Who was I kidding??

Remember how I've always wanted to have a house built and have that pleasurable experience of choosing every single piece that goes into that marvelous home?? Well, what was I thinking? I have spent two days comparing appliance after appliance online, in store, and in newspapers. I have looked at, touched, and stepped on all different kinds of carpet pieces. Every possible paint color has scrolled through my internal color processor that is continually running somewhere in my brain. It is EXHAUSTING!! Please, remind me if I ever forget this and talk about how much fun it would be to have a house built! Maybe if I have grown children and absolutely nothing else to do for about a year...otherwise I would be just plain CrAzY!! =)

On a positive note...carpet has been picked and ordered to be installed tomorrow. That was the major factor in being able to move so at least one big thing is taken care of.

School, Life, & Fall??

Wow, we went from three straight days of 100 degrees or just below to mid 60's! I am enjoying the change but it's so funny to see people all around in their winter jackets when it's 65 outside. My kids were the odd ones at church tonight in their shorts and flip flops. Oh well, you know we like to be different!

We are on our 7th week of school and my brain and body are screaming for a break but we are pressing on for at least another week so that we can take off a week when we move.  Oh to move! I believe God has provided this move at such a perfect time. We have enjoyed our little home and have mostly been quite content until the allergy issues got to the point we have lost the use of our basement. That means our happy little family has enjoyed the closeness of 1000 square feet 7 days a week nearly 24 hours a day most days! =) With cold weather approaching, I will be so thankful to have some extra space inside for the kids to move around and play or to get away from each other a little when needed. The kids have done well with it but I know they are getting to be of ages that could use time to themselves every now and then...and well, that's just not been possible in our current house...even for mom and dad. I have attempted packing but every time I have packed up things, I've had to unpack for kitchen items or to find a certain book for Troy so I'm just going to wait at this point. Many of our things have remained in boxes since we've been here because we didn't have room to unpack everything so I am now grateful for less to have to pack.

As I mentioned, we are on our 7th week of school with a first grader, third grader, and the big middle school guy in 6th. The kids have already done a lot of work this year and things are going well. We are so excited to have the big middle school guy attending a cottage school!! He will attend four classes (classical studies, latin, math, and English) one day a week where he will be instucted by some incredible teachers of a prominent classical school here. This is specifically for homeschoolers. He will have the opporutnity to meet other boys his age who are homeschooled AND get some awesome teaching! I am excited to get him started and figure out how we are going to go about it all. I am looking forward to the extra "motivation" our extremely intellegient guy will have through this.

I don't have many pictures right now but I'll be sure to share some after we move. The kids are all planning how they want to decorate their rooms...it should be interesting!

Anybody out there?

It's been a really long time since i posted. Just wondering if anyone is still reading? If you want me to update with some pictures let me know! Seriously,I'm being silly. I have some good pics of baseball that I will post soon. Summer break is here yet I feel as though it is almost over when I look at our full calendar of the next two months! The kids have enjoyed all the grandparent visits lately. They are anxiously waiting for our trip to Tennessee. It will be here before we know it.

Brighter Days!

It's been awhile and this will be quick while I have a minute! We are staying busy and our vehicles are continuing to not like us apparantly. We've been a one car family again this week but hoping to get it back tomorrow. This time has been a little different than last with Troy working farther away. No quick switches on his lunch break. No dropping him off and picking him up...he's across the river from us! So the kids and I have been totally stranded at home all day every day since Tuesday. I am so thankful the weather has been nice and we have certainly gone outside a lot.
I am so excited about our new schooling venture...we began Latin today! Ok, so the kids may not be as excited - Siara maybe - as I am. I think I was just thrilled that I still remember a few things! I'm planning on letting H & S go through it together and then K will start it around 2nd or 3rd grade probably. Our program has dvds so the kids have the opportunity of being taught by someone other than me for a change. :) When H realized that the teacher on the dvd teaches at a school that some kids from church go to he found it more interesting. I'm looking forward to relearning alongside the kiddos!
Our school days have certainly brightened lately - or maybe it's just the weather. Either way we are getting the work done well and finishing in time to do chores and enjoy plenty of time outside. Today we played driveway hockey. :) I am proud of how diligently the kiddos have been working lately. They are beginning to see the fruit of their hard work.
By the way, now that it's warmer we are anxiously waiting for some visits from our wonderful family!!! ;)

Another tooth lost...

