First Day of School 2015

 This year Addison started Kindergarten at GES, and Brogan started Pre-school at Little Steps Preschool with Angela Miller.  Addison had Mrs. Born and Ms. Sherri Williams, both whom she loved! It was a weird way to start the school year.  The kids both missed almost the whole week because it was the same week as Cash's funeral (of which I'll post on his blog).  Their cousins were all here from Texas and we spent the week getting ready for the funeral and hanging out with family.

Last year I did preschool with Addison, Weston, Brogan and Paisley when I watched them.  Addison, Weston and Paisley loved preschool and did everything I asked them to do each day.  Brogan on the other hand did NOT love the concept of sitting and even when I made it fun, he chose not to participate a lot.  Addison always loved the idea of "homework" and working on school type activities, but Brogan didn't.  I was a little nervous that he wouldn't want to go to preschool, or be do it at home with me either.  When Cash died, Brogan took it the hardest out of all of us.  he just didn't understand any of it.  He was upset a lot.  Although we were very honest and open with both of the kids on what and how it happened, Brogan had feelings that he couldn't express to us.  They often came out in anger or acting out.  Addison developed such a faith that this was Heavenly Father's plan, and that Cash was still living in Heaven.  Brogan "didn't like Heavenly Father for taking his brother from him".  He just couldn't comprehend an eternal plan.  We went to a family therapist, who agreed that Brogan could use some counseling.  He recommended a few '"play therapists" who work with kids in a fun way to help them understand their feelings.  Brogan wasn't thrilled with the idea of going.  We asked him what he wanted to do.  He told us he wanted to go to preschool with his buddy Cade.  So we signed him up for preschool and waited.  The results were amazing.  I'm not sure if it was just having an outlet, lots of social interaction with other kids his age, or his amazing teacher taking such special care of him, but we started to see a huge change in Brogan, very quickly.  After a few weeks of school he LOVED anything "homework" or "learning" related.  He wanted me to print him out "homework" and talk all about his days at school.  He was able to express himself and understand things better, little by little.  It's been amazing to see how far Brogan has come, and to see his faith in his Heavenly Father is something else.

  I'm so proud of both Addison and Brogan.  They have wisdom beyond their young little lives.  They talk about Cash every day, and they truly believe in the plan of salvation, and that they'll see him again.  They often ask when Jesus is coming, so they can be with their baby brother.  When they find beauty in nature, or a beautiful sunset, they say things like, "Look Mom, Cash and Jesus are painting!"  They love to visit his grave and take him toys he can play with.  They write him notes, talk about him to strangers, and keep him alive in their hearts.  I'm so proud of them.

Preschool 2014-15

Since I watch Weston and Paisley 3 mornings a week, I decided to teach them all preschool.  It helps me keep a little sanity to our morning, and it's been a great experience for them (and I) to do some learning!  They work in a few different preschool/kindergarten age workbooks that focus on letters, numbers, colors, matching, rhyming, cutting, coloring, counting..... the list goes on and on!  We've been trying to learn a new letter each week, how to write it, what it says, and be able to recognize it.  (It's now March)  and we've gotten through the whole alphabet!  I'm proud to say that Weston and Addison know their whole alphabet, can write the majority of the letters pretty dang good, and know what most letters say.  They are totally ready for kindergarten this fall!  And to top that Brogan and Paisley know a TON of things a pre-preschooler wouldn't know! 

Everyday we do the pledge of allegiance, days of the week, the weather, and review of colors, numbers or alphabet stuff.

Aside from all the "serious" learning we do, I've tried really hard to incorporate FUN and crafts into school. Here are some of our funnest days (when I remember to take pictures!)

Made Birthday Hats for Grandpa Funk's birthday party (we even made a whole bunch for the adults)

 We found an awesome caterpillar on one of our nature walks

 We work hard coloring and writing in our workbooks

 We go to story time on Thursdays.  This week we got to go to the Fire station!

 We made monsters at Halloween.  I covered boxes and cut out all sorts of shapes and the kids....

 Created their own, very unique monsters.  I LOVED their creativity!

 This is a normal day at school

 Sometimes I even plan fun snacks to go along with the theme (if we have one).  These go along with our halloween theme- monster mouths!

 We talked about birds and nests, and built our own nests.

 We learned about the pilgrims and Indians and made head dresses

 (and got to wear war paint!!)

 We made turkeys

 We made a thankful tree.  Everyday each person got to write something they were thankful for on a leaf and stick it on the tree.  I love their things they're thankful for.  They really thought about some of these!

 We learned about caterpillars and how they turn into butterflies.

 We talked about clouds and rain and snow.  We did a cloud experiement with shaving cream, and ate a cloud snack (vanilla wafers and whipped cream)

 We've finger painted on tin foil.... and SO many other things!!

 Currently (In March) we are learning sight words!  These kids already know a ton of sight words!  They are so smart and I'm so proud of them all!!

(Lately Little Cashie has wanted to join in on the school fun.  he makes his way to "his spot" almost everyday!)