9 Year Old Quote of the Day

"Mama, I really think a couple of scrambled eggs would get me rolling today"

It's Bluebonnet Time Here in Texas!

Actually, bluebonnet season is drawing to a close around here. Besides being the state flower of the great state of Texas, they are just so pretty. This time of year everyone is hoping to get a good picture of thier kids in the bluebonnets.  Unfortunately some of the best places to do this are on the side of interstate 20 and that's not so safe for little ones.  Luckily I got this picture at Mike and Tessie's (Coco's parents) house at our 2001 family reunion when Sydney was 9 months old...a pretty baby if I say so myself! I think this picture was probably taken 9 years ago this week...give or take!  I have never been able to get another good picture in the bluebonnets since!  Maybe we will try later this week.

This Homeschooling Is Working!!!

Sydney and I are closing in on completing our 2nd year of homeschooling and while the struggles have been many the rewards have been awesome! I thought it was about time for me to post about homeschooling and how it is working for us.


First of all, I went into this with the knowledge that my daughter is very bright and just happens to learn differently than other kids her own age. Home schooling has allowed us to focus on what she needs when she needs it. When we began this journey we started with 2nd grade and she was still struggling with her 1st grade readers (we used Bob Jones) the same readers she used in private school...not because I wanted them, but because she loved those readers and the biggest key to helping your child learn to read is for them to develop their reading skills while reading what they enjoy. Including Sponge Bob Squarepants comics from time to time. If they want to read it they will work much harder to read something they want. Anyway, we repeated 1st grade reading at our own pace and with patience no one but God could have given me. We are now in our 2nd grade Bob Jones reading program and I think she will sail through these. I think she could do the third grade set but I don't want her to skip any steps. I want her to do the work because she needs the skills that go along with the knowledge of how to recognize a word and become more proficient. Today Sydney informed me she has finished the 2nd chapter of Call of the Wild written by Jack London!!!! Now keep in mind this is an abridged version, but it is a chapter book and only has a few sketches rather than pictures. She has waited all her life to be able to read a chapter book. I know it is too soon to know if she will love reading or not, but she is off and running anyway. I am praying that this is the beginning of a period of academic growth for her. We are still very behind in math and writing but I think this is a huge milestone for her. Sydney is learning not to be embarrassed or afraid to try. She has learned that mistakes are opportunities to learn. She has learned this because I tell her every single day. On top of being dyslexic and a tad A.D.D. she is a perfectionist when it comes to certain things. In other words she is very hard on herself when she makes a mistake. I have recently seen that veil of insecurity melt away and be replaced with confidence in her abilities. I'm so proud of her and look forward to more reports like this one.

Home school also allows you to see what your child’s learning style is and work through problems when your learning style, which usually translates into your own teaching style, clashes with that of your child. I am convinced that is why some kids have trouble in traditional settings because sometimes a teacher just doesn't know how to teach to your child's needs or does but can't deviate from state mandates. This can cause a downward spiral for some kids. Sydney may never be a writer or math whiz but then neither was I.

Please pray for Joe Turner

I have a friend named Liz and her son  Joe who is 7 is in the hospital recovering from surgery.  They are still waiting on pathology reports.  We are friends from church and when another one of her sons was in Sydney's 1st grade class when she went to private school a couple of years ago. They are a very sweet family and truly need our prayers.  You can go here to read the story.

Fun at Jill's House

The Saturday after Spring Break we headed over to my BFF Jill for some mommy time and some play time for our kiddos.  Jill has three of the most handsome boys ever!  We have been friends since I was pregnant with Sydney 10 years ago and we were both working for RadioShack PR...but really on a personal level since Griffin was born. Our Children have really been friends forever and they don't know any different.  Sydney is sometimes confused as to whether or not they are related.  Her family had just returned from snow skiing and we had a busy week ourselves so we  hung out and had lunch.  Good times!

Sydney and Griffin playing Guitar Hero

Tummy time for baby Charlie...by the way he is doing awesome!

Carter and I worked on this huge puzzle...he is four and a puzzle whiz!

I don't know what they are doing here just all having fun together.

Jasmine loves to get in on the action...Sydney loves her too.

Bye, Bye Buddy

This morning we lost our sweet cat Buddy.  He is 12 years old and we have had him for 11 of them. He came to us as a rescue via my brother and we loved him from the beginning.  He will be very missed in our house.  He loved to go to our neighbor's house and hide in her hedges.  Someone hit him as he tried to cross the street.

Rest in Peace sweet boy! You will always have a special place in our hearts.