Our Friday

Even though Tyler got home last night at almost 2am, and the kids woke us up at 8am (I had tried to wait up for Tyler, seriously, I have no idea why!!!), we had a great day today. I had previously signed up the kids for a class at the local museum for 930am, and so we had to get up and ready for that. Colton was tough. As always!

The topic was on how boots used to be made, which may not sound terribly exciting, but it was very informative.... and the teacher made it pretty short to hold the kids attention :) Then they got to do a quick craft, and hang out in the museum, which has some pretty cool things. The best being a children's museum. The kids had a great time!


Plus, we had the promise of donuts afterwards!

Then we came home and tried to nap and although that didn't work out, we tried not to be grumpy about it. We decided to think of something fun. We thought of going to get a slip and slide and playing in the backyard. So we headed to Target. They had one option for $15, so we bought it. Then we stopped at the dollar store on the way home to look for promised glow sticks (which they didn't have) and found a plain jane slip and slide for $5! Needless to say, we returned the Target one (while we still had the receipt :) )

Came home, hooked it up and had a blast. The light was perfect tonight for me to get some pretty good shots of the kids playing.

Now as I am typing this, the kids are all in bed (Colton is still awake, like always) and Tyler is in bed maybe even asleep... I am headed there as well.

Hope you all had a great Friday, and start to a great holiday weekend.

Henna

Yesterday, we had quite an eventful day. Tyler had the weekend off, which we weren't sure would happen until it was upon us. And I had scheduled us a photo session with a local. The lovely Tia, from Tia Colleen Photography to be exact. She is new to professional photography, but as you can see from her blog, she really has a great eye for it, and I think she will do awesome!
I had the idea to get henna done on my belly, kind of for just a fun thing to do. So I bought this kit, and was going to do it myself. I mentioned this to Tia, and she said "I have a friend that actually is thinking of starting doing this thing, maybe she will want to practice on you?" And so it was planned for her to henna me up! It took about 2 hours to do, and I really like it. Today it is even darker, so I excited to see how long it will actually stay on. I really think peacocks are adorable, so that is the direction we went with it... and his name is actually on the other side of the belly, but I can't really reveal that right now, can I now?
Anyways, the kids got a little bit done on their hands, and it looks so cute. They have been obsessed with drawing on their arms right now. And I can't say no, can I?

On another note, we started "homeschool" today, and so far, it is really fun. I find myself really being involved with the kids instead of just watching them grow up. They are really into learning. And although Colton is further along than the curriculum, we decided to just take it slow and really let him take the time to learn more of the basics, while expanding on the stuff he is really interested in during other "learning sessions". This way, Ayla is right there with him learning the basics and both are taking the time to fully grasp just being a kid. I really like the Oakmeadow curriculum, and have been learning myself.
Even though we have found that homeschooling is not popular with everyone we know and love, this is the decision that feels oh-so-right for our family at the moment. Who knows where it will take us. (in the bundle of curriculum I bought on Craigslist, I received up till 3rd grade...)

Decisions, Decisions

This week was a week of tough decisions for us (me, really). Well, only one actually.

Even though I thought I really wanted this little boy to start school....We decided that we would homeschool this year. At least give it a good try. I just got to thinking how hard it was going to be to get the three, soon to be four kids, ready EVERY morning, Monday through Friday. To be out the door by 7:30am, with four kids!!
(they look completely innocent, but REALLY, they can be monsters at times!)
Now don't get me wrong, people actually are able to accomplish this. I however, don't think I am up for the task.

I have contemplated homeschooling for awhile now... and thought I didn't have the patience for it. Which I might not... however, I do believe that it will come. And I get to wake up whenever the baby (or babies) wake me up... not by 6:30 every morning to make sure they all have enough time to get up and dressed and out the door.

Really, it is Colton that hates the morning. That kid would sleep in till 10 if we let him. He doesn't like to go to bed early either... so I think this will work for us. Besides it is kindergarten, and we have the option to put him in school next year.

Oh, and if Tyler happens to get deployed soon (not that he is, but it could happen) then I would have the option to head back to Oregon. Which would be nice to have help during that time.

In the meantime, we are awaiting baby number four. I am finishing up some projects:: I made a nice sling for him, and finished a bean bag pillow (just need filler for it). Also, knitting some cute little vests and gnome hats for Halloween... next up is a knitted wolf hat and mittens and maybe tail for Colton for Halloween. Ayla is wanted to be Little Red Riding Hood (which all happen to tie in together kind of) so I will be hopefully making her a cape for her birthday. I have plans to make her an outfit for her birthday, but that girl has so many clothes, that I might hold off and save it for Christmas!
My project list is pretty long, and who knows how much I will actually get checked off before the babe comes, but it sure is nice to check them off.
OH, speaking of checking things off a list... check out this blog post over here. I ordered this app for our IPod touch, and so far, so good! Nice to be able to gold star finished tasks :)

Just in case anyone asks... we are going to use the Oak Meadow Curriculum for Colton and Ayla (why not, right?). I found a smoking good deal for a used set of K-3rd grade on Craigslist, so I went for it. I have a feeling Colton will be ready for the 1st grade stuff. This kid is chomping at the bit to read!