Dec 23 - Dec29th
I know we are on holidays - But Big A has been having a hard time NOT doing school - so we are doing a little bit...
We will save our holiday time for when we go to Winnipeg. There is a possiblity of us going away for 3-4 weeks in April / May.

PE:
2 hours of Ice Skating at Abby Rec Center (SOOOO MUCH FUN!!)
Play Abby

Church
- Christmas concert practice
-Christmas stories
-Christmas Art
-Sang at Church Christmas Concert

TV
-Wild Kratts
-Sid the Science Kid
-Sesame Street
-Cosby Show
-Noah
-Jonah

Math:
Dream Box
Made Cookies for Santa

Skype with Grandma & Grandpa

Lots of printing and drawing on her new Crayola Activity Center (lots of printing and drawing will be happening)

Dec 16 - 22

Dec 16 - 22
This week was a little slower for school.
Random Acts of Kindness this week:
-bought a homeless man a sandwhich from TimHortons
-gave the same man money a few days later while watching him dig through our garbage dumpter.
-collecting LOTS of jackets, hats, mitts , socks, clothes, blankets for the homeless involved in 5 & 2 ministries
-so far we have made 200 chocolate covered pretzels - lots moe to be made - Big A made about 100 of them so far :)

PE
Walks
Excercise DVD
Dancing
2 hour playtime at Play Abby

MATH
Lots of Dreambox computer math game
Making Christmas Pretzels
Counting Christmas Pretzels
BIg A finished 10 pages in a new math book today. (flew through it - thanks to the new dreambox - the workbooks are easy for her now!
She did adding, subracting, greater than / less than, number order...) she kept begging for more pages :)

SCIENCE
Sid the Science Kid
Wild Kratts

LANGUAGE ARTS & READING
Mommy & daddy read stories to the girls this week.
Big A has to read the words on the computer.

SOCIALS
Delivered lots of gifts to the church office staff , child care volunteers, sunday school teachers (29people).
Bought gifts for homeless - creating christmas gifts with mitts, socks, soap, washcloths, toothbrush & toothpaste, combs...

MUSIC
Singing at church
Singing - practice for Christmas Concert _ (that she is determind NOT to be in!!)
Listening to a bunch of new Cd's

DRAMA

ART
Sunday school craft
Making Chocolates
Making chocolate covered pretzels
Decorating the Christmas Bags for the homeless gifts
Lots of free art with paper, markers, stickers

HEALTH & NUTRITION  / HOME-EC
Making Chocolates
Making chocolate covered pretzels
Making gifts for homeless
Collecting clothes for homeless

SOCIAL SITUATIONS
Sunday School

Dec 9-15

Dec 9-15
I wont be able to fill in everything for this week - as Big A went on a surprise trip to Grandma & Grandpas house for the week.
I sent along workbooks, and new reading books &  Art supplies.
They live on an acreage - so there will be lots of hiking.


PE
Big A built an igloo type fort with grandpa and played in it.
Big A is having A great time at grandma and grandpas...
-building snowmen
-GTing
-sledding
-hiking

MATH
Big A worked in some math workbooks
Counted floor tiles at grandma & grandpas

SCIENCE
Big A watched some science shows on TV
Built a fire outside with Grandpa (and weiner roast)

LANGUAGE ARTS & READING
Big A read grandma 6 stories and grandma read Big A a whole bunch.

SOCIALS

MUSIC
Grandpa plays guitar - him and Big A did  singing together.

DRAMA

ART

HEALTH & NUTRITION  / HOME-EC
Big A built a fire with grandpa and roasted hotdogs

SOCIAL SITUATIONS

Dec 2 - Dec 8

Week of : Dec 2 - 8
THIS MONTH IS ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS FUN & RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS.

This is a very special week for us. My Best Friend from Manitoba is here with her family. It is extra special as they are in the process of adoption Big A & Little A's baby brother. All 3 kids share the same birth mom.
Not sure there will be much book work done this week , mostly time spent with friends / family. I will plug in where we went and what we did during the week as field trips and time with people can be just as educational if not more :)

PE
Sunday:  1 hour swimming
Sunday:  1 hour Mcdonalds playplace
Monday: 2.5 hours walking, running, hiking, puddle jumping, climbing at Harrison Lake
Monday: 2 hours Play Abby indoor playplace
Tuesday:  4 hours Walking, running - at ocean in White Rock
Wednesday: Castle Fun Park - mini golf, and other fun games :)
Thursday: 1.5 hours Played in the big Gym at Camp Stillwood, run, throw balls, kick balls...
Thursday: 1hour in McDonalds Playplace
Friday: 3 Hours at Go Bananas
Saturday: 2 hours of climbing, hiking, and GTing on the snow at grandma & grandpas

