Three Things Thursday

Michelle over at Psalm 104:24 hosts Three Things this Thursday, where you share 3 random things that are going on in your life, anything really.  I only discovered Michelle's blog this morning, but I thought it would be fun to participate this week, since "Random" seems to be my middle name lately.  My blog is updated randomly.  I shower at random times of the day.  Last night, I even randomly decided which groceries I should put away (and which could wait until this morning) before I put the kids to bed and headed upstairs to work on the church bulletin.  (Of course, I really should have remembered to put the rice milk in the fridge.)

Anyway, on with the Three Things.... 

1.  I can't sew.  I have a sewing machine, but I really don't know how to use it.  Learning how seems a bit daunting.  Not only would I have to haul the thing out, set it up, and have Mark help me figure out how to thread the thing again, but then I have no idea what to do with it.  I have all of these projects I'd like to try.....making dryer sachets (a very easy first project) filled with dried herbs and essential oils, converting knee high socks into baby legs, this, this, and quite possibly several of these adorable retro aprons, but I have no clue where to start.  I know I must start somewhere though, and I'm quite sure "somewhere" will require a trip or two to JoAnn's with someone who actually does have a clue. 

2.  Tongue twisters are awesome!  After scouring the internet yesterday for some ideas on how to really engage Elise in Phonics, I discovered a technique using tongue twisters.  After some searching, I found a few that use the sounds we're learning in this unit (i, i-e, ie, y, igh).  First she memorizes the tongue twister without looking at it.  We begin by saying it slowly, until she's ready to try it fast.  Then I write it down, while she watches, so she can visualize the letters making the sounds in the words, and we post it on our wall.  So far, so good, and Phonics just became a little less tedious!  

3.  A couple of pictures, including my favorite one from our recent trip to my parents' house.           
My neighbor's apple tree in full bloom, taken from my bedroom window.  I was pretty pleased that I was able to avoid getting the window screen in the picture by practicing my manual focus skills.

Elise and Leah