Back to School

It is that time of year again, back to School.  This time last year I was gearing up to do Preschool at home with AJ.  She was 3 and I was very confident we could do Preschool at home.  There was not much structure to our lessons, I used several workbooks I had picked up and then we'd do a Signing Time video, or a craft.  We usually got a least two lesson a week done and in the end, both AJ and I really enjoyed our Preschool time.

So...  What to do this year?  Adam and I thought about it a lot.  Our number one priority is what is best for our family.  We could send her to a preschool in town or try another year at home.  By the end of last year I was really leaning towards homeschooling, but wanted to be sure Adam was 100% okay with this.  In April we went to the annual Homeschool Conference and Curriculum Fair.  We had a good time, though a little overwhelmed with all the choices.  After much thought we decided to go for another year a home.  Now... another year of Preschool?  I did not see the point of doing another year of things she already knows, so we found a Kindergarten curriculum that looked like it would be a good fit for her.  My thoughts are, if she isn't able to make through it all this school year, and we have to finish it up next year, we will not be behind.  But, here we are several weeks into it and I really don't think she will have a problem.  We are trying My Fathers World, and I am very happy thus far.  So far it is going well, we are working on setting up a fun school room, and although are days haven't always played out like I have them pictured in my head, they haven't been too bad.  We work better while little Sis is napping, but we can get things done even with the extra help.   

AWANA started up again and here she was on Wednesday before Cubbies      

Happy First Birthday Audrey Anna!

Our little baby turned 1!  How can this be?  We celebrated with a party with family, Grandmas and Grandpas and of coarse Uncle Vance and Aunt Alana!  I had really hoped to have the party in the backyard, but I am thankful Adam talked me out of it.  It was hot, way too hot for an enjoyable evening outside!  As soon as Audrey Anna was in her party dress she seemed to realize the evening was all about her, and what a happy little girl!  

Supper was light, a pesto chicken salad with peas, a cucumber salad, a grilled corn salad (which was pretty tasty),  fresh fruit and watermelon fizzie to drink.  The highlight was dessert, Audrey Anna had her very own dirt cake and then an Oreo and pudding dirt cake for all.  The dirt cake fit her well, no matter how hard I have tried, I can never seem to keep dirt out of her mouth!  When it came time to eat her cake she dove right in!  Hopefully I'll have a picture of that up here soon, but here are a few until then. 

      

   

Happy Birthday AJ!

I'm a little late posting, but last Saturday my big girl turned 4!  We celebrated her and Uncle Vance's birthdays (his was Sunday) with a camping weekend at the lake.  We took the boat, tent and fishing gear and headed out Friday.  Grandpa and Grandma Schneider, Uncle Vance and Aunt Alana met us there.  On Saturday Grandpa and Grandma Hoagland came out and we had a fun (but hot) day.  AJ's favorite part was swimming and being pulled on the tube was a close second.  We stayed til Sunday.  We had considered staying another day, but we were all ready to be back to our home comforts!  I hope we'll get to the lake a few more times this summer.

We also celebrated her birthday with a party on the 16th.  A pink dinosaur party with her friends.  It was at the splash pad, and despite the weather looking a little questionable, it turned out to be a perfect day for a party.  I had been praying real hard, because there was no backup plan!  The kids got to color a dinosaur magnet and then hunt for fossils.  AJ opened her gifts, everyone ate the then they were free to play.  I could not have been happier with how it turned out, and the biggest compliment was from Adam, who said it was a pretty good party.  AJ had a blast, which is what counts.  Here are a few (a lot!) pictures from the party, enjoy!  

Birthday Girl!

T REX watermelon 

Happy Sunday!

What a beautiful spring Sunday afternoon!  A little chilly, and a bit breezy, but nice and sunny just the same.  Here's my attempt and a few "sisters" pictures.  I have very few pictures of the girls together, actually I have lots of pictures of them together, they just aren't worth keeping -they are awful!  I am very happy with these, and even still, as many as I took, I have ONE decent one of them looking at the camera at the same time.  Oh well, they were having fun and it shows.

I LOVE their coordinating outfits I found on our trip to Kansas City last weekend.  We visited one of the malls to check out the American Girl store (Addison's new favorite store), and found Naartjie a kids clothes store.  I was immediately drawn to these pretty pinks, yellows, and greens, with florals and checks.  You can check out their website here http://www.naartjiekids.com.

Easter Pictures

Here are our Easter pictures, they didn't turn out to bad (thanks Dad!).  Considering what he had to work with he got a couple good ones.  After hours of sewing, I was pretty pleased how everything turned out and had high hopes of a few adorable family pictures in their new coordinating outfits.  Things didn't go well from the start, the weather was not obliging, to cold and windy for an outdoor photo shoot.  We probably should have tried to get the pictures before lunch but as soon as we got to Grandpa and Grandma's  the food smelled to good to wait.  SO, here they are, the girls were in no mood for pictures but these few aren't too bad. 

Picture Update

My baby is getting too big!  Look at those beautiful eyes!  She thinks she should be walking and is not to far from it.  She's attempting steps and working on balance.  Notice big sis in the background?  I do put clothes on her every morning...

For some reason getting AJ to look at the camera is close to impossible so I had to settle with these.  The earrings are her treasure find from Goodwill today, perfect for dress up.  I found a few things to repurpose when I find the time.     

The girls and I had a fun lunch with Aunt Alana today, we can not wait for her and Uncle Vance to move a little closer!

Hope everyone  had a nice Easter.  We went to Grandpa and Grandma Hoagland's and Grandpa and Grandma Schneider joined us.  AJ was a little worn out yesterday from a little over stimulation Sunday, but today is better.

and She's Off...

Addison has been practicing on her bike each day.  She is pretty speedy now, she can steer and stop, so I'd say she's got it down.  She has plenty of space around the house to ride and keep her busy.

We have been enjoying the beautiful weather!  We spent most of yesterday afternoon outside.  I couldn't resist cleaning out my garden area and even mowed the backyard with my mower, my push mower, my old fashioned no gas, push mower (I LOVE it).

Adam worked on his project,

Audrey Anna watched or napped, and AJ was here there and everywhere

Isn't she sweet?