MATH
Sunday: 2 hours Dreambox Math website
Monday: finished subtraction workbook - 5 pages.
Wednesday: 1 hour Dreambox Math website

SCIENCE
Monday: Explored the hot springs and talked about sulphur
Tuesday: Sid the Science Kid
Tuesday: Explore the Ocean at White Rock and talk about ocean life, search for shells & crabs

LANGUAGE ARTS & READING
Monday: Sight word crossword puzzle
Read to me 6 sentences in a reading workbook - focusing on sight words.

SOCIALS
I think our field trips fit here...

MUSIC
Listen to lots of music in the car while driving to all our outings this week,

DRAMA
Watched Santa Paws - A special Christmas movie on adoption.

ART
We didnt do much for art this week...

HEALTH & NUTRITION  / HOME-EC
Eat at subway - chose own healthy toppings for sandwich :)

SOCIAL SITUATIONS:
Play with brother and "sisters"

Nov 26 - Dec 1

Week of Nov 26 - Dec 1 

I find that Big A loves the educational DVD's and Exercise DVD's. I am able to actually have a productive day when this happens too - win win I would say :)  I think I may have posted this before...

On Monday we bounced from active  or educational DVD to table activities - FANTASTIC DAY!!!  no arguing  no emotional outburst, ate all food given to her and willing to try new things (huge success)...

PE
DVD - Up , Down, and all Around - Movement for everyone. (40mins) - Monday (this one was loved)
climbing in and pushing around boxes (not sure why - i don't ask any more)
A 30-40 min  walk in the Sunshine (Tues)
Lots of mall walking (Wed)
30 mins gym play at kids club  - played cat & dog, parachute, (wed)
DVD - Monkey Monkey Music  (dancing  & action songs) 36mins (Thurs) (we wont get this one again)
DVD - HI 5  (dancing & action)  (Thurs)
DVD - Up , Down, and all Around - Movement for everyone. (40mins) (Fri)

Math
-DVD - Number Beats
I love how she teaches about how to hold the pencil in a fun way...the alligator chop (Big A really needed this!)
This DVD is quite interactive  - Big A was talking to the Tv - getting up and pointing, repeating the number chants & poems.
So Cute - She could not get enough of this DVD.
Time spent on math DVD this morning...aprox.  1 hour & 40 mins on numbers 0-9.
Both girls wanted to continue to watch...so during lunch they watched how to count by 2's, 5's, and 10's.
TOTAL TIME OF DVD about 2 hours of math Monday!!

Don't ask me about the box...I think it must be a sensory thing...
more math done this week:
-Time
-Patterns
-3D shapes
-Subtraction work book
-Calender
-Flashcard & Clothes pin game - putting the same number of clothes pins as the flashcard says to put on.
-2 hours of math games on Dream Box learning website (Fri)
-3-4 hours of math on Dream Box learning ( Sat)


Language Arts & Reading
-Popcorn Sight words - she is getting faster and learning new words everyday - very exciting.
-B Sound word search
-CH sound word search
-Opposites...hello & goodbye, dark & light, up & down, hot & cold...

Explored the book: Brain, Nerves, and Senses
Explored the book: A kid's guide to the brain
Explored the book: The amazing human body
Explored the book: The brain
Read : Hurricanes
Read: Tornados
Read: The Brain
Christmas tree story at Home school circle time

Science
Explored the book: Brain, Nerves, and Senses
Explored the book: A kid's guide to the brain
Explored the book: The amazing human body
Explored the book: The brain

Read : Hurricanes
Read: Tornados
Read: The Brain

Talk about weather - on our calendar

Play and explore with an interactive Kaleidoscope - where she can change what goes in it.

TV - Barney - talk about Monkeys & chimpanzee (what they eat, where they live, what they do)
   -ducks (laying & hatching eggs), - dogs (dog show),


Socials
A Visit with Santa Clause (Wed)

Music
Lots of music in Exercise DVD
Christmas Music
Singing songs from the Barney show (Tuesday)
Big A listens to the soundtrack or The Wizard of Oz a few times each day, and performs for us...
DVD that we used for PE on Thursday was a music video
DVD - HI 5 - lots of singing
TV - Barney - lots of singing & music
DVD - Wizard of Has (Veggie Tales)

Drama
DVD - Hi 5 - lots of make believe & story telling.
I was not sure this week if I should be impressed with creativity, or grossed out...
Big A was pretending to be homeless and dumped all the recycling all over her bed... I went with it as to not create a scene and not interrupt play...

