What makes me happy?

I have been seeing lots of blogs posting on what they are thankful for or what makes them happy. As a mom of four little ones it is easy to get lost in the day to day stuff. I can easily complain about what went wrong, who was not behaving like I want them to, what I did not accomplish, etc. Every once in a while I will say... this is why I do what I do. I need to make this a more regular habit. So I will be posting what makes me happy here in the blog for me to reflect on later in those more heated days. I am hoping that by Christmas time I have 100 happy "things" listed.

1. Seeing any of my children curl up to a good book. I love that they are becoming "readers".
2. Blakey walking on his toes doing his happy dance.
3. Parker being such a lover. He always want to cuddle and hug and kiss. He will still sit on my lap for long periods of time.
4. Parker and Blake asking to be rocked at night.
5. Hannah's toothless smile. It reminds me how little she still is!

Miss Chicagoland

Payton is doing awesome this year in baton. She has improved SO much. She is enjoying the benefits...winning. We may have created a monster. This weekend she competed in Regionals. She got some 3rd places. But got a 2ND in instate solo, 1st in Midwest Regional Basic Strut, and...

1st Novice Midwest Regional Solo
Miss Chicagoland

She was just a little excited and so was I.

That was fast...Blue Belt

Little Miss Hannah has been quite busy with her Tae Kwon Do. She has made it all the way to a blue belt. We are so proud of all her hard work.

Payton my little Ballerina

Payton started taking ballet again this winter. She was not sure if she wanted to do ballet as she found it boring at the old studio. But she loves the new academy and has found a new love for the dance. Her recital was at the end of May. I was not crazy about the costume but she was happy.

Life with a two year old

It all starts with a scowl...
then you get the arms crossed and a good yelling at

Maybe even some fist shaking

Then he turns so he can not even look at you anymore.

He has had it.

Just about one minute later you get this.

That sweet little smile and all is right in the world.

So this is a typical two year old fit. I use to get so upset when my other kids would have a fit. Now I just find them so darn funny. Here is Blake...

Homeschooling

So I am trying to pull my stuff together for the up coming year. The girls will be in 3rd and 2nd grade (wow how did that happen). Parker is four years old and I am hoping to start kindergarten after Christmas. For now the curriculum is mostly bought. There are still a couple things I am still wanting to buy.
History this year we will be using Tapestry of Grace. We are studying the middle ages, it should be really fun. I am hoping to do lots of fun activities and projects. Art will be included in history this year. We will be studying some of the famous artist and creating our own works.
English, Spelling and Reading the girls will be using Bob Jones. Nothing exciting but it will get the job done.
Math the girls will be doing different curriculum. Hannah will be doing Math u See. Payton will be using Teaching Textbooks 5. I am still trying to decide what to supplement this with... maybe Singapore.
Science is not something that comes easy to me. We will be doing experiments from ASK chemistry set. We will also be doing a nature study. I bought A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie by Sandi Queen at the convention. I still need to buy a good field guide to go with this. I really like how easy this looks to do. Read a story... do a lesson.
Parker will be doing Sonlight P4/5. We have already started loosely. I really enjoy the books (when I remember to read them). I am going buy the new PAL program from IEW for teaching him to read and write. I just need to click buy ... harder than it sounds.
For our religious studies we have the Faith and Life series. I will also be reading the loads of other Catholic books we have. I am thinking too that with history this year we will be able to study lots of saints.