Twelve

 The birthday boy in his new duds while hiking the Aiea loop.  Next year is a "teen" year...gulp.  Let's make this year go slow!

Crochet!

Getting to the point in my crocheting hobby where I could actually make cardigans has been really exciting.  So far I have made about five and each one I like better than the one before!  This is by far my most favorite thing I have ever made.  The yarn is inexpensive yarn from the Hobby Lobby (I Love this Yarn brand) and is so very soft.  The way it hangs also has been better than any other yarn I have used.  So here is sweet Evangeline modeling her cardi.  She humored her mama and let me take lots of pictures. 

Halloween 2015

 Halloween this year was a great time!  My girls thrilled me by asking to be maidens again this year and while I was on the mainland I took advantage of the plethora of fabric stores and bought them the material there.  This was good for a couple of reasons.  1. I didn't have to go to the Pearl City Walmart to get fabric and 2. When I changed my mind and decided I didn't feel like making their costumes I had the guilt of already spending the money for the material and got my booty in gear and made them.  To me, sewing is like exercise; I never feel like doing it, but I'm always glad when I am done.  AND...once I get going it's really productive.  The girls each picked the color of their dresses and the notions to glue on them with fabri-tac.  As you can see, Dan decided to get in on the action this year.  Gideon asked so nicely for Daddy to dress up with him and Daddy totally did. 

Ashton wore the gorilla that Quintin bought and turned out to be too small.  Landon chose Spiderman...it's technically his last year to dress up, but Ashton snuck in this year so we may have to reevaluate. 

Homeschool!

I have to say that homeschooling is a roller coaster!  Having a large family makes it even more of a party.  Even though our family is no longer growing, I still feel like things are constantly changing and we are trying to figure out what works best for each member of our family.  Lately, I feel like we have figured a system that works...for today at least, who knows what tomorrow holds!  This is my seventh year of official homeschooling (if you don't include the previous 3 years of preschool) and last year we really finally seemed to settle on curriculum we are happy with.  Phew.  I'm not saying we won't change our minds later, but for now we seem to be chugging along (mostly) happily.

Here is what we are using!
Math-Rod and Staff.  Love it, love it.  Simple and strait forward.  Kids understand the lessons and it is clear what dad is supposed to teach.  And yes, Dad is the teacher for math.  He is my superhero for waking them up at 6:30 to teach math before going to work.  Mareea is using Singapore math this year.  Next year she will start Rod and Staff, however.

English- Rod and Staff for everyone!
 
Spelling-Rod and Staff.  Suprised???

History- Story of the World Volume 2.  Each preschool day (twice a week) we do this.  We mostly just read the chapter, do the coloring sheet and the map work.  Sometimes we will read an extra book that they have suggested or watch a video of the place we are learning about, but I tend to keep it simple.

Science - Rod and Staff.  Ashton and Landon are doing grade 5 and Thea and Mareea are doing grade 2.  I really love this.  They learn and retain a lot more than with other things we have done.

Music- Thea and Landon are taking Cello and Mareea and Ashton are learning the violin from me.  Well, they are supposed to be.  I am trying to convince Mareea to switch to cello where she can go to a lesson.  

Bible-Ashton and Landon are using the Christian Light Educators bible workbooks and the girls are doing AWANA.  The boys are also doing AWANA and learning A LOT of verses this year.  It's been exciting to see them hiding God's word in their hearts. 

Phonice- Thea and Mareea are using Explode the Code workbooks and the boys have graduated from phonics.

Reading- Pathways readers and workbooks for Thea and Mareea.  Ashton and Landon read chapter books either that I have chosen or from the Sonlight sets I have bought from a local homeschool mom. 

That is about it.  Switching to Rod and Staff has really helped us simplify things.  I cannot say enough good about their curriculum and the relief it has brought.  Every homeschool parent worries if their child is learning what they need and if they are giving their children a solid educational foundation.  Now that we have switched I feel like we don't need to worry nearly as much.  The curriculum is very through and uses a lot of review and repetition to really make sure the kids know the material.  Each lesson introduces small bites of information so they are not overwhelmed.  The cost is also an attraction to us, not to mention that the textbooks can be used over and over for younger siblings.  Lastly, I feel like it is very simple for the teacher/mom/dad.  There is no lesson prep for me.  All I have to do is open the book and teach what it says.  I learn along with them whatever I have forgotten