Brianna and I started our homeschool year again in September. She is steadily advancing in her reading skills and feeling more confident about it. She is also learning how to tell time. We have taken a few trips since September. Plimoth Plantation was probably her favorite so far. She thought it was so funny (and cool) that they say yea and nay for yes and no. We, of course, had to speak like that for about a week afterwards. Brianna is involved with homeschool co-op this year. Last semester she took classes about storytelling, crafts and desserts. This semester she will be taking jewelry making, crafts and God's Green Earth (about recycling). She is very excited. We finished making a volcano today as well. She found an old kit of Joshua's in the basement that he never made. So upstairs it went and we had fun (yuck) getting our hands nasty in brown plaster yesterday. She formed the volcano and today she painted scenery on it. We waited for dad to get home so she could "make it explode". Mia did not like that part very much.
Joshua has established a few friends in our immediate area. He loves to ride their quads and dirtbikes. Boys being boys, they drilled a hole in one of the sleds and dragged each other around behind the quad during the last snow storm. I have visions of the ER all the time with these boys. They are nice boys and they live very close to our house, which is nice for him. He is not very fond of school at the time being. Although he loves the "social" aspect of it. We'll keep trying. A few months ago, he and his father purchased a go-cart (think more like dune-buggy). It has required more repairs than it has seen rides, but oh well. Men like projects I guess.
Mia is walking, running and talking lately. It is amazing how well she communicates with us. She knows a few ASL signs and uses them, but her language skills have also jumped recently. So funny. She loves daddy and has him wrapped around her finger. She took a slight head dive in the driveway last week and you should have seen the complete PANIC on his face. Of course, it hurt, and she did have a few scratches and a bump. But, boy, you would have thought she severed her arm!! Dads, their not use to seeing these kinds of things often, you know? Anyway, she is such a good baby (she still qualifies as being a baby right...I hope). She is also trying to figure out the whole potty thing, which is kind of early for me. The other two didn't finish training until 3 years old. She likes to go sit on it once she has already finished. Hhhmm, aren't you supposed to do that BEFORE? Oh well, she'll get the hang of it.
Brian has been a working machine lately (anything new?). He is enjoying working on the go-cart with Joshua when he has free time. Now that golf season is over he can relax at home on the weekends. Nice. He is such a dedicated worker, he recently won an award from his company (along with 40 others). So we are going to Cancun next month-all expenses paid! Yahoo!! It will be so much fun, we can't wait! Of course, Brian is already packed (his style). I will pack the day before I'm sure (my style). We have never been anywhere out of the country before, what a treat.
I have been here, there and everywhere. Managing things, being sick, refereeing kids and animals (what was I thinking getting that second dog?). The last 3 months are a blur. We had Halloween for the first time in our new neighborhood. Brianna was a princess, Joshua stayed home to give out candy and Mia rode backpack style. ;-) Thanksgiving was delicious over my parents' house. Thankfully I was feeling well enough to eat. Christmas was fun and burdensome at the same time. The children had a good time and loved their gifts. Of course the highlight is signing the "12 Days of Christmas" at my parents' house. Complete with costumes and accessories. This year I was Maids-a-Milking (funny); which I distinctly remember being stuck with many times before. Brian was 2 turtle doves, very interesting, you had to be there.
So here we are in the new year. Things look challenging with the economy. Hopefully the future will look brighter for those suffering job loss and financial struggles. The baby is due July 15th, so that is something to look forward to! Hopefully I'll write again sooner than later .
