What do we do on a nice cold day?   We go for a hike, of course.  Our favorite thing to do.   It's 47* this afternoon.  

Then we go for one of these...

...oops, well I guess I was ready for a snack.   Hehe!  That's what was left of my coffee and cinnamon coffee muffin from My Favorite Muffin.   : )

Homeschool Spirit Day!!

Today was Comfy Cozy Day!  Of course, you know what that means.  Pajamas....for the boy anyway.   Nope the girl would not hear of it.   hehehe  Didn't surprise me.   That's what homeschool is all about.   Individuality, doing what works for you. 



So the boy decorated a megaphone then as you can see they schooled on my bed.  I remember when I was a kid, my mom's bed was where we wanted to be.   Even now, when we go visit, it's the place to go.   hehe






The girl was working on some math. 

Comfy on the bed, cozy as a family.  

Tomorrow is Crazy Sock Day!  Woo Hoo!   Go Homeschool!!

Happy Homeschooling!

Life of a Homeschooler

We began homeschooling a couple of weeks ago.   Still seems like we are just getting off the ground.   It's amazing all that goes on in a short time.   Our 1st week we had a Special Week of Activity at the Hall.   Of course, life is on hold during that time.   We concentrate on our ministry and hopefully some household chores.   We take care of a few school things as well.   This keeps us pretty busy.   Currclick.com helps keep us on track too.   We have French, Photography, and Psychology thru them.   It's nice to have the children associate with other homeschool kids, even if it is online.  Our homeschool program changes all the time it seems. 

This week Currclick is the official host of International Homeschool Spirit Week.   Ds is pretty excited.   Today was Homeschool Away From Home Day.   We chose to do some schooling at Starbucks.  Then we went by the water to take some pictures for Photography Class. 

Tomorrow is Comfort Cozy Day sponsored by Apologia.  More pictures to come.   I love homeschooling!

Happy Homeschool!

A New School Year

We haven't officially started  yet, but we are preparing.  Should be starting next week.  We are actually getting excited.   There's a lot to do and not much time.   Then we are trying to salvage what's left of our time off.   We didn't really get much beach time.   We hope to include more trips this year.   Ds already has a long list of things to do.   Lol! 

By next week we should have a full schedule.  Hopefully I will find the time to post our new classes here.   Dd has already begun her elective.  Ds begins French next week.   They both will stay pretty busy for a while.  We look forward to the new year. 

Yesterday we took 1st day of school pictures.   They turned out really nice.  I might post those soon too. 

Well I think that's it for now.   Happy School Year!

Cloudy School Day

  Today has been cloudy most of the day.  Not cold, just really dark.  It seems that the weather is making everyone stir crazy.   There's a lot of noise and no focus.   Today we have had many breaks. 

   Grammar was  making up sentences and finding the subject and predicate. We also did some reading and geography.   I don't usually use the same books.   Depends on the mood.   Sometimes its just reading. Games are fun too.  We will do that later.  For now, we are going to ride our bikes before the rain comes.  Yay!

Gotta Love Homeschool!

Or vacations.   Lol! 
Headed to the Hill Country!

It was just beautiful!  We had a great time.  Although we had fun, we still had school.

We are using a Live Class from Currclick.  It was their last week, so they had to finish out the class.  That's what I just love about homeschooling.   I never would have thought to visit an out of town library.   The staff here was very homeschool friendly.  They opened up their conference room to us and gave us privacy to have our class.  


Thank you, Leakey Public Library!  

Speaking of public libraries.....I never realized how important it is to visit those libraries.   That particular library is in a small town.  Population: 357.  They are funded by how many people visit them.  Even if you don't check out books, some sell books and they have useful information concerning the goings on in the area.   At this particular one, I found a great deal of homeschool information.   They had Practical Homeschooling Magazine and 1 other that I don't recall.  Sorry.
I was also informed that because of all the visitors in that area, they had over 280 zip codes on their list last year.  I saw an address from Germany and 1 from Switzerland on their list too.  My point to all this is that it is important for us as homeschoolers to  visit these libraries, so they will be there when we need them.  Our support is very important to their existence.

