School UPDATE...

For those of you who follow our schooling adventures, here is a bit of catch-up on that front....

We began the 2011-12 school year using the Rod & Staff curriculum.  Bailey seemed to really like doing her math workbook during kindergarten, so I made the assumption that she likes workbooks.  That made sense to me since workbooks fit me personality!  I like to see my progress, check things off a list, I am not a big craft person, etc.  When the box came it was HUGE and filled to the brim with textbooks and workbooks.  Whoa!!  I was excited! 

Things started OK, then we took lots of time off in November, December and January.  It was hard to start back to the grind in February.  Things had been getting shaky in October, but I thought it was just me what with all the hormones and anxiety.  But love was NOT in the air in February... Bailey cried and was refusing to do schoolwork.  Something she once loved, she now loathed.  What was wrong!!  Turns out, black and white workbooks make life dull and boring.  Too much rigor doesn't leave time for crafts and coloring.   So we exercised our right to change in the middle!  We went back to a proven curriculum in our family... My Father's World!  We have since boxed up all the R&S textbooks and unused workbooks and sent them back to Rod & Staff headquarters.  Please understand that Rod & Staff is truly a great program!  I am in no way saying otherwise.  IT JUST DID NOT WORK FOR BAILEY.  That's it, pure and simple.  I actually think, as a child, I would have loved it!!!!

So now we are back to My Father's World (she used it for kindergarten and Will will start it this Fall!).  We are doing science experiments, crafts, coloring, reading and lots of hands-on learning!  Best part is, Maggie and William tag along!  They love the stories and crafts too!  No one has cried a single day, no one has yelled about doing schoolwork, the eagerness has returned!  Phew!!

Making a clay pot for the scroll she made the day before.  Will decided he needed a dinosaur and Maggie... she wanted panckaes!

Nate and I believe in these early years it is so important to cultivate a TRUE LOVE of learning that will last for their entire life.  Our school is NOT only about reading, writing and arithmetic.  Find what you love, and figure out how to do it forever, so that it is enjoyable.  Isn't that what every adult is looking for in their employment?!  Why not start cultivating that mentality now?  I could go on and on about our school philosophy, but I will spare you that... for now!  Maybe one of these days I will get around to post that!!

Hope you are having a great day!

Love you!

Smile at someone today,

you never know who needs a little pick me up!

Our GOOD Friend NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!

Ok!  Family and friends, near and far!!! 

Time to step away from our rather self-centered blog to reach the masses (okay I know I am not reaching "the masses" but read-on anyways!!!) for a very important reason! 

TOM WINTER

is the reason!

Tom is a wonderful husband, amazing father, tireless high school teacher, selfless friend, follower of Jesus, courageous, joy filled man, not to mention, an EHS Cougar.  But that is only the beginning of the list I could write.  So why exactly am I writing this list you ask?!  Well Tom is also confined to a wheelchair.  But that doesn't stop him or even begin to define him.  However...

Being in a wheelchair does present some mobility challenges, that having a wheelchair accessible van would SOLVE!!  But have you EVER priced one of those suckers?!  Crazy expensive!  Just Crazy!  So with this being National Mobility and Movement month a contest has started and Tom is entered. 

LET'S ALL HELP HIM WIN A VAN!!!

All you have to do is go to THIS website everyday this month and VOTE for

TOM WINTER!!! 

It would be life changing for them to win this van!

Be apart of this!!

This is by far one of my favorite pictures!  The one in the middle is Charlie, Tom and Melissa's fantastic son.  Just love that kid!!  The guy on the left is Will and the boy on the left, Luke, completes this handsome trio.

So please take a bit of time out of your day, everyday this month and VOTE for Tom! 

CLICK HERE to watch the video and vote!

Thanks!  Love you!

The MOB Society

I cannot take any credit for this post, except for the fact I had the good sense to sign-up for "The Mothers of Boys (MOB) Society" emails!  Got this one in my inbox this morning and it immediately made me smile!!  I love my boy!!  I am so glad we get to experience raising girls and this wonderfully, magnificent, total BOY!!  On April 18th we are going on a date, just the two of us, to his favorite restaurant... Chick-fil-A!!  They are hosting a Mommy/Son Date Knight!  Can't wait to hear what comes out of his mouth when it is just the two of us!  Without sisters around, he becomes VERY talkative!! 

So, here is the "Application to be a MOB"...

What applying to be a mom of boys might look like.

Must have strong stomach.


Gag reflex not recommended.


Must be willing to work weekends, nights, and holidays.


Medical experience a plus.


Must be practiced in the art of boo-boo kissing.


Must have at least a base knowledge in video game lingo.


Moderate to advanced Super Hero understanding recommended.


Aversion to blood not ideal. This job can involve trauma situations.


Must be willing to deal with mass quantities of feces removal.


Must be able to leap tall building blocks in a single bound.


Stain removal expertise helpful.


Sense of humor imperative.


Minor degree in zoology a plus, prerequisites in animal handling even better.


Referee experience beneficial.


Tolerance to the smell of urine necessary.


Perseverance in toilet scrubbing required.


Sword fighting experience a plus.


Must not hold too dearly to breakable items.


An intricate knowledge of Lego handling useful.


Rough-housing will be sometimes required of applicant.


And most importantly, patience and grace will be required of you every day for the rest of your life.


What would you add to the list?


Jessica Bowman
 
So really?  What would you add to the list?!  I think I would add, "Can tolerate large amounts of sweaty-ness."  "Doesn't mind stinky feet."  Or "The smell of hot, dusty, boy heads."  Moms of boys... you know that smell!!



The one and ONLY!!

 Please visit The MOB Society for encouragement and laughs during this season of raising our boys, sons, dudes, little men, guys, soon to be boyfriends, husbands and fathers!!
 

Love you! 

AND!!! 

Smile today! 

 It's GOOD FRIDAY! 

Jesus died for YOU and BEAT the grave!!

Wahoo!