Our Santa Meeting

Papaw invited us to Bush’s for the annual Children’s Christmas party. We were so excited to see Santa!

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Another opportunity for us to be with our two favorite “friends” Jayden and Elijah

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They were very excited that their daddy was able to join us.

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The gingerbread cookies were the best.

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Jayden and Elijah agreed.

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Yummy cookies and punch

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Papaw was able to take a break from work to visit with us.

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Two of my favorite people…

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Finally, we sat with Santa! This was the first year that a Hall child did not cry!

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We were super proud of Jackson for not only writing his entire letter on his own, but he also read it to Santa while he was on his lap for the second year. (My photo cut off a couple of the letters.)

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Abigail’s Santa letter…she said Santa could just read it later!
(She told me what to write and then she copied it just as we do in our morning writing lesson.)

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Isabela told Santa hello and that she wanted a baby doll. She took him a picture of her circles and Christmas stickers on.

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Nana with her favorite things!

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Santa’s nice list…most of the time!

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My girl with her new crafty bell necklace.

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The crafts were so fun!

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I’ve been taking this sweet man of mine since he was a little over six months. Glad to see him actually enjoying himself around Santa and strangers.

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A great Pre-Christmas afternoon for a party. We are feeling festive and blessed!

Writing/Work Samples

I’ve enjoyed tracking their ever changing writing styles. Sometimes I have been so excited to capture their growth in sharpening proper letter formation. Other times I have had to witness their lazy and rushed attitude for just completing the assignment. Either way, I am happy that technology allows me to capture these moments.

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After completing our lesson on letter writing, Jackson had to address and send a thank you letter in the mail.

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Our topic was to write about “Girls”

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Topic, “write about a time when someone helped you”

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By Jackson, simple yet priceless with the conversation between “Jackson and Elijah”

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This was what Jackson made for Debbie’s birthday.
He used the lesson of Dogs in our “Draw Write Now” Art activities.

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Morning writing assignments for Abigail was to make thank you notes for her birthday gifts.

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We also sent letters to Aunt Brooke, Uncle Mikey, Jaydie and Elijah, and Nana and Papaw.
Hopefully hand written thank you’s will be a skill they use forever!

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Abigail’s angel

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By Abigail, this is her with Jackson and Isabela pretending to be angels

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Abigail’s three treasures…her puppy, her bunny, and her blankie

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For the past month Jackson has started reading “The Magic Tree House” books by Mary Pope Osborne. He has completed books 1-4. These four books are about the mystery of the tree house where the characters travel to the time of dinosaurs, medieval times with a knight, ancient Egypt with a mummy, and with pirates searching for a buried treasure.

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At the end of each book he takes a written test.
We look forward to reading all 28 books in “The Magic Tree House” series.

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A sample of Social Studies assessment chapter 4

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A recent Spelling test of Jackson’s

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Abigail is very proud of herself…me too!

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Isabela “plays” school with her circles, letter I and X, and a triangle.

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School time is a blessed time! The moments are full of sweat, tears, frustrations, and zapped energies…however we are a little more educated, a little more prepared, and a whole lot stronger for it. I love being the teacher of my three!

Halloween Pretend

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The start to an awesome evening as a family!

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We started off our fun at Hearthstone to visit our friends, and then on to the library for our reading as well as fun and games.

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They were super excited that their daddy came along for the party.

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The evening was questionable with they heavy dark clouds, but we were hopeful…

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Little Bo Peep with her protector…a knight.

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Abigail was such a sweet Little Bo Peep

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She found her sheep!

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Our sweet little sheep

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We had to stop by our favorite tree to play in the leaves.

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Leaves are a fun addition to Halloween.

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“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus

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A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13

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Off to collect our treats.

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Stopping for popcorn

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Thank goodness the rain that was forecasted held off so we could visit the church for trunk or treat.

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Blessed to retain this memory!

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Papaw and Nana’s Halloween party

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A super cool cat, a protective knight, a snugly sheep, a sweet Bo Peep, and a brave firefighter!

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I had to include this photo even though the handsome firefighter’s face was hidden. Our sheep’s face tells it all about her attitude at being photographed…without consent…just shut your eyes!

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Not a picture enthusiast if our nap was omitted from the day!

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Love my boys and they sure love playing trucks with one another.

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Two of Nana’s favorite girls on the earth!

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Papaw’s pot of gold! Happy 2013 Halloween!

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More Birthdays and End of Kindergarten

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We celebrated Nana’s Birthday in early June

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We all met for a lunch date in Pigeon Forge. We also celebrated Amy and Stephanie’s Birthdays as well.

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We were happy to eat pizza and help celebrate the people we love!

