Josie

with Lily who moved away

Josie is getting comfortable as the girl with many brothers and is becoming more of a pal with me. We spend special time together reading after the boys are in bed or enjoying girly movies like the Sound of Music (aah, just love that one!). Yesterday as we watched that one, Josie asked me, "Do you like this part because people are falling in love?" She said she would like to be Maria but not when she kisses Captain Von Trapp. Just you wait, Josie, just you wait.

twin cousins!

This is her official Kindergarten year and the first year we have sat down and "done school." She has learned so much to prepare her for the stuff we're doing this year because as she says, "I always keep my ears open." Our homeschooling curriculum includes reading from The Story of the World, then narrating back each section and checking out library books that go along with it. She has memorized a short poem and learned the difference between common and proper nouns; her handwriting is improving, and I have found such delight in seeing her notice things in the world or media that we have learned about in school. Soon we will embark on life science as we study animals and then make a notebook where we answer questions that help us classify them. I have a treasured moment of taking time away from bookkeeping as she climbed on my lap and learned about the ones column and the tens column. Homeschooling is not just "doing school" at home. We have been homeschooling her since the day she was born.

with Simon just after a fight

 People ask if these two kids are twins. I always wanted to be a mother, envisioning all the teaching and spending time together-- with older kids. The diapers and such quite shocked me. However, this year of respite from Patrick being so busy with school is a big blessing. I really enjoy the ages the kids are and how we are entering a time of intellectual growth.

  In July Josie's dream of having "Girl Time" came to fruition. Female family members and friends converged and spent the evening snacking and primping. Curly hair was made straight and straight hair curly. Not feeling confident in my know-how in this area, I was grateful to those who did. So fun!

with "press-ons"

Born with a birthmark on her leg, Josie informed me that her "spot" was given to her by Heavenly Father so we would know she was special. She recognizes the presence of the Holy Ghost in her life that comes from studying scriptures with Daddy.

first time in the ballet room

 This girl has callouses on her toes from walking tippy-toe for years! She is lucky to get to take a ballet class for the first time at a private school in town, where Patrick teaches guitar and our neighbor teaches ballet. Barter is a beautiful thing.

 Josie's number one pastime is to draw. Uncle Sean's girlfriend Kat, a graphic designer, has been taking time to teach her some principles that will help her in these endeavors. I will add pics some of her drawings a bit later. My intention was to photograph her work and save it electronically, but she has made it clear they are not to be thrown away! We should have quite the book, as her rate is about 3 pages a day.

 Don't let all the girliness give the wrong impression. Recently Josie changed her favorite color from pink to blue. And her favorite bands are probably Thrice and Sparta. She can be so silly and has a great sense of humor.

 Kids says cute things even as they get older. In her prayer last night, Josie petitioned Heavenly Father to "bless everyone in the world, and if there are people on other planets, please bless them too." This was after thanking him for "all tools and all animals."

Oh yeah, so the kids think we are saying, "shoot" instead of "shoo" to flies. The other day, Josie said, "Shoot, fly. And aim at yourself." 

I am grateful for my beautiful, intelligent, sweet girl.