Finishing up Week 32- Updating Progress & Some Thoughts

It is Thursday of "week 32” but really, it’s only technically the end of week 31 because of our missed days. I’m not splitting hairs. When we get to May 18, 2012, we’re done. *I* need a break.

We have finished with school by between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm this week which is excellent. It’s been a really good week. We get started no later than 9:00 am and sometimes as early as 7:30 am {but that’s a real rarity!}.

For Lee:
Bible: Judges 1-3; Romans 15-1 Corinthians 1; Psalm 139:1-12; Esther commentary (finished Matthew Henry commentary and an article; writing a ‘report’)
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lessons 30-32
English: Screwtape Letters (page 52 of the study guide; Letter #20; Excellence In Literature (Unit 3- Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court; Mark Twain author profile, new chapter headings & Yankee ‘report' on technology versus tradition); History of English Literature chapter 58
Gov’t/Civics/Citizenship: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 42; Francis Bacon’s “Of Innovation” (this took two weeks to get through)
History: Western Civilization pages 453-457; Galileo online ‘activity’; Queen Elizabeth’s speech to the Spanish Armada; Death’s Duel
Current Events
Foreign Language: Latin review through lesson 20; Greek Level 5, Lessons 34 (she’s dragging it out because it is the last of the level and we don’t have the next one yet)
Art/Composer Independent drawings of a seal and a vase (working on realistic drawing, shading); Bierstadt (On the Saco); Beethoven

For Fox:
Bible: Joshua 13-15; John 18-20; Romans 12:1-14; Saints and Heroes rest of Cromwell and Bunyan; Who Am I? #26
Math: Saxon Algebra 1 Lesson 13-15
Science: Murche’s Science Reader VI chapter 51; Creek Edge Press Task Card #15 (motion: flying); The Sciences (263-284); The Story Book of Science (chapter 52); Amazing Science DVD; The Sea Around Us (to page 56)
English: Jensen’s Grammar Lesson 34-37 & Test 7; The Iliad (chapters 6-8); Pictures in Cursive (penmanship and Art Study); The Age of Fable (Druids); The Bronze Bow (page 27, #14a in the study guide; chapter 8)
History: The Story of the Romans chapters 31-48; Around the World in 180 Days (researching for ‘report’)
Foreign Language: Latin review through lesson 20; basic German (found a children’s book and he’s trying to pick out words)
Art/Composer Bierstadt (On the Saco); Beethoven

That is the ‘update’ part and now here are the comments. Deep breath…exhale… being a teacher is hard work! Being an actual teacher. I have at quite a few points in this homeschool journey *not* been an actual teacher; I’ve let the kids do their own learning. By that I mean I told them what they would be covering, what pages to read and let them go. Come find me when you’re done. Might I say {of course I may} that while that does indeed foster quite independent learners, it does not necessarily create well learned independent learners.

With two very different, yet related individuals, perhaps it is not realistic to expect the characteristics of one to be present in the other just because it is present in the first. {You think?} I have a motivated self learner and I have an unmotivated student. At no point will I say that I never have issues with my motivated self learner {msl} and never will I say that my unmotivated student {ums} doesn’t surpass my expectations. Both of those scenarios do happen.

This week and the previous week of school have shown me the above two paragraphs even though I did know this already somewhere in my head. I started planning for the next school year this month {really planning, not just figuring out that I *might* use ‘this’ or *might* cover ‘that’} and it took me a good two weeks to get it all out on paper. You’d think {or is it just me} that it should be much more simple since my curriculum is already written at Ambleside Online.

Sometimes {just some} I think it’d be easier to plan for a classroom of 20+ students! With only two kids {and yet so different} I can, and have to really, individualize my planning. This is a good thing, don’t get me wrong. But just because I did it such-and-such way with #1 doesn’t mean I can get by with doing that same thing with #2. And now that they are getting into more detailed histories, sciences, thinking, I have to know what it is they are reading and talking about. I have to be able to hold a conversation with them in whatever subject they are going through. I am their teacher. Actually, I am their facilitator.

Being a teacher doesn’t mean that I am giving them the ‘facts’ and that they must regurgitate them. That isn’t how learning works. They must {and I must as well} be able to look at the ‘facts’ that are supplied to them and be able to critically think about what they are hearing/reading/seeing, form their own thoughts about them and then be able to explain why they agree or disagree. They also need to be able to see when a ‘fact’ is in reality not a fact. I want them to be able to say, “I don’t see it that way and this is why…” or “No, that is incorrect and here is why…” and to not just be like sheep, following the crowd.

My brain is getting more of a workout than I can really recall it ever getting! Even when I was in undergraduate classes! A lot of the things we are covering now are at the same level and in some cases, above that. Of course some things I just never learned in the first place, so I am learning as well. Today for a change, with our Latin review, the kids quizzed me. I did very well {way better than they thought I would, so they said}. It surprised me and I liked it.