There have been a few times this week where Big A will play homeless. She started a role play where I was homeless and she was helping me with blankets and food...I just went with it and played along.

DVD - Wizard of Has (Veggie Tales)

Health & Nutrition / Home Ec
Big A has helped with finding recycling and putting it away.
Big A has helped with vaccuming.
Big A has helped with sorting laundry and putting it into the washer & dryer.
Big A tried a new food this week and liked it :)  Breakfast was mini quiche & oranges.

ART:
Big A asked for a tac one day...she made a picture for Santa - of Santa and poked holes in it...she learned it last year at school. Looks pretty neat :)
Paper airplanes
Paper Ducks (trying to see what flies better a airplane or a bird :)
Home School Circle Time - Christmas Tree art (lots of glueing)

Big A Social Situations:
Play date with Katherine s kids (Tues)
Visit Santa (Wed)
Visit Auntie Lisa (Wed)
Kids Club (Wed)
DVD - Facing Fears without Freaking out. (Thurs)
TV - Barney (Thurs) - talk about friendship, how to be a friend
Homeschool Circle Time (Fri)
Sunday School (Sun)

I am looking for an outlet for Big A to serve & help the homeless. This seems to be very big on her heart at the moment.
FOUND:  The 5 & 2 Ministries allows children to come and serve. So we are collecting hats, mitts, socks, jackets, sleeping bags, and blankets. Then we will take it down on a serve supper night and give it to the people.

We ended our Wizard of OZ unit with DVD - Wizard of Has (Veggie Tales)

NEXT WEEK WILL BE MOSTLY FIELD TRIPS AND SOCIAL...My best friend from Winnipeg is coming with her family....and they are adopting Big A & Little A's brother...so we are going to have a LOT of fun with them next week :)  Big A is VERY excited!! (as am I).

Nov 21 -25
Big A did most of  her work and play today wearing the wizard of oz - Dorothy red ruby slippers :)

Math
math work book - putting numbers in order from smallest to largest
- counting & printing
-count by 2's dot to dot & read numbers in order after finished
-count by 5's dot to dot & read numbers in order after finished
Work book 1.2 - we worked on tens & ones
-less & more
-number maze
bake chocolate chip cookies
ate chocolate chip cookies - and counted as many chips as we could
hi 5 tv show - shapes were discussed & played with this morning
flashcard / clothes pin game (15 mins)

1-100 ...made into a puzzle type activity. took a long while - but she did it and did a great job!!

science
wild kratts tv show - about Kangaroos
wild kratts computer games
HAHA - I told Big A that Wild Kratts was science...she got very excited and said, "I didn't know it was a learning thing :)  "

Big A was enjoying exploring all our special rocks Wed.
TV show -  Sid the Science Kid, talked about weather, the importance of rain and making predictions.

Magnifine glasses were played with.

Computer - Sid the science kid.  She is learning about mold, bacteria, immune system...
We have started a science project to see how long it takes to grow mold on a white hot dog bun.
She is very excited to watch the progress.

language arts
word world tv show - about oo words
starfall.com games
hi 5 tv show - lots of stories
times phonics / spelling game (15mins)
popcorn sight words (15 mins) - trying to do daily
we started printing in  her "All about me" work book.

TV - WordGirl
Reading workbook  initial sounds and final sounds

Reading

We worked on her reading workbook
She read most of the word problems in her math book
She read the"reading" book

Many stories were read to and by her

Home - ec
set up and decorate Christmas tree

cleaned up toys & organized bookshelves

Art

Big A did a lot of art this morning. drawing, cutting. taping...
She created a unicorn costume for herself.
She drew pictures of tornado s and being prepared for them.


we did a lot of play dough this week. here is one of the creations made by Big A

Social studies

TV show - Sagwa the Siamese cat (learn about China)
Visit to Library
I took big A to Glendas Christmas Cottage, to enjoy the sights and smells of Christmas.
we started her "All about me" work book.
put on clothes from china & read our facts card about China
talked about our friends that live in China
found China on our map

music
listen to Christmas music pretty much all day & while setting up & decorating the tree
lots of Christmas music this week
Wizard of Oz sound track
Singing songs with mommy & Baby A
singing at church
Sunday school class did a little concert for the parents of songs they have been learning
Our exercise DVDs have a lot of music in them

Drama
Today the girls were pretending to be in a restaurant. Big A was the waitress and Little A was the customer.
This went on for quite some time... :)
There was a lot of dress-up and pretend play today. I did not see it all - took advantage of the quietness and did some cleaning!!


