Homeschooling

 

I love this picture!  We went to a friend's house and Ella loved his word wall so when we got back home she asked if she could have one too.  Its been a good incentive for her reading because she likes being able to add words.  I'm really excited about Ella's reading.  She can now read a few basic books which is so fun!  (I got the cute ABCs for the wall  here.)

 

 Letter B Activities (Ella had "PK4" activities and Addy had "PK2" activities but Big Sister could not help herself!)

  

  

Calendar time...its really cute because they fill in the time and temperature and then color clothes for the little girl according to the temperature.  Ella likes to live vicariously through her little calendar girl and always lets her wear short sleeves.

 

 Working on Addy's ABC book

These pictures are all pre-tailbone break!  Thankfully I've healed enough to start back with the girls a bit but they still watch way too much tv while I lay on the couch.  No guilt...I know there isn't much I can do but it is a bit boring!

In normal life my plan would be to spend 30-45 minutes with Ella each day on handwriting or reading or math or reading a chapter book aloud to her or FIAR and then do a letter of the week activity and/or calendar time with both girls (with an emphasis on what is right for Addy's level).  We probably do this 3-4 times a week.  At this point its all just fun which is a great to start if you are are reluctant and nervous homeschool mom!

I got all the letter activities and calendar printables from this wonderful site!

Making Crayons

 

 

 

New Year's Eve

 

 We put pink food coloring in Sprite to make it a little fancier.  The girls were so excited and I was super impressed that no glasses were broken!  Definitely an occasion for fancy china, Ruth!

These girls know how to make a party fun!  I love celebrating with them.  We set our clock ahead so that it was midnight at 7pm.  As we were counting down Addy decided that we should all hold hands.  So cute!

My Cute Geologists

 

 

 

These two had such a good time mining for crystals.  Ella kept asking me to come take pictures of them.  Thanks Nan and Pop!

Christmas Day Orange Delivery

In an effort to get to know our neighbors better we decided to give each of them (there are 16 other families that share our elevator) a stocking filled with oranges. 

 The girls worked really hard decorating little notes to go in the stockings.

 We filled our "sleigh" with the stockings!

I knew it was culturally appropriate to reciprocate when given a gift, but I didn't expect this!  By the end of the night 6 families had come up to our apartment with presents.  We got tons of chocolate, oranges, candy and even a bag of sweet potatoes. 

Christmas Day(s)

 Daddy got gloves!  The girls had picked them out and were really excited to give them to him.

 

 

 Family tradition...Dr. Pepper in stockings!  Unfortunately I accidentally cut one of the bottles open when I was taking it out of the package.  We had ordered it from an import store online and it came wrapped in layers and layers of tape and bubble wrap.  I was so frustrated!

 

 

 Singing Jingle Bells with their new handbells

 

 

We were doubly blessed this year with two Christmas mornings...one with my parents and one as a family on the 25th.  Both were really sweet.  Thanks to family for all the presents!  We are enjoying all the new toys, books, craft supplies, clothes, treats so much!

Christmas Eve

 

 

 

Christmas Party

 

 Singing at the beginning of the party...I thought it was so cute that the girls were holding hands!

 Shadow puppets of the Christmas story

 Playing a game

Doing a craft

This party at Ella's school was so much fun!  The girls were really excited about it partially because Addy was invited to something at Ella's school and partially because they were going to get to stay up really late and partially because we love a good party!  The party started at 7 (they go to bed at 7:30); Ella's teacher said, "Sorry!  We know foreign children go to bed very early!"  

It was sweet to see Ella interacting with her classmates and the teachers did an amazing job.  They had organized activities for every minute...all of which centered around the Christmas story.