Well, we had another join the missing teeth team today! Keaton has had a wiggly little tooth for a couple weeks. Unlike his sister he does not try to constantly wiggle so it progressed very slowly but last night an attempt was made by dad...

But the little tooth prevailed...

Today the boys came running down to the basement where I was working with Siara and showed me that Keaton's tooth was gone...pulled by his big bro!

It was a tiny little tooth! No tears, no fears, I'd say big brother did a great job! I, on the other hand, almost shed some tears. The thought crossed my mind that this could be the last time we have a first lost tooth. :( I pray it's not and the Lord chooses to bless us with more but I will cherish every moment either way!



I'm surrounded!!!

I have exciting news to share which most of you reading this already know. Troy is officially a student, again!!! We have waited what seems like forever, though it's only been a year, since we moved here for him to go to school. The funny thing is he is doing it all online through a totally different school! This is good in that it gives us some flexibility if needed. He is working on figuring out a schedule for himself right now for when he can do his studying and assignments. Basically he is studying every free minute for the first couple weeks hoping to get a little ahead so there's not as much pressure. Then he should settle into a routine with everything. I am so thrilled for him! It's been a long journey to get to this point and it seems like we are making a tiny bit of forward progress.

God has been so gracious to give him this opportunity and some funding has been provided which will lessen the burden on us in that area. We were set on doing all this without incurring debt but finally decided that we need to move on with our lives instead of this constant feeling of being in limbo. We certainly appreciate your prayers as our whole family makes this adjustment. He will be able to take four classes this spring, two short sessions at a time. If he is able to continue at this rate he will be done in two years and have a good start on his master's. We'll hold onto that goal lightly since life will most certainly cause interuptions along the way but it is so good to know there is an end in sight, Lord willing.

So, why did I say I'm surrounded? Well, I am surrounded by FOUR students!! Since I am responsible for teaching three of those and the other is going to be very busy for awhile I thought I needed to be a student as well. My mom gave me a sewing maching and I am having lots of fun trying to learn what in the world to do with it! I have experimented a little and will share some pictures later of what I have made. It's nice to have a little hobby that requires me to have to take time to learn something instead of dishing out things. :) I have never been much of a crafter but then again I have not had the time for it in the past. Who knew it could be fun and relaxing...and so far a very inexpensive hobby?!

(In case you're wondering, I'm posting this now because my hair dryer died and wasn't too keen on the idea of getting out in the cold and going to church with a sopping wet head!)

Memories. . .

Today would be my grandmother's 83rd birthday so I thought I would share some of my fond memories of her. Some of my favorite times as a child were spent "in the country" at Grandma's house. I just loved going to her house! When my mom and I were there we were constantly doing something - it may have just been sitting at the kitchen table doodling on one of her many notepads and talking, looking through an Avon book, or going for a walk but the time was spent together. She had so much to tell and I loved hearing it all. She even loved to share ghost stories and was a great storyteller. I remember laying or sitting on the bed and listening to her fascinating stories. I can also remember huddling up on that same bed during thunderstorms, she could not stand them - must be where I get my fear of storms! I remember the long walks, many times digging through a house that had burned and finding things. One "treasure" was all sorts of baby bottles which I was so excited to take home and use with my baby dolls. There was almost always a trip to Walmart and Sonic in store while there. I don't think I ever remember a time that there wasn't food on the stove at Grandma's house and there was always someone who came by to eat it! I remember going to bed at her house and hearing Entertainment Tonight blasting in the living room as she slept on her "bed" - the couch. One of the best times was when I had chicken pox and Grandma stayed with us for two weeks while I had to be home and mom and dad worked. I'll never forget learning to play marbles with her and eating lettuce dipped in mayonnaise!

Grandma was such a strong, hard working woman, yet gentle and most loving grandmother. When Hayden was a baby my mom took him almost every weekend (while we worked) to her house. He loved Grandma Em and will always remember how much she (and he) loved Reese's! I am so glad he will have memories of her too. I could go on and on with stories but for now as we remember her on her birthday I just wanted to give you a glimpse of my wonderful Grandma.

In loving memory of

~Grandma~

HaPpY NeW YeaR!!!

I have gotten so far behind on here but I promise I will try to do better. I am hoping I will have exciting things to share this year! 2010 brought lots of challenges for our family, but we have a GOD who is faithful to provide all we need and that is exactly what HE did. It was a year we could not have survived without HIM (not that we ever can) and I am ever humbled by His grace and loving kindness.

