The solar system

We've been studying the solar system for a couple of weeks now. I wrote down some facts for the kids to copy for the next planet in the system. Here's what I wrote.

Uranus is a big ball of gas.

And then I read it later and laughed out loud. I think I will be changing that. Their teacher might see it. Then again, maybe I'll leave it.

I tried to be "that kind of mom" who makes all kinds of fun projects with her kids for, you know, nature or something. So I dragged the birdseed in from the garage, rummaged through the pans for a heart-shaped mold, and found a recipe for bird feeders. It looked like it was going to be a great project. But it sucked. They all fell apart. Oh well. Good times spent together mixing birdseed, flour and water.... and then dumping most of it on the floor instead of into the pans, but who's counting.
And when you have toes like this, who cares if you have to sweep up a little birdseed.

Name that kid

Creepy, huh.

I was going though my pictures and came across this one. Since I have nothing else to blog about, I decided to post it. I don't really know which kid it is, but as I'm sitting here wondering who took the picture I see Madelyn on the chair across the living room from me with my camera stuck close to her face, clicking away and then flipping the camera over to see her masterpiece. Mystery solved.

A little pick-me-up

I've been stuck in a slump the past few weeks. Its the typical mid-winter funk that happens every year. I think I need to plan a trip to somewhere sunny next year about this time to combat the winter blues. Any takers?

Yesterday we broke out the nail polish and Brooklyn painted my toenails. Aren't they beautiful?

For those of you who may question the education of my children:

I'm sure there are some of you who may wonder if my kids will be prepared for this cruel world being that they are educated at home. Well, worry no more folks. Here's a little run-down/overview of our month at home. I have to submit this stuff monthly to the school so they don't turn me into the state, I guess.

Art: Brooklyn and Ty have continued their study of Botticelli, specifically the prints "Young man being introduced to the seven liberal arts" and "Birth of Venus." They have been illustrating their book with watercolor paintings.

Science: This month Brooklyn and Ty are studying the planets starting with the closest planets to the sun. They have written in their nature notebooks about Mercury, Venus and Earth and seems to be enjoying the material. They have been watching a National Geographic video about all the planets in our solar system.

Math: Brooklyn and Ty started their new math program and are doing very well. They are to lesson 10. The work so far has been review of graphing, addition and subraction and comparing numbers for greater-than, less-than.

Language Arts: Ty and Brooklyn have been journaling daily in their nature notebooks and personal journals. They are encouraged to compose on their own and then are shown any corrections. They have both finished writing a small book: Brooklyn's about her bunny, and Ty's about a turtle. They are being read-aloud to during circle time from the book Milly-Molly-Mandy, and we are about to begin "The Incredible Journey." They are each reading to me daily.

Music: Brooklyn and Ty continue to play the piano and are practicing a few minutes three to four days per week. Brooklyn has a lesson once per week. Most of Ty's instruction is on his own per his choice. They are both completing worksheets from a music theory workbook.

Bible: The kids are each learning memory verses for their individual classes at church. They are also studying 15 minutes daily for Junior Bible Quiz.

The list goes on and on at the Eisenhard House of Perpetual Learning. Rest at ease.

Who Needs Birthcontrol?

This is my H.O.T. husband sporting a fine pair of kid goggles as he was destroying the chimney. I just couldn't help myself but to take a few pics. Maybe for blackmail. Maybe just because I think he's adorable!

I love my kids....I love my kids.....Really, I love my kids!!!
We spent six hours in the car today.
I have to keep repeating this until I feel it again.

Brooklyn went to bed two hours early. Its the best punishment for her because she HATES it (and then we don't have to listen to her nasty attitude.)

Ty mellowed out once we finally got out of the car.

Madelyn has since quit kicking the seat in front of her, pulling the hair of those near her, hoarding the toys and asking when we are going to have lunch.

It was a great day.....honest.


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On another note - my sister says she finally knows why I am the way I am! What I think she means by that is 1)Why I'm never prepared, 2) Why my house looks like a tornado zone, 3)Why my kids' hair is rarely brushed and certainly never styled. 4)Why I really don't care about either of those.

Here's why: She has had little Zoe (and only Zoe) for three years. She had a clean house. She had the toys put where they were supposed to go (I'm so sure! What is that!). Even Zoe knew where the toys went. Her floor was NEVER dirty. Her bathrooms were ALWAYS clean. There was never any unidentifiable food stuck to the floors and seats of her immaculate, always washed, always vacuumed car. I really didn't understand it.

And now I do.

She had Chloe a month ago, and her world has been rocked! Kind of like mine was with number 3. (Okay, really we all know number 1 put me over the edge, but since we were already over, why not go all the way).

And now I can sit back and smile and feel perfectly "normal."