Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Preschool Homeschool Update
We are now 4 months into our preschool homeschool and I thought for sure this one and the previous post I wrote on preschool homeschooling Zoelle would have come sooner. However, somehow we have gotten busy and I am finally getting that chance to write this now.
What began with a bit of apprehension and reluctance on my part, began with joy on Zoelle's part! There was not one part of her that did not want and crave to learn. It hasn't stopped since then! Each day, Zoelle wakes up and asks what she gets to learn in school today. Trust me, I am taking advantage of this time in her life as it may or may not last.
I am a bit of an organized person, and knew that I would never do school with Zoelle without some sort of curriculum. Yes, she is young and doesn't need one, but I knew that I did. Thus, I happend upon Heart of Dakota Publishing. Upon doing my research, I was impressed with their website and how they have the curriculum broken up into ages.
Although Zoelle is a bit ahead for her age, I decided to go ahead and order the Little Hands to Heaven. One of my favorite things about this is that the lesson plan for each day is layed out neatly for me. I also am able to incorporate art, math, music, bible, and even a bit of science into the lessons. Zoelle loves it! She often asks for multiple lessons per day. I have zero complaints about this curriculum for her. The only hesitation I have is that perhaps I should have bought the next age group up for her as she seems to know most of what is in the 2-5 year old curriculum. However, I feel like it is laying a good foundation for what is to come.
One thing the curriculum is lacking is the ability to teach her a second language. No problem though as I am already sold on using both Little Pim and Boca Beth. Often I will catch Zoelle speaking to either me or one of her sisters in Spanish. Just little phrases, or words here or there, but it is good to know that it is sticking and again laying a foundation for being bilingual.
My original intent was to strive to teach Zoelle at least once a week in school, mimicking how it would have looked had we sent her to the local private preschool that we had considered. However, the curriculum is set so that you teach about 30 minutes each day for 5 days a week. I wish I could say we have been able to do this. Some weeks, we are great, but others just end up busy and I don't get in as much school as I would like. We do the Spanish curriculum much less as I don't really care for the girls to watch many movies. I have been able to pick up Spanish books here and there at garage sales, and I look forward to incorporating them more this year.
By far this has been my biggest challenge thus far in homeschooling. Scheduling! Once we get up, dressed, make beds, eat breakfast, etc. It is time to lay Xiomara down for a nap. Often I try and do school during that nap, but often Meridian, laundry, or housework gets in my way. Then it's back up from nap for Xiomara, and time to prepare/eat lunch. Then nap time in the afternoon for all 3 followed by time to make supper. Before I know it Chris is home, and it's time to eat. If Zoelle wakes up before the other girls from her afternoon nap, we will try and sneak school into there. If not, I try and do it after supper. Not the best time of day for her, but it is getting it in. This doesn't include all the other activities we have on a few other days of the week (like my mom's group Bible study, storytime at the library). I would love to hear from other homeschooling moms with little ones how you do it all? Obviously she is just three, so it doesn't matter now, but it will in the future.
And me? I'm loving it! I'm proud of my little girl and she thrives on the structure of doing something during these cold, winter days! I thrive on being able to give her something to do and also on watching her little face light up as she "gets it". I have to say it's been a good experience thus far. I'm looking forward to what God has for the rest of the year and I'm praying He still will guide and direct us for next year.
Disclosure: Opinions are all my own. Outside of doing the original review for Boca Beth and Little Pim, no other curriculum was given to me. And I still love Boca Beth and Little Pim and would highly recommend all three curriculums mentioned!
What began with a bit of apprehension and reluctance on my part, began with joy on Zoelle's part! There was not one part of her that did not want and crave to learn. It hasn't stopped since then! Each day, Zoelle wakes up and asks what she gets to learn in school today. Trust me, I am taking advantage of this time in her life as it may or may not last.
I am a bit of an organized person, and knew that I would never do school with Zoelle without some sort of curriculum. Yes, she is young and doesn't need one, but I knew that I did. Thus, I happend upon Heart of Dakota Publishing. Upon doing my research, I was impressed with their website and how they have the curriculum broken up into ages.
Although Zoelle is a bit ahead for her age, I decided to go ahead and order the Little Hands to Heaven. One of my favorite things about this is that the lesson plan for each day is layed out neatly for me. I also am able to incorporate art, math, music, bible, and even a bit of science into the lessons. Zoelle loves it! She often asks for multiple lessons per day. I have zero complaints about this curriculum for her. The only hesitation I have is that perhaps I should have bought the next age group up for her as she seems to know most of what is in the 2-5 year old curriculum. However, I feel like it is laying a good foundation for what is to come.
Not the best representation of the letter B, but she got it!
One thing the curriculum is lacking is the ability to teach her a second language. No problem though as I am already sold on using both Little Pim and Boca Beth. Often I will catch Zoelle speaking to either me or one of her sisters in Spanish. Just little phrases, or words here or there, but it is good to know that it is sticking and again laying a foundation for being bilingual.
