Summertime!

Somehow summertime and the HEAT snuck up on me!  We are incredibly thankful to have the pool in the backyard.  Gregg finally took his first dip with Zeke this past week.  Zeke is willing to go swimming any day, any time!

We have been staying busy with indoor activities when possible too.  Zeke looks forward to our library's story time each Tuesday.  He has seen a juggler, illusionist, and a zookeeper with many animals.  He said his favorite animals were the snake and kangaroo (wallaby).  I liked the baby lemur!

Adalynn is generally still sleeping during our outings to the library if daddy is able to be home!  She is staying busy mastering the art of walking and trying to learn to handle a rambunctious older brother!

Accountable Kids

Zeke has been working towards his "special dates" with daddy, mommy, and now Wynna.  Daddy took him to the library and lunch,.  Mommy took him to lunch, and Wynna plans to take him to ride the train when we go visit IF he earns 10 stars (the requirement for a special date).

We use a chore program called Accountable Kids.  Zeke is responsible for doing morning, afternoon, and evenings chores.  When he completes a block of chores, he receives a ticket, which can be used to watch a DVD (Veggie Tales, What's in the Bible, Thomas, etc.).  If he disobeys, we take a ticket away as punishment.

If he keeps ALL his tickets all day, he gets a star...which goes towards his special dates with us.  He has been working incredibly hard to earn his date with Wynna.  The tickets have taken on a new level of importance!

We were very proud of him for showing complete self control at church today.  He normally runs into the sanctuary after Sunday school, but he stayed right with us today.  It was a great opportunity for me to see that he CAN have self control.  I was beginning to wonder!

We also incorporate "bonus bucks" to teach him to tithe, save, and spend (in that order).  Occasionally, he can earn a "special privilege pass" if we are working for a short time on a specific behavior.  We also incorporate "best behavior cards" if we catch him being good and just want to give him a little extra praise.  Overall, it has been a great program for him (and us!).

Here we are heading out for our special date...

I have begun the process of planning for his pre-k homeschool year.  We will be doing "Heart of Dakota," a Bible based curriculum for his age, in addition to "The Reading Lesson" for reading instruction.  I may incorporate some extra activities for math too.

We started doing a unit on the armor of God.  I felt led to teach him about what it means to stand up for truth and fight evil in a way that glorifies God.  We talked about each "piece of armor" and added them as we studied.  Below is the final product after he was fully dressed for battle!

 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"

(Ephesians 6:10-18)

Now, we are working through a study on obedience that explains why and how to obey according to God's word, not just because Mommy and Daddy say so.  It has been a blessing.  We are also starting again with reading lessons.  He is so close!  Now to finish organizing the homeschool room!

We pray you are all enjoying your summer and look forward to seeing family up in Alpharetta next month!