The Combs Krewe

Earlier this year we were gifted with a Geosafari Phonics Pad (sometimes it's REALLY nice that Jackie works at a school supply store!). I put it aside after deciding to use it for Jathan's "school" this year. Starting in August we started using it during our study of phonics for pre-k and it's been a lot of fun. Part of what I love about it is that it's a complete system. It comes with worksheets that you use as pretests and post-tests before and after playing the game. It also comes with a sort of lesson plan book that gives you suggestions for extended activities. One of the extended activities was making an "Alphabet Hotel." I drew a simple hotel on half a poster board tracing around a memo note pad to make windows. I wrote the capital letters A-N inside the windows then wrote lower case letters a-n on the sticky notes. Since Jathan had just gotten a new toy turtle and it hadn't left his hands in 24 hours, it joined us for phonics ...

WASHABLE. Because not only does Ryland enjoying using (washable!) markers... He also likes to make coloring a full sensory experience. He observes how the marker feels on his skin by rubbing it all over his hand... And how it smells by stuffing the tip of it up his nose and how it tastes by taking a little lick! Ha ha ha! Yes, he's a full body learner so I definitely love that word, "Washable."

Today the Zoo Mobile came to campus! A friend (thanks Ashley!) watched Ryland and Piper for me so Jathan and I got to go, just the two of us. Plus, you know, the other 20 little kids. = ) Jathan loves animals and we'd just watched a Magic School Bus episode about reptiles so today's little field trip was such fun for us! We got to see a red-tailed hawk then a snake. Here Jathan is checking out how many ribs a snake has. I think it was thrilling to all the kids to get to pet the animals. Each time Jathan would whip around and tell me what it felt like. I think he was pretty proud of himself for petting the spiny-tailed lizard. Doesn't he look like such a big boy in this shot?! I can't believe he's already 4 and going to educational field trips and everything! On the mammalian side, we got to see a bunny and a tiny little opossum! We learned that the opossum is a cousin to the kangaroo. Most of them have little pouches for their babies but this one doe...

I've been reluctant to get Ryland's hair cut because he has the cutest little curly mullet but the little strands in front finally made it down past his eyebrows so I figured it was time. Today we visit our new friend, Mr. Jeff, and he gave Ryland a cute little boy cut. Here's our "before" picture. Ryland was such a good boy! I was so impressed with how he sat happily and let Mr. Jeff snip away. He found it pretty amusing that Mama kept snapping pictures, too, but always laughed after  the flash. I did get one good smiley shot, though! This was how he was almost the whole time; he cracked us all up! Here's the "after" shot. Isn't my little man adorable? And those cute little curls? They're now stored in a baggie for Mama to treasure forever. = )

Piper is 15 weeks old now! I can't believe how the time has flown by; it truly seems like it was just yesterday that I was still pregnant! As sad as I am that she is (has?) outgrowing the newborn stage, it is exciting to see her personality emerge in smiles and giggles. She has also begun to reach out for objects so we've given her plenty of opportunities lately to practice this new skill by playing. She got a new gym today and I think she's going to like it! (Had to post this pic because look at those chunky little legs!) I think she looks like me in my baby pictures from this angle. It's kind of strange having a dark-haired baby for the first time! I can't wait until that hair grows a little longer and I can stick some bows in it. Piper has also enjoyed some time in her baby seat lately. And, though I considered getting rid of the swing because I couldn't keep Ryland out of it, I'm glad I didn't because it's been nice lately. I like this one becaus...

Now that school has started I've noticed all those little projects that I wanted to finished over the summer and didn't. So this weekend I got busy and completed two projects and got further on the third than ever better. Project number 1: A new pacifier keeper for Piper. I had Jathan's old one but it just didn't seem girly enough and then I'd gotten one at a flea market when we were in Alabama but it was excessively long and I didn't care all that much for the pattern on the ribbon. So I tried to copy Jathan's old one with some cute purple polka dot ribbon that I've had forever. My sewing wasn't perfect but I think it came out pretty good. Project No. 2: Decking out my cabinet doors. I'd seen someone (on Pinterest) fill an empty frame with chicken wire and I thought it was so cute. I had some leftover chicken wire from my chair project and I found some empty white frames at the SWAP shop that just so happened to perfectly match the mirr...

Monday was the first day of the 2011-2012 school year here at the Combs Christian Academy! We started out our day bright and early--6:30 a.m.! While that's the norm for many families it is definitely different for us. We ate breakfast together and had a family devotional time then Keeleigh began her KONOS reading and Jathan (and Ryland) and I began working on phonics with his new phonics pad. Piper was a good girl and hung out in her Sleepywrap for most of the morning. I swear she LOVES that thing and I love having her close to me. After Language we all enjoyed a little break. Then we worked on Math. Jathan also worked on his cutting skills. Ryland tried to follow along but thought the scissors belonged inside his shirt for some reason! We moved around throughout the day sometimes working in the school room at our desks and sometimes reading in bed and other times we hung out at the kitchen table. Piper hung out in her wrap some more... This is what Math l...