When it comes to an Art curriculum and the thought I’ve put into it…………….well, paying for my son to attend our co-op where a skilled art teacher leads him making projects and understanding techniques was the extent of my effort.  Sigh.  I may not consider myself talented, but I am motivated when I want to learn something or be creative.  I can sew, cook, make home repairs and rennovations, cross stitch, taught myself to crochet, recover furniture, make curtains without a pattern – you get the picture, but ask me to draw you something and I sure hope you’re expecting a stick figure version!  That is the extent of my “artistic skill”.  Seriously.  Painting to me equates 4 walls, a few gallons and a roller! 

When Artistic Pursuits – The Way They See It arrived in our mail I thought “oh no!” but once I sat down and looked it over (after the everyone was in bed asleep and I could THINK) it really seems to be quite a good idea.  Written for preschoolers, by a teacher it lays everything out in easy lessons – from proper techniques to ensure your child is holding the crayons or scissors correctly to actual lessons of concepts that include a picture of a famous work of art to discuss with your child.   I like that although I might not have a clue as to what I’m supposed to be seeing, the book tells me what I should be relaying to my child.  I don’t need to know a thing about El Greco because the lesson is going to give me a dialog of what my child should be learning and how to create art in individual form.  It is really just a guide to help them start learning to express themselves through art – not create and “art project”.    They carry several books from preschool all the way through 12^th grade and at $42.95 each the pricing isn’t bad when you consider it’s a non-consumable that you can buy for your oldest and continue using with your younger children as they grow.

After experiencing our first and only snowfall of the year yesterday, the kids LOVED sledding down the hills.   They were VERY disappointed to see the snow melting away which evolved into this announcement as I cooked dinner in the kitchen by the 3 year old...................

"Brother and I are going to make snowballs and put them in the freezer so we can have a snowball fight for my birthday!"   

Um, okay - your birthday is in AUGUST!!!!  LOL

I have to just say – Before Five In A Row happens to be my all time favorite pre-school teaching tool!  I had bought this about a year ago and used it for a couple of weeks when I loaned it to another mom.  It wasn’t until I got a copy to review for TOS Crew that I realized I never got it back from her (bad mommy!).  I dove back into BFIAR and realized why I like it so much.

It is a literature based study utilizing some wonderful young children’s books like “Corduroy”, “Goodnight Moon” and “The Carrot Seed” to name a few.  You “row” a book like a boat, reading it each day for a week and utilizing one of the activities or ideas each day to teach a concept around the book.  There are things as simple as counting objects in a story (math) to pointing out how light and shadows play out through a story (art) so that you are able to choose which ones to use based on your little one’s ability.  My little ones LOVE reading and reading a book each day really allows them to absorb it all in.  I find that when I read a story later in the week and do an activity, they often want to go back and repeat an activity from earlier in the week because they have a sense of accomplishment for what they are able to do. 

When given the chance by Cadron Creek to review their products, I was happy to see their unit study Further Up & Further In based around the books of the Chronicles of Narnia.  Having a pre-teen boy who likes to read these books would make the whole process that much easier. 

The guide is laid out for each book of the series and then by groups of chapters.  There are vocabulary words for each chapter as well as activities and even questions to check your students’ comprehension of the chapters.  I must admit I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of activities listed for each chapter – there are really many, many to choose from.  I liked that it wasn’t very structured as to what activities to do – meaning we could take as long as we wanted to complete a book adding in as many activities as I felt appropriate.    My son liked it because it has him do the vocabulary before reading so he has an idea of what a word means when he comes across it in a chapter.  He also liked that the activities were varied that I picked from things like “interview your grandfather about what inventions/technology was being developed when he was your age” to “research how a vacuum cleaner works”.  I liked feeling like I could add or subtract activities based on our day without feeling guilty and could change the writing ones into verbal assignments for him since he is a challenged writer.

I had never heard of the company Heads Up before receiving a package from them as part of the TOS Crew.  They are a company that provides products to help students with disabilities learn a bit easier.  #3 does have some ADD and I was curious to check out what they had sent me.  There were a variety of their Readers and Frames – designed to help a child who is overwhelmed by the amount of information on a page focus on just one thing at a time. 

