Andrew continually blows me away. He has been working away all morning, and he just wrote this:
Sydney is a great puppy. While I feed her, she chases me.
I have never taught him about prepositions (though he did memorize something about prepositions in his Classical Conversations school) or how you put a comma in the sentence that starts with a prepositional phrase. However, he did it, and he told me, "I learned that from reading books."
I told him he was the bestest, and he said "that doesn't make any sense." We discussed that you can't be better than best so bester or bestest don't really make sense.
I will say that the school days aren't always perfect, but I think Andrew is getting the best education that he could get with the options we have at our disposal. Plus, I get to enjoy watching him learn and make discoveries!
Also earlier, he gave a huge man burp that smelled like garbage directly up my nose. He asked me if it smelled like I was in the middle of a landfill, and my reply was "why yes yes it does." That's what I get from sitting across from him while he does school.
Our Family
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Piano Recital
Andrew has been taking piano lessons since we moved to Florida so...about a year and a half now. He's very talented, and he really enjoys it. My parents gave me their piano when we moved to Orlando, and I love hearing Andrew play on the same piano I use to use when I was a big older than him. It could use a little tune up, but for the most part, that piano has stayed in tune even through the move. Ahh...and as I type the young Beethoven just sat down to play some Christmas songs...smile!
Last night he had his second piano recital. Oh was he nervous. He practiced his recital song over and over until he had perfected Go Tell It on the Mountain which is what he chose to play. However, he remembered how nervous he was last year at his first recital...so nervous that he wore his pants backwards and forgot how to play Up on the Housetop until I gave him the music to read. Last year, he was persistent, and everyone told us what a brave, persistent little man we had.
This year, it was only fitting that he nearly wore his pants backwards...again. I helped him get straightened out before we left this time though. We didn't arrive very early so he wouldn't be sitting there letting his nerves get the best of him, and we found that he was #2 to play his song...big sigh of relief.
When it was his turn, he went straight up to the piano, took his time getting situated, and then he played Go Tell It on the Mountain from memory beautifully! My favorite part wasn't the song (although he did a great job). After he played, he stood up and smiled his great big adorable, melting Andrew smile that only he can smile. In that smile, you could see all the way down to his big heart, and I know I wasn't the only one moved by this smile. He stood there with such joy and pride in his accomplishment, and boy was I proud to be his momma! That boy is a rare gem, and I know God has big things in store for that little boy.
He was so glad to play at the beginning and get it out of the way so he could sit and enjoy all of the other songs.
After the recital was over, we enjoyed a bunch of different Christmas treats we had all taken to share. Our treat was delicious, but you can't go wrong with chocolate covered pretzels with a peppermint Andes candy type crushed topping...delicious!
We went to a very late dinner to celebrate b/c it was Taco Tuesday after all...and on the way there, Andrew interrupted Mat and I in a deep conversation to say, "I rushed my song a little bit, and I took a deep breath while I was sitting up there and said to myself, slow down." Then he apologized for interrupting me and Mat talking. Mat and I were blown away. In that little comment, he shared that he was looking at a way to improve on his past accomplishments. He was mindful that he can always do better even though he recognized that he already did a great job. I don't know if you can understand that, but more than playing his song well, more than just doing what it took to get by, he wants to find a way to make himself better than he already is. He has such a great attitude, and I'm so proud of him.
Mat said Andrew's speech was in true Hathaway style, and I agree. I'll try to post pics of his recital, and get them up here when I get a chance. He looked adorable...even though his sleeves and pants are a bit short. We had a very difficult time trying to find clothes in his wardrobe that actually FIT. That boy grows too fast. I need to go get him at least one nice outfit that will fit him, but hey, at least his pants weren't backwards!
Last night he had his second piano recital. Oh was he nervous. He practiced his recital song over and over until he had perfected Go Tell It on the Mountain which is what he chose to play. However, he remembered how nervous he was last year at his first recital...so nervous that he wore his pants backwards and forgot how to play Up on the Housetop until I gave him the music to read. Last year, he was persistent, and everyone told us what a brave, persistent little man we had.
This year, it was only fitting that he nearly wore his pants backwards...again. I helped him get straightened out before we left this time though. We didn't arrive very early so he wouldn't be sitting there letting his nerves get the best of him, and we found that he was #2 to play his song...big sigh of relief.
When it was his turn, he went straight up to the piano, took his time getting situated, and then he played Go Tell It on the Mountain from memory beautifully! My favorite part wasn't the song (although he did a great job). After he played, he stood up and smiled his great big adorable, melting Andrew smile that only he can smile. In that smile, you could see all the way down to his big heart, and I know I wasn't the only one moved by this smile. He stood there with such joy and pride in his accomplishment, and boy was I proud to be his momma! That boy is a rare gem, and I know God has big things in store for that little boy.
He was so glad to play at the beginning and get it out of the way so he could sit and enjoy all of the other songs.
