Penelope Reagan

A week ago right now we were driving into Charlotte. My water had broken earlier that morning, we had gotten the kids to their friends' house, and I wanted to make sure to get to the hospital before the big contractions started.

At 8:01pm our precious Penelope was born. She is the most beautiful wonderful thing in all the world.

So Much Life!

So much has happened here since I made my last post. Most of it cannot be technically considered school. Ok, well, most of it is not the 3 R's anyway!

Jayden and Grace did well on their end of year testing last year. I do not expect them to advance a whole grade level before the next time they test.... Here's why.

So far this year they've learned...

--how to do a load of laundry from start to finish
--how to do a load of dishes from start to finish
--how to sweep and mop
--how to vacuum
--how to tidy
--how to wipe down the table
--how to clean the sinks
--how to clean the toilets
--how to clean the tubs
--how to make a bed (putting on new sheets)
--and a tiny amount of cooking and cross-stitch

They have

--done chores
--done a minimum amount of schoolwork each day, enough that I feel comfortable marking it as completed
--learned Bible verses
--played
--watched tv (educational and not)
--played some more
--gone tent camping
-- played coach pitch baseball
--listened to me read out of the Bible to them every night
--played soccer
--learned about boating
--swam and tubed behind the boat
-- and traveled to football games

I really don't expect us to change much on this list over the rest of this school year. They won't be boating much in that time and football (therefore travel) season will end soon. BUT, they'll learn about a new baby sister. They'll have extra chores. Probably will have more cooking experience. They will definitely learn about changing diapers and putting clothes on a squirmy baby. They'll get to watch her grow.

Sometimes I think "what am I doing... I need to use this time before baby to get math in!!" Then other times I think "Seriously, they are learning how to live!" They are going to make AWESOME adults who absolutely can bless their home with very little thought.

And really... that's what I want out of this raising kids experience... awesome adults.