A new chapter: Homeschooling

Tomorrow starts a new chapter in our household.  Instead of the kids getting up and putting on uniforms, rushing to catch the bus and coming home and having the age old homework battle; the kids will be getting up, sitting at the kitchen table and being taught by their father.  Tomorrow we officially start homeschooling.
The decision to homeschool was not taken lightly.  We loved the kids school, especially the teachers and the principal.  But after over a year of research and discussion we took the leap.  I wont lie, I am slightly worried about the decision.  When the kids had teachers I knew that we didn't have to teach them everything, now they look to us (mainly Nick) to learn everything they need to know.  I will say growing up till 6th grade I went to a Montessori school and we did a lot of workbooks and when I heard that in that way homeschooling was similar, that actually made it doable.
I will say this summer was kind of weird.  No back to school shopping, except for the curriculum (and Daddy took care of that).  No calendar filled with back to school night, uniform sales and such.  
For anyone that homeschools or knows anything about it, we are going with the Seton Catholic Curriculum along with Saxon Math.  The kids will be learning Latin for the first time and we will be learning it right there with them (hey we will be all set if they ever go back to a Latin Mass!)
We want to thank all the homeschool parents and regular teachers that have helped us to make sure we are on the right track.  
The kids are excited... I think this will help them develop their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses.  
So tomorrow's back to school pictures will be a little different, but I will be excited to return home from work and hear all about their day!

C-Ya!

Holiday Card 2008

Yes, it is over a month since Christmas, we did send these out a couple weeks before Christmas. But since traditionally I also post it to my blog, here you go....



I wish to say that 2008 was even better then 2007, but unfortunately that was not the case in the Pickert Household.
We started out the year with a huge loss. Melissa’s father, Ken, died from Multiple Myeloma (cancer). Losing another parent has been devastating and we really miss him. For those that never had a chance to meet Ken, he was such a wonderful man whose favorite things were his Grandchildren and good conversation.
Unfortunately, a couple months later we also loss our little dog Maggie when she was hit by a car. She was an awesome dog and Nick and Melissa miss her sleeping between their heads at night.
And in the “death comes in three” categories, Melissa’s Grandma also died in September from Dementia.
We did bring a new life into the house. In March we did get a new Shih Poo, Lucy. And while she will never live up to her older sister, Maggie, she is a pretty good dog, especially around Carter.
Nick was busy with work again. Pepperberry Gardens even was part of a booth with Stonepocket at the Midwest Fall Home & Garden Show and even won “best landscape booth”. You may have even seen him on WCCO-TV talking about it. At church, Nick started his term as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and safely installed a 48,000 pound boulder outside in the front of Our Lady of the Lake Church.
Melissa has been enjoying staying at home but recently did take a temporary job. She is still active in MOMS club and her quest to visit every site on the internet!
Jeffrey is an active first grader who loves math and music and is not such a fan of writing in school. He recently joined Cub Scouts. He still loves to do anything outside, and even is our household’s snow shoveler.
Samantha is enjoying her last year of preschool and loves to color and write words. She started dance this year and is our little social butterfly.
Carter turned one on Halloween and is really giving us a run for the money. He walked and got his first teeth before he turned one (before his brother and sister did) and gets into everything. He loves being with his family and getting all the attention. He is starting to make sounds and we swear he can say mama, dada and up!
Ole Scooter the Chihuahua is still trying to be our guard dog. And Max got to enjoy a hunting trip to South Dakota (with Nick and Jeffrey).
We are hoping 2009 is filled with adventure and good fortune.
Merry Christmas Love,
Happy Hannukah Nick, Melissa, Jeffrey, Samantha & Carter,
Happy New Year Max, Lucy & Scooter

Today I am thankful for.... my husband!

(taken yesterday for his official Grand Knight photo)

I think it is appropriate that I choose today to be thankful for my husband because today is his birthday. Nick came into this world 33 years ago, and even though he says he is a dirt bag and maybe shouldn't been born (he actually was a miracle baby), I am grateful that he is here. Like most people, our marriage is filled with highs and lows but in the end we know we will be there for each other, through thick and thin. We have been through a lot, the worst being saying Goodbye to both of our fathers and his and Jeffrey's burns as well as Carter's surgery, but I am so grateful we have had each other. And of course he is the father to our three wonderful children (who all look like him!). So Happy Birthday and Thank You Nick for being my Love.

C-Ya!

Spouse

I got this from Cowtown Stacy and knew I had to copy... even if she didn't tag me!!!

(he may shoot me if he knew I put a "naked Nick" picture online - btw.. he is not naked, just has his shirt off!)
What is his name? Nick
How long have you been married? Just celebrated 8 years
How long did you date? It was 2 months before we got engaged... we got married three years and 2 days after our first date.
How old is he? 32
Who eats more? Him... though I do eat faster!
Who said I love you first? He did.
Who is taller? He is. That was one of my requirements.. of course when you are 5'2" most guys are. He is 6'1" or 6'.. he can never decide.
Who sings better? ME! And he knows it.
Who's temper is worse? Probably him... because he is more passionate about things.
Who does the laundry? Me, if I had to wait for him to have time (especially in the summer) it would never get done.
Who pays the bills? He makes it, I spend it.
Who cooks dinner? I do about 75% of the time.. of course more in the summer.
Who mows the lawn? Neither one of us... he used to own a lawn care company.. and is such a perfectionist that I could never do it, but again, he doesn't have time. So his former business partner mows it!
Who wears the pants in the family? If I had to name someone I would say more him, but we are pretty equal.
OK, so I need to tag someone ... Diane (even if you don't get married for a couple weeks) and Roxanne (because you need a blog... even if Fredo needs to write it)

C-Ya!

Happy 8th Anniversary!

On this day 8 years ago I told Nick that I would be his wife forever.. 8 years, through all the highs and lows we are celebrating our anniversary. Tonight we left the kids with our good friends and we went out, just the two of us, on a real date for the first time since Carter was born.
Rarely do we have pics just the two of us... but here is us in May at the Knights convention (which we had to take Carter to)..


Happy Anniversary Dear.

C-Ya!

Blog, I have neglected you!

Yes, blog, I am sorry... I have neglected you.
And it is not like I have not had the time to write... especially since I got the new (awesome) laptop.
Just wanted to let you know, the pregnancy is going well... we are at 25+ weeks. The baby sure likes to move and kick and punch more then Jeffrey and Samantha did. Most of the time it is amazing, except when I am trying to get some sleep.
Nick is still crazy busy... he is a landscaper and it is the summer. He has taken Jeffrey to work a couple times and everyone calls him Nick Jr.
Jeffrey is doing well... we just got done with some summer speech therapy which I am sure it has helped. He has had a bad streak of accidentally breaking things lately - and unfortunately they are usually made of glass.
Samantha is on the course to being a self-proclaimed Big Girl. She got rid of her Buba about a month ago ("blankie"), we took the side rails off her bed yesterday, and if she is dry today it will be day 7 (in a row) without an accident. She is looking forward to hitting 10 days when Daddy will take her to work with him.. and 14 days when she gets some Dora underwear.
As for me... sticking inside as much as possibly on these 80+ days with high humidity.. I feel so much better and don't get headaches that way. Also, I have been busy because I couple months ago I was elected the MOMS club President in my area. I am having a blast being Prez, especially since I have a marvelous board and great members.
Otherwise blog, I hope things have been well. I do know I should post a pregnancy picture soon and maybe some of the kids this summer.
Till next time.
C-Ya