Homeschool Mothers Journal- Week of 5/7/12

In my life this week… …it was my birthday. Yep, all week It felt like it! We take the day off of school when there is a birthday. Mine was no exception but…we never got started through the rest of the week. Oopsie… Next week is our last week of school for the year and it’s exam week. Dun dun dunnnn.

In our homeschool this week… …I do think one day some work was done. We received a review item for Algebra that Fox started work on, I just don’t recall which day. Lee was a little {wee little} better and more focused. She probably did two or three subjects on any given day. The rest of the week has just been a ‘home’ week- not much ‘school’. Next week though are exams. I’m excited about them- even if the kids are not I love, absolutely love homeschooling the Charlotte Mason way.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… …all the new and ‘great’ curricula out there isn’t all that great sometimes. Even the old sometimes. There are so many choices. I think that it’s a really good idea to find a homeschool family that is similar to your own, with similar goals and visions, then talk with them about how they homeschool. I think this will narrow the choices. From there, make a decision and stick with it {unless it is absolutely horrid}.  I think that jumping from one program to another is almost as bad as a horrid curriculum to start with. All this sage advice from a seasoned veteran homeschooler of …three years Heehee…yes that last sentence was sarcastic. Find what works for you and stick with it even if it gets tough sometimes.

I am inspired by… …it’s another dry spell, I fear. My ‘inspiration’ seems to be quite lacking. When I think of inspiration, I think of something profound and/or spiritual. Lately I have been immersing myself in making ATC cards and my mother- and sister-in-law sent me a screen printing book and a block printing kit, spurring a new fascination. So if I think in terms of here-and-now, then I am inspired by those in my ATC groups, for creating such neat swaps to participate in, as well as my in-laws for giving me a gift that I can get creative with.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… …we’ve not gone anywhere really. Seen no one either. Feels weird to say that. I was sick on Sunday so we didn’t go to church. Wednesday Fox had Young Marines and dh had to work late so I had to take him. The drive alone {round trip} is an hour and so I missed prayer meeting. I think next week {beside church on Sunday} we are going on a field trip with homeschoolers from our church to a local fire department. I know there is a chess meet on Saturday but Lee didn’t feel like going last week and I don’t know about the coming one either. Will wait and see.

My favorite thing this week was… …first this:

my kids put all 34 of my candles on the cake
that they baked and frosted. It was warm and bright!

…and then this:

birthday card from my mother- and
sister-in-law and a very touching
Mother’s Day card from my sister.

…and finally, this:

the ‘common’ American Woodcock, that is
‘nocturnal’, walking around my backyard
at 7:00 am

Things I’m working on… …oh goodness. I get tired of writing the same ol’ stuff here but I am always working on the same ol’ stuff! Now though I have a new thing to work on: screen printing and block printing. I’m excited about the possibilities. Otherwise, I’m getting ready for school break. Which leads to the next bit…
I’m reading… …I think I am still reading some of what I was reading last week {but I finished The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate- funny book!} and I’ve added The Voice New Testament from Thomas Nelson and Miracles by C. S. Lewis

And now it’s late… (this’ll post Saturday afternoon, I reckon) so I leave this with a nice photo collage that I’ve compiled from my phone, my camera and Lee’s camera {hers is much nicer than mine *wink*}

1) Speedball Block Printing Kit; 2) my acrylic ‘sketch’; 3) books to get rid of; 4) trying to get grass to grow; 5) lazy kitty; 6) just for the taste of it!; 7) my planted b-day presents

I’m linking up with the following places. Stop by and say hi!