Homeschool

We are already in week 5 of homeschool! Woo-hoo!




This past week in CC (classical conversations) Chase learned his timeline (Early Native Americans, Israel Divides into Two Kingdoms, Homer and Hesiod, Rome Founded by Romulus and Remus, Israel Falls to Assyria, Assyria Falls to Babylon, Lao-Tzu, Confucious, Buddha). I gave Alan timeline duty this week :) He did well!

We also learned about the seven wonders of the ancient world. We read a few books and colored while listening to a video clip on youtube. Chasey's favorite was the Statue of Zeus :)

We sung songs about the Hittite Empire and learned hand motions to remember 5 prepositions. We played hopscotch to help him skip count the 7's and 8's.
Chase memorized verses 1-5 in Exodus 20.

We learned the parts of a plant cell (made a plant cell cookie in class-I wish I had a pic but my camera died) and Latin 1st declension noun endings.

Each week each child has to stand up in class and give a presentation. Last week Chase gave a speech about the Flood. I could tell that he was nervous but he did well:) That kid knew his stuff! ;)

We also worked on phonics, continued to count to 100, and basic addition. He is doing amazing!

Classical Conversations has been amazing. If I wasn't a CC pusher before, then I am now! I loooovvee the wide range of topics that the children are introduced to at a young age. I love that Chase is learning a biblical worldview. I love that the children must get up in front of the class each week to develop their presentation skills. I love that parents are encouraged to stay in the classroom with their children.  I love that the CC mantra is "To know God and to make Him Known." I love the community and support that it gives me as a homeschooling mom...and I could go on ;)

Homeschooling definitely is not for everyone. But if you are considering homeschooling, I would encourage you to find more about Classical Conversations. Our family loves it!

Here are a few links to learn more:
http://www.classicalconversations.com/common/cc-101
http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/p/about-classical-conversations.html

updates :)

We're still alive :) I finally remembered my password for this blog so hopefully I'll be better at updating :) I told you that I'm horrible at blogging! Ha!

So much has happened since my last post!

First, look who arrived!

(10 weeks)

My sweet girl Anna Grace :) She made her entrance on May 25 at 5:05 p.m weighing 8 lbs 7.5 oz. My labor/delivery didnt quite go as planned and I hate thinking/talking about it, so maybe I'll gather the courage to share that story another day :)

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 (I really wish that I had taken more post-delivery pics, but it was the LAST thing that I felt like doing!)

The kids have been AMAZING with her. Chase loves to kiss her feet and feed her a bottle, and Ansleigh is quick to comfort her when she starts to cry. They both think we need at least 10 more :)  

Anna Grace will be 16 weeks this Friday and I'm still nursing (woo-hoo! I finally made it past 3 months!).  She loves to be held and we still co-sleep. L-O-V-E co-sleeping :) I usually cosleep with my kids until about 6 months, but I have a feeling its going to be harder to kick her out. She is our last (biological) baby and I am trying to soak every ounce of her sweet baby-ness up! So, so, SO thankful that God blessed us with Anna Grace :)

And btw, this 3 kid thing is no joke! People always ask how life is with 3 kiddos all 4 and under. It cracks me up that I cant go to the grocery store or the park without someone saying "bless your heart", or   "you have your hands full". I've even gotten, "You know how that happens, right?" And for the record, can I just say how annoying/rude that last comment is? 

Anyway, three kiddos complicates things (takes a million years to get out of the house, a hot shower may or may not happen that day, my house is not as tidy as I would like, it's a miracle if dinner is on the table at 6:00, God did not give me enough hands, etc.) but I love it! With homeschooling, a new baby, soccer for Chase and Ansleigh, two small groups, Alan going back to school and working 7 days a week, life has been a little chaotic to the say the least! But, I really do enjoy my life when it's twelve kinds of crazy ;) I'm fully aware that these are the best days of my life and that I will miss it one day.

I have so much more to write, but a sweet 3 year old little girl is begging for breakfast :) Duty calls!

-carla <3

No more diapers!

Atleast for a few months anyway :)

Ansleigh is FINALLY potty trained! Alan has been on me these past few months about potty training Ansleigh. I think the thought of having two in diapers once again was more than he could handle :) But, I knew she would potty train when she was ready.  I learned with Chase that it's best not to rush potty training. I tried my darndest (and stressed him and I both out) by trying to potty train him before he was 2 years old. I finally gave up and then a month or two after he turned three, he woke up and said, "No diaper Mommy. I'm a big boy!" & that was that :) He went to the potty and switched to big boy underwear like a champ:) I couldnt believe how easy it was for him!

