• Nov. 11, 2006
High School Musical
Here are the pictures I promised from the production of High School Musical.
Heather, Nicholas, Kari, & Tatiana
Us with the cast of cheerleaders & a skater girl.
Tatiana & Nicholas with lead singer Gabriella
Tatiana with Sharpay & Ryan
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• Nov. 1, 2006
What's been happening through September & October...
"Tt" Turtle 10/30/06
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Peighton McKinnley Hogan
turned 3!
On Sunday, October 29, we went to a Fall Festival and when we got home the girls wanted to play with the neighbor girls outside. The youngest is 4 1/2 and they decided to take off her training wheels and teach her to ride without them. Low and behold, Tatiana took hold of that idea and asked if I would take hers off too. I told her that she would need to ask Daddy and he could help her. Sure enough, he did and they were off to a great start. By Tuesday, she can do it all on her own and we can hardly get her off the bike-the first taste of true independance!
Look Mom No Training Wheels
Sunday, October 29, 2006
On Monday, October 23, we celebrated Peighton's 3rd birthday at "Pump It Up". This is a big playground of jumping things, a slide and an obstacle course, etc. It was a whole lot of FUN and adults could play too. Peighton had lots of friends and family there to celebrate, even Gramma was here from MN.
On October 19th, we had an International Fair, for Homewood.
(Picture will be coming soon)
Gramma comes to visit from MN.
On Wednesday, October 18, Gramma came to stay with ous for 9 days. We were so excited to have her. She kept the girls for the weekend while we were out of town and Gramma took them to places she felt comfortable going to like Walmart, Garden Ridge, Walmart, Walmart (did I mention Walmart) and to new places like park day (Thanks to Mrs. Shelie!) and to Tatiana's game on Saturday. Before we cam e back home, gramma helped "the girls" plan a welcome back surprise. They dressed up in their finest clothes and jewelry, made a beautiful sign on the door, made chocolate chip cookies, and a home cooked meal. It was a delightful surprise!
"the girls"
Peighton, Barbie, & Tatiana
On Thursday, October 5th, Tatiana and I went with Mrs. Heather & Nicholas to see the local production of Disney's High School Musical. It was Tatiana's first Musical and what a great time we had! She had the cast sign her program and took pictures with some of the cast members. Mrs. Heather gave us some copies of the pictures but we are waiting for her to be able to email them to us so we can share them with you.
(pictures coming soon)
On Saturday, October 7th, Tatiana won the Spirit Stick at the game for having the most spirit! Like mother, like daughter?!
On Wednesday, September 20, We had a field trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We thoroughly enjoyed the Butterfly Museum and had a picnic lunch.
Tatiana, Peighton, Autumn, Micalah, & Darby
Here the girls are standing on the Sundial according to their ages.
Darby (9), Peighton (2), Micalah (4), Tatiana (5), and Autumn (6)
"Ll" Leaf
Here Peighton is learning to "l"ace her letter Ll.
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• Sep. 6, 2006
Tatiana's Cheerleading Pictures and miss pretty Peighton!
Cheer Camp spirit poster making
Showing of their arm motions and new cheer for the parents!
After a good day's work!
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• Sep. 6, 2006
What an adjustment!
It's been a while since I have shared with you our journey so here it goes. As I had mentioned the first week went well. The second week posed some challenges and obstacles we had to over come. Tatiana had her first sick day and we had to take off. We already only schedule a 4 day week and it has put us behind. I have decided that I won't let it stress me out. Afterall, who am I accountable to for that. I had many years of a tight, freedomless schedule and now we just get to go along and take our time and enjoy each day as they come. We are ahead anyways for the most part.
Last week we started cheerleading. Now all of our activities are on Tuesday: Library, Preschool fitness, gymnastic and cheerleading. Needless to say I learned that it is best to start Wednesday as it happens so that they have an adequate amount of rest, but that we also do not go past the normal time so that we don't over do it. Therefore, we are doing some work Tuesday morning before the activities begin.