These past two school weeks have really made me appreciate the way we do school. I have a lot of pre-reading to get done before next school year but I am so looking forward to being in the 8th and 10th grade all over again- as a teacher but really as a facilitator –and a student.

School Stuff- What’s Been Done

For record keeping purposes  

For Lee:
Bible: Joshua 23 & 24; Romans 14; Psalm 139:1-10; Esther commentary
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lessons 28 & 29
Science: “Cells”, finished chapter 9, test. FINISHED
English: Screwtape Letters; Excellence In Literature (Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court); History of English Literature chapter 57; Westward Ho!
Gov’t/Civics/Citizenship: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 41; Francis Bacon’s “Of Innovation”
History: Western Civilization pages 448-452; Galileo (chapter in Great Astronomers)
Current Events
Foreign Language: Latin review through lesson 18; Greek Level 5, Lessons 33 & 34

For Fox:
Bible: Joshua 11 & 12; John 17; Romans 12:1-12; Saints and Heroes 1/2 of Cromwell; Who Am I? #25
Math: Saxon Algebra 1 Lesson 12
Science: Murche’s Science Reader VI chapter 50; Creek Edge Press Task Card #14 (motion)
English: Jensen’s Grammar Lesson 33; The Iliad chapters 3-5
History: The Story of the Romans chapters 27-30
Foreign Language: Latin review through lesson 18; basic German (salutations)

Okay, that is all.

Catching up On the Recording Keeping

…and I just wanted to see my blog background again It’s just so…pretty!

I’ve been sick the past two days, not sure what the deal is but I’m up now not feeling well so I figured I would do something productive {that doesn’t require actually ‘doing’ much}.

So how long has it been? I think the last time I kept record was when we had 45 days left of school. I lied about that, I might add. Not intentionally, of course. Today, March 26, 2012, was actually day #140. There was a day here and a day there that we did no school that I forgot we had to tack on at the end. The kids were disappointed but…I have warned them: put it off today, it’ll have to be done tomorrow…or maybe later than that but it will be done!

For Fox:
Bible: Reading Joshua 3-8, John 11-14; verse Romans 12:1-10 ; Who Am I?, read 109-139, did {some of} pages 78-101 in notebook; Saints & Heroes- William the Silent and Brewster {1/2 of Laud today}
Math: Saxon Algebra 1, up to lesson 10
English: Jensen’s Grammar Lesson 23-30 and Test 5; Age of Fable finally finished chapter 37; The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Church (finished reading); Bronze Bow (still working with Progeny Press study guide {it’s slow goin’; that’s an in depth study guide!}); Pictures in Cursive (Level E); Animal Farm {finished! and watched the 1954 version cartoon}
Science: Creek Edge Press Task Card #12 {for some reason this was set aside for almost a week- he finished #12 today and will do #13 this week}; The Story Book of Science up to chapter 47; The Sciences (pages 230-262); Archimedes chapter 6 & 7; started The Sea Around Us (for Young Readers) {I’m liking it}
History/Geography: Story of the Romans chapter 10-22 (written narration); A Journey Through Learning notebooking pages; Asia Hands of A Child notebook pages (finished the packet); Around the World in 180 Days questions; Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity has been moved to a ‘free’ read {like he has a choice LOL}
Foreign Language: Review (up to Lesson 14); started some simple German lessons
Ohio Study: Gave presentation on the Wright brothers.

And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 14-20, Romans 8-11; verse Psalm 139:1-8; Esther commentary
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 15-24
English: Excellence in Literature (Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court); Progeny Press, The Screwtape Letters, working on Letters 5-9; Utopia (finally finished!); History of English Literature (chapter 55); still chuggin’ along with Westward Ho!
History/Geography: Western Civilization pages 421-439 (PowerPoint Presentation on Thirty-Years War; wrote on Peter the Great); Kon Tiki chapters 4 & 5
Current Events Weeks of 3/9, 3/16, 3/23
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 22-31; Latin review (up to Lesson 14)
Government/Civics: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 38 & 39; Francis Bacon’s “Of Truth”
Science: Biology, chapter 8 (took test); “Cells” by Ellen McHenry, chapter 8
Ohio Study: researched the ‘creation’ of Cleveland, OH, has to give presentation still

We also managed to get Composer Study in last week, finished up with Mozart. Art study as well {we’re still on Bierstadt because we just love his work!}.

