First Day

The hardest "first day" ever.  Harder than when J went to Kindergarten, harder than when A went to Kindergarten, just so hard.  I was sad and I cried (after they left) and called my mommy.  I sat on the couch while I had my coffee and thought, "What now??"  It's going to be an adjustment for me that is for sure.  I have not been alone in ten years.  I have had someone to care for during the day for 10 years.  C was my little companion for the last 6 years.  He's always been with me.  And now I am alone and overwhelmed by it all.

We'll see what tomorrow brings......

30 Day Drawing Challenge

Day 16: Inspiration

A wants to do a back bend just like her friend

J is inspire by kids who can do back flips

Day 17: Favorite Plant

A - a Rose 

J- a bean plant he grew at school

Day 18: Just a Doodle

A's - doodle

J's - doodle

Day 19: Something New

A's 

J's

Day 20: Something Orange

 A's

J's

Day 21: Something You Want

A's 

J's

Day 22: Something you Miss

A's 

J's

Book Worms Live Here

One of our goals this summer was to visit the library weekly.  Before making our weekly trips, we would each think about what it was we were looking for, what books interested us, what did we feel like reading? I made this rule because I lose my patience when we go and the kids stand there telling me they don't know what to pick out. So before we leave the house, we each must have an idea of what we are looking for and/or a list of books we know we want to read. (including myself!)  I'll offer suggestions, we visit Nerdy Book Club , as well as some other sites I can't think of right now, and take suggestions from friends too.

A reads most things, she enjoys books with main characters who are girls and books with everyday situations/problems.  Always ready with a list in hand.  Each trip she came home with 4 - 6 books.

J chooses book about what interests him in the moment. This summer it was mainly Greek Mythology and Super Heroes.  Each trip 1-2 books.

C does not read yet but chooses chapter books (the same he's seen his brother read or own).  He can not read them, but I don't argue.  He makes his choices and is happy, it's all I can ask for. (we do read to him age appropriate books every night before bed) Each trip he'll bring home 2-3 books.

We encourage reading.  We are constantly bringing books into our home.  The Husband and I are never without a book.  We've been reading out loud to the kids since they were babes.  And it shows.  It shows in J and A's work, their grades, their level of reading, and through the vocabulary they use during everyday conversations.  (C will learn to read this year when he enters Kindergarten in one week. AHHHHHH!!)  I can't tell you how proud and happy this makes me.  One of my "mom dreams" was to have kids who were readers.  And I think my dream has come true.  Yet I still have nightmares of them not reading or never picking up a book as a teenager or an adult.  Believe me, that would devastate me!!!  And it may become reality.   But for now I can bask in the glory of my readers.

image source found here

This is not our Book Worm, our Book worm is much cuter!

Although all my children enjoy books and do well with reading,  A is the Book Worm of the summer.  

Here is the list of the books she's read since the last day of school to today:

(and I think we may have missed a few)

1. Little Genie Make a Wish 
2. Little Genie Double Trouble (Little Genie books by Miranda Jones)
3. The World According to Kaley by Dion Curtis Ryan
4. Julie Saves the Eagles
5. Happy New Year Julie
6. Julie's Journey
7. Julie Tells her Story
8. Changes for Julie (all the Julie books are written by Megan McDonald)
9. Happy New Year Mallory 
10. Mallory's Super Sleepover
11. Campfire Mallory
12. Mallory on Board
13. In Business With Mallory
14. Mallory vs Max
15. Back to School Mallory (Mallory books are written by Laurie B. Friedman)
16. Katie Batter Up (Cupcake Diaries) by Coco Simon
17. Just Grace
18. Just Grace Walks the Dog (Grace books written by Charise Meircle Harper)
19. Not So Weird Emma Sally Warner
20. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Steed

Wow!  I am so impressed.  Maybe I shouldn't be, I have no one, and nothing, to compare the list to.  But 20 books and counting is quite impressive in my eyes!

I Think I May Have a Problem

I've watched this 20 times since 9:00 this morning.  

Maybe I need to find a new hobby.....

but I love him so!!!!

30 Day Drawing Challenge

Day 11: Turning point in your Life

No drawings...

I think the kids had a hard time understanding what a "turning point" in one's life means.  (I tried!!!) Understandable considering they are only 10, 9 and 5.

Day 12:  Most recent accomplishment

 J - Doing flips off the diving board

A - Dance Recital

Day 13: Comic

 J's

C - Drew the symbols for the Avengers

Day 14: favorite Fairytale

 J's - Shrek

C's - Shrek (I just about died when I looked at this.  Adorable!) 

A's- Rapunzel

Day 15: Family Picture

A's (In love..... I may frame this one)

J wrote our names on the paper so I decided to not include it and C didn't feel like drawing.

30 Day Drawing Challenge

Day 10: Favorite Candy

J's - Reeses Peanut Butter Cup

C's - Swedish Fish

A's - Twix Bar, Swedish Fish ad Mini Peanut Butter Cups

30 Day Drawing Challenge

Drawing on Wednesday afternoon::

Day 7: Favorite Movie

C finally decided to participate!  Here is a "picture" of his best friend. (Day 5) He chose to write his friend's name.  I was impressed with his decision and his writing skills.

C's favorite food (Day 3) Pizza!

Favorite Animal (Day 2) Monkey!

Day 8: Favorite Animated Character

J's - Poseidon from a video game

Day 9: Favorite T.V Show

J's - Ultimate Spider-Man

C's favorite animated character and T.V. show - SpongeBob (Day 8 and 9)

A's Favorite T.V show - Good Luck Charlie (Day 9)

Not knowing what to draw she wrote the lyrics to the theme song

A's favorite animated character -  Tinker Bell (Day 8)

30 Day Drawing Challenge

We're off on another adventure. 

This time, a drawing challenge.

(found on Pinterest)

You're probably saying "Here she goes again with another 30 day challenge." I love these things! Sometimes I can't think of something to do on my own (especially towards the end of summer break. I'm beat!) and that's why the internet is helpful in the creativity department. When you're feeling uninspired, the Internet will bring you more inspiration and ideas than you can even imagine completing (thank you Pinterest!), as I am sure many of you understand.  

The kids really enjoy drawing, so when I came upon this one I said to myself, Why not? It's something new to do. 

I asked them if they would be interested in participating and if they were comfortable with their drawings being posted on the blog, J and A were all for it, C not so much. That of course is fine. When we sit to draw, he plays with his toys and is perfectly content. 

We took a trip to Target to get new drawing pads and fresh markers. Everything else we already had at home.

We are using the following:

• Drawing Pencils
• Colored Pencils
• Markers 
• Crayons
• Oil Pastels
• Artist Erasers (extra soft)
• Sketch Pads

I took pictures of J's drawings without the flash becasuse he has not gotten to coloring in his drawings and the flash was making the pencils lines hard to see.  The darker pictures are J's, the brighter are A's.

Here are day's 1 - 6::

Day 1: Yourself

Day 2: Favorite Animal

Day 3: Favorite Food

Day 4: Favorite Place

Day 5: Best Friend

Day 6: Favorite Book