It's "official", we are learing again at the Finley house

I was really, really struggling getting started this year... I won't go into it too much, but the Lord had to walk me through some things. Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes and sending your Holy Spirit to dwell within me so that I can do your work with these blessings you have given to me for a time! Anyway, the day we started Noah woke up at 7 a.m. (he usually wakes up around 9), did his chores without being asked (he never does this), and sat down to eat (usually I have to make them eat about an hour after they get up b/c they are too busy playing). He was so excited about being a kindergartener! So, so sweet and cute. I had to drag myself out of bed while my baby (who had kept me up all night teething) was still sleeping, down some coffee, and put on my happy face. Of course, I couldn't have done any of this with out the strength of the Lord. I don't want to leave that out ;-). We had a great day! What a blessing. The Lord is growing me so much through this journey of raising a family and teaching my children at home. Just when I think I can't go on and I'm not capable, He reminds me that, well, I'm not capable, not without Him. When will I stop trying to do it on my own? Oh, and then there is sweet little Noah (below) passed out while listening to Daddy read a story from "Just So Stories" by Rudyard Kipling. He just couldn't go on anymore after a big day of being an excited, well behaved kindergartener :).

For my little learner who has to touch and see everything...

I recently got these books at a resale store. They are "My First Steps to Reading" by Jane Belk Moncure (they have them at the Library). The entire alphabet for $10 :)! Anyway, I was reading one of them to Noah and I was inspired by the story. The children in the book go looking for things that begin with their letter to add to their box. So, when we got done reading, I put his letter on his box so that he could see it and he (very happily) searched for things to put in his box that began with that letter. He walked around repeating the sound over and over and looking at the letter on his box! Such a good way to learn the sounds! Anyway, as all the best ideas come, this came on a whim, but it's great. He then asked if we could do it everyday :).

Creative kids

Everyone says they want creative kids... Let them make messes! Creativity comes with messes... :).

The mess...

The sushi they made together...

The wallet Ethan made...

The finger puppet Noah made...

Let them have freedom with the supplies (don't freak out about the mess) and see what comes out of it :).

Legacy

My Great grandma Noma passed away after 90 years today. She will be remembered, not for any big, worldy accomplishments she made or awards she received, but for the little things she did.... I will remember her for the tomatoes she grew, for the flowers in her garden, for her chickens, for her homemade fruit roll ups and the BEST wild plum jelly, for NEVER forgetting a birthday, and for knitting a baby blanket for each and every child born to our family! Those are just some of the things, among many, that she will be remembered for. So, a little encouragement: when you think that all the "little things" you do are going unnoticed, or that they "don't really matter", think of this. All of those "little things" added up to the big legacy that she left.

Hidden Letters

We had a good time looking for these letters. The boys helped find them and take the pictures. Once we had found the entire alphabet, then we printed them all out and put them in a photo book in order. It's a great pre-school activity, but Ethan, my first grader, had fun helping too. It's like a scavenger hunt for letters :).

Hmm...

Boys are messy. These are the kind of things that truly make their little hearts happy. I have learned over the last 7 years that there isn't a mess that can't be cleaned up... or covered up :). AND it's usually not as bad as it looks :). I'm curious about how this little "princess" (which term I hate, but the boys are somehow already calling her) will change the dynamics around here. It looks like she's wondering too...

It's these sweet little moments I soak in through out the day that make all the craziness fade away...

Dr. Seuss

We had a fun school day today. Yes, Dr. Seuss's birthday was yesterday, but I forgot, so we celebrated today. I didn't really have a plan, so I just pulled out all of his books that we had. I let the boys each choose one to read, and as we were reading "Oh the Thinks You Can Think" I was inspired to let each of them choose one illustration to draw out of the book of their choice. Noah chose a picture out of "Green Eggs and Ham" and Ethan one out of "Hop on Pop". Simple, but we had a lot of fun with it. I'm sure if I had been prepared (like a good mom) we could have made green eggs and ham or something like that... maybe next year :). There are so many fun things you could do to celebrate Seuss that you could have a whole week of it!

Ethan had a very elaborate show of his. He wouldn't let anyone see it until he was done (which thoroughly annoyed Noah). Then he "presented" it as if it were a masterpiece on display at an art museum. So theatrical, that boy is... I don't know where he gets it.

I had to partake in the fun too,

of course. There was this little guy that I never noticed before at the beginning of "Oh the Thinks You Can Think" with such great words written under him..."From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." Also, I couldn't resist "red fish". Happy belated birthday Dr. Seuss. Thanks for all of the good books :).