So that’s how it’s gone- on paper. In reality, it’s been okay. I’m trying to work on getting good narrations out of both of them. It seems like it’s a take two steps forward, one step back deal. I prefer to discuss what they read and are learning rather than just write it down because they do not interject what they think in writing. They write the facts; this happened and that’s that. When they narrate orally they are more lively {well one of them has a problem with being too lively} and they give the impression of what their opinions are a lot of the time simply by the way their voice goes up, what words they stress while narrating and also their body language. Both can efficiently write out a general summary of what they read. That’s not what I’m looking for –not completely. So it’s a work in progress –still –and perhaps always.

I am trying to focus more on their education while re-teaching myself. I watched Simply Charlotte Mason’s All Day Seminar {that may not be the correct title} and really have been impressed how important it is for us as parents to have the habits discussed in Charlotte Mason’s work. We can expect them of our kids but if we do not have them ourselves, it will be evident and it will be a struggle. So I am trying one thing at a time; one habit at a time.

First is habit of attention. The goal is to say it quietly and only once. That’s my first habit that I’m working on. I must pay attention to my surroundings {that means my kids when I’m busy lol} so that I do not have to say “what?” If I can do this and get it down, then it will be easier to expect it from them. I’ll figure out the next habit when I’m close to mastering the first

Well, my stomach feels like it’s settled enough for me to try to sleep again. Goodnight!

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 :)

Days #122 & 123- Only 57 more days! (& Liquid Dishwasher Detergent- Again)

Just cannot believe that this year is almost over. Crazy. Lee asked how much longer she has to suffer left of Biology- just 57 more days I told her. Then it’s on to Geology- her choice (right now, that is- could change in a short time).

Here is Fox’s work:
Bible: Reading Deut. 32, John 8; verse Romans 12:1-6; Who Am I?, read 68-75, did pages 45-55 in notebook; Saints & Heroes pages 1/2 Coligny (drawn illustration)
Math: Saxon Algebra 1, correcting Lesson 4 problems and Lesson 5, all problems
English: Jensen’s Grammar Test 4; Progeny Press, The Bronze Bow, Chapters 1-2 study guide work
Logic: -
Science: Creek Edge Press Task Card #7 (gears and belts), activities 1-4 (used books How Things Work and The New Way Things Work)
History/Geography: Hands of a Child Asia Note Pack (animals); Story of the Romans chapter 4 & 5 (written narration), A Journey Through Learning notebooking pages

And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 9, Romans 4; verse Colossians 3; Esther Commentary
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 9 & 10
English: Excellence in Literature (still working with Around the World in 80 Days); Utopia; History of English Literature chapter 52; Progeny Press, The Screwtape Letters, working on Letters 1-4
History/Geography: Western Civilization, finished essay on witchcraft trials in France
Current Events
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 14-15
Government/Civics: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 36
Science: Biology, chapter 8 (reading outline and in book)

So now that I got that out of the way- how about some liquid dishwasher detergent. Remember I tried some –goodness, it’s been awhile –but I wasn’t happy with it? No? No matter I’d like to forget sometimes, too.

I received some liquid castile soap from my wonderful mother-in-law not long ago but I have an issue with it. It is unscented and supposedly great for sensitive skin- where’s my issue? It burns when I use it. I feel like it is scorching my skin off. I’m really not sure why –perhaps it just wasn’t ‘cured’ long enough? I know with lye soap, you must let it cure –or it burns. Anyway- it has sat in my bathroom the entire time. I have used it more than just twice to make sure I wasn’t just being a sissy. Nope. It burns. No more using it for cleaning me so how about for dishes?

I’m just about out of liquid dishwasher detergent so I decided to try it again –making some that is.  I’m going back to Angie’s recipe, with some of my own additions of course.

I want it to be thicker than hand washing dish soap so I tried to lessen the amount of water. It’s a bit like the hand washing dish soap I made before. Then I added in some borax (for scrubbing). And of course, I had some leftover 7th Generation dishwasher soap to mix it with.

Here are the ingredients (but not very accurate measurements):

• Liquid castile soap (perhaps 1 – 1 1/2 cups)
• borax (possibly 1 cup)
• vinegar (I think I put almost 1 1/2 cups, or maybe 2)
• tea tree oil (just a bit)
• lavender oil (uh, I accidentally poured way more than wanted)
• glycerin (I had perhaps 1/8 – 1/4 cup)
• leftover dishwasher soap (couldn’t have been more than 1/4 cup)
• water to fill 42 oz container

Just mixed it all together in a large mixing bowl and poured into the old 7th Generation container (used a funnel). It is more liquid than I was hoping but I’m not sure how to thicken it. That is one reason I decided to go ahead and use the glycerin- which I’ve really no idea if it helps that or not! 

Wish I had some batteries for my camera. The concoction resembles what was in the container originally- just thinner. I will have to wait until the dishwasher is full to use it. I worry that the mix will suds too much. But the vinegar seems to cut that down some (at least that is what I attribute it to); one reason I used so much.

