Still enjoying skiing

We are still enjoying skiing as a family. This day started with some sunshine (unlike last week when it was snowing all day).

Here is Emma trying to escape with Fil's poles while we were trying to come up with a plan for the day.

One of the rare pictures of Sam. He was ready to get on the mountain. I am thinking we will have to get some of those walkies talkies. My skiing abilities are way too boring for the boys.

On this particular day Emma wanted to ski only with daddy. So I was feeling a little bit left out.

She did great and I am surprised how much energy this little girl has.

I had to chuckle to watch Emma trying to put her little skis on the rack. I bet you cannot even see her. She is smaller than most of those skis and snowboards.

She is the one in the yellow helmet.

Taking a rest.

And here are the boys with their friends making plans for the afternoon.

Another day on the mountain and no broken bones. I count that as a blessing.

More snow coming to New England SOON.

Family Fun on Friday

The ski season officially started this Friday for our family. There are now three Steiger kiddos on the hill so you better watch out. This year we knew we had to move onto bigger mountains since the boys have been skiing for a long time and are bored on small hills.

So that is what we did and we took Emma with us. She might as well ski on a big hill.

Nate had a blast skiing with daddy.

Well and Emma spent most of the time with me. Yep that is right I am back on skis and of all people I was the one who ended up teaching Emma.I know she is with daddy here but how else I was going to take pictures.

We have a great friend who watched Jo all day for us so I could keep an eye on Emma.

Nate showing how he felt after a whole day of skiing. They started at 10am and we left at 5pm.

Emma did a fantastic job and she was not giving up. We took little breaks in between but other than that we were on the hill most of the time.

Wondering where is Sam? So were we. We did not see him most of the day. He had lunch with us but other then that our skiing was too boring for him. He had skiing buddies so we knew he was not alone. You go Sam.

Homeschooling multiple grades

Jen had a good question about how to handle school with all the children in the family. I will try to explain how I do it and what plans I have for next year.

Sam and Nate are only year apart in age and they would normally be in two different grades (Sam second grade and Nate first grade). Emma just turned three so I am not so worried about her. I have always done the same grade with both of my boys. I know families who's children are three grades apart and still they do same curriculum for all of them.

Bible, History, Geography, Read Alouds and Science are same grade (second) for both of my boys. I highly recommend this so you do not get overwhelmed with too much work. Nate has no problems. However, Language arts and Math I keep Nate at his age level. It works out great for them and for me. (Anything extra the boys do they do together at a same level like typing on the PC, or crafts etc.)(This year I put a puzzle piece on the wall for each book we read during our school time.)

For next year I am planing to start with Emma as well. I will keep her at her level (but keep in mind that Jordan will be with Emma in the same grade like Sam and Nate are at some point) The girls are two years apart and again I am planing to separate Language Arts and Math. Anything else they will do the same. Since Sam and Nate are doing great reading I am planing on keeping them involved with the girls. They already read to the girls on their own so the girls reading will become part of Sam and Nate school work (under my watchful eye).

(This is my basket with school stuff for the next day. I get ready for each day after we are done with school work. I do look over the whole curriculum in the beginning of the year to get the idea but I do get ready every day for the next day.)
As for Jordan and Emma during our school time right now it is their free time to play (just remember to close ALL bathroom doors and keep all pens and pencils and crayons and markers out of the reach of little fingers unless you would like to have drawings all over your walls). I do have a basket just for the girls with stuff for them to do. They are allowed to use it only during school time and it is fun for them (mostly for Emma at this age). There are plenty of web sites and blogs with ideas for little children. I have to admit that at this point it just looks too much extra work for me.
I hope this helps some of you. As you can see I am planing on doing two different grades for my kids (boys and girls). Then again the word 'flexible' keeps popping in my head so keep that in mind as well :)
On another note we are in full swing with ski lessons. The boys are doing so great this year. Both Sam and Nate are having fun on the big hill and they cannot wait to go with Dad during the week. Jo is not interested at all and she doesn't like the cold weather. On the other hand Emma keeps shouting every day that she wants to ski as well. She will get a taste later with Fil and then we will see (it has been a long time since I skied. Looks like I will have to wait until Jordan gets interested and then we can all go).



Poor Jordan. It got cold this Monday during ski lessons and her eyes were so watery. She just wanted to stay inside and eat snacks the whole time (and climb up and down the stairs).

Ski lessons - Done

We are done with ski lessons. (finally) I thought it would never end. The last few lessons were cancelled so we had to make them up. So on Monday, our last lesson, was a double session. Fil took the late afternoon off to help the instructors with kids on the chairlifts. They all skied from 3.30pm until 7pm. They had a great time. Sam improved so much this past year. He is doing very well and was racing daddy down the hill. He is very much in control the entire way down.
Nate improved as well. He is doing his pizza and he can slightly turn. Much better then last year.


It was very nice and sunny on Monday so I let Emma wear my sunglasses.
And here she is. Our fairy.

Ski lessons

We are back to ski lessons. This year we started on time not in February like last year.

Here is Nate warming up before he headed up the hill. Nice pose Nate!



And here is Sam coming down the hill.

This year the boys have 2 hour lessons in the afternoon and it gets crazy on the hill. We saw some of our friends out there and it was good for me to catch up with them. Even though we do have the option to sit inside the lodge to stay warm Emma preferred to be outside the whole time. It gave me the opportunity to practice with my new camera.
She was willing to pose any time I asked. She also made lots of new friends. Fil even made it on his way home from work for the last 15 minutes so he got to see boys skiing.

Ski Lesson

Nate ready for his ski lesson to start.
Sam

Well it finally got cold in New England. Due to the warm weather the ski lessons were canceled for three weeks so here we are in the middle of January and we are actually very happy about the cold front.

Anyhow the boys made it to their first ski lesson this week. (On time) And let me tell you it take some talent to get two boys and a girl ready in the winter. :) But we made it in time and the boys had a great time.

Since the parents are not allowed on the hill with the kids I did not get good pictures but I did more video taping instead so Fil could have seen it later in the day. If you are wondering why the kids have balloons on their helmets it is for the ski instructors to know which child is their. (very good idea)

There are three kids for one instructor. The boys are in a different group but they were on a same hill. Both of them are doing a great job. They can get down the hill for sure. (Some turning and stopping will be in order to learn) Emma just enjoyed beautiful day outside. So could barely move being all bundle up. (but she stayed warm for sure)