If you're in the market for art...

My best friend from my junior high years just opened an Etsy shop. She is extremely talented and full of life. She hasn't changed a bit, since I met her back in 5th grade. Praise God for facebook, and the chance to reconnect.

Her studio is called Pink Moonshine. I just sent her a picture of Avery's bedding and she is going to paint a couple of pieces for her room. I can't wait to see what she does. I'll post pics when everything is complete.

So, if you're ever in the market for art, check out her site. You won't be disappointed.

To push or not to push...My teaching dilema

Avery had her 2nd face to face meeting with her/my learning coach today. Basically, I'm her day to day teacher, but I have someone in authority over me who makes sure I'm actually teaching Avery. I had to provide learning samples(work she's done previously) from every subject. Avery was also asked several questions and had to explain some of her samples to Grace, our learning coach. Needless to say, Grace was extremely impressed. She kept going on and on about Avery's handwriting and her artwork, saying both were so good and well beyond 1st grade level. I explained to her that Avery is doing well in every subject and continually gets 100% on every test she takes. However, I'm noticing she doesn't always understand or can explain the theory behind some things, Math and English, mostly. But, she knows the right answers. I don't know whether to slow down and make sure she "gets it" or keep plowing thru until we find an area where she actually misses a question, then start from there. Grace encouraged Avery to take the tests to finish the 1st grade curriculum and go on to 2nd grade. Thus, my dilema.

Part of me just wants her to coast thru 1st grade. Enjoy being home and not having to be in school for 7 hours a day. Enjoy having the extra time to play and experience real life, even if that real life is weird right now. Maybe I'm just so overwhelmed with everything that I don't want to push her. That's probably more like it...

Part of me wants her to actually start learning and not just doing worksheets everyday. Sure, we do more than that, and she has fun, but I don't know if she's really learned anything new, yet. I don't want her to be bored. I want to push her to develop her full potential. She is a very smart girl. I don't want to be responsible for any setbacks.

On top of that, I don't know if we'll homeschool her next year or not. It just depends on where we're living. Lord willing not in this apartment, that's for sure.

So, I really don't know what to do...for now, I'm counting my blessings that I get to be Avery's teacher for this period in time. I'm thankful that Avery can be home with us. I'm thankful that my 3 daughters are so close and like playing together. I absolutely love hearing Avery read to her younger sisters.

Any thoughts?

My Family by Avery Osborn

Avery is always doing a craft project or some type of art or story. Recently, she's been writing books. Here is the latest...

My Family by Avery Osborn 2009

My Family look's like this. Look down. My Dad and my mom my sister's and me. We also have a dog her Name is Abby

My Dad like's to work. My Mom like's to work out.

my sister Mckenna like's to play. my sister Presley like's to play to.

and I like to go to Grandma and Grandpa's hose. I am mooving to a Noo home. and it is ok but I do not wont to moov.

It is Fall 2009 the tree's are changing color's. Fall

Fall yes Fall yes yes

My family it is Fall the end

Fall Break and Almond Tea

So, it's Fall break at Friends U. and Wichita schools. I was so looking forward to having a Friday off. I know, I know, I only teach one day a week, but still. I had planned to help my sister with a garage sale, the girls were going to sell hot cider there. Then, Avery and McKenna were going to a friend's house to play this afternoon.

At 6am, I heard Avery in the bathroom, coughing like crazy. When I went to check on her, she said her head hurt. I took her temp, 102. Ugh. I felt so sorry for her. Then, I thought of the plans we had to change and/or cancel today and my heart ached. McKenna went on to my sister's to "help" with Reese and sell the cider (I spent $15 on supplies for that cider). I made a trip to Dillons before Kevin left for work to get medicine, kleenex and a couple redbox movies (Hotel for Dogs, and Disney Earth). Now, my job today is primarily to keep Avery comfortable and keep her 2 sisters away from her. I'm finding that Lysol is my new best friend. I take it everywhere. Hoping is won't ruin my i-phone, because I keep trying to disinfect it. It has become Avery's new favorite "toy."

I just finished making some Almond Tea. It's a favorite in our family, whether we're sick or not.

