Another musician!

Emilia recently joined the boys at Mrs. Hines piano studio.  I've been so impressed with her work ethic--she's been practicing everyday without me having to say anything and is making remarkable progress.  I'm so proud of her! 

{this moment}

Lots-o-limbs

You know your kids are getting close to those teenage years when every time you look at them it seems like they have limbs sticking out everywhere.  :) Ready or not, here come the tweens!  

Composing

Josiah has started working on writing his song again.  Here he is working on it tonight:  

The Cat Wearer

The kids are often jealous because Idgie loves to ride around on my shoulder.  But let me tell you, it makes things REALLy complicated!!  It's like holding a newborn--with claws!  

Plus, morning school prep is a bit more quite difficult with a purring cat riding on my shoulder.  Anyone know of a way to cat wear so I can still have 2 hands free??

It's Math U See!

We're starting the day off with some math.  At our house, we love Math-u-see.  I love how it allows them to see the math concepts, the how and why for adding and subtracting as well as multiplying and dividing.  As the boys have gotten older, I feel like they have a solid understanding of numbers and how they work together, which has made me even more excited to teach the girls with this curricuculum.  :). 

Braiding

Emilia is learning to braid hair all by herself.  Which means that all of us with long hair are subjected to her trials and errors.  So if you see us sporting super-fancy looks around town, now you know why.  :). 

(Also, thanks go to Aunt Jenny for donating all of her old hair bows.  They are being put to good use!). 

Bittersweet

Audra still crawls in bed with us partway through the night, but over the last few months, it's started happening less.  So I take more pictures, of course!  I just never know when it will be the last time that I wake up with her little arm around my neck and hear her sweet voice say, "Can I have a carry out?"  

She's Doing it!

Some times it feels like I'm never going to be done with teaching my kids to read.  Josiah really spoiled me by learning on his own.  None of the others have been as easy and all have been, to varying degrees, reluctant.  I believe I will throw myself a party when all is said and done. (I'm only halfway kidding) 

But never the less--here we are!  Emilia is closer and closer every day to being an independent reader.  I'm so excited for her!  (And for me!) :)

A New Project

I'm trying to get back to the things that are truly important in life.

 I'm playing more games with the kids and reading more books to them.

 I'm reading more books on my own and rediscovering how much I love to read just for fun.

I'm trying to be in the picture more with my children so when they get older, they have pictures with me in them to reminisce about their childhood.

 I'm taking more photos of our everyday life here at the Mustaleski Family Circus, instead of just posed family photography.

 And I want to share it with you! I've got some catching up to do because I started this in January, but no time to start like the present! So here is the beginning of my current project: My 365.

 One picture, every day, for one year.

 Don't know if I'll make it all the way through, but I'm having fun trying! :)

 My 365 - Week 1

 1/365 Shadow does NOT approve of Josiah's reading selection

2/365 Dancing in the Living Room

3/365 Sick on the couch with the bucket, her bear, and her markers.

4/365 Stunt Man

5/365 Losing at Memory Match to my favorite 4 year old

6/365 Story Time with Big Baby

7/365 Starting the day with a game of "Trash"