Since I started blogging 6 years ago, I have never missed an entire month! But I *almost* did...I have a couple more days, but it's almost February (crazy)! So, whew, that was close :)
I had a bunch of ideas for blog posts but now that it's Friday night, I'm a little tired and scatterbrained, I think a nice Quick Takes post will help get me back into the blogging groove. So, heeeeeere goes my dears!
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Well, not to start out with the most predictable subject in the world...but, this weather! Oy! Well, really, it's been okay. I'd much rather have rain than 80 degree weather all winter, or crazy amounts of snow, but yes of course the rain gets old when it stays for weeks on end. When it gets dark early and there are not many sun breaks, I do start to crave the sunshine and even start to miss summer. The few days in the last three weeks where we had some sun, I grabbed my camera! It just felt so good. The kids started asking how much longer it would be until summer...
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I don't know what's up with my kids lately - but have they been playing together WONDERFULLY. It's been a dream!
I'm not saying everything is perfect between a 6 year old, a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and a 20 month old for all the hours they spend together everyday...don't think that's what I'm telling you. But I am saying that lately, they've hit a groove - and it's really something. My kids are such a joy to me. Especially when I see them playing together and enjoying their childhoods together.
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How is Homeschooling going?
It is going great!
I just recently started Josie with 100 Easy Lessons. She was definitely not ready to start it at the beginning of the school year, but was starting to show signs at the beginning of 2016. She is also quite suddenly interested in math! Mostly adding numbers together, but also writing numbers and wanting to do more. It's a little tricky with math because I noticed that she's a little bit too advanced for the Pre-K workbooks I have, yet not *quite* ready for the Kindergarten workbooks I have. She's very much in between. Which makes sense because she turned 5 in December, but she also wants to be doing what her big sister is doing a lot of the time so it's hard for her to understand her limitations. It's been interesting! But she is definitely a bright girl and I've been enjoying seeing her enthusiasm grow.
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I'm not sure if I've mentioned this anywhere yet, but back in September when we started our school year, I made the decision that we would be giving up t.v. during the week. I was pretty nervous going into it. For these past few years of being in the midst of busy toddlerhood, babyhood, and everything else, I did rely on shows to help me get through the day in one piece. It truly made the difference between me being able to shower before we left the house, or focus on making a meal without the entire house being destroyed. As most parents know, sometimes screen time is just vital to survival! However, as the kids have gotten a little older, I realized that instead of using it to just survive, I was starting to rely on it a little more than I was comfortable with at the end of the day. So, after much thought and discussion with Mike, we both made the decision to limit screen time to Friday night movie night and occasionally on the weekends. During the week, we would try to avoid it. Since September, we have noticed a big difference in how our children react to t.v.
It really was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and it seems like we're all enjoying our favorite shows even more now because they are more of a special treat. I'm really happy with the results which mostly entail less fuss when shows are over, and less demanding children in general. I also notice that after a few weeks of doing this, they don't even ask anymore during the week! Seriously. I was surprised but even Michael knows the rules and even, dare I say, likes them. He will sometimes say to me, "Mommy, is it Friday?" and then I will say, "No...it's Tuesday." and he goes on his merry way.
I will say that this is not set in stone! And there are plenty of exceptions. I have put on a documentary on days that are just going south fast. Of course, if someone is sick or if they are at grandparent's house, I don't completely outlaw tv. Not at all. The rule is meant for a general sense during our week and we are flexible. So, yes, it's been pretty great for us overall. But if someone were to suggest this even a year ago I would not have been ready and probably would have felt a little irritated about the idea so trust me, if you're reading this and you're not ready to try it, just have confidence that it's not the right thing for your family yet! I'm not here to try and convince you to do anything...just to document what's been working for us lately :)
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Would you take a look at these cuties!??
Our sweet little neighborhood friends came over to play this week, and Emmett had a blast playing with this cutie. Isn't she so precious? I was really wanted to keep her :)
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I'm really proud of Louisa. She is just getting so big and independent. Her birthday is coming up in less than 2 weeks! She will be SEVEN. It's just so hard to believe. Our sweet honeymoon baby, how can it be 7 years ago since we first met you?
I love everything about her. Right now, she is loving art and math and playing with her sister. I'm so excited for her birthday. She wants to go get her ears pierced!
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I know I've got lots more to say, but it's getting late and my eyes are starting to glaze over thinking about all we have to do this weekend. It's going to be a fairly busy one! I hope you all have a lovely weekend, friends. Cheers!
