Done

The last load of laundry is in the dryer, all the floors have been moped, all the windows were washed inside and out, and we are done!!

Spring Cleaning half way done, almost

All but the downstairs bathroom are done!

We're all sick

Ruth is sleeping downstairs on the couch, Mary and Matt are asleep upstairs in bed.
I have work to get done so I am toughing it out today.
Please pray for us that we can all make it through the day.

This one is for Frankie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=astISOttCQ0

Frankie, is this the video you love to watch?
Ruth loves it too!

Spring Cleaning

At one room a day I think it will take me eight days to spring clean the house.
Mary and I are going to start tomorrow and I will be updating here every day with before and afters.
Wish us luck!

New Pj's

It was time for new pajamas. Mary had two inches of ankle showing, and Ruth's were pieces of this and that. Mary did not think Ruth would like these pj's, for once I was right!!


This is Ruth's crazy hair "before" picture. No worries, we make sure it is brushed before she goes to bed.
Mary has been putting her hair into pony tails lately. It is super cute, and how grown up does she look in these new pajamas?

Third Grade Update

Just got word today that Ruth's teacher is having a baby in August.
We are so excited for her but I think this means that she will not be teaching again next year.
Please pray for Ruth's teacher Ms Jennifer that everything goes well and she will be able to make it through the rest of the year.
Please also pray for a good choice in teacher to be made for Ruth's class next year.
We have been so blessed this year with her amazing teacher, I am somewhat struggling over what the future holds for my amazing daughter who is so smart and loves school.
Thanks, Amber

Barbie Cash Register

Mary saw this cash register in a Barbie magazine and fell in love.
The listed price was $49.99, too much money.
We went to Amazon.com and found one for $24.99 and she has been saving for it ever since.
It finally came today, and boy is it fun.

Back living room

Before: we used bed sheets for curtains. They have been up longer than I wanted, I got busy and didn't take the time to find replacements.
$4.99 for each panel plus 20% off made these a great deal. The color is the same as the one's in the rest of the house but the material is different which I think makes it nice.

Pictures of Mary

Not the best, but we have pictures of Mary!!

Compare and Contrast

"A guinea pig is like a small dog". "A guinea pig is not like Ruth".

They did it

Both Ruth and Mary remembered their verses and are now on their way to learning their first book. Matt and I are really proud!

We are done

Mary and I completed her first unit study last week.
We did a study on dinosaurs and made a lapbook to go with it.
Here is the finished product.
Up next, knights.

Welcome to our store

Everything was for sale. See anything you want to buy?

Ruth

This girl is such a delight.

Park day

Part of the fun of home schooling is going to the park on a beautiful day for lunch.

A Monday Off

This is how we are spending our morning off.
Some days the kids really surprise me, they can be so creative and get along so well.

Sparks

Look who is back in Sparks?
After much deliberation Ruth and Mary started Sparks this evening.
Both did great, loved it, and will be continuing.
Yay!!

Pineapple fun

Introducing Billy Bob Steve the pineapple.

Please pray

I know I don't get too deep on this blog, but there is a first time for everything.
Please pray for our family.
This has been a hard and trying week, both girls adjusting to Mary being home schooled and work issues that are not going to be resolved any time soon.
Thanks, Amber

Showing our soft spot

Mary and I found this dog wondering around the park today when we went to play with our friends.
In an hour no one came looking for him, so we took him home with us for a drink, snack and cuddle.
The city came and picked him up, we are hoping he finds his way home soon.

Thank you Aunt Rachel

Mary has been saving her pennies anxiously awaiting the day she could afford this Valentine's bear and outfit. Thank you Aunt Rachel for making her dream a reality.

Bed Head

Sleepy Ruth

Battling at Pokemon really takes it out of you.

Benefits of home schooling

Mary is helping out more around the house to include making dinner tonight.

Grocery Store

We had an amazing experience at the grocery store today.
Mary read our list and kept track of the prices of the items in our cart.
Ruth grabbed the things we needed and rounded the prices up or down so Mary could add them up.
It was great team work and good lessons learned.

Pokemon League

Ruth started playing Pokemon again today and had a really great time.

Unique ways to use your Kinex

Sinking in

It hit today just what it means to have Mary home with me all day, every day.
It has hit her to, but we are going to go forward as this is what is best for her.
Please pray for us that this journey will go well for us, that we can make it.
Our goals for this semester are as follows..
1. For Mary to read instructions, directions etc instead of trying to figure it out, give up, or just not try
2. To improve Mary's reading ability, get her back to grade level and dare I wish ahead
3. For Mary to find a really good friend, some one who can support her and some one she feels comfortable around
More updates to come.
Thanks!

Kinex

They have taken over the front living room. To walk in there now means you are taking your life into your own hands.

Getting there

For those of you who don't know yet, Mary is now back to being home schooled.
With her hearing loss it was the right choice for this time, and I am praying that everything goes well for us on this journey.
We started today with a unit study on dinosaurs, and we are taking it slow and easy this week.
I'll keep you posted as the week goes on.
Stay warm!