Homeschool Mother’s Journal- Week of 5/14/12

In my life this week…
…it seems that I’ve been slacking but not really. I’ve had something that had to get done just about every day {and I *did* get at least that one thing done}. Otherwise it’s been a fairly laid back week.

In our homeschool this week…
…still exams. Well, they actually pretty much finished up yesterday. I thought that they might so left Friday as a ‘make-up’ day or refining day. I must admit {trying not to be negative rather, constructive} that effort was not put forth as well as I know it could/should have been on some parts. I forgot to do any posts yesterday about the exams {did I do it for Day #3 either??} but will probably write one up tonight or tomorrow about my thoughts {and their answers}.

Other than than, we have two neat review items that we have to really get into. One is Homeschool Spanish Academy {haven’t actually ‘received’ it yet- super excited about it though!}, the other Pearson Learning, Algebra 1. I am hoping that HSA can be used with both the kids but if not, then Lee will get the privilege. Fox is using Pearson {oh, he’s just overjoyed heehee} (Perhaps this is more of  a ‘next week’ thing)

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
…um…*cricket chirp*… OH! No mother is an island   Seek out other homeschoolers. The support you’ll get {or most certainly should} will help you even if you don’t realize it at first, or even if you didn’t know you needed it. At least once in a while is a good idea. I love being a hermit a lot of the time but sometimes… we do need interaction.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
…Saturday Fox is going to be serving lunch at a homeless shelter in downtown Cleveland and hubby will be in Elyria, for the 2012 International Learn to Fly Day. Lee and I aren’t really going to be doing much of anything. I had thought of taking Lee to Mentor for the chess meet but since I have to get Fox to his community service project, it’d be a lot of driving. Lee and I might hang out at the library somewhere. I have wanted to visit the Cleveland Public Library; that might be the perfect time.

Lee had an interview with a homeschooling family to watch their two boys every other week. It wasn’t a long drive {about 17 miles from us}. While she did that Fox and I went to the James A. Garfield historic site in Mentor, OH. We didn’t go through any of the buildings, just the visitor’s center. It wasn’t a planned visit.

My favorite thing this week was…
…finding out that the second WondLa book is available through the library! Oh yea, I requested it.

What’s working/not working for us…
…I’m telling ya, laziness just does not work. I knew this, right. Always have known it but sometimes…sometimes it feels so nice to be lazy. Until you have to do extra work because of the laziness.

Questions/thoughts I have…
…how am I going to schedule next year? We have a few goings-on at the start of our school year and we barely made it day-wise this year {lol did we actually make it? I’ll never tell- shush you over there who knows!}.

Things I’m working on…
…trying to preread books for next year. I got distracted by a few review books so it was set aside for a bit. Now that school is ‘done’ {with the exception of our review products} I can focus more- I hope. Books I’m reading for this ‘work’ are The Birth of Britain by Churchill, A History of the American People by Johnson,… oh, forget it, I’m not going to list them all here. If you’d like to see the books I’m trying to preread here’s where to find them- Y7Lite, Y9 {not all of the books lol- I wouldn’t make it!}.

Other than that, I am trying to get my house clean! Spring cleaning a bit late *wink*. We have a few areas that have dust bunnies and cobwebs. I just have a difficult time staying caught up with the every day things {doing dishes, washing clothes, watering, etc} that I forget the other things too often.

I’m reading…
…for my own enjoyment I’m still reading The Fort by Bernard Cornwall, Miracles by C. S. Lewis, King of Glory told by P. D. Bramsen and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I finished Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren and Heiress by Susan May Warren. I am still plugging away at Flatland by Abbott but uh, it’s a strange book!

I’m cooking…
…just enough to get by. I would love to have a farm where I could pick fruit and veggies, stock up on them, have some chickens lay eggs, and maybe have a goat for milk. I dislike shopping at the store, spending an exorbitant amount and still running low mid-month. Ridiculous.