Fine Motor Development
Beading, creating necklaces, bracelets & rings
Play dough

PE
Walk to park
Walk at mall
DVD -

One day Big A really just wanted to play computer games...I bribed her with educational fun games. I pulled out 4 bins and set a timer. each game 15 mins. After the 4 bins she could play more computer. It worked great. Will be doing this again!

A week with grandma here, mom and dad gone for a  few days :)
Big A had a great time with Grandma here.
They played a lot of board games.  Scrabble Jr, Sorry, Animal Soduku.
They did many puzzles 100pc & 550 pc.
Big A created her own board game.
She watched Magic School Bus, Sid the science kid, Wild Kratz, Wizard of Oz movie a few times, Curious George, Word World.
For PE - they walked a few times to Mill lake and played on the playground, walked to McDonalds playplace, and played a lot of Simon Says.
They did a lot of reading, and Big A read 5 stories to grandma too.
Big A also baked cookies with grandma too.

CRAZY

Its been a little crazy and intense. I am feeling like we are falling behind.

We are back up and running...
Big A was in a homeschool drama / music class. There were a lot of issues during the classes - with behaviour and emotional meltdowns...but performance night...she SHINED!! I am soooo proud of her!!

The month of November we are doing a unit on The Wizard of Oz.  Big A LOVES Musicals.
So far we have read the story, listened to the sound track a lot...and watched the movie.
Big A has been working on Math flashcards for addition & subtraction.  Rainbow maze, rainbow colors (ROYGBIV), and other fun wizard of oz stuff.

Should be a good month!

We also have a lot of appointments.

Today the OT is coming to observe Baby A eat food, and see if we cant increase the number of food items that she eats. Also - how to get her to brush her teeth as that is too sensitive for her.


Halloween was also a fun time. We made it through successfully and without meltdowns.  No facepaints, and we did day time mall trick or treating instead of night time spooky trick or treating. :)  Love it when we can enjoy what others enjoy.  Makes us feel normal.

Today is Monday- Here is a look into our week...(I will keep updating this page all week)
keep checking in for more information this week.

In My Life:
I would love a date night with my husband. Not sure it will be this week unless its a home date.
I like that idea...maybe we will do a candlelight steak dinner this week. Thats a good goal :)

In our Home school:
I hope that we get a lot of fun learning accomplished this week.
Mon - Wed is nice and slow this week.

Places we are going, or people we are seeing:
Monday
Today is a lots of school work & cleaning day
Big A did...
Patterns & Cores in Math Text book
Add & Coloring worksheet
Reading & being read to
Pumpkin worksheets
Excercise DVD
Lifting 2lb weights
Helping with Laundry

Tuesday
Today is a lots of school work & cleaning day
Wednesday
Today is a lots of school work & cleaning day
Kids Club 6:30 - 8:00 for Big A

Thursday
Drama 9-12
1230 - Meet Jenny
1-230 - Meeting for possible supports for Big A
3:00 - 430 - Anxiety Support Meeting for Big A
7-  Homeschooling Meeting :)

Friday
Soul Food - Moms morning out :)


Things I am working on:
Still trying to de-clutter, and organize the house, so its not so chaotic!
Trying to get Big A the supports & diagnosis that she needs to thrive!

Photo, Video, Link or Quote I like this week:


Books we read:
Who is Jesus? by Carolyn Nystrom
Egg Story: by Anca Hariton
Horses & Ponies - By Janine Amos & Discovery Kids.

Tuesday already - had a mostly Happy Thanksgiving.



Here is a look into our week...(I will keep updating this page all week)
keep checking in for more information this week.

In My Life:
Not sure what to expect this week. Even though it feels like its half over.

In our Home school:
Make education fun.

Places we are going, or people we are seeing:


Sunday
Big A spiked a temp or 103, and slept Sunday away.

Monday
Made cupcakes today to celebrate Baby A's birthday.
A great visit with gramma & grampa on Monday.
Gramma gave Big A some activity work books and she has been eagerly working through them today. Gramma taught Big A how to read clocks, and worked on days of the week & months of the year. Big A loved it :)
Big A rode her bike to Mill  Lake & Back. We played at the park for 3 hours , riding bike, playing ball, blowing bubbles, chasing squirrels, watching them collect the nuts, swinging on swings, watchind the ducks - what a beautiful day!!
Very proud of her riding her bike - This is something she is not very good at yet.


