a house? We're putting our house back on the market next week. The Realtor just left and I feel sick. There are so many houses on the market right now it's CRAZY! Of course where we want to move there isn't much inventory. Can't do this one on our own.
"Jesus Take the Wheel"
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time Heals
Contentment is a hard thing to achieve I think. At last I feel content, even happy, to have an only child. Over the last couple of months I've realized that instead of hoping that I'm pregnant "this month" I find myself hoping that I'm not or at least thinking "it would be really inconvenient to be pregnant this month". I can't even believe I just typed that out. Me of all people hoping that I'm NOT pregnant. Who IS this person! I can only attribute this new emotional state to God's loving care. There is no way this would have happened without God's healing power.
I was sitting in Madeline's music class yesterday (for ages 0-5) and there was a cute 8 month old next to us. Instead of thinking "I should have one about that age" like I used to, I just thought "what a cute little girl". I appreciate all of the wonderful things my child can do now. She does her business on the potty, she can tell me what's wrong, what she wants to do and how she's feeling in general. Madeline can help me around the house and is constantly learning new things. The best thing of all is we're all finally sleeping well.
So there it is in case anyone was wondering. ;)
I was sitting in Madeline's music class yesterday (for ages 0-5) and there was a cute 8 month old next to us. Instead of thinking "I should have one about that age" like I used to, I just thought "what a cute little girl". I appreciate all of the wonderful things my child can do now. She does her business on the potty, she can tell me what's wrong, what she wants to do and how she's feeling in general. Madeline can help me around the house and is constantly learning new things. The best thing of all is we're all finally sleeping well.
So there it is in case anyone was wondering. ;)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The homeschooling adventure.
A couple of weeks ago we got a jump on the school year and started our "school". We hung in there with the chosen curriculum for a week. Then I threw it out because it was just a little too advanced for Madeline. (It was for a 4 year old after all). On Monday we received our new, more age appropriate, material. It is almost too easy for Madeline but I'm going to make it work. Today we did the first 3 days of curriculum.
Our bible verse for the week is Acts 5:29 Obey God. Actually, I believe it's our memory verse for the entire month. Our bible story for the week is Jonah. We got to paint a whale to go along with the story. We also learned that squares have 4 sides and they come in many different sizes. She also did fairly well with tracing lines today. I hope her fine motor skills are improving.
Tomorrow we are going to trace our bodies and then cut out the parts to make a puzzle. Madeline will also practice her cutting skills and trace some more.
I also discovered a really neat site for phonics. Starfall.com. She is learning how to sound out words. She already knows the alphabet (capital and little) and the sounds they make. The 2 year curriculum doesn't even go in to that stuff so I'll be adding all of that in. We learned A words with the other curriculum so we're doing B this week and next and one letter each week after that.
Next year we will use the curriculum we started this year. Madeline is easily on track to start kindergarten at 4 years old. We aren't pushing her at all. She picks things up so easily and wants to learn.
To supplement our schoolwork we are taking a mommy and me ballet class, going to story time at the library, music class at the library, and she'll take an imagination class with Eric on Saturdays (starting in November). If she likes ballet we'll continue that in January. If she doesn't we'll try out gymnastics.
We are very excited to have so many fun things to do this year! Lest we forget we are also going to Disney World in October and again in February!
Our bible verse for the week is Acts 5:29 Obey God. Actually, I believe it's our memory verse for the entire month. Our bible story for the week is Jonah. We got to paint a whale to go along with the story. We also learned that squares have 4 sides and they come in many different sizes. She also did fairly well with tracing lines today. I hope her fine motor skills are improving.
Tomorrow we are going to trace our bodies and then cut out the parts to make a puzzle. Madeline will also practice her cutting skills and trace some more.
I also discovered a really neat site for phonics. Starfall.com. She is learning how to sound out words. She already knows the alphabet (capital and little) and the sounds they make. The 2 year curriculum doesn't even go in to that stuff so I'll be adding all of that in. We learned A words with the other curriculum so we're doing B this week and next and one letter each week after that.
Next year we will use the curriculum we started this year. Madeline is easily on track to start kindergarten at 4 years old. We aren't pushing her at all. She picks things up so easily and wants to learn.
To supplement our schoolwork we are taking a mommy and me ballet class, going to story time at the library, music class at the library, and she'll take an imagination class with Eric on Saturdays (starting in November). If she likes ballet we'll continue that in January. If she doesn't we'll try out gymnastics.
We are very excited to have so many fun things to do this year! Lest we forget we are also going to Disney World in October and again in February!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Summer Must do's
I think we're probably half way through summer now. The weather has been very mild this year. Since when is 60 degrees July weather? Global warming my rear. Anyway, we managed to do a few new things so far this summer. We were able to fly a kite, go to the circus, take an art class, go to the Independence Day parade, and check out a new zoo. Other favorites were swimming lessons, blowing bubbles, drawing with chalk, going to parks, and going to the library.