I tried to measure and document my process so that I could do it again if it works…but you can see how well that worked. Eh…old habits die hard.

Do you know of any recipes that work for stubborn, old dishwashers and/or hard water that are easy to make? Share please!

Catch-Up! Week 25 and Testing

Please be in prayer for those who are affected by the Chardon, OH, school shooting.

I thank God everyday that my kids are home with me.

So I missed the entire week’s worth of school recording. It was a busy week for me. But here I am getting caught up!

Here is Fox’s work:
Bible: Reading Deut. 30 & 31, John 6 & 7; verse Romans 12:1-4; Who Am I?, read 57-68, do pages 38-44 in notebook; Saints & Heroes pages 81-90 (drawn illustration)
Math: Saxon Algebra 1 Lesson 3, remaining problems and Lesson 4, all problems
English: Jensen’s Grammar Lesson 20 and correcting Lessons; Progeny Press, The Bronze Bow, finished book, pre-reading activities 3 & 4; Reading Eggspress
Logic: The Art of Argument, pages 8-13 (workbook questions page 12 & 13)
Science: The Story Book of Science chapter 41; Creek Edge Press Task Card #3 (more about levers); Archimedes chapter 3
History/Geography: Hands of a Child Asia Note Pack; Story of the Romans chapter 1-3 (written narration)

And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 7 & 8, Romans 2 & 3; verse Colossians 3:1-22; Esther Commentary
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 7-8 (taking 2 days per lesson)
English: Excellence in Literature (still working with Around the World in 80 Days); Sonnets; Utopia {I’ve put this under English after reading Surprised by Laughter- More himself said that it is not to be taken as a model- it is for reading and for fun}; History of English Literature chapter 51
History/Geography: Western Civilization pages 410-413, essay on witchcraft trials in France; Kon Tiki (chapter 1)
Current Events see her blog post
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 10-13
Government/Civics: Whatever Happened to Justice? chapter 35
Science: Biology, beginning chapter 8 (reading outline, working on vocabulary, 2 quizzes)

Today, the first day of week 26 finds us doing our required testing. We are halfway through the testing. This is all that is scheduled for school today- yay If the weather is nice (and looking outside it looks like it is) we will be going outdoors!

*edited link

Back to School- Week 25

Trying to recall if Week 24 was recorded here or anywhere else {besides the kids’ planners} and I don’ think so. I’m not going to do that now. So as not to risk getting farther behind {at least with recording the doings} I’ll just move on to this week. I have a post to write about our ‘field trip’ on 2/13 …but honestly, not sure when that’ll happen.

It’s Monday. This week actually is going to be full of review items at least for Fox {some regular books/subjects are still to be done}; Lee only has 1 review item.

Here is Fox’s work:
Bible: Reading Deut. 29; verse Romans 12:1-4; Who Am I?, read pages 46-57, do pages 36-37 in notebook
Math: Saxon Algebra 1 Lesson 3, #1-12
English: Jensen’s Grammar Lesson 19; Progeny Press, The Bronze Bow, chapters 1-4, pre-reading activity #5; Reading Eggspress
Logic: The Art of Argument, pages 5-7
Science: The Sciences pages 208-218; Creek Edge Press Task Card #3 (reading about levers)

And here is Lee’s work:
Bible: Reading Joshua 6; verse Colossians 3:1-22
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra Lesson 6
English: Excellence in Literature (draft pertaining to Around the World in 80 Days); Everyman FINISHED {finally }
History: Western Civilization, review of chapter 13, quiz
Current Events
Foreign Language: Greek Level 5, Lesson 9

Since I didn’t get the weekend to plan the schedules like I’d hoped, we are somewhat winging it. I have TruthQuest History to get into our schedules some where. I’m still trying to figure it out- how to use it. Now would definitely be a good time since I scheduled nothing for Fox for history and Lee just finished a chapter… Perhaps I will do that right now.

Day #113-115: When We Spent Some of Our Day Outside

I’ve been slacking on keeping track of the work that’s been done. Last week I think I failed to record Thursday and Friday (although we did have a field trip that I shared). But in all honesty, not much ‘school’ was done.

So Monday was Day #113 and it doesn’t seem like it can be! Amazing. Perhaps because we school year round it feels like the first of the year and not mid way through. Anyway, I worked for a few hours in the afternoon, which was a little odd for us; usually I work in the morning until about 4pm. It threw us off just a bit, I think.

Tuesday (Day #114) we went to the Metropark near us {well, one of them- there are so many in the Cleveland area- it’s wonderful!} a little before lunch time. It was cold but we had an enjoyable time anyway. And the kids enjoyed it so much they begged to go again today (Day #115). Although tomorrow is supposed to be warmer {today was much as yesterday- cold}, I agreed we should go. When the urge strikes, do it! Besides, I have to work tomorrow. Here are just a few photos from today's outing. They are with my phone, so they aren’t great quality.

