Summer learning

The girls have been out of school for two weeks now.  Paige has been to her tutoring quite a bit and we are seeing huge strides.  She knows words with short /a/, /e/ and /o/.  She desperately wants to read more and keeps attempting.  She has been taught fun tricks that help her to decode her letters and words.  It's really working.  I'm so happy that she is enjoying reading and readily wants to try.  At home we've been reading our short  /a/, /e/ and /o/ beginning books and they both have been practicing and now know all the site words with these sounds in them. 
Her tutor has also put together a Summer Reading Challenge with the incentive of having a party at the end of the summer.  That definitely has them both motivated to listen to me read during the day and for story time at night.  Right now I'm reading Little House in the Big Woods to them. It's actually really gruesome!  But surely shows what life was like in the Pioneer Days. 
I'm really proud of them both and so glad they are learning and enjoying reading. 

Paige's work at tutoring

Each practicing their printing

Summer Reading Challenge

Hailey working on math

Paige spelling out site words

Sleeping sisters

Mama is definitely missing the JackNJill connected bedrooms.  I still lay with Hailey while she falls asleep.  In the other house, Paige could still see me as she fell asleep.  In our new house I find that Paige is calling for me while I'm with Hailey because their rooms are separate. So, one night I just let them fall asleep in Hailey's bed after story time.  It worked!  I'm trying it again tonight so see how it goes.  It still took the same amount of time to get them to sleep, but I think both were more calm and relaxed.  We'll see.  I'll move Paige to her own bed before I go to bed myself. 

Last day of school 2013-14

The girls had their last day of the Montessori school year on Thursday.  I think they are both ready for a break.  They had a fantastic year with Mrs. Hart and are really growing.  Hailey is understanding numbers and values and has learned all of her sounds.  She is just beginning to read.  Paige is adding and now reading with the help of her tutoring.   Paige still loves art and coloring.  Hooray for a great year!
We have next week off and I also took the following week off despite summer school starting again on June 2.  However, their regular school year teacher is taking the summer off, so they will change teachers for the summer.  I decided to send them for the day on the first Monday, June 2, so they can get all the new rules of their new classroom.  It'll be a good experience for Paige to sit through it so she can be prepared for her new kindergarten class in July.   

Hailey

Paige

Swimming

I love our Mondays and Fridays.  The girls don't have school (even though they probably should) so most of the day is spent at home.  Stay at home days are THE BEST.  Today we spent most of it in the pool.  They can swim alone now while I get stuff done in the house.  It's a great situation. I can see the pool from all the back rooms of the house. However, today, I decided to ditch some of the house chores and join them.  Only to find, they don't need me in the pool anymore.  Waaaaa!  They were happily playing with the ponies and creating games and swimming without my help.  So I swam some laps and got in some exercise, only to reflect that no less than two years ago, I was yearning for this moment.  One were they could swim while I got in some exercise.  Because 2 years ago, they still needed me to hold them in the pool and watch them the entire time while swimming for safety.  So today, no less than 2 years later I was yearning for the time of when I needed to hold them in the pool and swim around with them.  Life is short and fast.  I treasure every moment with them...even if they can do it themselves now. 

Hailey

Paige

Apple Fritters

I'm really into the Pioneer Woman these days.  On her show this weekend she made apple fritters.  They are Brian's favorite, so I thought I'd give them a try.  Ummmmm.....super good.  I highly recommend them. 

The batter

It doesn't say in the recipe, but 340 degrees F for the oil is
what works best and her recommendation on the show. 

Fried up!

Glazed and sugared

Diving with Dada

The newest swimming pool trick is being held by Dada on the diving rock and jumping into the 9' side of the pool.  I'm happy to report, everyone is still alive...and loved every minute of it. 

Piano Recital

Paige has been taking piano lessons all year.  It's been s a struggle to get her to practice.  I think for many reasons, we don't have a designated spot for the keyboard, she's tired when she gets home from school, and now we know about her most probable learning disability.  However, when she found out that if she learned a song for the piano recital she would receive a trophy, boy, did that get her wanting to practice and even have extra lessons!  Sooooo...hmmmm..I really have to wonder about the above "struggles."  She played the song, Where is Thumbkin, and did great!  We were really proud of her and enjoyed the recital very much.  We are excited for both girls to be in the recital next year. 

Ready to go!  The pocket that holds her music was made by Nanny.

Mrs. Pearce had rented the venue to use their grand piano. 
The venue forgot about her booking and had lent the grand piano to someone else. 
They had to use a keyboard.  Such a disappointment.

Paige and her friend McKenna from school.

Sisters

Paige with Nanny

Performing!

Receiving her trophy

Yay Trophy!

Flowers from Mama & Dada

THE Trohpy

Mothers Day 2014

For Mother's Day this year we stayed home.  It's a been a routine that we go to Schnepf Farms and pick peaches, but this year, we stayed home.  I guess because we really are so busy in the week now, that it's nice to be home.  So I succumbed and allowed the girls to watch Frozen in the morning with me.  I know they have the pressures of the other kids at school who like to play Frozen on the playground, so I figured I'd finally let the watch it.  It was fun to watch it with them and see their reaction.  They really liked it.  It's a story of two sisters, so it was somewhat relatable.  I think they got that they need to love each other and always look out for each other. 
Then I got to plant some vegetables in the garden.  We have corn, black eyed peas, tomatoes and basil growing in the garden with some marigolds spread throughout.  I hope they make it.  This is my first year planting in this yard, so it's more of an experiment. 
After gardening, we hopped in the pool with Nanny and Brian made a really yummy BBQ triptip dinner.  It was a wonderful day to spend with my mom and my family.  It should last me til next year. 

