Thursday, August 4, 2011

Vacation & Doing A Little School

We went on vacation to the Olympic Peninsula. On one hand, with five kids total including a three year old, an 11 month old, and a seven year old with a few extra challenges when it comes to not being home, it didn't feel much like a vacation. I mean it was hard, yet rewarding. And we got to explore and see new things. Which was awesome.

Since getting back, I've been organizing the house and even doing a little school. The last couple of days I've been doing Daily Grams by Wanda C. Phillips with the kids. They really love them. They are short and sweet...to the point.

I've also been trying to get more organized for my three year old. She has been a regular Princess Tyrant lately. Oh, I am pretty much as consistent as can be and she is still that way. One factor, I think, is just her coming to the age of testing, of course. Also, she REALLY needs a nap every day. Some days I'm just too busy, or I'm out and a about, and I end up paying for it. Thirdly, I think, she is bored. Yet, she has a short little attention span. So, I'm trying to come up with more ideas regarding what to do with her. I think I'm going to have her watch the Leap Frog Letter Factory movie most days. She enjoys the break and I think if I get her recognizing her letters, there are a world of activities that will open up to her. Normally, I don't believe in videos, but this video teaches the sounds of letters so well, and it frees up a little of my time. I'm also trying to get her something to trace everyday...letters or numbers, and get her setup with short little activities everyday, similar to Activity Bags, so she feels like she's doing something.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from vacation.

worlds_coolest_rock

nat_rach_kalaloch

riah_kalaloch

natalie_kalaloch

wet_kalaloch

incoming_tide_2_beach_4

josiah_man_beach_4

looking_up_to_heaven_beach_4

rialto_beach

mt_olympus

sister_and_brother

three_year_olds

My little three year old (with the cast on her arm) and her three year old friend.

And, here is a picture from two days after our vacation, on a hike on Silverstar Mountain. We had three families and 17 children represented at the top of the mountain.

17_kids

3 comments:

julie said...

oh my....your photos are beautiful. i love the one in the water and the one of the mountains. what a treat!! i haven't seen mountains like that since I was pregnant with my 9 year old.
hope you are having fun!!!!!
julie
www.raisingthreeknightsandaprincess.com

Holly said...

Hi Cathy. I loved all your photos-what a wonderful vacation! I hadn't heard of those leap frog videos before-I'll have to check it out for my 3 yr old. Holly

Beth said...

Your pictures are very pretty!I will be looking up what the leap frog videos are for my 3 year old.Three can be a hard age sometimes,fun but hard!