tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2582788366913700682024-02-21T06:06:49.538-05:00Twos and Twenties YikesThis is my life ... 2 girls in college, 2 step-daughters out in the "real" world, and a 2 year old boy at home, Yikes!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-20421569326587054482008-11-07T17:07:00.003-05:002008-11-07T17:14:44.480-05:00This blog has moved!This blog has moved to --<a href="http://stephaniejfurness.blogspot.com/">here</a>-- Just trying to consolidate and make my life easier ;-DStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-55229340798716894182008-10-29T17:04:00.005-04:002008-10-29T17:11:10.505-04:00Trick or Treat time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMz7Fr8OzKC8tk4orcLoZ_wLQIKPsL-CI9Yab7PsppUutCPoZv67Wn7Zn87OeK3wwVZVMNUribNGSPeEupSLaGB1k45sEjGpqN66gUw0XfAKf1nVwyBIeAy-DqEf6ZK6XhIe08hbq_BRn/s1600-h/100_0635.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262685656126939634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMz7Fr8OzKC8tk4orcLoZ_wLQIKPsL-CI9Yab7PsppUutCPoZv67Wn7Zn87OeK3wwVZVMNUribNGSPeEupSLaGB1k45sEjGpqN66gUw0XfAKf1nVwyBIeAy-DqEf6ZK6XhIe08hbq_BRn/s200/100_0635.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5Ys2AwmlTONDS1D0iidfm__sAuTjSLs-WLQPLPfEhUbXQwfvdyiKgt_O-Cy9axrsaBOz2JY1d4oFf-c0YJzTm6kIiAvBcCksNJf5hfWF_Vf6zvfpXprj7PFF6e5kpL4Wjkl_hBHES-9H/s1600-h/100_0638.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262685311869382482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5Ys2AwmlTONDS1D0iidfm__sAuTjSLs-WLQPLPfEhUbXQwfvdyiKgt_O-Cy9axrsaBOz2JY1d4oFf-c0YJzTm6kIiAvBcCksNJf5hfWF_Vf6zvfpXprj7PFF6e5kpL4Wjkl_hBHES-9H/s200/100_0638.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqezN7PrC_XsUr0h2AoPpIgpSARTehiAtsql9d1K6FeVrUskfAvpgxmybJugjCNxlRUnralYBjr5HmAJtE1gM_C5VlRcE0pUBw0DDA8HUb84-K0WW7zCnfTkpBFTznraf4JhI357KG3n7/s1600-h/100_0634.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262685020654554658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqezN7PrC_XsUr0h2AoPpIgpSARTehiAtsql9d1K6FeVrUskfAvpgxmybJugjCNxlRUnralYBjr5HmAJtE1gM_C5VlRcE0pUBw0DDA8HUb84-K0WW7zCnfTkpBFTznraf4JhI357KG3n7/s200/100_0634.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Here in Manchester, the kids trick or treat the Sunday afternoon before Halloween. Here you can see Cowboy Charlie and Fairy Tessa waiting to go.</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-16384448271984343912008-10-21T15:54:00.002-04:002008-10-21T17:25:55.473-04:00Lapbook catch-up PostSorry for a few blurry pictures, Ugh!<br /><br />Here is what the crew has been working on the last 2 weeks along with their Alphabet Notebooks.<br /><br />The 1st book is The Carrot Seed ... a real classic. The other is Owl Babies. The boys are really enjoying working on the lapbook pieces and learning little tidbits of info as we enjoy the great stories. <br /><br />Also, the lapbooks are now being used for quiet time while lunch prep is going on. Each boy will go and choose something quiet to do ... among the choices are puzzles, books and lapbooks ;-)<br /><br /><script src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/488cf23408e45ac3/48fe335aeef716a7/488cf23443b3eb39/213781cb/widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-27892611230815263792008-10-21T15:45:00.002-04:002008-10-21T17:22:16.098-04:00Alphabet Notebook Cc DdHere are 2 more pages that we have added to Charlie's Alphabet Notebook a little while ago.<br /><br /><script src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/488cf23408e45ac3/48fe3146327bdcea/488cf23443b3eb39/81dfb7b2/widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-71932957929737728512008-10-21T14:59:00.002-04:002008-10-21T17:20:24.477-04:00Pumpkin Carving TimeBoy have we been busy! The boys have been working hard at their preschool lessons (will post more details soon), so hard that I haven't had time to post in a while. Well, we're taking a break for the next 2 weeks to enjoy the season and Halloween, starting with pumpkins.<br /><br /><script src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/488cf23408e45ac3/48fe26879b4b1b73/488cf23443b3eb39/246c24cb/widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-72198325936764724292008-10-01T12:55:00.004-04:002008-10-01T13:19:53.505-04:00Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLYueETcKDpEilTmawbCkfOSG1pt8GDZZOD8pNeCSQlQ_wsOtR0UxFdwK_PjiA-aSYdVSY4DBLMrJNwXYphvRTTB-VnKZFNwnLUUbVt_3azK6ue8fhk5JKsEj2GxcM5mc03WKNb0k30E8/s1600-h/Bb+Browb+Bear+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252231660938325698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLYueETcKDpEilTmawbCkfOSG1pt8GDZZOD8pNeCSQlQ_wsOtR0UxFdwK_PjiA-aSYdVSY4DBLMrJNwXYphvRTTB-VnKZFNwnLUUbVt_3azK6ue8fhk5JKsEj2GxcM5mc03WKNb0k30E8/s200/Bb+Browb+Bear+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Aq_anAz4ERRYsDQaNlOPYvrjiUXcXU6xxX13EnldaKZCka6z5U8sQG6ubYcY83l3AGN07ikHhE01I8p_qLAmqeOyN2d47WDH_MPHrjVfx9G32G0IUktdnkPy9vrvWE0msMvpJjLClmL/s1600-h/Bb+Browb+Bear+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252231145059863090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Aq_anAz4ERRYsDQaNlOPYvrjiUXcXU6xxX13EnldaKZCka6z5U8sQG6ubYcY83l3AGN07ikHhE01I8p_qLAmqeOyN2d47WDH_MPHrjVfx9G32G0IUktdnkPy9vrvWE0msMvpJjLClmL/s200/Bb+Browb+Bear+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0gn_rRHvWcGaq6oDyQDFuVarVRHElyQ8ZGquA8q9ZObrcivFpzHdGj8X-vZS4WUOEhH2O0A9go1eXYtdEXmK4SsDPPLzaD12udBj6gJoN3uJUDw0lvV2UHbrnHQOi1BheiggVSaD8M2y/s1600-h/Bb+Browb+Bear+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252230723027609202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0gn_rRHvWcGaq6oDyQDFuVarVRHElyQ8ZGquA8q9ZObrcivFpzHdGj8X-vZS4WUOEhH2O0A9go1eXYtdEXmK4SsDPPLzaD12udBj6gJoN3uJUDw0lvV2UHbrnHQOi1BheiggVSaD8M2y/s200/Bb+Browb+Bear+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We