4th of July Parade (a week early)
"Tea" party (protest)
Circus (park district put this on)
Art Class:
The park:
[IMG]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/chicagoshannon/DSC_3645.jpg[/IMG]
Water Fun:
We have a lot more stuff to do this summer too. We plan on going to the train museum, a White Sox game, a boat ride downtown, and Kiddie Land. Wow! That's a lot to do in the next month!
We will be starting pre-school this year (at home) so we've been practicing things with Madeline in preparation. She's farther ahead then we thought. She knows her alphabet and sounds, even sounded out the word HAT last week. She knows her colors, shapes and numbers up to 16. She can do 1 to 1 counting. The skills we'll be working on to start our school year will be tracing and cutting. She's very excited to start school. It's a good thing since she wants to be an astronaut when she grows up. :)
Another big thing that has happened this summer is potty training. Madeline is TRAINED! She wears a pull up at night but that's it. We're very proud of our big girl (sniff).
4th of July Parade (a week early)
"Tea" party (protest)
Circus (park district put this on)
Art Class:
The park:
[IMG]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/chicagoshannon/DSC_3645.jpg[/IMG]
Water Fun:
We have a lot more stuff to do this summer too. We plan on going to the train museum, a White Sox game, a boat ride downtown, and Kiddie Land. Wow! That's a lot to do in the next month!
We will be starting pre-school this year (at home) so we've been practicing things with Madeline in preparation. She's farther ahead then we thought. She knows her alphabet and sounds, even sounded out the word HAT last week. She knows her colors, shapes and numbers up to 16. She can do 1 to 1 counting. The skills we'll be working on to start our school year will be tracing and cutting. She's very excited to start school. It's a good thing since she wants to be an astronaut when she grows up. :)
Another big thing that has happened this summer is potty training. Madeline is TRAINED! She wears a pull up at night but that's it. We're very proud of our big girl (sniff).
Monday, July 6, 2009
One year ago today...
we found out we were going to have baby #2. 3 and a half weeks later we found out we weren't. July is a hard month :(
Monday, June 15, 2009
Madelineisms
We were at a stoplight the other day, arrow turned green, Madeline says "watch out we're coming through"
When told we're going to do new things in art class, Madeline says "awesome".
"Me Madeline Olson"
"Me eating dino's, mommy, seeeeeeeee (opens mouth)"
When told we're going to do new things in art class, Madeline says "awesome".
"Me Madeline Olson"
"Me eating dino's, mommy, seeeeeeeee (opens mouth)"
Friday, June 5, 2009
Redecorating
For a couple of years now I've let the decorating of the house slide. My priorities had shifted and with everything else going on with trying to have babies ect. I just didn't pay much attention to the house. I really, really miss putting out little decorations to mark the seasons and getting a new house thing once in a while. I was actually getting really, really down about it. Things like decorating used to take no effort at all from me. I feel like I lost a piece of myself. So I'm taking it back!
Last week I painted our Master bathroom. Instead of boring builder white it's now a lovely shade of lavender. Ahhhhhh relaxing! I had taken most of our pictures off of the wall last year when we had the house on the market. So I put a bunch of those back on the wall. My family room actually feels like mine again.
I WILL put up fall decorations this year. I WILL decorate for Christmas (more then just putting up the tree), I WILL bake Christmas cookies this year.
My next project is to paint our entry way. It's a dark blue now, same color as the family room. It will be turning into Dutch Boy's "blondie boy". It's a cream with a hint of yellow. Hopefully that will be next week.
Now do I take down the crib in Madeline's old room? That's a hard one. It's been my sign of hope for almost 4 years now. I would like my scrapbooking room back though. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one.
In any case I'm taking my house back!
Last week I painted our Master bathroom. Instead of boring builder white it's now a lovely shade of lavender. Ahhhhhh relaxing! I had taken most of our pictures off of the wall last year when we had the house on the market. So I put a bunch of those back on the wall. My family room actually feels like mine again.
I WILL put up fall decorations this year. I WILL decorate for Christmas (more then just putting up the tree), I WILL bake Christmas cookies this year.
My next project is to paint our entry way. It's a dark blue now, same color as the family room. It will be turning into Dutch Boy's "blondie boy". It's a cream with a hint of yellow. Hopefully that will be next week.
Now do I take down the crib in Madeline's old room? That's a hard one. It's been my sign of hope for almost 4 years now. I would like my scrapbooking room back though. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one.
In any case I'm taking my house back!