The Frames come in various sizes and colors and are good for math – it enables the student to put the frame to highlight just one problem at a time on a page.  Instead of looking at 25 or 30 math problems and getting overwhelmed he can look at just the one problem in the colored area and concentrate on working just that one problem. 

The Readers work along the same concept – an entire page of words can make it hard to keep track of where they are.  With the Double Time (shows two lines of text at a time), Top of the Line (shows one line of text at the top of the marker) or Reader (shows on line of text in the middle of the marker) the student is able to use one to keep track of the line they are reading.  My son used a Reader for the lessons in his science textbook – he says “It makes it easier to keep track and not read the same thing several times.”  He also used one for his free reading and seemed to make more progress on is without having to figure out where he was several times from distractions.  Heads Up offers a wide variety of products and is worth a visit to the site – one thing I did notice were the available pencil grips.  Some that were recommended when my son was younger that helped him out quite a bit and I would like to use with my younger children, but I didn’t want to make the over one hour drive each way for a $2 pencil grip.  Now I can order them directly from Heads Up making my life easier! 

I am no math genius by any means - several sub-par math grades as I passed through my education, including two attempts to get through Algebra in college.  So, to say I am stumped with most of what #3 does for math work and eternally thankful for lesson explanations not to mention his natural ability at math, is an understatement. 

One of the products I was sent to review for TOS Crew are the Math Tutor DVD’s – two of them.  One for Math Help: The Basic Math Word Problem Tutor  and one for Algebra Help: The Algebra 2 Tutor  – neither of which I personally, was excited to watch.  So what does a mother do? Pawn it off on the teenagers!  I asked #1 to watch and review the Basic Word Problems and #2 to handle the Algebra 2 DVD.  Neither teenager said the production aspect of the DVD’s would win any awards – it is just the developer Jason Gibbs in front of a white board working math problems.  No bells, no whistles, just math problems.  #1 thought the Basic Word Problems DVD was okay – Jason was a bit dry to watch, with a few too many “ums….” thrown into the dialogue.  #2 felt that the explanations were very detailed and would be good for someone who is completely lost and annoying for someone who has an idea of the concept and is looking for simple help.  One thing that did stand out for him was incorrect terminology.  When working a problem with a negative number as an component, Jason would say “a + 4 + minus 3”  rather than the correct term of “negative 3”.  Now, is #2 correct about his review?  You’ve got me – I’m no math genius, remember? 

"Toys! Toys! Toys!  We got Toys!!!" 

This was shouted excitedly all through the house when the UPS man brought a box several weeks ago.  I was thoroughly puzzled since I wasn't expecting anything and when I saw the box from One2Believe the little ones were beyond excited!  We had already received the great Nativity playset from One2Believe so why were we getting another box?  Can you believe they had shipped out another wonderful playset to us???  It is Noah's Ark!!!  Each new animal we unwrapped was viewed in awe!  Each mate for that animal, fought over as to who was going to hold it!  One2Believe really does make great products with such great intentions - to be able to put a Bible story into their hands to play with really brings it to life for them.  To understand that God spoke to Noah to build the ark and bring the animals on board.  I like that they include a cute little (litterally!) story book of each playset.  The only flaw was discovered by my 3 year old ---- as we read the story and he looked at the pages recognizing each animal as we read about it - the second time through he asked "where is Noah's wife?"  HUH?  Yep, it was right there in the story book - she's standing next to Noah and yet, she is not included in the playset - just Noah and the 7 pairs of animals.  DH's smarmy reply to #4 ----- "Noah's wife kept telling him what to do so he pushed her overboard!"  Um, no honey, wrong answer!

I just can't say enough good things about One2Believe and the playsets we have received!  At a reasonable price of $29.99 I can't wait for a birthday so I can buy one for a niece or nephew!  And with a birthday coming up soon for #5 I am directing the grandparents to the website to add to our growing collection.  If they are going to get toys, I would like for them to be educational - teaching the Bible stories they love is a big plus! 

I am SO sick!  I am SO frustrated with the other members of my household.  I am SO overwhelmed at having so much to do chore wise and no energy to do it.  I'm SO sore from constant coughing.  Basically, mama's having a major meltdown!

