Almost...

While its a "rite of passage" to learn the ABC Song... I've never really pushed it with my kids since I found early in teaching my kids about reading that the phonics of the letters and the ability to identify them as bigger priorities than just memorizing a song!

But Nate loves the ABC Song!

So he practices it often... over and over every day! Usually we have a book, poster, or his ABC Train puzzle in front of him as we sing so he gets the chance to correlate the name of the letter with the letter itself.

After a couple of days of asking if I could record him singing his ABCs, he finally agreed;)

He  almost has it;) And this Momma thinks its too cute!!


And I know I'll treasure this is in a couple of years as he gets distracted in the middle with his "taggie" blanket. And needs a little help:) And his little voice!!

Resources we are using for ABCs:
*LeapFrog Letter Factory DVD
*LeapFrog Fridge Phonics
*ABC Puzzles - we have a Melissa & Doug ABC Train (it comes out a lot)
*ABC Poster - found at the $ store
*ABC trace book  & Crayola erasable crayons
*ABC Books -  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, ABC board books
and just singing together:)

*** And this is all Nate led:) I love that he wants to learn, so I'm letting him go at his pace. Some days he wants to "do me school work" all morning and other days he's content playing with Duplos, Play-Doh or trying to tickle his older siblings' feet while they work:/

Not Napping, but Pottying

I've always been a nap encourager:) In fact, some of my "bigger" kids would still take a nap if I had them take a "quiet time" during the day... which I really need to phase back into the afternoon... somewhere:/

For months now Nate has been a non-napper. Most of the reason is that we use the time to run errands and that I spoil him by staying in the room with him until he falls asleep. And we had been using the time it took him to fall asleep as read aloud time (a sweet hour of the day) until the stillness made me sleepy too;)

The ending of our read aloud/Nate falls asleep time was due to the fact that in the evenings, after he had a nap, he would be up to 11-12 at night!!! Yes, when the older ones would head to bed Nate would be wide-eyed... while we'd read in bed all the older ones would crash and Nate would look at us and say, " I go downstairs with you, now!" Not quite the relaxing evenings parents look forward to during the busy days... especially since Brian and I use our evenings to work:/

Nate actually does very well without a nap... sure he can get fussy at 8ish... but that's totally reasonable for a tired 2 yr old. Anyway, we're working on some solutions...

Two days last week he came up with his own plan of crashing on the couch at 6-6:30 and sleeping through the night:) Definitely shows that this little guy NEEDS sleep... even when he fights it hard:)

This week he had us all laughing as he fell asleep eating a bowl of cereal at 6:30ish pm... it was the only thing he wanted to eat!I call it "picking my battles":)


After the video I cleaned him up, changed him into a diaper and laid him on the couch to be with everyone else... he totally fell soundly back to sleep, I moved him upstairs about 9ish (and brushed his teeth) and he slept through the night.

He woke me up at 6:45am with a dry diaper because he needed to go potty:) 

Oh yes!! He's doing that too:) Gotta love kid-led potty training... he was ready without me!! Totally awesome and it's been very easy (besides tending to the tot on the pot with 3 kiddos needing to be schooled)....

NEVER thought I'd say that!!

Hat Song, No M'am & Introducing

Nate has loved the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star for months. it's been a hoot though to hear him turn any word or phrase into a "Twinkle, Twinkle" verse;)


I loved his finale (the 1st one)!! And of course the normal older sibling squabble in the background... nice! LOL!!

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Nate and I were watching the above video...
Nate: Two Nate! (he was watching one and then himself)
Me: Yes, one Nate is here and there is a video of Nate on the computer.
Nate: Why?
Me: Because you are very cute and I have to take pictures and videos.
Nate: Tute?? No M'ammmm! (with his little smirk!)

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And after MUCH analysis and too many names tossed in baskets, we've come up with a name for our little puppy:) The name cam up a few times throughout the process. We liked it because it's short, easy and fun.

Now formally introducing JACK... the puppy who is now named;)

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Ok, it's your turn;) You can submit a blog post URL or just put your cute kid quotes in the comments;)

Reluctant Jumper & White Boy

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The kids are still playing Uno... daily!!! I really think they ask to play Uno more than they ask to have something to eat!! It's too funny! And very loud when they play! LOL!!