finished our lapbooks for <em>Brown Bear Brown Bear</em> a little bit ago and it was more of a review of colors for Charlie but it also helped A and J learn their colors. Inside there is some memory game cards and some matching color words/color animal cards. There is also a picture of a real brown bear and one of what the bear tracks look like. The round pocket holds a "sewing" card for fine motor practice lacing around the brown bear. </div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-11937853832491317352008-09-28T15:13:00.005-04:002008-09-28T17:51:58.229-04:00Alphabet Notebook Aa Bb<embed style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 250px" name="looopSlider2" align="middle" src="http://www.imageloop.com/swf/looopSlider2.swf" width="425" height="250" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="id=12b0333e-814d-17c2-b673-0015c5fcf7da" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br />Here are our 1st pages for our Alphabet Notebook. Letter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aa</span> page has <strong>apple</strong> prints on the front, and on the back there is some colored <strong>apples</strong> with <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aa</span> words</strong> on them and colored <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Aa</span> art</strong> book and some <strong>apple </strong>stickers.<br /><br />The Letter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bb</span> page is colored with <strong>blue</strong> and has <strong>buttons</strong> glued on it. On the back you can see the <strong>What begins with B wheel</strong> and<strong> Charlie's Letter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bb</span> Book.</strong>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-27280907607889081512008-09-28T14:19:00.003-04:002008-09-28T14:45:29.336-04:00A brief wrap up on a busy SeptemberIt has been a busy week and finding time to blog has been hard. As far as the daycare/preschool goes, we have completed our letter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bb</span> page for our alphabet notebooks as well as our small unit on Brown Bear, Brown Bear. I will post pics on a separate post.<br /><br />I was pleasantly surprised when yesterday while getting his sneakers on, Charlie stated they had a "B" on them. Which they did because they had the "B" emblem for the Boston Red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sox</span> on the side. He also then decided to get the empty box, waiting near the trash, to play with saying "B is for box!" Seems <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">preschooling</span> him is working :-D<br /><br />Andrea, the oldest, has been visiting recently. She was on a "separation mode" from family, only making brief appearances and phone calls around birthday and holidays. Chuck and I strongly felt that she just needed this time to settle into her new life off on her own, aka grow a little, and would find her way back on her own better if she wasn't pushed. It appears we got that 1 right, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Yay</span>! She has been doing so well and we are very happy for her.<br /><br />Jenn and the kids are the same. They are definitely struggling and its been hard but we see them often (almost daily) and she knows that when and if the time comes there is always room here for the kids and her. I think when that day comes it will be one of the hardest things in her life for Jenn to admit, and do.<br /><br />Heather is back at school for her final year. I can't believe she will be a college graduate next spring. She's doing very well and keeping VERY busy between her classes and her internship necessary to receive her degree in social work.<br /><br />And Amby, my original baby (before Charlie) is doing very well. Back at school in her sophomore year, she has taken her 1st apartment and is learning a little of what the "real world" is like. Her 1st audition she was cast into 2 different dance pieces. Now she has had to add those rehearsals into her dance class and academic class schedules. Second semester she is hoping to get into the study abroad program in France. Busy, busy, busy.<br /><br />So there's the brief wrap up.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-11693521179367558952008-09-18T07:57:00.004-04:002008-09-18T08:12:06.724-04:00Coloring with thought<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S0bivSiZv1LX9N0BXNkFIVD8ejjX9JHDuhHK4bOeZMi5OZwmkMJrrii59dILimKpr7O2MFddcWedd0Y-u59JjSQ_rdYvr6IUnICIpz_3MWgLe9QUvIH3CxUjEQ9xAvDH7tAKmeFQPnOP/s1600-h/The+wiggles+pics+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247332600663780194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S0bivSiZv1LX9N0BXNkFIVD8ejjX9JHDuhHK4bOeZMi5OZwmkMJrrii59dILimKpr7O2MFddcWedd0Y-u59JjSQ_rdYvr6IUnICIpz_3MWgLe9QUvIH3CxUjEQ9xAvDH7tAKmeFQPnOP/s200/The+wiggles+pics+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq775_DPtXOh72NY-RDbDkZlZo_Y8Y6zwyYchUCSLR8q3NB1dgE8UYdqIuQAUT77fPAaArsAVIQ6SfDPPIbZkx7nV-De40G5GnMnphkuKraVhUvo2qLwJithdCwvm36APKed-bwKlwBvB9/s1600-h/Aa+page.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247329618973672594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq775_DPtXOh72NY-RDbDkZlZo_Y8Y6zwyYchUCSLR8q3NB1dgE8UYdqIuQAUT77fPAaArsAVIQ6SfDPPIbZkx7nV-De40G5GnMnphkuKraVhUvo2qLwJithdCwvm36APKed-bwKlwBvB9/s200/Aa+page.jpg" border="0" /></a> Charlie's coloring has changed. At 2 1/2, what used to be just a few scribbles with very little pressure has turned into intentional coloring. He now tries to color the picture, not just the whole paper. Also, there is rhyme and reason to the colors he chooses. </div><div> </div><div>In the picture he colored of The Wiggles, he chose the right colors for each member of the band. Very exciting!