1 cup boiling water

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup cold water

1 TBSP instant tea

1 small can frozen lemonade

4 cups water

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp almond extract

Add sugar to boiling water, on stove top. Dissolve all, heat through, serve hot. Enjoy-I doubled this today. It may turn out to be a long, sick weekend for the Osborn abode.

A day at the museum

Last week, Avery and I went to the Museum of World Treasures. It was awesome. We had so much fun together. We did a scavenger hunt and had a good time looking at everything. We also got to see Avery's much beloved education specialist (fancy word for the real teacher who holds me accountable as Avery's primary teacher.) I wish I would have gotten a picture of the two of them. Instead, here is Ave with the "exhibits" Be sure you watch Night at the Museum before going :)

I keep thinking to myself (and out loud to Kevin) that I can't wait 'til the girls are older, so we can go to the Eisenhower museum and the Cosmophere, stuff like that. The absolutely LOVE watching Avery learn new things.

Change of Plans

I think that should be the title for my blog. My life is full of changes in my plan.

• My plan was to live in the same town my whole life. That lasted until I was in 5th grade
• My plan was to make a career of singing. This plan has changed frequently throughout my life.
• I thought, when we married, that Kevin was going to be a doctor. 2 months before we graduated from college, he told me he felt called to go to seminary.
  
• I thought we'd have a baby when we wanted to. After 3 years of trying with no luck, I finally gave up control.
  
• My plan was to have Avery and McKenna go to Abilene for a couple of days so I could work on cleaning/organizing this house. Avery backed out at the last minute.
  

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Praise God, he has plans that are far better than my own.

• If I had lived in one town my whole life, I would have missed out on several dear, meaningful relationships.
• If I had a career in singing, I would have missed out on my true desire, to be a SAHM.
• If Kevin was a dr. I'd rarely see him, and we'd be in way more debt. I would make a horrible dr.'s wife.
  
• If I got pregnant when I wanted to, I wouldn't have finished my masters degree (in voice performance)
• If Avery went to Abilene, I would have missed some special mother/daughter moments that could have only happened today.

Thanks, God for your perfect plan for each and every day. My life is better because You're in it.

Thoughts about Mom

I stole this from Sally. My girls are a little young for these questions, but I asked them anyway, mostly for a good laugh. My thoughts are in parenthesis.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Avery-clean your room, McKenna-feed Abby (that's about right)

2. What makes mom happy?
Avery-when we obey you, McKenna-when we clean our room

3. What makes mom sad?
Avery-when we don't obey, McKenna-when I write on the table (actually, these things make me mad, not sad)

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Avery-I don't know, McKenna-when she does silly things

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Avery-I don't know, McKenna-

6. What is mom's favorite thing to do?
Avery-get on the computer, McKenna-go to the zoo (seriously?)

7. What does mom do when you're not around? Avery-clean the house, McKenna-I don't know

8. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? they didn't answer

9. What is your mom really good at?
Avery-teaching me stuff in school, McKenna-feeding Presley

10. What is your mom not very good at?
Avery-nothing, McKenna-being a fireman

11. What does your mom do for her job?
Avery-teach people how to sing, McKenna-feed Presley (can you tell I'm still nursing. Every. 3. hours?)

12. What is your mom's favorite food?
Avery-healthy food, McKenna-mexican

13. What makes you proud of your mom?
Avery-when she obeys, McKenna-

14. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? they didn't answer

15. What do you and your mom do together?
Avery-school, McKenna-shop

16. How are you and your mom the same?
Avery-we have the same color eyes, McKenna-we both have rock chalk jayhawk shirts

17. How are you and your mom different?
Avery-I don't know, McKenna-different color of eyes

18. How do you know your mom loves you? Avery-she always tells me, McKenna-b/c she always says, I love you

19. Where is mom's favorite place to go?
Avery-zoo, McKenna-zoo (again, seriously?)

As I was finishing this post, Avery says, "Mom, when you're finished typing, tell them that we think we have the best mom ever, because we really do!" (She must want something...)