Garner State Park 

  
We love hiking.   Lost Maples State Park is a great place.

Can't wait for our next adventure.   Homeschooling doesn't have to be school at home. 

Homeschool Life

Time flies when your living life by the seat of your pants.   The kids just keep growing and learning and maturing.   Sometimes I feel like they'll be leaving me behind too soon, but other times I feel like it's not soon enough.   What can I say, I'm a true homeschool mom!  Ahahahaha! 

Quick rundown of our happenings:  This summer we attended 2 homeschool conventions.   It was so much fun with the family.   They learned a lot too.  We even got to see a porcupine at one.  They had all kinds of exotic animals on display. The kids had a look at all the books and really loved Rainbow Resource.  Of course we picked up a few things!

They are also doing well with their French lessons.  This is the 2nd year.   Son wants to take French 3, mostly cause he likes the class.   Daughter does not.   She was never really into it.  I do want them to take a different language.   Perhaps something that they would actually use in our area.   We'll see.  

Well, gotta run!   Yesterday was our anniversary and we are heading out the door to go for a late celebration. 

Wow!  I've been gone a long time.   There is so much to do.   Or so much that we've been doing.   Recently they have been taking a placement test from the Alpha Omega site.   http://www.aophomeschooling.com/           I used the test as a guide for myself really.   I'm trying to prepare for next year.   Checking to see what they still need to learn or work on.  It starts with kinder and goes until 8th grade or you can get the higher grades.   That's just what I used.   They did very well.   One is 9 years old and the other just turned 14.   They are above their age level on most things.   I'm glad to know I'm doing my job.   : ) 

We will take more time off this summer.   Maybe 2weeks off, 2 weeks on.   Not sure.  Still thinking about it.

Library Today

Have you been to the library lately?   If you are a homeschool mom, I'm sure you have.   Maybe not this week but within the year.   I usually just go to pick something up and leave.    Today I started looking thru the shelves.   I'm speaking particularly of the biographies, kids biographies.    Gone are the days of Amelia Earhart, Benjamin Franklin, and Johannes Gutenberg.  (sigh)  I was looking for a book on Amelia Earhart and couldn't find anything.   I did find other inventors and such, don't misunderstand me.   I was just surprised at the amount of books on Christina Aguilera, Tupac, Beyonce and others such as that.   When did singers and actors become today's role models?   Or so important that they had so many of those types of books.  I know they have always had followers, but in our library I found quite a few books on "stars" rather than on the stars.   I was young once.   I remember reading about my favorite actor's or singer's likes and dislikes.   What I'm talking about is the change in morals and desires.   I know we have already had the 1st lady astronaut or the 1st lady speaker of the house, but surely our kids must aspire to more than getting paid for acting or singing.   Not that these people haven't broken barriers in their profession.   It's just not what I would like for my children to base their lives existence on.  We all can choose how to raise our children.   It is our choice to train them or encourage them toward something.   I really just hadn't noticed those books nor their importance in our life.   That's another reason to love homeschooling.   I can choose what my children watch and can encourage their interests in the direction which I see fit.  

Long Month!

I'm not complaining though. It's been a good busy month of March. Time just goes too fast. Today we will be working on our Amelia Earhart lapbook. Time to get back on track.

Last month we barely kept up with our math, writing, reading and our ministry.   The weather is warming up but still very windy.   I have a few things planned, so we will see if you get them all done.   Can't wait to get back on schedule.   Neither can the kids.   They asked when we'd be starting again.   hehehe  Just the words I love to hear!  The girl should begin her piano lessons this month too.   The boy will begin guitar soon.   Haven't found the right teacher yet.   They are growing fast.

I hope to keep up with my blogging this month, but if not I'm sure I will be updating soon.

HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING!  

Free Day!