Me with the girls in the garden.

Hailey

Paige watering

Hailey watering

My mom opening her present.

Flowers planted by the pool.  I put milkweed in, I hope the monarchs stop by to feed. 

Fairies

Our Waldorf school really emphasizes creativity, imagination, discovering of self, learning of the world around you and so much more.  During a nature walk around the campus one windy morning, our teacher told the class that the dandelion seeds flying around were fairies.  Paige still believes it to this day.  Here she caught one and brought it show me.  Her questions are getting a bit advanced, "Why does this fairy look this way?"  But much like the Santa belief, I will never tell her the fairies are simply a dandelion seed.  They will always be fairies here. 

Muffins for Mom

The girl's school had the moms come in at drop off and were given a muffin, a crown and a beautiful gift from their kiddos.  My necklaces are so special.  Hailey drew a heart and colored in the entire circle.  Paige drew a butterfly with a sun and a flower on grass.  I love them and will treasure them always.  Thank you My Girls. 

New computers

I think I've expressed enough that we have very little screen time in our house for the girls.  It's been a big thing with us.  We want them to learn, play and use their imaginations using things they thought of themselves.  So far it's worked.  They play amazingly well and think of the most interesting things to play that are NOT commercial.  It really does make my heart sing. 
However, with Paige's recent probable diagnosis, we were told by her SLP that a software program called Cogmed would help her working memory.  In other words, she would be able to listen and implement things she hears and learns in the classroom much easier and faster so she can instead focus more and concentrate longer on the more important things she needs to learn like reading.  From the information we read the research shows it is absolutely proven to increase her working memory.  So we bought her (and what you buy for one, we must buy for the other) a new computer to start the program at home.  Plus, we know that the schools use them and we want them to be exposed and learn to use a mouse properly.  Paige will be followed and coached by her SLP each week until she finishes, but she can do it at home, which is super nice.  We set them up in Brian's office at tables that fit them and they seem to really enjoy them.  So far it hasn't been a big deal with too much time being spent on them.  I think they realize they can be fun, but are probably there for school and learning.  I hope this program gives Paige an extra boost for school and learning.  Gooooo Paige!   

Play this week

A few pics of the girls from last week:

Impromptu lunch in the play tent. 

Cookie at the mall while Mama shopped for size 6 clothes for Paige. 

Favorite moments after bath.  Snuggles with dada to dry off. 

Turkey in May.  I wanted the lunch meat. 

My aunt taught them do put olives on their fingers. 
These are raspberries...without auntie present.  Oy.

Yes, Paige too.

Hailey and I have about 3 hours alone while Paige is at school.  I try very hard to make it learning time for her too. 
Here we built some Lincoln Logs.  She did really well. 

Somehow they found a bunch of seashells in the rocks in our backyard. 
I don't know if they are native fossils or were put here by the previous owners. 
But there is ALOT.  (Don't mind the green weed killer...it's not toxic...right?!)

First Movie in the Theater

I finally found an almost appropriate movie to take the girls to that was playing in the theater!  We went to see Bears which is a Disney Nature film.  It was much like the old Wonderful World of Disney where they would follow animals and a narrator would talk for them.  It was a really sweet movie about a mama bear and her cubs during their first year of life.  Both girls liked it well enough and it held their attention.  Of course the child's tray of popcorn, fruit chews and an Icee helped a lot too.  I also brought along some licorice and Easter candy as backup.  It was consumed too.  Both sat on booster seats that were provided by the theater and fit in the chairs nicely.  Paige said she liked the Mama bear, Sky, and Hailey said she liked the baby girl bear, Amber.  Neither girl was super excited about the experience.  They were very nonchalant about it.  However, it was a fun afternoon. 
For remembrance sake, we attended the 11:50am matinee which cost $7.00 for each adult and $5.50 for each child.  The kid's tray cost $5.00 each.  Not too bad for 70 mins of entertainment.     

Snugs in hand to attend the movie!

Kid's trays.  Yum!

The Future?

The conversation I listened to in the car today on the way home from school:

Paige:  Hailey, do you promise that when we're older we will always stick together?
Hailey:  Yeah.  We'll share.
Paige:  I want to pick the car we have.
Hailey:  Ok.  I want a purple one.  But you can drive me.
Paige:  Ok.  But I want to pick the car.
Hailey:  Ok.  We will always stick together.

I have no idea where this came from.  Perhaps they can feel that I'm worried they will grow apart net year when they are at different schools?  I sure hope my worry is for nothing.  Hearing this conversation makes me think so.  Goodness, how I love them. 

Play this week

More fun pictures of the girls playing this week: 

Earth Day.  They were suppose to wear green & blue to school. 
Hailey followed instructions, but Paige, changed at least 3 times
and ended up in red.  It had flowers on it, does that count?

Sponge curlers before bed.

They had some sort of game going on.  Cash Register, instruments and letters. 

I had to find a spot to insert this pic.  These are my first batch of just about perfect pancakes. 
Our house came with this super fancy range that has a griddle. 
It works fabulous!  And gives me awesome pancakes.  Isn't that a pretty stack?