& so that has also been my strategy with Ansleigh. I simply waited until she was ready. I had been casually taking her to the potty, but if she didnt want to then I wouldnt push her. One morning last week, I was putting on her diaper when she told me that she wanted big girl panties. So we went to Target and I let her pick a few packs out (My Little Pony and some Princess ones). She is so proud of her little undies :)She has had a couple of accidents since then, but other than that she has done great! So proud of my big girl!

I know that a lot of people think that 2 1/2 and 3 is a little late to potty train..but whatever! I know that they wont go to Kindergarten in diapers..and that's all that matters, right? ;)

24 weeks!

Oh, a hiking we will go!

Yesterday, we decided to surprise the kids by spending the day at Mistletoe State Park (one of our fav places!) First, we had a picnic at the park..

 Then, Alan tried to teach the kids how to skip rocks..

 but Chase decided that it was much more fun to throw the really big rocks..

 Ansleigh played in the mud..

 Next, we hit the trails..

climbed BIG rocks..

played in the creek..

Chase helped Ansleigh down steep hills (such a good big brother!)

and tried to throw every stick/log/rock that he could find into the creek :)

Fun, EXHAUSTING day :) We hiked about 3 1/2 miles and my kids did so good! There was a couple of grumbles from Chase on the way back to the car, but Ansleigh didnt make a peep. Instead, she would just stand there and hang her head and would refuse to move one more step. Poor kids:)  But they both asked if they could go back today..umm, no. This mama's hips and stomach were killing me last night :) I wont be doing 3 1/2 miles pregnant again unless I'm trying to go into labor :)

Feeding the ducks..

The kiddos and I were loving this weather today! After they (and Alan) got up from their nap, we decided to go to the neighborhood pond to feed the ducks:) We really need to do that more often, because the kids LOVE it!

Good appointment at the dr. yesterday :) Measuring at exactly 23 weeks, gained +6 pounds total (apparently my scale is a little off-whew!), BP good. She said that it does sound like I'm having braxton hicks (and yes, braxton hicks can be painful) and not to worry unless they become regular (which they are definatley not!). We had the whole natural birth discussion and she is totally on board with my birth plan :) So glad! Next appointment is the dreaded glucose test..not looking forward to that one! 

Fernbanks Museum :)

On Saturday morning, Alan and I decided to load the kids up in the car and head to the Fernbanks museum. The kids had fun :) Chase loved their dinosaur exhibit and Ansleigh loved the kids play area (which was really neat!) I love day trips with the fam. (despite driving through heavy rain, dark skies, and tornado warnings!)

23 weeks

I cant believe that next week I'll be 6 months preggo and in my 3rd trimester! The first trimester seemed to drag on forever, but the second flew by! I'm trying so hard to savor this pregnancy (it may/may not be our last- not sure!) ,but I cant help but to countdown the days until May 23! :)

I've been having braxton hicks since 19 weeks, nothing too painful but really uncomfy. However, last night I woke up REALLY uncomfortable. I was laying on my left side (I already miss being on my back) and a super hard contraction woke me up out of a dead sleep. I had three hard contractions and then they tapered off (thank goodness!). It was seriously so bad that I couldnt move through it (I thought braxton hicks werent supposed to hurt?). I wasnt even able to roll from my left side to my right, it was crazy! I'm due for a check up tomorrow and so I'll bring it up to the doc.

Alan and I had our first interview with a doula last week. (yes, we are planning for this birth to be natural and unmedicated- I have a million and one reasons for this, maybe I'll write a post on it sometime soon) Even though Alan is on board with me having a natural and unmedicated birth (NUCB), he was a little nervous at first about having a doula. I think it was mainly because he really wasnt sure what the role of a doula was in childbirth. Alan wants to be very hands on with this birth (I am SO glad that he does) and he was nervous that his role would be pushed aside if the doula was there.
So we met with this doula (who was highly recommended by a friend) and we LOVED her. She was really knowledgeable, very down to earth, and Alan and I both clicked with her right off the bat. She told us numerous times how important it was for Alan to be my support system and to coach me through it. We (especially Alan) left the interview feeling more confidant and comfortable with having a doula at our birth.  I'm so excited!

Even though I loved this doula, I am going to go ahead and interview a couple more. One of the doulas that we have an interview with is also a midwife. The midwife has 20+ years of experience and has also been recommended by friends.  Ultimatley, we'll both have to pray about it and see which one we are led to.

I know, I know it sounds crazy :) But, having done this a couple of times before (and having the experiences that I've had with both Chase and Ansleigh's birth) and having done TONS of research, talking with people, praying HARD about it, and having endless discussions with Alan, I am very confidant that this is how I want this birth. I am so looking forward to May! :)