Thursday, September 18, 2014

Year Two: Week Two: Color Us Happy

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
~Marcel Proust





 Science experiment time! We talked about what would happen when we mixed the colors together and then I set him free! Afterwards, we colored in his journal about what we learned. 

Oh these Bob Books! They are amazing. My sidekick has taken to these so well and has just about mastered these first three. Proud mommy, for sure!

While I never want to explain tragedy and heartache to my little innocent boy, we did talk about September 11. On a very small scale. As in, we are celebrating our flag and our country and heroes, like Daddy, who helped save many lives and continue to protect us.

Handwriting practice. It was numbers time. We're still working on the height of his writing (haha, obviously). But he did so well!



It was another fun week! We had his cousin over for some play time and another Saturday spent watching football. You're not truly home until you experience, at least, two seasons within a week or so. Remember 2 weeks ago, we were sweating in our shorts and this week it was hoodies and beanies and lots of cuddles! We had a grand ol' time! Here's to another week of fun ahead!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Year Two: Week One: A New Start

"You know more of a road by having travelled it then by all the conjectures and descriptions in the world."
~On The Conduct of Life (1822)

Year Two is underway! My goals for my sidekick this year are: work on his handwriting, learn to read (or the beginnings of it), start on some basic math, following directions, and using his imagination. As always, I want this to be fun for him. I want us both to enjoy schooling and this time together.

Here's some of what we've done in the past two weeks:


 {my drawing...don't judge!}

  I have found some new dry-erase workbooks. They are fantastic! It will give me the chance to see how well he is doing now and see how far he's come later in the year. 


 We've started journaling! I'm really excited about this one too. Some days, I have a plan of what I want us to draw and imagine. Other days, we just paint and imagine whatever we want! It's been fun so far.

New year so that means, new playdough!

Part of our journals will include practicing our letters, shapes, numbers, and writing his name. 

We traveled a lot in Italy and now we have lots of new places to explore! Last week was our first field trip. We went to our local museum of Natural History. It was such a fun day!

 

My sidekick is getting so big! We got him a new bike (with a new helmet that he picked out himself!), soccer is beginning, and new friends to play with. It's a good time to be a sidekick!

 
One of the best parts of home is FOOTBALL! He got to experience the magic of Owen Field for the very first time. It was a h.o.t. day but I think he enjoyed it. A Sooner fan born and bred! That's our kid! Boomer!

It's been a fun start! I can't wait to continue with this year. I have some fun stuff planned that I am excited to share with you. Stay tuned!


Lesson Sixteen: Moving Home

AMERICA! What a bittersweet moment it was during take-off from Italy and landing back in the United States. Tears were shed both times. Our Italian adventure is now over and we are in a moment (3 months long moment, anyway) of waiting now before our next real adventure begins. My sidekick and I have moved in with my parents and are enjoying some down time of family, friends and relaxing. By "down time" I mean, we are starting our second year of homeschooling, soccer just started, play dates are being made ...{inhale}... and those are just HIS plans. I've got my own stuff in the mix. Needless to say, we busy but happy.
Daddy is still in Italy, finishing his tour there on his own. Don't feel too sorry for him, he's got Oktoberfest plans (the "real" one in Germany), and everything he may need to survive within walking distance since he's living in the barracks. Technology is definitely a savior right now. We get to Skype often, text daily, and send pictures. It's better than a deployment, that's for sure.

Now to brag on my sidekick a little. To start, we had an almost 11 hour flight. I had to keep track of one giant suitcase, 2 backpacks (one for him, one for me), my purse, our two dogs in their kennels (yes, they came home with us and yes, it was a pain), tickets, passports (both human and dog), orders, other random paperwork, and just things. OH! and the kid. Haha! We had two planes and a total of three airports to navigate. Our first flight was easy. Under two hours and with a morning snack, it was not bad at all. Then about 45 minutes in airport #2 before boarding "the big plane". Did I mention that our day started at about 2am (4am for the kid since he got to sleep on the way to airport #1)? So, by the time we got on "the big plane" it was about lunch time and this momma was feeling the hints of exhaustion. After we were fed a warm lunch, the kid and I settled in and watched some shows. Tiredness finally came over us and we cuddled as comfortably as we could and slept. This sidekick ended up sleeping for about half the flight! (Ooooh happy momma!) I slept a few hours and then happily drank some coffee and teas (that the attendants, wonderfully, kept refilling) and watched some movies. Then we landed on American soil, got through customs quick and painless, found our pups and our luggage, found my family, then blearily, and hungrily, made our way home. First stop, Sonic. You would not believe the food you miss when you are overseas. The kid got his first Strawberry Sprite ("oh! wow! yum!") and some tater tots. It didn't take long for him to remember where that goodness came from so requests are made almost daily now. Ha!

Overall, the trip home could have been much worse. Once we actually got on the plane(s), it was quite simple. Thank goodness. Now to enjoy this time at home while we wait for our Daddy Bean to arrive so we can be on our way, together, on our next adventure.

Next subject! Our homeschooling plans. We are into Week Three of our second year. Before we made our move home, I sat and planned out 52 possible themes, (mostly) planned 20 weeks, then gathered supplies for the first 12 weeks. After which, I packed it all in a big box and sent it home. Now we are here, and getting into a good rhythm with schooling. I can't wait to see how he grows this year with the new stuff I have planned for him. I hope you get some ideas if you are in need of them and enjoy this part of our adventure with us.

-Mandy