Finished Pottery Pieces & Fifth Grade Week 10

First a very brief wrap-up of what Hanna learned this week, and then on to her finished pottery pieces I couldn't wait to pick up!!

This week Hanna worked on:

• ELA/Math-Sandi McQueen's Language Lessons 25-28 and Rod and Staff Math lessons 33-36.
• History-History Odyssey~Ancients Level Two lesson 15; completed 4 more sections in Ancient Egypt History Pocket.
• Science-Apologia Zoology 1~Flying Creatures Lessons 8 & 9. She made a very cool baby pterosaur fossil. You can see a "how to" on this fun project *here*.
  
• Wordly Wise-Lesson 9
• Field Trip-We took a day trip to a nearby Science Museum. You can read about that *here*.

I couldn't wait to get Hanna's finished pottery pieces back. Here are the final pieces. I think they turned out great and can't wait to put them out and up around our home! If you'd like to see the pieces before they were finished click *here*.

Here is Hanna beside her cat mask (each student had a couple of pieces on display):


Angel Fish Plate:


Tea Pot and Drummer for dad:


Small Pots from Wheel (I have many of these:-), I use them for candles, salsa and dip bowls):



Square Plate (I am using this beside my stove as a trivet) and Mosaic:

Room Reno, Doctor's Appt.'s and Field Trips

We have been super busy around our home--I believe that's our new norm for many years to come. We have been making time for fun too. We went on two "field trips" within the last 10 days. The first to Fort Discovery in Augusta (click *here* to read about this), and the second to Edventure (you can read about this one next week on my homeschool blog). Fort Discovery was a fun science museum we've been to before some years back--we all had fun, there was lots to do there. I've been wanting to take the kids to Edventure while they have their butterfly exhibit. I took them today. It was really pretty with lots of flowers and so many butterflies just randomly flying around. I got some great pics--some with the butterflies on Hanna's hands even--make sure to look for these next week. I am so afraid each day that I will go into labor and not get some of the things I am so looking forward to done! I really, really want to have this baby late:-)!! We are used to moving at such a fast pace lately and doing so many fun things and I know things will have to slow down for a bit--hopefully not for too long though:-).

Hanna took her summer pottery camp a few weeks ago. You can read about that *here*. Check in at our homeschool blog tomorrow and you can see each of her finished pieces in her "weekly wrap-up post for fifth grade. We went tonight to the pottery studio to pick up her finished pieces. Each child had a couple of their pieces on display. Here she is beside a cat mask she made.

Jamie has made progress on Hanna's room. It's all painted a very bright, girly pink. I've wanted a room this color for so very long and am so glad Hanna did too!! Since these pictures Jamie has gotten up baseboards, and some top trim. The carpet for her reading nook is in--also a bright pink:-). We plan to put down the carpet, rest of top trim, lights, ceiling fan, shelves and so forth--finish the room by the end of this upcoming week and have her IN! We have GOT to get moving on Jesse's room!! I haven't ordered any bedding, gotten him a crib, packed my bag or his, washed his clothes up or even picked out his paint color--what is wrong with me?!! For some reason, it is not bothering me as it would have with my first three. I feel pressures in other areas and have been focusing on these instead--getting homeschool materials in order and prepared for the weeks after his birth, getting the kids rooms, clothes and such in order, thinking ahead for meals, getting laundry done. I guess I know that Jesse will need love, food and sleep and the material things for him just aren't as important to me this time. If needs be, we will finish up his room after he is here--he will be in his bassinet for a few months anyway:-). Hopefully though, he will cooperate and all will be finished by his delivery.

I had a doctor's appt. this past Monday. All is well. My doctor has thankfully granted my request to not do weekly appointments or pelvic exams this time!! I basically will go in one more time before delivery and that's all--he said I know what to watch and look for by now so unless I sense a problem, no need to come in--YES!! I am getting so anxious and nervous about the delivery, health of me and Jesse during delivery and recovery and our hospital stay. Please keep me in your prayers that the delivery will be vaginal, healthy and routine and the recovery/hospital stay too, for both Jesse and myself; that I will be able to relax and enjoy this very special time to bond with Jesse (that I will only get these few short days) and that we will be able to come home routinely and quickly to my family. I am going to miss the kids so bad. I will just be glad to be home again all together.

