Popsicle Stick Nail File

The years are fleeting, especially with two children in tow.  But when you take a moment to watch those precious little ones, they can often bring a smile to your face...especially when they want to be just like mommy.  As Annabelle gets older, those moments are fewer and farther between though she does slip up every once in awhile when she wants to "dress like a mommy."

This evening Sophia found a popsicle stick on the floor and proceeded to file all of our fingernails including her own.  She even attempted to file her own toe nails.

LHFHG - Unit 17, Day 3 (Math)

We've had a rough start to homeschooling.  I innocently overbooked us during Annabelle's Kindergarten year...all in the interest of socialization!  I let the world tell me what is important instead of seeking answers from God.  I have vowed that next year will be different, and I strongly feel that God has led me to make these changes.

After a very busy May, we kicked off the summer with a family beach trip to Myrtle Beach and VBS the following week.  And this week, school resumed!  She isn't too thrilled that she has to do school while all her friends are out on break.  But she pulled through the week with a very positive attitude.  Right now, we are focusing on Phonics, Fine Motor Skills (Handwriting, etc.) and Math on a daily basis.  She has Music Camp scheduled at the church next week, so we'll resume full-speed with Little Hearts for His Glory the following week.

But with the help of the LHFHG guide, I put on my creative cap to expand just a little on one of the lessons.  She LOVED this activity!  And I thought it turned out pretty cute myself.

I used Jif peanut butter lids (red) and milk lids (colored centers) with the numbers written on them.  She had to match the milk lids with the stem of the flower.  And then she added the correct number of marshmallows and/or M&M's.  I was so surprised at how well she could match up the number words with the actual numbers.  We left off learning the number words weeks ago!

Pictured with her M&M sandwich in hand!  And look at that dimple!

 

And of course Sophia got to join in on the fun too!  She requested that I take her picture for this shot.  This is my child that rarely ever smiles for the camera too...apparently only on her own accord.  I tried to teach her to make a pattern with her goodies, but she just wanted to make a pretty flower.

I just love that sweet smile!

Corduroy

I haven't blogged in months!  I'm not sure why as it brings me much joy to share our journey with others, especially to encourage those who feel that God has led them to homeschool.  I am really loving Heart of Dakota, and I want to share it with everyone I know though I know curriculum choices have to fit the family personally.

Anyhow, as my baby is inching closer and closer to three years old, I am realizing that she is growing up way too fast and I'd hate to forget everything about her younger years when she's grown.  I feel that so much of my day is filled with cooking, cleaning and schooling Annabelle that Sophia is just along for the ride.  Unfortunately, I don't have those hours I had with Annabelle to read and play constantly.

After Annabelle's storytime lesson every day, I try to fit in a little storytime for Sophia as well.  I encourage her to go choose a book.  And she often comes back with the same books.  You know a book is a great book when you can read it over and over and over again and still love it!

Right now, Sophia's favorite books are Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman.  I remember loving Corduroy myself when I was a little girl.  She often brings both of them to me at the same time.  Annabelle doesn't have the same love for Corduroy as Sophia and I do though.  She always says, "Corduroy!  Not again!" and then promptly leaves my lap to go play.  This is very unlike Annabelle to miss out on any story!

But what makes this time so special is that we always wrap up this Corduroy storytime with A Pocket for Corduroy, and the very last page has a picture of Corduroy and Lisa nuzzling noses.  Sophia always wants to nuzzle noses with me just like Corduroy and Lisa do in the story.  But, she insists that we keep our noses still!  Eskimo kisses are not allowed!  She tells me that Corduroy and Lisa are not moving their noses in the picture.  This always cracks me up that she follows what she sees pictured so closely!


Dear Sophia,

I love our special storytime together!  And I love to get my Corduroy kisses from you!  I know one day you will stop pulling the Corduroy books off the shelf.  And the Corduroy kisses will come to a screeching halt as well.  But maybe one day when you read A Pocket for Corduroy as a mama to your young child, you'll enjoy some more Corduroy kisses with your own special little one!

I love you sweet girl!

Mommy