Update!!

So, the excitement is great at the Fuchs house right now.  We are planning on selling our house and moving into a new one that is double the size and even has a garage.  Tom is excited about the garage and the kids are excited about having their own bedrooms to decorate however they would like and I am excited about everything!!  This is a big step into the next phase of our lives.  This will be the forever home we have been looking for and I couldn't be happier.  The hard part is getting our current home ready for showing.  I can't even call the realtor until we get the house in perfect order.  This entails removing 3/4 of our belongings and taking them to be stored, repainting all of the rooms that we have personalized over the past 5 years.  (ex. pesto green kitchen, electric blue boys room and pretty pink girls room).  And cleaning EVERYTHING!!  We will do it.

Will all this going on our Christmas celebrations have been scaled down.  We are not decorating for Christmas this year because we have realized over the years that we are never home on Christmas to enjoy our tree and lights anyways.  Also Christmas decorations and ornaments are very personal and we are trying to remove the personal from our home at this time.  We are still doing our Advent calendar and we will be celebrating with our families who are setting up.  I think we will survive.

Alyvia is doing well in her homeschooling although we could be doing better.  We are behind and I am not sure how to get caught back up.  The interest is just not really there for her and I feel as though we may need a break.  Now is a great time for that break though because of all the cleaning, packing and holiday engagements we have.  Hopefully after the new year when the house sells (fingers crossed) we can pick up and cruise through to first grade.  This does not mean that we aren't doing school.... it just means that we are doing school less strictly.  We can't afford to get any further behind but we also can't afford to lose her this early in the game.  She is interested in learning to read but not interested in doing her phonics which poses a slight problem.  Working through it.

Mazlyn is starting to talk and run.  I am loving every minute because this is our last child but I am also trying to look ahead to the positive things like not having to change diapers or dress the kids anymore.  It will come in time I know and I am not wishing it away but I am trying not to be a sap thinking about the lasts all the time.  This is leading to great things.  All of this is leading to great things.

Wyatt is just as cute as ever and growing to be a very good kid.  I love his interest in things like reading, trains and me.  Sounds selfish I know but I like being the favorite.  Lyv has outgrown Tom and I and Mazlyn favors Tom so Wyatt is (and always has been) my little man.  Cuddle time with him is wonderful and happens many times daily.  He is amazing!!

Well, there is a quick update on what we are doing.  I am hoping that after we move and get settled in we can start blogging more regularly.  Lol.

Tigers Roar!!

Today Alyvia learned all about Tigers.  We learned interesting facts, read tons of books and even dressed up as tigers.  We got out the masking tape and measured 9 feet on the carpet to show how long an adult tiger can grow to be.  Lyvi now knows that tigers are mammals, carnivores, the largest cats in the world, they have 100-150 stripes and live in Asia.  We learned that to be a mammal means that you have a back bone, are warm blooded and most of them have hair or fur.  Baby tigers are called cubs, female tigers are called tigresses.  She is so smart and really enjoyed her science lessons today.

Fuchs Academy Sept. 19th-25th, 2011

In my life this week…  I have had some emotional moments.  I think I may have realized I have a lot of anxiety caused by my lovely children.  Nothing they do just situations that come with having children.  Now I am trying to figure out the best way to handle the situations we face.

In our homeschool this week…  Alyvia started her homeschool enrichment program at the YMCA yesterday (a major cause of anxiety for me) and she loves it.  She was great and made a few new homeschool friends her own age. 

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…  EVERY moment can be a teaching moment.  Just be creative!!

I am inspired by…  The look on my kids faces when I really get into a story or lesson.  Their expressions say "wow!!  Our Mom is sooo weird."  But I know they love that side of me.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…  Homeschool Enrichment and Grange.  At Grange we have a family reunion every other Friday so we will be seeing the best Grandparents around and some God parents and random important figures in our children's lives.  We are also attending an event tomorrow called "Fun on the Farm".  It is at a local dairy farm and the kids will get to see some behind the scenes of another dairy farm.  We are going to be focusing on the differences between their Aunts farm and this one.