Surprise Party!

We celebrated my sweet grandmother's 90th birthday when we went to Tennessee in November. It was a surprise party and I'm certain she was surprised! We had a great time watching her enjoy this special time with family.

After she opened her gifts she gave her trademark wave as I call it. A few years ago I was able to spend the night with her in the hospital as she recovered from hip surgery. Neither of us slept much that night. I was on a fold out chair most of the night at the end of her hospital bed. It was difficult for her to talk so she would raise her head up every once in awhile and look around for me and then smile and wave. I waved back. We did this throughout the night. Just one of the things I'll always remember.

Wendolyn has been a wonderful sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother over the last 90 years. She is a prayer warrior for her family. She is strong yet gentle. She can take jokes and give them right back. And she is my Granny.

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Dress Up Days of October

The weather is very cool, leaves are covering the yard, Troy is working constantly...it must be October! With Troy working at least six days a week for six out of the last eight weeks the kids and I will welcome November and having him home with us again!

Today while Troy was working away the kids and I decided to go to Pumpkinfest on the square where all the businesses pass out candy. We didn't buy costumes this year because we have church tomorrow night so the kids had to scrounge through our vast array of costumes from years past. We have two bins full of dress up clothes, however, they are mostly too small for the kids now. They came up with some things to wear though and we met up with some friends and had a good time amidst a huge crowd of little trick or treaters! We stopped for free hot dogs and entertainment by a local band and entered to win door prizes. Siara's name was drawn for a $15 gift card! 

A few days ago the boys gave themselves fauxhawks for fun. Later on Siara decided she wanted to try some crazy braids so we did one that went all the way around her head! I did not make it up...it is in a book of braids she has and this one is the hippie chick braid! I hope you enjoy all of their dress up pictures!

summer 2010 recap

I thought I would share a quick recap of our summer in pictures. Enjoy!

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Fall Break, Family & Field Trip Fun!

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It has been a busy couple of weeks for this Sadler family! We spent our fall break in Tennessee last week and enjoyed a visit from G-daddy this week and our first homeschool field trip! Our Tennessee trip was full of fun things. The boys (except for Troy - he had to stay behind and work) got to go golfing with G-daddy on a real golf course. It was Hayden's second time and Keaton's first. I hear they did well but I must remember to send a camera next time because I would love to see them all in action. While they were having a great time, Siara and I went to get my hair cut. It was long overdue and we got to visit with a sweet friend while getting it cut. After leaving G-daddy's we were able to have dinner at Ma & Papa's and visit for awhile. It was so good to see them; however, it was very short. Next trip will be their turn for a longer visit! Then, we were on our way to Nana's. Waiting for the kids was a fun surprise - a go-kart! Fortunately, it had been fixed so that it could not go too fast because Hayden could not resist the speed. The kids loved it and we had a nice cookout after lots of riding. The kids also like playing with the newest edition to Nana and Mr. Ray's home - a kitten. I'm sure it was glad to see them go and be able to get some rest!


On Wednesday, G-daddy came up for a visit to our house. Troy was off and able to enjoy having company! The boys went golfing while Siara and I had some girl time. We don't do that very often so it was a wonderful treat! That night Troy and I even had some time for grown-up conversations with my dad after the kids went to bed. Another thing we don't get much of!

The next day G-daddy left bright and early (well...the first time anyways :) ) and the kids and I had our first homeschool field trip to Huber's Orchard & Winery. It was such a neat place and the kids had a blast. I would love to go again as a family. There were so many things to do after we took the tour...corn maze, bamboo maze, rope maze, playground, tricyle track, mountain slides, animals and of course the farmer's market colorfully decorated with all types of fall goodies. I hope you enjoy the pictures from our recent adventures! Happy Fall! :)

Lessons from the Little School House

Well, what have we been learning in school? A LOT! We have had a great start to our school year for the most part and I am amazed at how quickly the kids learn things.  Our theme this year is a geography study of different countries and cultures. We have been working on North America and did a two week study on the United States. During that time, Hay had to be able to locate all the states on a US map for a grade and I had Si do it also but wasn't expecting to count it as a grade for her just yet. I found a couple online games they could play to help them learn the states locations. I was not amazed at what I could remember when I took a shot at the little game. :^/ Anyways, the kids played the game a few times and we practiced locating the states during school and within two weeks they did awesome on the test!! Both of them! Those little minds just soak things up! This week we took a plane trip to Mexico (no, not in real life) but we had fun as I became the fast talking flight attendant and then the customs person who had to arrest one of them for trying to sneak into the country! They are learning lots and I am glad for this opportunity for them to see what life is like for people in other parts of the world. We'll move on to Canada in a week and then to South America for awhile!