I’m grateful for…
…after my complaining about running low on foodstuffs, I am so very grateful that we do have what we have. So often we have luxuries that I take for granted. Yesterday I was able to get the kids an ice cream treat at the Dollar Tree {and a Mt. Dew for myself}. When I do things like that I think to myself “I could have purchased a loaf of bread instead”. It’s not like we live without. We have  a lot in our lives and I am very grateful for God’s provisions; He also gives us our wants {I just need to be careful not to confuse the two}.

A photo collage…

		Camera Phone Friday 5/18/12 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

1) James A. Garfield at the historic site in Mentor, OH; 2) our resident birds- either Black-Capped or Carolina Chickadees (Parus atricapillus or carolinensis); 3) White Clover (Trifolium repens ) in the B&N parking lot; 4) wee little moth on my screen door this morning; 5) James A. Garfield and the Civil War plaque at the historic site in Mentor, OH; 6) A Hero for WondLa at Barnes &Noble; 7) Fox at B&N; 8) James A. Garfield’s “Lawnfield” in Mentor, OH; 9) Purple Clover (Trifolium ??) in the B&N parking lot
{I put the scientific names because I’ve just discovered them!}

I’m linking up with the following hops- stop by and join up

     

 

Week #27- 9 More to Go (45 Days!)

In my life this week…
…I finally got to work! One day and only 3.5 hours but hey! It is a few extra dollars. I had two weeks off because they had to cut hours- drastically. My ds, Fox, graduated from Young Marines boot camp. Also, I posted reviews (you may have seen them).
…I watched the Simply Charlotte Mason DVDs that I got. I learned a few things.

In our homeschool this week…
…same ol’, same ol’? Not much going on. But I must record it (here, or it *won’t* be recorded- feel free to scroll down):

…For Fox:
Bible: Reading Deut. 34, Joshua 1 &2, John 10; verse Romans 12:1-6 {we’ve begun using MemVerse}; Who Am I?, read 90-108, did pages 64-77 in notebook; Saints & Heroes 1/2 of William the Silent (narration)
Math: Saxon Algebra 1, reviewing formulas
English: Jensen’s Grammar Lesson 22; Age of Fable chapter 37 (Hindu religion); The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Church (continuing reading); Bronze Bow (still working with Progeny Press study guide); Pictures in Cursive (Level E)
Science: Creek Edge Press Task Card #7-12 (PowerPoint Presentations); The Story Book of Science chapter 42; The Sciences (pages 219-229); Archimedes chapter 4 & 5
History/Geography: Story of the Romans chapter 8 & 9 (written narration); Roman Republic (pages 1-12)A Journey Through Learning notebooking pages; Asia Hands of A Child notebook pages and Around the World in 180 Days questions.
Foreign Language: Review (up to Lesson 10)
Ohio Study: Research for presentation on the Wright brothers.

…And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 11-13, Romans 6 & 7; verse Psalm 139:1-2; Esther commentary
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 13 & 14
English: Excellence in Literature (Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court); Progeny Press, The Screwtape Letters, working on Letters 1-4; Utopia (over 80%); History of English Literature (chapter 53)
History/Geography: Western Civilization pages 416-420 (PowerPoint Presentation on Thirty-Years War); Kon Tiki chapter 3
Current Events (should have a post later today from her)
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 17-21; Latin review (up to Lesson 10)
Government/Civics: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 37
Science: Biology, chapter 8 (reviewing chapter) {found a new ‘resource’ for science yay!}

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
…do not let two days in a row of no school (or lax days so close to ‘no school’ it might as well be) slide by. Otherwise you’d might as well take the week off.

I am inspired by…
…the Bible. I started reading it again every day and it (God’s Word) just pricks my heart and my mind.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
…this week I don’t recall going anywhere but to Fox’s Young Marine graduation. Oh, and we went grocery shopping- saw a lot of people- none that we know, though

My favorite thing this week was…
…watching my 12 year old son graduate from Young Marine boot camp. Gosh, how fast they grow up!

What’s working/not working for us…
…haha! my laziness just is not working at all. I get up the same time every day and I’d think I'd have this all down pat by now. But if I don’t make the kids get up and get going, well, surprise- they don’t.