After the recital was over, we enjoyed a bunch of different Christmas treats we had all taken to share. Our treat was delicious, but you can't go wrong with chocolate covered pretzels with a peppermint Andes candy type crushed topping...delicious!
We went to a very late dinner to celebrate b/c it was Taco Tuesday after all...and on the way there, Andrew interrupted Mat and I in a deep conversation to say, "I rushed my song a little bit, and I took a deep breath while I was sitting up there and said to myself, slow down." Then he apologized for interrupting me and Mat talking. Mat and I were blown away. In that little comment, he shared that he was looking at a way to improve on his past accomplishments. He was mindful that he can always do better even though he recognized that he already did a great job. I don't know if you can understand that, but more than playing his song well, more than just doing what it took to get by, he wants to find a way to make himself better than he already is. He has such a great attitude, and I'm so proud of him.
Mat said Andrew's speech was in true Hathaway style, and I agree. I'll try to post pics of his recital, and get them up here when I get a chance. He looked adorable...even though his sleeves and pants are a bit short. We had a very difficult time trying to find clothes in his wardrobe that actually FIT. That boy grows too fast. I need to go get him at least one nice outfit that will fit him, but hey, at least his pants weren't backwards!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Good Morning
Today started with a little visit from a precious 3 year old girl. She rushed (all too early) to my bedside, and said "Good Mawning, Mommy." She rushed away, but quickly came back to say in a loud whisper, "I love you!" That little girl has me wrapped. She has been such a challenge these past few months as she has learned how to be 3. I think turning 3 is much like going through puberty...at least it was like that at our house. I'm thankful for the sweet times I am now sharing with my little girl especially after going through the tantrums that have filled each and every day for 3 months. Thank you, Lord, for my sweet little Elizabeth. She is a constant blessing to me. Thank you for the precious relationship she has with her big brother too. It is such a blessing to watch the two of them together, and they bring my heart so much joy! Now I gotta get moving b/c Lizzy is asking me "Mommy, can I do cool (school) now." So off to play teacher I go...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
10th Anniversary
This month has gone by so quickly that I didn't have time to catch my breath! We have had some very busy days, but they have been great days filled with fun and excitement as we anticipate the holiday season and all the fun it brings. We can't wait to enjoy Thanksgiving with friends, and we have lots of visits from friends to keep us very busy over the next 2 months!
I would be remiss to mention that today is my 10th wedding anniversary. As I think of all the things I am thankful for during this season of thanks, I am MOST thankful for my husband. We have been together for 14 years (4 dating and 10 in marriage), and I hope to share many more years together. I think of that Bible verse that says something like We love Jesus because he first loved us. I think that's what I love most about Mat, he knows everything about me flaws and all, and yet loves me just exactly the way I am. He doesn't try to change me. When I'm upset, he listens carefully to understand what is causing my grief, he encourages me, and he is there to share my joy. I love that man!
We are finally settling in here after nearly a year and a half. I'm so thankful to have sweet people in my life to share fun times together. Living in Florida has been an adventure.
I would be remiss to mention that today is my 10th wedding anniversary. As I think of all the things I am thankful for during this season of thanks, I am MOST thankful for my husband. We have been together for 14 years (4 dating and 10 in marriage), and I hope to share many more years together. I think of that Bible verse that says something like We love Jesus because he first loved us. I think that's what I love most about Mat, he knows everything about me flaws and all, and yet loves me just exactly the way I am. He doesn't try to change me. When I'm upset, he listens carefully to understand what is causing my grief, he encourages me, and he is there to share my joy. I love that man!
We are finally settling in here after nearly a year and a half. I'm so thankful to have sweet people in my life to share fun times together. Living in Florida has been an adventure.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Insanity
I've been overwhelmed with SO MUCH going on in life. These past couple of weeks have been a blur, and for the most part, I'm thankful that there aren't many specifics I remember.
We started school on August 1. That means we have completed 14 out of our 36 weeks and nearly 70 out of our 180 days of school. My math may be off (cause my noggin hurts so bad right now that I want to vomit), but I tell ya that so you can understand that the routine has started to make us all a bit wonky. We need a break from the norm, and Thanksgiving cannot come soon enough.
My brilliant little man has started daydreaming. My precious little princess has started screaming, and I...well, I'm grasping at just about anything to keep us sane for the next couple of weeks before the break.
I've changed up our routing majorly this week in effort to keep the sponges soaking in all the wonderful things they need to learn. It's helped some. There is still daydreaming and shenanigans, but we have had a much better week. In fact, I was thrilled when we started the day out with some laughter and lighthearted fun instead of shouting and arguing.
Andrew and Elizabeth were running and got a little tangled up and took a big fall. Lizzy knocked her head on the concrete and caused us some concern, but it turns out that she really is made of rubber...at least that's what we have said apparently loud enough for a certain 3 year old to hear and get confused about. Today when I asked her if I could kiss her noggin (which now just looks like a rug burn with a teensy scab) she told me "no b/c it's all better now. It's just that rubber thing." But she did allow me to kiss her sweet little cheek after we shared some giggles over her cute rubber head.