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For Jackson’s end of Kindergarten year celebration, he chose to eat and play at Chuck E Cheese. I have to make a note that this was the first time Jackson agreed to stand beside of this big mouse and have his picture taken!

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We are proud of his accomplishments this year! On most days he proved to be an eager student working hard to learn and complete everything I expected and demanded from him. I am most happy that he not only became a really good reader, he developed a true love for books…a skill that will entertain as well as educate him a for a lifetime.

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After our mini celebration, we were blessed with another special rainbow. One of Jackson’s favorite things to see on the side of the interstate are these big construction trucks! The rainbow arching over them was amazing. It lasted forever on our drive as we were leaving Knoxville.

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A double rainbow that we literally drove under. WOW!

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Finally to Jackson, even though you may feel our constant push to excellence, we are hoping you discover the feel of your own successes, so you may reach for any path that leads you to happiness.

May’s Day’s of Fun 2013

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This photo was taken on Mother’s Day morning, two days after returning from our overnight stay celebrating Jackson’s Birthday. Isabela is holding “Puppy” her favorite friend. Isabela’s mommy accidentally left Puppy behind in the covers of our room. We realized this when we put her down to bed and she kept begging for him. Housekeeping recovered our treasure and we of course went back up the mountain to retrieve it! She was so excited to be reunited! So sweet!

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Love capturing these action shots.
I really enjoy watching this girl kick a ball! Either soccer or football, she gives it her all!

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For my birthday we played at the World’s Fair Park and visited Market Square.
They love watching the water. I love watching them watch and learn about the life around them.

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Fuzzy picture but I’m happy to capture moments of play especially when big brother is being so great to give both of his sisters a ride.

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One of my favorites. I hope you girls are always this sweet, always this close and loving!

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We even talked Aunt Fran into helping us plant the corn. Check out the wild boys in the background. Also, that’s our onions and potatoes we helped plant several weeks ago!

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Abigail riding her pretend horse Lightning.

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Again we have been skipping between the heat or rain for working in the vines.

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Spring rains and sun are growing our vines beautifully. We are busy suckering, removing the growth at the base of the plants. All three have proven to be very efficient at this task!

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Jackson started competing with Abigail trying to log more work time. More work time equals more money 🙂

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I always smile each time these beautiful blue innocent eyes gaze at me! I love to see and hear her enthusiasm. She was over the moon with excitement when she discovered the “baby grapes” growing!

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Jackson lost his second tooth! The tooth fairy left him two dollars!

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We went to Jayden’s dance recital. Her daddy joined her on stage for one of her three dances.

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Happy my brother was able to have this special moment with Jayden. That’s both of Jayden’s Papaw’s in the background.

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We went to cheer on Elijah at a few of his games. That’s him, number 15, leading off of first base. The adult to the far right, face hidden by the pole, is Elijah’s daddy Mikey being the third base coach.

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This little guy is always willing to play a little silly

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Finally Jackson mastered the difference between words spelled “ite” and “ight”

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We harvested onions, asparagus, and of course yummy strawberries.

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This Little Tikes truck has given a fair share of rides. Abigail and Isabela were so funny, both of them squeezing in the front to drive!

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Abigail came to me and asked if she could pretend to be a mommy. She was playing dress up in one of my original baton outfits.

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Writing ABC’s is always more fun outdoors with chalk.

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“I color “

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They really enjoy climbing the wall. I remember their first steps along this wall and us spotting them from behind. Building their courage and confidence, they now can fly solo.

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My sweet birds of three, I love you so!

Wrapping up April

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This boy playing frisbee is about to loose his first tooth! It is barely hanging by one root!

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Papaw and Nana treated the WHOLE family to Dollywood tickets again this year! Jackson’s final sentence cracks me up! When I read it and reminded him he would be six on his birthday, he told me he knew, he still wouldn’t be ready for the real train until he was seven!

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500-401

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A couple Earth Day drawings by Jackson. A rainbow and Jackson and his two sisters enjoying the outdoors.

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A picnic from the vehicle because of the heavy cool wind

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So quiet watching them sit among the dandelions.

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Sisters playing

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Jackson loves that his mommy still remembers how to drive a tractor! Before you were born Mr. Jackson, this was my main mode of transportation in the summer. Your daddy really misses those days!

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“Hall, party of three” is what the nurse announced as she calls us from the waiting room. This is our assembly line, ALL THREE waiting to see Dr. Hollingsworth for our re-check appointment. I am hopeful we are on the road to recovery.

Pruning Time

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Wow, it has been very difficult to get in the field this season. Pruning around the weather of high winds, heavy rains, snow, and freezing temperatures have put us behind.

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Jackson figured out that driving his trucks up the vines is a lot more fun than collecting the vine cuttings.

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There are some things she never leaves home without.

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Life Lesson…You can’t expect to work in the field without getting a little dirty!

