a december day.

Our morning started with more of the story of Christ's birth.
The girls drew pictures to go along with their copywork.
(actually, the day started with lots of "cushion forts" and fighting...)

It's SNOW TIME!
Parker helps roll the giant snowball.

Big sister jumps in to help...

Push, Carly!

Look who has to go potty!

The weather is gorgeous, sunny and 40.
The snow melts a bit and becomes PERFECT for packing!
Only a few more days until Christmas.
We are all really looking forward
a weekend full of family, friends, and fun!

seasonal snaps.

she's crafty.

I'd like to thank Amy for the sudsy inspirations.
I find it amusing that I went from "inspired" to finished product in less than 24 hours.
It was so easy and affordable - how could I not?!?

Take a look!
There was no special formula here. I used the melt & pour method, used goods from my own cupboards (cinnamon, vanilla, honey, oatmeal, coffee, molasses...) - AND VOILA!
Fresh, yummy soaps!!
(and just in time for Christmas!)

i'm a mom. i'm in a band.

Silent Violet at the Royal Oak Music Theatre.
Wanna see?
I love it. It's one of the things on my "must do before I die" list.
Now if Clay Aiken would only sing a duet with me...

learning in a new year.

I've gotta be honest here... our first semester was kinda wishy-washy as far as curriculum goes. We learned! We had FUN! We did not have much structure. As I've said in the past, my children respond well to SOME structure, and I believe it is very good for them.
New year, a few new adjustments to OUR SCHEDULE.

We still use Five In A Row. Love it. Plan on continuing.
Still enjoying Math-U-See, both girls are doing math - AND NOT HATING IT!
We are going to add the "Burgess" books and create a real Nature Study!
I am so excited about this. Spending the day outside - exploring- it really reminds me of WHY I keep my kiddos with me.
I will be using the Ambleside curriculum for our Nature, Hymn, and Composer Studies.
I'm also looking into Rod & Staff for Language Arts. A friend recommended it, and I think I'm sold! So far, we've just been using random workbooks, which have worked well, but I can tell the girls are ready to kick it up a notch!
They love using the Explode the Code books for Language Arts, too. I plan on purchasing the next level.
History? Eh, we'll just read cool books and rent fun videos from the library. They are still young and I don't see the need to learn it now only to RE-learn it again in 4 years.

We're enjoying our Christmas break. Learning about advent has really helped us get excited for MORE than just the gifts under the tree. While the kids make paperbag puppet shows to the music of "Hairspray", I am eagerly anticipating a new year of learning!

oh yeah, i have a blog.

I would like to keep this going, I really would... I just have a hard time fitting it into my schedule!
We are well.
The kids are amazing.
Life is beautiful - it really is...

Remember "If You Give A Moose A Muffin"?

If You Give A Mom A Muffin

If you give a mom a muffin
She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it
She'll pour herself some.
Her three-year-old will spill the coffee
She'll wipe it up
Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks
She'll remember she has to do laundry
When she puts the laundry in the washer
She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer
Bumping into the freezer will remind her
she has to plan for supper
She will get out a pound of hamburger
She'll look for her cookbook
(101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger)
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail
She'll see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow
She will look for her checkbook
The checkbook is in her purse
that is being dumped out be her two-year-old
She'll smell something funny
She'll change the two-year-old's diaper
While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up
She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee
Thinking of coffee will remind her
that she was going to have a cup
And chances are . . . If she has a cup of coffee
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it