My favorite thing this week was… Being with my children.

What’s working for us…  Babysitting children before (public) school.  They are being dropped off between 6 and 6:30 and they are gone by 8:30am.  It's an effective way for me to contribute to our family finances and it's over before the kids and I are ready to start our day.  

Things I’m working on…  Antarctica Unit.  We are studying the 7 continents and 5 oceans this year and now that we have the concept of continents down as well as their names I figured we would go more in depth with Antarctica first.

I’m reading…  What your first grader needs to know.  Lyvi is already starting some first grade concepts so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get a move on.

I’m cooking…  The usual.  Tacos for dinner tonight before Grange.  Yum!!

I’m grateful for…  My life, my Husband, my children, the opportunity to homeschool them, my family, our dog and fish, our home. 

I’m praying for… Friends suffering with illness.

     A photo to share…

This was Lyvi and I before we left for her Homeschool Enrichment program Thursday at the YMCA.  While we were there she could sense that I was having a hard time so she kept finding me in the hallway and giving me the thumbs up to say she was doing fine, not to worry.  One time she actually left her activity and came out into the hall and whispered "Mom, I'm having so much fun." into my ear and then she turned around and ran back into the gym.  I'm not sure when it happened but, she's grown up.  Five years old!!

I'm back!! I hope!!

So, I may have fallen off the horse with this whole blogging thing.  A lot has happened since I last blogged so I am going to try to hit the high points and then my plan is to start blogging regularly.  Not exactly sure what regularly is going to look like for me, could be daily, weekly, monthly.  I'm not exactly sure what will work for my families schedule at the current time but I know I want to create this blog for my family and friends so that everyone can keep up with "The Fuchs Family Five".  (Oh, how I love how that sounds.)

So since October 5th, 2010 we have celebrated many special occasions.  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter.... you know the usual.  We teach our children the real meaning of holidays like Christmas and Easter so we celebrated Jesus' birth and resurrection not visits from Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny.

We have made it through another wrestling season and we love the money but, hate the time away from each other.  Last weekend we had our first night of racing for the year.  This year Tom and I are both working at the track so, the children are staying home with Mazlyns Godmother Melissa while we "work".  It gives me a break from the kids (I know that sounds terrible but I am home with them 24 hours a day, everyday of the week (by absolute choice).  Sometimes Mom just needs a break.) And it earns us a little extra money.  I also started babysitting the cutest little boy Aideyn in January.  We are lucky enough to have Aideyn come play with us every other week.  He is just a little younger than Wyatt so it makes for a good playmate too. 

We sent in our letter of intent for Alyvia to start Kindergarten at home next year.  I am excited but also nervous because Lyvi has been "homeschooling" since she was 2 and she is already most of the way through Kindergarten so we will be doing a mixed school year.  We will start out the year finishing Kindergarten and finish it 3/4 of the way through 1st grade.  We shall see how it goes.  We plan on trying out a 4 day school week (Mon-Thurs), Thursday afternoons Lyvi will be participating in a homeschool enrichment program that is offered through our local YMCA.  The program will cover New York states requirements for art, music and physical education and is an affordable addition to our curriculum.  It will also give Alyvia a chance to interact with other homeschool children her age and older.  Fridays we are calling "Field Trip" days and we will spend them traveling to the zoo, museum, library, park, nature center, ect.  We are also planning on homeschooling year round even though we will have our required 180 "school days" fulfilled by the end of June so that I can send in our year end report.  Can't believe my "baby girl" is turning 5 in June.  Where has the time gone??

Wyatt is going to be 3 on May 5th.  We are having a Thomas the Train birthday party to celebrate and I will be creating another cake for this event.  Wyatt is about ready to start Kindergarten.  He knows all his letters, shapes, numbers and colors.  He has a very mellow attitude toward life.  He takes everything as it comes and loves to snuggle with his Mommy.  He plays GREAT by himself but that's not always a good thing seeing as he's not an only child and Mom babysits a child his age who has the same interest that he does.  Thomas the Train is all we know around our house.  Wyatt has TONS of trains and he plays with them daily. 

