word of the week

I thought it would be fun to share part of our week with my Facebook family & friends.  I started posting our "word of the week" on FB and have gotten some great sentences to share with my son. He has to come up with his own first!

Since we moved half way across the country, it's also a way for family to connect with him!

At first, I wrote it for him, but a friend picked up on the idea and had her daughter write it out . She then took her picture, so I did that too!

We also make Daddy guess the word at dinner by being very obvious and silly. It helps my 3rd grader remember the meaning if we are goofy about it. I sometimes tell him what do say at the table, but he has it on his own the next day after our little game with Daddy! I love it!

Math Project

Again, thank you pinterest!

We modified this game to be for multiplying. We are currently working on memorizing the 3 times tables.

Roll the dice. Multiply your roll x 3 as fast as you can. If you have to "figure it out," you don't get to move your person up. If you get it right, move your person the number of spaces that you rolled & draw those long legs!

My son had so much fun memorizing! And that boy competitiveness got to shine through in a positive way!

Art project

I am trying to do an art project every Friday. Something fun but that takes more than 5 minutes; something involved.

I was afraid this first one would be a flop, but my son got totally into it. Thank you pinterest!

His is the bottom one. I kinda got into it too! We tried not to paint the same color next to itself.

Then we used these pictures to decorate his school binder that has clear plastic for the front and back.  SUCCESS!

Homeschooling: the beginning

Homeschooling has begun! We just finished week 3 and I am both excited & going crazy. My 8 year old has been inspired & agitating also. What a rollercoaster!!

Mostly, I feel like we aren't covering enough material, but we are able to go into such depth that he will remember the material much longer than breezing through it in public school.

We are committed for this school year but I do hope to work next year so we'll see.

Here is our first project together. We made a tree that we will add leaves to as he learns new concepts and reads more books.

SR Sylvan

I LOVED working in San Ramon for Sylvan.  It was a fun and easy going place.  There was stress, but all jobs have some.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  A great boss and secretary.  Amazing teachers!

Jon, Kelly, Me, Joy / November 1, 2012

Just the commute sucked.  I was hoping to move out that way, but the hubby couldn't find a job out there.  San Ramon is truly an expensive place to live.  I tried to wear makeup everyday for the clients. Especially pregnant, I was running out of clothes to wear!

Gift Exchange 2012

I haven't sewn anything since March, when my new job went into full swing.  Now that I'm on maternity leave, I can sew again!  I decided to do this gift exchange to get me started, set a deadline, and actually uncover my sewing machine.

So I did just that.  I mailed it a day late because my stinkin' car battery died yesterday and I got stuck at the dentist.  A friend came to rescue me but I didn't make it to the post office in time.

Here is what I made.  I sent a couple of bags I made for kids too.  My partner in the exchange has two little girls.  I forgot a picture of that stuff. 

I love this combination together!  I hope my gift exchange partner likes it too!
Always wish I could do more, but in the middle of moving, pregnancy, and being a single parent temporarily, I did what I could!

It's not much, but I hope she likes it.  I would list the tutorial I got this from, but I had to make so many modifications that I practically made it up myself.  Plan on making more in the future, possibly with inside pockets and definitely with longer handles.

Five Minute Friday - Quiet

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Quiet…

GO
I am home alone tonight.
I hear the fan of the computer, the clock in the kitchen, the typing of the keys, the traffic on the highway.
This would be considered quiet.

But I LOVE the quiet of the breeze in the trees, the solitude of being surrounded by God's creation.  I have missed moments like that lately, as to be expected when motherhood is abounding with young ones. 

It's nice to have this quiet now.  Husband is 2500 miles away trying to make a living for us.  7 year old is having his first sleep over at a non-relative's house.  Baby in the womb is kicking but silent!

I miss the deep quiet of the mountains, or even the coast where the waves produce a sound but create a silence.

Quiet can be a loaded word at times, though.

TIME

.

Halloween

2012

Halloween was sneaky this year.  Just came right up and practically ran us over.  I got my son's ninja costume at a swap.  I made mine the night before. The longest part was waiting for the glue to dry on the ears.

Both costumes easy, thank goodness.  Been so tired this pregnancy.  Can't wait until next year when I have another little guy to dress up, though!