I started feeling sick Friday night and being prone to both bronchittis and pneumonia, knew I should go to the dr.  Of course, it was the weekend and the dr is closed and who wants to make a visit to the ER for something that may not be anything?  So I stayed in bed Saturday, took it easy and tried to tough it out.  Sunday I caved in, called the OB's service and talked with the on-call OB who told me to go to the ER to get treated, they would call up to L&D for a nurse to come check to make sure the baby was okay.  Can I just say ---- we had the WORST ER experince ever!!!  And that is saying quite a bit when you consider 2 years ago that an ER visit led to a discharge which led to another ER visit which led to a 6 day in-patient stay and a year of residential treatment for our oldest son.  Not to mention the third ER visit that night to stop the preterm labor I was having with #5 as a result of all the stress of the day.  The bar was pretty high so for the ER yesterday to set it higher was quite a feat.  The triage nurse could not for some reason grasp the concept that I am pregnant.  He didn't listen to me that not only do I have a dr, but an OB as well.  So when they took me back to a room (which was a psych room and should have been a clue as to what was to come.........) the dr brought in a chart which we later found out said I didn't have a dr and was in for "cold symptoms" that would explain his assumption that I was an indigent fool who was in the ER for the sniffles and explain the attitude we got.  So he walked in, didn't ask me not ONE question about why I was there, didn't examine me, listened to each lung for oh let's say, 3 seconds, announced I had some bacteria and was giving me a prescription.  When I asked if it was safe while pregnant he looked at me dumb founded and said "you're pregnant?"  No, seriously I just walk around with a basketball under my shirt for fun.  It's not like I'm in my first trimester - I'm in my third!!!!  He left, the nurse came back with the prescription and discharge papers saying I have a cold (????) and sent us on our way.  After complaining to the nurse and the ER registration staff we went up to L&D and talked with them.  DH needed a tour since it is a new hospital we are delivering at, but also to see if the staff experience would be the same.  Nurse Patti was wonderful!!!  Answered all his questions, was floored by the treatment we got downstairs and hooked me up to the monitors.  Baby "no name" is doing fine and sounded great.  She called in my prescription so we could send #1 to pick it up since it was nearing closing time at the pharmacy and then Nurse Patti called in the hospital liason who went through everything with us.  She was shocked by what we told her - it would be bad enough for a regular patien to be treated that way, but a pregnant one.  What if I was dehydrated or my O2 levels were low enough to harm him since I am wheezing so badly?  No excuse that it was only the Dr's second day on staff there - he should have been WAY better don't you think?

I just got off the phone with my OB's office - Nurse Patti called her this morning to retell the nightmare to her.  Luckily the antibiotic is fine while pg, so she said to take it to wipe out whatever I am fighting and if I am not feeling better in a couple of days, she will see me before my apt on Friday. 

So, I am here at home, coughing up a lung, sore muscles, aggrivated baby, chores to do, home schooling to manage, and it's #2's birthday today.  Being that he is 18, he isn't interested in a family thing and plans to go off with his girlfriend tonight.  I'm disappointed, but relieved at not having to cook a big dinner.  Now if he would only fly out of the nest....................

I have to say so much of what we get for review from the TOS Crew is geared toward older kids, my little ones were SO excited to get a music CD just for them!  We got Bible Story Songs: David - Shepherd, Psalmist, Soldier, King! and couldn't wait to listen.  The CD has 31 songs about David set to some familiar tunes as well as some original ones.  The little ones really like it, after the 6th time trapped in the car listening to it again ---well, the older kids, not so much!  LOL  Then again, they feel that way about just about any CD that isn't in the current top 40.  These CD's were developed by two grannies who realized kids learn better through music and set about teaching stories of the Bible through music.

There are other CD's available all for a very reasonable price of $9.99 about Matthew, Moses and the Bible.  They also have sheet music and transparencies that would take this into the Sunday School or Preschool classroom.  As a mom, having something geared toward the kids especially when we're in the car is necessary - to have them learning more than just catchy tunes, but real stories of the Bible is a big plus in my book! 