I really hope to have some finished room pics by next weekend to post! Keep your fingers crossed for us in this area--and most importantly keep us in your prayers too for the more important things. Here are some pictures of us from this past week--me 35 weeks pregnant, Jack cheesin', Joe playing with his train table--we moved it to his room last Sunday so Jack wouldn't rip the tracks off anymore, and Joe has loved spending time in his room playing, which has been really nice--Jack and Hanna looking out of our living room window at the "caahs and tucks" passing by--one of Jack's new favorite past times.

Even though we still have much preparation ahead of us, I am so looking forward to meeting and holding Jesse, seeing what he looks like, touching his soft skin and just being with him after his birth. I love being a mom more than any words could ever describe. When I look at my three kids each day I cannot believe how blessed I am to have them all, and another sweet baby boy so very soon. Jamie and I will celebrate our wedding anniversary this upcoming weekend--what a blessing to add to our already happy lives--a blissfully happy marriage and home filled with love and health. I thank my Heavenly Father each and every day for these blessings and so many more.

Pioneer Project Final Week Four

We wrapped up our Pioneer unit study this week. This has been a fun unit study for all of us. Joe has especially learned alot from all we've studied and done.

This week we had a pioneer themed Muffin Tin Monday, complete with an edible covered wagon and homemade butter in a baby food jar. The kids loved their muffin tins and all that was in them, and they thoroughly enjoyed making the butter the previous day. *For recipes on the edible wagon and baby food jar butter, join me for Simply Made Sunday-In the Kitchen With Mom, tomorrow. To read all about Simply Made Sunday (with hopes that you'll participate after reading:-)!), click *here*.




We studied shadow clocks and talked a little about how this method of telling time is different from our modern day clocks that tell time for us.

We watched more Little House, of course:-), and finished reading some library books about pioneers and the Oregon Trail. We also read some books about our religious heritage that pertain to the pioneers and their journey to the Salt Lake Valley. Our children's church magazine, The Friend, is all about pioneers this month so we read stories and did the activities in this magazine too. The kids enjoyed each of them and so did I!

It's been lots of fun doing a unit study the last couple of months. However, we will not be doing a unit study for the months of August-October. I need a little extra time to prepare for the baby and then get adjusted after he is here. I do have extra crafts planned out though and will post those as we complete them along with a "how to". I know there will be some time after the baby when I can't post as often, so I've been working on some informative "how to" posts to fill these gaps:-). Don't worry I won't go MIA!!

Jesse

I had my last regularly scheduled ultrasound appointment today with my OB. Everything is looking super for me and Jesse. His kidneys have both formed well, urine and bowel functions were present and appeared healthy, he was taking "breaths" and he is already head down. I'd had a feeling he was head down for a few weeks now because of where his hiccups feel like they are coming from. His weight is a bit lighter at this point than Joe's or Jack's. His is more in line with what Hanna's was at 33 weeks. It was so fun and sweet to see him and hear his heartbeat and know that all looks healthy. I continue to pray each day that Jesse and his delivery will be healthy and routine and that we will both be able to come home very soon and have no prolonged stay in the hospital. I'll be honest, if I was a bit more brave I would love to deliver in a birthing center instead of the hospital. I am not a fan of the hospital stay or the nurse's handling my babies. I keep them with me the whole time we are there and it is very hard for me to relax and rest while we are in the hospital. I already feel the anxiety of it all setting in and ask for your prayers that I will be able to stay as short as possible, that we will both be healthy and that I will somehow be able to relax and enjoy this special time.

