I’ll upload some pics of her Journey book when we finish the book.

When did you have the time to turn six? You have been so busy planning and playing outside. You were busy dressing up and reading books to Avery. You were definitely too busy making crafts and learning to ride your bike. You couldn’t possibly have had time. You have been so busy learning to read and count and devouring maps. Your schedule has been packed with playdates and wedding planning with the neighbour( although currently, I believe the wedding is off because he spilled mustard on his pants…fickle) And you have certainly been much too busy with your dance recitals and music shows that are always in the planning stages. There couldn’t have been time, could there? No, I think it must have snuck up on you. You’ve been so busy playing and growing that all of the sudden, you turned around and you were six. Wow. I think you should look like this:

But I know you like to look more like this:

I am so proud of the compassionate, Jesus-Loving, caring, thoughtful girl you are becoming. Happy Birthday Emily!

Love Mommy

I picked up a Spanish Kids dictionary to help keep her excited about learning and try some new words out. I’m excited to try something new. I can hardly wait for next year when I get to try some new things again! I think one of the keys to helping a child learn a new language is modelling it. Like any other concept, if you do it, they will. I usually replace the words for “I want” and “I have” en Español and she picked that up without even knowing it was part of class. Now she asks if I want something of if she wants something and is using this weird kind of sign-spanglish. I doubt there is a term for it. I looked into Rosetta Stone for her, but she’s not quite there, so we will stick with a mixture for now.

Today for Phys Ed, we learned to rollerskate! Months ago, Emily got rollerskate, but for some reason we never pulled them out before. So we geared up and learned to skate. I made a huge observation about my girls. I need to say “Be careful!” to Avery and ” Way to go!” to Emily. My girls both learned to skate on the same day. one at almost 6(can you believe it!) and one at almost 3. Emily cautiously walked around on her skates and Avery let loose and let roll! After a while Emily got more and more comfortable with them, but I realize she needs to feel in control before she will try something. That’s something her adrenaline-crazed-mommy doesn’t exactly understand. We’ll get there!

Some things we focus on everyday are life skills. Over the last 6 months, Emily has learned to make breakfast and lunch, pour from a full 4 Ltr Milk jug, use the toaster, load and unload the dishwasher and vaccuum! I love that she loves to learn to help. It’s neat to see her feel more and more confident in her own abilities. I certainly love to have a little extra help around the house. Especially while we are planning and getting ready for Mexico next month!

This bake sale included reading, writing and math…all unknown learning goals for two tiny tots who devoured 4 cent tim bits and 2 cent glasses of pink lemonade. Gotta love teaching practical things. I was even brave enough to let emily pour juice in the living room…what a day!

Also, you cant see it there, but Avery has been accident free for 2 days! Potty training is significantly easier with non-sensory kids…just saying…

Emily loves her teacher too. Not me… well she does love me, but I mean our schools teacher that meets with us before report cards. I think emily thinks a teacher is someone who comes over that you get to talk to forever and tell how great you are and thats right up her alley. She literally thinks she is the best at something if she as dont it once. She is apparently a professional ballet dancer, laundry folder, artist, singer, and well, pretty much anything she does. Its a tough balance to keep her grounded and not braggy while trying to help her soar with courage to try things. Good thing I’m up for a challenge.

Earlier in the day I pre-dotted the letters for a recipe in Emily’s Journey book. She traced the letters and sounded out the words for reading and writing.

Then for math, we made the recipe. She counted all the scoops and we even talked about fractions when we cut half of something.

Normally, about halfway through backing something Emily gets board or unruly and I send her off to play while I finish up. This time, she did wonderful. I think she knew what to expect because we had read the recipe and knew what we were going to do with it. It was great fun!

We tried a new experiment this week. We were working on a unit about measurements, weight, volume, and mass.

I’m pretty sure Emily things the experiment was about mixing colours, but that’s her artist brain at work.

We filled seven jars with water and added different  food colourings. Then we guessed which would have the most and least.

Then we took small cups and measured how much was in each cup. I loved the shocked look on her face when the tall skinny cup held the same as the short fat one. It was a great experiment for our goal. She really grasped the concept.

If you think Poo is funny, this book is for you! Emily just about giggled out of her pants while we read this!

Christmas stories are ever the favorite and Roddy Doyle is winning huge awards around our house for being down right hilarious!

The Boxcar Children (Emily calls them the Boxcart Children) have been a wonderful addition to our reading. I like the sweet stories as much as Emily does. Her and Avery play Boxcar Children all the time. We just started book three and Emily is dying to know whats inside the Yellow House! She’d read all day if my voice could hold out that long. Makes her book loving momma proud!