10 months

Walking, talking, signing, sleeping, and  smiling!!!

An Ideal Day at the Perdue Academy

I am sure that this isn't really interesting to anyone except me. I just want to remember how in the world I ever completed school with so many little ones running around. This is an ideal day and a rough schedule. I like schedules, they make me happy! 

However, this is my prayer for this year and maybe every year. 


We pray that God would be glorified in our school year. Our prayers are that  the kids would not only grow in their education but in character as well and that  through learning, many valuable teaching moments will be utilized. Also, that we would see learning as a joy rather than a chore and that we would be wise in how we give and spend our time. Honestly, I pray  most of all...for patience, for me! This is  going to be a great school year!

An Ideal Day at the Perdue Academy

6:30-Three mile run M, W, F

7:00 Daily Bible Reading & Shower

8:00
Breakfast/dishes/maybe toss in load of laundry and/or start/empty the dishwasher


9:00: School bell rings (no, we don’t really have a bell. Maybe I should get one.

9:00 – 10:00: Group time, (Sadie Naps) we all do the following together:

▪                Bible: Pray, Sing songs, do Bible study, discuss, review AWANA verses

▪                First Language Lessons:

▪                Story of the World

▪                Classical Conversations Memory Work

10am – Workboxes- I will explain them in another blog. All I can say is AMAZING! (It typically takes us 2 hrs or so to go through our 6 boxes)

11:00- Sadie is awake.

11:30-Noon: Lunch! Followed by independent play outside or in the playroom, and a few moments for me to do dishes and straighten the kitchen.

1:30pm: Fun stuff, or finish any workboxes not completed during the morning.  I usually save crafts, art projects, science type experiments etc for this time. (We may also run errands if needed.)

2:00- Sadie Naps

3:00-Everyone has QUIET TIME. I need at least 1 hour of quiet.

4pm: Chores like laundry, we have LOTS of laundry.

5:00pm: Start Dinner…

10 Minute Tidy: This is where I set a timer and everyone runs around like maniacs cleaning up anything can they find so when Daddy comes home the house is a clean and serene oasis, and he thinks its like that all day

sorry honey, the secret is out…please don’t come home any earlier than 5:30 unannounced or my reputation will be ruined forever. Ha! HA!

5:30 pm: Kids meet Dad at the driveway to ride in his truck.

5:30ish Dinner/dishes/sweep kitchen floor

7pm-7:30: Bath, family devotions & bedtime – Clean up living room, take baths.

8pm: Go to Bed. Unless there is a good Georgia sports team playing!

Free time for mom and dad….sit down, sigh…blog…laminate… and praise God we made it through another homeschool day.

August Update

Now that school has started back I don't feel like I have time to update this blog and it is driving.me.crazy! To be honest, I haven't even downloaded pictures off of my camera in a week. Guess I better go do that before I continue. This will be an update of pictures, which is what you want to see anyway. As you maybe able to tell by a few of my pictures, I have joined Pinterest.

Thankfulness #361-#376

361. Homeschool blogging moms that have so many wonderful ideas

362. Family time

363. Songs that minister to my soul

364. God’s perfect peace

365. God’s faithfulness even when we are so unfaithful

366. Never once do we walk alone

367. Dt. Mountain Dew

368. Mexican cheese after 8 months of a dairy free diet

369. Running three miles three times a week consistently for three weeks

370. A first grader who make teaching school so easy for me

371. A preschooler who is SO eager to learn how to read
372. Summer rain showers
373. My mom getting a good test result after a heart cath
374. Books that remind me of my ministry of motherhood
375. Hearing Jake sing "Never Let Go" during Sunday night worship
376. Jake's hunger for learning God's Word

The Dirty Three Doing the Dirty Dig

This year we are reading through Story of the World Volume 1 together during our Circle time. I am not doing all of the activities in the workbook. We are just doing the things that are age appropriate and fun since I am planning to go back through this volume again next year.

