Grace has inspired me to also pull some ideas from the Oriental Trading company magazine. One that caught my eye in particular, which we are now working on, are creating sequin covered ornament balls for Christmas. The entire process is so Montessori-ish that I couldn't resist. So on my latest Walmart trip I purchased a bunch of white foam balls, colored pins and colored sequins.
The entire activity only requires a steady hand (good for Jack) and concentration as you fill the entire surface area of the ball with sequins by sticking a decorative pin through the sequin hole to hold in place. It is time consuming, but it is one of those projects that they can sit down and do for a little while and then come back to. And NO glue!!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Keeping It Fresh & Interesting
I've been trying very hard to keep things fresh for the kids. While we have our standard Copywork, Math, and Reading everyday, I like to break each subject up throughout the week with various activities. For example, Grace has Math everyday, but we tackle a different type of Math each day so by the end of the week we have tackled: Addition/Subtraction (Single & Double Digit), Money, Time, Measurements (Weights & Lengths), Fractions, Story Problems, & Graphing. I also try to make sure that they haven't done 5 worksheets in one subject for the week, trying to keep half of it hands on.
Today the kids enjoyed adding some computer work to our Phonics & Reading. Jack is just getting ready for Phonics and I was looking for a way to introduce him to Phonetical concepts. I took a look at a website called Starfall.com, and was pleased to see that they have updated it with some outstanding Phonics and Reading activities. The plan was to have Jack only address "A" for phonics today, but I had to convince him to stop after "D". I am really happy with their Phonics introduction.
Grace was itching to finish her copywork, just so she could have a stab at the reading portion of the site --- which is just as nicely done.
Today the kids enjoyed adding some computer work to our Phonics & Reading. Jack is just getting ready for Phonics and I was looking for a way to introduce him to Phonetical concepts. I took a look at a website called Starfall.com, and was pleased to see that they have updated it with some outstanding Phonics and Reading activities. The plan was to have Jack only address "A" for phonics today, but I had to convince him to stop after "D". I am really happy with their Phonics introduction.
Grace was itching to finish her copywork, just so she could have a stab at the reading portion of the site --- which is just as nicely done.
Her Name Will Be...Faith
I have been pining for the name "Hope" ever since the conception of this baby. But Ken has managed to convince me that "Faith" should be next. His reasoning:
First comes Grace...then comes Faith...and then you have Hope.
We weren't trying to be biblical about it, but when you put it that way, it is pretty cool. I have his assurance (and now it is in writing), that if we have a third girl, I will get to name her "Hope".
So NOW, we need a middle name. What goes with Faith? Grace Lauren...Jack Ryan...Faith ?????
Grace is still lobbying Daddy for "Hope".
First comes Grace...then comes Faith...and then you have Hope.
We weren't trying to be biblical about it, but when you put it that way, it is pretty cool. I have his assurance (and now it is in writing), that if we have a third girl, I will get to name her "Hope".
So NOW, we need a middle name. What goes with Faith? Grace Lauren...Jack Ryan...Faith ?????
Grace is still lobbying Daddy for "Hope".
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Inspired By Junk Mail
Grace and Jack love getting the mail from the mailbox in the afternoons. Last Friday, they both ran in the house, dumped most of the mail on the table and then ran into the playroom with the latest catalog from Oriental Trading Company. If any of you receive this magazine, you'll know that there are dozens and dozens of projects that you can mail order and put together at home.
What Grace was looking for was inspiration. I didn't get a "Hey Mom! Can we get this?". Instead she asked all day if she could do a "project" with me. I had no idea that the magazine was serving as inspiration for the project. It was one of those Mom days where extracurricular activities just didn't have a space, so she smartly defaulted to Dad that evening, and then informed him that she wanted to make a gingerbread house like the picture she saw.
Dad (awesome Dad that he is) spent the next hour sitting at the table with Grace as they planned out a cardboard gingerbread house. In an hours time, they had built an outstanding piece of work decorated with foam pieces and construction paper!!! It was really a work of art! This weekend she was also inspired by two more project photos, setting to work on a bat made out of cut out handprints and a Thanksgiving headdress.
