Micah has been hearing for weeks about all of his friends starting school today.  He really got very interested and was asking to do school time with Mommy.  So, we decided that it would be good for him to have a set time to start and establish this routine.  Micah is a boy who thrives on structure, I think.  He does so much better when on a schedule of some sort and when he knows what to expect.  So, we have been getting ready for weeks (He could not wait! He was so excited!) and even bought school supplies together.    He got a notebook ,and picked a blue one, markers, and gluesticks.  I am sure they will be put to good use.

As for curriculum, we are not doing any one specific program.  I am doing a little bit of the following:

Confessions of a Homeschooler‘s Letter of the Week ideas

Carissa at 1+1+1=1 has some great ideas for pre-school and I am starting “Tot School” with Heidi (just being intentional about exploring new things and playing).  She is one of my favorites!

Totally Tots

Getting great ideas to use from Homeschool Creations

I know there are other websites I will visit and find along the way with lots of ideas and inspiration.  It will be challenging for me in the beginning because all my teaching experience is 3rd-5th grades.  Anyway,  we are also using Kumon workbooks we have gotten over time and he loves them.  I have picked up a few other little workbooks  that focus on colors, shapes and other skills.

Some other books and things I will be using as we get into it:

Bright Beginnings – we will probably wait at least until we have finished our letter of the week routine before beginning this

Big Truths for Little Kids

My ABC Bible Verses

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready – a book that has simple activities to do with your child birth to age 5 that are developmental skills

My sister-in-law is my go-to person for advice and experience of good stuff for this age group and I have been picking her brain lately about stuff she has used.  After looking at some of her things a few weeks ago,  I am probably going to get What Your Preschooler Needs to Know Activity Book.

I think that will be plenty!   We are also going to be more intentional about family worship time.  I am getting lots of ideas gathered for this and hope to share later.  Daddy loves playing music for us and all of us singing together.  That will always be an important part around here.  Micah connects so well to music (how did that happen?!) and can share the gospel by singing the Gospel Fuzzies song he learned in Bible School this summer and he cannot wait for Mrs. Jennifer to start back with preschool choir very soon.

Last week was so crazy I never got to post a celebratory message, so …”Yippee, Our Heidi is ONE”. 

This mommy did what she always does and tried to do more than necessary to make it the best birthday party ever…yes, I know that Heidi will not remember a thing!  Anyway, the perfectionist in me had so many ideas she needed to try.  Amazingly, I got most everything done (with loving help from family members!) and the party was wonderful even if I didn’t sit down long enough to finish  piece of cake.

I decided on a vintage birdie theme.  I just love the look of embroidered pillowcases, so I found a few to work into the theme.  I ended up making dresses for Heidi and her cousins, Saylor and Emma Kate.  I also made ruffle pants (ugh, the trouble I had with those…pattern issues!).  They were so cute!  I taught myself how to embroider just so I could make Heidi a birdie bib.  I loved learning and it went so much faster than I expected!  The bib turned out so cute…and free!  I already had all the materials.

We had the party in Little Rock to make it easier (and even possible) for all our family to attend.  Because we would be traveling and such, I decided to buy a cake to save time and struggles.  Unfortunately, the quote and responses I got convinced me that I would have to make the cake!  EEK!  Now, I normally make all the birthday cakes, but this traveling part made it stressful, but it all worked out in the end.  I also made little bird mints and birdie lollipops with candy melts.  I got cookies from a local bakery and made cupcakes as well.  I was going for a dessert bar feel and I think it turned out great.

For a few extra details, I got cheap birdhouses at Michael’s and painted them and put them on the tables with embroidered pillowcases.  We also had a little craft table for the kids.  We made pompom birdies and feather masks.  I think the kids enjoyed it. 

Heidi enjoyed her cupcake even if it took her a bit to figure out how to approach it.  She had fun seeing all of her family and playing with all her little goodies.  She gave each of the kids a goody bag with a paint-your-own birdhouse (on clearance at Michael’s), bird silly bands, and handmade gummy worm treats.

I think everything went well.  My only regret is the same as at any party…there’s never enough time to just visit with family that we don’t see very often.  I wish we had time to just sit for more than a couple of hours and just enjoy each other’s company.

For my Heidi girl, you are growing up so fast!  This year has gone by faster than any other and I get teary just thinking about how much you are doing already.  You can wave and say “Hi” and “Bye-Bye”, call for Daddy, BaBa (Micah), and Mama, growl like a bear and tell us about the doggies, you can sign for more and kitty, give love and kisses and blow a kiss, clap and high-five, scrunch your nose in a silly face, nod yes and no, crawl and pull up, dance when you hear music (and even sing a little), point and say, “Ooh” which we think means look ,try to make a one with your fingers, and melt our heart with your smiles, growls, and silly giggles.  We are so proud of you and pray that God would continue to bless you and protect you.  We pray that you continue to grow into a beautiful (inside and out) young lady who yearns for God and His love.  We love you, little bird!