 

Lee and Fox were investigating the wall up the side of the creek ravine {is that what it’s called?}. The second photo is a paw print. It looked huge but we really couldn’t tell if it was just because of the soft ground. We saw quite a few of the prints as we walked but none quite as big as that one.

 

I love moss…any kind. And even if I don’t know what kind it is!

There are other photos but I’m going to forget why I started the post if I keep adding them. Here is what the kids have worked on the past three days for school:

Fox
Bible: Reading (Deut. 27 & 28, John 4); verse (Romans 12:1-4); Who Am I?
Science: Murche’s (Lesson 43); School of the Woods (chapter 11); Archimedes (chapter 2); Physics (Task Card #1, inclined plane ‘project’); The Sciences (186-196); Nature Study
Language Arts: Jensen’s Grammar (Lesson 17 & 18 [he also corrected his own work- under my supervision- it helped him see what he was missing and his progress]); Spelling City (working on word list “Asia” to help with geography as well); Reading Eggspress (review item-mostly a ‘for fun’ activity for him)
Math: Saxon Algebra 1 (corrected lesson 1 & 2, began lesson 3)
History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days (Asia [still working on the questions on pages 20-26])

Lee
Bible: Reading (Joshua 3 & 4, Acts 28); verse (Colossians 3:1-20
Math: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra (Lesson 3-5)
English/Writing: Excellence in Literature (reading Around the World in 80 Days); History of English Literature (chapter 50); Everyman; Spelling City (using world list “Canterbury Tales”)
Science: Biology (chapter 7)
Govt/Citizenship/Logic: Current Events; Utopia; Whatever Happened to Justice? (chapter 34)
History/Geography: Western Civilization (wrote about the French Wars of Religion); Life of John Donne (pages 23-27)
Foreign Language: Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek Level 5 (lessons 1-3)

I don’t even want to think about what we are behind in…but there, it crept in anyway. Next week is no school  {yay!} but I work more than usual. I hope to take some time to pick up pieces that have fallen off of our schedules and put them back in. We’ll see how it goes!

Oh! and today in the mail I received the test packets for both kids for their standardized testing and I’m quite shocked. The 9th grade test looks like what I would have given my 7th grader –and the 7th grade, probably a 5th or maybe 6th grader. Perhaps I am just reading it incorrectly but they look incredibly simple. I guess we will see next month.

Day #104- Could Have Used A Substitute Teacher

Monday I posted the goals for the day and I’m happy to put here that all were accomplished {with the exception of dishes- the sink wasn’t quite fixed}.

Yesterday, although there were goals, I didn’t post anything here because well, I was on the couch almost all day with a fever and just being sick. It was a day that a substitute teacher would have been nice to have.

As it turned out only a few subjects were left by the wayside. Latin, Artist Study and Composer Study. We are getting a bit too far behind in the Latin for my liking, though. We did listen to WCLV almost all day. It was so soothing for me and put me right to sleep a couple of times. When I wasn’t sleeping I watched an episode of Sherlock, on PBS {Season 1, The Blind Banker}. Quite good, I thought.

By around 7:00 pm I was feeling somewhat ‘alive’ and attempted to do some dishes. I didn’t get very far {the kids helped me some as well} but the sink is indeed fixed. What I could not do oh so long ago, my dear, dear hubby could do in just a short amount of time. I love that man

Here is what the kids were able to do almost entirely on their own {with a few “Mom…?” moments}:

Fox
Bible: Reading (John 1); verse (Romans 12:1-2)
Science: Murche’s Lesson 41 (digestion); School of the Woods (chapter 9)
Language Arts: Jensen’s Grammar (Lesson 14)
Math: -
History/Geography: Heritage History Classical Curriculum (The Story of the Greeks chapters 68-70); Alexander the Great by Abbot (read this in its entirety this week and next- might stretch a bit farther

Lee
Bible: Reading (Acts 26); verse (Colossians 3:1-16); Mark Commentary (says she will be done 1/25)
Math: Life of Fred Beginning Algebra (Lesson 107)
Language Arts: Excellence in Literature (reading Around the World in 80 Days); History of English Literature (chapter 49)
Science: Biology (read chapter 7.5 outline and pages 126-127 in book)
Govt/Citizenship/Logic: Current Events; Utopia
History/Geography: Western Civilization (writing about the role of husbands and wives during the religious reformations of the 16th century)

We’ve yet to see what we can do today. I’m feeling somewhat human but Lee woke with a headache {which is how my illness started almost a week ago}.