I love homeschool.   Today dad had off so we went out of town to visit a friend.   It was so much fun.   We went out for lunch then back to his house to play games.   I haven't felt like playing games in a while.   Sometimes I just get so worn out that just sitting around and visiting is enough for me.   Since we began a new way of eating I have so much energy.   Depression and fatigue are kept at bay.   I really do feel great!  As for homeschooling, I love that we can schedule or reschedule as we need.   Sometimes its the things we do that the children learn from.   Schooling is important, but when dad's off we need to be able to adapt.  These are memories we are making with our kids.  I want them to enjoy life too.

Son purchased the game Mancala this weekend.   He was so excited because it is a game he learned to play on Poptropica website.   It is by the writer of Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.  Son saved his allowance and decided it was time to go shopping.  He bought himself a Foam Sword and the board game Mancala.   It is a game of strategy.   It comes in a wooden box which is the board. 

Daughter on the other hand had been saving her money for a new puppy.  

Isn't she precious?  She is a 6wk old sheltie.  Her name is Autumn.  She is in a basket.   Easy to train and very sweet disposition.  Daughter had been wanting a puppy of her own since she was 8yrs old.   She is now almost 14.  I hope she is really ready for the responsibility.

Well seems like there will be all kinds of learning in this house.   hehehe 

Not Much

Well today was one of those days.   We started out really cold, cloudy and raining.   It sure does make it hard to focus.   Since I went to bed so late last night, I slept in.   9:30 to be exact.   Ugh.   This just means on a short day, it gets even shorter.   I was slow moving this morning.  Son is so great lately that he was ready to start me a pot of coffee.   When suddenly I remembered, we had put a couple of diet sodas in the freezer for dad who was coming home at midnight.   I hated the thought of opening the freezer, but I had to look.  



















See son's "experiments"?  hehe  We will be taking those frozen balloons to launch them in the ditch with his giant sling shot. I got it for him at the homeschool convention this past summer.





What a wreck isn't it?   Well thanks to the kids we got it all cleaned up.  

 

 

 











Much better!  I didn't put all that ice cream back in either.   Looks brand new.   I hated putting anything in there.   I threw out a lot but what I kept went into the freezer in the garage.

For school we did our meeting prep.   Bible reading and things like that.   Then I had them write a grocery list.   They even took the dogs out for a short walk in the rain.   I figure that's good schooling.   hehehe

As for tomorrow, we will do some quick math then off to the store and some errands with those lists they wrote for me. 

School Day

Its Wednesday.   I coulda stayed in bed today.   Alas, not possible.   I have coffee at 8am.   Kids are up and getting dressed by 9am.   It's late, but I kinda like the quiet.   Especially on cold cloudy days.   I have been doing some deep cleaning the last couple of days.   Today I took apart the sectional and "washed" the left side recliner.  Yesterday I cleaned the right side recliner.   Tomorrow I will do the middle section.  Since I have pets in the house, I have a lot of fur to tend to.   Then I have the laundry, always laundry.  I have been working on cleaning throw pillows and small carpets.  Tonight before bed I will wash and dry hubby's coveralls.   He worked late tonight and he needs them for tomorrow.

Before lunch we watched Nanny McPhee.   We have seen it before, but they wanted to watch it again.   Sometimes I wish I had a Nanny McPhee.   hehehe   Only 5 lessons.  Not that my kids are as bad as the ones in the movie, but she sure would come in handy when the kids don't want to do their chores or schoolwork.    

We began school after lunch.   They worked in their workbooks.   This helps me to finish cleaning.   They did some language arts and then some math.   They have a daily read aloud.  Usually its Bible reading.   Sometimes its from a book they are reading.  

So, that's it for today.   Tomorrow is supposed to be our game day.   It is Thursday; therefore, we will also have meeting prep.

To close I leave you with a picture of our growing bunny Clover.   Isn't she cute?
 



  

Monday, Monday.....

Well, it was a school day today.   Unfortunately we only got home ec. done.   hehehe  I am glad about that too.   It got cold this evening.   We started out with nice sunny weather then it changed to dark clouds.   I believe it was in the 70's today.   Tonight it is in the 50's and very windy.   So although we were in shorts today, tomorrow we will be in jeans and long sleeve shirts.   