The weeks we studied the US we also studied forests in science. We gathered leaves at the park for a collection and looked them up in tree guides to find the names of the trees. We were so excited Troy was able to go with us! He read the kids a book about being careful and having fun in the outdoors.

Today was supposed to be our first field trip to some caverns in Indiana about an hour from here with a group of homeschooling friends from church however, the check engine light came on last night in the van so we decided it wasn't a good time to be spending money on a trip and stayed home. The kids were bummed which I knew they would be so I declared it "fun school" day today. We started an hour later than normal and I let them wear whatever they wanted. We did our morning routine - calendar and Bible - then I spent a half hour with each one while the other two worked together on something quietly. It went great and was nice to sit apart with them individually and work one on one. We may do that more often! After that we went outside for awhile and the kids had races and played with Lily. Next we played our geography game where they are learning where the countries are in North America.So...that's some of what we've been doing in school lately! We start week 6 next week - wow!

After that it was lunch and an educational video about Mexico then more fun outside. It definitely turned out to be a fun school day even if we couldn't make the field trip! I am looking forward to going on the one next month though!

Friday Folder

This is an activity that I LOVE and the kids love it too! Hay even complained today that he hasn't had a chance to do it yet. As I searched for things that would help with fine motor skills for Keaton I came across push pinning. He still has shaky little hands when he tries to write or cut. We used to think it was due to his asthma meds but he hasn't needed those in awhile (Praise the Lord!) so I'm not sure if those skills just haven't developed or if he inherited the shaky hand syndrome from his daddy and grandpa. I came across this activity and it was so easy (of course) and I believe it is actually helping!

I cut a couple squares of carpet from a small roll I found in our basement and taped cardboard to the back to make it more sturdy. Siara helps me trace different designs on construction paper (we use stencils and just about anything we can find to trace). I started with basic shapes but we have now done letters, animals, and other things. The only other thing you need is a push pin.

(of course I don't know how to rotate this!)

You place the paper on the carpet mat and then they use the push pin to trace the outline by poking holes all around it. The way they hold the pin is pretty much the proper way to hold a pencil! Sometimes I do a little correcting if he's in a hurry but for the most part he holds it right. The groove in the pin is perfect for their little index finger and thumb to fit into and there's not room for any other fingers! This was great because I could not quite get this little guy to hold his pencil correctly and it has improved greatly! 

You can do seasonal themes or whatever you can find to trace. My kiddos love to put their pictures in the window after they've finished and let the light shine through the holes. You can't really see the pictures well but I am so glad I found this. I just wish I had found it sooner so we were a little further along with this skill!

You can find this and other fine motor activities at  http://www.thevirtualvine.com/finemotor.html. 

Friday Folder

In this week's Friday Folder is another counting game! All you need is numeral cards, dice - I love the big foam dice from dollar stores, blocks or other items to count, and trays.

The child rolls the dice and counts to add the two dice together. Then he finds that number on a numeral card and places it on a tray. Next, he counts out that many blocks and puts them on the tray.

After all trays have been done he then puts them in order. Shown below they are done least to greatest but you can do this any way you choose. Several skills are practiced in just this one activity such as counting, number recognition, numerical order and recognizing which is more or less.

Friday Folder

Well, I missed the Friday part but here goes...

K-bear is working on days of the week so I wanted to help him recognize the words and put them in order so I made a folder game for it.



I used an envelope glued inside the folder to hold the pieces and placed 7 velcro dots in the folder.


I made day 1-7 cards with a flower and put a velcro dot on the back so they would stay in place once put in order in the folder. Then I made bee cards with the names of the days of the week.


So...to play he pulls out all the cards and puts the numbered flower cards in order then matches the day of the week bee to it. Easy to make, easy to play!

All Star Gal

Today was an exciting day for the little girl of the family. It was her first day of gymnastics!! She has waited so patiently for a long time to be able to do it and she had a blast! The boys even informed me in the lobby that they want to take lessons. It is a coed class so I guess that gave them the idea. I was impressed at how much they did in an hour. They started out with very simple rolling, rocking, and balancing then moved on to cartwheels and rolls. Next, they practiced for the vault by bouncing into a hula hoop and then bounced up and down on the vault.