Hanna and Joe are both very excited about Jesse's time drawing near. I am so relieved to hear Joe express excitement this time. He wasn't excited at all about Jack's coming home and was hands off with him for a very long time--never mean, but not excited or involved either. He has nothing but sweet and happy things to say about Jesse. He talks about holding him and checking on him for us since his room will be right next to Jesse's. This is a blessing--Joe is "my boy" and I hope he will feel this way after Jesse is actually here. I am sure I can expect jealousy from Jack temporarily, but he is so young and I'm not at all worried about it--he will adjust and I'm sure it will be a fairly quick adjustment too. Hanna is, of course, very, very excited!! She wants to stay with me the whole time at the hospital:-)--so sweet! I wish my whole family could--I'd love it!! This should be an option!! Lots ahead for us. I am both nervous and excited and I can't wait to meet my sweet Jesse.

Dan Nicholas Park

We went to Dan Nicholas Park this past Saturday. We wanted to go on a day trip and do something fun with the kids and decided on Dan Nicholas because we had so much fun here a couple of months ago. We had just as much fun this time! This park is filled with such a variety of family activities! The only thing we didn't do this time was the paddle boats. Jack wasn't old enough to ride on them so we opted not to do them at all. I took lots of pictures while we were there. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

This was Jack's first time on a merry-go-round and he LOVED it. He laughed, bounced and smiled the entire time. It was so much fun watching his excitement. He is at such a fun age--discovering so many new things!

Here is a picture of me with all the kids on the merry-go-round.

Hanna and Joe had fun with the chickens again.

Here's a really funny one of the kids--check out the "expression of excitement" on Jack's face. As you can see, this was one of the highlights of the day for him:-)!

Of course, Jamie and the kids had the most fun "mining for rocks"! This was truly their highlight and they all had fun with this. Jack and I just watched and part of the time he had fun playing with a little pile of sand and gems we put on the bench in front of him. Jack has been making this hilarious face lately--I managed to capture it in one of the pictures I took--it is priceless!! He was really tired by the end of this as you can see by the look on his face:-). He was such a good sport the whole day. It was really, really hot! Despite the heat we had a great time. Everyone was happy and it was just a fun family day together. I got lots more pictures too, but you'll have to wait for those on my homeschool blog later this week:-). We finished our day off with a very yummy dinner at The Cheesecake Factory--my pic:-)! I can't wait for our next day trip--the Science Museum in Augusta. We hope to get a few more day trips and one long weekend trip in before Jesse is here and we have to slow down for just a bit. I love being able to do so many fun things with our family and am thankful for every memory we make together.

Summer Reading Logs and Medals

Ever since Hanna was 3 years old I have had her participate in our local county library Summer Reading Program. Joe also began participating in it when he was 2. I've never quite figured out what the kids love so much about this program, but they do, and they anticipate getting their rewards and medals upon completion as soon as they sign up!

They have both had enough books recorded in their logs for a couple of weeks to get their medals, but wanted to keep recording until they could earn all of their "extra stars" as well. They reached this point Tuesday and after lunch we headed to the library so they could receive their medals. Can you tell by their grins below how excited they were to get them:-)?! I am glad they both have such a love for reading anytime, and not just when being rewarded, but they do look cute with their medals and big smiles:-)!

Feeding Ducks at the Pond

We went to the pond this evening to feed the ducks. Hanna and Joe have been asking often to go back since we last went a few weeks ago. It was enjoyable for all of us and it wasn't too hot either which was soooooooo nice!! I took quite a few pictures while we were there.

I was so shocked when I saw this picture of me and Jack. It was like looking at my dad, my grandmother (my dad's mom) and my aunt (my dad's sister) all rolled into one, instead of at myself! Man, have I gotten alot of freckles the last couple of years and I see some wrinkles too:-). I seem to freckle more with each pregnancy.

Here's one of me with Hanna, Joe and Jack. Please excuse the fact that I have on no make-up and look like I haven't slept in days:-). Comes with the territory these days:-)!! Not complaining though--I'm loving and treasuring each moment of my ever increasingly busy life!!

Here are a couple of Jamie and Jack that I liked.

Lastly, here are a few of Hanna and Joe.