Joshua is READING!!!

As of yesterday Joshua can read, I came across a web page called ABC Reading Eggs. It says your child can read in 6 weeks. I signed up for the free trial and have been letting Joshua play it almost as much as he would like since I don't know when the trial will end. They have mini games in each lesson learning how to say the sound the letter makes and every other lesson they start to learn words like am, Sam, I, at, cat... etc. Joshua can read the words I, am, Joshua, Sam, Cat, fat, sat, bat. I can write out on paper sentences like; I am Sam, I am Joshua, Sam I am, I am a fat cat, I saw a bat. He can read it all. If he doesn't know the word he can sound out the first letter like the b in bat, then he says at because he knows that word, he gets excited once he has it figured out. I need to go the library now to get some easy readers for him so he doesn't loose what he has learned. We might be reading even more than we are already... I think that could be a good thing.

Once this trial runs out we might have to buy the program. It is $54.00 I think but we aren't paying for Preschool so I think it would be worth it. This program creates a lot less stress on me because I'm not having to sit down with him and force him to listen to me. He gets to play his computer game while he learns how to read. I think that is a pretty good deal for me and him.

I am so proud of him and cannot believe he can read some words now and write his name correct. I cannot believe he will be 5 in February and is learning so much already... My little guy is growing up.

Update.

Aside from my last post it has been FOREVER since I wrote last so I thought I would give you an update.

We are doing well and staying busy. Michael, Will and I just got back from my cousins wedding in Texas on Monday. We had a WONDERFUL time and are so glad we went. Aside from missing our flight out of Denver the rest of the trip went well. We flew out of Denver and into Dallas, picked up a rental car and drove 2 1/2 hours to Temple Texas. We were able to see 15 family members as well as my cousins new bride and her daughter. It was so much fun, my family is a hoot. I LOVE my time with them and always look forward to the next time we are able to get together again.

Joshua stayed the weekend with my sister and her three children in Denver. He had a great time playing games, watching movies, swimming, and eating cake and icecream at my nieces birthday party. It was a great mini vacation for Michael and I. Not having a three year old around that demands a lot of our time and attention was quite the treat.

We did make our return flight on Sunday, stayed the night with my sister and drove home on Monday. We are now back to normal and aren't planning on any trips for quite awhile.

Friday I went garage sale-ing and found some bar stools. They are oak, tall, swivel seat, with backs, and I got them for $5 a piece (total 2 stools). I thought I got quite the deal. Friday night Michael went to the Honda dealership inquiring about a job that was listed in the newspaper (the job was just for Friday night and Saturday morning moving vehicles around). While he was there he found a Honda, Odyssey '95. I had been eyeing one that was parked on Custer a lot. It is like a van, it has four bucket seats and a bench seat in back that can hold two people. The side back doors don't slide open they open like a regular car. The back bench seat can fold down into the floor for easy hauling, and it has a rack on top. It fits our family GREAT. We are so thankful for the Lord that he gave us a new vehicle. We were able to trade our car in for the new one, and they took our offer after some negotiating. We ended up going back to talk to the Sales Rep on Saturday and that is when we got the car. We signed the papers today.

Will is growing like crazy and Joshua is doing great. Michael is still finishing some classes and will be done with them soon.

I think that is about it for now. I'll try to post some pictures later. At least I posted an update. :)

Happy first day of Fall

I love fall and everything that comes with it. The cool, crisp air, changing leaves, farmer's markets, zucchini, squash, and fresh baked breads. Short walks, and last visits to the park before the snow. I love finding the cute little costume my little monster will wear at each Halloween. I like sweaters, scarves, hats and mittens and drinking cocoa or cider from my mugs. I love the pink little nose my son gets after playing outside. Since Joshua has been born I have grown a special place for fall in my heart. I have gone on many walks with him and I enjoy watching different areas of Laramie change with the season. This season feels like the beginning of the year to me. Since 1989 either I have started a new school year or my husband has started a new school year in the fall. I like the line in the movie You've Got Mail "Fall makes me want to buy school supplies" "If I knew your name and address I'd send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils." I think it would be funny to actually receive a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils.

Here are some pictures of trees right out our window. I thought the colors were beautiful and had to take a picture of it all before it went away.

If you click on the picture you can see all the colors better.