</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-39033093262319553602008-09-15T15:23:00.003-04:002008-09-15T15:37:25.879-04:00The Apple Pie Tree lapbook<embed style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 250px" name="looopSlider2" align="middle" src="http://www.imageloop.com/swf/looopSlider2.swf" width="425" height="250" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="id=6998bc57-953c-1d42-8632-0015c5fcf7da" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br />We finished our lap books for <em>The Apple Pie Tree</em> by Zoe Hall. We worked on this book and the related activities and lap book components for 1 1/2 weeks. Thanks to <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HSS</span></a> for all the ideas and activities.<br /><br />Inside our lap books there is a What begins with A wheel, a pocket containing related opposite cards, a counting apples <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">minit</span> book the boys glued apples to, a petal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">minit</span> book about how bees help make apples, an apple tree they made, and a "recipe" for apple pie they dictated to me. We assembled the lap books today and tomorrow we'll bake our apple pie to finish off this unit.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-43800957126508047542008-09-15T13:22:00.003-04:002008-09-15T13:29:39.527-04:00Hair cut time :-(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3fSJL1qG3EcQR-mY0-p_8MqlN8VkLOqQC63n604tEjyiEEcb71P8hjuB5iIeeYSSQFsBcSaouY-92HydlCU2m2-nK9lUdbW-VxWwoRIn-8-0sltm6M1rvkm2p0w8RjflKldmZIyY3NZZ/s1600-h/Haircut+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246300815562139810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3fSJL1qG3EcQR-mY0-p_8MqlN8VkLOqQC63n604tEjyiEEcb71P8hjuB5iIeeYSSQFsBcSaouY-92HydlCU2m2-nK9lUdbW-VxWwoRIn-8-0sltm6M1rvkm2p0w8RjflKldmZIyY3NZZ/s320/Haircut+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIDU56aBhYnfuVKw6sR57JArZCAu5NHgVur2ONkha_GiqqAlpXUMztFmKNHjLgU9UCdQ6elubR1k5012hREJQJQdWmbuT94XK1lFCe96k3YXaKpHEkdbGxVqqZj3fdbbuDkjRih-p4A1a/s1600-h/Haircut+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246300319961382322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIDU56aBhYnfuVKw6sR57JArZCAu5NHgVur2ONkha_GiqqAlpXUMztFmKNHjLgU9UCdQ6elubR1k5012hREJQJQdWmbuT94XK1lFCe96k3YXaKpHEkdbGxVqqZj3fdbbuDkjRih-p4A1a/s320/Haircut+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Summer is over and the surfer dude in <a href="http://stephaniefurness.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html#7592089335976779248">this post</a> was not happy about this at all.</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-69338674886150765972008-09-11T15:29:00.002-04:002008-09-11T15:43:35.321-04:00Naptime ... Oh What a Relief it is!<embed style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 250px" name="looopSlider2" align="middle" src="http://www.imageloop.com/swf/looopSlider2.swf" width="425" height="250" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="id=01ed74c5-ed3e-1bb6-ad45-0015c5febdc7" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><a title="Permanent Link: BFS #101 - Plop, plop, Fizz, fizz; Oh, What a Relief It Is!" href="http://kingskreations.us/bfs/?p=127" rel="bookmark"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BFS</span> #101 - Plop, plop, Fizz, fizz; Oh, What a Relief It Is!</a><br />Assignment: This would be a good week to tell about your worst struggles with a lifestyle of homeschooling. Share any curriculum/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">home school</span> methods that have been a relief to you, i.e., a particular Teacher’s Manual or Homeschooling method that’s been easier for your family. Talk about how you felt when the burden was lifted and Oh, What a Relief it is!<br /><br />This year there are 2 major reliefs for me regarding <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">homeschooling</span> three preschoolers and a 1yr old.<br /><br /><p><object id="W488cf23408e45ac348c97195c22fc882" style="POSITION: absolute" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="1" width="1" data="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/488cf23408e45ac3/48c97195c22fc882/488cf23443b3eb39/66f9dd7f"><br /></object>1st) I love this site and group <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/">http://www.homeschoolshare.com/</a> they have been a saving grace for me! Go and check them out, you'll love 'em.</p><p>2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span>) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Nap time</span> between 12:00 - 2:00 when all 4 children are sleeping. ;-D</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-13501368872452049122008-09-11T05:32:00.003-04:002008-09-11T13:54:10.810-04:00Mid-week check inWe have been working on the book<em> The Apple Pie Tree </em>by Zoe Hall. The boys are really enjoying it. As the week has progressed I notice that they are taking the book themselves and "reading" it to each other, and as they do they seem to have picked up new info each time. Yesterday I heard Charlie and J pointing out the robins in the book and the growth of them during the year. I also heard A at 1 point telling J about what season it was in the book on a particular page. This is what I love to see.<br /><br /><br /><br />We are working on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lapbook</span> elements daily to highlight different aspects of the book/apple tree seasons. Along with this book we are starting our alphabet notebook. This week we have been working on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aa</span>.