September

We'll start at the end of August....

*Paul, our boys, and I were sealed together for all time and eternity on our 7th wedding anniversary (and my birthday) at the Salt Lake Temple. It was so beautiful. I am full of gratitude and love for those who came to support our sealing. It was neat too, as my cousin and his wife were married later that week so Paul and I had a chance to see a temple marriage so soon after our own. Absolutely wonderful.

*Kade started speech therapy. He's been going twice a week since the end of August and his speech has improved dramatically already. Not only is he doing well during sessiosn, but he's spontaneously using the correct letter sounds at home too!

And throughout September...

*Trent's vocabulary has just soared! He says at least 40 words, with new words added daily. At 17 months he folds his arms for prayers, eats well with a spoon and fork, drinks from a regular cup all by himself, kicks a ball, walks well, tries to run, enjoys "reading", throws paper airplanes, loves to pretend and dress-up, always says "thanks" after receiving something, says "amen" after bedtime prayers, loves feeding the ducks and chickens, thinks showers are the best thing in the world, poops regularly in the potty, and lots more. Yes, he is still a breastfed babe!

*Kade is trying out riding Braxton's two wheeler bike and actually stays on by himself for a moment or two! He is so amazing. Kade started school at a private preschool (yes, we are still homeschoolers!) so that he can make friends with some other kids his age. He loves it there. His teacher was a homeschooling mom herself and has taught preschool for over 20 years. Every day that I pick him up he is just so excited from the time he spent at school. When I ask him what did he do that morning he says, "I played with toys, I ate a yummy snack, I sang some songs, Read some books.....it was so much fun!!"

*Braxton's reading and math skills have really taken off. He enjoys reading the children's versions of The Book of Mormon, Old Testament, New Testament, and then of course Dr. Seuss, Arthur series, and anything that has anything to do with the ocean. His new favorite obsession though is paper airplanes. All day long he is working on those engineering skills as he designs and formats new plane ideas.

*We ate our rooster. Yes. It's true. And I don't advise anyone to eat a 1 year old bird. It was awful. Not only was the slaughtering horrific, but the taste was just terrible. Whiskey enjoyed it though.

*We acquired two new ducks, after finding out the three remaining ducks were all boys. Boo. So now we have two egg layers that we are waiting on to lay eggs. And since we don't want to just feed lots of male ducks, we gave away 2 of the 3 males. I would like to believe that they are now living happily together in a nice yard, enjoying shade and a lovely pool of water, but I think the lady who picked them up was licking her lips too much for that to happen. I have a feeling she ate orange sauce today.

*We went to the Utah State Fair and had a fantastic time. We don't do the rides or much of the expensive food. Instead we enjoy seeing the animals, the crafts, and watching the various magic shows. And the Ice Cream Festival. Oh yes, my friends, an ICE CREAM FESTIVAL. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I think this about sums up the last month and a half. I can't believe the year is 3/4 of the way over already. Now we are getting ready for Halloween, Braxton's 6th(!!!) birthday, Puerrrrrto Rrrrriico(!!), and then the holidays. Whew! That's exhausting just thinking about it. Oh, and I found a snail in the washer today. It came from Kade's pocket. I remembered after pulling the gooey-shelled creature from the penny catcher that Kade had put a snail in his pocket while we were on a walk the other day. Good times.

a little bit of everything

Gah. I am good at the taking of pictures, but not so good at the posting of pictures. Sooo...one of these days I'll do another mass picture post.

In other news, Trent is a crawler! For one whole week he's been making his way about the house and everyday he's getting farther and faster. And let me tell you, crawling on hardwood floors is NOT easy. No, no, my friends. But he has figured out a system of crawl-scooting that gets him where he wants to go.

Kade is my counter. He's taken to counting everything lately. Well, up to 15 and then he starts over. I think math skills are definitely a stronger suit for him. And his speech and vocabulary is getting so good! I am so proud of the progress he has made in the last 6 months. It was only about last August when he really started saying more than about 10-30 words (including the "words" only I could understand). He's now speaking in long sentences and understandable to everyone about 75% of the time.

Braxton has be learning the piano and is now in formal lessons (woohoo for ksl!!). After Day 1 he seems to be really enjoying them and I think this is going to be a great thing. He's also getting better at handwriting and practicing by writing letters to family members and soon to be writing to his first pen pals. So watch your mail!

