How can summer be over so quickly?!

My kids were way to excited to start school.  They love routines, friends, and learning.  I wasn't so sure if I were ready for them to end our summer fun, but if they are happy, I guess I'm okay too.  What makes it easier this year is the fact that Gillian will be with me, and we are both over the moon about all of the things we are going to learn this year, as well as the time we are going to share together.

I started Gillian on her schedule the same day as her brothers started their school.  Some of her private classes won't start till next week, but I wanted to set a good routine for Gillian right in the beginning.  I love teaching her Albanian, conversing about Medieval Ages, dissecting sentences, figuring out math problems, learning about cells and genetics, and of course discussing and writing about classics.  But to be honest with you, my favorite time of Gillian's schedule is her free time when she writes poetry, short stories, and little inspirations of the moment.

Gillian’s Subjects for 2014-2015:

·       Music - Piano (Level 4)

·       Vocal - Chorus (Level 4)

·       Honors Math (Algebra)

·       Science (Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry)

·       Honors History and Geography (Early Medieval to Renaissance)

·       Honors English (Vocabulary – Greek, Latin, Anglo-Saxon roots, Literary Critique, Writing Strategies, Grammar, Reading Comprehension)

·       Honors Literature – Classics Analysis

·       PE –Running (3 miles two times a week), Swimming, Dance Aerobics

·       Art – Art History, Exploration of different artistic styles

·       Electives:

§  Sewing

§  Cooking

§  Albanian (Foreign Language)

§  Story Writing/Poetry

Here are two of Gillian's latest compositions which she wrote in matter of minutes:

          Dawn

The sun yawns. Time for another big day. The morning is black and quiet. Not even the birds are awake; the silence is so deep you could cut it with a knife. Mist rolls over the lake, creeping, silent, and mysterious. It curls into tendrils of fog, wafting over this cold desolate land. Then........... light? How can this be? The mist uncurls its angry fingers, hissing and spitting as it slithers back into the far reaches of the world. The light continues to expand. At first it is only a pink tinge on the horizon. But then, like a wondrous rainbow, red appears, then a brilliant gold, purple, golden orange, smooth suave silver, and a magenta to take ones breath away. They collide and mix, spinning and frothing over the world, there is too much to take in! Colors and light burn away the darkness, scorching it until it is no more. Warmth fills the earth. Golden, buttery, warmth.  The sun smiles, spreading its long arms, it encircles the world, and the day begins.  

Untitled

The moon set sail 

to glide overhead.

The silent forest

had gone to bed. 

Tiny crickets chirped

sad songs, gliding together 

over glittering ponds.

A spider's victim

broke through his bonds,

and dwarves in the mountains

used iron tongs.

The elves in the valley

danced through the night,

while werewolves and dragons

looked for a bite.

The moon set sail

to glide overhead.

The silent forest

has gone to bed.

 

Charlton was the most excited child going to school this year; he even let me gel his hair - something he doesn't usually approve of.  Having been my partner in art these past two years, he didn't feel scared or lost; he actually looked the part of owning the place.  When I spoke to his teacher after school was out on the first day, she told me everyone wanted to be Charlton's friend; he was always smiling and happy.  My older boys continue to ride bikes, but Charlton didn't feel comfortable enough to accompany them.  He does have early release, so that's okay.  I love taking and picking him up, and chatting with him all the way home.

 

 

Here are some fun art work that Charlton accomplished during his first week:

Our school mascot - the eagle

Gillian jumping on the trampoline with Charlton

This was Charlton's favorite project - drawing himself after "NO, David" illustrations.

Because he comes home early, and Gillian is still doing her school work, Charlton spends a good time chilling by himself.  I haven't started on a routine for him yes since I'm still working on Gillian's, but a few things he does on his own are making creations with playdough, playing chess on the computer, reading with me, writing his letters, listening to books on tape, and just relaxing.  When Gillian is done, he is in heaven  'cause she is all his!

 

Being the first week of school, we have had a lot of time working and having fun together, reading, cooking,running, building with legos, and many other family activities.  However, we are still championing for summer days and summer swim, so that's where you would find us most of the afternoons by ourselves or with friends - at the swimming pool.

 

 

This is my latest picture being pregnant at 37 weeks - Saturday, August 30th.  I did a lot of swimming this week, and messaging with jets in the hot tub.  My body should be completely relaxed for this baby to come out and meet her family soon!

