Caleb's Homeschool Co-op Presentation

So last Thursday, Caleb celebrated the end of the co-op session with a luncheon and presentation. We were all asked to bring a main dish to share, and the food was super yummy.

After lunch, some of the classes put on a special presentation. Caleb took a Going Buggy class, a Spanish class, and a Literature pocket class. He had such a good time, and we cannot wait for the fall session to start. :)

Here are some of the pictures from the presentation. I cannot remember what he is doing in some of them, but he's still cute. Yes, I'm a little bit biased...what's new?!!?

This is some sort of bee formation from the Going Buggy Class...

Caleb reading all about his "praying mantis"...Caleb, Emerson, and Liberty (and the rest of the Spanish class) singing the Cho-Co-La-Te song with their cho-co-la-te stirrers.
I don't remember what he was doing, but it's still a cute picture...they were given these Spanish ponchos from the Spanish class.
Again, I'm not sure what dance he's doing...maybe something from Spanish class again.
Caleb reading The Little Red Hen with the Literature Pockets class.

We have been without power since about 10am this morning. Isn't that just lovely? The transformer in our neighbor's yard blew up. Hope it's fixed soon!

Homeschool Week 42 in Review

We actually started Week 42 before leaving for Florida, but we still had one more day to finish the week. So, we got that out of the way yesterday. Here's how week 42 went:

Beginnings: Our theme for the week was Desert Paths. We learned about desert animals and plants. "Who" was added to our list of service words. We added "-oil", "-oy", "-aul", "-awn", and "-all" to our word families. Our book for the week was Too Small.

Math: We had another chapter on fractions this week. This is actually our last math chapter for the year...woohoo! We talked about halves, thirds, and fourths. Caleb did extremely well.

Bible: We reviewed the First Catechism and our Bible verses for the year.

Extra Stuff: Well, we headed off to Florida to visit with the Neil Family. One of the big things we did was visit the Brevard Zoo again. Caleb loves it so much, and he had a good ol' time feeding the lorakeets again. He also went on a kayak ride with Laura and Hunter.

Join us next week was we finish up our reading book with a "Sandy Trails" theme. Then it will be a few weeks of review before heading into 1st grade.

Playing Catch Up...

We are back from Florida, and we had an awesome time. We got back yesterday afternoon around 3:00pm. Then, we headed out for Caleb's 6:00pm t-ball practice. I'm EXHAUSTED, and I'm so behind on everything...reading blogs, commenting, housework...ALL THINGS IMPORTANT! But -- I'm going to try my best to get caught up here this week.

Also, sadly I have to "clean out" my list of blogs that I follow. I've just got way too many blogs that I try to keep up with, so I'm going to choose those that really strike my fancy. With 200 followers, there's no way I can keep up with all of you. I love you all dearly, but I've got to get it under control. It's all just getting a tad bit overwhelming for me, and that doesn't make for a happy-go-lucky mommy or wife. LOL! So, it's with deep regret that I'll have to remove myself from some of the blogs that I follow. But know this -- if I choose to still follow you, then you've found a place in my bloggy world to stay. :)

Stay tuned for more posts either later this evening or tomorrow...again, I'm playing catch-up. It's not EASY!

On the Road Again...

Well, as of tomorrow afternoon, the boys and I will be on the road again. What...you want to know where we're going? Let me tell you...we're going to FLORIDA! Woohoo! We will be going to see Laura, Hunter, and Tina. They moved away back in February, and we haven't seen them since then. I still talk to Laura nearly every day (thank goodness for Verizon's Friends & Family...lol), but we miss them sooooo much. They were our closest friends, and we lived in the same neighborhood. So, it's been a big adjustment.

I have to take Caleb to homeschool co-op first thing in the morning. Then, I'm going to come back home and make a taco lasagna. After that's done cooking, I'll drop by and pick up Alice (Tina and Hunter's adopted Granny and former neighbor) and her granddaughter. Then, we'll head back to Caleb's co-op for the end of the session presentation and luncheon. Once all of that is over, we'll head on down to Florida. Hopefully we'll be there by 8ish or so tomorrow night. It's about a 6 hour trip, so I'm hoping the boys cooperate.

We're sure to be spending some time at the beach trying not to get skin cancer soaking up some rays and having fun in the water. I'm sure Micah and Caleb will have a blast. We'll probably spend some time at the Brevard Zoo feeding the birds, maybe taking a kayak ride, and enjoying the water play area (think spray park).

Once we've exhausted ourselves, we'll head on back to Georgia on Monday. We have to be back for Caleb's t-ball practice at 6pm, so it'll be an early start for sure. Stay tuned for lots of pictures...