We did finish a read aloud we had checked out from the library.   A friend had told me about the book Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt.   We just finished the 2nd book in the series.   We liked the series, so I am sure we will be checking out the 3rd one this week.   While I did most of the cleaning, the kids folded laundry and put away clean clothes.  They also did some writing on their own and then we did a bit of wrestling.   hehehe   I love getting down on the ground with them and tickling them 'til they cry uncle.   hahaha

Well I'm off til tomorrow.  Night!

Homeschool?

Ok. I have made a new decision. Since Thursdays are very short for me, I have decided we will make that our "game" day. My son feels that he needs more play time. Isn't that funny? I think what he means is that he needs more mommy time. It is still a form of learning anyway. For example, have you ever played this game? ......



hehehe Well, its Spanish isn't it? hehehe We also played Uno. Before, after and between games we had our Bible reading and other meeting prep. Sounds like homeschool to me.


I'm sure all homeschool moms can relate. It just seems that time gets away from me. I have been feeling so crummy for so long. Now with our change in diet, I seem to have more energy and a more positive attitude. I think the kids see that as well, so they want to take advantage of it. I always tried to keep house and was always worried that it wasn't organized enough. I know our home will never come out in the pages of Better Homes and Gardens. I do want the children to look back on their childhood and reflect on all the love and fun that we had as a homeschool family. It's important. The mountains of laundry will always be there as will the inches of dust and the dirty windows. Believe me I do my best to clean, but I have realized that I don't need to spring clean everyday. If by chance someone happens to drop by unannounced, then I just hope they aren't offended. I will not apologize, nor will I make excuses. We live here. 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. (and if it really bothers them, they can pitch in anywhere they see fit. I can always use a maid.)

Now I'm off to get my z's. Happy Homeschooling!

2 Months Absent

WOW!! Time sure flies. It has been 2 months since I have posted. A lot has happened in that time. Nothing really great as far as schooling. By that I mean we do our usual. The 3 R's! Believe me, I am grateful just to get that done. We have finished a lapbook on maps and globes. It was fun and had a lot to learn.

Dad changed jobs again. Went back to his old one. :( Nope we are not too happy about that. He is working Monday thru Friday and gets out early, but there are still other issues there.

The next big thing that has kept me busy is our new "diet". We are now eating raw. I would say 80% raw. Yep that's what I said. We have hardly any meat and when we do its chicken. The rest are raw fruits and vegetables. We were doing a lot of nuts and seeds, but I want to keep the fats down to a minimum. I feel so much better and I definitely do notice a difference in energy level. It has been since December and I can actually say I even see a smoothness in my skin. It is very soft and even the fine lines have seemed to begin smoothing out. I personally don't have cravings to go back to fast food or beef, but i think hubby does.

We also had a death in the family. Hubby's grandmother. We have been busy with family. It's unfortunate that we don't see each other until someone dies. I guess that happens to most.

Oh and we have a new family member. Not named yet, since we don't know if its male or female. We should be able to tell in another week.

Isn't it cute?!

And look at this gift we received from a dear friend....







EWW!



THANKS, FRIEND!!!

Homeschool Day

No traditional school for us today. It was a wet, cold and dreary day. We had an 8am eye appointment. Then we rushed back to make some "wash day" soup for lunch. We read from our latest book Earthborn. Then headed back out to a couple of dental appointments. I thought it was interesting that my 9yr old seemed to be more aware of things going on. He showed a great deal of interest at the optometrist's office. They were very nice and accommodating too. They even showed him how the boxes with the animals work. Since he does not need glasses, he had not been there in a long time. Sister has astigmatism and is nearsighted. He was able to see how all the instruments they use work to get the best lenses for her vision. So although we did not have traditional school, we did have school of sorts. It was more a like a field trip! By the way, hot chocolate and some banana nut cake sure make a yummy breakfast on a day like today. YUM!

Great Evening!!