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Brother’s John Deere shirt says it all for Isabela…dirt makes me cuter!

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That’s how I feel about these LONG rows!

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Abigail likes planting gardens of sticks under the vines.

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Snack time. Notice the toys/gear we carry with us!

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Before the day is over, everyone’s had a turn in the stroller…except daddy of course!

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Finally, earning some money picking up sticks.

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Mocking the pruning, however, he says his job one day will be working full time in the vineyard.

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Filthy faced thing! They laugh every time they hear me use the word filthy!

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So special to me!

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This land is your land. Thanks for flashing me a quick smile Isabela!

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Because of the lack of cooperation from the weather, this pruning season has mostly been completed by Daddy…on his lunch breaks, before and after work, and LONG weekend days!

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Big cutters for little hands. We had the goal of writing to 100 AND finalizing our pruning before Easter. At least we made the goal of the hundreds chart. Hopefully we’ll wrap up our pruning next week. Hopefully this year we won’t lose tender growth to a late spring freeze like last year.

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“Best Friends” they both say. I say, my favorite two men that on most days, make my heart sing.

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Cold pruning day, notice the trace of snow left on the mountains.

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We’ll hopefully report back soon that our pruning is completely finished and ready for new growth!

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A Little More March…Waiting on Spring

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These COLD spring days are keeping us inside and on most days out of the vineyard. Plenty of time for dress up and pretend play.
A few nights ago while playing in the tub, Abigail asked if she could be a mermaid when she grew up. I naturally said “you can be whatever you want” without giving it much thought. Jackson quickly jumped in the conversation saying “no way Abigail, if you are a mermaid, we will never see you because you will be living far away in the ocean without us!”

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Topic: Trains, By Jackson Sawyer

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Taking a ride in Jackson’s Tonka dump truck he received on his first birthday, all three have LOVED this toy!
I am so excited about Isabela’s blooming conversation. She is putting words together and speaking in phrases. Jackson and Abigail are noticing it also and cheer her on always with excitement. She came to me with a pouty whine showing me a scratch on her hand and said, “ow, kiss boo boo.” Once I kissed it and put some cream on it she flashed a sweet big smile at me and said, “tink you mom-my!” Those are the new, melt my heart, favorite three words!

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In Science we have been studying the concept that dirt is made up of bits of rock, dead plants, and dead animals. For a fun activity we observed the wiggly creatures who live beneath our feet. We filled a jar with thin layers of soil, sand, dead leaves, and then added worms. It was exciting to see our neat layers of soil and sand quickly change from the busy worms.

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Abigail sitting under completed pruned vines, with a puppy of course.

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Isabela insist on doing EVERYTHING Jackson and Abigail do. I enjoy watching her chase their frisbee, run with it, and then toss it away!

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St. Patrick’s Day Pruning

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Love this photo, so simple. I have one of all three, this age, standing alone under the long rows facing the empty lake. Photos like these make me wonder what their little minds think as they look at such big open spaces.

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Getting a head start on spring seeds…indoors. Isabela enjoying the planting with a mouthful of Goldfish!

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This year we are trying a Burpee Self Watering Seed Starting System. The individual cells for holding the tiny seeds are very close together. Very busy hands of my three probably combined many of the seeds. Water, soil, and seeds were everywhere! Should be interesting to see how it grows!

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For starters we planted some of our herbs-Cilantro, Sweet Basil, Dill, and Chamomile, as well as the Big Boy Hybrid Tomato. Next month we will start many of our flowering annuals to fill our flower beds.

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Isabela happily holding “Ra-toon” up to the front door to watch the spring “sn-o.”

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I don’t know who is more excited about this milestone, Jackson, Abigail, or myself! Abigail finally made it to 100 and before the Easter Bunny visits! I love to see her build her confidence by her own hard work! She blooms with pride and excitement, and it feels like magic seeing her learn and actually like it. I equally like her big brother being just as happy and cheering her on…although he quickly let her know he “was way far from 100, he had made it to 1000!”

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Although the calendar said the season had changed, for the second day in a row we have snow! Another great opportunity in the study of Science and Weather to prove that we can have winter precipitation even in the spring!

March Fun

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“I silly, FUN, or I funny” are three of her favorite sayings! She plays the part very well! Her happiness makes us smile!

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Lincoln Logs are one of our favorites! Early engineering/construction skills.

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We visited the Candy Kitchen in Pigeon Forge with our Homeschool Co-Op Group earlier in the month. We learned how taffy and candy treats were made. The children were given the opportunity to taste different products as well as dip marshmallows in white chocolate and coat with sprinkles.

