Lesson Plans....

I finally got some lesson plans done today! I have never made lesson plans. I have tried a few times, but I never get too far and never followed them. However, today I packed up my stuff and took it to basketball practice. As the kids had their practice I sat there working on my plans. I now have plans through March. Woohooo....yay for me. I am so excited about finally improving on an area of my life I have been praying about for a long time. I have friends that do their lesson plans in the summer, some do it every month, but I never could figure out just what or how to do my own.

I have been praying that God would help me be more accountable to the kids and with our lessons. We have made GREAT progress in the past 3 weeks, now that the kids are healthy again. The girls are just flying through their studies and loving every minute of it. We have a field trip coming up to Old Salem soon as a reward to all of us for our dedication. God has been so gracious to put people in my life that influence me in a good way. He has provided for my every need in more ways than you can imagine. I continue to pray for His strength each day, His guidance in teaching His children, His wisdom in the subjects to teach them and for His patience to pursue this path. I see everyday where God is sanctifying me and bringing me closer to himself. Thank you dear Jesus that you have given me the power and strength to get through another day. May tomorrow be another wonderful day of homeschooling and may you bless all the rest of our homeschooling days.

Back in the Saddle....

Good Monday to you all! Normally Mondays are hard for me, trying to transition from daddy being home all weekend to him at work. Today hasn't been too bad. My son did wake up at 7am, went back to sleep at 10am for 25 minutes and is now down for his regular afternoon nap. The 3 yr old is down for her nap too. We have been skipping nap time for her since she was sick, it was a marathon of movies last week and all weekend, since she will rest during the movie and not run around. Alas, the naps are back and mommy is happy! The girls got their morning chores done today in about 10 minutes, total miracle, and then were ready for the day.

I let them watch a new show today called Bizkids on PBS. It was very interesting. Today they were teaching the kids how to make money, earn it, invest it, or receive it as a gift and then what do you do after you make it....you can save it, earn interest...it was really good stuff, so I put that down as part of their lessons for today. They have a few more lessons to do and we will have finished our first school day for 2009!!!!! FINALLY a school day for the new year!

We are so grateful for your prayers, they have been answered. The kids are getting stronger by the day and feeling so much better. We have been home for an entire week, so they will go to basketball practice tomorrow. They are all very anxious to get out of the house and I am too.

Thank you again for your prayers. I hope that you are each healthy and blessed. We are very happy to be back in the saddle again and ready to ride!!

Party was a BLAST!!!!

Sorry I haven't posted sooner. The party was a BLAST!!! The cake (created by my oldest arrow), pinata was a huge hit, pin the fly on the frog was funny, and Edwin was totally overwhelmed with all the people. We had like 30 something adults and kids. The pizza hit the spot, but Blessed Daddy's "Frog Legs" aka Chicken Wings were the highlight, until we brought out the cake. It was definitely a First Birthday to remember for a lifetime. I know I won't forget it anytime soon. It really was fun to plan a birthday party for our little prince (since we are used to planning princess parties).

Anyway, we have had an incredible week!!!! It's been GREAT!!! Our Accountable Kids came last week and I hung them up on the wall this week. The kids are really into them! They have their morning chores done by 9:30am or 10am, even our 2 year old is enjoying it. It has really changed my life, overnight!! I highly recommend the program to anyone that is searching for a great responsibility, accountability program....this is the ONE! If you haven't checked out their website, here it is again. Sorry to sound like an infomercial, but I am really pleased. I have tried many other chore organizing systems, but this one teaches so much more than just chores. OK...I have gone on long enough. Enjoy the slide show of the Party!!

Blessings for a Fabulous Fall Weekend!!

Change is a GREAT thing

Yes, you heard correctly.....CHANGE, C-H-A-N-G-E and a lot of it!! Blessed Daddy and I have looked long and hard at our schedule and realized that some serious changes needed to occur. This is day 3 of our changes and we are making GREAT strides. The kids are very excited about a new program called "Accountable Kids" that is in the mail as we speak. I have spoken to the kids about this program and they have a number of friends that already do it. They are so excited, as am I. After many years of yelling, nagging, coaxing, badgering, pleading, on my knees begging....whew...I will no longer have to ask my kids to dress, make beds, brush hair, brush teeth, etc. The new program we are getting gives the responsibility to them. If they don't do their "morning chores" then they do not earn a ticket. :) Super easy for me. We don't even have the program yet, but the past 2 days my youngest girls have been up, dressed, beds made, eaten breakfast, teeth brushed, hair brushed and ready for school. This is a MIRACLE!! I am thrilled. Our days have gone much smoother. We have also taken out everything.....we only go to soccer practice, church and praise team practice. We haven't left the house all week. Here is a NEW typical day in our house...and its working! That's all that matters.

8:30 Wake, eat breakfast, dress, make beds, brush teeth, brush hair.
9:40 Ready for school
All 3 older arrows work on puters to do language, then oldest does puter math and other two on math worksheets. Two youngest arrows get time with mommy, reading, playing, folding laundry, etc.
12 Lunch
1:30 Naps for two youngest arrows
2:00 SWR with Mommy
3:30 Done with school and time for snack, youngest arrows wake from nap and join snack time
4:00 Craft, art, paint, etc.
4:30 Prep for dinner and free time for kids
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Showers for everyone
8:00 Drive through History DVD with Daddy
9:00 Bedtime for kids
11:00 Bedtime for Mommy and Daddy if not sooner

I am amazed at how wonderful this has worked for everyone. I am praying that over time we can add a play date here and there, field trips, but for now we are starting from scratch....only the bare basics. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. They have been felt and heard. Blessings for a wonderful weekend.