I've decided
that too much time has gone by since or Disney trip to blog about. So if anyone wants to hear about it let me know. Or you can look at my scrapbook which is scheduled to be done around the year 2015. haha!
I will let everyone know that Eric gained 2 weeks of vacation while we were gone so we're taking another trip... to Disney... for our Anniversary THIS YEAR! We figured 5 years is a milestone so why not celebrate it!
I will let everyone know that Eric gained 2 weeks of vacation while we were gone so we're taking another trip... to Disney... for our Anniversary THIS YEAR! We figured 5 years is a milestone so why not celebrate it!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Seeing Mickey!
We had an awesome time in Disney World. We went to the Magic Kingdom the first day and Madeline loved it. She probably could have spent EACH day there. We watch the opening show at Magic Kingdom. I will never forget her face as she say all the characters come out of that train. She was SO excited. And now for your viewing pleasure, her reaction.
Right then we knew we made the right decision to take her now even though she's only 2. Her reaction couldn't have been more perfect.
Over the next while I'll put up some more tidbits about our trip.
Right then we knew we made the right decision to take her now even though she's only 2. Her reaction couldn't have been more perfect.
Over the next while I'll put up some more tidbits about our trip.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Quick wrap up.
We leave for Disney in a little over 2 days. I've been pretty busy getting things together and trying to get the house clean.
I'm tired. I need a vacation!
Eric confirmed all of our reservations today. We got the code and directions to our condo. My parents have their new van all ready to go. We're 99% packed.
After I get the laundry done tomorrow I'll be in vacation mode!
Madeline is doing ok with potty training. She complains every time I take her but she seems to have mastered the pooping phase of potty training. She hasn't pooped in her pants in over a week I think. Peeing, well we're working on it. ;)
She is VERY excited about going to Disney. She is looking forward to riding Splash Mountain, Mission Space, and Expedition Everest. What? She's not tall enough you say. Well you'd be right. I'm having a hard time convincing her of that though. lol
No Way! has become her favorite thing to say lately. I'm getting really tired of hearing it. She has also suddenly become "scared, Monsters". She'll wake up in the middle of the night and call us in there to get rid of them. I had no idea that started at 2! At least she has no under the bed (bed's on the floor at this point). Maybe she thinks the massive amount of clothes in her closet is a monster. ;)
With that little Madeline wrap up, I'll bid you all adieu for a couple of weeks.
I'm tired. I need a vacation!
Eric confirmed all of our reservations today. We got the code and directions to our condo. My parents have their new van all ready to go. We're 99% packed.
After I get the laundry done tomorrow I'll be in vacation mode!
Madeline is doing ok with potty training. She complains every time I take her but she seems to have mastered the pooping phase of potty training. She hasn't pooped in her pants in over a week I think. Peeing, well we're working on it. ;)
She is VERY excited about going to Disney. She is looking forward to riding Splash Mountain, Mission Space, and Expedition Everest. What? She's not tall enough you say. Well you'd be right. I'm having a hard time convincing her of that though. lol
No Way! has become her favorite thing to say lately. I'm getting really tired of hearing it. She has also suddenly become "scared, Monsters". She'll wake up in the middle of the night and call us in there to get rid of them. I had no idea that started at 2! At least she has no under the bed (bed's on the floor at this point). Maybe she thinks the massive amount of clothes in her closet is a monster. ;)
With that little Madeline wrap up, I'll bid you all adieu for a couple of weeks.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
picture practice
I thought I'd take advantage of the low key day today and practice my photography skills. They turned our pretty well if I do say so myself.
I was lucky, Madeline was being VERY cooperative today!
I was lucky, Madeline was being VERY cooperative today!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Dino's at the zoo!
Last week we had a very nice day so we went to the zoo. Our main goal was to see the dinosaur exhibit. We headed that way first. Madeline had different ideas. She wanted to ride the Choo Choo (tram). She saw it at started to run after it exclaiming "WAIT choo choo!". So we had a new priority. The Tram:
Lets GO!!!!
The Tram takes FOREVER! It ate up a good chunk of our day. Madeline then had a long list of animals she wanted to see: giraffes, bears, penguins. Well the giraffes were on the other side of the zoo so we headed toward the bears and penguins. After the penguins we ate lunch and then it was time for DINOSAURS!
She loved them!!!!
must get closer
Tons of kids were crying. They thought the dinosaurs were going to get them! Madeline just kept trying to get closer and closer. She would have pet them if she could. I'm sure she would have loved a ride on one of them too.
After the dinosaurs it was time to go. Yep that's all we did that day. It was incredibly busy at the zoo. I don't ever want to go back when it's that busy again!
Lets GO!!!!