Tuesday
Today was a buckle down and do lots of work day!

Wednesday
Big A & Little A went to Aunties for the day.
They did much walking & running...in Costco, At the river, at the football field, at the  park :)
Big A also worked on math book.

Kids club for Big A
Big A did singing, gym time, story time...

Thursday

Big A Drama / Music class 9-12
Big A did lots of drama & singing this morning working hard towards their performance on Nov 1st.

Big A has her Anxiety Class this afternoon 3:00-4:30
Big A is learning different ways to cope with her fears & anxieties. This is one of the highlights of her week as she so desperately wants to be "normal".

Friday
Today we worked on math workbook, pumpkin activities, and went to socialize with other kids while mommy went to mom's morning out :)

Saturday

Things I am working on:
Getting organized on the homeschooling
Purging / Downsizing
Making School more fun

Photo, Video, Link or Quote I like this week:

Books we read:
Treasury of Dick & Jane
Many Berenstein Bear Books
Many Robert  Munch Books...

Its Sunday again...

 Here is a look into our week...(I will keep updating this page all week)
keep checking in for more information this week.

In My Life:
This week seems to be all about Baby A.
Baby A will  be turning 2 this week. Its our first birthday we get to celebrate with her.

In our Home school:
Make education fun.

Places we are going, or people we are seeing:
Sunday
Today we worked on our Science. We are working on a study of animals. Animal habitats this week.
Big A & I created a chart of all the animals that she could think of . then circled in different colors if they are bigger or smaller animals.
She then did a worksheet on Animals, and made a habitat / animal book.
We read a bunch of science story books on animals today. See below for list we read together.
Big A also enjoyed a lot of time playing with her new electronic phonics game.
I love that she can play & learn. Nice to not have tears when learning.
Had a pop in play date with a friend and her 3 kids :) it was a nice break in the day.

Monday 
Child Development Clinic is coming to see Baby A

Tuesday
We did a lot of reading and math today.
Big A learned to count to 10 by 2's today.
We did adding by 2's worksheet, and a few other math sheets
Big A worked on lots of writing & drawing  today.
Big A read to daddy when mommy went out in the evening :)

Wednesday
Field trip / Birthday party for Baby A at the Zoo
The morning was a lot of fun and exciting, celebrating Baby A's birthday at the zoo.
We counted animals, compared sizes. We did a lot of walking & running for a few hours.
We just had fun being kids.
Big A, enjoyed playing her phonics electronic game. She has been challenging herself to see if she can get them all right.

Kids club for Big A
Big A did lots of singing and gym play this evening at kids club.

Baby A spiked a fever late afternoon and began throwing up...

Thursday
Big A has her first Drama class today 9-12. She is very excited.
Big A had a great time at Drama /  Music class.
Since being home, she has been reading and reading and reading her script & songs. She LOVES the group!
Big A loved all the dancing, and games that they played in class to - it wore her out  :)

Big A has her Anxiety Class this afternoon 3:00-4:30

Friday
Baby A turns 2 today!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY A!!!!
Baby A was sick today.
We had a low key math day , and played some active wii games.

Saturday



Things I am working on:
Getting organized on the homeschooling
Purging / Downsizing
Finishing the girls sensory bedroom
Making School more fun

Photo, Video, Link or Quote I like this week:

Books we read:
Animal Nests - by Lynn Nicol
Crocodiles Live in the swamp  - by Sally Odgers
Homes in the ground - by Susan Canizares & Mary Reid
Snowy Owls - by Helen Frost
Polar Bears - by Emily Rose Townsend

Sometimes I like to curl up in a ball - by Vicki Churchill
ABC Animal Jamboree - by Giles Andrea
The Berenstein Bears God Loves You - by Stan & Jan Berenstein
No Matter What - by Emma Dodd

I have been on a lot of websites & blogs this week - trying to figure out Big A & some homeschooling fun.
I found an idea on a blog that I really like.
I am going to try some of her ideas on mine :)  (i dont remember where i found it - so i cant give her the credit)...

Today is Sunday. - Here is a look into our week...(I will keep updating this page all week)
keep checking in for more information this week.

In My Life:
This week is all about Big A, and trying to get the help she needs, and the help we need to give her what she needs.

In our Home school:
This week - my goal is to get through the week :)
We will work on all the subjects - but I think we will focus on Math, and Socials this week more heavily.
We will take books along to our appointments and do reading while we are in waiting rooms.