Questions/thoughts I have…
…only 45 days of school left! Hallelujah! I am looking forward to 40-some days of no school. Of course we start back at it in July.

Things I’m working on…
…see my post last week- it’s pretty much the same lol.

I’m reading…
…same as last week. Trying to get started on Flatland by Edwin Abbott and trying to decide which to choose from a list that was given to me by Trisha from The Good Life.

I’m cooking…
…as little as possible I’ve started the kids cooking dinner a few times a week. It’s working out wonderful- for me. They are enjoying it I think, but they do get that panicked “It’s my turn to make dinner! Oh no! What to make!?” some nights.

I’m grateful for…
…everything! I should be more specific but really everything I have I am so grateful for.

I’m praying for…
…my sister in boot camp for Army National Guard- she graduates April 12th. She will then have to complete another training immediately afterward. This means she will have been away from her family for 5 months! Her youngest daughter (who is almost 13), my niece, will be flying here to be able to drive with myself and my kids to watch her graduate. None of the rest of her immediate family will be able to attend because of the cost.
…I’m also praying for my brother in law- he’s practically going bonkers without her!
…I’m trying to pray for the kids- mine and others- for their families and their hearts. They are the future generations; they pick up where we leave off. Have we left them with what they need? The knowledge they need; the faith they need? Will they know where and who to turn to? This is a bit difficult for me to do for some reason. My own are easy- they come to mind- but I sometimes forget that mine aren’t the only ones that need prayer.

A photo to share…
…my Young Marine, before receiving his rank (taken with dh’s awesome camera)

…and after with his first button undone and his ribbon pinned on (taken with my phone –lol not so awesome)

…and the moon that night was absolutely awesome! (again, not so great photo because of my phone)- it was dusk.

I’m linking up with a few places- stop by!

Week #26- Done! & Some Other Stuff

I’m using the wee little netbook to write this post and although I am still using LW (love it), the formatting is somewhat different than I am  used to! I’m being oh so nice and letting the kids use my big screen laptop- games are more fun on the ‘big screen’.

The week seems like it just was dragging but it really wasn’t so.

In my life this week…
…it’s just been…well, it’s just been! The weather is weird- cold, wet, then warm, sunny and back to snow. It’s getting me all confused. It’s raining right now but I heard something about snow on the radio.

I made liquid dishwasher detergent again and it works okay except for on plastic, like Rubbermaid containers. Some of my glass dishes (my square storage containers) also do not ‘like’ it. It leaves a film coat on these as well as pots, pans and aluminum dishes (such as my espresso scoop). It’ll work until I can buy more store-bought- I think I will quit making it on my own for now lol.

In our homeschool this week…
…we’ve been doing quite well! Only one day, Lee felt just completely unmotivated. So much so unmotivated that not even taking away her ‘screen time’ did anything to motivate her. She did finally get some stuff done but not all…and she felt just fine with that. Fox has been a trooper with every subject EXCEPT math. He detests math. I honestly have no idea what to do but just keep on keeping on. He cannot recall formulas and concepts from yesterday, last week and definitely not last year! My main focus right now, though is to help him try to have a more positive attitude about math. It’s okay that he cannot recall; we just will go over it again. It isn’t the end of the world and it never lasts long- it’s not worth letting it ruin one’s day.

Monday was testing and I finally got the previous week recorded. Tuesday and Wednesday were good and that’s where I posted about my latest dishwasher detergent. Thursday was Lee’s ‘funk’ day but today’s been good.