Memorial Day week long celebration

During the week of Memorial day I felt better than I had felt in a long time.  So what did I do as soon as I got my energy back?!  Well, for starters I took one day of the week and worked on one room at a time.  I cleaned out our winter wardrobe, boxed them up and put them in the shed.  I washed walls, doors, and cleaned bathrooms like never before.  These are chores that my kids had been doing for months, but truth be told my hand was truly needed.  I cleaned out closets, drawers, and organized my kids' school work.  And I did some blogging; it feels good to be caught up with family's record keeping.  I was grateful to Heavenly Father for giving me some of my energy back, so I could take care of my family, and the house before my mom gets here, and before the kids get out of school.

I also felt such great love and gratitude for my sweet Charlton.  When he didn't have preschool, he would stay home with me, and instead of complaining for lack of my attention, he would silently follow me in each room I was working and would find something to play on his own.  It truly made my job so much easier.

On Friday before Memorial Day weekend, Charlton had his last day at Pre-K.  That night, Mrs. Perona's all of four classes had prepared a program where they each shared something they had learned and sang a bunch of songs that they had sung during various months of the year. Charlton's favorite part was the time when he got his diploma;  he kept telling me afterwards that he was ready to start kindergarten right away because he already graduated from Pre-K.  In the end of the program, a friend of ours had compiled interviews from each child about their thoughts of Mrs. Perona.  It was very touching, hearing funny and sweet things come out of the mouths of babes.

Charlton has grown so much this year. He has loved his teacher, his classmates, and especially his best friend William.  He is so ready for Kindergarten, and although he is the youngest, he knows how to make his voice heard.  He loves to color and cut, just started writing phonetically, loves to do homework ( various work books), and is so ready to read.  Hopefully this summer, he and I will be working on his reading book a bit more systematically; he's halfway done.  However, my favorite part of Charlton is the fact that he has matured so much as an individual.  I love it that he can already sense and understand situations and people.  This is a funny age where they are so concentrated on themselves they are at time oblivious to what's going on around them.  Charlton has his moments with this, but I think because he observes how his older siblings work together and think of others, it has made him way more thoughtful than his age allows.  I'm grateful for that.  We live in an age where thoughtfulness and kindness has to be scheduled, but if I want one thing for my kids to adopt from their heritage is charity for others: kindness, thoughtfulness, love, giving, understanding, accepting, service, forgiveness, good manners.  My other three have taught each other by example; there isn't a day that goes by when I don't receive some kind of loving service from my children.  I hope Charlton learns these lessons from his parents and siblings as he grows up and becomes a very thoughtful and kind young man.  He's already on his way.  I'm so proud of him.

This past Saturday, after sleeping in and having a delicious breakfast prepared from my husband, we joined forces in cleaning up the house and getting it ready for the Sabbath.  After which, the kids and I headed out to the pool and stayed there till dinner time.  The weather was perfect, I felt good, the kids had friends and water guns to play with, and my friend, Christina, came and chatted with me.  I swam 16 laps, sun bathed, played with Charlton, read, and took a nap.  Best Saturday I had had in a while!

That night, a friend of ours organized a movie and popcorn in their backyard inviting a bunch of us and kids.  I was exhausted from swimming, but it was fun seeing all the kids getting excited about watching a movie together.  Gillian kept giving me hard time for wanting a picture with all of the kids, so I'm putting a picture of her making faces in case it will help her not to do that again.

We had planned nothing for Memorial Day, thinking that I didn't feel well and wouldn't have enough energy to throw a party.  Well, I did have energy, and the lack of plans didn't stop us from having fun as a family.  We headed out to the pool again, played hard, had Elijah join us for a picnic dinner, and then came back to a clean home.  Not very eventful at all, but positively relaxing.  I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with your family and friends.

It's a wonderful life!

What busy two weeks these have been!  October brought us colors and sunshine at the same time, and we couldn't be kept indoors.  In fact, two weeks ago we all witnessed how summer relentlessly begged and begged autumn to give her one more week so we could all say goodbye properly, and autumn was gracious enough to allow it.  We took advantage of that fact and had the kids swim outdoors one last time.  What fun - swimming in October!

Swimming was something that we did a lot these past weeks.  Charlton started a few private lessons in an indoor swimming center.  His little friends, who took the same lessons, are fearless in the water and I thought maybe those lessons will help Charlton feel more comfortable in the water.  It's interesting to see the difference in how girls and boys approach life in general, and in this instance swimming.  His girl friends just jump in the water and don't think much about it.  Charlton will rationalize every move he makes, and most of the time he would say that he is too little to dive or swim on his own.  And when he says it, there isn't an ounce of mischief or fear in it; he really believes it.   It's so darn adorable!