<br /><br />Tuesday our preschool routine was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">interrupted</span> by a school day off for the older boys. Although it was nice to see them, I'm glad to be back to just the younger crowd. The general atmosphere is more relaxed and the boys all seem to play better when the older 2 are away at school.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-15240732851944902452008-09-09T14:41:00.004-04:002008-09-13T14:21:55.879-04:00Pseudo beach time after the heavy rains<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3aACCZZGyth3OWrWh_QVRuXFjDjx6iKXSusZH21L4R4UtFhHBZVgA2yWRHx_25sDFOxOZQBAlNuAKbX8rLDx3d4nPXm3t3a8Ic8FlDjrkCgKxcpiWEqgCcfn7DzkPwEPicQxDeYGnZGf/s1600-h/deck+day+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245572783925122386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3aACCZZGyth3OWrWh_QVRuXFjDjx6iKXSusZH21L4R4UtFhHBZVgA2yWRHx_25sDFOxOZQBAlNuAKbX8rLDx3d4nPXm3t3a8Ic8FlDjrkCgKxcpiWEqgCcfn7DzkPwEPicQxDeYGnZGf/s320/deck+day+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br />After the heavy rains that came by this weekend, we were some of the lucky ones here in Manchester that didn't have any flooding problems. Except for lots of water that needed to be removed from Charlie's sandbox, we had a very nice day and Chuck was able to finish the deck, too.</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-55857095548570109332008-09-08T15:09:00.001-04:002008-09-08T15:09:31.359-04:00P'sghetti<div>Doesn't it look delicious</div><br /><DIV><EMBED style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 250px" name=looopSlider2 align=middle src=http://www.imageloop.com/swf/looopSlider2.swf width=425 height=250 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" salign="l" scale="noscale" quality="high" flashvars="id=fca8731c-ce92-159c-a300-0015c5fcf7da"><br /><DIV lang=en style="WIDTH: 425px; PADDING-TOP: 3px" xml:lang="en"><A href="http://www.imageloop.com/setuplooop.htm" target=_blank><IMG style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" alt="Your pictures and fotos in a slideshow on MySpace, eBay, Facebook or your website!" src="http://st.imageloop.com/_img/bt_myo_new.gif"></A><A href="http://slideshow.sfurness.imageloop.com/" target=_blank><IMG style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; DISPLAY: inline; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" alt="view all pictures of this slideshow" src="http://st.imageloop.com/_img/bt_vap_new.gif"></A></DIV></DIV><object width="1" height="1" style="position: absolute;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="W488cf23408e45ac348c5786a5c889cdc" data="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/488cf23408e45ac3/48c5786a5c889cdc/488cf23443b3eb39/9bcab1b9"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/488cf23408e45ac3/48c5786a5c889cdc/488cf23443b3eb39/9bcab1b9" /><br /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><br /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><br /></object>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-43476428024404743732008-09-05T12:00:00.009-04:002008-09-05T12:33:06.168-04:00Chicka Chicka Lapbook<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZxf26W5ebxmpXmlTOi9msAK06doERGz-n6dM6kJKKkygznKnuyyZJmwFJpFUvneg3ejvaNetyWE1x_81giGoQ3hTSif_k-ED-5H060nKuf1-O2pOGYr2Od-4ZL_j0MOxIiDk5fuUs37l/s1600-h/Chicka+Chicka+week+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242572251877691842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZxf26W5ebxmpXmlTOi9msAK06doERGz-n6dM6kJKKkygznKnuyyZJmwFJpFUvneg3ejvaNetyWE1x_81giGoQ3hTSif_k-ED-5H060nKuf1-O2pOGYr2Od-4ZL_j0MOxIiDk5fuUs37l/s200/Chicka+Chicka+week+010.jpg" width="235" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmIOS-f9YiY8qrh29OpMJIQxSrOb4eML_MuPc6EofIwNBGO6EBHGLgpr53Ebahg2yInTi4UqwiRxPRlBa49dM_W2wMBCiMIFjvjsIzULE5hUBkcgQF1mcA_oh8X6dQzxQMbnI908gh860/s1600-h/Chicka+Chicka+week+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242571245860494018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmIOS-f9YiY8qrh29OpMJIQxSrOb4eML_MuPc6EofIwNBGO6EBHGLgpr53Ebahg2yInTi4UqwiRxPRlBa49dM_W2wMBCiMIFjvjsIzULE5hUBkcgQF1mcA_oh8X6dQzxQMbnI908gh860/s200/Chicka+Chicka+week+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9mSmQrwukPPnNM7gRzdyUnkmw1oeAqCnOWYhFmKcCH1a-3eJIoYlieZ_7ACnilseO56xE3EH-4a-t0RAQ18HGiRwpYRPsLpwxzMam9EgLAvfNRVjg-15LG_4ucPfPuvRDGYreFWvZr8S/s1600-h/Chicka+Chicka+week+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242570804982635602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9mSmQrwukPPnNM7gRzdyUnkmw1oeAqCnOWYhFmKcCH1a-3eJIoYlieZ_7ACnilseO56xE3EH-4a-t0RAQ18HGiRwpYRPsLpwxzMam9EgLAvfNRVjg-15LG_4ucPfPuvRDGYreFWvZr8S/s200/Chicka+Chicka+week+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6d6HS7qqf5akozOi9q7MzeD_Ls-dBA-J3XZDL5Bsg02fgsYcpM8boc_EILOVhtXvskXuI7J-qBVhxR_QV9WaeSORJ8h1fyb0jI6-QbniLuxirZupMcsfguIhcC4VQssxUadq3TOj6u_7/s1600-h/Chicka+Chicka+week+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242569839468617938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6d6HS7qqf5akozOi9q7MzeD_Ls-dBA-J3XZDL5Bsg02fgsYcpM8boc_EILOVhtXvskXuI7J-qBVhxR_QV9WaeSORJ8h1fyb0jI6-QbniLuxirZupMcsfguIhcC4VQssxUadq3TOj6u_7/s200/Chicka+Chicka+week+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVBZ0ln_w7n1eOocPQbgykaRUGGuMVyiuTBIv7i154Kha6hFn-If_Mp7q17VxIVZb-M5JrjL6_D0j9d-lAW92mqc9YuoJ-jdZdWDCz3YuMg0V8SWRVXxoyB4DwRZdD4RwFo990zVoBvpQ/s1600-h/Chicka+Chicka+week+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242569414887596626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVBZ0ln_w7n1eOocPQbgykaRUGGuMVyiuTBIv7i154Kha6hFn-If_Mp7q17VxIVZb-M5JrjL6_D0j9d-lAW92mqc9YuoJ-jdZdWDCz3YuMg0V8SWRVXxoyB4DwRZdD4RwFo990zVoBvpQ/s200/Chicka+Chicka+week+009.jpg" border="0" /></a> Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom, will there be enough room?