We finished the creation unit last week and I have yet to take pictures. This week has been fun so far! We are working on 'S' for Sun. So far we have had soup, star sandwiches, strawberries and sugar cookies for lunches. Our tactile activities are praticing writing the letter 'S' in salt, shaving cream, tracing over sandpaper and we will do our art projects as the week progresses. These are more for Peighton but Tatiana is surely enjoying it too and she can help aid in teaching.
Peighton has already learned when her birthday is and will tell you with confidence that is is October 28. She learned the "days of the week" song as well as recites the months of the year- mind you she stops at October by saying October 28. With a little prompt she will proceed (as if the only thing that matters is her birthday and nothing exists but the 28th) and then when she gets to December she will usually tell you it's Tatiana's birthday( a little reminder from big sis).
Tatiana got a 100 on both of her Math tests and a 100 last week on her spelling test. She has learned almost all of her math facts, last week it was doubles + 1. So she would learn that 7+8 was the same as 7+7 = 14 +1 =15. It's a great concept. This week she will ace too because it's just making 10. All the answers will equal 10 or she has to know the equation such as 7+___=10. Not a problem sense she has been doing equations from the beggining. I love this math program!
Till later...
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• Aug. 27, 2006
We survived our first week!
Well, the first week went very well. I am very pleased with the curriculum I chose and it transitions very smoothly. Tatiana especially likes circle time. Peighton makes it barely through circle time and into the lesson. Then she is on her own, while I school with Tatiana. The Spanish has been fun and even though Peighton doesn't participate with us she is still hearing it and I catch her singing to the vowel song.
The highlights of our week were:
Pool Party and gymnastics on Tuesday.
Tatiana learned to rollerblade on Wednesday.
Friday we had lunch with our friends Will, Reid & Mrs. Julie.
Sunday we had our cheerleading meeting and then a birthday pool party for our friend Matthew. And it was grandma's birthday today as well.
We had a great first week. We are off to bed and trying to prepare for another busy and successful week.
We just learned today that Cheerleading practice will be on Tuesday's along with everything else. So we shall sleep well!
Till next week...
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• Aug. 21, 2006
The teacher & the students
Ready for circle time!
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• Aug. 21, 2006
My first day of First Grade!
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• Aug. 21, 2006
My first day of school! Hooray!
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• Aug. 21, 2006
Read our shirts!
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• Aug. 21, 2006
First day of School!
Well, today was our first official day of school. Tatiana began her first grade adventure while Peighton in pre-K. We got up and began our day by getting dressed in our "First day of school" clothes. Yes, we match! We wore our Hogan Christian Academy t-shirts with khaki's. We did circle time, Day 1 of our Creation unit, spanish and the rest of Tatiana's subjects. I must say we lost Peighton early on, but she really did well. She picked up some books and looked through several and our real break through today for her was her potty training~ she went poopoo which I thought was great, but the really exciting part was after lunch she TOLD me she had to go potty! Whoohoo! We are getting somewhere with this!
Although we didn't get started on time, we managed to finish on time and have the rest of the day to ourselves. Needless to say, Peighton & Tatiana will nap and mommy will do work around the house
. Please enjoy the pictures. Most are taken by me, but Peighton took the ones of Tatiana & I and Tatiana took the one of Peighton & I.
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• Aug. 15, 2006
Catch up with us!
Wow, I guess it has been super hectic around here. I have been trying to get things ready to start school while fitting in as many activities with friends and meetings here and there.
Last week began with Tatiana starting gymnastics. I brough the camera, however the memory card was in the computer. So I tried the one on my phone (which was a new phone I got the day before and for some reason it was b&w) and wouldn't upload on the computer. So pictures will be coming if I remember the next week(I forgot it today?!).