In less than a month Kade will turn 3 years old and we are all so excited for his birthday. On the third birthday is when we do a friend party as well as the regular family party. We're planning on going to the dinosaur museum...woohooo!!! So while I am getting his two party details taken care of I'm also preparing for Trent's 1st birthday. Can you believe it? I know I can't. My deliously squishy tiny babe is about to become a toddler. Where, oh where, does the time go?

Hmm...any more updates? Oh! We are now learning about sharks. In our recent studies I have learned the names of all the fins...do you know them? If you didn't they are the dorsal fin, second dorsal, the caudal, the anal, the pelvic, and the pectoral. And sharks have a vertebrae, but their spine is the only bone in their body. The rest is made up of cartilege. Bet ya didn't know that, did ya?

Raw Milk, Goat Milk

We have recently tried goat milk. I'm not talking from a can or from the grocery store, I'm talking goat milk fresh that morning from the goat farm. And it's gooooood. I don't think I want to go back to cow milk for my regular milk drinking needs! If only it weren't $5/half gallon. *Sigh* I like goat milk. And the boys do too!

Next is to try the raw milk. The milk we bought was pasturized, as we had never tried goat milk before and thought we'd take slow steps, in case we didn't like..and raw is a $1 more. So yes, you have to sign a waiver in able to buy raw milk saying you don't hold the local farm liable in case you get a number of serious or nonserious illnesses. I find it amusing. Anyway, yes, adventure on!

Oh! Oh! Before I forget, they also make lotion and soap out of the milk and I will update on how amazing those products are soon. And we had a great time teaching the boys about the goats while watching the buggers play about. It was wonderful!

ETA: For more local info about buying goat milk or milk products check out http://www.drakefamilyfarms.com/

January: No tv in the mornings except for on the weekends: Week Two

The month is halfway over and we are doing great! Some days are harder than others, especially if Trent had an active night meaning I am utterly exhausted in the morning, but we are doing good. It's funny how this weekend the boys aren't even that excited for their 2 hours of Qubo like they used to be. They'd rather be reading books, playing trains, or helping create something new with the sewing machine.

Our Discoveries of the Day

*Goat milk is delicious!

*Kade is no longer afraid of goats and thinks they happen to be silly.

*Braxton's intense memory does indeed crossover into the world of music and piano playing.

*Trent likes spinach.

*Kade enjoys taekwondo.

*Mommy CAN learn to sew!

*Tomato and Carrot soup is quite delicious.

*Brothers really are best friends.

January: No TV except on the weekend mornings: Week One

When I first told my boys that Monday thru Friday the tv wasn't getting turned on I was recieved with looks of shock, anger, and even some tears (this includes Paul). PBS is all we ever watch and I know my Braxton and Kade have really missed Dinosaur Train, but we've been surviving. We did cave once when we went to Blockbuster to buy Up because it was on sale and Paul let the boys watch some of it that evening. But we were all together watching, so that's gotta count for something, right? Anyway, so last weekend I told my boys to pick out 5 activities to do from my big art book and we would do one a day. We haven't been great about that part...we've only done two...BUT we have been doing other things, so that's ok too. We've made giant clocks and Kwanzaa masks and the other days we have done things like going to the dinosaur museum (new members! woohoo!), planning and putting together a dessert party, going to the library, karate class, and more. There has been way more coloring going on, which has been great. And more cursive practice. It's amazing how much easier it is to learn writing in cursive than it is in print.

I am planning a visit to the Great Salt Lake next week (weather permitting) and probably going back to the aqaurium. Our dinosaur reading and researching is continuing on, but I think the boys are ready to add in trains. About half the day is spent putting together the tracks and racing the trains around. There is an awesome train museum in both Ogden and Toole and I think it's time we paid a visit.

2/52 (Part Six)

2/52 (Part Five)

2/52 (Part Two)

What We Love To Watch

And Kade is always asking for "The Baby Mamas":

Woozles, Dragons, and Igloos..Oh My!

Today was a day of:

Woozles

dragons

igloos

caribou

trains

roaring

Masiakasaurases

Today was a good day.