The Sleepover

Avery's friend from Abilene, Claire, came to our house last night. Her parents were at KMEA so she stayed the night with us. Avery and McKenna were soooo excited. Avery made a countdown to Claire calendar and everything. After supper , lots of playing, and baths, the girls watched Heidi. I told McKenna earlier that she would sleep on the top bunk and Avery and Claire would sleep on the bottom. She was fine with that until the actual bedtime. After many tears, Kevin said she could sleep on the floor next to the big girls. After another major meltdown from McKenna, the girls all decided to sleep on the floor. In the morning, which came earlier than I'd hoped, we made doughnuts-the girls are shaking powdered sugar on them.They played Pretty Pretty Princess.We played Bingo. With Kix.

The girls had such a great time! My house looks like a bomb went off, but it was worth it.

A study of Cezanne

Today, Avery studied about the life of artist Paul Cezanne. Where he was from (France), what he did (still life paintings), what others thought of him (they didn't like his work). It was a great lesson in determination, doing what you're called to do, no matter what the world says. At the end the lesson, I told Avery to set the scene for a still life painting, she picked out various things from our kitchen/dining room area and arranged them on the counter.this is Avery's still life painting.

AG has invaded the Osborn abode!

Last year, I remember hearing about the whole American Girl phenomenon for the 1st time. After I saw the prices of those dolls, I quickly realized that my girls would probably never get to have one. Why in the world are these dolls so darn expensive? I remember being 8 when the cabbage patch kid craze was happening. My aunt Marlene bought me one for Christmas that year and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I remember the joy of having one, and the responsibility. This doll wasn't like the barbies I had. Sure, the barbies were special, but they were "everyday" play. My cabbage patch doll was extra special.

Fast forward to this summer. Kit Kittredge came out and I took the girls to see it one afternoon. We had a great time. We all loved the movie and Avery even got the dvd for Christmas. She looks like Ruthie and Kenna resembles Kit. They have fun pretending they're Kit and Ruthie playing together. I had dreams of buying these dolls for my girls. They never asked for them. I don't think they knew AG dolls existed until we went to visit our cousins in TX.

My issue with these dolls was twofold. 1) I didn't want to spend that much money for a doll. That seems a little extravagant to me. 2) If I/we did spend money for a doll, I didn't know if Avery would take care of it. I can't count how many dolls and barbies we have in this house who are naked, missing a limb and left for dead somewhere. Then I remembered my desire for a cabbage patch doll. And how I took care of her after I got her. My kids don't want everything. They've never been to Worlds of Fun or DisneyWorld. Their idea of fun is going to the mall to ride the carousel. They don't have a wii or any video game stuff, although Kevin and I really want one :) If American Girl is our one luxury that we save up for and invest in, I'm ok with that.

Avery got Ruthie for her birthday this week and is loving her new doll.

This morning, I was reading A Chair for My Mother to the girls. Part of the story talks about saving up for something you really want. I asked the girls what they would want to save up for. McKenna said a Kit Kittredge doll. Avery said a pretty chair to sit in, and another American Girl Doll. I guess we'll have to start saving for next Christmas now!

Avery Elizabeth is 6!

At 11:37am (eastern time), Avery turns 6. She was born in Kentucky on a cold morning. I was one week over due, and went into labor in the middle of the night. Abby, the beagle, was very agitated to see us leaving in the middle of the night. On the way to the hospital I told Kevin I needed the epidural, fast. Once we got there and got into a room, they did blood work and said I couldn't get the epi b/c my iron levels were too low. After ALOT of pain and pleading with the dr. to get one, I finally got the epidural around 10:30am. I started pushing right after that and she was born. The doctor who delivered her quoted Ps. 140 as she was coming out. The hospital didn't have any hot water, so she didn't get cleaned up for several hours. It was just me and Kevin. All of our relatives were in Kansas. We had several friends visit us in the hospital. Kevin slept on a broken couch for 2 days. We came home to a house decorated in pink streamers and our lives have never been the same! There is still pink everywhere in our home, and we love it that way.

