The Week We Took Off

We were supposed to be doing week 6 this week but on Tuesday morning I just decided, "no school the rest of the week!" No one complained. We've had 33 days of school already {since July 8} so a few days off was acceptable.

Oh to be able to say I spent my time planning for the coming weeks of the school year. Or to say I cleaned my house top to bottom. Or even, I finished some books that are on my to-be-read pile. But no, I can't honestly say any of those! I slept in three days, fiddled with my still uncooperative computer every day, posted a review, chatting with friends online, and generally just relaxed. Ah, and yesterday I actually weeded the garden. Bruised my thumb in the process -yeah, that takes talent *wink*. I also planted some more broccoli. My tomato plants, as tiny as they are from being constantly nibbled on by animals, have flowers and small green tomatoes. There's hope my broccoli will produce as well!

I also listed some books on Amazon. See our store front by clicking here.

The kids did their usual chores, played nicely together, read a lot, used their screen time, walked to the library often, and generally just relaxed. Getting them to finish The Weekly Barden on a 'no school' week was a bit like pulling teeth, but they did it. I'm hoping they will be refreshed and ready to get back into school next week. 

The rest of the week was fairly nondescript. We went somewhere on Monday {fuel for the car and grocery shopping}, nowhere on Tuesday {that I can recall}, Wednesday Lee and I went to prayer meeting while Fox and dh went to Young Marines, Thursday we went searching for book stores {found Half-Price Books fairly close by}, and tonight I am going to Home Builders at church. This weekend the kids are going to participate in an obstacle course at the church while dh will be off driving a NASCAR car and then possibly hob-nobbing with professional pilots like Kirby Chambliss.

In October, we will no longer have internet at home so I'm not entirely sure how that will affect my posting on the blog. I know I will get more house cleaning done. *wink* Most likely I will print out a blog/internet surfing schedule for myself for when we visit the library. Get everything done at once. I am really hoping it doesn't affect us all too bad. Hubby and I were discussing finding a less expensive but more reliable service when the time comes, but we are still undecided. How bad would it really be to not have the internet to turn to when I don't want to do laundry or clean the kitchen? I won't have it to turn to so ... theoretically I'll do the laundry or clean the kitchen.

Wow, just thinking about no internet at home has me realizing how much I do use it for! There are resources online that the kids use for school, places we go when we don't know something and want to right then. Now I'm thinking of all the things I need to get downloaded or printed off before it's gone! Yikes!

I'm a planner. Love to have lists and plans. The follow through, eh, not so much. I planned the entire school year {to a point}, and the first 12 weeks more detailed. Now I don't even want to look at the plans lol. I guess I had better get over that, and quick! 

Glimpse of Week #5- 2013/2014 School Year

An attempt at a weekly wrap up. I wanted to title this "Week of Mondays" but refrained. I'll try to keep this real but not too whiny.

Monday- school-wise was not too bad. It definitely felt like a Monday though. The kids and I went grocery shopping and I did some freezer cooking. Narrations are going well. Still work to be done.

I placed the order for the next math for Lee: Life of Fred Geometry.

I also placed my very first BIG Mary Kay order. I am excited and nervous about getting things going.

Tuesday- I FINISHED MY TAX COURSE! whew...that was the highlight of my day. Honestly don't recall much else lol.

Fortunately, there are records of what we did that day. Chemistry! We don't do it well... I wish we could have some fancy curriculum or chemistry set for our class ...but we don't. And even if we did, I'm still me. We read from a few books that are interesting and informative. And we attempt science experiments. What else do we really need? {don't tell me about this or that program... shhhhh...let me have my bliss} This isn't the best photo- somewhat blurry and there's still part of the label stuck to the jar. But I think you can see the strings in the syrup {sugar water that Fox wants to use on his pancakes- gag!}.

Wednesday- The kids and I had to go to Mentor to check on a bird and some plants {Lee's bird sitting and plant watering while a family is away on vacation}. We found good deals at the Walgreen's there: 2 dozen eggs for $1 and 2 Arizona teas for $1. Fox had taken some money out of the bank to buy himself paper and we discovered it's not make from trees. Oooooo. Lol. It is made from sugarcane husks and bamboo. Other than the smell it's just like other paper. It was on sale, too. *wink*

I got a heads up for a free student ID card site- with free shipping! It's called Alphacard, and the free shipping is always but the free student ID card is until 9/30/13 or until supplies last. It says it takes 2-4 weeks for delivery. They are not really fancy but better than what we personally had before. I love the ones from Homeschool Buyer's Co-op that can be printed out and I've never purchased one from them. I'm thinking Alphacard's will work perfect for us. Lee chose a blue bubble/splatter background and Fox chose the books background. Looking forward to getting them! 

Fox went back to Young Marines after almost a month. His platoon had gone to Washington, D. C., at the end of July. Fox didn't go because we plan on going as a family later in the year. Well, we were a little guilt ridden for saying he couldn't go {he didn't mind; he wanted his first time there to be a family affair}. It's a good thing he did not go. His platoon was the worst they've ever been. Apparently two of the boys that went actually got in a physical fight in front of high ranking officials. The boys were apparently flat out rude to others as well. Things were so bad that one of the volunteers who'd been with this group {not the same individuals, just the platoon} for four years, quit. I feel quite sorry for the Commanding Officer of my son's platoon. He tries hard and seems he gets nothing but grief in return. Apparently there was some 'restructuring' of the platoon when they got back. We are praying that things turn around for the platoon.

Lee and I made it to prayer meeting. We talked about baptism on our drive home.

Thursday- My computer made me mad. Yep. I was so not happy with it. I decided to wipe it clean. It took quite awhile. Things did not go smoothly. I think I should have waited to do the deed until after school requirements were out of the way...but no. I did not. I wiped it clean and it wouldn't work! That'll teach me to get mad at an electronic, right?

Since I am on it now {this is Friday}, it did eventually get worked out but was just such a hassle. I don't know which was worse; it's horrid slowness followed by crashing programs or having to redo the reboot more than once and then reinstall, repair drivers. Eh, it's done now. But anyhow. Two days {since it was funky on Wednesday as well} of "No, you cannot use the computer" kind of put a cramp on The Weekly Barden. It's been postponed until... maybe Saturday?

We went to Willoughby this morning for the kids' ASL Club meeting. I learned the sign for turtle! 

Friday- It's Friday...although it's felt like Monday for a good portion of it. School went quite well even with the kids walking to the library. They were gone for 2 hours and still managed to get school done by 2 something.

I'm still unhappy with my computer. 122 updates later and it has multiple issues. 

Oh here is our science experiment today.

And I think that's as far as my wrap up will go for this week. Overall, really, I guess it's not been too bad but for some reason it's felt like it has been. Now I'm off to watch some homemade flying videos my hubby made. Here's one that has all his videos and photos but someone else's edits and music {ahem, my hubby does better}.

Just for Fun- Stephen Foster

This is the most recent 'composer' we're studying about. When we (here at North Laurel Home & School) think 'composer' we don't usually think this sort of music; we think of classical, orchestral. But we are expanding our ideas. At first we were a little taken back by the music but we rather like it now. I remember "Oh Susanna!" from when I was younger, and "Camptown Races". I just didn't know the names or remember them until now.