This week we read about history, archaeologists and archaeology. One of the activities in the book was to recreate your own archaeological dig, or "Dirty Dig" as they so cleverly named it.

Our three "archaeologists" were very excited to learn more about the "Ancient" civilization of the peoples of Mount Perdueian.

To begin our dig we sectioned our digging area into a 3 by 3 grid so we could record where we found our artifacts. Here are a few of the artifacts that we found: a battery, screwdriver, comb, two bracelets, coins, a cup, and a chicken bone. We figured they were a pretty advanced civilization because we found a battery which lead us to believe they made their own power. The screwdriver was also an advanced tool.  We know that they used currency because we found coins. We believe that they were hunters since we found chicken bones. Lastly, they liked to look pretty as we found two bracelets and a comb. Although, they seem to be advanced we aren't sure how they communicated since we didn't find any communication tools such as pencils. 

School Dayz

Perdue Academy officially started on August 1. We thoroughly enjoyed our summer break, but we were ready to get back in to more structured routine. This year we have two students: one returning and one new. Judd is in Pre K/K and Jake is in 1st grade. This is going to be a great year!

9 months

Baby Sadie

It baffles me when I check on her in the night and find a big baby in her crib.  My mind flashes back to, what feels like yesterday, when she was a tiny floppy head, swaddled infant. I feel like she has been a part of our life forever.  She is so curious. 

Her personality various every day; she can be the happiest baby on the block OR she can me the hardest baby on the block. When she is happy we have so much fun together. When she is cranky she spends a lot of time on my hip!  However, she smiles all the time and it is just a beautiful sight that I pray I never forget.  

Sadie Grace completes our family, she is dainty little tiny girl that we needed and all adore! Jake, Judd and Anna Kate love her SO much, it makes me so happy to see them playing together so much lately! Sadie is doing new things everyday, she is talking so much (we can understand one word so far, "Dada." She is now walking when I am not holding her and she loves to drink out of a sippy cup.  

She has one bottom tooth and more coming soon-the drool is a sure sign, wearing a size 3 diaper, 6-12 month clothes. She is in the 90% for height and 25% in weight.

As of August 1, she was completely weaned. It was time to break away from this special bond that we shared for 9 months. My body helped her grow inside me for 9 long months.  I then provided food for her, for another 9 months.  It is a very bittersweet ending to an enjoyable path we shared. I must admit that we are both doing quite well with this adjustment.

I love you so much, Sadie. Thank you for teaching me daily how to give more of myself and to love with a love that is deeper than I have ever known.

Thankfulness #346-#360

346. The quiet weeks that sickness bring to the Perdue home.
347. We enjoy lots of TV when we have sick kids.
348. I published the first two years, 2006-2007, of my blog into a book using the blurb website.
349. Playing Yahtzee, Uno, and Skip-Bo MANY times a day with Judd.
350. Watching Jake read multiple chapter books each week.
351. Hearing the song Blessings
352. Cleaning out school room drawers.
353. Our first day of school at the Perdue Academy.
354. I have a first grader.
355. I have a pre-schooler.
356. Receiving a surprise, a new pair of shoes, in the mail.
357. Little watermelons growing on our vines.
358. Watching Sadie take steps throughout the house.
359. Popsicles. Popsicles. Popsicles.
360. I love this journey that God is allowing me to live out each day with Dr. Jim Perdue!

* hope to edit with pictures soon.

Cravings

When I was pregnant with Sadie I craved and pretty much lived off of watermelon from July until October. A couple of weeks ago, we introduced watermelon to her outside of the womb and she LOVES it!!! She will not eat anything else if she sees that it is on the table.

Cravings? Do your kids love what you craved during your pregnancies?

2011-2012 Curriculum Choices

The freedom and relaxation of summer days are quickly coming to an end in our home. Thankfully, the heat will stay around for a few more months...

The beginning of August marks another school year for this home educating household. It is such a blessing for my OCD brain that August 1 is a Monday this year. 

