BigKidTeachingThreeLittles

Saying Goodbye!

1:41 AM, May. 23, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

This blanket was made by my children’s Auntie Pua in Hawaii. She made it for Gavin right after he was born. Since Haven was old enough to hold something in her hand, she has been attached to it like it was a part of her body. We took it EVERYWHERE we went! Stores, restaurants, friends and families homes.......you name it, the blanket was there. Her attachment has lessened in the last several months. We can now leave the house without it, although she cannot sleep or nap or eat without it! She finally told me the other night that she was ready for a new one! WOW! I believe this is because it is too short and barely covers her toes while she sleeps...and the girl is probably tired of being cold! It is worn with time and lots of love...so we decided to do a ’goodbye photoshoot’ with her Blank before we retire it.

Gavin, as well, has his own attachments. When Jared deployed for the first time...Gavin began his love affair with trains. He was barely two, if that. He would not sleep unless you had all the trains he owned lined up around him in the bed or on the couch. This went on for at least a year. Even though he gave up the sleep habit with them, he was still obsessed! We could not watch a movie unless it had a train in it, or the possibility there might be one in it! He remembered any tiny part of a show, movie, etc. that had a train in it. Anything with a track was a train, and any toy we bought had to be called a train. Now, my little man is growing up and lossing interest. I have to say I am more upset about it than he is! His focus is shifting into swords and baseball..and what nots of that sort. So I also wanted to capture the late days of his train love...;) Enjoy.

(this was before his haircut!) ;)

Tightwad Tuesday

12:19 AM, May. 21, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I noticed some other homeschooling mom bloggers posting a Tightwad Tuesday blog, and thought I would share my own. (If thats okay?)

I just recently started using coupons and attempting to save money. I came across the website: www.thegrocerygame.com and have been using it for a month now. I am still not great at saving, but I have managed to save over $70.00 this month at the grocery store alone.

It does cost money to sign up for the list, but it takes some work out for you. I belive it is $10 for 8 weeks, and the first 4 week trial is only $1.00. If you are like me and need a lot of extra help in your money-saving strategies, you should definitely check it out!

Our First Successful Homeschooling Week!!

3:17 AM, May. 19, 2008 .. 3 comments .. Link

We have just recently decided to homeschool our three children. It is a decision we are completely happy with and extremely excited about! We definitely feel that this is what God has called us to do!

Even though we are excited...getting started was scary. My children are young still, but definitely need lots of guidance and activities throughout the day to avoid major boredom and trouble! My 3 year old daughter, Haven, was recently diagnosed with ADHD ( I could have told you that without the diagnosis!) and we have lots of challenges with her just day to day. We are strongly against medication because we believe she is exactly the way God made her, and she must learn to deal with her weaknesses and her strengths with His guidance.

So when our first 'true' week of homeschooling ended, I was thrilled that it ended so well! Everyone is happy and the kids are already showing progress in their attitudes toward each other and everyone around them! What a blessing this is!!!

This month was Asian/Pacific Islander month on Lackland AFB, so I thought, "What better time to teach the keiki (children) a little about their Hawaiian heritage?" We had sooo much fun this week, that I didn't even want to stop to take pictures! (imagine that) I thought I would share some of the things we did and learned with you throughout the week! It was blast! It looks like all fun and games but we managed to sneak in lots of academics as well. Gavin, as of last week, is reading THREE new words!

We, of course, started by taking a flight to Hawaii.

~helping the other passengers find their seats~