As much as Dh hates for me to tell the story.............we met 8 years ago through an online service.  He was browsing through and found my profile and had to fork out $25 to be able to contact me.  We talked through email and then phone calls before deciding to meet.  I had been through a bad marriage and a rough relationship after that - dated a few more guys and finally realized that my "radar" was malfunctioining, BIG TIME and so I had told God, "okay, I get it.  I have no idea of what I really need in a partner, so I'll just sit back and wait for You to send him to me".  Trust me when I say, God completely knew what my path in life was.  When DH called and asked me to meet him for a drink, no strings attached and then we would decide whether to continue the date, I was ready.  We agreed on a little pub walking distance from my place, and when I walked in to see Richard Gere in a blazer, black t-shirt, jeans and cowboys boots waiting for me - he was completely the opposite of someone I would talk to on my own, but SO handsome!  I didn't even get half of my beer down and he was asking where I would like to have dinner - I guess the decision to continue the date had been made!  We had a great night followed by another date the next night.   That was February 10, 2001.  Among the many topics of conversation were my kids - anyone wanting to date me would have to be okay with me being a mom.

Three days later, I got a call from him late in the evening telling me to look outside my front door - he had driven 40 minutes to leave roses for me for Valentine's Day, but what won my heart was the other smaller vase of flowers with a teddy bear and note that said "To Kaitlynn from your secret admirer".  He had listened to what I said about my daughter struggling with her confidence and self esteem.  Any man who went to that much trouble was definately a keeper!  We dated for 4 months before he decided to move back to North Carolina and I trusted that if I was supposed to follow, God would lead me.  In this time frame while we were dating, my ex-DH was killed and without DH justice wouldn't have played out.  He came to visit for Father's Day and asked me to bring the kids and be with him.  I quit my job, sold my house and moved all within 3 weeks giving everyone who knew me a heartattack.  I knew God wouldn't give me anything He wouldn't equip me to handle and I trusted His plan.  Three months after that, DH asked me to marry him and so we did - 6 days later.  We went with the kids, my dad & step-mom to the magistrate, got married and celebrated with dinner out.  Then we went home, put everyone to bed and got up for work and school the next day as we always had.  I did give DH a card telling him I loved him with a check paying him back his $25 - he never did cash it though.  I still tell him it was the best $25 he ever spent!

Here we are 8 years later --- Dh came home from work Friday night with a Valentine's balloon for #5, roses for me and roses for #1 - the ladies in his life.  He can be difficult and I have yet to come across another woman who doesn't question how I can stay married to him, but I can't imagine my life without him - yes, he's a pain in the butt,  but he's MINE and I'm not giving him up to anyone! 

I love you Scott - and I hope we have 80 more years to annoy each other!

In my last review I mentioned that I was glad not to have so many deadlines....................I spoke too soon!  In the two weeks that followed that post, we received about 8 new things to review - most with deadlines this month.  No big deal, right?  HA!  You must not have been reading my blog lately - God has thrown so many curve balls at me, I'm still spinning around!

On to my review - we received Math Mammoth not long ago for our thoughts.  Since we are using Saxon math this year, I chose the Gold Series from Math Mammoth which is a set of worksheets to reinforce concepts listed by grade level.  They come e-format which allows me to look through for what we are in need of and just print off the sheets we need.  Saving money on paper and printing as well as allowing us to only use what we need and not feel guilty either throwing away unused books or add to the ever growing pile of "things I might use one day".  The pricing is reasonable at $6-$7 for each available section and $2 if you feel you need the answer key.  There are no explanations with the worksheets - just problems grouped by subject for your child to use to practice a concept.  They are downloadable almost as soon as you purchase so no need to wait to recieve a package in the mail.  The website has sample pages, package deals for purchase along with some great information.  You can also buy them at other resellers like Curclick if you need to order several things together. 

I found the problems were challenging, and gave #3 some extra practice where he needed it while being from another resource so it was "fresh" to him.  If you're looking for another level or subject you can see fellow TOS Crew reviews here.

I have to ask if anyone else has discovered my new sewing method?  It involves ballancing on the edge of a pub height chair while pushing the foot pedal with one toe.  Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?  Trust me when I say, desperate times call for desperate measures.

