An Apple a Day

I am going to try to get back on the blogging track this week because I do feel like it helps keep me accountable for school work.  I don't have any administrators popping in to observe or checking lesson plans, so this blog is my record.  It might be easiest just to make a list to kind of catch up on what we've been doing and where we're headed.  I might be repeating myself from earlier posts, but it's been so long, we all need a refresher course!

Rachel is:
Studying the seven continents...we've done Asia and Africa.  This week is North America.  She has breezed through almost all of her addition facts...this week is the 9 family and there are a few extras for the final lesson before we start subtraction!  She is reading the Bob Books Sight Words collection and spelling everything ridiculously well.  She loves trying to spell words and gets them right most of the time (definitely an innate ability!).  We are doing a different story every day from the list in the Core Knowledge series. Some of them link to the continent we're learning about and some don't.  We're keeping a chart of the titles, authors, illustrators, setting, characters, problems, and solutions.  We're kind of in a lull this week for Science but we are talking a little about apples since it's fall and we'll learn about Johnny Appleseed since he's North American.
Rachel has been doing extremely well with violin and loves her Daisy Scout troop.  She's headed for a new song in violin that is NOT another version of Twinkle!!!  She's learning about being fair and honest at Daisies.  Basically, the girl is busy!!

Ford is:
Zooming through his handwriting book which has basically been a review of all the capital letters.  I think he'll be ready to move on to lower case letters after Christmas but he's in no rush.  He is doing a much better job with his counting in math. It's taken awhile for him to slow down and count each item instead of just putting his fingers on things and calling out numbers.  I think we'll be gearing up for some more serious math soon.  He has a little workbook that he loves to do activities in, too, like cutting, matching, mazes, color by number, etc.  Let's face it, though, the boy would play trains all day by himself if I let him!!
He finished up soccer last week and was so excited to get a medal!!  We also got his team picture back...it's a group of cute looking kids with their coach and then there's Ford making the craziest face. Hysterical!!  He is starting to talk about learning an instrument next Fall, either ukulele or violin, but he really wants to take art classes in the spring!

Ruby is:
Out of control.  Seriously.  We are deep in that transition between the terrible twos and the "oh, yeah, did I mention three is worse?" era.  There are days where she is so sweet and works hard at whatever she is doing and then there are those other days.  I don't even need to elaborate!!  She finally talks to Mr. Drew, the new librarian. For weeks she covered her eyes at story time so he woudn't look at her but now she's back to normal story time Ruby.  She loves to hear stories, she loves to color with markers, she loves to paste paper to paper, she LOVES stickers and puzzles.  She also loves necklaces, bracelets, headbands, leotards, tutus, fancy dresses, high heels, makeup, etc etc.  She can already tell you all about Asia and Africa so when she gets to Kindergarten, we'll move on to other things!  She always wants to be a part of Science and Social Studies and whatever stories Rachel is reading.  (Ford plays trains most of that time, but still soaks in a lot of the information!)
She says she wants to take ballet next year or maybe horseback riding or maybe art or maybe guitar...she will definitely be well rounded!!!

Baxter is:
Growing fast!  I am 28 weeks along and he's doing great.  I'm really hoping we make it to 40 weeks but he will be a big baby!!!  He moves a lot after I eat and at night but sleeps a lot too.  I know he's running out of room because my lungs have run out of room, too!!

We went to Dr. Ed's office today and everyone got the flu mist. Rachel and Ford did great.  Ruby screamed bloody murder because they made her lay down.  Then she woukdn't take stickers from the sweet nurse but screamed in the car because I only got her one sticker!!!  It never ends!!!

I think that's our school world in a nutshell.  I'll try to be more specific more often, especially since it's going to get crazy again here soon!!

Day of Appointments

We had a quick little session of school time this morning before our day of crazy began.  Allen, Ford, and Rachel all had cleanings at the dentist this morning.  We live close enough to the dentist that Ruby and I decided to walk down and join them so she could get a glimpse of what it would be like when her turn comes up in the spring.  It was a great day for a walk!!!  Those appointments started at 8:30 and we were home a little after 10.  Everyone (even Ruby) came home with a new toothbrush and great teeth!  Once everyone got settled, I took off for a check up with my midwife to see how Baby Baxter is doing.  His heartbeat was great, he's measuring on the big side, and all was well.  Next month I go for the hour long glucose test and then I start checking in every two weeks!  Time is starting to fly by.  After leaving my appointment I got to go out to lunch with Lisa to talk about Daisy Scouts.  I have no idea when I last went out to lunch with another adult and no kids.  That time flew by faster than anything else!!!  I got home right at the end of nap time and the big kids were already up and playing in the yard with Allen.  We played some more and hung out in the awesome weather and then came in for dinner.  After dinner Allen was off to teach a night course and the rest of us headed to the soccer field.  Dr. Ed and Ms. Lisa came to watch Ford play soccer and he was so excited!  He gets so nervous and anxious at the end when they do a scrimmage, but he told me he'd stay in soccer "for the snacks" even if he had to play the games!  The boy loves those Doritos and Capri Suns at the end!!!  I got everyone home and bathed and teeth brushed with their new fancy toothbrushes, read stories, said prayers, sang songs, and now everyone is sleeping soundly.  It was a busy day but they had a blast being able to spend so much time with their Papa!!
Now wish us luck with Ford's shots tomorrow...