In November,
Books were read.
Dates were had (Mark and I ventured to the fair…for the food and a few rides!).
Pizza was enjoyed (don’t worry, we fed him too).
School was done with goofy kids.
Cuddles were had.
And cat trees were built (this time by the littles).
I know it’s a new year but we’re still a little over a month behind and slowly catching up! Let’s pretend that we’re still back in 2018.
Our trip to the Christmas tree farm was, as always, full of lots of laughter. This time, though, we broke the record for the fastest selection of a tree. It was beautiful and just barely made it to Christmas day!
The kids have enjoyed checking their growth to the Christmas tree over the years. This farm has been our go-to farm for several years now and each time it has always been very memorable.
Mark secured it tightly to keep it from tipping over. It was lopsided but we all have really enjoyed it.
Tobin helped Mark with the lights.
The week after we returned to California, we eased back in to our normal routine. That afforded us the opportunity to head to the zoo. It was just what we needed too! The weather was perfect and Mark was able to meet us there late in the afternoon.
Zoe had to make a Voltron V and then a silly face. Teenagers!
We surprised the kids with a trip to Brick Universe in August. They never have super awesome reactions to surprises even though they enjoy them. So, I never get a good video of our surprise reveals. We saw some amazing Lego Creations by real artists! And the kids go to make some creations of their own.
We started off our eleventh year of homeschooling at the very end of July into August. It was early but we knew we would have several breaks throughout the year. So, here goes ya’ll! I have kids starting in Pre-k all the way to a sophomore in high school. Prayers are always appreciated!
Group subjects this year include:
Emmie is “officially” starting school. My goal is to have her recognize her letters and numbers along with shapes and colors before the end of the year. It’s going to be slow going because NF brings a lot of challenges and most kids with it have some learning disabilities but we’re working at her pace which is the joy of homeschooling! We’re using All About Reading Pre-Level and working on thinking skills using Building Thinking Skills-Beginning and Primary Levels. She’ll probably also be working through Developing the Early Learner in January.
Malachi is in first grade. He’s the eager beaver learner right now. He taught himself to read last year. So, this year, he is doing the following:
Bryant is heading into third grade. He’s worked hard on reading and has grown so much in it! Bryant’s working on:
Silas is working in various levels. He worked hard last year on a program outside of school to increase his processing speeds. It’s helped and we’re hoping it continues to help. This year, he is working on:
Ceili Rain continues to enjoy all things school. She’s still totally in love with math and is thrilled we are doing Anatomy for Science. This year she is working on:
Josiah’s in sixth grade! I can’t believe how fast he is growing up. He’s still a carbon copy of his daddy and growing taller by leaps and bounds. This year he is working:
Liam’s starting to get into more independent work. To help him with that this year, we swapped over from book work to online school. So, this year, Liam is in Alpha Omega’s Monarch program for Language Arts, Math, Science and History. So far, he is doing well with it and communicating more with us about his work. He’s also going to be doing an online coding class but we haven’t narrowed down which one yet.
With Ace starting his 9th grade year, I’m now officially “teaching” two high schoolers! Aggghhh! He is expressing more of an interest in graphic design and we’re helping provide opportunities for him to explore it more. He’s working on the following:
Zoe was at Grandparent Camp when we hit ten days. So, Papa and Grandmere did me a huge favor by getting a pic! She still says that ASL is her favorite language and the Deaf community is continuing to be a big learning area for her. This year she is working on:
I added links here just to make it easy for curious minds to check it out. However, most of our curriculum is used (through Homeschool Classifieds) or downloadable (in the case of most of our Master books). We aren’t endorsing any one company and all of these products were paid for by us…with our blood, sweat, and tears.
Zoe and Ceili Rain finished up their American Heritage Girls year in May. Zoe is becoming quite the leader and Ceili Rain “leveled up” receiving her Sacagawea Award and leaving her Tenderheart group to become an Explorer. They love spending time in AHG and building relationships with others but also learning more about what it means to be a woman of God. 
Late night run to Walmart and the girls just HAD to try on these giant heads.
Emmie was “reading” a book to Tobin.
And now we have a student driver.
Cool Dude.
Twinsies on date night.
Tobin with his buddy K. She’s over a month younger than him and is getting bigger than him.
Tobin met the twirly bug. He was shocked.
Bryant knows the love between Starbucks and me.
This isn’t quite how you’re supposed to drink from a cup Sweet T.
At care group one night our pastor was talking and Tobin thought he was the funniest thing ever.
Before braces…
After braces.
In which Emmie learns to not leave her glasses on the floor.
I detest these tops to our grains and oats. Ace, Bryant and several others attempted, in vain, to ope the lid. Drill. Hammer. Wedge. Nope. Mark finally was able to work his magic and get it off.
Tobin’s first food! It’s safe to say this kid LOVES to eat.
It’s safe to say that mama is Tobin’s favorite person right now. He does love his siblings and daddy…but Mama is the only one he’ll reach for. Maybe it’s because I’m so tasty…
So sweet and unassuming, but then…
He thought that was so funny!
Might as well go for her chin again!
We were able to block out enough time to run off to the zoo. Mark even met us halfway through our trip.
This girl has all the love and none of the fear of animals. 
We make our membership worthwhile by riding the carousel as many times as possible.
Yes. We did the traditional lion picture. One day, I’ll find all of these pictures and put them in a book!
Zoe and Ceili Rain showed off all they have learned in piano before their teacher G had their baby!
Zoe got a bike for Christmas. It warmed up enough one day in January for us to take a ride.
Yay Alabama! We start them early!
Silly posing Emmie.
Sometimes everyone needs to wake up to a bundled, cozy, smiley baby.
Tobin, after a good nap, is all smiles.
This was one of the last times I could get him to take a paci. Early teething and just being a stubborn little man weaned him from them.
Tobin is one of only a few kids who will allow just about anyone to give him snuggles.
Our chunky monkey! The roles on those arms ya’ll! Be still my heart.
Emmie dressed herself one day. She was so proud which meant we had to get a picture.
Cool dude!