</div><div> </div><div>Today we completed our lapbook. Through out the week we read the book aloud everyday and worked on recognizing our own 1st initial, counting/sequencing, and just a simple basic intro to the preschool routine.</div><div> </div><div>The pictures above are of Charlie's lapbook, the boys will be taking theirs home today. On the front is a picture reflecting the theme of the book and each boy glued on the various pieces to assemble the coconut tree. Inside there are pockets for upper and lowercase letters, an accordion mini-book of their name that they assembled (with help), and a pocket with coconut tree cards that they can work on putting in order per number of coconuts in the tree. As you can see they also enjoyed gluing foam letters all over the inside as well. All are very proud of their finished product.</div></div></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-40609589320745031102008-09-04T07:27:00.003-04:002008-09-04T13:03:02.836-04:00BFS Assignment #100 - Oh What a Feeling!I had a hard time figuring out how to write what I feel about homeschooling and then the parent of the almost 4yr old I care for took care of it for me.<br /><br />When her older 2 boys were getting ready to start school there was a lot of talk between the boys about being "old enough and ready" for school. The older 2 were often teasing the A(3) that he wasn't old enough to go to school and he needed to talk better before he could. Here, <a href="http://stephaniefurness.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html#426696042707402987">http://stephaniefurness.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html#426696042707402987</a> , I mention that this little boy was denied admittance to the sped. ed preschool in this city, and we were all really surprised. I told all the boys that we, their Mom and I, decided that A will be having preschool here with me and the other kids.<br /><br />Yesterday after our 1st day of preschool, here, A's Mom picked up and was very excited for her little ones. Apparently 1 of the older boys told her that it wasn't fair that A and J got to have preschool at our house while they went to school. The boys showed her their 1st day of school papers, talked about <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chicka</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Chicka</span> Boom Boom</em>, and both her and the kids were very happy. To see the look of pride on both A's and his Mom's face was priceless. It was something that was very seldom there.<br /><br />Self-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">confidence</span> and pride in your accomplishments is something I always felt was very important while educating my older children. They have gone on to be great adults. This is a character that I also want to see in my son and will be happy to help instill it in any child's heart.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-23710131179036867632008-09-03T14:19:00.003-04:002008-09-03T14:34:35.513-04:001st official day of school.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA0B5uMDkxOa6lKGNgVXYpASn-tLwsG6zzrQxfkDhchg3jY_iWaoMJpKi8YhST9ziaw9rBIyc3QtZKMRRH37b0iBK3mtUGJMok_E7SHxgnp9MPbi8k9E583lJnoIMaNr1V02FFTl76Pie/s1600-h/1st+day+of+school+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241864922015768146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA0B5uMDkxOa6lKGNgVXYpASn-tLwsG6zzrQxfkDhchg3jY_iWaoMJpKi8YhST9ziaw9rBIyc3QtZKMRRH37b0iBK3mtUGJMok_E7SHxgnp9MPbi8k9E583lJnoIMaNr1V02FFTl76Pie/s320/1st+day+of+school+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Today the older boys went off to school so with A(3), J(2) and Charlie(2) we officially were able to start preschool. It was nice to be able to get back to a "school" routine.<br /><br />We colored out "1st day of school" papers, attached pictures of each boy to them and they dictated to me a few bits of info about themselves. As a group we read <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chicka</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chicka</span>, Boom, Boom </em>by Bill Martin and glued pieces of a coconut tree onto the cover sheet for our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lapbook</span>.</div><br /><div>We spent lots of time outside playing and "helping" Chuck who was finishing building the deck. The afternoon will be spent playing in the pool and yard. It was a very good day.</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-75920893359767792482008-08-29T13:48:00.005-04:002008-08-29T14:51:14.939-04:00Hair, lots of it<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_oB_ueYL8MW0hiwithcc3AlbiLIVVAIWU2JU-_AdMz1s1MNPDs0521IOcGXrlL7nPcSbwpk66OCDivVSIz5Q9z1lDykxQtwhtynOBFbd4ULudYDNw29J4p7570PGN8aOp68n5uU58dXK/s1600-h/charlie+summer+08_tmp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240014020249180018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_oB_ueYL8MW0hiwithcc3AlbiLIVVAIWU2JU-_AdMz1s1MNPDs0521IOcGXrlL7nPcSbwpk66OCDivVSIz5Q9z1lDykxQtwhtynOBFbd4ULudYDNw29J4p7570PGN8aOp68n5uU58dXK/s200/charlie+summer+08_tmp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgVvskqBrpS2GRs4vTAEfu0F04ApGofIBk3g3X-Ch0ul1dnEisD1ukvwDOOlWOi7Wc_dP4ta-fdxP3txTNIHX009iR0GSHHqUnOzciW35V5vP6rNma-QlWi8XrBNGAUsL0IBiUURVebij/s1600-h/crazy+hair+Charlie+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240013089089030114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgVvskqBrpS2GRs4vTAEfu0F04ApGofIBk3g3X-Ch0ul1dnEisD1ukvwDOOlWOi7Wc_dP4ta-fdxP3txTNIHX009iR0GSHHqUnOzciW35V5vP6rNma-QlWi8XrBNGAUsL0IBiUURVebij/s200/crazy+hair+Charlie+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoipUfS9Ru5UeV41zD6hpCbzDwXH_I0FqwpfYJyWrvTRjrE7R47-6KQuDR2Wdecu6-zV2PX1wUt0w-zLmOghB9VdtP4Zdw1-KUctD3hNRC_-z3Jkf0CG3WFiJCoTZkO9nEeKI6xcWhyphenhyphenpYE/s1600-h/summer+daycare+08+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240002066626420034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoipUfS9Ru5UeV41zD6hpCbzDwXH_I0FqwpfYJyWrvTRjrE7R47-6KQuDR2Wdecu6-zV2PX1wUt0w-zLmOghB9VdtP4Zdw1-KUctD3hNRC_-z3Jkf0CG3WFiJCoTZkO9nEeKI6xcWhyphenhyphenpYE/s200/summer+daycare+08+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ9L6ugICIWLEyqUde2KS03ZvIbmgNxYEtJClWcHfuFesbVTqaI77MRgl2mEG7Qh-P1Ar8BTtExpeyyFKLIKPjIBcmXNz6zY0C6WmuMeLOiFkNaiYxRXyQqderIE2G-LNiwZOe0vdgAJ5/s1600-h/Charlie+summer+08+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240001426377053010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ9L6ugICIWLEyqUde2KS03ZvIbmgNxYEtJClWcHfuFesbVTqaI77MRgl2mEG7Qh-P1Ar8BTtExpeyyFKLIKPjIBcmXNz6zY0C6WmuMeLOiFkNaiYxRXyQqderIE2G-LNiwZOe0vdgAJ5/s200/Charlie+summer+08+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHSEBmBzJqT7RjJANKEO0MxA3eJFB0bu-W2FdMd_6SKfOVdSotyCafhdmaXnLx3fyAE0IYKuWOzCfea8NTWSX3wF60HES2vHf6dZ65_jlTDCv_ko_1CL9G1TrPBMGUaAaU-W1QWR8Rdwe/s1600-h/Summer+daycare+last+day+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239998769239230834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHSEBmBzJqT7RjJANKEO0MxA3eJFB0bu-W2FdMd_6SKfOVdSotyCafhdmaXnLx3fyAE0IYKuWOzCfea8NTWSX3wF60HES2vHf6dZ65_jlTDCv_ko_1CL9G1TrPBMGUaAaU-W1QWR8Rdwe/s200/Summer+daycare+last+day+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb2gW-6G9ZiZ1eZMtsE-ryq24bJ7XGOg5aU-EZkkGPbjLf34H6AQlTKzSfJC19jBij04vibyrQtxmuOJ5oLWubKqVbNIWrxpUC_FA_6NK68lCp5nGEvtg4VGUvH_SgNp4goEslLmmrmp2/s1600-h/Summer+daycare+last+day+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239998316083625682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb2gW-6G9ZiZ1eZMtsE-ryq24bJ7XGOg5aU-EZkkGPbjLf34H6AQlTKzSfJC19jBij04vibyrQtxmuOJ5oLWubKqVbNIWrxpUC_FA_6NK68lCp5nGEvtg4VGUvH_SgNp4goEslLmmrmp2/s200/Summer+daycare+last+day+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Do you think Charlie could use a trip to the barber shop? </div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-67305454100388764692008-08-29T13:19:00.011-04:002008-08-29T13:47:30.632-04:00Last days of summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJO8TzR5bUz71kfXw95USZ1i0k6-cbz7pPimRJOan6E3EJMSEptzYQ2q97W9tWDE_mM7W6BA4u2Es7y4TK-Bd0gdJ6x9AyRry3CQ0EcXEbnQvFi_NPbH9qn9vL2_Z3cs21abaWdRKq1X2/s1600-h/Summer+daycare+last+day+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239996368378340322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJO8TzR5bUz71kfXw95USZ1i0k6-cbz7pPimRJOan6E3EJMSEptzYQ2q97W9tWDE_mM7W6BA4u2Es7y4TK-Bd0gdJ6x9AyRry3CQ0EcXEbnQvFi_NPbH9qn9vL2_Z3cs21abaWdRKq1X2/s200/Summer+daycare+last+day+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1AJKHHSZxWqxk0kBhrAFSfj7NI50VgiQoIpnQe2eXJSx8Kw_f30y8nctpeolKcNJxQF7CqJ8lmsM639nwAH3gyRHBid4HidVwgk9VD1DEUL3_gW_ykJuxHV2oU1GJQ28CDKSO0oDa0v0/s1600-h/Summer+daycare+last+day+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239995898457445426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1AJKHHSZxWqxk0kBhrAFSfj7NI50VgiQoIpnQe2eXJSx8Kw_f30y8nctpeolKcNJxQF7CqJ8lmsM639nwAH3gyRHBid4HidVwgk9VD1DEUL3_gW_ykJuxHV2oU1GJQ28CDKSO0oDa0v0/s200/Summer+daycare+last+day+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Sc-EvXuetkOrDuOQOjS6iFWe4ngWhSyS4M4qxT9f_FOLwEQ06NcBkwssg9uylEEtikIuO-3lFttRL9Y6EQxQnB51EM0nXOQb1t8arkE7hyeFHfjtPCsZ77GafI9FgvWZs_8m0bTnnMb/s1600-h/Summer+daycare+last+day+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239995197406139698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Sc-EvXuetkOrDuOQOjS6iFWe4ngWhSyS4M4qxT9f_FOLwEQ06NcBkwssg9uylEEtikIuO-3lFttRL9Y6EQxQnB51EM0nXOQb1t8arkE7hyeFHfjtPCsZ77GafI9FgvWZs_8m0bTnnMb/s200/Summer+daycare+last+day+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yAEJazr4aQT3vJG8V3YyX2T1zaheLENMGRsqbYirGAVpVF7cM9tCK_H0QZYLRp7VmDcJz6Wrw4lgZ9bcrUzllvKgzeeTE2fP1Z5WdBiQ6dxubFEHtap-IV_uWDErtC_lV2hdqqtqIdqK/s1600-h/Summer+daycare+last+day+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239994311250349474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" height="167" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yAEJazr4aQT3vJG8V3YyX2T1zaheLENMGRsqbYirGAVpVF7cM9tCK_H0QZYLRp7VmDcJz6Wrw4lgZ9bcrUzllvKgzeeTE2fP1Z5WdBiQ6dxubFEHtap-IV_uWDErtC_lV2hdqqtqIdqK/s200/Summer+daycare+last+day+004.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElUat2-dFiV1WJZT0ohvAmGz7HG-h7_7ADX24F0J7wOLEL7JMTPJVgVOmg0xfbcvzZAxsX1fNN-uKB6oAZ36w2V8zjEDLRfJBIta6O04AYp3tw08VPF7-SjS-fdxLiO54-amC8yzPZT_x/s1600-h/Charlie+summer+08+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239993721080719618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" height="170" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElUat2-dFiV1WJZT0ohvAmGz7HG-h7_7ADX24F0J7wOLEL7JMTPJVgVOmg0xfbcvzZAxsX1fNN-uKB6oAZ36w2V8zjEDLRfJBIta6O04AYp3tw08VPF7-SjS-fdxLiO54-amC8yzPZT_x/s200/Charlie+summer+08+005.