Scarborough Renaissance Festival

Today we spent a wonderful day at Scarborough Faire. We went last year for the first time and really liked it.  I love how people dress up, even though we don't, and all the old non-electric rides. Today was student day so the tickets were quite a bit cheaper, $10 for adults instead of $24! A friend in one of our homeschool groups organized getting tickets. Collin took the day off and we had a wonderful time! Caden loved watching the fencing match where they try and pop balloons. I wish I would have gotten a picture. He actually remembered that from last year and when we arrived asked to go see it. I didn't know what he was talking about until we saw them. We also watched a silly clown show, ate the "royal lunch," enjoyed a few rides, including taking a ride on an elephant and camel, and enjoyed walking around.

 

Week 21 of Pre-K!

We just finished our 21st week of Pre-K. We finished Unit 17: Kangaroo of My Father's World Kindergarten. This was a fun unit and Caden enjoyed learning about Kangaroos. In addition to using this curriculum we started doing some Explode the Code Primer 3 and some work from Developing the Early Learner 2. It had been a while since we've done work in Developing the Early Learner but Caden loves it. I wanted to start Explode the Code 1 but thought I'd do a review of it and start with Primer 3, which is easy but I'm someone who wants to lay a solid foundation when it comes to reading.

I think next year we're going to do Heart of Dakota and I bought most of the books. I went with most of their suggestions and will do a post of next year later on. Sadly, I think he's past the kindergarten handwriting book that I bought. He's been copying sentences. In fact, I sent a card to my in-laws and he wrote at the top of it "Life is too short to live in Dallas" that he saw a cup. I thought it was funny. I just don't want to move him to first grade next year since he's not even 5 yet. Although I'm fine moving him up in various subjects after we cover the basis. Okay, now back to this previous week.

Memory verse: I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV

Main theme: I am safe in God.

Just like a joey kangaroo is safe in his mother's pouch, we are safe in God's arms. I told Caden how kangaroo babies (joey's) are kept close to their mothers just like newborns are mostly kept close to their mothers. I showed him a picture of us in Germany after he was born. The German midwife put him in my shirt like a kangaroo so we could practice skin-to-skin, also called kangaroo care. I carry his sister around most of the time as well. There is lots of research proving that babies speak more and learn more when they are kept close to a primary care giver, usually their mom or dad.

Caden when he was 1 day old in the hospital in Germany
Kangaroo Care

This week we reviewed fractions, pretended to be a kangaroo, talked about Australia, and animals that hop. I also watched him hop very, very far. He actually can jump very far! He enjoyed playing outside and enjoying this great weather. We've met up with some friends. We colored Easter eggs, he colored stain glass, and we did some other fun activities. Overall we had a lot of fun!

I'm also starting to rotate Gracie through different activities while she's awake. For the first time I let her sit in her bumbo, she practices baby push-ups (tummy time), and hitting at and grabbing different things on her exercise mat. As she continues to grow I'll have different stations set-up and activities to do with her. She also gets lots of snuggles and loves watching her big brother.

 



Layering shapes to make a house, tree, person, cloud, and sun



 

 

Caden made these shoes out of the Easter Bunny's tracks!
I was so impressed! Here is what one front and one back looks like.

 

He has RISEN! Grace's 1st Easter!

I love Easter. I love the spring weather, I love how so much of the world takes extra time to remember Jesus raising from the dead. I love the hope we have through Christ. I love playing Easter bunny and leaving some fun things for the kids. Kids, did I just say kids?! Oh, I love having 2 kids!

 

This was Gracie's first Easter. She is such a sweet and cute baby. Collin and I both participated in our church service. Our service included cardboard testimonies and we were asked to help out. Mine included my kids so both were able to come up on stage with me. They both did great, overall. Grace started fussing a little right after she came on stage. We didn't take any pictures at church but we did at home to share with you.

If you've never seen cardboard testimonies done, look up a YouTube video. They are neat. I went first and when I turned my testimony over, Collin walked up with Caden and Grace. Then he went. It was really special. I love that I have this testimony to share. I don't like the 4 miscarriages but I believe my relationship with God is stronger because of it. A year ago I was angry and fearful. I couldn't understand why God would let me get pregnant only to keep losing my babies. When I got pregnant with Grace, I was excited but absolutely terrified! I didn't want to lose her! God was faithful and he blessed us with her and Caden. I grew a lot between my 4th miscarriage and my pregnancy with Grace. Collin and I both had a testimony that dealt with fear. Thankfully we are set free to live through Christ! It was neat seeing everyone's testimony who shared. It's nice to know that we are NOT alone and that there is freedom through Christ.

 

 

Easter morning was nice. Caden enjoyed seeing the Easter Bunny's tracks around our house and finding out what he left. He got some chalk, a book, a coloring book, bubbles, a puzzle, and some pretend eggs, including a giant blue egg. Gracie got a bunny and chalk for when she's older.

Here are some sweet pictures of our kiddos. Happy Easter from our family to yours!