Broken things

I really did it this time. Yesterday, while at the park, I had an over-excited pooch attached to a leash in one hand & my camera in the other. Ginger (the pooch) caught sight of another pup & wanted to play so badly she made a break for it, jarring me & causing my camera to drop down on the pavement. Pieces went flying everywhere & now it won't even turn on. I'm SO bummed because we really can't afford a new one right now. :(

**POOCH!!!** (said like an expletive)

Four Whole Weeks

It's not been common knowledge, since I wasn't sure how well things would go, but for the past month we've been homeschooling again. We did it with Tyler for a handful of years (3rd-7th grades), & though I wanted to do it with Jordan when he was Kindergarten age, the Husband wasn't having it.


With all the struggles Jordan was having, I decided to give homeschooling a shot while he was on track break. It wouldn't hurt anything, I figured, & it would give me an idea if this kiddo was even teachable by his mom.


For the first several weeks, it went very smoothly for the most part. He would have a small meltdown here & there of "I can't do it's", but other than that it went surprisingly well. He enjoys the time we spend together learning about new things.



His teacher called me last week to find out where he had been all week. When I started to explain to her my decision to bring him home, she was more than pleased. She wasn't able to give him the attention he needs, even with her semi-small (for Vegas, anyway) class size, so I think understood it was what he needed before even I did. She was so supportive & I was very surprised. Most teachers I know feel superior for their years spent behind a desk & don't think I'm qualified. I didn't get that from her at all!



This week I implemented a new system that I'm hoping will help him build up his confidence. He has a small jar & some little pom pom's (aka warm fuzzies) to put in it. For every task he completes without constant need for reassurance (something I didn't realize he felt he needed so badly until we began this journey), he gets to add a warm fuzzie to his jar. When the jar is filled, he gets his choice of what kind of party he'd like to have (a pizza party, he tells me).

It's exciting to see how much this small "reward", one little pom pom, motivates him to have a positive. I already see such a big difference in him. The biggest thing is he's so much happier. He really disliked learning a few weeks ago, now he's asking for more when our "day" is done. His reading has gone from "I don't like you for forcing me to do this" to complaining if it's not his night to read out of the scriptures with our family.

He's a great kid who I enjoy being around so much. I'm so thankful we're in a position that makes this choice even possible!

Logan Shaun

It's hard to find any pictures of this funny little kid. At least a not good one. If you can get him to look directly at the camera, he manages this tight-lipped smile that doesn't look much like a smile. More like he's in a fair amount of pain. This highly sensitive boy is so full of life.....


most of the pics I grab of him are of him running to or away from me.



His naturally funny personality never fails to bring smiles to my face. While my Mom was here, he went to check on her to make sure she was getting ready to go. He told her (with his serious eyes) that she needed to get a shirt on. As an afterthought, he turned back around & held his finger up, pointing it accusingly at her, telling her "and pants, too".

Love this kid! :)

Funny kid

Yesterday, while at the ever-dreaded, eViL Walmart, Jordan & I are browsing through the aisles to kill some time. Logan & Hayleah are in preschool 3 days a week, but only for less than 2 hours each day. Since it's a minimum 30 min. round trip, I prefer to stay in the area instead of head back home. Walmart is across the street, so we've been frequenting this place of ill repute far too often.

Anyway....back to Jordan.

At the end of the hair care aisle is the back wall, packed with every brand of feminine products you could ever want, need, or consider using. While looking at some hair stuff, my attention is drawn to my normally quiet (only in public) child who is excitedly (read: loudly) telling me about this "free" stuff I need to come see.

Lo & behold, he certainly did a bang up job picking out the word "free". He's becoming such a great little reader. It was on the front of a package of pantyliners. Stayfree, to be precise. He was (loudly) insistent we needed to get this because, well, it's free. He went on & on trying to convince me (loudly) about how great free stuff is. He can't really hear me (over his own bad self) & apparently I'm not making much sense while trying to use my quiet voice & contain my giggles at the same time.

We definitely got some looks from those around us, but I didn't mind too much. It takes more than someone still in their pj's & slippers, or someone sporting a fabulous mullet to make me feel embarassed at Walmart. :)

I love that kid. It's rare a day will go by without him giving me a good laugh. :)

Books

I set a goal this year to read at least 40 books. I just hit 30 (if I'm not counting how many times I've read the Twilight series; which I'm not because I'm slightly embarrassed about that number). This leaves me less than two months to meet that goal. Normally I stink at goal setting & achieving. I'm a procrastinator, which rarely helps with much of anything.

I need some book suggestions, though. My list of books to read is growing smaller. I'm devouring them in days. How do I do this, you ask? (Inquiring minds are sure to want to know) I'm able to do all the regular things a stay-at-home mom does, & still be able to find countless hours to escape through these books. Super Woman, I am not. More like Cheater Woman. :) An iPod & a library card is all a girl needs. Well, that & no late fines or books you can't find. :oP