Never to early to learn

I'm not really big on new years resolutions because I feel that sometimes you just shoot too high. Plus we should be constantly making goals and hopefully acheiving them!

So my "Not" new years resolutions or my goals for this week is to be a better mom to my boys. With my new job position at work I wont be at home most of the day with them. So the days that I either have a day off or home for a good portion of the day I want to make the most of it.

So here is what I have planned.

With Zack I want to start working on some pre-preschool stuff. I've seen a lot of stuff on pinterest on homeschooling and fun things to do with younger kids who aren't in preschool yet. I want to make learning fun for him.

This week we are working on M is for Monster. I'm not really focusing on the letter because there will be some weeks that we aren't working on letters and I don't want the pressure of having to find activities each week that focus on a particular letter. That may change but right now we are just testing the waters.

This week I found learning packets on two websites: 2 mommes teaching and Our little monkeys, I kind of picked and chose which activities would be best for Zack.  I decided to work with Zack during Gavin's naps (which hopefully lasts a bit longer) so I could focus just on him right now.  Don't worry I still work with Gavin on things but right now he's content on just having me read books to him. 

Zack really had fun.  But the most fun was when I pulled out the play doh that I made for him.  And to top it off Deanna came by after work (to pick up Kairi who was sleeping) and played with the play doh too.  I decided to work on one subject each week and hopefully have a new activity or something to do with the theme for that week.  Tomorrow we are going to make Felt Monster!  I love on the Our Little Monkey website she has links on other fun activities for the Monster theme. 

As with most of posts I just can't help not adding some pictures. 

Zack working on drawing lines.  Not sure the point or if I'm doing it right but I guess it teaches him to follow instructions and eventually when we start working on writing letters it helps him with the curves and lines.... Either way he really enjoys it.  Plus I put it in a sheet protector and he uses dry erases markers so it's totally reusable!

All the things I found on the website.  Such great resources!  And as long as you use them for personal use it's free.  My kinds of kits!

Stolen from facebook - Deanna's Monster creation using the play doh that I made.  Monsters in the swimming pool.  Guess who can't wait for Summer.

2011 Wrap up

Well 2011 is officially over. We had some ups and downs but nothing major. We are all happy and healthy and that's all that really matters.

Kids are both growing like weeds.

Gavin still has his binkie (it's going to be a tough road getting ride of that thing!). He's definitly becoming his own little person. He'll repeat pretty much anything we ask him to say. It's starting to get easier to understand him even though he still ugg's at us a lot. But we are understand the difference uggs. LOL. His most used word right now... MOW. Which really means NO. And I'll tell you he sure uses it alot.

Zack is Zack. His biggest challenge right now is sleeping in his own bed. I know it's totally our fault for letting him sleep with us in the first place but we are working on getting him in his own bed... hopefully soon! Zack just makes us laugh. He's starting to use his imagination so he plays cops and robbers, builds forts and is always asking questions. He loves to play on the Ipad and computer (so does Gavin). It's so funny because when I get on the computer or Ipad he trys to give me a time limit because he only gets to be on them for a certain amount of time. Zack also started Soccer this year (more pictures and hopefully a post later). We aren't sure if we'll try Soccer again or just wait until T-ball.

Bob is still working at Crown and he's doing great. He's now a mentor for new employee's and has been given an Apprentice. He really enjoys his job and is doing well in it. Bob has a calling in our church as the Stake Men's Sports Coordinator, it's the perfect job for him because he loves being involved in sports and it's a great program for him. He is just in the process of trying to rebuild it. Slowly but surely.

I am still working at BB&B and loving it. It's a great company to work for and I love all my co-workers. It's the first retail job that I've worked for that you know everyone and have fun working together. The managers are awesome and I really just enjoy going to work. I've been given an opportunity to be the Trainer at my work. I will train new hires, give university classes to employees, I'll be in charge of Bridal Registry's and so much more. I'm excited for the new position. It's a full time position (35 hours) so I'll miss being home with the kids most of the day but Bob's parents will be with them so they will be with family. Bob's mom use to be a teacher and I can already see her working with Zack on his counting, spelling (or recognizing letters) and such. My hours will most likely be mid days so I will still have a few hours with them in the mornings and I'll be home for them to go to bed. I hope it works out for our family. The money will be much appreciated. I am also the 2nd Counselor for our Ward's Young Women. It's a fun position and I enjoy planning the activities for the girls that I am over.

We are excited for 2012 and whatever it will bring.

Some things that we are excited for:
Possibly getting a new(er) car. Trying to decided if it's worth fixing our car or getting a new(er) one.
Bob and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary!
Planning a trip to California with the kids. Really want to go to Disneyland and possibly California Adventure.