Places we are going, or people we are seeing:
Monday

1)  Eye Doctor
We saw the eye doctor and he said she has the correct prescription. She has depth perception issues that are being corrected by her glasses.  He doesn't think the migraine is from her eyes as that is in the front of the head, and the flickering lights last 10-15 mins...he is concerned that they last a lot longer than that.

Park
Added in a trip to the park. Had a great time swinging , running around playing tag, climbing , collecting leaves, watching squirrels collect nuts...

Library
This evening I took Big A to the library to work on school work without the distractions of a phone, computer, a house to clean, a baby always needing me :)  It was wonderful. After we did our work - there was a pajama story time at the Library that Big A very much enjoyed!  She asked if we could make this a weekly thing doing work at the library and story time just the two of us :)
Nice way to end a day.

Tuesday
School work
Big A wrote a story about a mouse.
For large muscle today - the girls had fun playing in the tunnel, throwing beanbags, rocking on the rocking horse,
We made leaf wreaths from the leaves we found at the park yesterday. The girls had a great time!
Math: We have now finished 60 pages in the book...we are done with Number Sense: counting, match by counting, There is order here, the number that means nothing, writing numbers, counting using a chart, more and less, one to one correspondence, how many more, counting on, counting to 20, using a chart to count to 20, tens and ones blocks, ordering numbers, and comparing to 5 & 10.
Next on to adding and subtracting which looks like more she will fly through!! Good thing there is more than 1 text book - i have a feeling this one will be done a lot sooner than Christmas :)
Reading: computer Starfall.com , and book:  Moses

Wednesday
Reflexologist
Reflexologist couldn't find anything wrong with Big A - except stress / tension in her head / neck (which could be causing the headaches...but she couldn't figure out the pain in the abdomen. Suggested doing more massage at home, to help with the stress / tension.
Friend Lisa
Thanks Lisa for letting me do free laundry today - I really appreciate it!!
Big A's old school friends-play at playground with them after school
Big A enjoyed seeing old friends and playing at the park with them
Kids Club at Bakerview Church
(PE) Big A really enjoyed the gym time tonight playing with a parachute, and balls :)
School Work
Big A worked on addition in her work book today.
(Music) - Kids club
(Art) - Kids club
(PE) - kids club & park
(Socials & LA) - wrote letters to pen pals, took to post office, bought a stamp, and mailed the letters.

Thursday

Made it through another day. Some days that's all I hope for.
Got through most of the school work. Next week we need to do a science / socials focus.
Rudy was off today - so I did a little purging, and reorganizing...Trying to delete excess from the girls room today and add more calming / sensory items.  Made a play area in the living room. I think I like it... we will see.  They say that less is more and I really am starting to agree with that!!

 Child & Youth Mental Health Anxiety Group for Big A
The anxiety group was good for both of us I think. Both learned a lot. Now to try to put some of the learnings into practice.
Health on Big A...still in a lot of pain. Had a spurt of shortness of breath this evening freaked her and me out with it...not sure what that was all about :(

Friday
Pediatrician - hopefully for a few answers...
Well - ran into another idiot pediatrician. ..  Big A was pit on laxitives, and told to come back in 6-8 WEEKS if she was still in pain...SERIOUSLY??? I am supposed to let my daughter suffer from unknown issues of pain for another 6-8 weeks till she will be looked at again??
School:
(PE) daddy took the girls to the park for a little over an hour :)  thank you daddy!
We will be doing school on Saturday looks like...


Things I am working on:
Getting organized on the homeschooling
Purging / Downsizing
Dairy Free week for Big A
Getting Big A signed up for a drama class
well - 2 out of 4 isnt so bad.

Photo, Video, Link or Quote I like this week:

Books we read this week:

Thump, Quack, Moo - by Doreeb Cronin & Betsy Lewin

Lots of Feelings - by Shelley Rotner (love the photos, expressions and  multi-culture in the book.)

My Little Sister Ate One Hare - by Bill Grossman (a silly book about counting backwards)

Its been a looooong week!!

Turns out Big A did not have a bladder / kidney infection.
After several days of in and out of the hospital all week, turns out they have no clue why Big A has pain that feels like someone stabbing her in the abdomen with a knife...and why she has been having so many headaches that come with flashing lights in her eyes...

Being her mom  - I am very concerned and frustrated.

I have been doing so much internet research this week and i am temporarily self diagnosing my daughter...

This is what I have come up with ...

Fetal alcohol (birth mom drank during pregnancy)
Anxiety
Dyslexia
Sensory Processing Disorder
Unexplained Somatic Complaints. (this one came up as after all the tests at the hospital - they cant find anything that is causing the pain and distress)

I know I am not a doctor - but it all goes together and she exhibits much from all of these...

