Smelling for Bats

Somehow in the midst of this crazy season we find time to do school! Occasionally I take pictures just to have proof. ha.

Before pictures let me tell you about this new resource I'm using. Back in December I switched Math curriculum for Taylor. Yes mid- year. It was that good and the results have proved to be the right call. Singapore continued to be a challenge for me to keep up with and math seemed to be source of frustration for us every day. A friend led me to Teaching Textbooks. Everything is taught and instructed on the computer. She has a workbook with all the printed problems but they also show up on the screen. Greatest thing is it has automated grading. Also, if she misses a problem she can click a "see solution" button and it works it out right there for her. In addition it has a teacher's gradebook where I can she what she missed on each lesson, if she viewed the solution or not and her final grade. I was encouraged when I gave her the placement test that she scored a grade higher then her "official" grade level. After a hard year it was great to see I had actually taught her something :) She is loving this new program! Math is her new favorite subject. Never thought I'd hear those words come out of her mouth! On top of it all she's flying through the with full comprehension and a solid "A"!

Ok on to picture proof. Taylor has been working through a bat science unit. Last week she learned that Bats find their baby bats, "cubs" by scent. Each cub has it's own unique scent. Out of millions of cubs mama's can sniff their way through them all to find the one that's theirs. Crazy sense of smell huh?! So to drive this point home we took cotton balls, put about 15 different scents on each one and each kid picked one cotton ball to be their cub. Each one took their turn trying to smell their way to their cub while blindfolded. Ah fun times :)









How kind of you to think that I made this up all on my own... this came straight of our Apologia Science book :)

Teething Much?

It's in full force around here :)

Pigtails

This little girl is growing by leaps and bounds. Not so much in the weight category. She remains my little peanut. But she has fully mastered rolling, beginning to sit and continues to strengthen her "push up on all fours throw herself forward" move. Not quite crawling but on her way. She is such a joy. I am enjoying every last minute. Poor girl had a hard month. We began rice cereal and after a day or two she developed a rash. I didn't think much of it. I stopped the cereal as I wasn't sure if it was that or the antibiotic she was on for her ear infection. After it cleared I started again. On the second day a small rash came back and then I gave her a full feeding on the third and she awoke a couple hours after I put her to bed completely covered in throw up. It was so sad and scary. I gave her a bath and when I got her out she began throwing up again :( This began another cold virus and many sleepless nights. After fighting off the cold I thought I'd give a different cereal a try. Maybe rice just wasn't for her. I tried oats and sure enough a couple hours after bedtime I woke up to her crying and covered in throw up. Needless to say I am waiting for her six month appointment before I try anything else. We will see. This is a first for a daukas baby.

Aunt Danae suggested today that I throw her hair in pigtails! Good call Auntie. I think it helps control the craziness. It also makes her look older which I'm not sure I'm ready for.

35.

March was an insanely busy month. I knew back in December when I said yes to two fairly big commitments that I was in for quite the month. As always, I ask for input from Chris before I say yes to anything. He helped me process the decisions and I said yes. I began the month shooting my first wedding! That's right FIRST wedding. What possessed me to say yes I'm not sure. I think it was the desire for experience mixed with them knowing it was indeed my first time shooting a wedding on my own. The anxiety leading up to the wedding kept me up at night and on my knees. Ha. At times I questioned my sanity in saying yes to such a task. But low and behold the day came. I think I rocked the wedding and had SO MUCH FUN! Serious fun. Then I slept for a day :) I'll post a link here once I get a preview up on my blog. I then had a week to recover from the wedding and then came the second commitment. Leading three worship sessions for a Woman's conference being held at our old church in Gilbert. This one produced a lot less anxiety as I feel like I've played piano and sang my entire life. Still, it took a good chunk of administrative work on my part. Honestly though, once I had decided on songs, playing and meditating on them feed my soul this month. I truly worshiped as I prepared. Then I worshiped as I lead worship this weekend. Ah, it too was so much fun! It also gave me a little insight into my husband's world. I was so exhausted emotionally and physically when I got home!

What often kept me going this month, other than the sheer grace of God, was a special date I had on the calendar. A date I had been planning, to celebrate this guy.



I love him. He had his 35 birthday last week and after what an amazing support he was to me this month, I couldn't wait to celebrate him. His life, how much he has grown in the Lord and the amazing husband and father he is. I couldn't wait to celebrate all of this! I had done some research trying to find a new place to take him. We haven't had many opportunities to explore the west side where date nights are concerned. So with some help from my neighbor friends we seriously scored on an awesome new restaurant. It was a bit of a drive from our home and by the time we got there it was PERFECT! Atmosphere, food, we felt far from home but not to far to be able to drive back. We sat on the patio as the sun set and the weather was perfect.

What he didn't know was that, what I was working hard for this month was in part to buy him this:


He was so surprised! It was awesome and it brought me great joy to bless him with this unexpected gift. But apparently everyone in America wants one of these right now, so he has to wait a few weeks for it to ship.

Goodbye March. You were unbelievably exhausting but fun. Welcome restful April :)

Kind of a big deal.

It's true.

Alexie- 5 months

Lexie you have brought your family more joy than I even knew existed. You are growing up way to fast. I love seeing the wonder and curiosity in your eyes as you take in new things. I know you are going to be smart like your brother & sisters. I love the way you laugh and laugh when you are tickled and it seems the more overtired you are, the funnier everything seems to be. I love how you can take in new faces quite seriously but just a glimpse of one of us and you are all smiles. You have become quite the explorer, rolling every which way these past few weeks. I am anticipating your crawling in the very near future as I observe you pushing up to your hands and knees. We can't take you anywhere without someone commenting on all the beautiful hair you have. After your bath your big sister Taylor has taken the role of "styling" your hair just right then your mommy loves to smell and kiss your precious head. It is hard to believe that half a year with you is just right around a corner.

Alexie Jane you are our little peanut and we love you to pieces.

Trevor is 6

I'm really behind on this post. A day after Trevor's birthday, February 16th, I went downhill fast. Highest fever I've had in years. Aches, chills, sweats, horrible headache. Ugh! I was miserable. Unfortunately the miserableness made it's way through the entire household. I think and PRAY that we are all almost through this nasty flu bug and can resume normal life next week.

Back to my boy Trevor.




My baby boy is not so little anymore :(


Last week Trevor turned SIX!


He is such an amazing little boy. Smart, caring, funny, handsome, athletic, imaginative, talkative. Trevor has taken a real interest in knowing God's word this year. It's been encouraging to hear him talk and get excited about things of the Lord.

I love this kid! Alexie loves him too. She adores Trevor and finds him quite entertaining. Just a few weeks ago Trevor was the first person, other than myself, to make Lexie laugh. Trevor has always had a way with the little ones and it's warmed my heart to see him use his gift on his littlest sister.





This has been the year of football for Trevor. Turning six, for him, meant Dad & Mom would sign him up for flag football. Here he is showing me some moves :)







I don't know much about football but I think he's got "star quarterback" all over his face :)


Buddy your mommy loves you so, so, much. I pray that God would save you. I pray that we can take all that passion, energy and leadership capabilities you have and train you how to use it all for God's glory and His kingdom!

Happy Birthday!