Avery loves art, barbies and sugar! We did breakfast at Panera, we'll swim at the Y this afternoon and tonight, dine at Carlos O Kellys. She is excelling in school. She's learning to read, write, add, subtract. She likes American Girl and all things pink and purple. She loves Jesus and her younger sisters. Happy Birthday, Avery. Your Daddy and I prayed for you for so long. We praise God for you. May He continue to shower His blessings on you. We love you! Enjoy being 6!

Avery the artist

Kevin posted a drawing Avery did over the weekend here. She is so talented! She didn't get that from either of her parents. I can sing, I can't draw. Kevin can sing, he can't draw. When she was in preschool as a 3 year old, her teacher told me that Avery would get frustrated with the other kids who weren't coloring in the lines. The teacher had to put good colorers on either side of her. Needless to say, art is her favorite subject in school.

She'll visit tonight!

The tooth fairy is coming to our house tonight! Kevin pulled Avery's tooth when he was home for lunch today. She is so excited! I wanted to celebrate, so I thought we'd make homemade cookies this afternoon. I also planned her science lesson on teeth. However, in her science lesson she learned that sugary foods are not good for teeth, so we skipped the cookie project, for today. Actually, I'll probably wait until she goes to bed tonight and make some, b/c they sound so good! Does anyone know the going rate for a 1st tooth?

Only Child

Tuesday night, my sister and I took McKenna and Reese to Abilene to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Keating. Avery didn't get to go this time, b/c she's in school. I assured her that after the baby comes, she'll get to go to Grandma's for a few days.
So, Avery's been an only child for the last 2 days...
Avery slept till 9:15 on Wednesday

• Did Math, Language Arts, Phonics, and History


• Kevin had a lunch meeting so Avery and I went to lunch-her choice-McDonalds


• got a dvd from Redbox-Ariel's Beginning


• Grandma Keating gave Avery some $ to buy some fall clothes, so after lunch we went to Kohl's and Target. We shopped for almost 3 hours! Found LOTS of clothes. Narrowed it down to a few items and headed to Grandma Osborn's for alterations.


• Ate supper on our china and drank milk from our wine glasses. We read Sleeping Beauty earlier in the day and wanted to eat on gold plates like the fairies did. I'm counting the days until I can use those wine glasses for their original purpose!


• Watched the redbox dvd and went to bed-well, I did anyway. Kevin and Avery stayed up later...
  

Thursday

• Avery slept in again-


• Did Math, Language Arts, Phonics


• Went to Friends U. and had lunch with Kevin


• on Tuesday in science, Avery learned about bones, joints, her skeleton, and skull. Kevin arranged for us to go into one of the labs on campus and look at a real skeleton. It was pretty cool. Avery was so excited!


• came home in the afternoon, rested, did science (muscles, heart, brain), took a phonics assessment


• It's raining here, no plans for tonight-I need to go work out.

When asked what her favorite part of the last 2 days were, Avery said, "going shopping!" Yes, she is my daughter!

Countries and continents

In History, Avery is learning about continents and countries. Today, the focus was on England-continent-Europe. She loved looking at pix of all of the castles and statues. Once she realized that's where Peter Pan was from, she wanted to visit. Someday, I told her...in my head I was thinking Europe at Epcot center at Disneyworld. But, I'm sure the real thing would be just as fun! Coloring the British flag-she also had to color a double decker bus and draw herself in one of the windows.

The finished project, along w/ her Dorothy shoes that I bought yesterday for Halloween. They haven't left her feet since.

TV update-Avery has done remarkable well with the new TV rules and schedule. I keep wanting to tell her how proud I am of her for handling this so well, but I'm afraid to remind her of what she's not watching. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm really liking not having the tv on.

1 day down...

179 days to go...Avery and her teacher, aka mom


Avery's 1st look at her school room this morning.



We ended the school day around 2:30 this afternoon. Avery had a great first day. When asked what her favorite part was, she quickly said, "all of it!"


We ended the day with a trip to Coldstone Creamery. Grandma and Grandpa Osborn, Aunt Marla and Reese joined us to celebrate Avery's 1st day of school and McKenna's first broken bone!

As if we didn't have enough going on, the van wouldn't start when we got in it to go to Coldstone. Kevin and his dad are going to get a battery for it now, at 8:48 pm. We're praying that's the solution.