Here's what we've been doing...

At this stage in the game, I'm doing good to get one post up a week. I wish I could keep up with it more often, but life is just too crazy right now. The kids have been sick, I'm becoming more and more uncomfortable and need more rest lately, doctor appointments are coming more frequently, etc... When I have the energy, I feel like I have to stick to the important things, and unfortunately, blogging and facebook are not number 1 on that list. It's actually been kind of nice to take a break from the computer for a while. I miss seeing what's going on in everyone's life, but it's kind of relieving to "simplify" my own life.

We haven't done a lot recently, but I had some pictures that I wanted to share. A couple of weeks ago, Larissa and Sydney got together and wrote out a puppet show--music and all. I decided to set up a little curtain for them to perform behind. This is very easy to do. I simply put an adjustable shower curtain rod (you could use a tension rod as well) between the walls of the little hallway just outside of their bedroom. I then hung a sheet over the rod to make the curtain. If you wanted to make it a more permanent-type thing, you could actually measure the proper length and sew a rod pocket at the top of your fabric. I kind of like the temporary setup, so that I can easily take it down and store it away when it's not in use.

Here they are performing with their sock puppets. The show was so cute and totally hilarious. The first time they performed for us, Jason and I were laughing so hard, and I even had tears streaming down my face.


About a week ago, we decided to go to a park that is just a couple of miles from our house. We all loved it! Along with the usual swings and slides, there was also a rock climbing wall. The kids really enjoyed that. I loved the "beach-y" atmosphere with the palm trees and the sand. The girls and I took off our sandals to feel the sand between our toes. =) Just before sunset, we decided to cross over the short boardwalk-type bridge that passes from the park to the beach. The kids and Jason had fun throwing shells into the water and trying to get them to skip like rocks. The weather was just slightly cool, and there was a nice breeze coming off of the water. It was a totally relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Here are a few pictures that I took while we were there.

For fun, Sydney wanted Jason to hold her on the swings. He's such a great "Daddy"!

Here are some pictures from the beach. It was so beautiful that evening.

Here's a video clip of them throwing shells into the water. Sorry it's so noisy. I didn't realize that the camera was picking up all the wind. Jason tossed one in the water that skipped 7 times. He's so talented! =)

My sweet girls...

I'll leave you with a video clip of Jason and Alyx showing some of their abilities. =) They love to play with these beach-type balls and usually play "Monkey in the Middle," but on this particular evening, they were just tossing one ball back and forth. I suggested that they try to toss two balls at the same time to see if they could catch them. In this video, Larissa refers to the balls as "The Tomato" and "The Pea" and even offers to toss in another ball. =) Oh, and yes, Jason has an afghan on his lap. Here recently I've been freezing everyone in the house (except myself). Baby Bubba is keeping me nice and warm. =)

Discounted Homeschool Products

About 10 years ago, we got a collection of Patch the Pirate cassette tapes, and over the years, they have gradually worn out to where we now only have about 3 or 4 that "work." There are sections of the tapes that will lose sound completely or will begin pulling the tape from the cassette. This past week, we finally broke down and started pricing CD's online. I had looked once before and found a site that offered a pretty good price on the individual CD's, but for some reason, we couldn't find it this past week. Jason got online for me and found another site that offers them even cheaper. Yay! They also offer the boxed sets which make the CD's even cheaper! Double Yay!! Individually, the CD's are $11.25, which is a pretty good price, but if you buy the boxed set, they are only $9.38 each! Sweet!

The site is http://www.homeschooldiscountproducts.com/servlet/StoreFront

The Patch the Pirate CD's are listed under "Music" subcategory "Majesty Music" on the left hand side of the page. This site offers a good variety of books--both curriculum and reading (Unfortunately, no A Beka Book stuff, though). If you place an order over $50, you will receive one free book, and they're not worthless books, either. I glanced through them, and they have "My Friend Flicka," "Pollyanna," "Swiss Family Robinson," some Bobbsey Twins books, and other various books on history, science, animals and crafts.

In the 25% off retail section, there were some books that caught my eye. They are entitled, "Draw Write Now." They teach the child how to draw and write using characters and stories from history, science, weather, etc. My girls love to draw and learn new things about history and science, so I thought that this might be a good way to "kill two birds with one stone." Individually, these 8 books are $11.25 each. If you buy the boxed set of all 8, they average only $8.44 each.

They also have sections for their 30% off, 50% off and 75% off merchandise. Many of these items are priced under $5.00, and some are even hardback. I always like to find books that are educational (both academically and spiritually), and one book that caught my eye in the 75% off section was entitled, "God's Smuggler." It is a hardback book that is only $4.99. Here is the description that they include:

by Brother Andrew

As a boy, Brother Andrew dreamed of being an undercover spy working behind enemy lines. As a man he found himself working undercover for God. His was a mission filled with danger, financed by faith, supported by miracles.