To the School Work:

We have done much Friday & Saturday to make up for this week
Reading done by her and to her all week (as her hand was pretty much out of commission.
We took the dot to dot book to the hospital with us along with a bunch of story books to read while we were waiting for tests...
I joined a home-schooling group and borrowed "PE" stuff to do in  the house. We borrowed a children's exercise DVD and a bag with a movement CD , scarves, beanbags, stretchy ropes, skipping ropes...
It has been a lot of fun.

This next week is filled with appointments...
Monday - Eye Apt to rule out why the headaches occur
Wednesday - Foot Reflexology - as sometimes they can find things doctors cant
Thursday - We meet with Child and Youth Mental health - for an anxiety meeting as she met the qualifications to get into the program..(which confirms the anxiety issues)
Friday - We meet with a paediatrician and hopefully he can point us in the right direction to get some diagnosis & treatments & supports.

Here is a link to Big A reading a story :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxsixgNtznw

Monday:

Today Big A worked on all her work books, and finished at least 12 pages in her math book...maybe more.
We did some dancing.
We watched some Sunny Patch Spider.
Big A read 75 pages in her Dick and Jane book.

Around 3:00 I took Big A to the hospital as she has been complaining about pain for a few weeks. Thought we would try again in getting results since last time got no where...

Well after 5 hours in ER...Aliyah can't really use her right hand...
She has a bladder / kidney infection gone bad, and has an IV tube attached in her hand, and while at home it is wrapped in gauze and a mitt to protect it.
We have to go to the hospital in the evenings for IV meds.
She says that her hand is in a lot of pain.

I guess she will be doing lots of reading and being read too... as she cant really print at the moment :(

Sunday :

Today Big A did art in Sunday School.
She also participated in singing during the worship service.
Big A also worked on several pages of dot to dot...1-100...

We may take some time off - or a lot shorter day Wed , when daddy is off.

I didnt think that I would be doing a post today.

We were priveldeged to watch a Big A drama performance this morning...I believe it was called "flower"...?

Little A is napping, and Big A has been begging me to work on her school work books...

So she is currently working on her science project that she started yesturday about Living and Non living things, and catagorizing the Living into plants & animals.

Then she has also asked to work in her math book...

I guess we will take some of these ones down a notch this week :)

We had a fantastic evening at the chuch fall festival.

Big A enjoyed bouncy castles, and the opportunity to go on a trampoline, tied up and could go extra high...

Today is Friday :)
We are all still sick around here. Thankfully we have the option of staying in our jammies and working from home...have I mentioned that I am loving this home-schooling thing?  :)
I think this is our first real full day.

830-930am (Math)
We started the day off with an hour of math to get it out of the way.
Big A worked on her math book for half an hour, and did really good. (mommy enjoyed cleaning the kitchen while big A worked) (little A enjoyed coloring pictures)
We played a dice game this morning, where Big A rolls 2 dice, and tells me the numbers, we write them down and figure out what they add up to. She really enjoyed this game.
Then we worked on her word problem math book. This book she has more difficulties with, so I read the question and she comes up with the answer.

930-945 (Free Time, Music / Drama)
For her break time she chose to watch the TV show High 5.
Its about music, dancing, drama, story telling. The theme of the show we watched today was colors, music, and feelings.
Both girls really love this short little show.

945-10:30 (LA)
Art / Writing  book
I am enjoying watching the creativity of Big A's stories that she writes.
Yesterdays story was about a caterpillar, today's story was about a bird.
It takes a while for me to figure out some of her words, but I am not concerned with the spelling in the book, (I will care later - but not right now - I am just very happy that she is enjoying writing stories :)

Big A said her hands were hurting - so we are took a break from writing...

10:30 - 11:15 (LA) Reading Time together
Mommy Read:
My Precious Little Bear. by Claire Freedman
Goldilocks & The three Bears.

Big A Read:
Have you seen my cat? by Eric Carle

11:00 - 12:00
Free Time & Lunch and get little A ready for her nap.
Girls made a fort under the coffee table in the living room.
Did Art, Singing,
(PE)  Indoor Knee Tag  - where they crawl on their knees and try to catch each other :)
Pop in Visit from CFS to give us little A's adoption papers, and a gift to congratulate on the finalization of the adoption!!  :)

12:00 - 12:30 (LA)
Silent reading

1230-1:00 - free time - mommy had to take a phone call.