What, It’s Friday? Weekly Wrap-Up & Homeschool Mother’s Journal

I’m always at a loss…I never seem to know what day it is anymore! Fully intending to get on here and write up what’s been going on during the week …and I just now get to it…on Friday.

In our homeschool this week…Today is the 102nd day of school {wow}. It’s not been a very good week for school but not so bad otherwise. Just a quick run down of school related things:

Lee:
Bible: Reading (Deut. 30 & 31, Acts 25), verse (Colossians 3:1-14), Mark Commentary
Math: Life of Fred Beginning Algebra (Lesson 105 & 106)
History/Geography: Wes. Civ. (something, but it wasn’t recorded correctly! )
Language Arts: Everyman; History of English Literature (chapter 48); Excellence in Literature (reading 2889 by Jules Verne- she’s supposed to read Around the World in Eighty Days)
Foreign Language:  Greek (Lessons 34-36; FINISHED)
Gov’t/Economics/Civics/Logic: Utopia; Current Events (no post again this Friday); Ohio Study
Science: Biology (pages 120-125 and 7.4 chapter outline)

Fox:
Bible: Reading (Deut. 20 & 21, Luke 23 & 24), verse (Proverbs 6:16-20), Saints & Heroes (Loyola & Cranmer)
Math: Saxon Alg 1 (review- very first part of the book)
History/Geography: Heritage History Classical Curriculum (some chapters in Story of the Greeks)
Language Arts: Jensen’s Grammar (Lessons 11-13); The Age of Fable (finished chapter 36), Animal Farm
Gov’t/Economics/Civics/Logic: The Fallacy Detective (Lesson 10)
Science: Murche’s (Lesson 40), The Story Book of Science (Chapter 34 & 35); Albert Einstein (chapter 4)

In my life this week…Wednesday was the 100th day of school so we ate 129 skittles (the extra 29 apiece is because we had to split it equally, you know!) < that’s how I felt afterward. Neither of the kids seemed to be affected!

I worked Monday and Thursday, just under 13 hours total. It seems, however, that those 13 hours equate to at least 24 hours wasted. Not sure how that works… but I’m telling you that’s how it is!

I’m thinking, honestly, that Tuesday was the only day that school was truly done. When I sat down in the classroom {or wherever}, with the kids, and did the whole teacher-and-student …thing. I’ve got to plan better next week!

Things I’m working on…I worked on my AO/HEO Kindle Ready Books website {it’s a never ending work in progress, thankfully} and also volunteered to do a few days worth of February history downloads for Teacher’s Toolbox. And then there’s also working with my mom on a project {I’ve not done anything really yet}. Doing those things means I didn’t get to do all my dishes and the making of good, nutritious meals for my family. Nah, I’m just kidding- those things didn’t get done because I chose to do other things {and no, my family did not go without lol- well, maybe the dishes part…}

And here it is Friday…Fox did some school and Lee worked on Greek {that’s not even work to her- she does it for fun}. We shoveled snow and the kids have played on the Wii. It’s just one of those days.

I plan on working more on the things for my mom, getting that last Teacher’s Toolbox item done, making chicken enchiladas for dinner (I’m cooking…) and then promptly crashing on the couch. I’m thinking I might have a head cold today. Me, who is very rarely sick. I am sneezing a lot and my head feels like it is full of cotton.

As for the kids… they will so nicely occupy themselves and/or each other {and the cat} for a few hours. It’ll all be fine …just fine.

 

Second “Independent” Day… Day #96

This is my second week of work and our first week back to school. Actually the school portion has gone surprisingly well. The kids have been doing well with their independent work. For the most part. I did find some discrepancies in what was recorded as done and what was actually done. But when called to their attention, they quickly made it right. 

Tomorrow is Friday and I work for four hours. The kids will again have independent work. The next three weeks I am scheduled to only work two days a week. That will be good.

This weekend is more planning on the schedules. I had written down what books/resources were to be added in this time of year but *hanging my head in shame* I cannot find that paper. There are history/geography, literature, composer/art study, and a few other things to put back into the schedules.

It should be fun  

Lee:
Bible: Reading (Acts 24), verse (Colossians 3:1-14); Mark commentary (finished chapter 14)
Math: Life of Fred Beginning Algebra (Lesson 103)
History/Geography: -
Language Arts: Westward Ho!; Excellence in Literature (compare and contrast of The Purloined Letter by Poe and The Diamond Necklace by Maupassant)
Foreign Language:  Greek (Lesson 32)
Gov’t/Citizenship/Logic: Utopia {she has to be done with this soon or it’s getting chucked!}; How to Read a Book (pages 21-24 {meaty book!}); Current Events
Science: Biology (read outline for chapter 7.3)

Fox:
Bible: Reading (Luke 22), verse (Proverbs 15:16-20)
Math: CK12 7th Grade (lesson 1.4)
History/Geography: -
Language Arts: Jensen’s Grammar (Lesson 10 {his handwriting is so neat the last two lessons- I want to photograph the pages!!}); 30 minute reading (The Red Baron Autobiography); Animal Farm (3/4 of chapter 2; used this site to help with the allegorical aspect of it)
Foreign Language: First Form Latin (Lesson 24, worksheets 3-5 {apparently there was a mix up during the week as to what worksheets were to be done…and here I thought it was all right- need to pay closer attention- yikes!})
Gov’t/Economics/Civics/Logic: The Fallacy Detective (Lesson 9)
Science: Murche’s (Lesson 39); Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity (finished chapter 3)

Day #95 ... 85 Days to Go!

