Dec 8 - 14

For the week of Dec 8th - 14th 2013

PE:
2 hours playing at Safari Zone (climbing, running, jumping, sliding...)
1 hour Neighborhood walk
Dancing for the musical (many hours this week!)
1 hour gymnastics
2 hours at play Abby (climbing, running, jumping, sliding...)

LANGUAGE ARTS:
Explode the Code 3 book:
lesson 11: ai and ay
lesson 12: oa and ow
lesson 13: ee and ea  / ai and ay  / oa and ow
Big A FINISHED  the explode the code book this week. Well done Big A!


SCIENCE:
Cat in the Hat: learning about Spiders & Webs
                     *learning how to problem solve



FINE ARTS:

MUSIC
Bakerview Music Academy:
2 hours violin
2 hours choir pratice
Christmas Concert was this week too... half hour violin & half hour singing.

CIK kids musical:
1.5 hour practise
3 hour dress rehersal plus 1/ 2 hour lunch with friends
3 performances (each about an hour long)

ART:
4cats Art Studio: Big A did more painting on the large canvas, and worked on scetching & clay work.

Dec 1 - 7, 2013

Dec 1 was Little A's 2nd Gotch Day (2 years ago we welcomed her into our family)
We celebrated with popcorn and movie Elmos Christmas.
This morning we went to church.
Big A went to Sunday school (singing, dancing, games, art, reading stories, working on memory verses)
Big A went to worship service & participated in the service by singing & listening & doing activity pages (dot to dot, color by number, and coloring).

PE:
dancing
neighborhood walks
1 hour gymnastics

FINE ARTS:
Drama
the girls were doing drama and working on a little play about Joseph & Mary.
They did lots of singing and dancing.

ART:
-lots of drawing & coloring during the week

-4Cats Art Studio -
 they spent an hour sculpting clay and creating a beautiful winter scene.
This was working on social skills, fine motor, waiting, listening, following instructions...

-Bakerview Music Academy
2 hours violin this week
2 hours choir

-CIK Musical
1 hour musical practice this week (singing, dancing)


Big A had a hard time in the evening while waiting for supper and spent time in her quiet corner listening to music.
(This area could use some extra items)...(something soft, squishy, lighting...)


1.5 hours kids club (social skills building, stories, songs, drama, gym time, art, snack)

Getting Back into the Blog...

I have been feeling discouraged and feeling like we are not accomplishing anything with our homeschooling - so I am bringing back the blog!
I feel like when I am able to write about our days in blog form and add photos then I feel like we are actually doing more - I do not feel like I get what I want into a small weekend report.
So follow along if you choose or don't . I am doing this for me :)

This Saturday - last evening of November, I took the girls to a music concert. It was beautiful. Grade 10-12 students singing, playing violins, cellos, a harp, clarinet, trumpet, surrounded by Christmas trees, simple white lights and candles - singing beautiful songs for the Lord.
What a great way to begin our Christmas Season.

SUMMER TIME...

SUMMERTIME FUN & LEARNING...

A week a granpa & grandmas...(June 27 - July 5)
*enchanted forest
*spray park & beach
*wiener roast
*picking wild strawberries
*playdough
*learning to play chinese checkers

weekend at home -
I was blown away by how well the girls have been getting along - we have been trying a new routine and its really working quite well. play time morning while mommy is productive and then fun afternoon / evening. no whining, no tantrums, no fights - love it - wondering how long this will continue...we have a week of inturrupted schedule with VBS - but then we can do this schedule again - will be interesting to see what happens...

A week at VBS (July 8 - 12)

Daddys shift is changing again - so we will only have the car in the late afternoon / evening...not sure what kind of adventures will occur

(July 12, 13, 14)
We took a family mini vacation to Portland Oregon. None of us had ever been there before, and we are trying to teach the girls to use birthday money and other monye on experiences instead of stuff (especially because we dont have room for stuff). So Big A used her birthday money to get us into the Oregon Zoo, and the Oregon & Childrens Museum. Big A's favorite part of the childrens Museum was the animal hospital - where she could dress up like a vet and use real vet equipment on stuffed animals. She also really liked the childsize grocery store, and the theater where they could dress up - sing and dance on stage and create whatever they wanted to. Such a fun place!!
The zoo was beautiful too - one of the best I have been in. So natural. Some of the amazing animals we saw at the zoo were: Elephants, Giraffe, Hippo,  Rhino, Penguins, Polar Bears...to name a few. Spent a beautiful day in the sun admiring all the animals. What a fantastic trip!

(July 15 -20)
15th - lots of dramatic play
16th - about 1 hour on Dreambox math computer game &  spray park & slurpees
17th - Spray Park
18th - Today we went to Minter Gardens and an unplanned trip to Harrison Lake

20th - *Signed papers for moving into new apartment - has a little more space for doing art , and cheaper :)
          *mommy organized the art supplies, hours and hours of art was done today.

(July 21-27)
21st - Sunday school Picnic in the park
22nd - Meeting friends for picnic supper & spray park play
23rd -
Big A is always begging me for a bath - I dont have time for this always when she asks...so this mommy got creative... pink duct tape to show where to turn the water dial as to not be too hot / too cold, and pink duct tape to show water level - when it hits the tape - turn water off...she LOVED having the independence - and I loved her being to happy about it hooray for the small things!

26th - Playdate - Trampoline fun, swinging, swimming all in a friend backyard - great times had by all!
27th - Family shopping trip and out for lunch. Today we did a massive purge on toys - anything not played with left - we then went shopping and bought wooden food, play toaster, cash register and canadian play money, ABC popsicles for Little A to start doing her homeschooling too :) So much fun. Then mommy went out later after girls were in bed and made a homemade doctor kit / vet kit.


(July 28 - August 3)
Big A has a week of Art camp this week
We also get the keys to the new apartment this week - so hopefully a week of lots of cleaning and moving some light stuff into the new place :)

28 -
* The girls LOVED their new doctor kit and played an hour and a half with it in the morning and let mommy and daddy sleep till 830 :) way to go girls!!

Today we had a great day exploring Fish Trap Creek. We were playing with our shadows, and collecting leaves, rocks, sticks, feathers... the girls found a chalk hopscotch on the trail and played that for a while too. What a beautiful place - we will have to go there again!!

29 - Today is the first day of Big A's Art Camp
Art camp today - Big A LOVED it!!
She painted on large canvas, sculpted a cat out of clay, and did some charcoal drawings.
She was excited to tell me about some friends that she made and told me about the kids that were not so nice to her. She had an incredible day and is very much looking forward to tomorrow :)

We also got the keys to our new apartment today!

30 -
Big A had Art camp again today - She is enjoying it so much!
Today they painted their clay cat creations today.
They also painted another conponent to their large canvas painting and prepared a canvas for tomorrows work, and more charcoal drawings.