1:00 - 2:00 (Science & Art)
Big A really loves animals, so we have decided to work through our Animal Science book first.
Today she started to color the pictures on the 2 pages, cut them out and glued them into "living" and "nonliving" groups. After this she grouped living things into "plants" and "animals"
It took her an hour (to start)...she is a perfectionist.
(We will be PVRing episodes of Wild Kratts , I find them to be very educational with animals.)
(We will also be PVRing episodes of Magic School Bus for Science as well)

2:00-2:30 (LA)
watched Electric Company
 
2:30-2:50 (PE)
Dance Party
Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

It was a full - great day :)

I don't mind using TV for educational purposes. Big A learns a lot from TV.
I prefer to give her mostly educational shows instead of fluffy nonsense.  We enjoy a lot of PBS & Knowledge Kids).  Big A often "plays" or re-enact things that she watches on TV.


I need to figure out some new learning games because right now I feel like she is doing a lot of work books and not much play/learning... Thankfully she enjoys is it all.
Maybe we need to limit work books to 3x per week and do learning games / and activities the other 2 days...?
I personally find that 8:30-3:00 is too long for a homeschool day...would love suggestions on cutting this back.


Our Goals from now till Christmas...
Lower Big As anxiety
Lower the amount of Big As emotional meltdowns
I would also like to see Big A learn to count by 2's, 5's, & 10,s
I would also like to see her reading skills improve


   

I know I am a very new newbie at this homeschooling thing...but i must say...
We have 4 sick people in our home today...And...
We were still able to do school !!! :)

Big A did as much of her workbooks as she could on her own (Math, Drawing / Story writing, and Spelling / Reading) - while mommy went to the doctor.
She did 20 mins of reading on her own.
Timers really seem to work well for big A.

Then we did more workbooks together when I got home - so I could read the pages and she could answer the questions. (Math word problems, and Spelling).

Then some had naps and some watched TV.
We learned that Electric company is very educational with language skills.
Big A learned about silent letters, short "i" sound.
There was a lot of music, beats, and rythem in  the show to help the kids learn.

We also watched some Sunny Patch Spider. We love that show because it talks about adoption.
The girls also love animals.  They learned about friendship & obeying. Also about chipmunks, snails, predators, bugs, and pinecones.

Big A learned today about compassion, and saying sorry, and thinking before doing, as our actions can really hurt people we love.
(pulling a blanket around a babys neck while baby is sitting on a table...results in baby falling to floor , landing on head, and screaming...
Little A, I hope learned that sitting on coffee tables is not the best place to sit (even though aparently is the best seat in the house.

All parties involved are fine :)

We hope to play some board games after supper...we will see if we all can stay up that long...
Looking forward to creating a flexible schedule, and meeting our DL teacher on Saturday.

Today was another casual homeschooling day.
Math sheets, and an hour of reading.
Mommy went to the curriculum store in Surrey while daddy watched a movie with the girls.
After babys nap I took both girls out to do some last minute shopping. Made a trip to the library and then went for a nice long walk at  Mill Lake. To our surprise the water park was open, and we enjoyed splashing, and running in the water, and looking at the pretty rainbow that the sprinklers made in the sun. Then ran over for some playground fun before heading home for supper.
Another great day.
Now to plan a flexible daily schedule and a little more education happening.  :)

Today was a casual start to our homeschooling.
We worked on some reading, and math pages.
My little perfectionist had a half hour meltdown as she got frustrated with reading some big words.
I was happy to explain that one of the blessings of homeschool is that we can take breaks, and ask mom for help. We can slow down and go at out own speed.  After half hour meltdown, a hug , and a Donut man movie, we were able to continue with out work.
We enjoyed creating with playdough today too.
I am excited that I get to go purchase my curriculum tomorrow and really get started into the new homeschooling process :)

 

Why the name Double A?

My girls names. For the purpose of privacy of their names. We will call them Big A & Little A in the blog. If you know my girls and you are commenting - please use Big A & Little A instead of their full names. Thank you :)

I have been toying with the whole idea of homeschooling for about 2 years now. I know my girls will do good with it...the struggle has been within me. Am I going to be able to give them the education that they need and deserve. Am I going to be organized enough to stay on top of that and the daily grind of being a mom, housewife.  Am I going to be able to stick it through for a minimum of a year? Am I going to be able to get through the day without injuring anyone :)   Well after many sleepless nights, headaches, and much prayer - I am finally at peace about saying YES to the new adventure in homeschooling.  My oldest is in grade 1 and she is just as excited to start this too.  This blog is mostly a form of accountability for me, but I hope that you can find some ideas that help you with having fun with your children too. 
Here we go...