat Bread Flour
2 T. Dry Milk
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 T. Butter
1/2 C Sunflower Seeds
3 tsp Active Dry Yeast OR 2 tsp. Fast Rise Yeast

Like the Yoplait commercials - "It is sooo good."

She laughs!

She's been working at it for a few weeks now, little gurgly not-quite-giggles. Tonight, she really let it go and it sounded like a true laugh - squealy happy happy joy joy out of her almost 3 month old little body.

Her Papa was doing the Grover. You know, "Neeeeaaarrrrrr! Faaaaaaaar!" with her into a mirror. And she giggled, sweet little baby giggles!

I just about cried.

Phooey on To Do lists.

I like the idea of a "Have Done" list much better. I saw this on a mothering forum I love to peruse, http://www.mothering.com/

So with that, my have dones for today:

• Nursed the baby 5 times.
• Changed 5 diapers; 3 little bitty tushy, 2 big almost-time-to-learn-to-potty tushy.
• Showered, got dressed, curled my hair.
• Got clothes out for the two littlest, dressed the girl in fancy duds. No small task, those tights are a pain!
• Fed the boys breakfast
• Cleaned up
• Went to church and learned about Boaz as redeemer. (GREAT message, I needed to hear.)
• Went to Costco
• Fed the boys lunch
• Cleaned up again
• Helped The Papa put together a ladder shelf thing to put in the dining room. We need more storage for school supplies.
• Removed a splinter from Monkey's hand
• Rocked Chickie
• Bounced Chickie
• Shushed Chickie
• Swayed Chickie
• Slung Chickie
• Held Chickie
• Cooed at Chickie
• Burped Chickie

It's only 5:30 PM. Not too shabby for a Sunday afternoon. :)

I really should be washing the pile of dishes in my sink...

But I'd rather start a blog. So here goes nothin'.

I'm The Mama, wife to my perfect match and mama to my little brood. I have the best career I could ever hope for. Wife. Mama. Keeper of my home.

The Papa and I have been married for almost six years - our anniversary is in two weeks. (Note to self - card? Gift? Aaaa!) He's incredible. Humble. Modest. Gentle. Steadfast. This incredible, indescribable daddy and my most loyal and devoted friend. You know how people always say that they don't deserve their spouse? I sincerely, totally don't. He's so much nicer, kinder, smarter, friendlier, everything than I am. Sometimes I have to wonder why God saddled him with me and all my craziness! (And he'll tell you with a grin that I'm God's best for him!?) I love that man so. Did I mention that he's incredible?

Our oldest is Bug. He's a precocious, vibrant, articulate man in a little boy's body. Almost 5, thinks he's way smarter than me, and he truly teaches me something new (usually about myself! Things I don't always want to learn - argh!) daily. Monkey's 2. He's a snuggly, cuddly, gentle and independent soul with a mind of his own. He marches to his own off-rhythm beat, always keeps me guessing. And smiling. Then there's Chickie. She's a sunshiney almost three-month-old. She's all about the drool and giggly babble these days. She melts this mama's heart and I can't get enough of her neck rolls and chubby cheeks.

What else is there to say? I love Jesus. I am a reader, a hot tea and coffee freak, a cheese eater. I'm goofy for my kids. We're a homeschooling family and we love the outdoors. I love to talk about natural (especially home) birthing, breastfeeding, raising my babies. I'm an optimist and there's nothing better to me than a day spent laughing and loving my family well.

How's that for a start to my very first blog post?