They tried to swing on the bars (used to be one of my favorites).

And finally, they jumped down the long trampoline doing different moves. How I would have loved one of those! My how things have changed. One of the great things about her class, aside from what a great deal it is price-wise, is that it is in the afternoons so it doesn't take up any of our evenings leaving time for the boys to so something (basketball) later on. I think we could have a busy year!

Friday Folder

Time for Friday Folder! I had a hard time deciding which idea to share this week since it was the first week I really got to put some of the things I found to use. I finally chose counting bags. These are super for young learners and oh so easy to make yourself.

First, I made number cards and laminated them. I did numbers 1-20. Next, I picked some themes. Below is a beaded necklace counting mat. I picked this because I had beads that were similar to use as the counters. I put it all in a pencil pouch and voila! - counting bag ready to go! The child lays out the number cards and draws one. Then, they put that number of items on the counting mat. Simple enough?!

Here's another version of a counting bag - bugs. Pipe cleaners work as legs and antennae for the counters. Some other versions of counting mats I made are a piggy bank with pennies as counters, bag of popcorn and I will pop some popcorn when we do that one for a treat (you could use popcorn kernels instead), and notebook paper with paper strips for the lines. I had a lot of strips of laminated paper leftover from from making the number cards which made great "lines" for paper.


The idea for making counting mats came from http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/counting_bags.html.
There is a vast amount of information on this site, even a complete (and free) curriculum for young ones!

Come back next Friday for more ideas and bring some of your own!

Lessons from the Little School House: First Days

With our theme this year being geography, we have been learning about maps and globes this first week of school. We have tons of books in our book basket that we found at the library on maps. We did a little experiment of sorts on the difference between flat maps and round globes. I had Hayden try to take a piece of paper and fit it around a ball. This was to show that a flat map cannot accurately reflect sizes and shapes of land as can the globe since the world we live on is shaped like the globe, a sphere. He was (maybe still) convinced (or just stubborn) that one day he will make it work! From there we took a grapefruit and I drew a (terrible) map of the world and then peeled it and asked the kids to piece it together to make a map. I forgot to take a picture of the whole grapefruit so they held it together for me in the pic above.

Here is the peeled globe.

Trying to flatten it out match it up.

And again, one determined fella!

Today, we studied our backyard habitat by roping off one square yard and observing what was in it. They found leaves, berries, bugs, a small piece of duct tape, and holes. We'll be taking weekly nature walks and making a leaf notebook later. Hayden was sidetracked for a moment as he tried to make his string barrier smoke. He even wrapped it around a twig.

Looking for berries until she spotted an ugly bug crawling toward her!

Just hanging out in his square - we are working through an "i can't do it" phase lately. What happened to "I can do it by myself"?

Time for School!!

We have most definitely enjoyed our first few days of school! We have a big kindergartener, a sweet second grader, and a fun fifth grader! I just can't describe what a privilege it is to be able to be with my children each and every day! I love them so much and they are so fun to watch as they "do school". We started on Monday and I will be honest and say it was a rough start. None of us were used to getting up so early and I think we all had to take some time to wake up that day and get our frumpy grumpies out! I'll also admit that after day 3 this morning it has not gotten any easier to get up! I asked Troy last night how long til my body adjusted and he reminded me he's been at his new job for a month and he's still tired every morning...bummer.

I have been very pleased with how our schedule is going so far. I'm trying to do the same subject with them all at the same time and it's working even though I wasn't sure it would. So, when one of them is doing math, they all are. I stagger start them just a little and Keaton does a lot of hands on things that he doesn't have to have me right with him for.

One of my favorite things so far...

•  Timers! I bought two of these. They come in so handy when I want/need to set a time limit for a certain subject or activity. Wtih math, for example, the kids can do more than one lesson per day so I give them 30 minutes and have them do as much as they can. They also get 15 minutes for typing lessons on the computer, 10 minutes for math drills, etc. They're just super!

This was taken after our morning stretches. Just simple toe touches, jumping jacks, etc, and their favorite spinning while reciting months, days, continents, or alphabet until I say "freeze".

Ok, so maybe he's not so thrilled about everything!

She loves it all!

He asks to count to 100 every morning after doing their calendar notebook!