Here is Fox’s work Thursday and Friday:
Bible: Reading Deut. 33, John 9; verse Romans 12:1-6; Who Am I?, read 76-89, did pages 60-63 in notebook; Saints & Heroes rest of Coligny (narration)
Math: Saxon Algebra 1, Lesson 6 and correcting
English: Jensen’s Grammar Test 4 and Lesson 21; Age of Fable chapter 37 (started); The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Church (this is for English and History)
Logic: Art of Argument pages 14-17, question set A
Science: Creek Edge Press Task Card #7 (gears and belts), activities 5-7 (PowerPoint Presentation)
History/Geography: Story of the Romans chapter 6 & 7 (written narration), A Journey Through Learning notebooking pages

And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 10, Romans 5; verse Colossians 3
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 11 & 12
English: Excellence in Literature (essay); Progeny Press, The Screwtape Letters, working on Letters 1-4
History/Geography: Western Civilization pages 413-416; Kon Tiki chapter 2
Current Events no post this week {ahem, she didn’t “like” anything that was going on and so didn’t report on it}
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 16
Government/Civics: -
Science: Biology, chapter 8 (reading about cellular respiration)

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
…LIBRARY! Don’t forget to use the library! OH-EM-GEE! I don’t know why I’ve not tried it more often (wait, yes, I do know why- before our library was, ahem, lame extremely small and underfunded and didn’t have much of anything). If you have the option of interlibrary loan (with out the fees) GO FOR IT! I requested a book from one of the local colleges through our public library. We used to have to pay $3 to have a book delivered from the library 10 miles away- per book- at our old library.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
…other than to the library a few times this past week, Fox will be going to a wild game get-together with another church tomorrow. He will be able to eat various wild game (he’s hoping for squirrel). He will go with our pastor and their two boys. Lee and I have opted to stay home. We also made it to the park once- it was so nice out but cooled off quickly. We had lunch at Euclid Creek Reservation.

My favorite thing this week was…
…playing with my kids. My ds is almost as tall as his sister and she is just an inch or two shorter than I. We love to ‘wrastle’. We used to do it so much when the kids were small enough that I could pick them both up at once…we do it less as they get older but when we do I love it. I love the hugs I get from them afterwards.

Oh and my new sweatshirt:

What’s working/not working for us…
…hmmm, I think things are going well. Other than math being a constant thorn in the side everything else is going well.

Things I’m working on…
…actually finally nothing! I spent all week getting some worksheets made as well as trying to figure out how to get all our review items into the schedules and now I’ve got nothing to work on :) It’s a wonderful thing. Even if it is only for the weekend.

I’m reading…
…too much! Oi vey! Here is my list: More Beauty, Less Beast by Debora Coty; By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer; Light Under the House by Aaron and Donna Dawson; It Could Happen Tomorrow by Gary Frazier; Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock; Heiress by Susan May Warren; The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. I finished a couple of books this week but I feel like I’m overloaded with reading!

I’m cooking…
…well this morning I made blini –a bit like crepes but supposed to be not as sweet. I put more sugar than was called for because we didn’t have anything to put on them or to wrap in them. We got the recipe out of the Who Am I? book from Apologia. They were extremely difficult to make. I’m not sure if it is because I do not have a good skillet and/or my spatula is too old and mutilated (makes it difficult to gently get under the blin). Next time it’ll be pancakes like we are used to; they’re easy. For dinner I might make burgers and hot dogs- easy.

I’m grateful for…
…so much! I was thinking today, but really all week, how wonderful God is and how my life is blessed. We have everything we need and so many things that we want. I am grateful for freedoms and privileges that are taken for granted. I’m so so grateful for my little family. My kids are the absolute best gift that I’ve ever been given and I am so thankful that they are home with me. My husband is so so precious to me. That God has given me so much makes my heart swell and brings tears of joy to my eyes. My life is so blessed- Thank you, God.

I’m praying for…
…the families affected by the school shooting in Chardon, OH, this week. Three of the five teens that were shot have died. One mother spoke about the morning of the shooting: her son was not a morning person and usually was late to school. He wasn’t that morning. She feels that God has a plan and who knows why but her son was on time to school that morning. One of the adults there that morning stayed with the kids who were shot, he prayed with them, tried to comfort them. He wiped their tears. I pray for him- God comfort him. I pray for this entire town. I pray for this country. I pray for this world. Jesus is the only answer to end all suffering.

