Yours Truly Had a Birthday and Other Updates

Whoza, what a busy few weeks it has been.  No projects completed, I’m just trying to maintain order!

We had some visitors from Canada who live on the Alaskan Highway.  Among other things, Stephen hunts wolves that are bothering the cattle.  Lillian has a very interesting background.  Her mother and father were both from the Ukraine.  Her mother’s family were killed by the Germans all except for a sister-in-law and her baby who escaped into the woods and Lillian’s mother who had been sent to Germany to a work camp.

Audrey read her very first word last week (B-I-G).  We were so excited.  We use the phonics program Sing, Spell, Read & Write.  I’ve used it for all 6 of my children and heartily recommend it.  Way to go, Audrey!

The fear many parents have over teaching their child to read is really unfounded.  It does not have to be hard.  One of my children did have some struggles but if you just take it very slowly, back off for a while if you need to, and/or do a small bit every day, understanding will come. Let them learn at their own pace.  It’s so important we let our children learn at a speed that is comfortable and challenging at the same time.  We want them to have mastery of what they are learning. (I don’t want to undermine the fact that there are children with real learning difficulties but I am just addressing the majority of kids here.)

In other news, I had my 43rd birthday Thursday.  My kids say I’m a #1 Mom.  It’s strange to think that my kids make me signs like this.  I was just a kid the other day writing notes for my own mother.  Hey, it was only a little over 20 years ago. 🙂

Russell decided to take me on a short getaway.  Sedona is not too far from us so that’s where we headed.  It is absolutely gorgeous there!

We stayed at a little lodge that is unpretentious from the outside but located in a lovely spot on Oak Creek. They had a lot of sculptures like this one placed in several different areas.

And finally, to wrap up this little mini-update on a few of the goings on in this household, we had a family here for the weekend that are just amazing on their stringed instruments.  I really wish I could put a video clip on here of the piece of classical music they played.  It was so beautiful to hear.  But unfortunately, I’m not savvy on how to do that. 🙁

Update:  I uploaded the video to You Tube but am unable to embed it.  You can click the link below and it will take you to the link on You Tube.

Children Playing Stringed Instruments