The Tram takes FOREVER! It ate up a good chunk of our day. Madeline then had a long list of animals she wanted to see: giraffes, bears, penguins. Well the giraffes were on the other side of the zoo so we headed toward the bears and penguins. After the penguins we ate lunch and then it was time for DINOSAURS!
She loved them!!!!
must get closer
Tons of kids were crying. They thought the dinosaurs were going to get them! Madeline just kept trying to get closer and closer. She would have pet them if she could. I'm sure she would have loved a ride on one of them too.
After the dinosaurs it was time to go. Yep that's all we did that day. It was incredibly busy at the zoo. I don't ever want to go back when it's that busy again!
Potty Training Lesson #657
Pull Ups are not a good idea for a car ride when said potty trainee has not made her "deposit" for the day.
Madeline WILL be wearing diapers in the car for the drive down to Florida!
Madeline WILL be wearing diapers in the car for the drive down to Florida!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
18 days!
We leave for Florida in 18 days. We're so excited and ready for vacation. We should all be healthy since the last couple of weeks everyone (including my mom and dad) have been sick. We are looking forward to 85 degree weather and sun. I have the suitcases packed for the most part and our plans are set!
We plan to stop in Kentucky at Dinosaur World on the way down. Madeline loves dino's so it should be a good, get out and stretch, diversion. We will also be going to Gatorland while we're in Orlando. I have a lot of stickers and books for the car ride. We're also bringing the dvd player. I think we're going to leave at 4am. I'm going to dress Madeline in her clothes for the trip the night before. I'm hoping doing this will keep her sleeping for a few hours in the car. We'll stop at a hotel in Georgia, somewhere south of Atlanta. The next day we'll hopefully only have about 6-7 hours of driving left. We'll of course stop at the Florida welcome center for our free OJ.
Our condo has a great pool with a slide so we're very excited to swim there! We plan to take a nap break each day we go to the Disney parks so we all stay happy. We have enough relax at the house days also so we don't get tired on our vacation.
I'm sure I'll have a ton of pictures to share when we get back!
We plan to stop in Kentucky at Dinosaur World on the way down. Madeline loves dino's so it should be a good, get out and stretch, diversion. We will also be going to Gatorland while we're in Orlando. I have a lot of stickers and books for the car ride. We're also bringing the dvd player. I think we're going to leave at 4am. I'm going to dress Madeline in her clothes for the trip the night before. I'm hoping doing this will keep her sleeping for a few hours in the car. We'll stop at a hotel in Georgia, somewhere south of Atlanta. The next day we'll hopefully only have about 6-7 hours of driving left. We'll of course stop at the Florida welcome center for our free OJ.
Our condo has a great pool with a slide so we're very excited to swim there! We plan to take a nap break each day we go to the Disney parks so we all stay happy. We have enough relax at the house days also so we don't get tired on our vacation.
I'm sure I'll have a ton of pictures to share when we get back!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter weekend fun
We were all feeling a lot better by Friday so we did some fun activities.
Friday we decorated eggs. I dyed them and Madeline put stickers on.
waiting for the eggs to dry ( after a few minutes of them not drying we took a side trip to Wal mart)
Decorating with stickers:
Saturday we went to the forest preserve to look for some geese and other birds. We mostly found dogs. lol
When we got home we tried to learn how to pedal the bike:
I think it's going to take all summer to learn how to do that.
Then Madeline played with chalk:
Daddy and Madeline took a little walk:
On Easter we had breakfast at church and then after church went to Grandma and Grandpa Olson's for lunch and an Easter egg hunt.
Grandma gave Madeline a bunch of Little Mermaid stuff
Let the hunt begin
(daddy, uncle Dirk, Adam and Calvin were much more excited about the eggs then Madeline) The instructions were that all the pink eggs were off limits and for Madeline Olson. They were pretty obvious and it was decided fairly quickly that they need to be hidden better next time.
Friday we decorated eggs. I dyed them and Madeline put stickers on.
waiting for the eggs to dry ( after a few minutes of them not drying we took a side trip to Wal mart)
Decorating with stickers:
Saturday we went to the forest preserve to look for some geese and other birds. We mostly found dogs. lol
When we got home we tried to learn how to pedal the bike:
I think it's going to take all summer to learn how to do that.
Then Madeline played with chalk:
Daddy and Madeline took a little walk:
On Easter we had breakfast at church and then after church went to Grandma and Grandpa Olson's for lunch and an Easter egg hunt.
Grandma gave Madeline a bunch of Little Mermaid stuff
Let the hunt begin
(daddy, uncle Dirk, Adam and Calvin were much more excited about the eggs then Madeline) The instructions were that all the pink eggs were off limits and for Madeline Olson. They were pretty obvious and it was decided fairly quickly that they need to be hidden better next time.
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