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq96X74z_zYVEhLUXLEvZ75_SqlcD2cqWJdEWfCV6g9PLbP2ySkHsFpbHJX9y79EsnzMDOlgAr9lXPXGWXAiECs2oTQngbJthXihtaBMdP_mdlYnCXNaGhzzjAh7jtiOiELDhk338Iqfd/s1600-h/summer+daycare+08+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239993030969666946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq96X74z_zYVEhLUXLEvZ75_SqlcD2cqWJdEWfCV6g9PLbP2ySkHsFpbHJX9y79EsnzMDOlgAr9lXPXGWXAiECs2oTQngbJthXihtaBMdP_mdlYnCXNaGhzzjAh7jtiOiELDhk338Iqfd/s200/summer+daycare+08+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzAKFKOiMmUocaOiU-HT75CGmdN9s8CJEgFsngw4RJGYwIn982ZtxxTj6jcy8RExBtS0QEON_O3aPCkZzUsOymkQTIgkZx4a1DuFfSZxdpx0bkMfGEy9J0Mg9aBeHvHG9ScGQwcIOsitC/s1600-h/summer+daycare+08+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239992570281257010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzAKFKOiMmUocaOiU-HT75CGmdN9s8CJEgFsngw4RJGYwIn982ZtxxTj6jcy8RExBtS0QEON_O3aPCkZzUsOymkQTIgkZx4a1DuFfSZxdpx0bkMfGEy9J0Mg9aBeHvHG9ScGQwcIOsitC/s200/summer+daycare+08+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_kYVs1L7QH2H_IVBSOqXkjqUe3jCapsx_2A_znrrUEj6M2K9KphxSRU3JQ65wLOTijxsJ1_qM6g-qqsgwq2ibmPeV9nM5QOFjrrjptAiZTYTkKB1buj4g4QTz2yKaAW6H0hg0Bn7Nc-H/s1600-h/summer+daycare+08+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239992091316455698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_kYVs1L7QH2H_IVBSOqXkjqUe3jCapsx_2A_znrrUEj6M2K9KphxSRU3JQ65wLOTijxsJ1_qM6g-qqsgwq2ibmPeV9nM5QOFjrrjptAiZTYTkKB1buj4g4QTz2yKaAW6H0hg0Bn7Nc-H/s200/summer+daycare+08+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJsJadVC8jAcImCsrQTCfn-VZ_TgA0myy8GIkbV4XX9rPbhRhgzf09wfZ49TRLrBfQeU_BHb2x8OMuffWxBIIkDdhx5TjEfB8TD10hEwIl30r9hFObaqxZ4m8oZCQthqjbj1oIeR36SnL/s1600-h/82708.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239991664015757378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJsJadVC8jAcImCsrQTCfn-VZ_TgA0myy8GIkbV4XX9rPbhRhgzf09wfZ49TRLrBfQeU_BHb2x8OMuffWxBIIkDdhx5TjEfB8TD10hEwIl30r9hFObaqxZ4m8oZCQthqjbj1oIeR36SnL/s200/82708.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The last day of summer for the daycare is here. This is what a week of just playing ... aka no curriculum ... looks like around here.</div><br />It has been beautiful weather. With sun every day and the temps in the low 70's in the am, 80's in the afternoon we have really been enjoying lots of time outside. Next week school begins for the older boys and we here will start concentrating on our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FIAR</span> and Letter of the week curriculum.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-32991339403970624752008-08-29T05:40:00.006-04:002008-08-29T06:03:08.446-04:00Just the little man and meIts been a busy week. Monday 2 of our girls were shipped off back to college :-( Heather out to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Westfield</span> for her final year, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Amberlyn</span> to Pittsburgh for her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sophomore</span> year.<br /><br /><br /><br />Charlie has grown extremely close to Amby this summer and is now old enough to understand that she is away at school and not here. He keeps asking "Amby all done at school?" and "We take a ride and go get Amby?" Its sweet but sad, too. We wont see either girl again <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">until</span> Thanksgiving.<br /><br /><br /><br />Chuck left for Conn. yesterday and wont be back until late Labor Day night. He has a show out there at the <a href="http://www.woodstockfair.com/">Woodstock Fair</a>. So it is just the little man and myself ... of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">course</span> I still have the boys and Tessa here for daycare today and Tessa for daycare over the weekend as well. My plan is to use this time to catch up on the unpacking that still needs to be done from the move and to get ahead on curriculum and have most of the prep done for upcoming <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lapbooks</span>. We'll see how it all plays out ;-)Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-41351309445015102822008-08-25T12:08:00.007-04:002008-08-29T06:02:22.078-04:00Hello Ocean Lapbook<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZW4-rLt95ATB7rmAw6iyAYH5Gtepmuys1jUVr9Hh8PO1wZ-h8KkATel73RbB5s-rNg0LL5RyxvAuY4sGtkLm4xvjCW9nUUA2yNOYOUSvZysRNU15CrA4s22CowcaJCpQTDxw-EuDoBtQ/s1600-h/Hello+Ocean+Lapbook+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238489870813708258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" height="174" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZW4-rLt95ATB7rmAw6iyAYH5Gtepmuys1jUVr9Hh8PO1wZ-h8KkATel73RbB5s-rNg0LL5RyxvAuY4sGtkLm4xvjCW9nUUA2yNOYOUSvZysRNU15CrA4s22CowcaJCpQTDxw-EuDoBtQ/s320/Hello+Ocean+Lapbook+003.jpg" width="182" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXNizwAZwraHed2DqwNFCuoS5SFXJ7wasLO86lG4XGqurVf6NuiYm1wo4tyYllahq4YcFPeBzKQWqFJPs83YRa99SCCl7E-KYa8iXySspOnb0kNA4JhlAQT4_q708iEPS83UawJ-kUecl/s1600-h/Hello+Ocean+Lapbook+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238489254314775746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" height="173" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXNizwAZwraHed2DqwNFCuoS5SFXJ7wasLO86lG4XGqurVf6NuiYm1wo4tyYllahq4YcFPeBzKQWqFJPs83YRa99SCCl7E-KYa8iXySspOnb0kNA4JhlAQT4_q708iEPS83UawJ-kUecl/s320/Hello+Ocean+Lapbook+002.jpg" width="168" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcOJvFePFVpp6SqGLKC61svWqbxg3K7ce5mp2nBww-HrXMObwRlIGSwAavbejVywrsXuAeHzag4RwukN95dyzDGPjbBqvYw_qPWkJq7V1wG136v6YysQVHti5rQoCgkRuhE20ryUnt_ra/s1600-h/Hello+Ocean+Lapbook+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238488716642673826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="159" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcOJvFePFVpp6SqGLKC61svWqbxg3K7ce5mp2nBww-HrXMObwRlIGSwAavbejVywrsXuAeHzag4RwukN95dyzDGPjbBqvYw_qPWkJq7V1wG136v6YysQVHti5rQoCgkRuhE20ryUnt_ra/s320/Hello+Ocean+Lapbook+001.jpg" width="175" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Last week we finished up our summer curriculum and completed our <em>Hello Ocean</em> by Pam Munoz lap books. All the boys made their own, this one here is Charlie's. There is a shell memory game, a sand castle he made, a fan with names and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pictures</span> of what you would find in a tide pool. There's some poems and songs, and a mini book about what your 5 senses experience at the ocean. This is a great hands-on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lapbook</span> he can look at over and over again. Thanks to <a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/">http://www.homeschoolshare.com/</a> for the great unit!