Pictures

My friend Lauren Winter, whom I've know since High School, has started a photography business.

She took pictures of us this week and we got a preview of some of them tonight. She is super talented!!

Check it out here:
http://freshgracephotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/h-family.html

She is also 8 months pregnant and laid on the ground to get some shots. Now that is dedication!

Why I love Flip Flops

I love flip flops. I love them because I'm happy to have a break from the MOUND of socks I normally have to fold for our family of 6:

Trip to the Zoo!

Ok. This has been the best week! It's Holy Week so we've been worshiping at our church and having fellowship with our friends. Second, my mother has been having some medical troubles for some months now. We really needed Dr. House. Too bad, he's not real. After numerous scans, etc, she will have spinal surgery on Monday. I am more than thankful that nothing cancerous or life threatening was found. We will be in prayer that the surgery will be successful and will alleviate the pain she's been having. I love my mom!
Also, the weather has been perfect. We've played outside a ton! We went to the zoo one day - of course, my children really just like the playground. They don't care so much about the animals.

I love this first picture because it really shows off their personalities. 

Don't let Henry's "innocent" face fool you. This is what he did in the choir room of our 100 year old church:

We tried the Magic Eraser, Rubbing Alcohol and something else. Needless to say, we will be painting on Saturday. Thankfully, I am the only one at church who was bothered by this (except for little Henry after his discipline) and Henry has a new nickname, Van Gogh.

The Big Huge Dora

Dora was at the McWane Center today! Since Claire LOVES Dora, I decided to take everyone to see her. After reading on other blogs that the line was very long, we got there early. She was supposed to come at 10:00 so we got in line at 9:40 and were first! It quickly filled up and Dora came out early, so we only waited 10 minutes. The girls loved seeing and hugging her. Henry loved her from afar and Jack slept through the entire event. After we met her, we did a Dora scavenger hunt which was a big hit.

O&A "Ask me anything"

What curriculum are you using?

I've spent hours and hours looking at curriculum. Maybe that's not necessary but it was important to me. Here's what I've settled on for next year.

Bible: The Bible, Veritas Press Old Testament read alouds, Leading Little Ones to God, Catherine Vos Story Bible. Memory work: Bible verses, 1/2 Children's Catechism, 1 Hymn a month. This will all be done throughout the day in formal and informal learning. Hymns can be learned in the car for example.

Math: Christian Light Education 1

Language Arts (included reading, reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, handwriting): Christian Light Education 1

Greek: Hey Andrew! Reader The Reader simply teaches the Greek alphabet so no big deal!

Science and History: Christian Light Education 1. No formal lessons are needed in Kindergarten but we'll just do this for fun and see how it goes. Both will probably only be done 2-3 times a week.

Read-Alouds: Little House in the Big Woods, Charlotte's Web, AA Milne (for poetry), etc

Character Training: Doorposts - Polished Cornerstones. This is character training for girls. It hopefully will be repeated over several years with different projects for different ages. 1 time a week

Kate will probably also take piano (from my mom) and ballet.

In second grade, we'll switch over to Veritas Press for Bible and History.

That's the plan for now.

Are you part of a support group? No - not at this time. The state law requires enrollment in a "cover school" at age 7. We will start that at the beginning of the next school year (2011-2012). We will be using Evangel Presbyterian. That will be my "offical" support group. Right now, I do know a few other moms that are homeschooling that I know of and one person in particular that I can call when I'm having a bad day and she'll encourage me.

I'll take a break from the homeschool questions (I'll get back to them) and answer these next time:

I love your big family! How many kids do you think you will have? How do you and your husband find time for intimate time? - Don't worry, this will be G-rated!