TreasuresInTerraCotta

Truman turned 9 months a couple weeks ago.  We headed to the Pediatrician for his regular check up. The dialogue went something like this: Is he crawling? No Getting onto all fours? No Is he pulling to stand? Cruising? No No....But he sits like a champ! Does he get to a sitting position by himself? Um, No How about rolling? Yes...sometimes So he'll roll to get to where he wants to go? No.  He pretty much sits and plays. Does he clap? Ummmm....I don't know.... So here is my 9 month old who is a strong and content sitter!  (and he reaches way out sometimes too!) To my sweet and happy and content 9 month old.  I love how strong and straight you sit.  You watch your brothes and laugh and giggle.  You put up with a lot from them!  I love your Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma and Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba.  You make raspberries and blow bubbles and growl low.  You have discovered your tongue and like to stick it out sideways as if you ...

A couple months into the school year I realized that I had to make some changes.  Answering the question, "Can I play Wii now?" and "Can I watch a show?" a hundred times a day was wearing thin.  Something drastic had to be done.    I was inspired by a few homeschool bloggers who have no TV and no video games.  That, however, is not our reality so I asked a homeschooling friend (who actually has a TV and a Wii system), "What are your rules during the school day?"   My first solution consisted of limiting Calvin's Wii until afternoon.  We finish the majority of our school work during the morning.  And I was hesitant to turn off the TV in the morning because Andrew would often watch a few shows while we were working on school.  As you might expect, there were two major problems with this "solution."  First, if Andrew was watching TV (even in the other room), Calvin would of...

Celebrated Christmas Eve with my dad's family. Learned to make these beautiful 3-dimensional snowflakes. Had the best time with my two college aged sisters! (Including an all-sisters sushi night!) Ate too much.  Enjoyed time in the country with all its unique beauty.  Let the kids do farm-things.  Dressed the baby like a candy cane!  Gave the 6 year old a weapon!  Gave the 3 year old A LOT of cars.  Shared the prep-work and hosted my first Christmas dinner.   Assembled!  Cooked!  Had a Family Lunch and Baby Dedication.  Visited the location of our church's next mission trip.  Tried to envision how it will all fit together. Bought flowers for myself from my husband!  Enjoyed them for almost three weeks.  Played and played and played.   Painted by number.  Had healthy snacks.  Reviewed history.  Took a nature walk on a day when the boys had to have...