Did You Miss Me????

I've been MIA from the bloggy world for over a week now. I tell you...that's a tough thing. Why you ask??? Because when you come back to the bloggy world you are so darn behind on reading all of your favorites. So, I apologize to all of my bloggy pals...I'm trying to slowly catch up. Give me some time...I'll be back to my comment leaving self in no time. :)

Now, on to our spring break festivities. We headed to Virginia to visit Omi and Opa after Caleb's t-ball practice last Monday (the 2oth). Man...it was a LONG trip. But -- the kiddos did great. They each slept most of the way, and Brian and I each drove a piece. We finally arrived around 5am on Tuesday. After settling in, we took Micah back to bed with us, and Caleb tried to stay up with Omi and Opa. He soon tuckered out for his own short nap.

We pretty much just sat around the house on Tuesday. Micah and Caleb helped Opa out in the yard with the bird feeders. Micah had such a good time just walking in the grass and being outside. He LOVES his freedom now that he's able to walk every where.

Caleb, Micah, and Opa filling up the bird feeders.

Micah uses the pole to get his balance.
Micah helping Opa carry the bucket of bird food.

Micah and Opa stop to take a rest.

Caleb playing with his remote control spider that Omi and Opa got him.

Micah...such a cutie-patootie.

Micah with a new "toy".

Micah and Omi checking out the back yard.

Wednesday, Brian and I got up and went to the gym with Omi. Then we came home to get ready for the day. Caleb got to ride his bike outside with Opa. After lunch, we headed into town to help Omi and Opa find a computer. They'd been using MSN TV, so it was time for an upgrade. Then we headed home for the rest of the evening.

Caleb riding his bike...looks like Opa is right behind him. :)

Look at him go...

On Thursday, Brian and I went to the gym with Omi again. Then we all headed into Richmond to visit the Children's Museum of Richmond. It is such a neat place, and if you're ever in that area I'd highly recommend it. Caleb and Micah had such a great time. After the museum, we headed over to HobbyTown USA because it's supposedly the largest one on the East Coast. Brian had to check it out. Then we all went to eat at Olive Garden and headed back home.

Caleb getting ready to climb the outdoor playset (inside).

Caleb and Opa check out the ambulance.

Caleb, the banker, helps his daddy get a loan. LOL!

Caleb gets to be teacher for a day...where did he ever see that face I wonder?!!?

Brian and Caleb play store clerk and customer.

Opa helps Micah check out the cash register.

Omi watching Micah reading his map. Doesn't he look so cute?

Opa helps Caleb fix the car at the garage. :)

Caleb riding on some riding toy...not sure what this is called.

Omi gives Brian and Micah a push on the riding toy.

Look at them go...

Caleb playing in the sandbox.

Micah playing in the sandbox.

Micah having lots of fun in the sand.

Caleb picking up sand with his new "tool."

Omi does the hula-hoop.

Micah making music...he loves to beat on stuff now. :)

Caleb with his art project...a bird.

On Friday, Brian and I went to the gym with Omi again. Then, we just sat around and did a bunch of nothing.

Saturday we headed up to Colonial Heights. We went to the mall for a bit, and then we headed over to Swaders Sports Park. Caleb, Opa, and Brian played a round of putt-putt. Then Caleb got to play some arcade games. After that, we headed home to watch a few movies.

We headed back home on Sunday. Again, it was a long trip, but both boys managed to take a few naps. It was a great trip, but we're glad to be back home and in our routines again.

Thanks Omi and Opa for taking care of us and showing us a good time. We love you all and can't wait to see you at the beach in July.

This is a test of the mobile blogging...

Homeschool Week 41 in Review

Would you look at that?!!? Week 41...woohoo! That means there's only 4 weeks left in Kindergarten...YIPPEE!!!!!! Here's how this week went (and a little rant/advice seeking at the end)...

Beginnings: Our theme for the week was "Yesterday's Trails." We talked about Christopher Columbus, the American flag, the White House, and Mount Vernon (which I'd really like to go see now). We added "do" to our list of service words, and "-ool", "-oon", "-ook", "-ow" (cow), and "-ound" were added to our list of word families. Our book for the week was God's Man.

Math: We finished up our chapter on the calendar, and Caleb got better with this by the end. It's still a work in progress, but that's okay...he'll get it in time.

Bible: We reviewed the First Catechism and all of our Bible verses for the year. I will not be adding anything new to our Bible studies for the remainder of the year. I think it's important that we take these next 4 weeks to review all of the information we've covered this year.