Mazlyn, Mr. Mazy.  Is now 9 months old and has 4 teeth.  He is sort of crawling (he does an army crawl sorta thing) and he is starting to pull himself up on the furniture.  Everything goes into his mouth (normal) and he loves playing with his bro~bro and sissy.  He's so perfect and it makes everything even more special with him because I know he is the last baby that Tom and I will ever have.  The Fuchs Family Five has been completed thanks to Mr Mazlyn and we couldn't be happier.

Tom and I are as happy as ever.  Still the normal issues but I am trying to live with them.  I have to realize that not everything can be perfect all the time.  Tom is a guy and I love him more today than I did the day I met him and thats saying something.  Lol. 

Well, hopefully I can write again tomorrow and maybe even add some pictures.  Till then................

Homeschool Update Week 3

The Fuchs Academy Homeschool progress Sept 26-Oct 3

This week in our homeschooling journey we learned about cows. The letter of the week was "C", number 3, color pink and shape heart. We had tons of fun reading funny stories about cows and doing our different craft activities.
 
The week started out terribly for us though.  I was sick Monday and Tuesday with a headache that could have killed someone who's not a mother.  Of course I had to forge through it and make sure that all 3 of my babies were at least fed and clothed properly and that they were safe and sound all day long.  School however took a back burner these few days because I was in no shape to organize, supervise and teach any lessons to the kids especially lessons that involved A LOT of loud "Mooooooooing".  Lol.

Tuesday though we decided to go to the mall with Aunt Jawni to find a birthday gift for Grandma Winter.

Here is Wyatt in the food court eating his lunch.

When we got home Grandma and Grandpa Winter were here to put in my new birdfeeder that my Daddy had made me for my Birthday.  Here is Aunt Jawni and Wyatt out in the yard  watching.  (Wyatt had just been forced to wake up from his nap.)

 
So, on Wednesday we picked up with our normal school schedule.  I attempted to cram 3 days worth of activities into one and the kids were not very accepting of it.  I find with them only being 4 and 2 one craft activity a day is plenty.  Even though they may be begging for a second after the first is finished by the time I get another one set up the idea has fizzled and they are off reading books or playing quietly with each other and the thought of another craft is not appealing anymore.
 
So we introduced the letter of the week "C" and did this fun craft.

Next I had the kids do another craft that was along the same lines with the shape of the week.

We then read some books about cows actually one in particular I found very interesting and informative about dairy cows. 

On Thursday I had a cow puppet craft prepared and Alyvia was more excited about it than I was.

My children love to play with the glue sticks and I hate that the glue seems to end up on the table more than the paper.

Here is Lyvi Shaye hard at work coloring her cow.



 

She named her "Cassie the Cow"

Wyatt had fun glueing his cow but, ended up ripping her arms off and losing her ears so she went straight to the recycle bin.  ; (

We met Great Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Nate and Grandma Fuchs at Burger King for dinner and then....

Mommy and Daddy had a Grange meeting to go to Thursday night so of course all 3 of the kids came too.

Here is Mr. Mazlyn sitting with his Great Grandma VanLare, and that is Grandma Fuchs' arm too.

Uncle Nate and Great Grandpa were there too.

Friday we took a day off to go garage saleing.  I mapped us out a nice route and ended up finding a lot of things that we had been looking for.  Mazlyn got a jumperoo and I found pants for Miss Alyvia for $2 a pair.  I also was able to get several Level 1 readers for the kids for only a quarter a piece.  I was so happy and I felt really good about skipping school to find these excellent bargains. 

Saturday was the same as always, lazy morning followed by Paradise in the afternoon/evening.  Other than the fact that there was a huge cart race and Alyvia decided to be a little devil everything went great.

Sunday we all went to church.  Unfortunately we drove seperately because the boys needed the extra time to get ready but, Alyvia enjoyed her second day of Sunday school and it was Bring your Pet to church to be blessed Sunday so my children really enjoyed seeing all the animals that people brought.  Tom and I had decided however that having 3 children to take care of and chase after was enough so our dog Radar was there in spirit.  Lol. 

