Forest Grove Academy

Aug. 27, 2006 - Stuff and Whatnot

The girls have two weeks left of their summer quarter and then they get a four week break. The Pinto Bean won't be too happy about that. She loves her schoolwork too much, but I've got some workbooks that she can do by herself so I get get a break as well. I think I make try and use the time to organise and declutter a bit. Don't quote me on that though.

We finished up school yesterday by reading Snow White and making Magic Mirror cookies. They didn't last very long because they were so yummy. I had thought about doing some school work with the girls again today, but I decided that I'm going to finish folding the sheets and do a little cleaning instead. That way if the weather stays nice we can go outside and play in the baby pool this afternoon.

All the kids got new Halloween shirts last night and they're wearing them today. I guess the trend is to dress your preschoolers like hootchie mamas because all the girls shirts were very small and tight. Green Bean, who normally wears a 5T, couldn't fit into ANY of the girls shirts so she ended up with a boy's 4T, a size smaller than normal. Pinto and Lima Bean each had to get a size larger than normal. Oh well. They're still cute and Green Bean doesn't care that she has a boy's shirt, she only cares that she has one. I'd post a picture, but the camera is currently out in Idaho with Don. But Halloween is still two months away so there's plenty of time to catch them being cute.

Aug. 17, 2006 - Sweet Angel

Well, it's not the first picture of her standing, but it is the third. Ain't she cute? This was taken about two weeks ago and since then she's been standing all the time. She's almost to crusing around the furniture. I give that another two weeks.

Everyone else is doing fine. The girls are doing well with their school. We've got some stuff to make up this week because I've been sick and I'm working tomorrow and Saturday so we'll probably do a bunch of catch up on Sunday.

Aug. 4, 2006 - Spanish

We'll be adding a new subject to our school day sooner than I had planned. The language software that I had been planning on getting for the girls to start in the 2008 school year has gone on sale this month and I just placed an order! I really wanted to go with German, but Don seems to think that Spanish would somehow be more appropriate. Who cares if the Spanish speaking population vastly outnumbers the German? Well, I gave in and got them Spanish, with the stipulation that next time the software goes on sale I'm getting German.

I'm not sure when we'll actually start. We'll probably play around with it for a couple of weeks and start formally when our fourth quarter starts in October. I can't wait!

Jul. 28, 2006 - Blackberry Boy

We went blackberry picking this morning. The berries weren't quite ready to harvest, but we still managed to find almost two quarts. It would have been more if the Fava Bean hadn't eaten a TON! He now has several blackberry stains on various parts of his body, but we still managed to bring home enough to make a jar or two of blackberry jam.

We're finishing up week three of our school quarter. We're still three days behind, but no worries. After all, how can you get behind in preschool? Besides, we'll make it up next week and the week after. The older beans are doing well. Nothing new to report there. Fava Bean is still climbing everywhere, but he's been sleeping a lot lately. I'm loving it! He's sleeping 11 hours a night and taking a three hour nap! It's a far cry from the 8 hours at night and 1-2 hour nap schedule that we suffered through not too long ago.

The big news comes from Lima Bean. She is sitting up all by herself, completely unassisted. It's amazing. I don't think any of the others were able to sit up this well much before 8-9 months. Lima Bean's also working hard on crawling. She moves around very well, but she's not completely on hands and knees yet. She's also ready to stand up on her own. The most she's done so far is get up on her knees. I've got the camera ready, though. Hopefully I'll be able to post a picture of her first time standing!

Jul. 10, 2006 - We saw Cars

The children got to go to the movies yesterday. It was the Fava Bean's first time at the theatre. He behaved himself very well, but the Pinto Bean didn't do so well. I guess she didn't like the movie much because she's never behaved badly at the theatre before. Oh well. Green Bean and I got to see the end, at least.

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 5, 2006 - We Had A Party

We had a cookout yesterday. It was a lot of fun. The kids got to play with water ballons and Don grilled lots of yummy food. That picture up yonder was dessert. It was goooooood. We had a nice little crowd. Barbee and Chris, Pop, Uncle Raliegh, Aunt Judy and Colin, and dad all came by plus Aunt Nicki, Debbie and Justin's kid came by later. We've got tons of food left, but sorry Rachel, no burgers. Don ate the last one. Here's your consolation prize:

Jul. 4, 2006 - Happy 4th

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. We're having a cookout. I'll save you a hot dog!

Jul. 3, 2006 - What Have I Done?

Don convinced me to give the Fava Bean a buzz cut last night. I'm so sad. His hair was the perfect length for a mohawk.

