Sunday, September 29, 2013

The 2013-14 School Year


A lot of people have been asking what materials we are using for school this year.  For reporting purposes, our schoolwork is divided into six disciplines: English, Math, Science, History, Life Skills, and Special Interest. Below is what we are using for each child for each discipline.

Mary--2nd grade
English:
Special Interest:
Math: Saxon 1
Special Interest:
Additionally, the girls are taking a physical fitness class that meets once a week (on Thursdays) in Santa Ana.  There is a Target close-by, so I usually take the three boys shopping while the girls are in class.  I am enjoying being able to leisurely shop the clearance at Target.  So far, I've found a new towel for Mary, a clock for the boys' room, super-soakers to go around, items for our next car trip, butterfly nets, and a parachute!  Yep, before long, David is definitely going to have to pull on the reins!

The girls also practice their computer skills by doing math and reading lessons at i-Ready.com.  Maggie also practices math on IXL.

Additionally, we spend quite a bit of time reading books together.  This year, I am taking a new approach to read-alouds and am reading the girls the books which correspond with Mary's writing lessons.

I know it sounds like an awful lot, but it's totally manageable and fun.  There is even still time left over for soccer, riding bikes and scooters, going for walks, flying kites, knitting and sewing, piano lessons, princess school, fencing and chores!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Mama's Bootcamp

Josiah sure is a cutey, but it has been a big struggle for me to lose those extra pounds I gained while pregnant with him.  Josiah is now six months and my most comfortable clothes are still either maternity or what I consider my "fat" clothes!  The primary reason it's been a struggle to get rid of the extra pudge is that it has been really challenging to figure out a way to fit exercise into my schedule with five children. I do get some exercise--I take the kids for a walk every day.  The girls ride their scooters; the twins ride in the double stroller; Josiah rides in the Ergo. Walking is good, but not enough for me. If I could get myself out of bed early in the morning, I would certainly be able to get a workout in, but this is really difficult because Josiah still wakes up to feed at least twice in the night. Plus, my kids are early birds, so I would have to be up and ready by 5am in order to work out and shower in time to wrangle the troops.  Another possibility would be in the evening after the kids go to bed.  But, by that time, I am really exhausted, and I fear that working out would only energize me and keep me from getting the rest I need to fulfill my mommy duties.  On Monday of this week, though, I got desperate enough and started to think outside the box.  I realized that, while I don't have a big block of time, I do have small pockets of time throughout the day that I could use to exercise. So, I googled Boot Camp Workout and found some exercises at Women's Health Magazine.  I am now doing each of the following exercises for 30 second intervals twice throughout the day.

Squats
Pushups
Bicycle Crunches
Jumping Jacks
Back Extensions
Walking Lunges
Squat Jumps
Close-Grip Pushups
High-Knees
Mountain Climbers

An added bonus is watching Mama exercise is really, really entertaining for the kids, especially the jumping jacks.  The kids like to join in, too: Jonathan sits on my back for back extensions and Josiah rides around with me for squats and lunges.

I am really trying to keep my focus on being fit for the glory of God rather than looking a certain way. My goal is to take care of the body God has given me so that I can continue to honor Him by serving my family and my church.  

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  1 Corinthians 10:31

Friday, September 20, 2013

Happy 5th Birthday, Maggie Moo!


This past Wednesday, Maggie turned five! It was a crazy, crazy week with the plague being passed from one person to the next, so poor Maggie didn't even get to pick what she wanted for breakfast or dinner:( Sweet Maggie didn't utter one complaint, though! We chose not to have a party with friends this year, so our family just celebrated this milestone at home. Now that she is a big five-year old, Maggie has been fastening her own seatbelt, can almost do a perfect somersault, and plans to begin to cut her own food!  Below are some pictures of Maggie with her gifts from loved ones!
A beautiful hat handmade by Mary.
A new princess dress-up from Aunt Alicia!
A new Hello Kitty shirt also rom Aunt Alicia!
A set of colorful dishes from Nana and Papa!
Eagerly awaiting Mrs. Sheryl's Chocolate Pie!  (By the way, in case you are wondering about the blanket sleeper, I think these girls have acclimated to Orange County.  If it gets below 75, it's COLD!)
A pink swim cap and goggles for the little fish from Gramps and Grams!
A Disney Princess towel and washcloth from Grandma Nancy.
A kick scooter like Mary's from Mama and Daddy.