We love Wilbur!!

Arianna did a book study on Charlotte's Web and it was a delight to hear her read it to me! For all the moms who are teaching your child to read...it gets better! Rarely do I do any of the crafts that are suggested in the curriculum, but when making a paper mache Wilbur was suggested I had to make it with my kids. The kids had so much fun making Wilbur and kept saying, "Mom, thanks for making this with us, this glue feels like buttermilk, this is so much fun!"

started with balloons and paper towel rolls

for the first layer of newspaper we kept the mess outside, I took the pigs inside to dry and than the next day we took them outside to put on the second layer. The temperature and pressure change was to drastic and the balloons started to slowly expand and then pop! I was a little frustrated because of all the time it took to make it so far, but thought I'd finish the project and in the evening I made new pigs and put a new layer on.

after three layers of newspaper, we were ready to paint! After 5 layers of paint, googly eyes, black feet and a pink tail... Wilbur was "some pig"!

isn't he cute?

We thoroughly enjoyed Charlotte's Web, and watching the new movie was also a highlight! Arianna's piano teacher took her to watch the movie when it came out but it was the first time watching it for Asher and me. Arianna is going to use her pig as a piggy bank but Asher wants to use his as a pinata (a shame for all the work that was involved).

Corn Maze Visit

We have been enjoying our week off of school and spending our days with Cor. Today, Cor took Arianna & Asher to the Corn Maze in Hilliard. (I went shopping with Julianna) It was a gorgeous day to be outside, the kids had so much fun doing the maze and all the other activities at the Acres. The maze was in the shape of Noah's Ark.

Thanksgiving with friends

In case you didn't believe me when I said that Julianna's toys are scattered everywhere when I teach...here is some of the evidence!

(is that snow outside?)

Now for the Thanksgiving pictures: there aren't very many good ones of the food but it was delicious. We had fried turkey, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, rolls and for dessert, pumpkin and cherry pie. We enjoyed our time with our friends and the kids had a blast playing with the many, many toys.

the turkey was fried in peanut oil, it was the BEST turkey I have ever tasted!
juicy and tasty!

The rhythm of our days

A typical morning at our house.

Arianna usually starts her morning early, when I get back from working out at 7:10 am, she is usually doing her math at the computer.

Arianna's little corner of the house so she can concentrate.

Julianna playing in the living room, she usually scatters her toys all over the house,
we do a whirlwind pick up at lunch time

Asher's desk is in the breakfast nook, not far from where I spend the majority of my day (in the kitchen). He needs more of my attention and help, and I can get a lot of things done while he does his work.

Julianna is usually close by and has her own little desk, she loves to color and play with foam stickers, she makes Cor about 5 pictures a day!
I do dress her in the morning, she's potty trained and her shorts don't usually make it back on

The best day is Library Day!

A book is good company.
It is full of conversation without loquacity.
It comes to your longing with full instruction,
but pursues you never.
~ Henry Ward Beecher ~

Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky.
My pile of books
Are a mile high.
How I love them!
How I need them!
I'll have a long beard
By the time I read them.
~ Arnold Lobel ~

Teaching reading IS rocket science.~ Louisa Moats ~

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go.~ Dr. Seuss, ""I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!" ~

Oh, magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words! ~ A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943~