You see, up until about a month ago my sewing was set up full time on a table in the "play/school/sewing" room which has since become #4''s big boy bedroom.  I was able to sort through toys, give some away, stash some in his new room, move some to the first floor and some to the nursery.  The school stuff I left on the closet shelves and in the bookcase which remained in the corner of his room.  As for my sewing, well mom always gets the short end of  the stick.  All of my sewing things also got reshelved in a closet on the first floor including the sewing machine.  Now this means that I have to sort through all of the bins to find what I need (I have been searching for two days for some interfacing!) and pull out the machine, set it up on the pub table down there and ballance on the edge of the chair while pushing the pedal with one toe.  I REALLY need to get a better place to set it up!  This whole process isn't too bad if I am working on a big project like a quilt or sewing clothes for little ones, but last week #2 brought me one of his jackets with a huge hole in one of the pockets to repair for him.  Not the easiest way to make quick repairs when the machine is on the shelf in the closet and I have to drag it out for 5 minutes.

All this comes around to my plan ----- in the guest bedroom down there is the ever-dusty eliptical machine.  Bought with good intentions one baby and one pregnancy ago.  I have used it several times, DH maybe once for 5 minutes.  It's a motivational problem.  Seriously - have you ever actually tried to go exersize with kids in the house?  IMPOSSSIBLE!!!!  Unless you wish to get up at 4am or stay up untill midnight to squeeze in some uninterrupted time.  I'm just not that motivated.  So the plan is to move that monster out into the garage beside the big honkin' weight machine DH and #2 insisted they needed (and have probably used, let's say - never!) so I can have the space in the bedroom for my sewing.  I have been asking for a new sewing cabinet for a while now - one with lots of space, but will close up all pretty and neat when we do have guest stay with us.  It's a win-win situation.  I get to be able to sew when wanted/needed and put things out of sight the few times a year people visit us.  DH says I'm just "nesting" --- I say I'm trying to preserve my sanity!

It Pours!  Yep, that's the story of my life! Because we don't have enough going on in our lives with our home school group starting up again, I'm teaching a 13yo girl to sew, I have my glucose testing this week, #2 has his pre-op visit this week, #1 has her outpatient testing next week and then #2 has his surgery the week after - Whew!  Now, to add the chaos -------- #1 has chicken pox!!!  Despite having had the vaccine as a toddler, she has caught chicken pox at 19.  We're thinking one of the residents at the nursing home where she works probably had shingles which passed as the chicken pox to her. 

Here's where it really gets hairy ----- DH has never had the chicken pox, went several months ago for the shot, but never went back for the booster - he's at medium risk.  Might get it, might not and if he does it should at least be a mild case like #1. Of course, I went crazy finding out where he could get a booster today because it isn't HIS fault for not going back for the booster, oh no.   #2 also had one shot as a toddler, but no booster so I went crazy getting hiim his booster today - medium risk.  #3 by coincidence had his second booster last Friday while undergoing his camp physical.  I know, why would I get a camp physical in February?  Because I want to skip the rush especially with a baby that is a few weeks old.  So #3's risk is anybody's guess - did he get the booster in time? Probably not since #1 was contagious from about Friday on.  #4 & #5 have both had the vaccine, but are too young for the booster.  Add to that, #1 constantly hugs and cuddles with them and shares drinks with them - I have my fingers crossed they won't get it and if they do, it will be mild.  So now we are on a 3 week wait to see who makes it through.  I'm really hoping that it doesn't mess up #2's surgery and although I know it would be miserable, I wouldn't be disappointed if the two youngest just get it out of the way. 

Luckily for me, I had chicken pox when I was 7 and a case of shingles when I was 31.  I'm definately immune and so the baby should be fine also.  It does cause a problem because #1 was supposed to babysit while I do the glucose testing which can't be postponed and I can't take them into the OB's office knowing they may be contagious and could really harm a pg woman who isn't immune.  #3 is thrilled since he is racking up the bucks babysitting for me this week - and at least #1 will be home should he need her.  If you knew my DH with his OCD and ability to overreact and turn things into full blown disasters, you would understand why although I was 99% sure last night that it was chicken pox, I didn't even THINK of telling him until after confirming it and talking with the drs today.  I did have fun telling his secretary she would have to break the news to him.......I'm just mean that way!  She was relieved to find out I was kidding.  Usually, they call me to deliver bad news to him so they don't have to incur his temper - he may yell at me, but he can't fire me!  LOL

My cousin is a quilting genius!  She sent both #4 & #5 beautiful quilts she made which made me want to try my hand at it.  Thankfully, my great grandmother made beautiful quilts she hand quilted and so it is in my blood.  When I found out #6 was on the way, I asked Debbie if she would let me make the top and she could finish & quilt it.  The best of both worlds - we both would have a hand in giving this little guy our love. 