 

Jake: First Grade

Bible- AWANA and Family Worship. Hopefully, we will get a Grapevine Bible Study.

Grammar- First Language Lessons

History and Science- Classical Conversations Foundations Curriculum

Phonics, Language, Spelling, Writing and Math- A beka 2

Judd: Pre-K/K

Bible- AWANA and Family Worship

Grammar- First Language Lessons

History and Science- Classical Conversations Foundations Curriculum

Phonics, Language, Writing and Math- A beka K and Beginning to Read, Write and Listen Books

This is going to be a great year. Although, I am sad to see summer leave so quickly I know that we are ready for a more structured routine in the Perdue home.

The Many Faces of Judd Part II

A couple of years ago, I wrote this post about Judd. It was a fun post that showed a sneak peak into his quiet, fun-loving, gentle spirit. Just so happens, he was the only one not sick in our house on Monday and Tuesday.  I was able to capture a few more pictures of the many faces of Judd during a popsicle time out on the front porch. I love this kid! It is hard to believe that  he is 4 1/2 years old. I blinked and it happened over night!

Jackson Lake 2011

Our annual vacation to Jackson Lake was loads of fun this year. The kids made many memories with their cousins. The boys learned to ski and loved tubing. Anna Kate and Rabun shared a room this year and we all wonder what three year old girls have to talk about until 11 o'clock when they should be sleeping. Sadie enjoyed chicken and corn on the cob. Sadie's first tooth also cut through this week and took 7 steps. This was a great week.

The Whole Gang

Prior to the beginning of the official "Lake Week," and before the arrival of the whole gang we planned to take the boys canoeing down the Ocmulgee river with Papa Wayne .  The boys had a blast. We canoed a total of 6 miles. We stopped several times to let them play in the water and eat snacks. It was fun and we can't wait to go back next year.

Coming up

Drafts are started...
Posts are ready...
Updates are pending....

I just can't seem to find time to update my blog lately. Could it be vacation? Could it be 3 out of 4 kids hurling and running a fever this week? Could it be enjoying the last two weeks before Perdue Academy starts for the 2011-2012 school year? Yes, it could be all of those things...

I will catch up soon. Very soon! With a lot of pictures!

Thankfulness #326-345

326. stacks and stacks of books all over my house - while the clutter is driving me crazy, I know it's  because we are LEARNING!

327. Big Buddy and Nana coming for a short visit

328. Enjoying a sweet time of fellowship during our 4^th of July celebration at Crosspointe.

329. Kids doing fireworks and sparklers with Jim

330. Seeing my 6 year old leave to go to Nanacamp for the first time

331. I am thankful for Jake.

332. I miss him.

333. the privilege of being Jake’s mama.  

334. Jake’s dirty laundry

335. his smile

336. his grumpy times

337. his blue eyes

338. for the ways he fusses with and loves on his brother and sisters

339. his intelligence

340. his character  

341. For his love for the Lord

342. For his desire to know the things of God

343. Judd’s loving hugs

344. for Judd’s sense of humor

345. for Anna Kate’s kisses and sweet hugs 

Thankfulness #300-325

300. A fantastic day

301. The surprise $.25 cent trolley rides
302. The perfect timing and seating to see the Peabody ducks...
303. The exact perfect total at Kooky Canuck that allowed every family to eat for a total of $10 including tip!  
304. Wow- I love how God answers our prayers and takes care of us!!!

305. All of these happened during a play date to downtown Memphis with 10 adults and 25 kids.  

306. the Moby Wrap
307. a new book, The Ministry of Motherhood, just what I need to read. 
308. a house with a POOL!
309. lots of hours outside
310. playing outside until after bedtime
311. using play swords tonight during family worship. We were teaching the Heb 4:12. They loved it.
312. a cleaned out bathroom drawer
313. savoring the last summer that I will have a 6 yr, 4yr, 3 yr, and 8 1/2 month old.
313. Sadie's first steps
314. Sadie sleeping until 7:00 a.m. 
315. the friends that call or email just to let me know they care.
316. helping hands with 6 kiddos during a play date.
317. the first fruits from our garden that we are enjoying this week. Although, I am sad that bugs are eating all of our squash. 
318. watermelon for $3.25
319. studying the book of Jonah with Jake and teaching him how to underline in his Bible.
320. an 8 1/2 old baby that is still nursing even after I thought she may wean hereslf by this point.
321. new school curriculum arriving in the mail.
322. seeing Judd's excitement over "his school books"
323. a date night with my hubby
324. free tickets to see Cars 2
325. sweet friends to watch my kids today.