The funniest thing though is Nate running around (trying to snatch cards) and saying "New-no!! New-no!!!"

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"I don't want to be a white boy anymore" he tells me.



And then it all makes sense why he plays in the woods for hours and comes out "covered" in mud....

 every time he goes outside!

Link up what your kids are saying!! Record and remember these sweet memories;)

Tiny Talk Tuesday: The Super Duper Coolest Thing

Ok, ok. So we still don't have their swing set or trampoline up. When the kids play outside they ride their bikes, dig holes in the woods or catch bugs/frogs;)

But I was a little convicted about their lack of outside "to dos" when Lydia said that the "super duper duper coolest thing to do is take a bath"!!

LOL!! The new house does have a big bathtub in the master bathroom;) And the kids love playing in it:) I totally have not had more than 3 kids in the bathtub at once... totally not me... and especially NOT this summer when it's either been over 100 degrees outside or muddy!!! And they need a bath EVERY TIME they go outside!!

But now I know why they like getting soo dirty outside... they love baths;)

Just one problem.... they splash water everywhere.


I have to share Nate's after tub routine...

he curls into a ball under and on top towels.

When he's done snuggling, he emerges;)

Ready to be silly again!!

Now it's your turn. What have your kids been saying:)

First Time at the Wheel w/ video

He's been the passenger for months now...

but someone taught him how to push on the "gas"!!

Off he goes...

alone!

Except when a sister and a friend need a ride;)

Here's a video. You can see his little personality.... tricking brother and having to have his weapons sorted and placed a certain way in the Gator;)


And Nate said his first "sentence" last night... two words... a subject and a verb;) LOL!!

Can't wait to share it on Tiny Talk Tuesday:) Considering sharing your kids' funny, sweet or insightful words with us next week on Tuesday;)

More Wordless Wednesday at  NapTime MomTog, 5 Minutes for Mom,  Mama to 4 Blessings, Go Graham Go

and Live and Love...Out Loud !!!

TTT: Lydia help in the Hunt & Conversation with Nate

We've spent WAY too much time talking about houses.... location, what they look like, what we'd like!! We know because the kids are starting to talk "house" too!!

Lydia: We need a house that has an upstairs. The kids can have the upstairs!! And then we can have 3 rooms downstairs. One for you and Daddy. One for Grandma and Granddaddy! And one for the new baby!!

LOL.... so we are NOT expecting. But obviously Lydia has other plans:)

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Lydia also has an eye for "for sale" signs in yards!! It's VERY common to hear from the backseat...

Lydia: There's a house! We could live there.... it has an upstairs!!!  

LOL:)

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We were trying to get to "say" please on video. But it turned into a guessing game of what he wanted:) LOL!!

But in watching the video it was a fun capture of a normal conversation with our 17 month old Nate;) ALthough it wasn't really what I wanted it will be fun video to watch in a couple of months/years as he is really talking;)

TTT: Buttons, Whitening Toothpaste, Singing Books

Lydia dressed herself and came walking in like she wanted to share something about her outfit;) She asked, "Mommy, do you know these pants?"

Me: Yes, those are new. Do you like them?

Lydia: Do you remember that these are the pants that fall down when I run. I didn't like wearing them because they fall down.

Me: Oh, we'll they look like they fit well. [as I look at the waist]

Lydia: I just ran and they didn't fall down.

Me: oh really?

Lydia: I know why they kept falling down. When they fall down it's because they aren't buttoned right here. [ as she points to the button on the waist.... she knows how to button now and fixed the problem].

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While visiting my parents, I try to not "over" pack. So I only brought my own toothpaste. And as I guessed the kids were not happy about that choice:(

But I had to giggle when I found Anna brushing her teeth. She was brushing FAST because the toothpaste was too "spicy". She spit out all the extra toothpaste.

And then examined her teeth in the mirror...

She shook her head in disguised and said,"My teeth aren't any whiter! That toothpaste doesn't work!" LOL!!

She had read the tube of toothpaste that DOES claim to whiten after using the entire tube;)

She reads EVERYTHING!!