31 *Behavioural Therapist comes for her last meeting today (unless we hire her for more later)
     
*Big A had her 3rd day of Art Camp - today they put the glaze on the clay cat pencil holders, and formed a clay creation of themselves, and painted the tree onto their large canvas, and drew a selfie portrait with charcoal .
This afternoon her assignment was a writing project - she wrote me the Artists name that they are studying, about the artist, and what she is enjoying about art class.

Today was our 14th Wedding Anniversary - We took the girls out to the Chilliwack Airport for supper and to watch the airplanes, and then we all went to see Smurfs 2 at the theater - what a sweet movie about family & adoption.

1 - Last day of Art Canp was today - Mommy LOVES the large canvas painting - we are getting it stretched and framed will be ready next week to hang on our new dining room wall.
Mommy also loves this little piece of art work.
It is a 3D clay piece of Big A & Gustov Klimt - so fun!!

I hope that Big A gets to experience a few more of these art classes and learn about other artists - she loved it and I love how much she learned and the pieces she brought home are hangable / forever keepable :)
2 - Today we had a productive day of moving some items into our new place, and wrapped up the day with a trip to Play Abby.
3 - This morning Big A asked if she could do some math - so she did 6 pages in a math book...
She worked on place value, Measuring & Length, Counting, 2D shapes.

(August 4-10)
4 Today our family went to Vancouver to take in a baseball game. Vancouver Canadians vs Hillsboro Hops. Vancouver won 4-0. This was the girls first time ever to a baseball stadium. So much fun!! Daddy tried to explain the ins and outs of baseball :)

5 Big A is off to Grandma & Grandpas for the week again  - this time by herself - no little sister tagging along. Hoping we all have a very productive & fun week.

June 16 - 27

June 16 -22

Sunday
Happy Fathers Day
We enjoyed a pancake breakfast at church.
Big A had prepared a lot of art for daddys gift.
Big A did lots of singing and writing activities during church.
We enjoyed a nice lunch out with daddy before he had to go off to work.

Monday
Today Big A spent most of the day with SEA.
I know Big A had a great time at Play Abby & she told me she did 8 pages in math work book - she was very proud of herself. She also likes the new spelling game where you roll ABC letter dice and create words from letters rolled.

Tueday
Today we had a playdate in the morning. The girls enjoyed playing with their friends, and playing on the trampoline, swingset & dress up.
Then Big A went off with SEA to Twisters and more great work.
The evening was spent cleaning & purging. I was so impressed with the hard work that both girls put in to the job. Big A was able to downsize some stuffed animals (for her this is HUGE). Also they helped with laundry, putting in washer / dryer, folding & putting away.
I bought the girls each their own little dustpans & brooms & they have been busy cleaning the bathroom & kitchen floors. Big A also really enjoys using the vaccuum cleaner.
Enjoyed cleaning to new CD = Miss Manners
In car today we listened to the Math CD...count by 2's & 3's

Wednesday
Today was spent with Elizabeth - behaviour consultant (LOVE adding her to our network of support!!)  Great ideas that we will be implementing.
Then Grandma & Grandpa took us out for lunch and spent some great time for us. Grandparents took Big A shopping for her birthday gift...Cowgirl boots :) She of course loves them!!
Little A got a real mattress from grandparents and we were able to give the crib back to its owners. crazy how fast they grow up!!

Thursday:
Big A, mommy & grandma enjoyed a 2hour+ game of horseopoly today - I just cant get over how great it is for her math & reading & turn taking...and losing :( she HATES losing.
Enjoyed great time with grandparents before they had to go back home. Good thing is we are going up there next week :)

Friday:
I can not remember a thing from friday...
I am ready for summer !!

Saturday:
Today we started Big A birthday celebrations. We went to Olive Garden for lunch & Krispe Kreme Donuts for dessert. Then she opened 2 of  her birthday gifts...a new horse quilt & The Berenstein Bear Bible. She loves both of them!

Sunday June 23rd:
Today in Sunday School Little A graduated from nursery to big kid sunday school. looking forward to the fall. So sweet to see all her "baby" friends up on stage growing up together.
Big A is loving reading her new Berenstain Bear Bible. So glad we got that for her :)
Big A also plays the Miss Manners CD a few times a day. She loves hearing how to set the table and has volunteered a few times.

Monday June 24th:
LAST FEW DAYS!!!

Tuesday June 25th:
Big A did 3 hours with SEA today. I observed about an hour of math - they had a GREAT time!! I was able to observe learning about estimation and measurments (walking around the house making estimates on measurments , lengths, widths, heights...) They played more Go 10, and worked in math book on estimates & measurments.
Big A told me about working on weaving & spelling & writing at the library today.
Since recieving her birthday gift of The Berenstein Bible on Saturday...she has now read a total of 147...she LOVES it. She has read a lot to herself , some to me, and Big A & Little A have acted out a few stories for me too - so cute :)

Wednesday June 26th:
LAST DAY OF "FORMAL" SCHOOL !!!!
Well - today is last day , and its going to be a fun one. Big A gets time with her SEA today and Little A and I are going to crash some of it. There will be time weaving, and playing at Play Abby. We are taking kids and SEA out to Burger king playplace for lunch :) Then they will finish off the day with board games and reading and more weaving I think.

Thursday June 27th:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG A!!!!!!
Half of today will be spent in a car driving to grandma and grandpas - But first...PRESENTS!!!

Another school year over - Its been a good one. I was terrified to even think about homeschooling - but its been an amazing year of supportive people walking along side us and helping us through. Without my support team - it would not have been a productive year at all. Thank you so much!!
My Support Team:
My Husband
My family
My friend & sister Tammy
My church family
My TLA community
My SEA
My Special needs homeschool support group
My Diagnostic team of OT and Psychologist
My Key Worker
My Child Development Clinic
My Behaviour Therapist
My Friends

Looking back on the year - WOW!!!!

June 9-15

Somehow I lost a week....?

June 7-15

The 7-9th we spent the weekend at Stillwood camp for family camp. What an amazing weekend!
Big A went swimming for hour and half.
Endless hours of playing at the park, climbing, swinging, playing soccer with 12 boys...
During kids time - they also made flubber & did lots of art & active games.
Much singing & dancing occured too.

Monday was horse Therapy

Tuesday:
Big A had 2 hours with SEA.
Played Go 10 & Hi ho Cherry o (not sure what they did at the library)
I had the priveledge of taking BIg A to gymnastics - I was blown away with how much confidence she has and how much strength she is building! She climbed the rock wall  - no supports & fell onto the mat , trampoline, running, climbing, balancing... I would LOVE to sign her up for the homeschool class in the fall!! I need to take both girls there regularily - I can see little A living it there too!!
Big A did some corking - working on her fine motor skills.
Big A also started reading a chapter book about unicorns and just loves it and is able to tell me what its about :) I will have to start writing down what she tells me about the book.