Watching Little Pim
My original intent was to strive to teach Zoelle at least once a week in school, mimicking how it would have looked had we sent her to the local private preschool that we had considered. However, the curriculum is set so that you teach about 30 minutes each day for 5 days a week. I wish I could say we have been able to do this. Some weeks, we are great, but others just end up busy and I don't get in as much school as I would like. We do the Spanish curriculum much less as I don't really care for the girls to watch many movies. I have been able to pick up Spanish books here and there at garage sales, and I look forward to incorporating them more this year.
Incorporating our Bible lesson by making a rainbow!
By far this has been my biggest challenge thus far in homeschooling. Scheduling! Once we get up, dressed, make beds, eat breakfast, etc. It is time to lay Xiomara down for a nap. Often I try and do school during that nap, but often Meridian, laundry, or housework gets in my way. Then it's back up from nap for Xiomara, and time to prepare/eat lunch. Then nap time in the afternoon for all 3 followed by time to make supper. Before I know it Chris is home, and it's time to eat. If Zoelle wakes up before the other girls from her afternoon nap, we will try and sneak school into there. If not, I try and do it after supper. Not the best time of day for her, but it is getting it in. This doesn't include all the other activities we have on a few other days of the week (like my mom's group Bible study, storytime at the library). I would love to hear from other homeschooling moms with little ones how you do it all? Obviously she is just three, so it doesn't matter now, but it will in the future.
Practicing letters with Meridian looking on.
And me? I'm loving it! I'm proud of my little girl and she thrives on the structure of doing something during these cold, winter days! I thrive on being able to give her something to do and also on watching her little face light up as she "gets it". I have to say it's been a good experience thus far. I'm looking forward to what God has for the rest of the year and I'm praying He still will guide and direct us for next year.
Disclosure: Opinions are all my own. Outside of doing the original review for Boca Beth and Little Pim, no other curriculum was given to me. And I still love Boca Beth and Little Pim and would highly recommend all three curriculums mentioned!
Friday, December 10, 2010
It's My Birthday!
Me at 1 month old
Today is my birthday. I'm 27. I feel incredibly old at 27 because I still feel like I'm somewhere around 16 or 17. That was the age I met my husband and I am in disbelief that it has been ten years! Wow!
Me at 6 months old
So today, Chris took the day off of work, let me sleep in, and we have been hanging out all day. By the time this posts tonight (at the exact time I was born), I will be at a Christmas party for my young married group at church. Typically I don't like to spend my birthday away from my girls, but I made an exception for our young married group as I really enjoy going. We will celebrate tomorrow with the girls by eating my favorite meal (spaghetti), and making chocolate cake, with chocolate frosting, and sprinkles on top (thanks mom for that idea years ago)! :)
Me at 8 months old
For the fun of it, I thought I'd post these baby pictures of myself so you can see how cute I was! Also, do you think the girls look like me at all? When Zoelle was a baby, we only got that she looked so much like Chris. Now that she is older, I get that she looks so much like me. Meridian has since day one been told she looked like neither one of us, but as she got older looked more like Chris. Personally, I think she looks just like I did except with blonde hair, blue eyes. Not to leave Xiomara out, I will say that there are times that Chris and I both look at her and think she looks like or has the same expressions as one of the other girls did at that age.
Me at one year old
Alright, I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day!
Me at three years old
What do you do to celebrate your birthday? Do you have a hard time getting older or do you take it in stride?
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
EZ Sox Review & Giveaway
Zoelle, at 3.5 years old, has known how to dress herself for sometime now. Each night I pick out her clothes (sometimes with her help if she is interested), and then I leave them out on a chair for her to get dressed by herself in the morning. She loves the independence that it gives her, I love the ability to have one less thing to do in the morning (especially on busy ones).
There are a few times however in which she feels frustrated getting her clothes on. One of those times is getting socks on. Often if her feet are sweaty, she gets mad that her socks don't just slip right on. I recently got a pair of EZ Sox in the mail for review. EZ Sox are convenient because they has little loops to help a child pull the sock right on.
Today I had Zoelle try them, and right away she told me two things: 1. "This is easy mom with those handles on the socks, can I wear them tomorrow?" 2. "These are really warm socks." It made me smile, and I told her "yes". Hopefully tomorrow both of us will have a little less frustration because of her Ez Sox!
Buy It!
Looking for a fun stocking stuffer, or a way to help your child get his/her socks on? I'd suggest for you to look at buying some EZ Sox.
Win It!
Ez Sox has generously offered one of my readers a pair of EZ Sox in his/her choice!
Mandatory Entry:
Visit EZ Sox and tell me which pair you would get if you won. Please do me the favor of making sure you leave your e-mail address in the comment if it is not visible on your profile. (1 entry)
Extra Entries:
1. Follow me on google friend connect and leave a comment telling me you are. (1 entry)
2. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you are along with your Twitter ID. (1 entry)
3. Follow EZ Sox on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you are along with your Twitter ID. (1 entry)
4. Tweet about this contest making sure you include @jewelsntreasure and @ezsox along with a link to this contest somewhere in your Tweet (1 tweet/entry per day)
5. Become a fan/like of Jewels & Treasures on facebook and leave me a comment telling me you are along with your first name and last initial. (1 entry)
6. Become a fan/like of EZ Sox on facebook and leave me a comment telling me you are along with your first name and last initial. (1 entry)
That's It!
