As I mentioned earlier this year, I have moved to a year-long homeschool. We will no longer follow the public school schedule. Not only does this give us more freedom, but it allows us to have more days for school… which is not as bad as it sounds! We will also continue Reading, Math, and Handwriting throughout the summer. We may also continue Latin and History, as these are two major favorites with the girls.

Even though we have changed our calendar year, the girls are actually wrapping up most of their work from our old schedule and will be beginning new reading, phonics, and math programs.

Abby Grace, age 8

Reading/Phonics: Rod & Staff and Mighty Books, Jr.

Math: Math-U-See.

Science: Sonlight Science B: Animals, Astronomy, and Physics (4-day schedule)

History: The Story of the World.

Language: First Language Lessons.

Writing: {finish} Handwriting without Tears Cursive 3, and then Handwriting without Tears Cursive 4.

Foreign Language: Song School Latin.

Typing: Dance Mat Typing.

Reese, age 6

Reading/Phonics: Teach Your Child to Read, Funnix Reading Program, and Rod and Staff 1.

Math: Math-U-See.

Science: Sonlight Science B: Animals, Astronomy, and Physics (4-day schedule)

History: The Story of the World.

Language: First Language Lessons.

Writing: {finish} Handwriting without Tears K, and then Handwriting Without Tears 1.

Foreign Language: Song School Latin.

I’m linking up to:

Homeschool Curriculum Fair 2012 is a post from: Amy Loves It!

Abby Grace has decided that she wants to start running, so her Daddy got her up before work to run with him. She managed to run four 400′s. These are the before and after shots.

Runner is a post from: Amy Loves It!

This is a cute deal, and I just had to share it. Eversave is offering $30 worth of personalized children’s books from Little Heroes for $15.

You can design the main character with your child’s eyes, skin tone and accessories (like glasses). Your kiddos will love seeing themselves in the illustrations and hearing their name read aloud at bedtime. Choose from adventure, fantasy, and sports stories! The voucher can be used toward shipping ($7 for up to four books).

This offer expires May 27, 2012.

$15 for $30 worth of Personalized Children’s Books from Little Heroes is a post from: Amy Loves It!

Here is a look at our lives this past week through Instagram photos. My username is “amylovesit” so follow me, and if you leave your username in the comments I can follow you, too!

Reese scored her first soccer goal last Saturday! And wouldn’t you know I missed it because I took little one to the bathroom. Boo. I was a proud Momma anyway!

Abby Grace was ready to play tough… and she did! Her coach told her she looked mean out there! (This is a good thing, as she is a very timid player most of the time.)

Reese helped me pull some clothes out of the dryer, and after I came back from plopping the load onto the couch, I couldn’t find Reese. I noticed the dryer door was not quite shut and took a peek inside. There was my silly little helper, sitting in the dryer!

I had two littles sneak into my bed in the middle of the night. And woke up to them snuggling each other!

I adore my homemade Chai Tea Latte… I need to find the link to it so I can share!

Filling up my 26 gallon tank hurts… especially when it’s on E!

Meleah had to pose on the red bench during one of our walks.

Reese turned 6 on March 19, and it’s been one thing after another that pushed her birthday lunch with Daddy until today. Late or not, she loves dressing up and going out with her Daddy!

I’m linking up to Insta-Fridays at Life Rearranged:

A Little Peek into this Week {Insta-Friday 4/27} is a post from: Amy Loves It!

One of our friends recently had a baby, and as soon as I heard the name announced, I knew what special gift I wanted to make.

I purchased a cute little “C” (cute, since baby is a girl) and some mosaic gems and mirror tiles at Hobby Lobby. I also found the pretty cross, but wasn’t sure if I would like the cross on the letter or not.

Then, I just chose the gems and tiles I wanted and began fitting and hot gluing. Some of the pieces (not shown, even in the final picture because I forgot!) I “beat” with a hammer for a more smooth edge (rather than having the gems stick out passed the edge of the letter).

After the gems and mirror tiles set for a bit, I hot glued the cross to the letter. I had to fit in in just right, as some of the gems were different sizes. All in all, it was a very inexpensive (I spent less than $10) and easy to make gift, and one that was definitely well-received!

Our friend was delighted, as was I. In fact, I am quite tempted to make one for our new little one… as soon as I know if baby is a he or a she so I can choose the correct letter!

Gettin’ Crafty: Mosaic Gem and Mirror Tile Letter is a post from: Amy Loves It!

The days just get away from me; I just realized that April is almost over! Sigh. So much to do, so little time.

I have been meaning to share the pictures from Easter Sunday, so here they are, a smidgen late.

This first picture is a take off of one that my friend Holly posted. You see, 30 years ago, Easter Sunday was her first Sunday at the church at which my husband works. Her dad has been the pastor here for 30 years. She and her entire family are dear friends of ours, and I thought it would be cute to pose my girls in front of that same mantel 30 years later.

Yes, there is a baby bump in that final picture. As of writing this, I am approximately 17 weeks and 5 days. I will probably have a more definite idea of exactly how far I am when I go to the midwife next Thursday.

You may notice a certain person is missing, and it isn’t just because he is behind the camera. My poor husband was sick that day, and stayed home. (For the record, his tie was an orange color that matched one of the orange colors in the two younger girls’ dresses… we were going to be coordinated this year). We don’t think he was contagious, but he really felt bad, and his boss said to “stay home.” So he did. Sick or not, he sure took a good picture!

A Few Pictures is a post from: Amy Loves It!

Here is a look at our lives this past week through Instagram photos. My username is “amylovesit” so follow me, and if you leave your username in the comments I can follow you, too!

Another Saturday means another soccer game (or two!).

Meleah loves talking to the baby. She loves to say, “Hi Baby!” and then dissolve into giggles. It’s highly entertaining for all involved.

Checking out cows on the farm where we get our milk and eggs.

Showing off the essential oils I just received from Young Living!

Examining the larvae we received from Insect Lore.

Watching our middle school students run at the track meet. It was soooo windy!

Making sure all of my Instagram friends know what a fab wife I am by playing secretary at the church so my hubby could go to the track meet!

I’m linking up to Insta-Fridays at Life Rearranged:

A Little Peek into this Week {Insta-Friday 4/20} is a post from: Amy Loves It!

A few weeks ago, I ordered a live butterfly kit from Insect Lore. It finally came in, and I totally surprised the girls when I pulled out a tiny jar of larvae! I’m pretty sure they were expecting butterflies, but were beyond thrilled when four of the five little larvae began squirming around.

Each girl had to carefully examine the larvae. There may or may not have been a few, “She’s held it longer than I got to!” comments made, but I pretended to not hear them.

And Dad had to join in the fun before we all went to the local track meet.

I really can’t wait to watch these little larvae grow into butterflies!

Kinda Buggy is a post from: Amy Loves It!