So, that pretty much sums up last week.  This week we are learning all about dinosaurs and resuming our normal schedule.  Or something close to what I want to consider normal.  Lol.

Eight Questions From Tristan at Our Busy Homeschool

I love reading Tristans blog at Our Busy Homeschool and today she had this great blog activity posted.  She asked these 8 questions so I decided to answer them and send her the link.  Here we go.

1.) What is one food or meal you love to eat that your family does not enjoy, so you don’t make it often?

I absolutely love kidney beans and corn and my family (husband especially) does not care for them.  I will only make it for myself when we are having a "fend for yourself" dinner and it is the only thing I eat.


2.) Tell me one thing you swore you would never do when you were a parent, but since having children of your own you have actually done.

My Mom was very overprotective and I never understood why.  (I was not allowed to go to friends houses, walk the mall alone, play outside alone ect.)  I thought she was nuts but now that I have children of my own I realize I have turned into my mother (I may even be worse than she was.)  I don't trust anyone (but my parents) with my children and I always forsee the worst possible outcome of every situation that arises.  I said I would never make my children feel the way about me that my Mom made me feel about her but, guess what..... now that I am a Mom I don't care how they feel about me as long as they are safe and healthy.
3.) What character issue is God working on in your life right now?

I feel God is working on my ability to let the little things go. 

4.) What is your favorite household chore? How about your least favorite chore?

My favorite household chore would be making beds.  There is just something about the satisfaction I feel after I make them perfect and the way it makes me feel when I put my kids to sleep in their nice neat beds at night.  I also love getting into a made bed versus an unmade one.

My least favorite chore is dishes.  I really don't like dishes.
5.)  As a homeschool mom, what is one area you feel you do well in, and one area you struggle with?

One thing that I feel I do well as a homeschool mom would be teaching my children in a way that makes them excited about learning and "school".  We are only doing preschool at the moment but, my children can't seem to get enough of it.  And they retain every bit of information it seems. 

I do have an issue with not keeping to my schedule.  Maybe I plan too much or just run out of "teacher steam" short of completeing everything that is prepared for any given week/unit.
6.)  Would you rather eat health food or exercise regularly?

I would rather excercise regularly because when I excercise it makes me have more energy to do the regular things life as a mom requires me to do.

7.) What is one thing you love about your husband, and one thing that drives you bonkers?

I love (and am very thankful to God) that my hubby is so interested and involved in his family and the kids schooling.  I know that my children will be better people because they are learning from both their Mom and their Dad about life, relationships, friends and all their school subjects.

I can't stand the way he can recall all sorts of sports information that has absolutely no purpose or importance in our lives but something he and I talked about in dept yesterday he can't recall.  It makes me feel terrible.
8.)  When your kids all leave the nest what is one job you would like to try in all your free time?

I would like to be a freelance writer and possibly a church secretary/assistant.

Thanks Tristan!! 
I had fun and I hope you enjoyed reading my answers.

Homeschool Update Week 2

The Fuchs Academy Homeschool progress Sept. 18th-26th

This week in our homeschooling journey we learned about balloons and played with them too.  The letter of the week was "B", number 2, color blue and shape oval.  The kids really enjoyed playing with the punch balloons and reading books about balloons and hot air balloons.

Lyvi really enjoyed making her Bumble "B" one day while her brothers were napping.

I actually got the idea from one of my favorite blogs.

 

One of the things I like about homeschooling is the fact that my

children can stay in their pajamas all day if they so desire.

(And we have no plans or playdates that would require otherwise.)  Lol.

Daddy also made the kids some fun Balloon hats.

That really made us laugh.

This was Tom's favorite.  He called him the indian chief.  Lol.

On Wednesday we had friends over to play for quite a while.  They are 2 and 4 months old and their parents are planning to homeschool them just like us so while the Moms talked the kids played and we all had a really nice time.  It was kind of a day off from homeschooling but we were getting a good dose of "socialization" so I am still counting it.  After all we all know how that concerns every non~homeschooling person under the sun right??