• 6 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 21, 2006 - S'mores, anyone?

On a cold and grey Columbus morn...

What are my children doing today, you ask? Well, let me tell you. They're having a campout. Yes, that's right. I set our tent up inside the house. The kids are having a blast. I may even light a campfire for them later. If only we had marshmallows...

• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 15, 2006 - This Is Gonna Be Good...

Las Vegas here I come!

Jun. 15, 2006 - Relaxing From School

I totally gave up on the idea of doing real schoolwork this week. My mind is elsewhere right now and there's too much to get done before I leave for Las Vegas. So, when the girls have been asking I've got some worksheets for them to color, cut and paste. Keeps them busy with no need for me to supervise. As it turns out the Pinto Bean is doing a lot better with her scissors now than she has been. It's always nice to see them pick up a new skill. We'll probaby get back into out regular routine on Tuesday. That should give us plenty of time to get eveything finished. I'm thinking we should be done by the 4th of July, at the latest. After having this past week, part of last week and most of the week before off, I decide to not take a long break before we start the Language Arts program. I really want to get the Green Bean reading this summer.

Jun. 13, 2006 - The Wedding

Here's a picture of Don with the happy couple, since I can't post pictures on the other blog.

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 13, 2006 - I Think We'll Have School Today

I'm thinking we'll sit down and do some real school work today. It's been awhile since we've sat down and done any formal schoolwork, but it's been a good thing. The girls got to learn a little about the ancient Egyptians (we've still got some more to read about that) and since we've stopped working on math, Green Bean is doing very well counting. With a little more prompting she should be able to count to 100 soon. Plus, she's doing really well at telling time. We haven't done much more than telling time on the hour, but she can read the digital clock very well. Guess she'll need a watch soon!

Jun. 12, 2006 - No School Today

So, Matt came home last night and announced that he and his girlfriend were getting married. Today. Had to make a last minute shopping trip to get them a wedding present. I also had to stop up at VS to give Don some chickpeas. Anyway, now that we're all home and fed, I need to get a shower, fix a Green Bean's dress, paint nail, wrap the present and get five people ready to go. Must remember the camera...

Jun. 7, 2006 - Mailing List, Anyone

Lemme know if anyone wants on the mailing list so you can get updates when I post new entries!

• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 7, 2006 - A Little Something For You To Think About

• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 6, 2006 - School

We've given up formal lessons this week to do some studying on Ancient Egypt. Last week mom went to Chicago and saw the King Tut exhibit and brought the kids back some stuff. They seemed really interested so I thought we'd go with that for a bit. I got them a book about pyramids and how they're built and a really fun kit that has heiroglyphics, games, activities, and other cool stuff to do. I think tomorrow we'll make King Tut's mask. There's a recipe for an Egyptian sweet, but it's made with dates and honey and the girls won't eat dates and I don't eat honey, so I don't think we'll be making that. It sounds really good, though.

So that puts us almost two weeks behind in our school. No big deal since the last couple of weeks are really light so it won't be any trouble to catch up. After all that's done, I'm taking a break. No school for a whole week. Even if they beg.

Jun. 6, 2006 - Attack of the Monkey Toddler

Not only do I have to deal with him climbing up onto the top bunk of the girl's beds, but now he's figured out how to climb INTO Lima Bean's crib.

Yes, my dear, sweet, not even one and a half years old baby boy is a climber. I saw the signs even before he started walking but was in denial. No longer! It has officially been confirmed. He's a monkey-boy.

Sigh. What do I do now?

May. 30, 2006 - A Taste of Sheets?

I took Green and Pinto Beans down to Cincinnati yesterday. We picked up Grandpa and went to A Taste of Cincinnati. It was fun. The girls got to see Mr. Peanut. I'd post a picture but I left the camera in the car and Don took it to work. Oh well. I'll post the picture tomorrow. Maybe.

Anyway, we didn't eat all that much, which was nice because in years past we've eaten so much we made ourselves sick. There weren't a whole lot of free samples this time. I think maybe it was because we were there on the last day and they had run out. Oh well. The girls got to go on a couple of rides and thankfully Pinto Bean was too small to ride the giant slide by herself so I got to go on it, too.

We're not having school today. This morning was interupted by a last minute trip to the store. Don needed me to get him something, which I didn't find. But, I did get new sheets for the girls bunk beds. Green Bean got pink and Pinto Bean got purple. They'll look nice with the girls quilts, whenever I get them finished. But first, I have an afghan to work on!