Laundry Time!

What could be more fun than helping Mommy (or to Anthony, Aunt Liz) sort laundry?

You get to do something useful, be part of what the adults are doing, and have fun throwing clothes in a bunch of different baskets! And then of course there's the cool big washers and dryers and getting to measure the detergent and help fold socks and shirts. And then of course there's learning about why we have to put different color clothes in separate loads and why some shirts don't go in the dryer and why some clothes need to be ironed and some need to be folded and all other interesting things that little kids are just dying to learn.

Sharing chores sure makes life a lot more fun and interesting.

"It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth."

Lamentations 3:27

Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old

Teaching a Toddler Addition

Our math program has been horribly inconsistent since we began back in December. But today Hunter took his first addition "test" (the candy game) and amazingly understood the concept just fine.

The Doman math program (How to Teach Your Baby Math) uses a very simple, straightforward way of teaching babies and toddlers the realities of numbers and equations. You simply show them the facts, and they discover the rules.

For teaching a toddler addition, this translates into gathering three cards and showing them: "One" (hold up a card with one dot on it) "plus two" (show the card with two dots on it) "equals three" (show the card with three dots on it).

No explanation, just show the facts. Since they can actually see the true number of dots, they understand what "plus" means because they can see what is happening. Therefore, tiny children who have been taught true quantity (see blogs under "Teach Your Child ... Math" to learn more) can learn what plus, minus, times, and divided by mean in the same way that they learn "mine" - which is, by seeing these words used in action.

Hunter has probably seen about fifty or so addition equations such as this at scattered times, and he understands. Today I "tested" him for the first time, placing a fourteen and a twelve card on the floor and asking, "Hunter, what is eight plus four?"

He knew.

Later I asked him two more problems. Bingo. Once again, he understood.

It is such an exciting thing to see that this program is really working. When I first read the book, I laughed, then stood in suspicious awe, then dove into the program in faith, thinking, "But what if it DOES work..." But, as I am here to tell the world, you really CAN teach babies and toddlers the reality of math. And it's fun. And easy. And a very noble thing to do.

"The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips."

Proverbs 16:23

Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old

Aquarium with Grandma

Today Hunter and I went on Hunter's first "Grandma date". Growing up my Grandma would always take us somewhere for our birthdays instead of buying us a toy or something. We had a lot of good memories and now it's Hunter's turn with his great-grandma.

He had never been to the aquarium before, and it really made me want to study ocean life with him! There were so many interesting things and we caught a lot of it on video and a few pictures.

We got to hit most of the exhibits. One of his favorites was the King Komodo Dragon which was part of the special lizard exhibit they have going on. Although I must say he really was excited about meeting Baby Beluga whale from the Raffi song up close.

We got to see sharks, eels, sting-rays, anemone, tons and tons of fish, otters, snakes, frogs, penguins, and even some dolphins to name a few. We weren't able to see the dolphin show but maybe next time.

We left shortly after lunch and he was ready to crash from a fun day. I wish I could have written down all the names of all the fish they have there so I could teach them to Hunter so he would be really excited next time we go back. But even still, we had a great time and look forward to our next trip into the city.

"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?... Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas."

Psalm 8:4, 6-8

Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old

Coloring Easter Eggs

"And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you."

Matthew 28:7

Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old

He is Risen

Happy Easter everyone! We enjoyed this special day of celebration and reflection with the whole family. Hunter got to color Easter eggs for the first time with me. The boys were so cute all dressed up in matching suits, and Hunter enjoyed his Easter basket and all the candy.

I'm still not sure what to think about all these traditions we've adopted but haven't come up with any new ones just yet. It was fun though. And, most importantly, the main focus of our conversation was the true meaning of the season.






"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Romans 6:4

Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old 

More Birthday Fun

Today Hunter got to celebrate his birthday with aunt and uncle who were out of town on his real birthday party.

We went and saw Horton Hears A Who which was really cute and Hunter loved. I especially love the moral of the story: A person's a person no matter how small. Dr. Seuss must have been pro-life.

After that we went and got dinner and then went home and Hunter opened his way-cool present: Playmobil dinosaurs! I loved Playmobils growing up and they are very well-made, sturdy, and fun toys. I know Hunter is going to have fun with these for years to come. Right now I'm only giving him the T-rex and the two little velociraptors. The rest of the small pieces we'll get out a little latter.

Hunter really loves his Aunt and Uncle and looks forward to when they come over. He sure had a great time tonight and we're so glad we're so close.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1:17


Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old 

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"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love."

John 15:9

Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old

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"Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."

Psalm 60:12

Hunter is 3 years, 0 months old

Card Number Game

Today we played a game with playing cards about math.

He has never played with cards before and does NOT know numerals (symbols such as 1,2, or 9) but he did just fine with this game because he really does know quantity.

I laid out some pairs of cards (i.e. two five cards, two nine cards, two sixes, etc.), mixed them up and told Hunter to draw a card. Then he had to find the card with the same number on it. He smiled "okay" looked for about a second and a half and picked up the matching card. He did this again and again with no trouble whatsoever until all the matches were gone. Then he wanted to play again.

I just love it when I keep finding again and again that he really does know true quantity and he really is understanding what I'm teaching him in math. Moments like these make me smile.

"I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number"

Job 5:8-9

Hunter is 2 years, 11 months old

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"And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son."

1 Kings 17:13

Hunter is 2 years, 11 months old