Now -- on to my therapy session. LOL! Moms of boys and other homeschooling moms -- HELP me out here! Why is it that they can remember the lyrics to songs, the commercial jingles, the lines from movies, etc...but they can't remember simple and necessary educational things?!!? I got so darn frustrated (and sadly and admittedly a little bit angry) with Caleb this morning. We were learning the "-ound" family as in hound, pound, sound, etc. Well, we always go over the family and make words (this is our normal word family routine). When it was time to do the worksheets (yes...I know...dreaded worksheets, but it's part of our curriculum), he couldn't remember the word family. I had just drilled it in him, and it hadn't even been 2 minutes, and he forgot?!!? What's up with that? And -- this isn't the first time it has happened. It just upset me so much.

So, there you have it...I'm not perfect. Yes, I'm a SAHM and a homeschooling mommy, but I'll admit...I lose my cool. We all do, right? Come on...don't go pulling the "I'm a perfect June Cleaver" crap on me...I know you lose your cool, too. You just might not admit it.

Anyway, session over. I'm open for ideas and suggestions from all of you experts. We sing the families, we make words, we do all of it...sometimes he just baffles me. He's soooooo smart...too smart sometimes, and I get this out of him?!!? Baffling I tell ya...

And next week we are taking a MUCH needed SPRING BREAK! Woohoo! We're leaving Monday night or Tuesday morning for Virginia to visit with Omi and Opa. Hopefully Caleb and I will both come back refreshed and ready to finish up Kindergarten. :)

Aloha Friday #2

Woohoo it's FRIDAY! And -- that means it's time for Aloha Friday. If you want to participate, head on over to Island Life and check it out. It's really simple and easy.

I'll ask you a simple question, and all you have to do is leave me the answer in the comments section. Ready, set, PLAY!

What is one thing that you despise about cooking????
For me, it has to be touching raw chicken. I absolutely think it's the nastiest thing EVER! I'll handle raw ground beef, pork chops, steak, etc...but I HATE touching that nasty little bird called chicken. I don't care if it's a whole chicken or just the breasts...I don't want to touch it! EWWWWWWW!

Enjoy your Friday and the WEEKEND!

8 Things...

So, I found this over at Mighty M's blog, and I thought it looked fun and different. Here are 8 things about me...(well, 8 in each category...lol).

8 things I'm looking forward to...
1. Being able to buy some "skinny" clothes.
2. Micah saying more words.
3. Our trip to the beach in July.
4. Caleb's first t-ball game.
5. BUNCO on Saturday night.
6. Going to VA next week.
7. Girl's BUNCO Weekend in May.
8. Picking strawberries at Lane's.

8 things I did yesterday (in random order)...
1. Walked on the treadmill.
2. Went to Caleb's t-ball practice.
3. Cooked dinner.
4. Gave Micah a bath.
5. Watched Caleb play Indiana Jones Legos on the Wii.
6. Typed up this post (lol...thanks to scheduled posting).
7. Drank lots of water.
8. Folded clothes.

8 things I wish I could do...
1. Do a better job of keeping my house clean.
2. Lose weight faster.
3. Go to Australia.
4. Take a nice vacation ALONE with my hubby.
5. Go to FL to visit Laura
6. Eat and not worry about gaining weight.
7. Hire a maid just once a month...LOL!
8. Go back to Jamaica (we went for our honeymoon nearly 9 years ago).

8 shows I watch...
1. The Biggest Loser
2. CSI
3. CSI Miami
4. House
5. Eleventh Hour
6. Survivor
7. Little People, Big World
8. Dancing with the Stars

8 people I tag...
YOU, YOU, and YOU! Seriously though...if you find this interesting and fun, the go ahead and do it. Let me know if you do so I can come read your lists. :)

Caleb's First T-Ball Practice

So, Caleb had his first t-ball practice tonight (Monday's was cancelled due to the torrential downpour). I had my camera, but silly me...I left it in the car. And -- with Micah as active as he was...well, taking pictures was NOT going to happen. So, I'll entertain you with these Google images. No clue who these kiddos are, but you'll get the idea. LOL! Here's a little bit of what happened at practice...

First, Caleb practiced catching the ball and throwing it back.

Then, he practiced hitting the ball.

After that, he caught the ball that his teammates hit, and he had to throw it back.

As typical amongst t-ball players, he decided to pick the grass, too. LOL!He also decided that he'd just sit down in the grass while he waited for the ball.

He practiced running the bases.

Finally, when it was all over, he got some juice (probably his favorite part...lol).

And -- lucky for him...he gets to do it all over again next Monday! :)