Wyatt colored many lovely pictures this week of balloons, ovals, Buzz Lightyear (his favorite) and the letter "B".  He and his sister were allowed to use the glue to stick their letter "B" I had cut out to a blue piece of construction paper and they loved the glueing experience so much this week I am going to do another activity that involves the good old glue stick.

On Friday all three of my lovely children were headed to the Doctors for their well child visits.  Mazlyn's was 2 month, Wyatt's 2 year and Alyvia's 4 year.  We had put them off for a few months because we know how busy the doctors office is in July and August because of all the public school children who are required to have their immunizations within a certain amount of time so, we wait until they are all back in school because we have no requirements.  I started telling our kids at the beginning of the week that Friday we had doctors appointments scheduled and there would be shots administered.  We even read a book about going to the doctor and pretended to check each others heartbeats and breathing with our pretend stethoscope and we checked out each others ears too.  The kids were really prepared or so I thought.  We got there and Lyvi was nervous,  I could tell because she wouldn't sit still.  When the nurse called us back Lyvi told Tom and I that she didn't need to go and we had to coax her along.  The nurse checked her height and weight and then started to put us in a room and the fire alarm started to go off.  We were escorted outside by our Doctor and we got to sit in the sun and wait.  Wyatt kept asking over and over again "Whats that sound Mommy??  Whats that sound??"  So the trip to the Doctors office turned into a lesson on fire alarms and fire safety.  We missed the fire truck and the fire men however because we were taken out the back door and they arrived and checked the building through the front. : (   Afterwards we were taken back into the office and all three of the kids were checked out and given a thumbs up.  Then came the fun part..... shots.  I had Wyatt go first because he is my "Champ".  He was only given the flu vaccine in his leg and he didn't even flinch.  He watch Diane stick him, looked at me funny and then continued to read his book.  Lyvi went next and basically flipped out like a 4 year old drama queen,  I don't really blame her though because she was given 5 shots so...  Then it was my babys turn.  Mazlyn had to get three shots and he cried as any 2 month old would.  I do it because I love them though and like all the paperwork says "shots may hurt a little but illness can hurt a lot more." 

After the Doctors visit we got to head out to Oswego for the Race of Champions. 

While we were there Wyatt enjoyed playing with his cars in the tower.  I love him so!!

Saturday was my birthday and my dear friend Toni made me these beautiful cupcakes and it made me feel so special.  Tom and I worked a special show at Paradise and did an awesome job.  I am more than confident about us taking over next year.  I know we can handle it.

On Sunday Alyvia and I went to church alone because we had gotten home so late on Saturday night (Sunday morning really) I figured it would be easier to just let the boys sleep in and enjoy some time together.  That also meant that Lyv and I were able to enjoy some alone time.

Lyvi started Sunday school this week and I took it pretty hard.  I think she needs to be able to take instruction from other adults sometimes though and I hate to say this phrase twice in one post but, it also gives her some "socialization" time.  And she has a few church friends that she absolutely adores.  I was also able to talk to Pastor Susan (My second Mom) and spend some time alone with my thoughts.  I can't wait till next week.  Except the boys won't be getting out of it this time.

That pretty much sums up our week.  Now we have started our next letter and theme.  We are doing the letter "C" and the theme for the week is Cows.  Oh the fun we are slated to have.  Tune in next week for the update.  Till then.



Busy But Fun Weekend!!

This past weekend was very busy but, incredibly worthwhile.  Tom had the day off Friday which meant that we got an extra long weekend with our Daddy.  He helped me do the apple print craft because with two young children and paint two adults is a really good plan.  I also love how involved he is with his children and their schooling.  It makes me feel like I am not alone in this thing called homeschooling. 

Saturday morning we were up earlier than we are on a normal Saturday but that was because we had to take our children to my Mom and Dad's house.  My parents were nice enough to watch Lyv and Wyatt overnight so that Tom and I could both score Paradise and earn some extra money.  When we arrived at my parents we found them both tearing a window out of the barn.  Home improvement projects were planned for the weekend.  Ones that my Dad had been putting off all summer because the weather had been so perfect for riding the bike.  Well, I stole my Mom away and so Tom ended up in the middle of it all along with my brother.  Pictures were a must so.....

