God's gift to Bubby...

Brandon had a piano recital on Saturday.  It was fantastic!!  He wrote this song himself.  When I say wrote, I don't mean he wrote it out on paper!  It is all in his head!  He can't read music ~ which means he can't write out what is in his head.  About 10 - 12 years ago he took 1 year on formal piano lessons, that's it.  This year he took a piano improv class.  He went in with this song he wrote, played it for the instructor, and the instructor would give him tips or advice!  He loved the class!!

Check it out and listen to his God given talent!

Nausea...

...it is improving!  Somewhat.  I am having more good days than bad now!  Always a good sign :)  I have been having trouble getting a whole lot accomplished these days because of it!  But things are perking up.  I went to the Dr.'s a few weeks ago for a nurse intake appt.  While there they performed an ultrasound to check for a multiple pregnancy.  There is only one little one floating in there :)  We wouldn't have been disappointed if there had been more than one, but we are quite relieved that it is just one again this time.  Twins are awesome, but also a lot of work!!

Everybody else here is doing great.  Sissy has declined her college admissions and chosen to complete her first year or two at a community college near her college of choice to save her some money!!  Smart girl I say!!

Bubby is currently taking improvisation piano lessons and is LOVING every minute of it!  He has been writing his own music for awhile now.  His instructor e-mailed me to let me know that him and Bubby's fellow students just love the music he writes!  I know I love hearing him play :)  He asked the other day if he could live with us forever!  I said "Why would you ever want to live with your parents forever?".  He gave me his reasons, then I said "Of course you can"!!  Wait till he is 25 and tells his date that he still lives with his parents :)  He will find his own place real quick I'm sure :)

Sister K and Sister E are both enjoying the socialization at school.  Whenever they come home I ask them if they discovered anything new in school that week.  Usually the answer is no!  But last week Sister E said "Ya, I discovered that when you are in the 4th and 5th grade, you have to make your own valentines box!  And, I SUCK at it!"  Sister K complained about not succeeding in passing the swimming test to be able to go into the deep end!  We were surprised because she is a VERY strong swimmer!  She'll get there!  Were glad they are getting something out of the 32 1/2 hours they are in school!

The 3 littles are growing, growing, growing!  Our little peanut surprises us every day with all of her new words!

My computer got yet ANOTHER virus not to long ago, and I haven't uploaded KODAK yet, so I don't have any pictures for you.  As soon as I find more time I will do that for you :)

Hope the rain there stops soon!!  We are getting some rain today.  Most of the snow is gone (not a good thing for us...shows all the toys we never got picked up out of the yard last year :(

Talk to ya soon...

~Interesting~

Famous Homeschoolers

Sleeping arrangements...

We have new sleeping arrangements here!  The boys no longer sleep in their cribs and our little peanut is now in a crib!  She had been in a co sleeper up until about a week ago.  We had moved her out of our room quite awhile ago, but she was still in the co sleeper.  The boys now sleep on their twin mattress's on the floor.  We did this so they could get used to sleeping with no boundaries, without having to fall a long distance to the floor!  The first night was good for all of them (which meant good for mom and dad too!).  The boys rolled off and would come get us so we could tuck them back in, but they never just got out of bed just because they could!  Our little peanut woke up a few times, but with a little talking to and lots of hugs (without taking her out of bed) she did fine!  Last night was by far the best night!  Our little peanut went to bed at 7 p.m. and didn't wake up until 6:30 a.m.!  Yippee!!  Brother S slept through the night (rolled off his bed, but it didn't phase him), brother J woke up around 3 a.m., I guess (daddy gets up with the boys) and came in our room to lay with us around 6 a.m..  Overall a FANTASTIC nights sleep.  Best one I've had in...geesh, I can't remember when :)  Good thing, huh?  Eight months of good nights sleep should have me well rested for a newborn feeding every 1 1/2 - 2 hours!  Perfect :)

Talk to ya soon...

Many ask "Why?"...

I've shared with you the comments I've heard about having *7* children :)  Some have even asked "Why?" and then made their comments.  I don't think anyone is being rude when they ask, I just don't think they understand.  Well, here is why...

Snowday...

Today we got lots of snow!!

Talk to ya soon...

Snow...

A little over a week ago, I spent an entire Wednesday planning a "theme" for this months activities for the boys!  It was actually a lot of fun.  Then a week ago today I went to the library and filled an entire overnight type bag full of books (along with a stack I had to carry!) pertaining to our theme!
Our theme for the month of January is SNOW (snowmen, snowflakes, sledding, ice ~ you get the idea!:)
What I had started doing before was just setting up 'trays' or 'baskets', with books and activities/crafts relating to the books, out and about on tables throughout the house.  If one of the boys showed interest I would let them explore/play with whatever was out and about.  If they looked as if they weren't quite sure what to do, I would show them, and we would play together.  My favorite place to put activities is on the kitchen table at every seat.  Then they can just climb up whenever they choose and "play".
We also read the library books in the evenings (sometimes they will just bring me the book during the day to read).
Here are some pictures of a few of the activities they enjoyed last week:


Brother S with the tongs ~ transferring the "snowballs" into the ice tray.  Then he decided to transfer his tractor with the tongs!  Ha Ha Ha!  Using the tongs prepares the muscles of the hands for cutting, writing, etc.  In one of the green pitchers is milk (to go along with our color this month :).  They pour it from one to the other.  Also prepares the muscles for cutting, writing, etc.

Brother J with the tongs and "snowballs".  Putting them in...

...and taking them out!

Our little peanut even wanted to join in!  Here she is taking out the "snowballs"...

...and putting them in!!

Talk to ya soon...