Wednesday:
Today Big A spent 4.5 hours with SEA.

Thursday:
Today is Gotcha Day - 5 years ago today we signed the papers that made Big A a permanent part of our family :)
Today was spent celebrating our family. Aliyah chose to have lunch at Wendys. We watched 2 movies: Megamind & The Wizard of Oz. She loved her new game Horse-opoly (we look forward to playing that soon!!)   We enjoyed lots of snuggles & cuddles.

Friday:
IEP Meeting
The girls did a lot of playing together.
They put on swimsuits & did a beach play for mommy.
Big A read Little A 5 books today - it was very sweet to watch them all cuddled up in a pile of stuffies reading together.
Big A drew mommy a picture and on it wrote " You are the best mom in the world" :)

Books Big A read this week :
1)Biscuit's New Tricks
2)Hiccups for Elephants
3)What is a Princess?
4)I can Pray
5)Cinderellas countdown to the ball
6)Mittens
7)The Lunch Box Surprise
8)Thank you Prayer
9)Jesus Loves Me All the Time
10)Jesus Raises Lazarus
------
11)Adam and Eve in the Garden

May 26th - June 1

May 26th - June th

PE:
The girls played telephone Simon Says with Grandma K
Play Abby
Mill Lake - Playground
Mill Lake - Ride Scooter around the lake
Dancing
Horse Therapy
Gymnastics (1 hour)
Mill Lake Spray Park again

MATH:
Go 10 (like go fish)
Addition workbook
Subtraction workbook
Game "Sorry"
Game " Hi ho cherry o"

READING:
I have given Big A some insentive to read more...every 10 books read to me  = surprise :)

1) Llama llama red pajama.
    Big A noticed the ryhming words while reading the story.
2)The Cycle of the Dandilion (SCIENCE)
3)Old Hat, New Hat
4)Just me and my puppy - Mercer Mayer
5)Me too - Mercer Mayer
6)Go dog go - PD Eastman
7)Green Eggs and Ham - Dr.Seuss
8)Penguins (SCIENCE)
9)Animal Nest's (SCIENCE)
10)Mr.Brown can Moo - Can you? - Dr.Seuss
Surprise:  toy horse with grooming brush

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Surprise:

WRITING:
Big A wrote a song
Big A wrote a short story (2 sentences)


ART:
Big A drew a picture about her short story
Big A is learning to do corking - thanks to her new SEA
Playdough - LOTS of playdough
Much Free Art took place!!

SCIENCE:
Watched Berentstain Bears - an episode about taking care of the environment...
   half way through the show - Big A got up and turned off all the lights in the house :) too cute!!
BOOK: Big A read : The cycle of the Dandilion
    seeds, roots, soil, growing plants , stems, leaves...
BOOK: Big A read : Penguins (a fact book about penguins)

We did some magnet exploration
Book mommy read to girls: Magnetism (we looked over a bunch of parts of the book & experiments - not the whole thing.
Big A then proceeded to try a few experiments with magnets of her own - including filling a bowl with water and dropping in metal items and seeing if through the water magnets still worked...they did :)


HOME EC:
Big A has a new favorite show that she loves to watch with me... It is a british cleaning show called How Clean is your House?
If you have never seen it - its about people who have not cleaned their homes in years...soooo gross!! Very educational about how not cleaning your home can be detremental to your health.

May 19 - 25th

Week of may 19 - 25

Math:
2 pages in Kumon Subtraction book
almost 1.5 pages in Kumon Addition book...someone had a meltdown as the answers were too hard to get...after 10 you run out of fingers...and it gets too hard...so she took a break...and never came back.
Big A is really struggling in math and we would love some new fresh creative fun ways to learn math...adding and subtracting without using our fingers...
Played game : Make 10 (a math version of Go Fish).

Science:
Genesis 1 - Creation Story

Reading:
Big A read me: Me and my mom by Mercer Mayer
Big A read me: Genesis 1:1
Big A did reading with SEA at Library

Writing:
Worked on Spelling Words
We are starting something new for writing...Copy work...
  Day 1 - Big A is copying out passages from her Beginnings Bible into a notebook to help with her practice of writing / reading & Bible study.
...From Genesis 1
  Day 2 - Big A did next part of passage for copy work
 
Home Ec:
Big A helped to unload the dishwasher
*Making a Float for the Yarrow Days Parade

Socials:

Art:
Big A created some beautiful art pieces - lots of drawing, cutting, glueing
*Building a float for the Yarrow Days Parade. Big A used paper mache to make a large world.
*Big A also helped by putting ribbons on the float.
Playdough

Music:
Go Fish

Drama:
Big A put on 2 plays for me this week - one playing "Hells Kitchen", and one "American Idol".

PE:
Dancing to Go Fish Songs
Play Abby
Mucking Stalls
Hula Hooping
Mill Plake - excercise equipment

So...This h as been what Big A did with me - there will be a communication book with notes from SEA and what they do together.

May 12 - 18

This week Uncle is in visiting us from Winnipeg. We hope to show him the sights.

Monday:
Big A & Little A spent most of the day playing board games (Sorry, smurf matching, animal sequence) and watching movies with Uncle.
They also put on a nice play for him.
Mommy spent the day checking out 4 possible new homes...(none of them work for us)...and cooking.

Tuesday:
Today we spent most of our day at Mill Lake & Play Abby (probably a good 6-8 hours)
Big A also did 6 pages in her Math U see work book.
Big A did some math games on her IPad too.
The girls are enjoying their time with Uncle here.

Wednesday:
The girls went to Mill Lake with daddy & uncle for 2 hours today.
Big A put on a musical / play for us today.
Big A & Unlce played a matching game, and the smurf card game.

Thursday:
Today we went to White Rock and enjoyed the tide being out. We had fun running  and playing in the sand / ocean. Little A went swimming :) She had a blast!
Then we walked the Pier. Big A thought she saw an octopus...which turned out to be a bunch of purple star fish - so beautiful! There were so many.
After we enjoyed hour playtime at the beach - we went to Krispy Kreme for yummy donuts. Soooo yummy!
Then Uncle took us to Toys R Us to find birthday gifts - Big A picked out a great new scooter.

Friday:
Today Daddy & Uncle took the girls to Mill Lake to ride their new scooters.
In the evening Big A and Uncle put on a little play / dance routine for us (very cute).

I am looking forward to getting back into a real routine again.

ROAD TRIP April 8 th - May 10th...

OUR BIG ROAD TRIP 2013
APRIL 8th - May 10th...