Marriage Questions

Saw these on a friends blog. I thought I would post my answers for posterity's sake!

How long have you been together? Married for 8 years, and started dating about a year before that

How long did you know each other before you started dating? We “knew of” each other since 1996.

Who asked who out? He officially asked me out, but I called out his name from the across the parking lot.

Did you go to the same school? Yes. We didn't meet until I got saved in 2000.

Who is the most sensitive? Definitely him!

What about pets? Skye. We got her about 6 months after we got married; we also have a cat.

Where do you eat out most as a couple? We like to go eat steak and then dessert, carrot cake or ice cream.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Mexico

Who has the craziest exes? I'll say that I definitely had one, but that's a long time ago

Who has the worst temper? Neither of us really. We never knew that we could get angry until we had kids.

Who does the cooking? Me. He can cook an awesome egg sandwich!

 Who is more social? Definitely him. 

Who is the neat freak? HIM! Although, I cannot stand clutter.

Who is the most stubborn? Me. Hands down.

Who hogs the bed? We both sleep very still. We don't move when we sleep... and we both steal the covers!

Who wakes up earlier? Usually him, but only because he has to go to work and likes to leave early. I get up at 7 a.m.

Where was your first date? Sonny’s BBQ

How long did it take to get serious? Not long. We both knew we'd found what we had been looking for.  

Who eats more? Let's just say we both like to eat.

Who does the laundry? We both do. I'm one lucky girl. :) 

Who drives when you are together? Always him!

Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong? Hmm. I guess we both do.

Who wears the pants in the relationship? He leads and I follow, Although, we are a good team when we put our heads together.

Who eats more sweets? We both do! We just like different kinds of sweets. 

Fun Father's Day

This year we had a great day Father's day. We went to church, ate at Casa Mexicana, presented Jim with his gifts, took a nap, and then we went on a traveling dinner mission (to be explained shortly). Jim loved the cards and Amazon gift card from the kids. I had a sign that says "Bonaire" framed for him. I saw one in his mom's kitchen and went on a mission to get one for the "Bonaire Boy."

Back to the traveling dinner...
We have joined the Summer Reading Club at the library this year. Jake is devouring books daily so I thought that it would be fun to "earn" prizes for summer reading. Upon completion of the first ten books you get a goodie bag. The goodie bag contains quite a few coloring books and several coupons for various restaurants in the area: free small fries from McD, a free soft or crunchy taco from Taco Bell, a free cookie from Subway, a free kids meal from Arby's and a free frosty from Wendy's. See where I am going with the traveling dinner? We packed all of the kids in the car and drove to McD's drive thru and ordered three free small fries. The kids ate the fries as we drove across the street to Taco Bell where we ordered three free tacos. Lastly, they ate their tacos on the way to Subway for, you guessed it, three free cookies! It was a fun time and they all laughed well, except for Sadie, and enjoyed their traveling dinner. It was just another way to make memories with our kids.

 

If I would have thought this out throughly, we would have taken pictures at each restaurant. I regret that we didn't, but we always have next year:-)

The best present of all:
As we were on our way home, Jake said to Jim "It doesn't matter what other people say "I" have the best Daddy in the whole wide world." Just as he said it I looked at Jim's reflection in the rear view mirror (oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I was sitting in the back the help Sadie. ) I could see the tears welling up in Jim's eyes. It was so sweet to hear the love that Jake has for his Daddy. PRICELESS!