Big Brother, Little sister talk

This was the conversation we heard between Ben and Brenna the other day. Brenna was laying across Ben's bed and Ben was on the floor. Ben said, "Brenna, I need to tell you something and I am trying to figure out how to tell you so you don't go run away screaming and freaking out." He said, "When you get older, you have to move out and go to college and you can't come back until you are married. " Brenna wanted to know if she was going to marry her friend Ellie. Ben told her no she had to marry a boy and he would marry a girl. (at least he has that straight) Then he told her that when she was a grown up and it was Christmas she did not get toys for presents, she got things like dishes and cars. Then he said when it was her birthday she only got a cake if she bought it herself. Plus she the only way she got candy from an Easter basket was if she had kids and they shared it with her. He proceeded to go through the rest of the holidays and tell her how bad they were going to be when she was "grown up". Brenna just sat there and nodded and listened to all the info her BIG brother was giving with wide eyes. Brian and I stood outside the door and tried not to let them hear us laugh. It was very cute. I have no idea where he came up with all that stuff....... Crazy little boy!

School Days

Many of you have questioned my sanity... wondered if I could do it....and have wondered why I would want to. Well I am here to say the first week of homeschool has gone great. This is what our day looks like. We get up at 7 am, get dressed, have breakfast, and feed the pets. We load up in the car to get Brenna to preschool by 9:00.(On Tues and Thurs Brenna is home with us) After Brenna is dropped off Ben and I head home to begin "school". Ben has his own desk and we have a bookshelf for our supplies. (probably need something bigger soon). We do a Bible study and pray together first thing (9:30) Then we get started. Ben has spelling, phonics, reading, math, colonial times history, and our science starts in January. It takes us about 2 hours to get through everything with a couple of breaks worked in there for snack and a breather. Ben is responding great to me and is excited that we have the afternoon to do fun things. Yesterday we went to the sprinkler park and played and today we went for lunch and the bookstore.

Starting Sept. 11th Ben will attend a program called SHEEP. Every Thursday he will go there for 3 hours and take Art, History, and Sign Language. He is really looking forward to this, especially the art part. The great part about homeschooling is I can include the things that he is really interested in and use those to teach other things. I had to return the Math curriculum I bought for him because it was way too easy. I purchased on that a friend recommended that is much more advanced. Plus we skipped a couple lessons in spelling and reading because he was further ahead than that. So it is great to be working at his pace and not being held back because he has to wait on the others in the class.

Over all I am discovering that Ben is a very hard working and driven little boy. I knew he was a perfectionist, but it is different seeing this in his studies.

Not to leave Brenna out. She started her first day of 3 year old preschool on Monday. She loves her teacher (Ms. Sarah and Ms Debbie) They both attend our church, so she has grown up with them loving on her for the last 3 almost 4 years. She is a social butterfly and loves being there. However, she has asked when she gets to stay home for school. We told her she has to get through Ms Sandy's kindergarten, then she can stay home too. That answer works for her right now. She is also starting Ballet at our church next week. Our pastors wife has a dance school at our church and does a fabulous job. Brenna can't wait!!! We are doing a little school at home with Brenna on the days she is home. It is definitly alot harder on the days she is there rather than at school.

So this is only week 1, but I am optomistic that this is going to work out and be a great thing. I believe this is what God has called me to do with my children. So as long as we keep Christ the center of this it has to be a good thing.

What's going on!!!

The kids and I spent the weekend at my friend, Kelly's house. Brian stayed and worked hard on putting in new flooring in the downstairs. It looks awesome. However, today I spent the day cleaning up all the mess. There was dust everywhere. So while I was busy cleaning the kids had a lazy day. They are still in their PJs as we speak. Ben watched Starwars for the very first time. He loved it. Brenna followed me around "helping me" most of the day. We did take a break to make some blondie cookie muffins... Yummy!! Plus the kids did their thing with the hoola hoops in the kitchen. Check them out in their undies.... I guess they weren't in PJ's all day, they eventually even lost those.

We start "homeschool" on Monday. Brenna also starts preschool that day. I am busy making sure everything is ready. We are very excited to start this adventure and would appreciate your prayers.

Life...

Things have been crazy since we got back from Minnesota. It seems like we are busier during the summer, because I try so hard to keep the kids busy. We are at the beach, waterpark, bowling, friends houses.... you name it, we have been doing it. That is why I am so behind on this blog thing. Plus I have discovered facebook. Wow that will suck you in.

We are now in the process of getting the house ready for school to start. I have mentioned we are homeschooling Ben this year. So I am trying to organize bookshelves with all the "school supplies" and his school books. We bought a couple of school desks for the kids to use during school. (Brenna on the days she is not in preschool) So I am trying to get this all together and still keep my living room looking like a living room and not a classroom. I am sure I will get over that soon enough.

So today is a day that is going to be spent cleaning, organizing, oh yea and trying on clothes. I really need to go through the kids closet and find out what doesn't fit any more. ... Ben will love t his activity NOT!!! So I hope everyone has as good of a day as I plan on having. If the kids cooperate this could actually be enjoyable....if not....WELLLLL!!!

Back in town

I haven't written in a while. We have been getting ready for, going to and the winding down from our trip to Minnesota. We went to visit Brian's family. The kids got to play with their cousins that they have not seen in 2 and 1/2 years. The last time they were together they were mostly still babies. There were six kids all together. The oldest was Ben (6). The youngest was Hunter (2 almost 3). They had a really great time together and got along. It is too bad we don't get to see each other more often.