We will not be doing much seat work as I really want Big A & Little A to connect with family and friends that we do not see often.
We worked hard over Christmas holidays & Spring break - she has earned this holiday :)

I will update as I have time...
Here is our road trip plans...

April 8th
Leave Abbotsford - Sleep at Grandma & Grandpa Froese in Sicamous BC
We arrived at Grandma and Grandpas at lunch time. Grandpa had the fire pit ready to roast wieners. Then Big A did some hula hooping with grandma and Little A did some swinging and chasing the cat around. Big A then went on a dune buggy ride with grandpa while grandma and mommy hid clues for a scavenger hunt...it was great!! (grandma & grandpa have 10 acres of the land...) The final clue led them to a picnic site and they recieved gifts of new hand made blankets from grandma. 
Grandma & Big A watched Elf together.
April 9th
Leave Sicamous for Cochrane Alberta and stay with Aunt S & Uncle H
Today the girls enjoyed playing on another acerage and were able to feed Alpacas.
April 10th
Leave Cochrane AB and drive to Rimbey AB and stay with Aunt S & Uncle D and visit with Aunt B & Unlce B and visit with 10 cousins
Today Big A was able to make sugar cookies, did a lot of dress up , played lego.

April 11th
Leave Rimbey and drive to Edmonton AB and stay with Aunt H & Uncle J and visit 3 cousins
Today we did another long walk on another acerage and saw sheep and more alpacas. Big A learned how to play Jesus loves me on the piano. It was a great time with cousins.
Then we drove to Edmonton.
Tonight Big A watched Anne of Green Gables disc 1...LOVED it.
April 12th
Edmonton
Today we went to the West Edmonton Mall. The girls rode the carasel and train ride at Galaxy Land. Then they watched the Sea Lion Show, and went under ground to touch sting rays, star fish, watch sharks, penguins, sea turtles...
Then we did a walk through World Vision Tent listening to a story about a girl in Zambia - Big A had a hard time hearing the story as it was quite sad and eye opening. The little girls mom died in labor and she had to raise her little brother, they talked about HIV and showed photos of Zambia and how people lived - quite amazing! I am glad I took her through.
Tonight the girls watched Anne of Green Gables Disc 2

April 13th
Leave Edmonton and drive to Saskatoon Sask. Eat supper with Aunt A , Aunt B & Uncle B. Stay with Uncle M & Aunt L and cousin K in Asquith SK
Tonight we had dinner with a bunch of relatives in Saskatoon.
We went to my Aunt & Uncles for night - Big A played ping pong and dress up.

April 14th
Church in Asquith , Leave and drive to Caron SK stay with Aunt C & Uncle M
We went to church with my Aunt & Uncle, back home for lunch.
Big A jumped on a mini trampoline, played ping pong and dress up before hopping in the car again.
Tonight we had supper at Pizza Hut with more relatives and drove to another Aunties home for night.

April 15th
Caron SK
Today the girls went for a walk through town, played in the snow, watched TV, and played toys.
In the evening - we went to the dairy barn that my sister works at - the girls were able to milk cows,bottle feed a 1 day old calf, and feed other calves.
April 16th
Caron SK
Today we drove to Regina for the day and went to the Saskatchewan Science Center -
We had a GREAT time!!!
So much playing and exploring and experimenting.
...and then Big A got sick...

April 17th
DRIVE ALL DAY...Caron SK - Brandon MB - Sleep in Winnipeg MB with Grandma & Grandpa Regehr

April 18th
Grandma & Grandpas
Big A is still sick so it is a relaxing tv , resting day. Hanging out with grandma & grandpa, auntie H & uncle A, and mommy.

April 19th
mommy enjoyed a haircut today :)
Today was another in day for the girls - Big A is on the tail end of getting better...
the girls enjoyed lots of time with grandma and grandpa - playing balloon games, playdough, and a lot of art. They also went for a few walks through the apartment complex.

April 20th
We are attending a wedding today!!!!

April 21st
Going to Church at Pine Ridge today to visit all our old friends.
Olive Garden lunch with friends
Going out to camp to visit  Aunt T & Unlce J for a few days to visit biological  brother and 2 "sisters"
Today the girls went with their biological brothers family to Subway for lunch and out to the camp that they live and work at. They had a great time exploring the muddy / snowy woods and camp.

April 22nd
Today was another day with their biological brother  and his family. The girls explored the small town of Gimli Manitoba. We walked the boardwalk on the snowy beach. We went to see the big Viking sculpture, and walked around town.
At camp the girls learned how to make a fire and cook / eat bannock.
They played in the mud & snow. We walked in the woods and found a very large tree house that campers sleep in / in the summer time. We were able to explore the barns with the goats, mini ponies, donkey, and horse. We also enjoyed a snowy horse & wagon ride.

April 23rd
Today we went into Gimli and toured the Icelandic Museum, had fun with the giant Viking, and explored the "treasure stores" (thrift shops). We found many treasures to bring home.

April 24th
Left camp this afternoon and went to visit more friends in Winnipeg & their friends.

April 25th
We were supposed to have a visit with biological grandma today - Big A was not feeling 100%. Bio grandma did not show up - Big A was very worried. Took the girls to a park to try to get her mind off of it - then went home and Big A put herself for a 2 hour nap...

April 26th
Todays plans were canceled as Big A got very sick - fever of 104 - took a little ER visit. went on lots of advil & tylonol - and were  told to keep an eye on her tonsils...

April 27th
Steinbach MB to visit with cousins
We had a great visit with the girls old foster family today. We also went out to visit cousins in the country - the girls had a great time playing dominoes, dressing up and putting on plays, playing outside chasing the cats & dog.

April 28th
Visit with our friends at NKMB today
Big A had a great evening minigolfing with her uncle. They had a fantastic time!
She was so excited to go on a "date" with her uncle all by herself. :)

April 29th
Today was a pretty low key day. We enjoyed about an hour of swimming in the pool. I was very impressed with the confidence that big A had swimming with a life jacket - she was all over that pool :)
We had a nice dinner out with friends D& C and 2 kids before they leave for Germany for a few years

April 30th

May 1st
Today was spent at the Childrens Museum. The girls brother & some of his family joined us as well. It was another great day.

May 2nd
Today mommy & daddy, and Big A & Little A went for a tour of the mint.
It was very educational & interesting. Photography was not allowed during the tour - so we have no photos of that time.

May 3rd
Mommy & Daddy had a great date day / night.
The girls had a great time with grandma & grandpa. They walked to the park, walked to the dollarstore, did puzzles & art.
They baked a chocolate cake for mommy & daddy.
They watched a few movies. Garfield & Flicka.