Winner will be chosen at random from random.org Winner has 24 hours from being contacted to respond, or else a new winner will be chosen.
Contest ends Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Congrats to #9-Andrea!
Congrats to #9-Andrea!
*The featured product(s) in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.
Monday, December 6, 2010
On how being a big sister is hard
My Zoelle's heart is hurting and it makes mine hurt for her. We've been having some major trouble lately with Zoelle hitting, bossing, or pushing Meridian. Meridian in turn has taken to biting Zoelle back when Zoelle does something to her. Needless to say, we were confused as to why Zoelle has started this and obviously don't want either girl to think it's okay to hurt each other.
Last night however, Zoelle came up to me right at bedtime and said something to make me pause. She said, "Mom, sometimes I'm really sad because you don't give me enough attention". I got down to her level and asked her what I could do to help make sure I'm giving her enough attention. Ever the communicator in our family, Zoelle told me that, "You could put Xiomara down, and not hold Meridian, and just hold me instead". My heart hurt. In 14 months she had gotten not one, but two major life changes in the form of babies. When she was really still just a baby herself at barely three.
Sometimes I look at Chris and ask him if we did the right thing. I know we wanted our children close in age and I know that God gave us the other two when He did for a reason. But, I can't help but look at those with only one child and envy that time again. I want it to just be us (Zoelle and I). For it was when we were the closest. She and I connected like we were a part of each other. When Meridian came along, it changed. While it had gotten much better before Xiomara was here, it still has been tough on her. On me.
If I could do it all over, I would have spaced our children out further. But then, I would not have Meridian, or Xiomara. It's a hard balance to handle and I'm struggling figuring out how to give this little girl what shewants, no needs, all while taking care of the other girls as well.
I don't ever want Zoelle to feel left out, or displaced because of the other girls. I'm trying very hard not to automatically blame her if Meridian starts to cry. Trying very hard not to put all the responsibility on her because she is the oldest. Trying very hard to give her the attention she needs. But sometimes I fail. And then my heart breaks.
I bring it to God. My heart, my hurt, her hurt. And pray that He can fix it and guide both of us in the path we are to next take together.
Did your oldest child have a tough adjustment to being a big sibling? Any idea on how to help one through the process?
Last night however, Zoelle came up to me right at bedtime and said something to make me pause. She said, "Mom, sometimes I'm really sad because you don't give me enough attention". I got down to her level and asked her what I could do to help make sure I'm giving her enough attention. Ever the communicator in our family, Zoelle told me that, "You could put Xiomara down, and not hold Meridian, and just hold me instead". My heart hurt. In 14 months she had gotten not one, but two major life changes in the form of babies. When she was really still just a baby herself at barely three.
Sometimes I look at Chris and ask him if we did the right thing. I know we wanted our children close in age and I know that God gave us the other two when He did for a reason. But, I can't help but look at those with only one child and envy that time again. I want it to just be us (Zoelle and I). For it was when we were the closest. She and I connected like we were a part of each other. When Meridian came along, it changed. While it had gotten much better before Xiomara was here, it still has been tough on her. On me.
If I could do it all over, I would have spaced our children out further. But then, I would not have Meridian, or Xiomara. It's a hard balance to handle and I'm struggling figuring out how to give this little girl what she
I don't ever want Zoelle to feel left out, or displaced because of the other girls. I'm trying very hard not to automatically blame her if Meridian starts to cry. Trying very hard not to put all the responsibility on her because she is the oldest. Trying very hard to give her the attention she needs. But sometimes I fail. And then my heart breaks.
I bring it to God. My heart, my hurt, her hurt. And pray that He can fix it and guide both of us in the path we are to next take together.
Did your oldest child have a tough adjustment to being a big sibling? Any idea on how to help one through the process?
Saturday, December 4, 2010
All I want for Christmas is a Kelly Moore bag
Seriously. This is all I want and I'll show you why.
That gorgeous bag isn't just any bag. Nope, it's a camera bag. Since my parents so generously gifted us with a DSLR camera after we had Xiomara, we need a camera bag to go with it. So typical me, I started researching and came across the Kelly Moore Bag. I have yet to read a negative about this bag. For either professional photographers or amateur photographers (like myself), this is the bag to have. I've slowly been saving my money and hope to be able to buy one sometime after Christmas. You can be sure that I will be doing a review on it when I get mine. Right now I'm currently just trying to decide which one to get. I really like the B-Hobo bag in red (like the one pictured above, except red). However, this one has caught my eye as well.
It must be the pink! One of my favorite colors. Completely off topic, but I secretly find myself going to the website to not only view the beautiful bags, but also to watch the amazing video at the beginning of the website. I'm in love with the song! Just ask my hubby and kids, I think they have it memorized as well from me listening to it so many times!
So there you have it! My one and really only want for Christmas this year.
What are you really hoping you get for Christmas this year?
So there you have it! My one and really only want for Christmas this year.
What are you really hoping you get for Christmas this year?