What I'm most impressed with is her determination to just set to work and make it from what she has on hand. I can remember as a kid being inspired to make things from a Make and Do Childcraft book, but I'm not sure I ever took the initiative that Grace did from a magazine.
What Grace was looking for was inspiration. I didn't get a "Hey Mom! Can we get this?". Instead she asked all day if she could do a "project" with me. I had no idea that the magazine was serving as inspiration for the project. It was one of those Mom days where extracurricular activities just didn't have a space, so she smartly defaulted to Dad that evening, and then informed him that she wanted to make a gingerbread house like the picture she saw.
Dad (awesome Dad that he is) spent the next hour sitting at the table with Grace as they planned out a cardboard gingerbread house. In an hours time, they had built an outstanding piece of work decorated with foam pieces and construction paper!!! It was really a work of art! This weekend she was also inspired by two more project photos, setting to work on a bat made out of cut out handprints and a Thanksgiving headdress.What I'm most impressed with is her determination to just set to work and make it from what she has on hand. I can remember as a kid being inspired to make things from a Make and Do Childcraft book, but I'm not sure I ever took the initiative that Grace did from a magazine.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
We're Having A Baby Girl!!!
Finally Mother's instinct prevails.
(It only took me three babies to get it right).
Surprise!!! Yes. We were not going to find out the sex of our 3rd baby at the ultrasound. But Ken and I caved 24 hours before, and decided to find out what kind of little Knucker Hatch we would be having. The kids are excited as they both were asking for a sister. All fingers and toes are accounted for on our little girl. She was already sitting pretty with her legs crossed at the ankles.
We have an excellent photo of her profile that hope to scan soon. Something new this time was we were allowed to get a video recording of the ultrasound. This was a real treat.
This little 20 weeker is by far the most active child in the womb I have had. She was doing sumersaults during the ultrasound, where as Jack and Grace sat quite still for their ultrasounds. You could see this little one's leg literally pull up to her abdomen and purposefully extend her long leg into a full blown kick. This kid kicks, just to kick. (I found myself second guessing my daily intake of a cup of coffee). As I write, she is flipping and punching.
What have we done to our peaceful home? :)
Kidding aside -- We all can't wait to see what it looks like to give birth to a tiny tornado.
(It only took me three babies to get it right).
Surprise!!! Yes. We were not going to find out the sex of our 3rd baby at the ultrasound. But Ken and I caved 24 hours before, and decided to find out what kind of little Knucker Hatch we would be having. The kids are excited as they both were asking for a sister. All fingers and toes are accounted for on our little girl. She was already sitting pretty with her legs crossed at the ankles.
We have an excellent photo of her profile that hope to scan soon. Something new this time was we were allowed to get a video recording of the ultrasound. This was a real treat.
This little 20 weeker is by far the most active child in the womb I have had. She was doing sumersaults during the ultrasound, where as Jack and Grace sat quite still for their ultrasounds. You could see this little one's leg literally pull up to her abdomen and purposefully extend her long leg into a full blown kick. This kid kicks, just to kick. (I found myself second guessing my daily intake of a cup of coffee). As I write, she is flipping and punching.
What have we done to our peaceful home? :)
Kidding aside -- We all can't wait to see what it looks like to give birth to a tiny tornado.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Grandma & Grandpa's Brand New Boat
Have you ever seen two happier grandparents??? Behold, their newest hobby: A gorgeous 33ft Rinker that is still in the running for a fitting name.
This evening after pizza, the kids fed the ducks and geese half a loaf of bread, and then we headed out for a beautiful evening cruise.
Today, was our second evening out on the boat. Ken was in complete heaven behind the helm, power gliding around Colorado's Horsetooth Reservoir.
This evening after pizza, the kids fed the ducks and geese half a loaf of bread, and then we headed out for a beautiful evening cruise.
