Homeschool

This past year, Jeffrey and I decided to "officially" homeschool Landon. I planned on enrolling him in a public school(they are great here), and then I would have some one-on-one time with Charlie. Surprisingly, it was a very easy decision to go the latter route.   The summer before he started his 4 year old pre-school we debated if we should enroll him or not for 2 reasons.  The 1st and initial reason, he seemed to be allergic to something at his school.  And the 2nd, he has been reading and writing well since he was 3. Many teachers and academic leaders approached us about him, telling us to homeschool him right now as well.   So we pulled him out after the first week and never looked back.  We are taking it day-by-day, and we are LOVING it!

Landon can sit and read or study something for hours. He loves it.  That also goes for sports. He can play for hours.   Sweet Charlie, is our biggest distraction during school time.  But we don't mind the breaks!

Since curriculum only takes 1 to 2 hours a day, we have plenty of time for activities.  This includes lots of things like painting, dance parties, going to the park to kick field goals or run the bases, snuggling on the couch, concerts, zoos...and don't forget those social activities many people want to ask about ;)  He has youth group, spanish class, play dates, he is on sports teams, and is a part of a large homeschool group here in town.  

I never saw myself homeschooling, but it has been a true blessing.  In my wildest dreams I never imagined this, but I am enjoying this so much and soaking up every minute of it.  You never know when things will change.  Sooner or later these sweet boys are going to be out of the house for good, living their own lives with their families and children.  So let the good times roll, baby...

Our Sweet Angel

Landon was given an interesting array of genetics. We can argue about looks, athletic skills etc but undeniably he has gotten his daddy's ALLERGIES!!!!  GRRRRR...Thanks, dad. Many children have allergies these days whose parents don't have any, but for Landon, it comes from his dad.

Landon was born with them.  From month 1, he had the swollen eyes and runny nose.  We started feeding him baby food at 4 months and he broke out in hives from various foods.  And it continued on from there.

 Interestingly enough, these two have very very different stories.  Jeff, was in the ER 7 times before the age of 2.  He was rushed to the ER at 6 months old for severe brain swelling.  The doctor told his parents that if they had come an hour later, he wouldn't be alive today.  Jeff was on breathing treatments daily, and had asthma.  He still has asthma today. Although there was no brain damage, which everyone was amazed by(we know to thank the good Lord above for that), he doesn't have many childhood memories...at all.  And if you know Jeff, he has an incredible memory.

 Fortunately, though Landon was dealt the same health, he has had no where near the same scares as his daddy had.  No near death experiences, no brain swelling, no asthma, no daily breathing treatments.    We have seen many doctors, and a few chiropractors.  Throughout all of the decisions we have had to make, we have felt the hand of God in all of them.  He has guided our thoughts, and given us strength to do what was best.  And we couldn't be more thankful.  With all of my heart, I believe my little boy wouldn't be here today if it weren't for our precious Lord steering us in the right direction.  He is healthy,  intelligent, comical and we love him to pieces.  Thank you Jesus, for this amazing gift.

"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

Look who turned 2!

"Happy to Me."  He was singing this 2 months before his birthday, on his birthday and still sings it today.  To say the least, he was very very excited.  

Buddies. The little wagon was a gift from Landon.

A gift from papa and grandma.  It's a big hit.

We don't get treats like this very often at our house because of Landon's allergies.  I don't blame him.  Chow down, Charlie.

4th of July

This just about sums up their differences.

4th of July BBQ at Meme's.  Minus a few

Fireworks over the lake.

King Colin

My grandpa turned 80 this summer.  Little did we know he would pass away a few weeks later.  I called him Hercules.   I thought he would live until he was at least 120.  He taught himself to read, to speak other languages, sold thousands of cars, he constructed his own kitchen, built in a sky light,  a gorgeous fence around his own home, and one for my parents, and visited over 100 countries.  During the last few years of his life, he found so much joy in being home, working on the yard, spending time with his family, and with his lovely wife.  I will always be your TT.  You are missed every day, by all of us.

Summer 2012 Family Vacation

Daddy travels a lot, but we've definitely adjusted to it.  It's actually an adjustment when he is home for more than a week.  ;)  We definitely loved our time with him in Florida.

When we have a rough day or something gets us down, we pray...a lot, and then we think of Boca Beach Club.  We LOVED Boca, and hope we can one day return.   This was the children's pool.

Love this boy more than life itself.

Daddy is their hero. Love Landon flashing the peace sign.  2 cool for school.

He did NOT want to take his floaties off.

Bits of Spring

Sweet Charlie.  Never a dull moment with this guy.  Notice the cheeks and lips are all Noble.  And the feet...and leg length

Spring Soccer

Uncle Andy and Aunt Brittany came to visit us.

Fishing at Shabbona

Village Links with The Peterson's

We started homeschooling Landon this year, and we are really starting to find our groove.  Landon read, The Karate Kid, for his end of pre-school activity.  His daddy read this when he was in kindergarten, so we thought we'd one up him.  

Christmas

We love Christmas in our home.  We love everything about it.  New traditions, Santa, baking cookies, songs,  some of our favorite movies, and of course, why we celebrate, the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Landon is allergic to real Christmas trees, so this year we purchased a pre-lit fake tree.  However,  he still was having reactions so we took that one back, and figured this was our best option.  :)

So much love.

Luckily, we found a fake tree that he didn't react to.  

Family photos

We love when Mrs. Maria wants to take our pictures!  These are treasures we have all around our house.  Thank you, Maria.

Photos from Fall 2011

At Uncle Andrew's soccer game

Watching the game with Auntie Meme

Sammy Watkins and Nemo.  Quite the duo

Carving pumpkins with daddy

Lots to catch up on...fall soccer 2011

Landon, first season highlights

This is a collaboration of videos that were taken of Landon in his 1st season of soccer.  The park district let him play since he wasn't in kindergarten yet.  Jeff's family lives over on the east coast and asked us to video tape as much as we could.  One night, while trying to put the videos together, my brother's friend said she could do it for us.  Within 30 minutes, this is what she came up with.  Thank you Bre.   Go Team Jamaica!