Sam's Kindergarten Curriculum Review

We started Sam's Kindergarten year last July and are winding down to the end.  Her last day is tomorrow!  We are through all of the books now and can give a decent review. For context, Sam is a very hands on learner and good with memorization.  She doesn't really like sitting and doing worksheets, probably the case with most 5 year olds:)

Math

This was Sam and I's favorite subject!  We used The Good and the Beautiful Level K math curriculum.  It has 117 lessons with 3 assessments throughout and one Final assessment.  It also came with an activity box that came with a ton of manipulative that we used throughout the course.  Some of my favorite things were the use of manipulative's, the multiple ways that it presented different "skills",  and the daily dose portion of each lesson.  We finished this subject first and Sam has mastered what is needed to move on to the next level.  

Each section would start with a story that continued throughout the section.

The activity box.

 Language Arts

We used The Good and the Beautiful Level K for her language arts curriculum.  This definitely wasn't Sam's favorite subject and to be honest it wasn't mine either.  I probably rushed her into it and that didn't help.  The course itself was good, I was being cheap when I ordered and didn't buy the book box sets they recommend to go with it. They really helped give her some confidence in reading once she started them.  Some of the lesson's felt too long and some seemed really short which could occasionally be a challenge.  She's just now finishing up this book (120 Lessons) since we took a break until she was more ready.  She did Reading Eggs for about a month in place of the language arts and that helped a lot.  

Handwriting

We used The Good and The Beautiful Level K handwriting and moved onto Level 1 when she finished Level K.  It's a very basic book, I thought she would like it more because there's a little picture you can color when you finish the page.  She does not like practicing her handwriting because it is a worksheet and that's not her learning style. 

Bible

We used a Bible activity book for Bible time.  It was a bible story and then 2 pages of different activities which she loved.  She finished that book and we  moved onto something new, not sure if she's a little too young for it.

I got this at Ollie's for $4.

This is the new one we just started.

Science

For Science we've been using a very basic 180 days of Science book.  It usually takes 2 minutes to complete.  I like it because a lot of it is me reading to her and her answering questions, helps her work on listening comprehension.

Classical Conversation Co-op

We just finished our last week for our Co-op and have done better this year of working on what we learned at home. I even bought a white board to write all the info each week onto like they do in class.  Next year I plan to buy the book and the geography map so we can do more at home as she gets older.

Overall I'm really happy with her Kindergarten year. I already have her 1st grade curriculum but won't be starting until July.  She's really excited for a nice long break.  We didn't really take any long breaks, we took a week off at Christmas then a few days here and there.  When I originally planned out the year I had a lot more breaks scheduled and was going to go year round.  However, she had a better attitude when we didn't take breaks and I liked the groove we got into so not taking breaks worked well this year.

Another interesting part of this year was that Howie took over for about the last month since his clinicals were cancelled and all his classes moved online.  I started working more and he's been home with the kids, he has done a really good job teaching her.

Pre-K Recap and Kindergarten Plan

It's been a minute since I've posted anything but life has been crazy busy.  Since Howie started the radiology program last August I've been back to work full-time.  While it has been a definite blessing it has also been an adjustment. I've been able to work a schedule mostly opposite of Howie's so we haven't needed as much childcare and thankfully have family nearby who help us out when needed. 

Here's an update of how Pre-K went and our plans for Kindergarten!

I started Pre-K with Sam in August and while we definitely met some of the goals I had set, I also saw where I needed more discipline especially as she gets older.  We did Classical Conversations (co-op) the whole year and really enjoyed it.  Sam really does well with memorization which is what the early years of CC is, so it was a good fit.  Toward the end of the school year I ordered a language arts Level K Primer book for her from The Good and The Beautiful and really liked it!  We only got about 20 lessons in before breaking for summer so we will continue with that when we start back next month.  

My plan for her kindergarten year is to start in July and take breaks throughout the year until ending sometime in May.  She just turned 5 and in Florida I have until she's 6 to officially do anything with the school district (portfolio/intent to homeschool, etc) so I'm considering this year our test run😉.

I found this blank calendar online and used it to help figure out how many days of school we would do and when to take breaks.  All subject to change but I felt better having a plan.

I've already got all of the curriculum ordered and I've decided to stick with all The Good and the Beautiful.  Since its just kindergarten we'll be focusing on the basics of reading, writing, and math.  And then with Classical Conversations she'll get to do science experiments, fine arts, and history memorization on co-op days.  We'll also continue doing devotions and memorizing scripture.

We will finish out her Level K primer book that has about 14 lessons left before moving on to the Level K language arts.  It's a mix of phonics and sight words and includes spelling.

We're doing the Level K math, which I'm most excited about!  It's very hands-on learning and I think Sam is going to enjoy it.

And then for writing I just ordered their Handwriting Level K, it was just released in book form this week.  It was only available in PDF form previously. 

