Learning in the Sharer house

I always find it amusing what the girls learn everyday. Without really teaching them anything, they just figure things out. They all constantly have me smiling. So I thought I would do an update of sorts about what new learning is taking place in our house. First let me preface this by saying that I DO NOT teach academics in my house. I just don't. I never did with Raegan as a kid. I will reinforce what's going on at school, but I believe school is the place for kids to learn academics. With that being said, Raegan didn't know her letters until she started PreK pals. She couldn't write her name and I don't remember how high she could count. But upon starting PreK Pals, she became a wealth of new knowledge. I mean she just picked everything up quickly. I didn't care to have a 3 year old that could read. Reading as a 3 year old doesn't mean that you are cognitively gifted. It means that your parents have worked with you. In the Sharer house, we learn common knowledge skills. We take each teaching opportunity and show the girls new things. And yet Raegan was still able to learn and is exceling in school and in the gifted program.

So I'm taking the same approach with the twins. But unlike Raegan's former sitter, their babysitter does hit on some academics while they are there. So they are learning more than she did at that age. I'm grateful for it and just laugh at the things they pick up.

The Sharer Girl Updates:

Raegan #1 Princess:
* Reading on level K in school, end of first grade.
* Learning how to add and subtract and doing it in her head at all times.
* Expanding her writing but still writes paragraphs full of run-ons, like most 1st graders. And then... because... and. LOL!
* Learning how to 'play' with her sisters and really enjoying them (I think).
* Learning how to use her skills on the soccer field and think before acting. She's shown AMAZING growth!
* Continuing to talk up a storm and broaden her vocabulary along the way.
* Learning grammar rules in school. Learning about verbs, contractions, compound words, nouns. I don't remember that they teach this stuff in 1st grade!!
* Learning that the evenings are not a time that she can just run wild. I'm hoping that this impulse control can carry on throughout the day and that she can soon be free of her ADHD meds. I'm not holding my breath though.

Samantha #2 Princess:
* Learning that SHE is in control her of pottying. She now tells us that she needs to go or she just gets up there and does it herself. Talk about funny!
* Puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles. She LOVES them and is quick doing them.
* Learning that throw up belongs in a bowl or the toilet. She had a stomach bug this week. She puked in a bowl at the dinner table, on her plate, and in the toilet a few times. Only once on me!
* Learning that she is NOT a morning person and letting everyone know about it. Poor Peyton just wants a hug in the morning and she doesn't want to give him the time of day.
* Learning how to put words together and make sentences. And learning that mom expects good talking if you actually want something.
* Learning that 'reading' books is fun. She wants to sit all day long and read book after book.
* Learning that Raegan isn't really the devil and sometimes it's fun to play with her.

Mallory #3 Princess:
* Learning how to sing the ABC song and other songs like Row Your Boat and Patty Cake.
* Learning that she is a TALKER! She constantly amazes us with the things she says and remembers. Her memory is like Raegan's. After taking Maddie to school this morning, Mallory gets in the car and says, "Where's Maddie?" LOVE IT!
* Learning and perfecting the use of the response "NO" and run away.
* Learning that if mom gets to 3, she's not going to be a happy person and slaps on the hand really do hurt.
* Learning that her name starts with M-A. When you ask her what her baby's name is she'll respond with "M".
* Learning how to count. 1-2-4-5-6-8.
* Learning how to push buttons. Most importantly mom's.

Bryan and I aren't learning anything important right now. So no need to touch on us :)

A Blog Worth Checking Out

I was introduced to this blog by another blogger friend. It is about a woman's journey after discovering her daughter was born with Down's Syndrome. She is not only an excellent photographer but she has a way of words that makes you keep reading. I wanted to pass her story on to everyone. She is truly inspiring and finds the best things in life. Here is the birth story about her daughter, Nella.
http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html

Potty Update

So most of you know that Samantha is doing really well potty training. Well she is definitely rocking! No accidents in 5 days right now. She can and will hold her pee for at least 3 hours. The past 3 morning she has woken up completely dry! She is waking up from naps dry. This weekend Raegan had a game at a new field that we had never been to. So not knowing if they had bathrooms (which they did not) I put a pull up on Samantha. She fought it like crazy! I finally got it on her and decided to put her panties on over the pull-up. She was dry for the entire time we were gone, 3 hours! I think I can officially say that at 22 months she is potty trained during the day. She ROCKS! I can't tell you how happy this makes me! Now I need to start with Mallory. I'm not sure when that will happen. She kind of has me wrapped around her finger and I don't want to push her. LOL!