Photos to share…

That’s been our week. Linking up with the following:

Come on over for a visit :)

Relax, Cold, Stress {not in that order}- Weekly Wrap-Up (2/10/12)

In my life this week…In our homeschool this week…
It’s been a fairly normal week here. Monday I worked {but not my usual hours- which threw us off a bit}, Tuesday we enjoyed the cold outdoors, Wednesday we did it again, Thursday I worked {again not my usual hours- which didn’t throw us off this time} but was able to get a book review in, and Friday I worked again {normally I don’t work on Fridays at all…so you can imagine how much that threw us!}. We finished up week 24, only 12 weeks to go!

t’s also the week before break week so we get a little lax in our work towards the end. Friday the kids both did just one thing…and I am mostly okay with that. They spent the day in a relaxing manner {while I slaved away at work- lol, I’m kidding! my job is extremely easy}. Right now as I look outside, it is completely white. We’ve no plans to go anywhere today {although I had wanted to go the store for a few things} and it looks like shoveling will be the biggest chore. I wish we had some hot cocoa to make after the cold job of shoveling- perhaps I’ll make warm vanilla milk. It’s really easy to make:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 spoonful (small spoon lol) sugar

Mix milk and sugar, heat in microwave until desired warmth. Mix in vanilla and enjoy! Of course you can tweak it – add cinnamon, use more/less sugar, or try it with other flavors. It’s a good replacement for hot cocoa.

I had intended on going to evening church on Wednesday {I’m still working on my goals of being closer to my church ‘family’- slow going} but found out something that made me need to stay home with my dear husband and comfort him. I’m aware that the enemy will do anything to prevent us from being close to God, which includes secluding us from church, but God also uses those times to let us be a light- His light. {and everything is alright now but prayers are always appreciated}

Last night was Friday movie night. Generally the kids will choose a movie for them to watch downstairs. It isn’t something that we all usually participate in. Sometimes I watch; sometimes I don’t; hubby rarely watches. But last night hubby got a movie for us to watch together- as a ‘treat’. We watched It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. At it is aptly described as Goofy! Hilarious movie!! We all laughed so hard. Also we stayed up way past the kids’ bed time so they liked that. They don’t make movies like that any more.

Also, yesterday before I went to work {was actually late getting ready because I was so preoccupied} I worked on an ATC card for a group we are in. The theme is Yellow. My favorite color! Here are the cards we made:

Our chances of winning the lottery they do each month is higher since we have three entries Some of the cards made by the group are absolutely stunningly beautiful.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We are going to visit a museum in Dayton, OH, area this weekend. While we are there we will be visiting my oldest sister and her family. It will be the first time that my sister (along with her husband and two kids) and my husband will have met. I’m super excited! My hubby is really interested in the museum; I’m more interested in seeing my sister and her family {shhh, don’t tell lol}.

Things I’m working on…
There are a lot of reviews in our house right now! On the right side bar you can see upcoming reviews for TOS Crew. There are 8 of them. I am extremely grateful and thankful for being chosen to review all of them but I must admit that I am feeling a tad bit stressed {okay, I feel very stressed}. I also have agreed to help with the Teacher’s Toolbox, do a review for Vocabulary Spelling City, am still helping my mom with some things {drawing}, and there are a few other things that I *want* to work on but probably won’t get to. Time management, always working on time management. I can do all this, if I manage my time well. {we’ll see *wink*}

I’m reading…
I’m still reading Surprised by Laughter by Terry Lindvall. I’m really enjoying it. There are still over 200 pages to go and a review of this book will be a long one, I think. I’m also reading the book written by Heidi Kreider, The Secret of Counting Gifts. There will be a review of that book soon but I’ll give you a heads up- I like it

I’m cooking…
Tonight, or very very early tomorrow, I will be cooking a Green Bean Casserole and Mashed Potatoes for church tomorrow. I still don’t know what’s for lunch, let alone dinner, for today!

Some photos to share…
Taken with my phone, all are from Euclid Creek Reservation, a Cleveland Metro Park.

 

 

I’m linking up with