February update

How is it February already? We had a virus which first hit the household over a week ago and now we are finally all recovered. For some reason in this family it seems like we get sick one at a time, maybe that's a good thing though.

W has made more progress and is still enjoying set 1 & 2 of the BOB books by Bobby Lynn Maslen. I noticed on Amazon they have started selling the little booklets individually, although after the price of shipping I wonder if it is really worth it. I think after this we will try other books for early readers. We are currently beginning to research different curricula for kindergarten. W will be five next month.

February Fun Reading

Here are some books we are enjoying.

• The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett
• Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond
• The Three Questions by John J. Muth (based on a story by Leo Tolstoy)
• Sugar Snow by Laura Ingalls Wilder (My First Little House series)
• A Farmer Boy Birthday by Laura Ingalls Wilder (My First Little House series)

We have a small Valentine's party planned for our homeschool meetup group this week on Wednesday. Of course that is the only day that snow is in the forecast, ack. If the forecast is really terrible by Tuesday maybe I can see if Friday would work for everyone instead. We have fun craft activities (love "bug" creatures, foam Valentines and bookmarks, among other things) and I really hope the kids have fun with them. I am also going to make cupcakes, mmm... we will have some healthy snacks too though. ;) I am beginning to look forward to spring when snow won't be a worry. Next weekend we will all visit Grandma's house, W is very much looking forward to this.

Currently Reading - January 2010

This year I plan on posting some favorite books each month. Some will be seasonal or to go along with a theme, but many will likely be some favorites that we enjoy reading together often. The boys received some wonderful books for Christmas (and C’s birthday). W is taking pride in being able to read the BOB series of books on his own.

January 2010

· Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

· Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

· Winter Days in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (My first Little House book)

· Winter on the Farm by L.I. Wilder (See above)

· BOB books Set One: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Suess

· My First Signs (Baby signing)

reading!

This morning W pulled off one of the Bob books off of his shelf. Santa gave him a Fridge Words Magnetic word builder for Christmas, which all the kids love but W has been fascinated with making three letter words and is getting better at sounding things out on his own and even using the letters to make larger words. So anyway, he was looking at the book "Sam" and started reading on his own! I occasionally have to remind him to sound things out if he asks me, but I was impressed that he can do many of the words on his own now. My little buddy is growing up.

Sledding

oops, chasing the sled :D

We went sledding two times before Christmas (well, W and J did the sledding part while C and I played in the snow). W had never been before, and loved it. Last year with a newborn we hadn't gotten a chance to take him, but he surprised us and took right to it. The second day we had the opportunity to meet up with several homeschoolers and all the kids enjoyed sledding despite the cold weather (the Moms on the other hand got cold quickly!) C liked sitting in the snow although it was pretty cold so after a while he got fussy both times. Now that most of the snow is gone here I am finally getting a chance to upload pictures. It is still extremely cold out however. ;) W cannot wait for a storm that will provide the elusive "snowman snow" as this stuff was very fluffy and did not pack into snowballs or men at all.

We had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed our family parties. Between C's first birthday being in early December and then preparing for the holidays the whole month seemed to fly. I can hardly believe that it is almost 2010! Have a happy New Year! I have learned a lot this past year and now we are unschooling for preK. I look forward to all that this year brings in our homeschooling journey.

sick boys (and mama too) :(

W has been sick with a fever since Tuesday. I am hoping he gets better today, we have been monitoring him and the doctor's office said if he develops any worse cough let them know, but so far so good. Overall it has gotten way worse at night, and besides being a bit grumpy he has been in good spirits and had lots of jello and popsicles. Sadly we will miss storytime this week and there are only one or two weeks left. C seems to have just a stuffy nose and sneezes, but at least no fever.

W has been wanting to watch Christmas movies since he has been stuck on the couch being sick, so already we have watched more than our share for November, but it is nice to get in the spirit of the season a bit early. We have also listened to holiday music on Pandora.com, which lets you choose artists you like and then plays similar music along with those artists. It is such a great idea to get a bit more variety.

edit: as thursday wore on C and I developed low grade/ mild fevers and coughs, blah :( Hoping we will be over this by next week.