Lee:
Bible: Reading (Duet. 28), verse (Colossians 3:1-14)
Math: Life of Fred Beginning Algebra (Lesson 102)
History/Geography: Wes. Civ. (page 358-360)
Language Arts: Excellence in Literature (compare and contrast of The Purloined Letter by Poe and The Diamond Necklace by Maupassant)
Foreign Language:  First Form Latin (Lesson 24, worksheet 4); Greek (Lesson 31)
Gov’t/Economics/Civics/Logic: Whatever Happened to Justice (chapter 32); Current Events
Science: Biology (VLab: Photosynthesis at SAS -QL# 2)
Art: Artist Pursuits (Senior High Book 1, Elements of Art and Composition, lesson 4)

Fox:
Bible: Reading (Duet. 17), verse (Proverbs 15:16-20), Saints & Heroes (Loyola)
Math: CK12 7th Grade (lesson 1.3)
History/Geography: -
Language Arts: Jensen’s Grammar (Lesson 9); The Age of Fable (Basilisk, chapter 37)
Foreign Language: First Form Latin (Lesson 24, worksheet 4)
Gov’t/Economics/Civics/Logic: Young Marines
Science: The Story Book of Science (Chapter 33)

Two days in a row of 100% completion of what was scheduled. There are still some things that aren’t scheduled yet. I will take the weekend and make sure that they get in next week’s schedule. As it stands right now, May 18th will be the last day of school Until July that is

How A ‘Good’ Day Goes Here …Day #94

I wrote a post back in October 2011 of a day at our house. I thought it’d be fun to post another day here at our house…now that it is 2 months later. It might be more typical than the first post But maybe not {both days have a trip to the ortho- that only happens every 4-6 weeks}.

My dh wakes up every morning {practically} at 6:00 am and wakes me at 6:30 with a goodbye kiss. That is how the day starts. Wonderfully for me.

I woke up at 7:56 am {although there was a moment around 6:30-7:00 am that I know I was physically awake- I’m sure of it} and after going to the little girls’ room, promptly went down two flights of stairs to feed my alarm clock cat. While down in the basement I checked on the cat bed that was in the dryer from the night before. Not dry- turn it on again. Our cat is …weird. She pees in her bed and then gives us dirty looks when she cannot sleep in it. Maybe all cats are weird?

After that coffee was a necessity. I woke with a horrible headache- one where my stomach is flipping back and forth from. Bleh. Coffee, caffeine, usually helps. {I still have a headache and some stomach nausea} Grind the beans. Filter the water. Wait. Fill coffee maker with water, fill basket with grounds. Press brew. Wait. This morning, perhaps because of the headache, I forgot about breakfast. Usually it is eggs, toast, juice and coffee for me.

About 8:26 am I knocked on each of the kids’ doors and say, “Good morning”. Or something like that. It may have really been “Get up”… I’m not a morning person and my people skills aren’t in use {don’t seem to even be available or exist} first thing. Something to work on perhaps. And I had a horrid headache.

Lee was the first of the two out of her room this morning. That is not normal. She usually is stubborn and has to be told a few times to get up. Fox came strolling out of his room about 8:40 am and immediately headed towards the food cupboard. Were his eyes even open?? He can probably find his way around the kitchen without sight Lee had already ventured to the cupboard and was eyeing her choices. Cold cereal or …hot cereal. She picked cold. No surprise.

Sometimes I make things like eggs {remember I forgot my breakfast}, pancakes, coffee cake, or the extra special scones. But not this morning. They usually like cold cereal if I haven’t made something. This morning they both had that- Fox chose rice crispies and yogurt {odd combo??}, while Lee went for the traditional honey nut o’s with milk {only to discover there was barely any milk thawed}. This caused a bit of a heated discussion –mostly on the part of Lee- but I reminded them that if they pay attention to how much milk they have consumed {they are the only ones that use it}, they would know they need to get a jug out of the freezer for thawing. Fox and I got the laser stare a few times from Lee..but we ignored it…she got over it. I told her to look on the bright side- her cereal wouldn’t get soggy!

