Learning to Read

It was a little over 8 years ago that I first learned about the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Carson was 3 at the time and upon the recommendation of an older homeschool mom I started the book with Carson when he turned 4 and, by God's grace, we now have 4 readers who all used this same book.

There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.
Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him. –Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

I'm so thankful for the recommendation to buy this book and get started with teaching my preschooler to read. I've followed that same pattern with all 4 of our kids, seeking to start this book with them before they start Kindergarten.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”

I have to admit, there were plenty of times the Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons was more like Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Painful, Arduous, Gruesome, Taxing, Difficult, Trying, Laborious Lessons with each of our kids. But I can honestly say that if I had to go back to 2008 I would do it all over again and use this great resource to teach our kids to read.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your world.  Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy

One of my favorite things about using the same tool to teach them to read is seeing their different personalities come out as they learn to read. They are all so different and I'm so proud of each of them for working so hard to learn this great milestone!

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

 If you are wondering what to do with your preschooler to begin teaching them to read, or you have a struggling reader in early elementary school, I highly recommend this resource! As you can see, ours has been well loved over the last 8 years! I'm not sure whether we should frame it or burn it!

"The whole world opened up to me when I learned to read” – Mary McCleod Bethune

Wednesday at the Gardens

This past Wednesday was so beautiful so I decided to take the kids to the Botanical Gardens! We packed our school and lunch and found this beautiful spot to do school…..

It was so nice to have a change of pace and be outside!

 After we finished school and ate lunch we meandered around the gardens.

 I'm so thankful for this beautiful place right down the road!

 Carson spotted this big black snake on our walk!!!

Lately (Warning: Random)

Since we got home from all our travels this summer we've stayed busy!  It's a good busy time of year!  Here is some of what we've been up to....

A fun wedding shower for Joey & Sammi (they get married Saturday!) at the Nicholson's home

sweet kids

We're back in the groove with homeschooling which is always a work in progress!  Occasionally Carson gets the giggles uncontrollably....typically laughing at Bryn:)

Bryn LOVES to check things off.  This is what she does as she takes her spelling quiz.

 We enjoy taking school outside as much as possible.

 

I've really tried to be more intentional with Spencer during school time.  I got him a couple preschool books to do while the other kids are working.

Carson using our new dictionary

 Still having a theme of snakes lately that I'm NOT a fan of.  The other day I was sitting on our front porch and saw something move in the bush right in front of the porch and realized it was a snake!  So we got the hose out and tried our best to get it away.  I don't have time for that!

 And a few weeks ago Carson caught this huge black snake in the field next door.  I could NOT believe it!

 Our co-op is in full swing!  We had several new families join which we're so thankful for!  It's been a great semester so far!  

 I'm teaching a dissection class for the 4th-6th graders which has been fun.  We practiced on oranges the first week, then we did an owl pellet the next 2 weeks, then an earthworm, crayfish and this week we will do a grasshopper.

I got to meet up with some sweet college friends.  Jill, Cayce & I hung in Greenville before picking up Ashely & Susan and then we all drove to Charlotte to take out our dear friend Sage for her birthday.  Sweet night with friends!  I'm increasing grateful for them as I age.  

Jeremy's brother, Jon, and his wife, Leigh, adopted their sweet daughter, Zoe, from China!  We are looking forward to meeting our new niece! 

Spencer loves all things soft!

Trying to raise up cooks!

My man had a birthday!

 He got a new grill!  Much needed!  Our old one literally fell apart as it was taken away.  

 We enjoyed catching up with the Watson family!

Jenna & Alex got married!

We've enjoyed doing our read aloud on our hammocks outside after lunch. 

The kids LOVE wrestling with Miguel!  Enjoyed some time with the Generation Linkers at the social last Thursday.

Super excited for new friends of ours who found out they are having a GIRL!  So glad we could be there for the gender reveal!

The girls started playing Volleyball for the first time....

So today I decided to take them to the Volleyball tournament on campus to inspire them!

While Jeremy did some serious yard work!

So thankful for this full life!  

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." -Psalm 90:12