preschool- is fun

Alright, preschool has been going better than I could have hoped for.
It's really really awesome!
We haven't started our full fledged curriculum yet, but it's still going great. This week we have been working on the intro week. I am suppose to be introducing the alphabet to the girls. The girls are already very familiar with the alphabet. But sitting and having lessons for an hour is a new concept. So this week we have been creating a routine and doing various activities that we will do in our lessons, with no real focus on any one letter but just letters in general. I have been gathering up the materials needed for our lessons and storing them in a functional spot. Each time we do a sample lesson I think to myself, "______ would make this so much easier." Hopefully by Monday we will have all the kinks worked out.
The only unforeseen problem so far is, Kaitlyn doesn't want to stop at an hour.

Preschool, part two

I am going to do preschool at home!
I have found an online curriculum that is adaptable to both Kaitlyn and Samantha and doesn't expect us to spend more than an hour on lessons each day. It's called "letter of the week" and well we learn all about a letter each week. There are poems, songs, coloring pages, even letter themed snacks. http://www.letteroftheweek.com/index.html
I figure with some scheduled planned teaching instead of just learning based activities, I should be able to properly stimulate Kaitlyn. That along with a few extra curricular activities, like dance or art classes should be just about right.
I had been hoping to have her join girl scouts but the web site says Kindergarten is the youngest they take. Camp Fire has a pre-K group for three to five year olds. That may work but I really wanted her to be with other five year olds. I have sent off e-mails to both groups. Having been a girl scout myself, I know Kaitlyn would love it.
I am going to start with the intro week tommrow and do "A" starting on the 1st. Wish me luck!

pictures

I have been reviewing the photos I took at Julia's wedding.
There are 100 of them between the rehearsal, temple, chuck e cheese, and reception.
I seem to be much more interested in the side things, the prep work, the craziness that is a large family gathering.
I have pictures of the back of Josh's head, while video taping. I know that I took it on purpose, it's not an accidental shot. When I think of Joshie, I happily think of him recording things. So a picture of him doing just that, is perfect.
I have pictures of Cody tickling the kids but none with his new wife.
I have pictures of Julia hugging people and talking to the kids.
Of Laura taking pictures of the kids.
I have lots of pictures of no one looking at me, but I like them that way. The people in the photos are watching the bride & groom, visiting, hugging, or dancing. I guess I like to take pictures of people watching or doing rather than just them. It makes for fun pictures but not much to frame.
I guess it just leads back to the fact that i am a people watcher. During a speech or presentation I fully admit that while i am listening intently to the speaker, I almost never look at the speaker. I am watching the crowd, watching the individuals in the crowd, watching their reactions.

preschool?

I have worried and worried about PRESCHOOL.

Well point blank we can't afford preschool. We earn to much to attend any state run facility and the private run preschools are out of our budget. If our children need something, Eric and I will do what ever it takes to make it happen.

But that is the essential question, Does Kaitlyn need preschool?

I have read so many books, articles, parent polls, parent & expert blogs, completed tests, answered questions, and anything else that is relevant to preschool that I can get my hands on, this has lead to many sleepless nights and one answer. No, Kaitlyn does not need preschool. Kaitlyn is a well socialized child that is confident and kindergarten ready.

Then the question became, Do I need Kaitlyn to go to preschool?

Her almost five year old mind, is craving, no demanding more complex and involved stimulation. So I returned to my books, websites & blogs to determine how I would cope with a five year old at home. Almost everything says, send them to preschool. I quickly learned that, keeping a five year old entertained at home with out the help of preschool is not for the faint of heart. I still can't afford preschool but my sanity is also a valuable asset.

What to do, What to do. I am still figuring it out but I am close to a solution.

An odd week

It has been a weird week.
Eric has had his last week at Skyhawks. A happy sad sort of week for him. He has loved working there and is sad to leave good people. Yet the excited nervous new job feeling is very strong too.
I have been a supportive sister and friend to a little sister whose marriage has abruptly failed. I truly feel that when the dust settles she will be happier than she was before. Sometimes you don't notice the burden you carry when the weight is added one straw at a time until your knees buckle.
On Wednesday we went to Canada to lay to rest a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. It was a nice service and good to see family from far away that we haven't seen in a long time.
The girls have attended their first multi-sport camp this week as well. We have gone to soccer camps before and the girls love them. This camp has taught them the basics of soccer, basketball, and baseball. The girls show some skill at baseball. They are already good at soccer and we play it at home often. A set of bases, bat, "T", wiffle balls, and maybe a glove i think will be added to our sports collection.
This Thursday also marked the first day of "Bros Weekend". An annually gathering of Eric's college friends.
It is Friday afternoon and with only one and a half days left this week, i would normally say not much else could happen. Some how with this week I think plenty more will happen.

so happy.

So my wonderful husband put in his two week notice at work yesterday!!
He did this because of a wonderful new job!
A new job working for the state. A new job with an awesome benefits package. Whole family with great coverage health insurance for $79 a month. A defined benefit pension plan. And a ton of other little working for the state perks. A new job with better pay and 5% pay increases every year. A new job with room for advancement and promotions. A new job with NO on call work. So no more inturupted dinners, games in the evening, storytime, family time, soccer in the afternoon, sat morning cartoons. Let's just say no more daily inturuptions at all hours of the day. I think that's the part i am looking forward too most.
Needless to say i an incredibly happy for him. I am incredibly proud of him.