Today, was our second evening out on the boat. Ken was in complete heaven behind the helm, power gliding around Colorado's Horsetooth Reservoir.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Ken & Uncle Mike Hike Long's Peak
In an effort to inspire Ken to stick to his workout program over the summer, he decided to set a manly goal before himself: Hiking to the top of Long's Peak. This is a 14 mile hike that is about 7 hours of hiking up, and 5 hours of hiking back down the mountain. The inspiration has worked and kept him motivated over the summer to stick with the treadmill, and yesterday was the day to see if it could be done.
Ken and Uncle Mike headed out to "base camp" at 2:30am, and began their hike in the dark early morning hours through the forest. Below is Ken, after about 3 miles of moderate hiking with the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon:
The real challenge became bitter cold combined with 50 mi/hr wind gusts. The last two miles of the hike are more difficult in that you must climb over large boulders the entire way. It is hard to get perspective on just how much of a battle this last part of the hike is (can you see the two tiny people in the picture?). Below is a picture of the last portion of the peak, the "Keyhole" knotch to the far right, which you climb between and finish the last mile of the hike on the other side of the peak.
Freezing, but determined, Ken and Mike made it through the Keyhole, but they quickly discovered that the other side of the peak was completely unprotected from the wind and it was too dangerous to continue to hike the last and most treacherous mile. (Apparently, none of the hikers were braving that final mile due to high winds.) Below is a picture of Uncle Mike sitting at the top of the Keyhole, overlooking a portion of the other side of the peak:
Ken and Uncle Mike headed out to "base camp" at 2:30am, and began their hike in the dark early morning hours through the forest. Below is Ken, after about 3 miles of moderate hiking with the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon:
The real challenge became bitter cold combined with 50 mi/hr wind gusts. The last two miles of the hike are more difficult in that you must climb over large boulders the entire way. It is hard to get perspective on just how much of a battle this last part of the hike is (can you see the two tiny people in the picture?). Below is a picture of the last portion of the peak, the "Keyhole" knotch to the far right, which you climb between and finish the last mile of the hike on the other side of the peak.
Freezing, but determined, Ken and Mike made it through the Keyhole, but they quickly discovered that the other side of the peak was completely unprotected from the wind and it was too dangerous to continue to hike the last and most treacherous mile. (Apparently, none of the hikers were braving that final mile due to high winds.) Below is a picture of Uncle Mike sitting at the top of the Keyhole, overlooking a portion of the other side of the peak:
The men returned home, safe and sound with some beautiful pictures and entertaining stories. Despite the rough terrain, there were some gorgeous landscapes. Below is a personal favorite picture of mine from their hike:
Monday, September 05, 2005
We're In Colorado!!
What a treat...10 days in beautiful Colorado. We're about half way through our trip and enjoying it emmensely. We've already had grilled dinner on Grandma & Grandpa's new boat, and taken a ride around Horsetooth Reservoir. One of the biggest highlights of the trip has already passed in that we all got to spend a few days in the company of Uncle Mike, Aunt Christy (8 months pregnant), James, and their newly adopted daughter Christina:
Isn't she just adorable?!!! She gets oos and aahs everywhere she goes and is one of the happiest babies I have ever met. What a blessing to have such a sweet new soul in our extended family.
The kids had a blast playing with their cousin James. Jack was in boy heaven in the company of a boy who enjoyed wrestling matches just as much as himself. We spent one afternoon at the club pool:
On Sunday, we enjoyed box seats at a Rockies vs. Dodgers game. The kids had the opportunity to personally get hugs and autographs from the purple mascot "Digger".
Isn't she just adorable?!!! She gets oos and aahs everywhere she goes and is one of the happiest babies I have ever met. What a blessing to have such a sweet new soul in our extended family.The kids had a blast playing with their cousin James. Jack was in boy heaven in the company of a boy who enjoyed wrestling matches just as much as himself. We spent one afternoon at the club pool:
On Sunday, we enjoyed box seats at a Rockies vs. Dodgers game. The kids had the opportunity to personally get hugs and autographs from the purple mascot "Digger".
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