Big Sister and her phonics

So Big Sister is a pretty typical middle child. She is the most quite of the bunch, doesn't really demand a lot but unfortunately gets overlooked a little too often in my opinion!!! I'm also a middle child and I always told myself I'd be different with my children but as things like that almost always go, it's easier said than done!!

Take homeschool for instance! A lot of attention is focused on the oldest because they are older and they are in need of extra attention because of the more "mature" material load. The younger one is just starting out so they need you there all of the time. Close instruction basically. But the middle child, well, in our house at least they get lumped in with either one and don't get that one on one attention like the others do.

Now granted we haven't "officially" started any curriculum with Big Sister but she is getting to the point to where she BEGS to be taught to read!! She is wanting so much more because she sees the others doing there stuff..especially now that Brother has his "work". But, she wants that one on one time...just me and her! It's very sweet I must say even though it gets a little demanding on me. It's worth the effort though to see her happily working on her own things.

So, here are some pictures of Big Sister and her phonics.

Biggest Sister is a big help when it comes to reviewing sounds!!

Working hard!!!

Brother

Here is Brothertracing the letter "A" with his finger.

So this little one has graciously tagged along with whatever he had to in order to get through our homeschooling day. But a couple of weeks ago I felt the desire to do some "schooling" for him as well. So I've decided to begin teaching him his letters. NO, I'm not going to sit down with a 3 and a half year old boy and make him look at flashcards and do worksheets all day...that would make us all pull our hair out!! NO, Brother needs a different approach than the one I took with his sisters!! They are workbook lovers!!! They beg for workbooks, Brother doesn't even like to color for very long. So for him we are keeping it simple and as hands on as possible.

We are studying one letter a week (or longer if needs be) and that's it!! Yeah, I know that's not much but I'm a busy woman so I have to keep it simple...besides he needs simple, short and to the point right now!! He may be young but he is still a man and his attention span is VERY short!

So I'm gonna start with the letters of his name first so that he can learn to spell and recognize his own name. We, obviously, began with S. All I did was take a piece of computer paper, draw a few pictures of things that begin with 's', add a Bible verse, number and a pocket for some tactile abc flashcards that I will make to go with each letter and viola!! Done!! That's it...really...there's nothing else to it!! Yes, remember simplicity is the key for my little guy! I wasn't sure how he'd react, if he'd like it, turn his nose up at it or if he'd want more but you know what!!! He LOVED it!!! Oh he was so excited to have his own "school work" and he was even more excited to be learning "his letters"...they're his cause they're in his name. Posession is nine-tenths of the law you know!!!

I was thrilled that he loved it!!! I threw in an art project that kept with my simplicity theme...he painted a capital and small S green, added glitter and stars and we read some books about things that began with S and that was his week at "school"!!! He's done well with it all and has even learned a little!! ;) We review the letter name and sound each day, go over the Bible verse and read of course. That's it. Simple, but for him...and me...it works!!! We both go to bed each night feeling fulfilled!!! Praise the Lord!!!

Here is his worksheet!!

Carefully spelling his name!

Almost done!! Doing great!!!

Finished!!! What a great job!!!!...yes, of course I helped!!!

So it's been a while!!!

Like I said, free time doesn't come so frequently these days and when it does come I'm usually asleep so I don't know it!!!


We've done a lot these past few months but the most fun was a recent trip to Florida for my sister's wedding. We were able to see family that we haven't seen for quite some time and it was a blast!!! We even stopped by the beach for a cold dip in the Atlantic Ocean before heading home!!! The kids had a great time and were broken hearted to be leaving but we were all kind of glad to be back in our own little enviroment...we even had about 8 inches of snow recently!! SO AWESOME!!! We had a blast making a snow man, going "sledding", making snow angels, enjoying Daddy's awesome snow cream but most importantly we enjoyed an extra day with Daddy!!! He didn't have to go to work that day!! Yay!!! That, for me, was all worth it!!! Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

So it's been a while!!!

Like I said, free time doesn't come so frequently these days and when it does come I'm usually asleep so I don't know it!!!


We've done a lot these past few months but the most fun was a recent trip to Florida for my sister's wedding. We were able to see family that we haven't seen for quite some time and it was a blast!!! We even stopped by the beach for a cold dip in the Atlantic Ocean before heading home!!! The kids had a great time and were broken hearted to be leaving but we were all kind of glad to be back in our own little enviroment...we even had about 8 inches of snow recently!! SO AWESOME!!! We had a blast making a snow man, going "sledding", making snow angels, enjoying Daddy's awesome snow cream but most importantly we enjoyed an extra day with Daddy!!! He didn't have to go to work that day!! Yay!!! That, for me, was all worth it!!! Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Well I know that it's been a long time since I've blogged but free time is at a minimum now. We have been busy thoroughly enjoying our newest blessing!! Sofia is growing so much and has brought much joy to our home!!! She is loved by all especially her older siblings!!
She is 3 months old now and can do so much!! She has been smiling since she was just a few weeks old and has been holding that little round head up just about as long!! She is so alert and loves to be talked to and played with. She happily rewards any interaction with a smile!! A beautiful smile at that!! She has very fair skin like her oldest sister Alayna and has dark hair that is turning blonde. She also has the prettiest blue eyes and cute little pointy nose!!! We love every part of that little girl!
Her brother and sisters are constantly showering her with affection as well!! It's often that I hear, "I want to see the baby, no it's my turn!!" "Mommy when can I hold her?!" I'm just glad that they love her!!


Things are busy at the McLean household but we are trying to enjoy every minute of it!! I will try to blog a little more frequently but with so much going on blogging isn't a priority but I'll do my best!!! Take care!! Hope to blog soon!!
And thanks for stopping by!

Well I know that it's been a long time since I've blogged but free time is at a minimum now. We have been busy thoroughly enjoying our newest blessing!! Sofia is growing so much and has brought much joy to our home!!! She is loved by all especially her older siblings!!
She is 3 months old now and can do so much!! She has been smiling since she was just a few weeks old and has been holding that little round head up just about as long!! She is so alert and loves to be talked to and played with. She happily rewards any interaction with a smile!! A beautiful smile at that!! She has very fair skin like her oldest sister Alayna and has dark hair that is turning blonde. She also has the prettiest blue eyes and cute little pointy nose!!! We love every part of that little girl!
Her brother and sisters are constantly showering her with affection as well!! It's often that I hear, "I want to see the baby, no it's my turn!!" "Mommy when can I hold her?!" I'm just glad that they love her!!


Things are busy at the McLean household but we are trying to enjoy every minute of it!! I will try to blog a little more frequently but with so much going on blogging isn't a priority but I'll do my best!!! Take care!! Hope to blog soon!!
And thanks for stopping by!

We made it!!

She's finally here!! On Friday, October 10th at 6:05 a.m. we welcomed 7 lb. 10 oz. Sofia Grace McLean into our family. Thankfully it was a fairly easy and uncomplicated delivery, much to the relief of Mommy and doctors.

She is a beautiful and healthy baby girl. The kids LOVE her and are already trying to smother her with love. They've even been caught singing to her when she's cried quite a few times. Sweet!!

We came home Saturday evening and are all happy to be back in our own enviroment. Life is definetly more of an adjustment right now for all of us but I know that the Lord will help us through.

Daddy will be home for the next week and I am very thankful for that because he has been a big help with the kiddos!!! And Sammy is going to need the extra attention as well!!

As soon as I can I'll get some pictures loaded so that you can see her! Sorry that the video is so dark but you can still hear that sweet newborn cry! :)

That's all for now!