So I found a pattern I liked, figured out and bought the fabrics (which I'm still not as good at coordinating as I would like to be) and planned to work on it while the kitchen floor was being ripped up for 3 days in the second attempt to do it properly and I would be stuck downstairs with all of the kids.  Yes, I managed to make it through the process with my sanity intact.

The quilt top came out so nice and I'm really proud of myself!  I sent it off to Debbie, she emailed me how great it was and then took it to the quilt shop to buy the batting and backing/binding.  The woman there couldn't believe it was only the 3rd quilt I have made.  She said she would never suggest a beginner attempt such a difficult quilt.  Hmmm, I guess it's a good thing I didn't know it was too hard for me.    That's why I accomplish so many things in life - I don't have any idea they're above my ability, I just do it!  So here are two pictures of the quilt top - it's not finished as you can see by the edges.  Since my cousin got a batch of snow last week that kept her inside, I'm hoping she was quilting away on it.

Honestly, this review has been delayed because I have been in a New Year slump.  It always seems like the last two weeks of one year and the first two of the New Year just get overstuffed and overwhelming to me.  After the let-down of the holidays, there is the house to clean after the company leave, the mess to organize - you know, all the decorations to take down and put away (which makes the house seem "naked") and then the mountain of toys to sort through and find a place for in our already too-many-toys-house.  DH keeps saying it looks like Toys R Us threw up everywhere. 

So to get back to reality, among other things I have a review due for TOS Crew.  Months ago when products would be sent out and I wasn't a recipient and said "darn!" I am quite thankful now as it means I have fewer deadlines and reviews to write than other members of the crew.  WHEW!

Up today is the website Kinderbach which is an online program to teach your child to play the piano.  I have heard many great things about it and was quite happy to get the chance to review it.  Both #3 &#4 were excited as well.  Each week is a series of lessons teaching not only how to play the piano, but lessons that incorporate the notes and keys of the keyboard.  You don't necessarily need a piano to teach - any small keyboard will do.  We had a laughably small two octive keyboard as well as a slightly bigger Casio keyboard for the kids to use.

Older DS enjoyed the lesosns, but sped throgh them so fast that he really needed something more challenging and less preschool for him.  Younger DS who is 3 and in the target range for the program did enjoy it, but it was a bit above his level for long term use.  He loved the songs and games, but learning the keyboard didn't interest him at all.  I think maybe the 5-8 year old range would be better for our family and would consider using it again when they're in that age group.  Our biggest complaint was with the sound volume - quality was good, but no matter how much we turned everything up, we had to get right up to the computer and be completely silent in order to hear.  I've seen other reviewers say that an inexpensive set of speakeers fixed the problem for them - you may want to consider getting a pair if you're interested in the program.

Overall, I think the concept is a good one - especially for someone like me who lives in rural America with limited access to music programs or piano lessons.  Go take a peek and try it out for yourself - there's a free trial at Kinderbach's website.

Wow, have a houseful of company, then need to recover and clear out the debris and before you know it - you're 4 days into the New Year!  LOL  We had all of the excitement a family of 7, grandparents, aunt and uncle & grandma can have with a 3yo & almost 2 yo excited for Christmas morning.  For a week now, #4 has been saying "I just don't know how Santa could fit that big kitchen set to bring it to us!"  He is truly stumped.  That and grandma taught him to say "This was the best Christmas ever!" So cute!

So we are jumping into the New Year with plans and goals.  This week alone, the brand new kitchen floor will once again be ripped out and installed (hopefully, correctly this time) while I spend 10 hours for 2 days downstairs in 900 square feet with ALL OF THE KIDS!  EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!  I don't think Lowes has a CLUE of what this can do to a pregnant woman.  So to counteract all of that "togetherness" I have bought the fabrics to start making a baby quilt for Little Skeeter during that time.  Yes, I did call the baby Little Skeeter ---- this is in response to DH's unwillingness to help me pick a name.  I figure he will get tired of hearing such a ridiculous nickname at some point and help me choose a proper name for him. 