Last week the children attended their last meet for the season in their cross-country running.  We didn't do so well this year in taking the kids regularly to the meets, but I tried very hard for balance between family time and activities, and I stuck to it even when it meant we had to skip a few extra-curricular activities.  Running is such a good sport that helps your body and mind, and at the same time it's easy to do anywhere and anytime throughout your life.  I'm glad the kids participated this year regardless of the crazy schedule it made for us at times.

 

 

 

Last week I attended a field trip with Jefferson and his class.  We went to the Chabot  Space and Science Center.  Jefferson's class is learning about space, and in specific about our own galaxy.  He is watching the phases of the moon each night, and learning what makes a star, where do meteors come from, etc.  It's so fun talking to my kids at this age.  Jefferson knows so much about how things work that I just love to hear him.  (Gillian mesmerizes me with her knowledge on various kings, queens, heroes, scientists, and world leaders; James touches my heart with his understanding of the gospel.)  Our dinner time is never boring!

 Parent volunteers

 

 Jefferson's favorite school friends

Jefferson's dream: to be a pilot

Learning about planets with a help of a planetarium show

Making their own show about planets.  Jefferson was Saturn.  He insisted in being one of the bigger planets, and he loved the fact that it had rings.

Gillian had a presentation at school last week writing an essay on three important things that make her who she is.  After writing it, she presented it to the class showing three items that represented those three characteristics.  Gillian chose to represent herself by these three things: her love for her family, her active life in sports, and her talent for music.  In the end, she shared her love for the Savior and how music connects her with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.  And then, she sang in front of her peers "A Window to His Love."  This last bit was very hard for Gillian to do; she doesn't like to show off and is careful in what she tells her school friends. 

When I asked her why she hesitated in sharing her testimony, she told me that those feelings are special to her and she didn't want anyone to ridicule them.  I knew that singing a religious song at school was a very hard thing to do since nowadays it's rare to find parents who teach faith and gospel principles to their children.  I was very proud of Gillian for being courageous in her testimony.

Another thing that took my time this past week was doctor appointments.  James's school needed a medical form to be filled by the doctor, and since I hadn't taken the kids to have their annual check-up this year yet, I thought why not let's do it all in the same week.  They are all healthy and growing well, with Gillian at 70lbs, Jefferson at 60lbs, James at 50lbs, and Charlton almost making 40lbs, although he has a three year difference with James, and not two as the others have with each other.  Actually, Charlton's numbers were very funny; the nurse had to check twice: he weighed 38 1/2 lbs and was 38 1/2 inches tall.  The doctor said he is doing great in all aspects;  he particularly liked Charlton's innocent arguments that carried a lot of logic. 
I couldn't stop laughing seeing him respond so seriously to all the funny things the doctor tried to pass by him.  I might have spent three days at the doctor's office, but I had fun. 

The doctor had to take care of a few little warts on Gillian's knee with liquid nitrogen, and oh boy, didn't that open Pandora's box with Jefferson.  He wanted to know all about it, what was it made of, and how do we transport it, and how come with call the air we breath oxygen and not nitrogen since it has more of that, and many more questions.  When Gillian felt the coldness of it, the doctor explained to her how this works as frostbites in getting rid of those unnecessary skin tissues.  Well, Gillian then told him about stories she had read about many explorations to Antarctica and the Arctic and how many early explorers lost limbs to frost bites. 

James wanted to know all about the ear pictures on the wall (they were gross and showed infections), and interesting enough he had great questions and the doctor loved answering him.  When the doctor asked Charlton what he wanted to become when he grew up, Charlton responded without hesitation that he was going to be a doctor.  When the doctor put the stethoscope around his neck and told him to go ahead and become one, Charlton was very serious and said, "I'm too little for that now."  So there, folks, is the saga of my children's visit to the doctor.  There is never a humdrum moment in my life.

 The children had spirit week at school this week, and I don't usually follow or care much about it, but my kids wanted me to take a picture of them on crazy hat day.  I love this picture because the choice of hats isn't what I would have thought each of my kids would have picked.  It goes to show I've yet to learn a lot more about my kids.

We closed the week by showing autumn that we love her more than summer, at least at this time.  The kids went outside and raked leaves and then jumped on them over and over again.  And we don't even have that many in our back yard.  Gorgeous weather, pretty colors, fun kids!  What more does one need from life!