Dalton Family

Wow! Can I just say I cannot believe it is the end of November and Thanksgiving is almost here, never mind Christmas! The blanket of snow as we came out of church was a reminder we are all ready in winter up here in Idaho! Yikes, I hate Idaho winters and I have only lived through one ( if we could just convince them to plow and salt the roads I would be a happy woman). But I am determined to enjoy this winter and not hide out in my house. When my kids were younger I constantly wanted an excuse to leave the house, so I would often take them out to just drive around or go get a drink (since I recently stopped drinking soda- that is not as much fun as it used to be). But now all though I still love to get out, I can spend the whole day in and never notice the outside world. Just the regular routine during the school week with all three kids seems to take a lot more time than it used to.

This year homework takes on a whole new meaning. I feel like the kids do almost all their school work at home! We (I include myself because it is WORK) spend a couple of hours a night to get it all done. Most of that time is spent helping Emmett learn to read and I am so grateful for his determination, but he moves at a MUCH slower pace than me and I have to use a lot more patience than I have, to sit next to him and keep at it. But he really is making incredible progress and I am so happy about that. Madey just really learned to read on her own and I don't remember any struggle. It seems everything Emmett learns takes a while to really sink in, but his patience and determination are unmatched by anyone I know. I really think these qualities will eventually serve him well in his education. Madey has been doing a lot of creative writing for her homework and I really feel for her there. (sometimes just putting thoughts to words for this blog can be painful for me). But thankfully she seems to be taking after her dad and writes really well. I do love her history homework though. Sometimes I sneak her history book out of her backpack so I can read it too. Conner is writing his name! YEAH! I love good preschool teachers! He does love school but still tells me every Tuesday and Thursday morning that he is NOT going to school. You have to love the kid for his persistence.

Emmett just finished is physical therapy! YEAH! He met all his goals, but one (the bike). He did really great and I can really see the difference it has made. I think it has helped him with his reading. I know that sounds crazy but its true. He is still in speech and is making great strides in that as well. He still has a while to go in that but I am thinking of pulling him out and trying to do it on my own. Our insurance doesn't cover it as well as we thought and speech therapy is three times the cost that physical therapy is. Crazy. But I think I can do it. He has been taking it for a while and I have a lot of information on it. Emmett has been learning so much this year, its a wonder he gets "free time" at all.

That's my beef with all the homework. Once the kids come home, do all the homework and reading, do there chores, and anything else they have going on like piano and speech (which are the only two things our family has outside of school) how are they supposed to have down time or hang out with friends and family?? Let's just say we have a celebration every Friday!! It's just a faze I know... there's a time for everything.

All that complaining aside, I just have to say I love Thanksgiving. And I love this time of year. I am incredibly grateful for all I have. I have three beautiful kids that I get to help teach. I have a wonderful best friend and husband in Cory. And I have a wonderful family. The example of my mother and sisters these past few weeks has had a life changing effect on me. I hope I can live up to their example. I am grateful for prayer and faith and that those principle were taught and are still being taught to me through example, by many. I am very thankful for Cory's family and so happy that Lily is here to complete it.
And So.. Happy Thanksgiving to All