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I went into the girls' room the other night and found Anna singing a book for Lydia (and Nate)! Instead of reading it, she said that Lydia listens better when it's a song, so she was singing from a Little Girl's Bible!

So I shouldn't have been found when we found Nate singing, too!!



BTW... we usually don't leave library books laying around for exactly this reason! Nate doesn't quite understand gentle with books yet!! He gets to use the board books;)

I'm Still Offering...

although I know it's the end :(

Nate is 13 months. He's been a great little nurser... just from minutes after delivery he figured it all out and has been the model little breastfeeder ever since! (a huge blessing, I know)

But he's been weaning himself for some time now.... not bringing me his burpcloths and climbing into my lap. He's been way too easily comforted by a cup of soymilk and some Cheerios, his burpcloth, a toy car or his paci :(

For the few weeks he'd only been breastfeeding in the morning and at night (occasionally a snack before a nap or if we woke in the middle of the night or wee hours of the morning)!

This last week he's had at least ONE 24hour period he didn't nurse AT ALL!!!! First he slept 12 hours through the night... yippeee!! In the morning he was very content playing and then eating breakfast with us (soymilk, bagel and banana). In the evening I attended a ladies Bible study and then headed off alone to grocery shop (another yippee!!). I expected him to wake at midnight and get in his feeding, but he DIDN'T. In fact he slept IN the next morning and again was content with playing and breakfast.

It was then that I knew that the "end" was nearer than I thought :(

There is such a crazy mix of emotions when the "baby" weans themselves. The realization that he's really NOT such a little baby any more. And that my body is finished providing for him in a very real way.... <tears> And yes, even thinking about Nate nursing still brings a "full feeling" to my chest.

But there are other very real advantages.... dates alone with Daddy can resume;) Chocolate, ice cream, PIZZA... and then exercise to work it all back off!! LOL!! Late night chats with Bible study ladies :)

I knew this was coming.... it was just a matter of time... it's just part of my "baby" growing up :(
Which he is doing soo quickly:)



And I will survive! I've been through this before :( And while reading that post of when Lydia weaned herself, she was almost the exact age of Nate... between 13 and 14 months! Must just be "our" ending time.

In case I haven't mentioned it before, Anna finished breastfeeding the night of her 1st birthday. She looked at me, waved "night night" and walked to her crib and held up her arms to be put in. Chris hated nursing and we survived 10 months... finally my body couldn't make enough for him (and probably wasn't getting any signals from him he needed more) and he started loosing weight :( I was already VERY pregnant with Lydia, so that probably had something to do with it as well!!

And for now, I'll still offer at night... but I know these sweet, nursing cuddle moments are almost gone! And I'll have to be fine with him in my lap reading his favorite board books before bed.

mp3 and a 7 yr old

One thing Anna repeatedly requested for her birthday was a smart phone:) No really.... gotta love peer "pressure" :)

BTW...Brian and I carry around very simple Tracfones. We use them when we need them and save a BUNDLE not having a fancy phone and contract.... for now we are content!

We thought "maybe" she'd be ok with owning a simple mp3 player... one that could play music and had her favorite pictures/videos stored. We'd been looking around with NO luck on a reasonably priced device for our little techie... I mean, GIRL!!

Looking around a toy store the week of her birthday we found one!!
And our home will never be the same... LOL!!


I love her little heart of worship!! And grateful that it's a "joyful noise" that counts:)

And I just can't get over how much older she looks with her mp3 player!!
She brings it everywhere!!!




If you are interested....

*How Great is Our God was a free mp3 download from Amazon... here is a link to free and inexpensive Christian downloads.

She also has "pre-listened to" songs from these two spots... I listened to the songs I added first and I didn't listen to ALL or download ALL... so use at your own discretion;)
* The Chuckle Berries
* Free Kids Music

He's Walking When...

... we stop counting his steps and just watch him GO!!

You can find some more Wordless Wednesday at
5 Minutes for Mom,
Go Graham Go,
To Be Thode
and any other linkys I find !!!

TTT - Fool's Day almost Prank, Vacuum Sword & Shower drinker

Anna was thinking of April Fools Day jokes she could do. Her favorite idea was to eat lunch before Daddy came home from working at the college. She wanted to make him a plate... awww!! But put it in the fridge, so when he came in he'd think that we ate lunch and didn't save him any!!

