BIG Day

Today was a big day in the life of our family......Emma Kate had her first Kindergarten test.  It was a review test of all the things that she has learned so far in English and Math.  I wasn't sure how she was going to do on this test since I couldn't help her.  She sat down at the table and I explained to her what she needed to do.  I know you are wondering - did she pass or not!?!  SHE PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS!!!!  I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of her right now.  She continues to enjoy being schooled at home.  She even tells people that we see out and about that she is home schooled.  I continue to enjoy educating her at home.  It is such a joy to be able to see your child learn and grow.  

Until next time........

Michelle

This Weeks Recipe

Here is this weeks recipe for you to enjoy.  This is very fast to make and is extremely good.  Hope you enjoy ~ Michelle

Pasta Salad

* 1 package of bow tie pasta

* 1- 1 1/2 cups of mayo

* 1 package of powdered ranch dressing

* 1 can of mandarin oranges

*  1/4 cup red or green grapes (halved)

*  1 cup chicken (optional)

* Cook bow tie pasta

* Boil chicken and cut into pieces

* Once chicken and pasta is done mix all together with other ingredients

* Refrigerate until cold

*  Serve and enjoy!

Poems

I can not tell you how grateful I am to the Father for the eagerness of learning that he has put in my child's heart.  She amazes me each and every day.  She longs to do more and strives to glorify the Father by doing her best.  As a part of our schooling we are learning some poems.  She has memorized two poems already - they are as follows:

"Sir roaster is a noisy chap,  He wakes you from your morning nap.  He sleeps but little all night through,  Crows at eleven, one and two."

"Mrs. Hen, the kind old dame,  Always dresses just the same;  She talks all day about her joys,  And lays nice eggs for girls and boys." 

It is great to see her running through the house or standing like she is on a stage saying these poems.  We are very proud of the progress that she has made and are very thankful to the Father for this opportunity to school her at home.

Michelle

Favorite Recipes

I thought that I would take the time and share with you a few receipes that our family enjoys. These will be fast, easy and some can even be frozen.  I am going to start posting one recipe per week.  I hope you enjoy ~  Michelle

Gram's Chicken Tetrazzini

* 1/2 cup bell pepper - chopped

* 1 large onion - chopped

* 1 cup chickn broth

* 4 cups chicken - boiled
* 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup

* 1/4 teaspoon of celery salt

* 1 tablespoon of worchestershire sauce

* salt and pepper

* 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

* 1  eight ounce box of spaghetti - cooked

* Cook bell pepper and onion in broth

* Mix all ingredients together except for 1/2 cup of cheese

* Place in baking dish

* Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese

* Heat for 25 minutes at 325 degrees until cheese has melted

* Can be frozen

Kindergarten

We started getting all of our Kindergarten books in this past week.  Each time a new book has come in we have showed them to Emma Kate and have told her these were her new Kindergarten books.  Today was our official first day of Kindergarten.  This morning we woke up bright and early and the first thing out of Emma Kate's mouth was "Momma are you ready to start Kindergarten?"  I began to tell her that we probably needed to eat some breakfast before we got started.  She, however, did not want any part of that.  So, I gathered all of our books together and we got up to our dining room table and started immediately.  Her excitement was contagious!   As I began to teach her she amazed me with her ability to pick things up so quickly.  We did language arts, math and history this morning.  After lunch we will have some time of reading and when Daddy gets home this evening he will be teaching her Bible.  As I was bringing our morning school time to a close she didn't want to stop!  She kept asking to do more and more.   I am so thankful that I have this time with her and am looking forward to the upcoming year (and eventually homeschooling my other girls as well).  

Michelle

Happy New Year 2009

We have been so blessed in the last year - we can't imagine what the Lord has in store for us in 2009.  With a new year comes new changes.  We start off our new year with celebrating the birth of our oldest child, Emma Kate.  She will be 4 years old the end of January.  We can not believe how she has grown and that she will be 4 years old.  We sometimes look at each other and say "didn't we just bring her home from the hospital?"  We will continue to home school her - she loves being home to learn and loves her Mommy being her teacher.  Her ability to learn has exceeded our expectations and we will start kindergarten in a few weeks.  Sometime near the end of March we will, Lord willing, have a new addition to our family.  We are excited about the birth of our third daughter, Maggie Ann.  We can't wait to see what she looks like (even though we know she’ll probably look like Brian) and hold our precious little one that the Lord has entrusted in our care.  Caroline will be 2 years old in August.  "Sweet Caroline" doesn't even begin to tell you about her!  She loves her sister very much, she loves animals (especially puppies) and loves for you to just hold her and nurture her.  Brian and Michelle are keeping busy with church, work, teaching youth Bible Study, guitar lessons, teaching our children the ways of the Lord and just being Mommy and Daddy.  We look forward to a great 2009.  Happy New Year from our family to yours.

 

Brian, Michelle, Emma Kate and Caroline

Girl Time

I know, you are thinking "Girl Time!?! What other time is it in the McCollough household?"  Let me explain.  Brian and I have decided that our oldest daughter, Emma Kate, is old enough to start helping with some chores around the house.  We have made a chore chart for her and at the end of the week, if she has completed all of her chores, she will receive a reward.  Now, let me tell you, these chores are not anything hard. We are talking about cleaning up toys, helping to set and clear the table, taking the laundry to the laundry room, etc.  This morning was the first day that we started with the chore list/chart.  I can not tell you how thrilled I am that BOTH of my girls want to help.  Yes, I did say BOTH of my girls.  Even my 16 month old daughter, Caroline is eager to help!  Today is laundry day in our house.  I sorted the laundry and  then asked Emma Kate to please help me take the laundry to the laundry room.  She was very happy to help.  To my amazement, I turned around and there was Caroline carrying her part to the laundry room as well.  I can not tell you how thankful I am to be able to stay at home and teach my girls how to be good homemakers and to love the Lord and glorify Him (even through the housework) in everything you do.  I look forward to may more days of teaching them, not only their schoolwork, but also how to be godly women for Him!  

Michelle