I'm "Por" Today

That's what my little Nathan has been happily reciting all day, because today, he turned four years old. I am still somewhat in disbelief that another year has passed since he turned three. He still seems like my little three year old. Sure, he's doing much more now - writing letters, drawing people with actual features as opposed to just circles, and actually cutting along the lines with his scissors. But still, he can't really be four today, can he? When I hear him talk, he still pronounces things, such as "por", in a way that makes him seem younger than he is. And there is still a hint of that baby face I remember so well.

But the truth is, today my littlest boy turned four. And his daddy and I are so very proud of him. He is exactly like Bill, from his love of coins and rocks, to his daredevil antics. He wants to do everything he sees his daddy do. And even though I may find it hard to believe he is already four, he is constantly trying to be a grown up. He's asked Santa Clause for a real lawnmower... I think he may have to wait awhile on that one. :) Of course, no matter how old he gets, he'll still be my baby boy.

Nathan Wayne O'Hara, approx. 8 months old

Happy Birthday, Nathan!!!

Nathan and Alex with their cousin, Caden, at Nathan's party on Saturday.

Nathan with his Superman birthday cake at his party.

Nathan and Bill at the park today.

Alex and Amy chasing ducks at the park today.

Posing with Coach Cameron at karate today

The birthday boy, "throwing" Coach Cameron at karate today.

Our little 4 year old, on his way to his birthday dinner after a very full day

Another Curriculum Change

Today I put in an order for Math-U-See. I have struggled with this decision for awhile now. I purchased the Horizons Kindergarten math workbooks at the homeschool conference in early summer, but questioned then if Math-U-See would be better. Then at another conference late summer I questioned again whether I should instead use Math-U-See, and once again I chose to stick with Horizons. And up until recently, I was loving Horizons. It really is a great program, but it's also a fast-paced more advanced math curriculum. Alex did really well at the beginning, but over time I have found him struggling with more and more of the material, and yet as we move along they continue to build on what the child is supposedly learning. And no matter how many ways I try to explain some of the more difficult concepts to him, he just doesn't get it. So hopefully, Math-U-See, with it's hands-on approach, will clear things up for him. I can't wait until it arrives and we can get started!

Improvising

Amy took notice of my earrings today. Then I later found her like this (it was the best picture I could get). She says they are earrings. Sure. Why not?

Halloween Recap

I can't believe it's been over a week since Halloween and I never got around to finishing my post I'd started. So, finally, here are the pictures...

Alex playing a game at the church fall festival

Nathan playing a game at the church fall festival

Alex and Amy playing in the bubbles at the church fall festival

Nathan, Alex and Amy, posing (Amy wouldn't give up her sucker for the picture)

All three out trick-or-treating

Wow - look at all that candy!!!

Changing Things Up a Bit

I have really enjoyed the Five in a Row program we've been using; it's got so many wonderful ideas and the books are fantastic. However, after veering off course a bit the last two weeks by doing a separate unit study on the Renaissance period and then one on apples, I think I found that I prefer doing this learning approach even better. Five in a Row is similar, but it has you read the same book each day and then use certain aspects of the story to introduce lessons in art, math, science and language. But what I did with those other two studies and what I would like to continue doing is take one particular subject and then read many books and do activities that focus on that one theme. It's a similar, yet different approach. I think the kids had more fun with it, as did I. I'm still planning to use some of the Five in a Row books and ideas they provide, but these will be done in support of our one-themed unit study, which will typically change from week to week (or possibly more than a week, depending on the unit).

We are off to a slow start this week, as we are still a little tired from all the recent events: Halloween, Amy's birthday and celebration and the time change, to name a few. But I believe we will focus on Thanksgiving related themes for the next couple of weeks. There is so much we can talk about. Today during tea time, we started reading ...If YOU SAILED ON The Mayflower in 1620. We read just the first part and will read more over the next several days. I love this line of books because they really take you there and are so informative. I think the kids are enjoying it, though this day in particular they have been a little distracted by the desire to be outside. Imagine that! I still think they soaked up some of the information, and of course we will be reading more books and doing some fun activities that will hopefully help them remember who the pilgrims were and what Thanksgiving is really all about.

This new teaching approach is exciting and I'm looking forward to all the fun things we'll do together in the weeks to come!

A Hi-5 Party

Amy is still quite the Hi-5 fan, so of course what other party theme could we do for her second birthday celebration? Although, it wasn't an easy theme to go with. The only available Hi-5 party supplies have to be ordered from Australia, and I wasn't about to pay shipping from Australia! So we did our own thing. Bright colors of pink, purple, green, yellow and orange were the choice colors for our balloons. I used some sale item plates and napkins from the party store, and even though they didn't contain anything relating to Hi-5, the colors along with the flowers and butterflies really seemed to work well with the theme. We printed off the Hi-5 logo and had color copies made to display througout the house. And for the cake, I just made a giant Hi-5 logo, but instead of writing Hi-5, I put "Happy Birthday, Amy". And of course, we had the latest Hi-5 video playing on the T.V. inside and then Hi-5 music playing out on the back deck throughout the party. I don't know if Amy truly got that we were having a Hi-5 party, but it doesn't matter. She appeared to have a good time and that is all we could hope for!

I especially enjoyed the girliness of it all. I'm so used to the boys' superhero parties with boyish games and action figure type gifts. Not that those aren't fun, too, because they really are. But there is just something about a party with baby dolls, dress up clothes, and fancy tea sets. So, so fun! And Amy loved it, too. She proudly walked around wearing her costume jewelry, dress up shoes and new backpack.

The only disappointing thing that happened was we forgot to put out the gigantic 5 lb. container of potato salad I'd purchased just for the occasion. Thankfully, upon inspection of said potato salad, I discovered a use-by date that will allow me to save it for another birthday party we've got coming up. What a relief... Who can eat that much potato salad?!? But I can proudly state that for what I think is the first time ever, I managed to send home party favors with every child. And after only 2 hours of sleep, I'm amazed I actually remembered!

Here are some fun pictures from Amy's big day:

Happy Birthday, Baby Angel!

How can it be? Is it possible that you turned 2 years old today??? I still remember bringing you home from the hospital, so tiny and totally dependent on me. You were such a beautiful baby and so sweet.

That precious, new, E.T. look...
Oh, how big brother loved holding you!

What a cutie!

Just one year ago...


And now here you are, 2 years later, still beautiful and still so sweet. But you aren't so dependent on me anymore. You're becoming quite the independent little girl, always wanting to do things for yourself. But as tough as you come across, you can be sensitive and ever so cuddly. Your daddy and I discuss quite often how we really should be moving you to your own room in your own big girl bed. And yet... I just can't imagine going to bed each night without you rolling over to wrap your arms around me with a loving hug. You are a true joy, baby girl. A treasured gift from God.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMY!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Ready to open those presents!

A new stroller for her babies...

chocolate chip pancake "cake", mmmm...