Ok. This counts as part of our homeschool life. After all this is how our homeschool began. hehehe

Yesterday was our 19th Wedding Anniversary. We met in high school and got married 5yrs later. Nope. I couldn't stay away from him and he couldn't stay away from me either. ...to say the least. We have had our ups and downs like any normal couple. Nothing really to break us up. Just the normal things. 2 kids, several pets, vacations, illness, family, and many more "normal" issues. This last year was the most dramatic. He has gone thru a couple of job losses and finance changes which we had never experienced before. All the while thru stress and all, we continue holding on. Yes, there have been times 1 or the other needs a "break" or to get away, but we are still here and have made it thru another year. So not expecting anything special on our 19th, we went thru our day as any other Sunday. Except that the excitement was building! Why? Well on Saturday morning we knew that we didn't have a dollar to our name, but it was ok. I was just happy to have food on the table and gas in the car. Then we got a phone call from a friend. He insisted we go out with him and friends. Before we had a chance to convince him we couldn't, he purchased concert tickets online. So there we were, shocked and grateful. He treated us to the Darius Rucker concert. The really interesting thing about that is that he didn't even know it was our anniversary. It was so much fun! We left our kids at home and went out with 2 adults to a concert. Reminded me of the "good ol' days". I actually forgot about all that has been going on the last few months. I really needed it. I was so relaxed I gave a few shouts and sang right along. When it was all over, I was ready to get back to my kids who I had left behind with another good friend and their uncle. hehehe So we got back to our "normal" life at 11pm. It sure was a great 19th anniversary. Ready to go another year.

Same ol',same ol'....

Hi, you probably thought I was no longer here. Well sometimes I feel like I'm not. hehehe Life keeps me busy. I actually have posted a few times, but they are still in the draft section of my blog. It just seems like I don't have the want to or the energy to post lately. We have had a tummy virus and it has almost made its rounds to everyone in the family. I had other issues this week as well and it is difficult to school on such days. The reason for my posting this negative post is the header on my blog. I am supposed to be recording the good and the bad of my homeschool life. So to me, this is the bad side. No matter how much school is the most important part of our day, life has a way of prioritizing for me. The goal of course, is to do some form of schooling no matter what. How do we manage that? This blog is about homeschooling after all. hehehe Well we read in bed, play educational games... Yes even Monopoly can be educational! My son has learned to count money very well with that game. I have a site that sends file folder math games. They are easy and just something to keep them going. The math is easy to take care of because even if I am not up to playing games, they can do some worksheets. Then they have some Language Arts. I have a few books that they can work in if they need to do something that I don't have to actually teach. We have also been working on a maps and globes lapbook from Hands of a Child. They are older now too so it's a lot easier. They are now able to read instructions and understand what they are to do. We have taken a few field trips to nature trails and such to keep them thinking and learning. It also gets us out of the house and gives us fresh air and refreshes our minds. Certainly it is not just about academics. Life has plenty of lessons for us as well. We have had a few deaths amongst our friends and family which helps the children learn compassion and kindness and how to give comfort. In being helpful in someone else's time of need, they learn to make application and importance of scriptural guidance. The lesson for me here is that I have learned that I am not a failure as a mother or a teacher. I am able to persevere under our circumstances and help the children learn thru life's lessons. Well guess that's all for now. Until next time. Hope its soon! Happy homeschooling!

School

Well another week started. Thursdays and Fridays have not been very good school days. Seems those errands and interruptions have decided those days belong to them. This week we will be extra special busy. Starting Tuesday evening we will have a special week of activity. The ministry will be our main focus. It will be good for public speaking and volunteer work.

We will still try to do the 3 R's for school. Today was the boy's 1st composition. We began with something simple. A paragraph of only 3 sentences. Right now he is just adding adjectives. He is working on the format of a paragraph. He did some reading and language arts as well. I see alot of improvement from him since last year.


The girl read and worked on critical thinking and some language arts. She sure is reading a lot. and she has done a great job with her art. She is very creative. My shadow is in the way, but here is her interpretation of the scripture Matthew 19:6.


The hand around the wedding couple represents God yoking the 2 together.

Well that's it for today. Until next time!