</div></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-55092578125213697072008-08-20T08:20:00.002-04:002008-08-20T08:28:48.932-04:00Back in the groove ... I hopeIts Wednesday and things seem to have settled back to norm. Boy, I hope I didn't just jinx myself. <br /><br />Yesterday we worked on a mural of the ocean as a group. The older boys are responsible for the actual mural art that is hanging in the kitchen at the moment. While the younger crew is napping, that is when they can work on the detailed coloring of the ocean floor.<br /><br />As a group we are painting various sea life so they can be hung on the mural when it is ready.<br /><br />With only 1 1/2 weeks left before public school starts, I'm hoping this great weather sticks around so we can enjoy the outdoors before the boys head back to sitting in a classroom all day.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-13111601558985737512008-08-18T08:15:00.002-04:002008-08-18T08:33:26.241-04:00Back to square 1Hail, hail, the gangs all here .... Everyone is back from the unexpected week off we just had. The boys are in "rare" form as I expected they would be, oh well.<br /><br />I think school will be put on the back burner as I try to reign in the troops again. That's what so hard with a break in schedule. It seems, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">every time</span> the boys return from a week in Maine with their Dad the same problems occur. Dylan's ego is shot and he either is saying he's stupid, or he's trying to control all the younger kids and being bossy. Tyler comes back way to full of himself with an attitude that he's always right no matter what and constantly tries to irritate his brothers and get them riled up. Austin returns very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">whiny</span> and out of control but once he settles in seems to improve quickly, liking the stability. Justin always comes back, back to square 1 with potty training and baby talking and just plain "baby" habits.<br /><br />This week, as far as schooling goes, is shot. Too bad because Charlie was really doing well and enjoying it.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258278836691370068.post-4266960427074029872008-08-13T17:58:00.003-04:002008-08-13T18:28:49.076-04:00Mid-week random thoughtsMid-week update....with lots of random thoughts.<br /><br />As it turned out, its been pretty much Charlie and I for the week. The boys I care for were out Mon. and Tues. because their mom was feeling pretty lousy. Since her childcare is a partial scholarship through the state, she cannot have the kids here unless she is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">actually</span> at work. Last week she was excused from that ruling while she underwent 5 days of chemo but that was all they allowed. She was planning to be able to go back to work this week but she is still feeling pretty rough. Eventually the boys ended up at their Dad's house in Maine so she could <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">recuperate</span> and he will be keeping them there until Sunday.<br /><br />Charlie and I started our <em>Hello Ocean</em> by Pam Munoz. We've been reading it everyday and working on a small project to put into his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lapbook</span>. Thanks to <a href="http://homeschoolshare.com/">http://homeschoolshare.com</a> we've had lot of fun working on this together.<br /><br />Today we had some friends come over to play that we hadn't seen in a while. Charlie had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">a lot</span> of fun and it was great to see them.<br /><br />Tessa should be back tomorrow for daycare. We haven't seen her since her birthday party on Saturday ... she made it to 1. I think that has to be the longest time we've gone with out a family visit or daycare. Should be interesting ;-)<br /><br />On another note regarding the boys in y care. I spoke with their mom after she attended the school meeting today. It was an meeting to go <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">over</span> the results of the testing he had. The school system feels he is not far enough behind to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">warrant</span> admittance in the spec. ed preschool program. I am completely shocked with that. <br /><br />He is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pre</span>-k age and he cannot count past 2, does not know his colors and shapes or recognize any letters. His speech is very difficult to understand, even to me, and I've been with him daily for since May. In my opinion he also has sensory issues. He doesn't like the feel of sand, will only eat certain food, prefers his shirts inside out so the seams won't touch him to name just a few. He has trouble adjusting to changes in any way. I think Mom is just to sick/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">tired</span> to fight at the moment. Looks like it will be up to me to try and get him closer to where he needs to be during this coming school year.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17463042738577751550noreply@blogger.com0