She would then surprise him after he dropped his stuff off in the bedroom and office. She was going to have his plate ready for him at the table;) Oh, and I think she wanted to yell surprise!!

Ok... first, it's soo sweet!! She is very thoughtful!

Second, I loved how she knew Brian's routine enough to plan how to hide it from him and then surprise him:)

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Chris announced to me that he wanted to purchase a vacuum cleaner!! That was a strange request from my 5 yr old non-cleaning boy:) So I had to ask him WHY??

Chris responded, "I need a new sword. And the vacuum comes with the sword on the side with a holder, too!!"

LOL... he likes the accessories:) He made be in luck b/c our vacuum is dead... so he may get to keep the one that he's been eyeing (and using) the last few years!

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I don't remember my other kiddos liking the sprayer in the shower... in fact, they would scream when we'd use it while visiting family. Anyway, Nate is a hoot...

TTT & 16 Steps and Counting...

Just sharing a few things that have been heard around our house...

Brian walks through the door after lunch. The kids go running back into their rooms, screaming, "Ahhhhh..... a barbarian is coming!!"

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Lately, Lydia has started a new bedtime "routine" for us. She wants us to carry her because she is "soo tired"!!

So last night she does her evening routine then walks into the kitchen (totally across the house) to find me. When she sees me, she gives me THAT look and then says,"MOmmy, can you carry me to my room [which is RIGHT next to the bathroom] I am soo tired??"

Oh, it's cute all right! And she usually gets away with it, probably because their are stories that her Daddy used to use the SAME line!!

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It seems like the pre-"walking well" days last sooo long. I remember just waiting forever for Anna and Chris to walk alone... LOL, probably b/c I was preggo with the next baby. But it's been fun to enjoy the pre-walk stage with Nate.... he tried to walk, yet he's still fine being carried, in a stroller or a Beco:)

Finally got a video update of Nate's walking!! I love that he's standing wherever he wants and just going. I did have to bribe him with as ball this time to get the video:) But lately I've caught him walking when he's "alone" in a room as well... those crawling days are numbered :(

Tiny Talk Tuesday: Freaking Out & Wagon Trips

So far Lydia's food allergies have been minimal... she still has them. But her reactions have been very minor, so she doesn't have that "fear" of a reaction that the older kids have.

This week she found some candies we had and wanted to "try" one... even though one of the last ingredients was a part of egg. Here is her reasoning;)



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Sunday at lunch the kids started another conversations about babies coming out of tummies. While I was in and out of the kitchen they were talking about all they know (which isn't much... not yet!!).

Chris is my thinker. He looked at me and asked point blank,"How does the baby get in there?"

And I'm not sure the initial answer I gave him. But he wasn't pleased with my detail. So he asked more clearly, "Mom, what is the first step?"

I confidently answered, "First you need a Mommy and a Daddy."

Chris shook his head like he got it and the conversation was over... for now;)

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And the reason Brian wasn't in on the above conversation was because he was having to make a hospital visit. We had a man rushed to our local hospital Sunday AM and then transferred to a larger hospital.

Anyway, the kids asked why they couldn't go with Brian and I told them that our friend was sick and that he might be in the ICU and kids usually can't go in there.

Good grief.... I was very serious with them, but they BUSTED out laughing!! And then as sooo as one caught their breath they said slowly," I C U" or "I see you".

I"m blaming this "joke" on the Awana van kids who taught my kids that spelling "I CUP" out loud is funny!!

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I'm sure there was more this week I am forgetting especially since Chris has been soo giggly lately... must still be on that Valentine candy high???

Oh..... and two sweet moments!!

One sweet moment was Lydia, my little peacemaker, offering to give me her special Christmas present necklace since I didn't have one like hers :) Such a doll she is;)

The other was Anna pulling Nate around the yard in the wagon yesterday;) She's a great big sister;)

She's a great big sister;)

Books, Paint, Dance and Ode to Mommy

Changing our history work time to the mornings has been such a GREAT move for us... it seems like we just have more time for all sorts of fun!

Like today, I had planned our readings on Early Australia and New Zealand, some narration, digging into some library books and then THIS happens....

