Back to School...

Today was our first day back to school at Hannasch Homeschool Academy. ;)
Zander had his first official day of Kindergarten. He listened to devotion with everyone else, practiced reading some BOB books, and then played math bingo with the other boys. He also practiced writing a few words from the boys vocab work. He decided quickly he was done, but he did great for day 1. I think he prefers workbook pages so we'll have to aim for that a bit more.

Zavier had his first day of 3rd grade. He listened to our devotion, did his 5 vocab words, 2 daily skills worksheets, and then he and I took turns reading the first and second chapter of Pilgrim's Progress. He had a few moments of distraction, but quickly adjusted so that he could do what he wanted after school.

Zayden had his first day of 5th grade. He did his math, listened to devotion, did his 5 vocab words, and read 2 chapters from a book for school. He worked quickly so that he could go out and ride his bike.

Zachary had his first day of 7th grade. He did his math, listened to devotion, did his 5 vocab words, and read 4 chapters from Pilgrim's Progress. He says he wants to be in 8th grade, but we'll see how the 7th grade work goes.

Mason went above and beyond to get in to things while I was trying to teach and work with the big boys. I tried giving him things to play with that were fun, but after 30 seconds he was finished. However he's going to have to adapt to playing nicely and not being constantly destructive as this is the life he's going to grow up in.

Abbie wants to do preschool, which is great she's ready. I however am only one person and I want to make sure I'm working more one on one with the boys that in the past so that they stay focused and learn the materials they need to know.

We will receive the majority of our school books tomorrow and next week we will start full time school. The older boys made their own lunch and then played some games, before doing the activities they earned by listening and working quickly.

I am starting my 3rd class in college today. Feeling a bit burnt out going from one to the next with no break or down time. Beginning each class stresses me out a bit more because you have to learn the class requirements and get in a habit quickly to finish the 7 week course on time. However I got an extra grant for my schooling for $500 so this semester (3 classes/12 hours) will only cost $311 out of pocket which is a great blessing since we're living on one income.

Stitches for the baby.

My precious little baby had to get stitches today. He was playing in the bedroom so I could get some school work done and fell and hit his face on Abbie's bed. He bleed like crazy, so I quickly whisked him off to the ER where he got 3 inner and 5 out stitches. It was pure torture to hold him down while they stitched him up and it's going to leave a pretty bad scar. He however forgot about it right away and went back to being a rough and tumble toddler climbing and balancing atop things. This kid is going to be the worst one.

 He played climb the couch as a game,while he giggled and looked back at me. I have no idea how to prevent this short of removing the furniture from the house.

Memorial Day

This isn't a day that affects me too much. It is usually just another day I get to spend with my own soldier. However this year after a tragedy that struck close to home has changed it for me. I cannot stop thinking about a young mom here that lost her husband in March in a training exercise. She has been so strong on the outside through it all, I can't imagine her pain that she is going through daily. May God be with her today and everyday as she lives on with his memories. He was a good man, who loved his family, and was a very dedicated soldier. So today I'm spending it remembering him and his family after their storm.

Honestly though there are not many days that go by and she doesn't cross my mind in some way. Her husband was just "in the field" with in miles from his home. Due to carelessness he was killed just shortly before he was to return home.

As a field artillery wife when I send my husband to the field, I'm never prepared for the goodbye. Sometimes he leaves so early in the morning I don't know he's gone and I certainly don't say goodbye or kiss him goodbye. He's so close that I assume he's safe and will be home shortly. He's not in a war, he's not taking opposition fire. He's out training and using new equipment.

After this tragedy, his leaving is just not the same. I make sure to say bye and to kiss him. The loss for this spouse and her kids has affected me and I didn't even know him more than being at the same party once or twice. Field exercises are not the same for me and I don't think they are for Tony either. I'm not sure how much he knows I think about accidents happening in the field, but all the time.

This is her announcement that she posted on Facebook. I had already heard that soldier was killed, but I had no idea who it was.
"Ok. It is time I make the worst announcement of my life. My husband, U.S. Army Captain Jonathan Frederick Wynkoop was killed yesterday morning during an field training accident. I see all of your messages, I hear all of your love, but honestly. Honestly I can't process these messages. My head is fogged. I am weary. I am not alone, I have help as I am still in Texas, and I know that I can contact anyone for help as need be. I will be. I love you all, but really I loved Jon the most. He was my everything. He was such a great example as a husband, father, son, friend, and colleague. His legacy will live on."

I'm not really sure how to finish this, but today is a day for remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 

Took the plunge into a home bases business and I'm so excited

I really never thought I would be so excited and love a product so much that I would consider selling it. But I found it. I am so excited for these products. I just want to share them everywhere. I am hoping this will be a successful business for me.

So what do I sell now? Norwex. While I'm not big on doing presentations, I really really like the norwex line and the fact that all of it is safe for kids (and pets if I had them).

My products will start arriving this week and I can't wait to use the mop the most. It is so simple and doesn't have to be washed after every use. It also can be rinsed and reused over and over so that I know the floor will be so much cleaner.

It will also be easy to hand the kids a cloth have them go clean their chore room and then rinse and hang when done. It won't add extra laundry or trash for me to have to deal with later.

Here is my website and I would love to have you host a party for me, www.katiehannasch.norwex.biz

Zander's in Kindergarten

I am just so excited about this little guy and his learning. He is so bright and so driven to keep going and to learn new things. He's 4. He won't be 5 until August and he's doing so well. He's doing great in math and reading. He's doing regular math up to about 10 or 12.

I was so worried about teaching him because he's very particular about what he's doing and I was afraid it would be hard to get him to focus. It has been super easy. He sits down does a few pages and then goes on. Yesterday he was doing beginning sounds. Now we haven't really worked on that, but he is whizzing through it and getting the answers right. It is just amazing to me.

I am worried about keeping up with his drive and pushing him to excel without overworking his little 4 year old ability.

The thrill of being a military family

There is so much thrill for me being a military wife. I love moving. I love being in new homes, new places, seeing the country (world). We are hoping to come down on orders to our next location very soon and I'm so excited. We will for one be closer to family, but far enough that we aren't local. 

I am having a really hard time as my local BFF is preparing to leave El Paso. We hang out several times a week. Her child and one of my child are smitten with each other. They can spend hours together and never get bored of one another. They truly enjoy each other and I enjoy hanging out with my friend. Her leaving is one of the reasons I've been pressing to get out of here, despite how much I love El Paso. 

We had such a blast PCSing last time that I'm ready to spend that time with my husband and kids again. However we are taking a vacation this year and will spend about 10 days together traveling to and from vacation location. 

I'm trying to enjoy the life I've been given. Make my kids and my husband happy, while still doing things for myself. 

My time is over and a little one is screaming for his bed and milk. Off to tend to a blessing. 

Cuddles

Today little Mase climbed up on my lap. And just cuddled me. It's amazing how special your babies are when they do that. He finally fell asleep because that's how he used to go to sleep is cuddling. He's not quite 14 months, but he's a crazy busy little boy. He really is a blessing to our family. I'm so glad God gave him to us.

However during my cuddles today I realized that you never know when the last cuddle like that will be (and I don't mean due to death), but when your babies just out grow it and it will never happen again.

I think it hit me because a few months ago Tony was in the field for an exercise and I asked Zach to sleep with me. He said he would lay there until I fell asleep, but he was too big to sleep with me. Where the heck did time go? He's 12 and won't sleep with him mom (and Mase).

Parenting really is one of the most special and amazing times in your life. If nothing else I have been so blessed to get to parent all 6 of these kiddos. They really are my favorite kids.

Hug and cuddle your babies because they are only little for a little while.