Then Foreman Wyatt had to get in on the action.  So.....

There he is telling his Daddy what to do.  Lol.

My parents mentioned that they might take the kids to the zoo that afternoon and Tom and I thought it was a great idea.  I'm so glad my Mom remembered to bring the camera because they got a few nice shots to catalog the "field trip".  Here are just a few......



Here is Alyvia looking at the alligators (or are they crocodiles??  I can't tell the difference.)

My Dad with Alyvia and Wyatt.

Love this.  They are so silly!!

So, Tom and I went to Paradise with just Mazlyn and we had an okay time.  I was rather nervous because I was doing everything myself without Debbie but, there were no problems what~so~ever.  Now the real test will be next Saturday.  We shall see how it goes.

Sunday morning I got up rather early because I had a million things that I wanted to get done before we went to get the kids.  First on my list was super cleaning out my van.  I started at 7:15 and didn't wrap up till almost 10.  I vacuumed and washed windows and figured out new seating arrangements for the kids (don't ask).  Well, I knew that my parents were probably tired out from all the excitment of having their grandchildren with them overnight so I gave up on accomplishing anything else.  Tom, Mazy and I hit the road about 10:15 and arrived at my parents about 11.  I was just planning on stopping, picking up children and then heading home again but, Tom found other things to do. Like helping my Dad and brother put a new roof on their shed.  I love how he helps them but all I could think about were the things I didn't get to in the morning that I was planning on using the afternoon to accomplish.  Of course I had to take pictures though.



Notice the audience....

Then they put my daughter on the roof to have her weight help the glue adhere. 

Great thing to teach them right??

Needless to say we didn't end up leaving until after 4pm.  We had to stop to WalMart on the way home for a few things so we didn't get back till close to 7pm.  Not much was accomplished around my house this weekend but, we payed my parents in labor for babysitting the kids overnight.  Lol.

Homeschool week 1 and a 1/2

The Fuchs Academy Homeschool progress Sept. 8th-17th

We started our first official year of homeschooling on Wed. Sept. 8th 2010.  Alyvia (4) will be homeschooled in Preschool/Kindergarten and Wyatt (2) will be homeschooled in Preschool.  They are both eager to learn and I am here to teach them and guide them in the best way I know how.  So.... we begin this thing called homeschooling that I have been talking about for the past 4+ years.  I'm excited and nervous but determined not to fail.  Tom is supportive and helping me in many ways.  

So.... the first week and a half have been interesting.  We are trying to get the hang of this routine thing because I have never really followed one.  I'm regretting it now but what can I do??  The kids are loving the daily activites that have included:

 

Going apple picking with Great Grandma

Baking an apple pie.

Having apple shaped jell~o jigglers for snack.

Learning all about apples.

and making apple prints on paper bags.

You can probably tell that our theme these past few weeks was apples.  We also made apple crisp, apple muffins and applesauce for our little brother.  Apples were present everyday from baking to coloring to books borrowed from the library.  Our shape was circle, letter "A", number 1.  We are progressing very well in my opinion and I am excited for next week.  Our theme will be balloons.  Shape=oval, letter "B", number 2.  Till then I will be using every teachable moment to better my children.

Life these past few months.

Well.... I havn't posted since June and as you would imagine a lot has happened. Lyvi turned 4 in June and I am still in shock two months later. We have a four year old. Then on July 15th perfect Mazlyn was born and when I say perfect I mean perfect. 8 lbs 7 oz and the doctors (5 total) all said they couldn't find a single thing wrong with him. I have adjusted to having three children rather well. My house has been cleaner longer than ever before. I have set routines and I am abiding by them for the most part. Also working at the races is working out too. We have started homeschooling both Alyvia and Wyatt in preschool/kindergarten and I will be using the blog to catalog our progress. I think it will be a sort of scrapbook, if you will, of our homeschool journey and the development of our 3 babies into what we hope will be excellent human beings. Let the fun begin. We hope you will stick around to read about all our exciting adventures.