Mixing up some Homemade face paint




And then the transformation into Maori "warriors" begins...
*Lydia was worried about using our paints... lol... so she used sunscreen:)



It really was fun;) Their personalities really came out... the cautiousness and the boldness! My three little warriors ready for battle!



And then as the girls cleaned up, Chris wanted to dance in his tribal paint.... soo funny!! And he included an Ode to His Mommy ... too sweet!!

Excuse the blurriness... I"m still learning how to use my camera;)


And the "clicking" noise is Chris providing his own rhythm:)

You can find some other picture posts at 5 Minutes for Mom, Go Graham Go, To Be Thode and any other linkys I find !!!

***And for those interested.... the paint did wash off fine with SOAP... baby tear free kind;) BUt it has to be really washed, Chris barely scrubbed his belly and it was still tinted blue after his bath:)

Our First week Back...

The transition BACK to our school routine has been sooo much easier than I had thought.... yay!! Sure there were a few tears the second day as they saw the pile of books;) But they have been sooo ready to start school and then read library books (extra motivation with our library starting a winter reading program.... kudos to them)!!

And when the kids are "onboard" with school and activities, everything seems to flow soo much better:)

I have been trying to have their work ready for them in their "work files", especially Anna and they have chores before school... so maybe they'd rather do school than more chores;)

AS I snapped pics this week, homeschooling looked soo fun and easy:) I thought I'd share that while we do have occasional tears, attitudes and frustrations... homeschooling can be soo much fun.. and this week from the pics it looks a little TOO fun:)

Yes, one of Anna's math lessons was to read a recipe, measure ingredients and follow the directions to bake.... great excuse to make COOKIES:) And to try a new cookie recipe from a cookbook by this allergy Momma:)

And the middle two entertained Nate in the highchair with homemade sock puppets (no eyes, mouths, anything... he liked it)!!
Reading time with Anna... and they ALL gathered around:) So sweet....
Origami to enhance our study of Korea and Japan this week... it said it takes practice and patience... phew... does it ever?
And throw in two or three kids eager to play with the final product and need help with almost every fold.... got plenty of exercise in patience this week:)
Yes, we made paper airplanes for schoolwork!!! LOL!! Actually they are "jets":)

Leftover lunches are always fun and easy:) The kids put what they wanted from the fridge in their bowls and decided to practice with chopsticks, since we were studying Chinese influenced cultures:)
Had to include this.... the end is the best:)



We finished this week with reading Japanese books as they painted their own kimonos:)

And Anna wrote her first Haiku:)

What a fun week:) I know it's because we made the time to add in extra little projects and crafts!! I was very pleased that the basics were done daily with each kiddo, too!!!

They kept me very busy:) a good busy :)

Bubble Suit

We gave Anna in-line roller skates and Chris a "skateboard" (really it's a scooterboard) for Christmas... they both had been asking for these items for quite some time, so we finally decided just to "do it"!

But I was soo hesitant at the store to actually purchase them....

Why?? Because they are dangerous! Once you get into skating and skateboarding there are all sorts of injuries!!

Ok, ok, I'm a little cautious and overprotective...

I'm a MOM!

And I am NOT very coordinated myself:) I worry my kids inherited some of my klutziness :(

So today I take the kids outside to try out their toys (the snow is melting... yay)!! I made them get on their "gear"... aka helmets and knee pads for Anna:)

At first, Anna held onto my hand and I was perfectly happy with having her holding on:) LOL!!

Chris, though!! He just "goes for it"!




And then he remembers the sloped entrance into the fellowship hall...


It's those moments I start to wonder if we should invest in a "bubble suit"... kind of like those inflatable sumo wrestling outfits...

like this...

but add a helmet with a visor...
and some knee pads...
one of those teeth guard things that professional football players wear.

Then maybe I won't flinch each time I hear the skateboard hit the pavement!

And from the video of Chris you can see that Anna quickly let go of my hand and was going around the "circle" without me :)

She was so proud of her new accomplishment:)


I was soo proud of them BOTH, too!! And thankful that maybe they are more coordinated like their Daddy:)And are NOT like ME:)


I'm linking up to My Charming Kids! Check out more Not Me! Monday posts there;)