On another note, #1 has been sick the better part of 5 months now.  Our dr has suggested several things, but has no explanations as to why she isn't getting better or what it could be.  He has referred her to a specialist, but of course, they couldn't get her an apt for a month.  I ended up spending 4 hours in the ER last week - our small local hospital doesn't have a gastroenterology dept and so other than making sure there wasn't anything infectious they could treat, they rehydrated her and sent us home.   This isn't normal in any way, and a 19 year old can't live like this.  I called and raised heck so they moved her up two weeks and told me that our DR calling their DR directly could get her in sooner.  I will be working on that first thing Monday morning.  DD works part time in a 4 hour shift and often can't even manage that.  She is bad enough today, that we are debating making an ER trip up to Asheville to the major hospital we know would be able to treat her.  She is tired of surviving on toast and oatmeal to try to minimize the suffering. It is torture to have me cooking for everyone else and knowing that eating it will only result in hours in the bathroom dealing with pain.  I hate seeing her in pain all of the time - she is at the age that although she is grown, she still needs mom to take care of her. 

I hope you and your family have a healthy, prosperous 2009!

I think one thing most people agree upon in life is that learning spelling words is a pain!  The list on Monday, all of the exersizes/definitions and sentences during the week to try to ingrain the words into little brains before the pressure of a spelling test on Friday.   I know I hated it when I was in school and that is the exact same feelings of my 12 year old now in his life. That being the case, spelling hasn't been high up on our list of required things to do.  I'm a pretty good speller and in this day of technology, how much do people really write by hand and need to have a great ability to spell?  Most people work on the computer where we have wonderful spellcheck!  Convienient, but creating quite lazy spellers.

We received a big ol' box in the mail from All About Spelling and when I opened it "whoa!" there's a lot of stuff about spelling in there!  I will say, it was a bit time intensive to get all of the supplies ready.  There are letter tiles and word cards which are wonderful tools, but all have to be cut apart to be utilized.  I have a paper cutter which sped up the process and the company has listened to the moms and are making some preforated sets for future orders to save time in getting it all ready.

All About Spelling has four levels to carry your child through school.  It is a phonic based approach geared toward all types of learners with auditory components, hands on components, etc.  I am anxious to use this with my 3 year old to start fresh and use it from the beginning with a child.  My 12 year old and I went through most of the first book so I could write whis review.  One nice feature is the pre scripted lesson plans - one of the downfalls of home schooling is the time and planning it takes to get lessons ready.  All About Spellling has thought of making teaching as easy as possible for us!  My son did'nt grumble too badly about spelling using this program - he liked the variety of what we did to learn the spelling rules.   That is the true basis for the whole program - teaching the rules of spelling, not just craming a word into a brain.  You learm why a word is spelled the way it is so you can learn how to spell it.

Along with my other reviewers, I really feel this is well written, geared toward all types of learners so that we can get full value for our money over the course of teaching.  I will say that if you plan on teaching several children at the same time, you will want to invest in a set of the manipulatives for each child unless you are going to have one-on-one time with them for spelling lessons.  The product is well priced at $30 per level and about $15 for the additional manipulatives. 

Now I am off to prepare for Santa's arrival - I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas with your family and loved ones!

It looks like......................

We are having..............................

A perfectly healthy............................

Baby......................................

BOY!!!!!!

Figures, just when I got Dh to agree to the name Evangeline.  At dinner he said to me "You would think as many as we keep having, we should really get a discount on the next one"    Followed by "We can always name the next one Evangeline".  He never ceases to amaze me.  So now we have to think about boy names.  I want it to have a "y" for the second letter like Hyland and then we know it will be a "J" and I'm thinking Scott for the other so he can have his daddy's name too.  So far we think it will be Wyatt "J" Scott.

I'm off to finish laundry before bed.  My brother is flying in from LA with major delays and probably won't get in here until well after midnight.  Then tomorrow will be a crazy, hectic day with all the people in the house, cranky excited kids and DH home to bug me as well as having to put toys together before th Big Red Man visits.  I hope everyone has a safe, Merry Christmas with your families.