Short Update

A new year. A renewed committment. Same blog.

This year I turned 30. I was a little afraid of this birthday, with it starting a new decade in my life. So far, it has been just like any other birthday. I don't feel any older than normal. I'm just 24 hours older than I was the day before. Phew!

This past year I have been doing A LOT around the house. I am learning to make furniture and my dearest Ryan has bought me a few power tools to help me. I have made everyone beds, a nightstand, a toy chest bench, 2 closet bucket organizers, and 2 bookshelf benches. I have plans for making a dining set, an entertainment set, a laundry folding table/clothes sorter, a corner computer desk, and playing with the idea of a storage couch. We'll see. I'm a little scared of the upholstering part of the couch.

For a very short time, I was thinking about putting the kids in an online school, just to ease my stress a little. I chickened out at the last minute, though. Right now I am glad that we still unschool. The kids have so much fun and really learn much faster this way. I just need to trust myself and them. We went on a field trip today. We went to look at different buildings, sidewalks, trees, etc. The kids were learning about drawing with perspective. It makes so much more sense when they can actually go out and experience everything rather than just have someone tell them "this is the way it is".

Ethan is becoming a very good reader. I was really worried for a while. I thought we were going to have a lot of problems with his education. We took him off his asthma medication and finally the light in his mind is starting to turn on again. He can actually concentrate for more than 5 seconds at a time and he doesn't have his anger fits like he did while on the medicine. He is becoming a very inquisitive learner. He is proving to be a true boy all the way through. He loves anything to do with hunting, bugs, and dirt.  He is growing up so fast.

Kate has taught herself all her letters and most of their sounds. She wants me to teach her to read every day. She is still my most sensitive child and is completely girl, much to my dismay at times.

Jayke still amazes me every day. I try to teach him something and halfway through he starts teaching me the rest or sometimes he just says, "I already know that, mom." My goodness, where did he learn everything?!

Aimee is my most talkative child. She talks more than any kid I know. She's only 1.5 years and is already talking in phrases. She says so many words I can't even count them anymore and everyday she's saying several new words! She is very high maintenance, but wants to be left alone. I really have no idea what to do with her. She is the first of the kids to actually sleep in a crib. I really like that.

Let's hope this new year is a new start for all of us. The best is yet to come!