Told it was impossible to minister behind the Iron Curtain, Andrew knew that nothing was too hard for God. Crossing "closed" borders, he prayed, "Lord in my luggage I have Scripture I want to take to Your children. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see." And they never did.

For 35 years, Brother Andrew's life story has inspired millions to step out on their own journeys of faith. This young Dutch factory worker's near-incredible adventures testify to God's step-by-step guidance and hour-by-hour provision - available to all who follow His call.

I'm not sure what the recommended reading age is on this particular book, but I figure I can get it, preview it, and then decide whether or not it's appropriate for them.

There is a section under the categories that list Favorite Authors including C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Louisa May Alcott. Another section is Favorite Series, which includes Anne of Green Gables, Betsy and Tacy, Boxcar Children, Little House Books, Sugar Creek Gang, and the Trailblazer Books (stories about missionaries).

Orders placed with a total less than $150 have a minimum charge of $4.00 or 5% of the order total. Orders priced at $150 or more have free shipping.

I haven't had a chance to look through the entire site, so if you look through it and find something that you would recommend, please let me know. Thanks!

Pictures

Well, I thought I would share some pictures from the last couple of weeks. The weather has been beautiful recently, so we've tried to take advantage of playing outside as much as possible. I took the girls to the community playground one day, and they really enjoyed playing in the sand...probably more than actually playing on the equipment.

Alyx made a Florida snowman. =)

The sand was very therapeutic. It made me feel like I was at the beach. The kids loved playing it, burying themselves in it, throwing it in the air, etc...








Last week was rather chilly, but we still found some time to spend outside. Isn't Florida great? Where else can you get away with wearing Bermuda shorts/capri pants and sandals while wearing a jacket?

On this particular day, the temperature was in the 50's, so the girls had to move around a lot to stay warm. They came up with some sort of tag game and really enjoyed playing that. I love the pictures of them looking over the water, and I had a hard time narrowing them down. That's why there are several of them. =)









Last Thursday, Alyx and Larissa sneaked off into the back bathroom and decided to try to pull Larissa's "loose tooth." When I realized that they were back there, I called them out thinking that they were playing and making messes or something. Larissa came walking out holding a washcloth to her mouth and proceeded to tell me that Alyx had pulled her tooth. Let me tell you, that tooth was not that loose. Larissa has a high threshold for pain. She kept telling Alyx that it was tickling her. She never cried or moaned at all. Here are a couple of pictures of her current toothless grin. (The missing tooth is on the top right.)



I have really come to appreciate the fact that I have older children who are capable of really helping me out when I need it. Some days I just don't even feel like getting up to fix my lunch. Alyx is so sweet to fix me a sandwich on these days, and I think she likes feeling important and needed. She makes the best sandwiches, too. =)

It's okay to be dependent...

Those of you who know me well, know that I am not an independent person. I greatly rely on other people, especially Jason, to help me get through each day. All my life, I've always felt that this was some sort of "disability" and have wished many times that I could be more of an extrovert. Don't get me wrong. I love who I am and am very thankful for the life that God has given me, but I always felt like I needed to "work" on this personality flaw. This morning, as I was reading in Ecclesiastes 4, I came across a couple of verses that made me stop and think.

Eccl. 4:9-10:
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Wow! So many thoughts ran through my mind when I read this passage, but I think the thing that struck me strongest was that in actuality it's the independent spirit that needs to work on becoming more dependent. Who hasn't at some point in time needed someone to be there for them? I know I have many times, and I am very blessed to have an awesome group of family and friends to support me. If we all need the support but no one is willing to do the "supporting," then who will help?

For the first time in my life, I actually view my dependence as a blessing not a curse. Working with other people not only makes the job easier, but it also allows you to be a blessing to the other person by helping and supporting them.

Update with photos

Wow! I can't believe that it's been over a month since I've posted. I'm such a slacker! =) Well, I am alive...I've just been busy (and a little sick).

As of today, I am 6 months (27 weeks) pregnant. How time flies! According to the pregnancy calendar I created at parenting.ivillage.com, the baby is approximately 15.3 inches and a little over 2 pounds. No wonder I've been feeling him kick around a lot more recently. =) Here are some pictures that we recently took, just to give you an idea of what we're all looking like now. I finally had to break down and buy some maternity clothes a couple of weeks ago. He seemed to have a major growth spurt in the course of just a couple of weeks, and my belly seemed to just "pop." =)