While shopping around for a curriculum, I wanted something that was open and go, affordable (spent less than $200 on everything), and hands on.  The Good and the Beautiful is all of those things and I'm really excited to see how the year goes using it.

Westley’s one year update!

I did good for a few months with the updates but life has gotten crazy and time has gotten away from me!  Westley is already almost 13 months old!

Sleeping patterns:  Wakes up around 7 or so most mornings, goes to bed around 7.  Doesn’t sleep through the night, still co-sleeping.  He usually takes a solid 2 hour nap in the morning around 9:30-10 o’clock and a shorter nap in the afternoon.  If we’re out doing something he can usually stay awake until the afternoon and take one long nap but when we’re home he definitely lets me know when he’s tired.

Eating Habits:  We’re still breastfeeding and I’m still pumping at work although I’m only getting 4-6 oz now while he generally drinks 8 oz (He gets the difference from my frozen stash) when I’m gone.  We’re working on getting him on a 3 meal 2 snack schedule so that he can transition more to that and less milk.  He will try just about anything we offer.  His favorites are tomatoes, zucchini, string cheese, blueberries, strawberries, avocado, Mac n cheese.  Trying to get him to drink more water out of the sippy cup.

Accomplishments/likes/dislikes:  He learned a ton of stuff in just the last month.  He’ll stand for about 10-15 seconds by himself, claps, waves, points, plays peek a boo, shakes his head no, and finally said mama!

Westley weighs around 24 lbs still and is 27 inches long.  He hasn’t really gained weight the last few months but he did grow length wise.  He’s mainly in 12-18 month clothing and size 5 diapers.  He has 3 teeth now with a 4th one that looks like it’s breaking through.  He had his 5th ear infection so we finally got a referral to an ENT, his appointment is this week.  He’s definitely not as quiet as he used to be, he found his voice and knows what he wants.  He isn’t afraid to fight sister for toys either.  He’s very much a mama’s boy especially at night!  I was in the hospital overnight a couple of weeks ago, it was our first night apart and Howie said he just screamed and cried for 2 hours until he finally went to sleep:(

Here's some of my favorite pictures from the last month.

Sam's Pre-K School Plan/Mini Life Update

I wanted to write a little post sharing what our plan is for this fall!  Most of you probably know Howie got into the Radiology Tech program that starts in August.  We were so excited to find out he was 1 of 17 to be accepted.  He started his prerequisites 2 years ago with hopes of getting into this limited access program.  The Lord has opened doors from the very beginning and we're looking forward to what He'll do in our lives over the next couple of years especially.  

Howie will be driving to St. Augustine (45 minutes-1 hour away depending on traffic) 5 days a week for the first half of the fall semester.  The 2nd half he will be doing clinicals 2 days a week and classes 3 days a week. I will start working more, ideally 4 days a week since he won't be able to work.  This will require more juggling with our schedules so we won't need childcare hopefully.  

I am also starting Pre-K with Sam.  We've signed up for Classical Conversations which meets once a week for about 3 hours.  Sam has been really excited about "going" to school.  We'll also be doing some school at home, although I'm probably going to have to lower my expectations a bit with all the adjusting that will need to happen.  A few of my goals for her Pre-K year are to read at least 20 minutes per day, make it to the library once a week, letter recognition/sounds, number recognition, and lots of playing.  I had originally wanted to go ahead and teach her to read this year but I don't really want that pressure on either of us right now.  I'm ok with waiting until she's in Kindergarten for that. 

Westley is such an easy going little guy that I'm hoping he's able to just roll with punches and will adjust well to me working more.  I'm incredibly thankful that I've been able to be home with him as much as I have.  

They are our world.  

Contemplating a post on books/materials/supplies I've chosen for Sam's Pre-K, let me know what you think!

Westley's 8 month update

Sleeping Patterns:  He's sleeping quite a bit better at night, maybe waking up twice, sometimes I feed him in my sleep lol.  Wakes up super early some mornings and won't go back to sleep.  Just transitioned to a 2 nap schedule, a 1-2 hour nap in the  morning and 1-2 hours in the afternoon.  Bedtime is usually around 7.  We've put him in the crib a couple of times but really we sleep better with him in our room right now.  

Eating Habits:  Nursing 5-6 times a day, when he's tired he wants to nurse as well, sometimes he just has a little snack before going to sleep.  He doesn't really nurse to sleep anymore, only if he's super tired.  We've had a little more success with solids.  It seems he likes actual solids not the purees.  A lot of times he will just play with whatever food we give him but occasionally he will go to town on it.  He seemed to really like zucchini, broccoli,  and strawberries.  We've also tried eggs, banana/egg pancakes, shredded cheese, banana, green beans, and cauliflower.

