This is little Elise and I was so anxious to see her.  I was starting to get newborn withdrawals!  Precious as could be and quite a beauty.  She had to travel a little distance to come see me and (unfortunately) I didn’t warn mom and dad to bring extra clothing and her Daddy had his clothes ruined twice.  I will be updating my session info with a note about extra clothes for parents.  It’s a messy job – but somebody’s gotta do it. 

I found this galvanized bucket while antique shopping with my mom.  JUST what I wanted.

Choices choices…sometimes I just can’t decide. 

THIS is the antique scale that belonged to my Great Grandfather.  I have been looking for just the right bowl for a bit and finally stumbled upon this one.  It compliments my beautiful little model so nicely.

I could have kissed her for this one.   I had just finished telling her parents that I wanted to patiently give her a second because her body language was indicating that she was about to give me some dreamy grins.  No sooner did I finish saying that…

Elise is half Native American Indian and her mama brought this beautiful blanket for her.  Cool huh?

Tuesday was our first day back at school after having the month of August off.  Both kids have done really well the last two days with the adjustments.  Here is the breakdown on our curriculum choices this year.

Tanner – Fourth Grade

Bible – The Message Bible for Kids
I love the Message Bible and am really liking this version for the kids.  We each take a turn reading out loud.  I have found that, like me, Ty has trouble paying attention when being read to – he needs to read it himself so I have to get him involved.

Math – Saxon.  Who knew that the Saxon program changes from the fourth grade up?  I like it so much better!  It’s much easier for me to teach then the 1st through 3rd grade which had a ton more daily work (IMHO).

Grammar and Writing – Well Trained Mind’s Grammar book and Writing with Ease.  I am a big fan of this program.  I think the reading selections and dictation work are above where Tanner is at, for example, his dictation today was ” The imposters requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms, and then asked him whether the design pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful, while at the same time pointing to the empty frames.” (From The Emperor’s New Clothes) – but we are working through it.  I have to help with spelling every day and he needs me to keep repeating it but that seems appropriate to me anyways.  The curriculum asks you to read it only 3 times and then have to write it from memory but heck I couldn’t even remember that sentence after several times of reading it.

Vocabulary – Mega Words 3000.  This isn’t particularly easy for Tanner in the 4rth grade either but we are working on it together and I do like the program.

Spelling – www.HomeSpelling.com.  They let you use their lists or you can insert your own.  Working quite nicely so far.

Science – Christian Nature Reader series.  Tanner is loving these books and has been wanting to read more on his own time.  That’s a good sign.

History – I switched to Story of the World (another Well Trained Mind curriculum).  I love Mystery of History but I think it’s a little more advanced so I’ll come back to that series a little later.

Handwriting without Tears – Cursive.  This is taught in the 3rd grade but I chose not to teach it last year because Tanner has a tough time with penmenship.

Reading – Tanner is starting the Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing series by Judy Blume and he is liking it.  I liked it when I was little too.  I heard him giggling and reading passages to Ty in their room last night.  Made me smile.

Ty – 1st Grade

Phonics – Explode the Code online.  This is Ty’s second year with this (so he is a year ahead).

Handwriting without Tears – PRAY FOR US. 

Math – Saxon  – he wizzed through his doubles.

Grammar/Writing – using the Writing with Ease series for him too.  He is typing his copywork instead of writing it and he loves that.  We did some narration today and he did awesome.   I predict Ty will do well with this subject.

Reading – his library selection was quite eclectic. 

Spelling and Bible – same as Tanner

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Tori thinks she is in school too.  Her curriculum is counting, colors, book reading, and Sesame Street. 

Absolute perfection.  Oh do the dark hair girls steal my heart.  More of Miss Elise later in the week…

Lead Me
Sanctus Real

A couple pictures of Brooke from the beginning of the year.

Tori is making it difficult for me to get everything in order for school next week.  She flooded the bathroom today with half a roll of toilet paper in the toilet.