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Later in the morning we were able to take a behind the scenes tour of one of the largest McDonald’s in the US. The children were given the opportunity to take orders from the drive thru as well as the counter, push buttons, and make fruit smoothies (Abigail’s favorite). This is Jackson putting a bun in the warmer with help from our guide.

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Isabela’s favorite part of the trip, other than being carried for the entire morning, was taste testing the chicken!

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We had a really fun day learning how local businesses operate as well as socializing with other families of children ranging in ages from one to fifteen. Next month hopefully we get to visit a Fire Station! Jackson is super excited!

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Abigail had a successful dental cleaning and check up! If you notice, she is not only holding Puppy, but two fairy wands. She brought one for Isabela, who did not see the dentist. I asked her if Donna said she could get an extra for her sister. She said, “no, I just wanted to bring her something special too!” Super sweet and harmless, but we’ll have to discuss when it’s not ok to take extra without permission.

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Jackson was very excited about his check up. Three of his four molars are coming in and he has two wiggly teeth! Donna told him the tooth fairy would be visiting him by the summer possibly! Wow, I can’t believe that after all of the INTENSE crying and fussing when he was cutting those new baby teeth, we are now ready to pull them out! Stages of life…

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Their dentist doesn’t allow the parents to go back with them. Isabela and I passed the time coloring and writing with her “pen-cl” in the waiting room. I should mention, both Jackson and Abigail were VERY brave, and yes, that does matter! I was very proud of all three.

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600-501, Continuing to write backwards from one thousand to one.

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Samples of a little more comprehension. He especially has liked doing these series because of the step by step guide for drawing a cool picture!

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Abigail continues to work on her coloring skills. We are trying to recognize/read a few of the color words and following a key to complete pictures. We have talked about Eskimos, how they live, and where they are most likely living on the map in Social Studies. When she finished she was very pleased that her different colors had created a seal on a rock!

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We made a quick treat to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day using Lucky Charms and marshmallows.

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Painting, since we don’t do it that often, is a fun treat. We made our own rainbows for the leprechaun to leave a pot of gold under.

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We also made our own little pots using baby food jars and decorating with glue and tissue paper. After reading “The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day” by Natasha Wing, we placed our jars on the front porch hoping to be filled with tiny treasures. Although this book was humorous and had good pictures, Jackson and Abigail were both a little scared of the tiny little red headed man. We read it before bed, afterwards I had to convince them the leprechaun would not be entering our house while we slept…which is why our jars were put outside the front door! They were excited to find chocolate coins, stickers, and loose change the next morning.

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Finally, my awesome flying princess fairy!

We’ve Been Up To…

Sweet happy smiles of these two…but not without challenges for their mommy.

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They are moving slow at getting back in the swing of a school schedule. Also, due to the freezing temperatures, excitement of snow, loss of power due to freezing power lines, and torrential winds on our hill, their energy is HARD to manage…especially with three of them!

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My closet somehow became a parking garage for balance bikes, bikes with training wheels, tricycles, tractors, wagons, and everything else they push or ride. Much to my dismay, I couldn’t enter due to the mess! Since we have established a “parking spot” for each of those mentioned toys, my frustration led me to follow the lead to one of our literature favorites, “The Poky Little Puppy.” I posted the note on the right outside our closet door. I loved listening to Jackson read this to Abigail and explain it to her.

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Isabela is too cute insisting that she scrub her own feet (one of her new words) with the washcloth! It’s even cuter watching her try to maintain balance without tipping over as she lifts her leg.

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We posted when Jackson completed his goal of writing to one thousand by the end of the year. He had a great idea to now try and work backwards to one! I admit, I never had that goal for the children in my classroom years back, but I’m excited he thinks it’s a good goal! He completed the first step from 1,000 to 901.

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We played silly in toy baskets

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Played a little dress up, heels included

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Made silly faces

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Painted a wooden train craft(a gift from Aunt Teresa)

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Jackson started a series of short stories and comprehension

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As a review I had him to write by 10’s, 5’s, and 2’s to 100

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900-801

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We’ve spent some time naming nouns and verbs and labeling the words in a sentence

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Abigail has been working on matching upper to lower case letters. I included this to show the improvement of her eye hand coordination to the connection of her lines

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“Me, Ride” Jackon always willing to make her happy, especially now that she is starting to communicate what she wants, they are thrilled they have “taught her how to talk!”

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Both Abigail and Jackson are so excited to be “big” brothers and sisters to Isabela. She is such a fun experience for them both. Abigail is super sweet about her affection toward her baby sissy. In the dark of an extremely loud and windy night, while she and Jackson were sleeping in our bed, she whispered to me how cute Isabela was, how she liked that Isabela followed and played with her, and then she closed by thanking me to bring her to live with us! How wonderful of a comment for a four year to make!

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Let their love be with them, comfort them, and guide them always!

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