At 9:00 am Fox asked what time it was. Then I remembered that Lee had an orthodontist appointment at 10. Lee decided to take a bath {our downstairs shower doesn’t work correctly} and got done about 9:20-ish am. While Lee was taking a bath, Fox started to work on his school. First he did his Bible reading. Today was Luke 21. I forgot to ask for his narration. Headaches make me more scatter brained than usual.

Lee had started her school work as well by then (about 9:30 am). She does things in pretty much the same order each day- and that isn’t always how it is written on her schedule. She almost always starts with Bible reading. Today it was Acts 23. Fox does it as it is written even if it isn’t convenient for others; he feels the need to have the same routine. I try to accommodate that but sometimes he has to be more flexible. Today was one of those days.

They both said their verses before we went to the ortho appointment. Lee recited Colossians 3:1-12 {which seems to be going backward since she memorized through 14 the last time we had school- eh, well, time has a way of taking what we remember} and Fox recited Proverbs 15:16-20 {the same as weeks ago}. They read it, write it and then recite it. We will move forward next week.

At 9:45 am we drove the few miles to the orthodontist office. It isn’t very far, thankfully. When Lee was finally taken back {after waiting for about 20 minutes and us all playing Angry Birds on my Kindle Fire}, it took less than 30 minutes for her to be done. She chose light blue bands this time. That might be the most fun part of braces; choosing the color each visit.

We made it home about 11:00-ish am, give or take a few minutes. Fox immediately wanted to watch an episode of Naruto {gag, ick, don’t like the show} but the rule at our house is any screen time must be earned. In order to earn time, specific chores must be done, and completely. The amount of time it takes to do the chore is the amount of time that they are allowed for screen time. They actually hate the rule. But it is a rule and that is that. So we had a bit of a time when we first got home with Fox getting over what is always the same. There are times when they will earn time and I will reward them with extra time but they must earn in the first place. Anyhow, moving on.

Shortly after getting home Fox worked on Jensen’s Grammar, lesson 8. I worked with him on it- it’s usually a fairly independent subject. About 11:39 am I started on dishes. We’d run out of dish soap two nights ago and I kept forgetting to get more. Yes, we had dishes filling the sink and the countertop. The hazards of having a lot of counter space? Or a laid back housekeeper? LOL maybe both! About 12:00 pm I made cheese quesadillas for lunch.

Fox had finished School of the Woods, chapter 6, Murche’s Science Reader, lesson 38, and First Form Latin, Lesson 24, worksheet 3 by lunch time. Lee had done chapter 7.1 & 7.2 outline reading, pages 115-119 and worked on vocabulary for Biology. She also did First Form Latin, lesson 24, worksheet 3, Greek review {she listened to the pronunciation cd}, History of English Literature for Boys and Girls, chapter 47, read in Utopia and Mark commentary. After lunch Fox and Lee worked on Ohio Study using this site. Lee worked on Excellence in Literature, comparing and contrasting two short stories {The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allen Poe and The Diamond Necklace by Guy De Maupassant}. I tried to help her with her confidence in writing. She is a great writer; she lacks confidence. She had already finished lesson 101 in Life of Fred Beginning Algebra and worked on Current Events. Fox read from Animal Farm (chapter 1) and finished CK12 Math- 7th grade, lesson 1.1 & 1.2.

School was all done about 3:00 pm. Fox did a load of laundry in order to earn some screen time {to watch the episode we’d talked about earlier} and Lee swept all floors in the house. Both earned screen time and it was quiet for about 30 minutes Lee then vacuumed for more time and Fox suggested that they walk to the library. It might sound strange but physical activity earns them screen time as well. Walking to the library takes 25 minutes =25 minutes of screen time. It is a really nice day today so they decided to walk. Lee is saving her time for some serious screen time. They left about 3:35 pm.

I still need to finish my last bit of dishes and start dinner. I start dinner around 5:30-5:45 pm because we usually eat about 6:30 pm, depending on what I cook. Tonight I plan on making something with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, rice and veggies. Sometimes I mix it all together, like a soup; other times a main dish with sides. I think I will make biscuits tonight instead of the rice. Yum.

Dinner is usually done about 6:45-7:00 pm. The kids tend to go to Lee’s room and read or play together. I check emails, update my blog and/or website. Depending on when my dh gets home, we might watch some Top Gear in the living room {lol time well spent!} or by 8:15 pm, hubby and I will watch something upstairs.

I go upstairs and get ready for bed no later than 9:00 pm. The kids have ‘lights out’ by 9:30 pm. And everyone is asleep by 10:00 pm. It is very funny that our start and end of the day is quite predictable- it’s the in between that changes.

This post was composed for the TOS Blog Cruise. See how others spend their days! The Cruise post will be live January 17, 2012.