Wednesday was my birthday and Maiko arranged fro my girlfriend Julie to come pick me up for a surprise lunch while he watched her 2 both and our girls. It was a wonderful surprise not to mention he brought me flowers(he always designs the arrangements himself). WE finished the night with our neighbor friends bringing over a fantabulous homemade chocolate chip cookie cake, then the girls wanted their nails done and we watched Ice Princess.
Thursday, Maiko watched our neighbors 3 girls and our 2 while we wisped away to the annual Homewood Kick Off meeting. Needless to say, this is an experience for someone who grew up in a house full of brothers and only one sister who is 14 years younger. Out numbered by girls this time!
Friday, Tatiana had her first Cheerleading Clinic for Upwards. She learned arm motions, 2 jumps, and a cheer. I have some pictures but I was sruggling with the lighting and then battery.
So, as this all may seem to revolve around highlights of Tatiana, the excitement regarding Peighton is she is getting this potty training thing down. She took the poo-poo plung after a few hardships and a major comtemplation of "if I go poop on the potty, I will get a fruit snack-umm, my favorite!" Needless to say it has worked every day since Saturday. Mom is a genious!
Finally, on Monday Tatiana was invited to a friends house for a playdate. In case you don't know, we have never done this with her and it was a big step for mom and let's just say mom made the decision first and then told dad. Tatiana couldn't wait for Peighton and I to LEAVE, but we managed to stay and visit fro a while and then I reliniquished myself to the fact that I could leave and she would be fine. Peighton really took it hard not having her sister leave with her and kept asking for us to go back and get her. We did so after about an hour and a half. All went well! Whew!!!! Then we were off to a pool party that evening from 6-8:30.
Well, this week is full and we have tried to prepare ourselves for starting school next week by getting up early and beginning our day. Here is how it has gone. Monday; Alarm set for 6:15 for mom to have some time to her self. Alarm goes off and snooze is hit and alarm reset for 6:45 to wake the girls up at 7:15. Actual time to get up...7:51. Perhaps my mental programming got transcribed? Or blame it on Peighton snuggling with me in my bed?
Tuesday; with the same goals in mind and a not so good night sleep. Peighton came into my room twice and the second time I gave into it like I always do ( I love it but I don't). Actual time to get up... 7:48 when Tatiana came in to get ME upas she put it:). I am praying for a better morning as we got them in bed earlier and I put up the gate so Peighton can't sneak into my bed, I will let you know how that turns out!
A lot more to look forward to this week.
~Kari Jo
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• Aug. 4, 2006
The Schoolroom
Circle & Calendar Time
Computer & work table
Books, White Board and Work Station
Reading corner is still a work in progress!
To be featured at later date...
• Aug. 3, 2006
Today was the day, the curriculum arrived!
I was like a child on her birthday today. I got home and to my surprise was a large box filled with all the great materials I can't wait to dig into and start digesting and planning. This is my favorite start of the new school year. I can't wait to see how the girls respond to it all!
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• Aug. 3, 2006
Peighton~ 2 & Tatiana~ 5
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• Aug. 2, 2006
Peighton & Tatiana trying out their rock painting skills!
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• Aug. 2, 2006
Waiting for Curriculum to get here!
As Tatiana is readily awaiting the start of first grade and Peighton is going to begin her first year of pre-K, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our curriculum. This year we will be using My Father's World K and Adventures in My Father's World grade 2. I will be using both with Tatiana and having Peighton chime in for the K. They both have so many great lesson's that I didn't want Tatiana to miss out on in the K but more grade-level and interesting topics in the second grade unit that we just had to have both. Peighton will be able to do some of the K with assistance and enjoy the read-alongs. Nothing too formal for her this year. She will solidify her letters and sound recognition and we will focus on number recognition and other fun activities during our daily circle time lessons.
I believe the curriculum will be here this week. Our plan is to begin on August 21st.
We are adding two new activities to Tatiana's schedule this year. Tuesday, August 8th she will begin gymnastics with other homeschoolers. She will also be doing Upward's Cheerleading, for which I believe she may be born to do!(Thanks to me:)!)