Now that we are home we are getting ready to do somethings around the house. Next month, we are putting down new flooring through the downstairs. We have picked a wood laminant. The one we picked is by Dupont and we were told it is the best thing to buy with kids and animals. It is going to look great.

I am also trying to get ready for next school year. We have decided to homeschool Ben next year. I have order curriculum and bought a desk for him. Now we are working on getting together all the supplies we can think of to make homeschooling a success. Ben is going to be going to SHEEP on Thursdays from 9 - 12. There he will take a few classes- Art, History, and American Sign language.

Now Brenna is going to stay at the preschool at our church for the next couple of years. She will be going MWF from 9-12. This will help me (and her) keep my sanity. I can not imagine trying to homeschool Ben and have Brenna here at the same time. They both need to be a little older before that happens. We plan on keeping Brenna at the church through kindergarten. That will give me a 4th and 1st grader when they are both home.

Ben is excited and so am I. Just keep us in your prayers. I really feel that God has called us to do this. I am looking forward to spending some great time with Ben.

The Beach

Here are the pics of the beach I promised....

Off to a great summer

This has been a busy pass couple weeks. I thought summer break was suppose to be relaxing, but I guess that goes out the window when you have kids. They are having a blast, though. They have taken swimming lessons the last two weeks and today was the last day. So of course I had to send out some pictures of the event. We also went to the beach last Friday. That was much more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Brian was working so I was on my own with the kids. They did great. The only exception was Ben is alot braver around the water that last year. He really wanted to get out in the waves with or without me. And of course Brenna wanted nothing to do with the waves. I was with a few friends so we took turns taking the older ones in the waves. Here are a few pics of swimming lessons and the beach.

Ben Graduates Kindergarten

Ben is a big Graduate now and is moving on to 1st grade... My little boy is growing up....

Summertime!

I am so glad summer is here. I love it when the weather turns cool and even cold, but I so enjoy the activities of the summer. We have water park passes again this year. Plus, both the kids love the beach so I am sure we will do that several times this year.. We started off this year playing in the pool in the front yard for Memorial day. Ben and Brenna are taking swimming lessons in June. Ben will take group lessons (level 2) because he took them last year also. Brenna will have some private lessons because of her age. They are both looking forward to school being out and hanging out and doing all the fun things of summer...

Ben rides his bike!

Ben got rid of his training wheels yesterday. He is doing a great job. He has trouble starting by himself, but once he gets going he is off! He is very proud of himself....

They get along!!!

It took about a week, but the dog, JD, and the cat, Bell, are finally getting along. She is a very playfull kitten and loves to play with JD's tail. He doesn't seem to mind and will even let her drink out of his water bowl. They are going to be great pals....

Introducing Campbell

We have a new addition to our family.... Yesterday we adopted a ten week old kitten from the SPCA. She is so tiny and so sweet. The kids were really wanting another dog... That was not happening!!! However, the kids (and I) talked Brian into a cat. So here she is "Campbell" or "Bell" depending on who you ask. Brenna calls her Campbell and Ben calls her Bell so we will see what sticks.

Ben turns 6

It is hard to believe that my baby boy, who was 8 weeks early and only 4 1/2 lbs turned 6 on Tuesday and is 49lbs. He is growing up so fast. I can't believe it sometimes when I look at him. His face changes a little each day. All that baby look is going, going, and just about gone.

We had a wild Pirate birthday party here on Sat afternoon. About 24 kids total. We had it all, pinata and jump castle. They had a blast....

Brotherly Love

Ready for this one???? Brenna and Ben were outside after dinner. Brenna was, of course, bugging her brother. Ben had taken his milk from dinner out back with him and was trying to sit in one of the chairs out back. Well, Brenna did not want him to sit there. Why? I have no idea. Probably just to irrritate him. The next thing I know, Brenna walks in the back door with milk pouring down her face and all in her hair. The look on her face said it all. She was stupified and could not believe that Ben had poured milk on her face. I called Ben in and ask what he did and why. He said " I poured milk on her head because she would not stop pushing me." At least he did not try to lie, right. Needless to say, they both got sent to their rooms. (Brenna, after a bath) Their consequences are , Ben has to do Brenna's chores the rest of the week. Brenna does not get to choose what CD's we listen to in the car the rest of the week. The were both not happy about the consequences. Ahhhhh .... Parenting gotta love it!!!

Porta Potties

Okay... Get this! My daughter is nuts. I know I have said it before, but she really is a little quirky! I told you we went to the Azalea fesivel a few weeks ago. Well that was Brenna's first introduction to the Porta Potty. A totally gross, stinky place most kids don't even want to go near. Well guess what? Not my little girl. Apparently she loves them. Every time we pass one she suddenly needs to go potty RIGHT NOW!!! I tell her she needs to wait until we get where we are going. But no, Brenna thinks we should stop at the porta potty she shes on the side of the road. Of course, I don't do it, which results in her crying because she has to go SOOO BAD and I won't let her go in a porta potty. Yes, I know she is a very strange child, but I love her and we can ALWAYS count on Brenna to give us a good laugh.

Azalea Festival

The Azalea Festival is a big event around that takes place every spring. The have rides for the kids, crafters, and great food. I look forward to it every year. This year I ventured out with the kids. I am probably going back tomorrow WITHOUT the kids. But the did good and had a good time.

Pajama Party

Ben and Brenna had their Pizza Pajama Party at school today. So my morning routine was very easy. Wake up, Eat Breakfast, and go to school in Pajamas. Worked out great. They had Pizza and Popcorn and watched a movie. What a fun school day...