May 4th
JOHNNYS WEDDING!!! The girls had a great time with grandpa.
All I know is that they walked to the park to play for a long time.

May 5th
Today we went to church at NKMB. We went to visit friends for lunch.
The kids played in tree house, walked to the park to play baseball and run around.
We enjoyed about  4 hours playing outside together.

May 6th
Today mommy did lots of packing.
We all went to half moon for supper and enjoyed eating outside in the sunshine.
Then we all enjoyed an evening of swimming together before going to bed.

May 7th
Today we spent the day in the car and did about 15 hours cooped up in the car.
Big A enjoyed some time on her IPAD.

May 8th
Edmonton - went to Red Robins for lunch with Auntie.

May 9th
Edmonton
Went to a park & spray park today and spent hours running, playing, climbing, sliding & getting wet & sunburnt. It was a GREAT day!!

May 10th
Edmonton - Calgary - Sicamous - Home

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March 24th - April 6th

Easter week & week before we leave for Vacation...

PE
Sunday: 2 hours at Mill Lake
Monday:
2 hours working and riding her horse at horse therapy
Running around in horse areana looking for Easter Eggs
Lots of time playing outside with cousins
30 mins playing Wii with cousins
2 hours horse therapy
20 mins on trampoline
1hour running around cousins back yard

MATH
Counting the Eggs that were found in the arena
10 pages in Kumon Addition Math workbook

SCIENCE
Learning about the parts of the horse
Blowing Bubbles
TV - Sid the Science Kid (learning about becoming a scientist)
TV - Wild Kratts (learning about the Green Basilisk Lizard  - a lizard that can run on water - and its habitat, preditors...

SOCIALS
TV - Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - How to deal with anger & mad feelings, and changing negatives to positives
Listening to songs about Canada

READING
Robert Munch - Cookies
Together Forever
big A is reading a lot more in her room. She comes out and tells me all sorts of facts...mostly about horses, bodies, and Archie comics :)
Phonics Word hunt.  D sound & DR sound

WRITING
Spelling workbook Unit 3, 4

ART

MUSIC
Singing in Sunday school
Singing in church service
Singing in car while driving around

DRAMA

SOCIAL SKILLS . PLAYDATES
3 hours with cousins
Sunday School
Visit with Cousins in Chilliwack

HOME EC:
Helping with laundry
Helping with setting & clearing the table

March 17 - 23

Report Cards came this week - I am very happy.
I am proud of both Big A and myself :) Big A is doing very well - and I guess if I am the teacher - I must be doing ok myself...learning to relax and have fun.

PE:
-2 hours at horse therapy : picking up rocks, mucking the stalls, brushing the horse, riding the horse, playing a balance / throwing / pick up game while riding the horse
-lots of dancing
-2 hours at Mill Lake
-1 hour at Mill Lake on swings & slide & running around with other kids
-3 hours walking to and from & playing at Mill lake
slides, swings, running, riding a scooter (balance)

MATH:
12 pages in Kumon Subtration workbook
Writing 1-100 on Math 100 square worksheet
8 pages in Kumon Addition workbook

WRITING:
10 pages in Kumon "my book of sentences" book
Big A was eager to finish her sentence writing book so she did 6 pages in 1 day :)
Book is now done and we need to figure out whats next that will interest her in this subject...
Big A finished unit 1 & 2 this week in her new grade 1-2 Spelling workbook

READING:
Big A did 2 pages in her Phonics Word Search book.
She did pages "B sounds" and "BR sounds"
Big A had to read me all the letters & words in her new spelling workbook - she did great and loved it !
Mommy read: I love you as much
Mommy read:My Precious little Bear
Mommy read: No Matter What
Mommy read:God knows all about me
Big A read: Just me and my puppy - by Mercer Mayer

SCIENCE:
we checked out a new website Time4learning.com, and did a study on water vapor, evaporation, cloud formation, and rain...Big A really likes this site - we may look into purchasing this one - especially to add to our science curriculum, it is very detailed, and she really liked it.
We are looking online to see what we can find for free science sites too.

Big A is also loving the free activities on Brainpop - thanks for the recommendation Melissa!

ART:
Easter art.
Big A made her own wrapping paper and gifts for Melissa, Miss Terri & Auntie Dora.

SOCIALS:
Big A made the Canada Flag, A hawiian girl, A person in a TP...

SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH PEERS:
Big A had a playdate (hour and a half on Wed morning)
2 hours playing with friends at park

THINGS BIG A SAYS NICE ABOUT SELF:

DRAMA  / MUSIC:
Big A created a play about kids being homeless

HOME EC:
Big A helped with laundry - sorting, folding & putting away
Big A helps with clearing the table after meals.

Attempting to get Big A counselling...waiting to hear back.
Applying to get Little A into daycare for a few hours everyday.

We have changed our TV / computer usage in hopes to keep emotions more under control...
Big A has been very emotional again this week. Wed I gave her an hour nap hoping that by evening the emotions would be more controlled. I was wrong :( wondering if it computer related  , anxiety related or something else... I wish so much to get inside her head!  Wednesday she had 40 mins computer time after supper.  Then came out of her room very emotional.

March 10-16

March 10 - 16

PE:
2 hours of horse therapy - brushing, running, riding, balance games, climbing (on & off horse), ...
Lots of dancing
40 min walk
30 trampoline time
Big A gave mommy a 15min massage - she worked really hard :)

MATH:
6 pages of subtraction in Kumon math workbook
exploring Math U See DVD

READING:
-Big A is reading through her Encylcpedia "Humans"
-Dick & Jane
-Reading Eggs Website (945am - 11:15)


WRITING:
8 pages in Kumon printing book (copywork)

SCIENCE:
-Big A is reading through her Encylcpedia "Humans"
-exploring ice

SOCIALS:
Exploring talking globe

MUSIC:
lots of singing during sunday school and church worship service

DRAMA:

ART:
Perler Beads (made flower, purse)
Dye Easter Eggs

SOCIAL SKILLS WITH PEERS:
Kids Club
Time with cousins

HOME EC:
Big A learned how to use a screw driver and helped mommy reassemble the crib in their new room
Big A & Little A were very helpful in moving books from one room to another while mommy rearranged the bedrooms.


**Note to self regarding behaviors & new or odd things & good / bad things**

What a great week for things moving along for supporting Big A!!

