Pinkalicious

Actual Post Date is March 6th, 2009
Back from a great holiday in Florida, we are now picking up where we left off with school. Charlotte did accomplish some workbook activities, but other than that, it was just vacation time. Aaah, the joys of homeschooling. We'll catch up when we get back! I figure we'll be finished with our Sonlight curriculum in June. I am hoping to do some school through the summer this year since I won't be working as much. Likely just one, maybe two days a week.
It's been sooo long since my last post but life's been busy so that's the excuse I will use. Charlotte is doing well in school right now. She's really been enjoying it and now knows all her letters, can print them and is now sounding out 2-3 letter words. She's starting to really pay attention to words in books and on signs and everywhere. It's so exciting, thinking that she could read on her own sometime soon! Wow, our little girl is growing up!
I've been doing a lot of research into a Language Arts program for Charlotte lately. It's a little overwhelming with all the materials that are out there. And I don't want to spend too much for unnecessary frills, buy something that doesn't work or buy something that is very comprehensive but just very dull. Stuart says not to worry so much about the cost, as it is an investment in our kid's education. He's right. I just don't want to get the wrong thing.
Charlotte loves it when I make learning into a game...she loves a challenge! I've been using flashcards with her lately and putting the letters together for her to sound out. She loves it! I'll be going to a homeschooling conference on April 4th in Kitchener with my next-door neighbour and friend Lisa. It will be fun to get away for the night but I am really hoping I have a good idea of what I would like to purchase. If you do buy things there, you often get a discount or at least save on shipping. Last year I went with no money as I was just getting started but there's so many good books there, I will have to bring some cash this time!
Today before we left Charlotte was begging to do school and since I said "sorry, no time for school today!" she decided she would start testing me. She'd give me a letter and have me tell her some words that began with it. I could see her being a teacher someday, she loves being the leader that's for sure. She's always trying to teach Connor some sort of a lesson. After he was being disciplined today with a timeout and was not too happy about it, she says to him, "Now Connor, it's not the end of the world you know!" Most of the time, it has been something I've said to her before. She's like my little echo. Again, a reminder to choose my words very carefully!
Right now, I'm in London with mom and the kids. We're here for a visit with new cousin Chloe (born on Feb 16th weighing 7 lbs 10 oz) and it's her baptism this Sunday here so thought we'd make a weekend of it. Stu is driving down with my dad tommorow afternoon. The kids couldn't wait to get into the pool...we hadn't been in the hotel room more than a minute and Connor had stripped down and was asking, well, more like yelling, "where is my bathing suit Mom!!???" It was hilarious because neither my mom nor I noticed at first as we had the door to the room wide open and we were unpacking our luggage off the cart. My one track mind little boy.
Chloe is just adorable and it's so exciting seeing my sister as a new mom. She's doing really great, I'm really proud of her. Chloe's like an irresistable magnet to the kids as they can't stay away from her. Of course they're excited but they constantly want to touch her or pat her head, it doesn't matter if she's sleeping...oh well they'll learn. It's really cute to see them with her though.
Well, time to wrap things up. Starting to get sleepy. I think this should bring everyone up to date with what's going on in our household. I'll post a pic of Charlotte's artwork. We have an Usborne book that shows step by step how to draw things. She loves to draw animals...her favorite, flamingos, as they are pink! But I thought she did a great job with her lion, after I told her it MUST be in realistic colours. Otherwise, everything is in PINK! I do know from experience pink can be addictive. I'm hoping someday she grows out of it!
Oh and one more pic...I just checked on Char and Con sleeping and Connor is in an interesting position...am I a bad mother for taking a picture first?? LOL!