Then, Andrew took great delight in telling me that Lizzy didn't wake him up for once. He said, "usually I just lay there biting my tongue so I don't yell at Lizzy for playing with all my toys." When Lizzy heard that, she shouted "no No NO, Andrew don't bite your tongue b/c it will hurt." Andrew and I giggled at her desire to prevent Andrew from pain, but who wouldn't giggle after hearing a sweet little girl with her high pitched squeaky little voice shout a sweet warning to her precious big brother. And don't you just love her new fascination with saying the word b/c in every sentence. Until now, her the part after the b/c didn't make any sense, but today she put it all together to tell me 2 very adorable stories.
Then, on the way to physical therapy, Andrew shared his smarties (that he got at school...er well our co-op) with Lizzy. Lizzy held up the last one that Andrew was willing to share and shouted, "I'm gonna give this one to Daddy." A full minute went by (during which time I was thinking how to coerce Mat into eating the candy), and then Andrew said, "Aww...Lizzy just eat the whole thing." Apparently, holding the sugar candy proved to be too much temptation for the 3 year old, and she started to nibble around the periphery of the small candy re-wrapping the tiny few bits of sugar that remained to still give to her Daddy. Upon her brothers request, she shoved the rest right into her mouth with a smile.
Today, I'm thankful for the insanity that homeschool brings to our household. There are days that I would like to hide in the closet, drop my kids off at the fire station or let them play in the street, but the few sweet things make every single bit of the craziness worthwhile. And now, while you may be thinking that my threats sound like something I'd do, remember that I'm the crazy hyper-paranoid mother that doesn't even let my kids go to school more less let them outside out of my sight in danger for 2 seconds. I love those two kids, and I am so thankful to get to watch them grow daily. I love seeing their ah-ha moments, cuddling them when they get hurt, and watching them play together. Their insanity makes me whole b/c it's what I've been called to do!
We started school on August 1. That means we have completed 14 out of our 36 weeks and nearly 70 out of our 180 days of school. My math may be off (cause my noggin hurts so bad right now that I want to vomit), but I tell ya that so you can understand that the routine has started to make us all a bit wonky. We need a break from the norm, and Thanksgiving cannot come soon enough.
My brilliant little man has started daydreaming. My precious little princess has started screaming, and I...well, I'm grasping at just about anything to keep us sane for the next couple of weeks before the break.
I've changed up our routing majorly this week in effort to keep the sponges soaking in all the wonderful things they need to learn. It's helped some. There is still daydreaming and shenanigans, but we have had a much better week. In fact, I was thrilled when we started the day out with some laughter and lighthearted fun instead of shouting and arguing.
Andrew and Elizabeth were running and got a little tangled up and took a big fall. Lizzy knocked her head on the concrete and caused us some concern, but it turns out that she really is made of rubber...at least that's what we have said apparently loud enough for a certain 3 year old to hear and get confused about. Today when I asked her if I could kiss her noggin (which now just looks like a rug burn with a teensy scab) she told me "no b/c it's all better now. It's just that rubber thing." But she did allow me to kiss her sweet little cheek after we shared some giggles over her cute rubber head.
Then, Andrew took great delight in telling me that Lizzy didn't wake him up for once. He said, "usually I just lay there biting my tongue so I don't yell at Lizzy for playing with all my toys." When Lizzy heard that, she shouted "no No NO, Andrew don't bite your tongue b/c it will hurt." Andrew and I giggled at her desire to prevent Andrew from pain, but who wouldn't giggle after hearing a sweet little girl with her high pitched squeaky little voice shout a sweet warning to her precious big brother. And don't you just love her new fascination with saying the word b/c in every sentence. Until now, her the part after the b/c didn't make any sense, but today she put it all together to tell me 2 very adorable stories.
Then, on the way to physical therapy, Andrew shared his smarties (that he got at school...er well our co-op) with Lizzy. Lizzy held up the last one that Andrew was willing to share and shouted, "I'm gonna give this one to Daddy." A full minute went by (during which time I was thinking how to coerce Mat into eating the candy), and then Andrew said, "Aww...Lizzy just eat the whole thing." Apparently, holding the sugar candy proved to be too much temptation for the 3 year old, and she started to nibble around the periphery of the small candy re-wrapping the tiny few bits of sugar that remained to still give to her Daddy. Upon her brothers request, she shoved the rest right into her mouth with a smile.
Today, I'm thankful for the insanity that homeschool brings to our household. There are days that I would like to hide in the closet, drop my kids off at the fire station or let them play in the street, but the few sweet things make every single bit of the craziness worthwhile. And now, while you may be thinking that my threats sound like something I'd do, remember that I'm the crazy hyper-paranoid mother that doesn't even let my kids go to school more less let them outside out of my sight in danger for 2 seconds. I love those two kids, and I am so thankful to get to watch them grow daily. I love seeing their ah-ha moments, cuddling them when they get hurt, and watching them play together. Their insanity makes me whole b/c it's what I've been called to do!
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