Centers

In part of coming to our agreement with Braxton about ending our public school days and beginning our adventure in homeschooling he said he wanted to have "centers" like they do at preschool, so we are. We already have a sand and water table, though it's only being used for water so we are going to need a seperate bin for sand/dirt so that one is covered. We have since bought a play kitchen and kitchen items and I am in the process of learning how to make felt food. I may start out with a flat version and once I feel confident with my creativity (and once I get a sewing machine) I'll begin the fluffy stuff. I think starting out with fruits and veggies will be easiest, then move on to breakfast foods like pancakes and eggs then add in things like fish, cookies and cupcakes, and finally sandwich foods. I'm so excited!

Some other center ideas I've been contemplating are playdough (going to make the fruity scented kind) and a tool area (the boys love being "working dads"). Maybe expanding on the playdough and making it a basic art station. All sorts of paints and items to paint with....sponges, ice, fruit/veggies, spiky balls...anything that encourages their creativity. And for the tool area I'm sure Paul would love to put something together and maybe even donate some of his odds and ends that no longer serve a purpose for him.

These are the types of things I love about the idea of unschooling. We follow our children as they guide us in what and how they learn and we provide plenty of opportunities to discover more. Right now Braxton is really into dinosaurs and Kade is into trains. I do think a visit to the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum is in order, along with a trip to the Utah State Railroad Museum. Fieldtrips!!

Home Is Where The Heart Is.

This year I have come to realize some pretty important things.

1)I am capable.
2)My family needs will always come first. Always.
3)My children can learn the most important life lessons right here at home.
4)My husband is the most understanding man there has ever been and loves his family more than words can express.

Starting with the birth of Trent we have come to find out just how important being at home is. I gave birth to Trent at home, on our bed, with my husband and Braxton sitting on the bed beside me and our middle son napping nearby. My sister, Meigan, and friend, Megan both supported me and my family in ways I can't even express. And my midwife keeping a watchful eye over the whole experience. While my older two boys were born med-free and labor involved with wonderful use of a jacuzzi tub, it was my most intense birth, my homebirth, that I feel the biggest smile come when I recall the day. It was so wonderful to be able to have my children involved as much as they wanted to be, to use my own shower, and to feel so open with such freedom to move about the way I needed to without fear of disrupting other "patients", nurses, or other hospital personnel.

This year we have come to decide to homeschool. We started Braxton out in a public preschool (the elementary he would have attended for K-6 grade) but soon after the feelings of frustration set in. Braxton is so gifted and it doesn't seem to me that giftedness is nourished and nutured in the public school setting. Instead, it's made out to be something that causes children to be disruptive and difficult. Being gifted brings on negative labels. So with the mindset that so far we have helped guide Braxton's learning already, we have decided to homeschool. Though do not think this is school at home. No curriculum, no bells, no tests. Rather, following our children's cues on what they would like to learn and providing positive experiences to encourage new thoughts and ideas. For example, Paul mentioned to Braxton that Mozart learned to play the piano when he was a small boy, and Braxton became fascinated so now we are learning about Mozart. I will make a list of what we have learned this year...it's not your average "preschool" list.

One of my greatest joys about homeschooling is that it isn't about teaching my children to pass tests. It's about learning and growing together as a family. We nurture eachother through our questions and discoveries.

This year we also grew our organic garden in the backyard complete with a compost bin. It was primarily tomatoes, but this coming year we are planning much, much more. It is my goal that the majority of what is eaten by our family is grown by our family. Hopefully though next year won't be so wonky in the weather. Too many soggy days make for some unhappy tomatoes.

We have switched our cleaning supplies to homemade concoctions. Vinegar is our friend!! It doesn't have to be smelly either, with the assistance of some pleasant essential oils it doesn't have to be very smelly at all. Vinegar is a great antibacterial cleaner and is safe if the kids lick where it was sprayed. And if you add some Clary Sage to it then you have added antibacterial power. Other than our all-purpose cleaner we have also made laundry and dishwasher detergent with the help of Borax, baking soda, and you guessed it...vinegar!!

Our next homemade projects include personal use items (i.e. "shampoo", feminine hygiene products, diaper rash ointment) and toys (i.e. felt food, peek-a-bags, wooden puzzles). I'm so excited to continue making our home a more environmentally friendly home.