-Sunday - *Little A would not settle or stay in church Nursery* (noted that there were women & *Men caring for the kids today* (watching Little A's behavior / fear of men)
-Mon  - Hired S.E.A. !!
-Wed night, Big A was complaining of twisting leg and cramping - had difficulties walking.
-Thurs night while watching TV with family - Big A - started complaining of "chest pain" and difficulties breathing
-Thursday - Little A's first night in a big girl crib :)
-Frid  in Auntie L care - Little A coughed, Big A freaked out and ran to other side of house to not catch what little A had...later on Little A climbed on couch with Big A - Big A pushed Little A onto the floor.
*Little A behavior changed when Uncle S came home from work*
-Friday - Funding for SPED TLA came through!!! :)

March 3-9

March 3-9

PE
2 hours at horse therapy
20 min dramatic ballet performance for mommy & daddy.
1 hour playing at Mill Lake

Math:
We did a lot of addition questions while swinging at the park.

Science:
We talked a lot about seasons while exploring the park.

READING
reading the words on the 4 pages of writing workbook
reading a ballet book

WRITING
6 pages in Writing book

SOCIALS
Watched Barney - learning to tell the truth & be a good friend

LIFE SKILLS / HOME EC
cleaning & brushing horse
helped with laundry

ART
Free Art at the table to create as desired (color, glue, tape, cut...

We had a stressful week and didnt do a whole lot of formal school.

Feb 24 - March 2

PE
-dancing
-bean bag toss
-jumping jacks
-walk to Mill lake & play at playground & walk (3 amazing hours of fresh air and fun - and meeting a random new homeschooling family)
   -swings, slides, running, skipping, climbing, spinning...
-3 hours at Safari Zone (climbing, running, sliding...)
-1 hour McDonalds Playplace (climbing, sliding...)

MATH:
Hungry Hippo (counting the marbles) (who has more / less)
Printing the number 6, 3, 7 )as these are the numbers that she gets most frustrated on and writes backwards.
3 pages of math addition
counting to over 200 while swinging on swing at park

SCIENCE:
Sid the science kid feeling good inside & out.
     - A brush with teeth. (mommy scribed - Big A told me what she learnined about teeth)

Sid the sceince kid feeling good inside & out.
     - I want cake. (mommy scribed - Big A told me why its not a good idea to eat cake everyday, what Sid wanted for his birthday meal, and what she would like if she was able to pick her favorite birthday meal)
      - 4 food groups (treats...sometimes)

Sid the science kid  feeling good inside & out
     - Why cant i watch TV all weeked?
              - body would get tired
              - body needs to excercise

SOCIALS:
-sing song about north , south, east, west
-DVD: Worlds Together:  West Africa for kids (grade1 -6) 
Talked about similar / different than Canada & our family.
Big A was quite in awe watching this movie - very sweet.
-Wrote similarities / differences about Africa and here.
-Made the Flag of Nigeria (Africa)

READING:
Big A read scripture during Sunday school (into microphone for all the kids to hear)
Read worksheet on shapes & drew what the words said to draw
Read story about Nigeria (Africa)
Big A read the printing sentences in her workbook to me - she did GREAT!

WRITING:
4 pages in Kumon Printing workbook
4 pages in Kumon Printing workbook
 * see socials

MUSIC:
Singing during Sunday school
Singing during church service
Listening to music in the car & in her room
West Africa DVD had music from West Africa to listen to and instruments seen in West Africa too.


DRAMA:
Big A put on little play about the story Lion Witch & Wardrobe that she read with daddy.

ART:
Lots of coloring, cutting, taping,
Big A made a lion head today and called it "Aslan" (from Lion, Witch and Wardrobe that she read with daddy")
*see socials

Feb 17 - 23

Feb 17 - 23.
PE:
-2 hours of horse therapy
-Running, mucking stalls, riding, balance, stretching, liftinf heavy objects (saddles)...
-Yoga DVD
-Group games in church gym
-Family Walk in neighborhood
-Running around White Rock, throwing rocks into the ocean, collecting seashells, walking & running on the pier, exploring the shores We spent about 4 hours exploring the ocean & shores today.
-dancing

ART:
Drawing
Coloring
Cutting & Gluing & Taping

SCIENCE:
Tuesday was a beautiful sunny day that was spent running around White Rock, throwing rocks into the ocean, collecting seashells, walking & running on the pier, exploring the shores, having a picnic, just a beautiful girls day at the ocean together. We spent about 4 hours exploring the ocean & shores today.

MATH:
Finished Princess Math workbook on Addition & Subtraction. (4 pages)
In the car we listened to skip counting CD songs
Daily Calendar
4 pages in her math text book (one page was subtraction and she did it in addition and exploded when she found out she "did it all wrong."  I told her that if it  was addition - she got them all right. (didnt help).

SOCIALS:
Making and delivering homeless kits...contain food, drink, socks, mitts...

READING:
Assigned scripture reading during Sunday School
Played 2 hours of Reading Eggs website
Reading from Bible

WRITING:
She wrote down as many words that she could remember from horse therapy, and wrote a few sentences about Horses and why they are her favorite animal.
Spelling does not matter at this time as getting her to the table to write is such a fight & struggle.

Big A wrote:
The horse is my favorite animal because,
I ride it I take care uv it I faed it I Love it

Big A has been printing 4 pages a day in the writing workbook

MUSIC:
Singing in sunday school, kids club & sunday morning worship service
We constantly listen & dance to music

DRAMA:


HOME EC:
Folding Laundry

BIBLE:
Donut Man DVD -
Sunday School
Kids Club
Daily Devotions with mommy


Mommy is having a rough week. Not much getting done.

Feb 10 - 16

The week of Feb 10th to 16th

Sunday: Big A did some reading to the other kids in Sunday School.
Lots of singing
Art

Monday:
This week Big A was blessed with 2 hours of horse therapy.
-muck the stalls
-dry the horse (as it was raining)
-brush the horse
-feed the horse
-clean out the hooves
-rode a lot on her own
-played simon says with pointing to different parts of the horse & saddle & parts involved in the horse equipmentt (she is learning a lot of horse terminology)

Daddy & Big A finished reading "Lion, Witch & Wardrobe this week and celebrated by watching the movie together (it was nice - they dont get a lot of bonding time). They have decided to work through the rest of the series. I have asked Daddy that for the rest of the books to read a chapter and then get Big A to draw about what she heard in the story. (the writing will happen then too).

Tuesday:
Watched Super Why (reading show)
Did 4 pages in printing book
Did 2 pages of addition (adding by 2's & 3's)

Valentines Party today with 3 other homeschooling families that we had the pleasure of meeting today.
-played with a bunch of other children
-valentines version of duck duck goose
-Art: decorate door knob signs
-Art: decorate cookies with icing & valentines candies
-sing songs
-read bible passages
-listened to a story about an apple.
(about an apple whp didnt want to fall on the ground because there were worms on the ground,...

