This week has been okay. We started our FIAR Madeline study and it has been going really well. Although I am still trying to figure out a routine on how to use this curriculum. We are also making a lapbook while doing the study so I am adding my own booklets, etc. Both my kids seem to love it and we read it every day - I wasn't sure how that approach would work with the kids, but they love it! My son who is almost 3 brings his little steam boat and puts it on the page when we talked about steam boats and rivers - he hasn't forgotten. My daughter is fascinated learning about all sorts of things in the book, and now is looking at books in a new way - I am so happy! She decided to write her own book of Madeline and draw all her own pictures...so that is taking a while to compete but it is a goal she has set for herself.

My daughter has completed her first level of piano and has started a new book. I am so proud of her! Most days she just goes to the piano and practices on her own because she loves it so much, and I prefer that than the whole sticker reward thing that her teacher wants her to do - - I may need to email the teacher about that. I want my daughter to learn the intrinsic rewards of something she enjoys and not always looking for external rewards. I realized this after a few weeks ago she had not practiced every day - maybe a few days, which in my mind is good - she is only 5!. Anyway, when her teacher came and asked to see her chart she said she couldn't find it - and I knew it was on the piano, so I had a hunch that maybe she did something with it. It turned out she did hide it because she hadn't practiced all 5 or 7 days inbetween her class, and she didn't want her teacher to see. Right then I decided no more sticker chart! And, she has practiced every day since I relieved the pressure of the whole sticker thing.She plays wonderfully in my eye:)) I can't wait to get my youngest in a toddler music program in the fall!

Looking forward to continue our Madeline study and getting our Handwriting without Tears and our Before Five in A Row...should be in next week I hope!