Carrie-ology

I grabbed this from another blog I frequent. Looked like fun!

Hey you! Yes, you and you and you and, especially you! Any of you reading this. You're tagged. After you've gotten to learn more about me than you ever wanted to know, take a turn and play the game. It's fun! Let others know a little more about yourself, repost this as your name followed by "ology."

FOODOLOGY:

What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Hmm. I don't know. Maybe Italian Bistro?
What is your favorite fast food restaurant? Chick- Fil A
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Dessert
What are your pizza toppings of choice? cheese and nothing else. Maybe some pineapple.
How many televisions are in your house? 4
What color cell phone do you have? black iPhone

BIOLOGY:

Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right.
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? 3 babies, one blighted ovum, 22 eggs, 4 wisdom teeth, and a little breast tissue on the left side.
What is the last heavy item you lifted? two toddlers
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Only with drugs...
Have you ever fainted? yes

BULLCRAPOLOGY:

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? no. death scares me enough already.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I don't think so.
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? a lot. Maybe 15.
Last person you talked to? Catherine

FAVORITOLOGY:

Season? Spring
Holiday? Christmas
Day of the week? Sunday
Month? June
Color? purple
Drink? diet coke
Alcoholic? peach bellini

CURRENTOLOGY:

Missing someone? not really
What are you listening to? baby story on TV
What are you watching? The Baby Story
Worrying about? my water heater needing to be replaced.
What's the last movie you saw? I have no idea. Had to of been a kids' movie.
Do you smile often? Yes
If you could change your eye color what would it be? bright green
What's on your wish list for your birthday? nothing yet
Can you do a chin-up? I'm not sure. Probably 1 or 2 :)
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? It depends on the day and what I'm thinking about
Have you been in a car wreck? Yes.
Have you caused a car wreck? Yes.
Do you have an accent? Maybe a little bit of a Texan draw.
Last time you cried? a few days ago thinking about my grandpa.
Plans tonight? soccer practice with Raegan
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? maybe a few times
Name three things you bought yesterday? yogurt for Raegan and that's it.
Have you met someone who has changed your life? yes.
How did you bring in the New Year? At home with my family.
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? Nah
What songs do you sing in the shower? usually nothing. Sometimes "world's greatest" when headed to Roanoke Round-up.
Have you held hands with someone today? not yet
Who was the last person you took a picture of? probably one of the girls
Are most of the friends in your life new or old? Both.
Do you like pulpy orange juice? I tolerate it.
Last time you ate peanut butter and jelly? a week ago.
What were you doing at 12 a.m. last night? sleeping
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I really don't want to give the TAKS test today.

Valentine's Day 2010

We decided to have a little Valentine's party for Raegan and a few of her friends. The girls all decorated letters with their initial, decorated cakes to take home, and played. And a few girls got their nails painted. A good time was had by all and we will plan on doing another Valentine's party next year.




Here are the girls in their Valentine's outfits. We woke up and had breakfast together. Then went to lunch at Chilis and ended the day with the entire Johnson clan at Cristina's. It was a day of eating and hanging out together.



I got to attend Raegan's Valentine's Day party at school as usual. The kids painted coasters, played Valentine's BINGO, and ate goodies. Another fun adventure in Ms. Walker's class. AND Ms. Walker got Teacher of the Year! Do I know how to pick Raegan's teachers or what?!?!

Texas Snow! A record breaking day!

We have had a cold winter (and long) this year. But it has made for a few really nice days of snow, one being on Christmas Day. It snowed for 2 days last week and we had a record amount of snow. Some reports were as much as 12 inches! And well, that just never happens in Texas! The girls had a blast playing in the snow. On Thursday after school let out early, we headed over to the Helms' house. They live on the golf course. We sledded a bit and then went in for some FABULOUS food cooked by Cheryl. On Friday, we all headed out to the 18th hole on the Hogan. SO FUN! We were out there for a little over 2 hours before Samantha had had enough. But they really hung in like champs and had a great time. Mallory LOVED going down on the sled with anyone that would take her. Samantha was content hanging at the top of the hill. And of course, Raegan was sledding the entire time with friends. We are so lucky to have great friends to enjoy fun days like this with!

The Trophy Club police even came out and raced Sandy down the hill. LOL!


The babies with their friend Ella Kate.

I Luv Eww!

Mrs. Sherry has taught the girls how to say "I Love You" this past week. She also is teaching them happy and sad faces. It's too funny to watch. Here is a video of them being sweet to each other. It doesn't happen often these days!