Dr. Bamber Assessment today  - final part of large Assessment : hope to get final results next week...i hope

Put together a gaint Map of Cananda Floor Puzzle
Talked about provinces, where we live , where we will be going on our vacation.
Talked about capital cities.
Talked about capital of Canada

Big A read to me:
1) "Canada in Colours" by Per-Henrik Gurth  (Socials Studies)


Wednesday:
Chilliwack car apt & visit with Auntie :)
Reading & Browsing through our new Socials Book series by Judy Zocchi...
-In Mexico
-In Japan
-In Canada
-In Nigeria
-In Vietnam
-In Scotland
-In Germany
-In the United States
-In Sweden

Played a math addition game on Aunties Ipad.











Thursday:
Valentines Arts & crafts
Reading Prince Caspian with daddy.

Friday:
Big A had fun socializing with the kids from "moms morning out"  - they played lots of games in the gym, and did valentines art / crafts, they read stories & sang songs.

Saturday :
We went to the Tradex to see the all the animals.  There was everything from hedgehogs & chicks to puppies / dogs, reptiles, groundhog & horses. Big A LOVED watching the horses and listening to the talk that the vetrinarian gave on horses. Also how to care for  animls in the wild and remembering to recycle. What a great family afternoon!
Reading Prince Caspian with daddy.

Feb 3-9

This week is mostly about cleaning out the house & planning our trip.

Socials:

Big A is helping plan our 5 week trip to Winnipeg (and all our stops along the way)

We are pulling out maps and talking about towns & provinces , and where we will stop and who we will see...

Math:

She is also planning activities / field trips once we get to Winnipeg - she is helping me sell items and count money to put into the envelopes - to make sure we have the money when we get to Winnipeg

 

-Dream box computer game

-Work book - Addition & Subtraction

 

Reading:

Girls watched a lot of Word World DVDs

Played Reading Eggs

Big A & Daddy are reading through "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe"

Big A is reaing some horse & pony easy readers from the library

 

She had  meltdown on Tuesday because reading her math problems were too difficult for her - she got really really frustrated.

Aparently her math was too hard too and she quit.

Writing:
Big A did 4 more pages in her printing book

Art:
Big A borrowed a book called "How to draw Horses"  - She has been drawing lots of horses for us, her horse therapy teachers, and more...

 

 

January 27th - February 2nd

Monday   - Big A had her speech and language assessment today. 2 hours of reading pictures and creating sentences...
Tuesday - We were out and about today and Big A saw a homeless man with a cat...thankfully we had another "homeless kit gift "(kits contain: socks, mitts, soap & washcloth, toothbrush & toothpaste, chocolate bar, granola bar, apple sauce & juice box, spoon & napkin) in the car - so we all got out , talked to the man, pet the cat, and gave him the gift...As we walk away - Big A says "that felt really good"  :)  glad I have a daughter with a super generous heart!!

PE:
lots of walking.
play hide & seek
bean bag toss
hopscotch
Exercise DVDs
Air hockey with mommy
Tried playing pool & ping pong with 11 year old cousin
Lots of running around in cousins big yard.

Math:
2 pages of subtraction in workbook
playing hide & seek...counting...
Played computer game: Dreambox
2 pages of addition in workbook
1 page filling in numbers on clock
4 pages in math workbook (subtraction)

Reading:
Big A was challanged to read a passage of scripture for her sunday school group. we practiced a lot and she did fantastic!  Psalm 65:3
Played computer game : Reading Eggs
Big A read outloud:  Ponies & Horses
Reading Eggs Website (hours)
more hours of Reading Eggs website
I love how she is trying to read signs on buildings as we drive by, and posters up in the house - I have been adding Bible Verses to the wall for her to read.

Writing:
Started a new workbook - to do writing on her own.  Kumon ages 6- 8 my book of Sentences. (she enjoyed it and there was no fighting)
2 pages in her writing sentence book
4 pages in her writing sentences book
4 pages in her writing sentences book

Science:
Visited Petsmart & explored the fish, reptiles & small animals.
Visited another pet store (by play Abby) - visited the 2 new kittens & ferret & hamsters.
Talked about taking care of animals.

Socials:
Learning about Canada
Listened to Music by Micheal Mitchell about Canada
Learning about the Maple Leaf,  Ottawa capitol of Canada, Parilment building
Learning " O Cananda"
We went to the Abbotsford Visitors center to look for more adventures.
Big A got a map of the fraser valley so we can plan out our adventures and where they are located.

Music:
Listened to Shaw - Kids music channel while doing school work
Learning "O Canada"
Listened to the sound track to Gnomeo & Juliette in the car
Listened to Super Why CD

Art:
Coloring in Canada coloring book
Always drawing & coloring

Drama:
I think we are good in this subject - going to focus on other areas for now.

Home Ec:
Big A vaccumed her bedroom
Big A changed her little sisters diaper...all on her own choosing :)
Big A has been regularly helping to clear the table after each meal
Big A helped with laundry
Helped sort items for garbage, thrift store, and selling
She is very interested in helping her little sister toilet train and put on clean diapers...
I have a little mommy running around the house - very cute and I am taking advantage of all the help.
Big A has been helping grocery shop & get items off shelves

January 20 - 26th

This week our focus is on reading and writing.

PE:
Horse Therapy - riding the horse
Dancing
Excercise DVDs
Long walk
Gym play at Kids club

Math:
Dreambox math  - almost completed dreambox grade 1  math. (several hours)
Addition & Subtraction workbook 5 pages
Math workbook, shapes,  time, subtraction...9pages

Reading:
Big A read the Dick & Jane Treasury (193 pages) to Little A and myself :)
Starfall.com  12:00 pm- 1:30 pm
Phonics work book - blends...Br, and Ch
Reading Eggs website - many hours :)

Writing:
Phonics workbook - Blends... Br, and Ch
Phonics workbook

Science:
Played with magnets
Horse Therapy
Hours of Wild Kratts on computer
Played with buckets of ice cubes - learning about cold, and melting
We made sensory bags to play with

Socials:
Horse Therapy - learning how to care and ride a horse like a rancher does.
Listening to her new Canada CD by Michael Mitchell

Music:
Listening to her new Canada CD by Michael Mitchell
Borrowed several new CDs from the library...Motown, Kids Bop, Kids World Music...