Accomplishments/likes/dislikes:  He's trying so hard to crawl, my guess is within the next 2 weeks he will be on the move.  He pushes up on his knees, rocks, and can move one knee forward before he gives up or falls down.  He will cry if you take away a toy he wants.  He plays independently really well.  Loves to watch Sam.  He really enjoys music, if the tv is on and a song randomly comes on he immediately looks and starts smiling.  He doesn't like getting dressed.  Enjoys chilling in the pool once he gets used to the water temp.  A couple of weeks ago he started saying "dada".  

Places we went:  All the usuals again this month, the zoo, lots of early morning trips to the park, swimming at nana and papa's, chick-fil-a (at least once a week), and the library.

Westley now weighs around 23 pounds.  At his WIC appointment they said he's in the 97th percentile in weight and 35th percentile in height  He's in size 5 diapers and 9-12 month clothes.  He had another ear infection, so hard to get medicine into that kid!  He got a lot of one on one time with us while Sam was in Missouri for 12 days.  He now has 2 teeth!  

Some favorite pics from his 8th month!

Sleeping through IKEA 

Wrestling with his cousin.

Trying out the crib.

He likes his new walker.

Finally eating some food, zucchini.

He likes playing at the park.

Two teeth!

He loves playing daddy's guitar.

Westley's 7 month update

These months just go by faster and faster.

Sleeping Patterns:  Not sleeping through the night, still co-sleeping.  I keep telling myself it won't be like this forever.  The last week he's been waking up between 6 and 6:30 which means he needs 3 naps.  For the most part he goes down easily for naps and takes decent ones.  

Eating Habits:  Still breastfeeding, no interest in solids.  I've been trying for 2 months now, taking breaks now and then to give him time to be ready but he turns his head and closes his mouth as soon as he sees the spoon.  We've had slight success with the Munchkin Baby Food Feeder, I'll put a link at the end for it.  He mainly just chews on it but once in awhile food gets in his mouth and its easier to clean than the mesh feeder.  He still has such a strong gag reflex so as soon as that's gone we should have better luck.  He's nursing 5-6 times per day and then throughout the night whenever he wakes up.  He likes playing with my hand while he's nursing and Howie says Westley rubs his arm while taking a bottle.  Still not great with a bottle.

Accomplishments:  Just started pushing himself backwards.  He's trying so hard to push up on his knees but hasn't quite figured it out.  He gives slobbery kisses.  Sits up unassisted for long periods of time.  Loves splashing in the bathtub.  Went in the pool for the first time and seemed to enjoy it.  He's starting reaching for Howie and I to pick him up.  Sits in the front of the cart when we go to the store.  Got his 6 month pictures taken, he did really good even though it was naptime.  He loves his wubbanub (link below) and is able to grab it and put it in his mouth on his own which is nice.

Places we went:  All the normal places; library, Chick-Fil-A, park, mall, zoo, and church.

Westley now weighs around 22 pounds!  He's in size 4 diapers and 6-12 month clothes.  Any clothes I buy are size 12 month so he can wear them for awhile.  He doesn't have any teeth and I honestly can't tell if he's teething.  Sam didn't get her first teeth until she was 17 months old so I'm not sure if he's going to be the same.  He's still our happy, easy baby!

Here's some of my favorite pictures from his 7th month!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases with no extra cost to you.

Wyze Cam

I haven't done a product review on here before, but we've come across something that I wanted to share. Its called a Wyze Cam and it is amazing! Here's the description from Amazon:

• 1080p full HD live stream direct to your smartphone. Works with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks (does not support 5GHz Wi-Fi)


• Motion Tagging technology detects and outlines motion in both live stream and playback video modes. Power Cable Length-6 feet


• Night vision up to 30 feet away - even in total darkness


• Motion and sound detection with free rolling 14-day cloud storage. Use the Wyze App (iOS and Android) to manage and share multiple cameras


• Magnetic base and included adhesive metal plate let you mount your Wyze Cam anywhere - no screws required

The video and night vision are unbelievably clear! It can be used as a security camera, baby monitor or just to spy on your family while you're at work😉.  Just in case you skimmed through the specs (like I would) you set the camera up where every you want it (its a wide angle lens) and can view/listen/speak from the app.  

You can record to your phone, but if you want continuous or event recording you just need a MicroSD card. Wyze recommends 32GB MicroSD card to record a continuous feed for days and will rewrite over old video when the card fills up. 

The following are some screenshots from the camera that sells itself!

This is the view from our refrigerator. 

This is the night vision in our laundry room, completely dark. We were using it to try and catch a mouse.

These are a couple of screenshots from the app. The first is the notification screen and the second shows all the options while you are watching.

A couple of things to note, it does need to be plugged in so wherever you decide to put it you need somewhat close access to an outlet.  Also to record you need a sim card inserted into the camera.

And I saved the best for last, the price....its a mere $25 on Amazon and its a Prime product.  I'm putting a link down below if you're interested. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases with no extra cost to you. And this is not a sponsored post just wanted to share a product we love!