Art:
We made sensory bags with bags, hair gel, buttons, and fancy duct tape :)
There is always drawing & coloring going on in this house ...
Made bracelets with pipecleaners & beads

Drama - I think we are good in  this subject - going to focus on other areas for now.
I had 2 little ladybugs put on a show for me on Tuesday. Very cute :)

Home Ec:
Big A is learning that it is important to wash her hands after blowing her nose. Wash the germs away to stay healthy.
Big A has also learned to sing her ABC's while washing her hands so she washes long enough.
Horse Therapy
-cleaning up after it, - cleaning & brushing & feeding it, 
Wednesday - Big A helped sort dirty laundry, put in washer & dryer, & fold and  put away clean laundry :)
Big A is learning to set & clear the table for meals
Learn restaraunt etiquette at Olive Garden

JANUARY 13 - 19

Janurary 13th - 19th
Horse Therapy began today...INCREDIBLE!!!!
Big A  started her 1.5 time there mucking stalls (picking up horse poop)
Then she brushed the house and cleaned its feet.
She started to learn what different pieces are that are used for a horse.
This time she learned about Stirrups, Saddle, Horn, and The Sinch.
She has learned that to make the horse walk she needs to say: Walk on
To make the horse stop she says: Whoa
She spent a few minutes watching some horses do some running & jumping.
Then it was her turn to get on and ride.
The girl was in HEAVEN!!!

PE
Horse therapy & riding (Monday)
1 hour Occupational Therapy Time (Tuesday)
Lots of walking
Indoor dance & yoga DVDs

READING & WRITING
Big A read me all her popcorn sight words (monday)
20 mins of electronic phonics game (monday) - (in car)
20 mins of electronic phonigs game (tues) - (in car)
6 pages in Phonics workbook, beginning sounds, ending sounds. (tues)
1 page in phonics word search book -    (tues)

MATH
Dreambox math (monday 8:50am - 9:45am)
2 pages in Addition & Subtraction work book (Tues)
Dreambox math (tuesday 1:40pm - 2:15pm)
Math workbooks

SOCIALS
Listen to new CD about Canada
Our calendar about children around the world

SCIENCE
learning to care for a horse, mucking stalls, (monday)
Watch Magic School Bus x2 episodes
Play Wild Kratts games on computer  x several hours

ART
Drawing, coloring, cutting, gluing

DRAMA
See the play Annie - at the Chilliwack cultural center (Saturday)
Played telephone Simon Says with grandma (Tuesday)

MUSIC
Praise & worship time in Sunday school and church (Sunday)
We listen & sing to LOTS of music while driving in car, or just sitting and working quietly at home.
Attended the Annie Musical / Play at the Chilliwack Cultural Center.

HCE
learning to care for a horse, mucking stalls, (Monday)
helping mommy do the laundry (sunday)
clear the table (tuesday)

Happy New Year - Jan 6 - 12

Happy New Year.  With all the changes going on in this household   - my biggest goal - is to get through with as little stress as possible...To not keep the stress on me - but to let God do what He wants to do.

My girls are both VERY picky eaters and one specialist believes it is due to sensory processing disorder and possibly with Big A's low muscle tone - there may be some things she just can't chew...
Then over the holidays - my husband was diagnosed with diabetes...which has thrown me for a loop because I am the cook in the house...now I need to try and keep the food diabetic friendly and picky kid friendly  - this is not an easy task. It took me hours to shop the other week due to reading EVERY lable.

Assessment number 1 for Big A - came back and she has Sensory Processing Disorder, and Developmental Coordination Delay. She also received a score of 8% in connecting what she sees with her eyes to what her brain interprets (creating delays in reading, writing, and learning difficulties).




PE
-Childrens Praise & Worship DVD - singing & dancing
-Bean Bag toss game in hallway
-walk to mill lake to play and walk back (hour & half)
-2.5 hours at Play Abby
-Hopscotch
-Crab walks
-Crawling Tag

MATH:
-Dreambox learning
-Princess addition and subtraction workbook (6 pages)
-Math workbook (adding money, counting by 2, 5, 10) (6pages)
-Princess addition and subtraction workbook (4 pages)
-Princess addition & subtraction workbook (6 pages)
-Dreambox learning

READING & WRITING
Big A read us: Mittens (I can read book)
Popcorn sight words (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
Word search puzzle books
Spelling work book
Spelling "test"  - using popcorn sight words

SCIENCE:
Magic Shcool Bus Website (30mins)
Is it light or heavy?
Do all living things grow?
Do you look like your parents?
Do all living things reproduce?
What does it taste like?
What body parts does a plant have?
What makes it grow?
Can you find the seeds?
Sid the science kid  - TV show

SOCIALS:
Calendar - Memory Verse Calendar from The Global Bible for Children
-Uganda
-Africa - giraffes

Music:
-Sunday School - worship time
-Church Service - worship time
-Childrens Praise & Worship DVD  - singing & dancing

Drama:
The girls both put on a play for me on Thursday. About ladybugs & Princesses.

Social Time with Peers:
-Sunday School

Art:
LOTS of drawing & coloring done this week

Wednesday was Big A Psycho-Ed Assessment.
She is about 5 hours of printing, drawing, reading, and answering questions.
She fought the Dr. with the reading but more the writing!  We get daily fights when reading and writing happen!

Dec 30th - Jan 5th

Taking advantage of Big A enjoying school and some of her new books - doing school even through the holidays.

PE:
Playing catch with new beanbags
Running, hopping, jumping, skipping, crawling
Bean Bag play:
     throwing (trying to throw into a target) - one thing that was OT recommended
     hopping
Lifting weights
Play telephone Simon Says with grandma :)

Math:
Dream box math games
Math workbook
   - count by 2's
   - count by ones with pennies
   - organizing tens & ones
Started learning about coins. Pennies, Nickles & Dimes. 
   - counting
   - sorting
   - adding

Socials:
   - we started another calendar that is about children around the world. the calendar talks about different countries, animals & food & children around the world.
- Monday we listened and danced to Bollywood music (talked about India)

Science:
   We started a new work book that Big A got for Christmas.  Grades K - 2
   - label body parts
   - eyes & sight
   - ears / hearing  / sounds
   - nose & smells (smells she likes and doesnt like)

Art:
Big A has been given a lot of new art supplies to help her fine motor skills and has been very busy drawing & cutting, glueing & taping.
She has new triangle crayons & triangle pencil crayons. We also have switched her markers for the thick smelly markers to help with sensory too.
For printing she is now using the thick pencils to help with developing the proper pencil grip.
(all of these are part of OT therapy suggestion)

Music:
   - Tuesday we listened and danced to Bollywood music  (talked about India)
   - Wednesday we listened to Rock N Roll
   - Thurday we listened to Oldies
   - Sang Songs to grandma on the telephone

On Tuesday Big A was given an old school desk with a slanted desktop. Its not a big slant - but we are going to try it out. The slanted table top( part of OT therapy suggestion) to help with strengthing her wrist / hand muscles & making printing easier on her body.

Home Ec / Life skills:
With a new year comes some new chores...
Big A has started being in charge of ensuring all coats & shoes are put away, clearing the table, vaccuming the floor (part of OT therapy suggestion), and will be starting washing our large patio window (part of OT therapy suggestion).

Friday afternoon my husband & I  meet with the people who did Assessment #1, to go through it and talk about what it all means and how to help Big A.