Weavings

Saturday, June 2, 2012

The Homeschooler Mother's Journal - Beads & Books

The beads I bought for the younger kids

were hijacked by the older kids. Great fun was had by all!

In my life this week…
Monday afternoon we went to my brother-in-law's house for a BBQ. Food, fun, and fellowship--you can't ask for more!

Tuesday we got up and headed up to Portland to get the boys' haircuts. We also had to stop at the homeschool store, Exodus Books, to get another Scout book.

Wednesday saw my husband working really late which results in a late dinner. That pretty much shoots your evening, but we enjoy eating together and that is worth it.

Thursday was a pretty typical day. School, errands, and then it was time to head to church.

Friday was baseball game time.

In our homeschool this week…
The big news is that Caleb finished Algebra 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was allowed to take the rest of the week off in Math before he starts Geometry. He also finished up All American History Vol. 1. He will be doing school work through out the summer, though a lightened load.

Destini and Chantry finished up their literature book, The Heroes by Charles Kingsley. This was not a favorite read and they were thrilled to finish up the book. They also finished up their spelling books.

I have had Chantry working on his fine motor skills. I have had him cutting out coupons and I saw a big improvement this week. We added stringing beads to our routine. Of course, Delani has loved all these activities including the beads, though she stuck a bead up her nose!! I was freaking out. Thankfully, it slid out enough I could get it out. Oh, and the beads also attracted the older kids. They skipped stringing them and just created pictures on the table with them. (see picture above)

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
This week was just visiting relatives, haircuts, and baseball.

My favorite thing this week was…
A couple of weeks ago, Carrie at Reading to Know had a giveaway for a copy of The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict and I won a copy! Destini's favorite book series is The Mysterious Benedict Society , so when the package arrived this week I gave it to her. I hadn't told her I had won a copy and boy, was she surprised when she opened the package. I think she just floated on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

Questions/thoughts I have…
Trying to look ahead to next year and trying to decide if I'm going to continue with Rod and Staff's Spelling. I love that it is not teacher intensive, but..... This was our first year using it, so I may need more time with it. I also want to add more dictation in and wondering if that is feasible along with the spelling.

Things I’m working on…
We have a used curriculum sale coming up this week and I'm preparing to sell some items. I also am hoping to get to some sewing soon.

I’m reading…

I’m cooking…
We had spaghetti this week, which is a huge hit in this household. I will be glad when baseball is over so we can get back to meals that don't take 30 minutes to cook, 10 minutes to eat and 10 minutes to clean up.

I’m grateful for…
The Word of God.

I’m praying for…
Peace in my heart.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Destini's new book which came as a surprise!

I am linking up at iHomeschool Network & Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - The End is in Sight

Chantry's new glasses!

In my life this week…Monday started off with a cold shower and I hate cold showers. Thankfully, the day improved though it rained and baseball practice was cancelled. I had taken Chantry out to look for new glasses since his current pair had broke. I eventually gave up and waited until Shade arrived home. I had the hardest time getting him to understand that the frames & lenses he was trying on were just samples not the finished product. Oh, my husband came home and turned the hot water heater on.

Tuesday we had to get up and head out to the doctor's office. Destini has has had a weird cough and it wasn't improving. It ended up being either allergies or a virus and the cough lingers on. I also was able to attend homeschool round-up where different coops, homeschool groups and activities were featured for our area.

On Wednesday, Shade had to work really late again so I planned a late dinner. After dinner Chantry and I went down to Walmart and picked up his new glasses. He thinks his Transition lenses are pretty cool!

On Thursday Destini and I headed out to McDonalds for a small snack while we worked on her Beautiful Girlhood book. Then we headed out to her piano lesson. On the way I had to stop and get gas for the van. The cheapest place in town was $4.10 a gallon. Gulp!!

Since it had rained all week and more was predicted in the forecast I was prepared for another day of rain on Friday, but no, God surprised us with sunshine. I made a quick run to Old Navy and Michaels and then it was time to get dinner going before heading to baseball. Chantry's baseball game was almost finished and Caleb's had just started when raindrops begin to fall (please note: the sun was still shining). Within 15 minutes the sky opened and dumped down the rain. When it started to thunder, which is rare in Oregon, we decided that standing under the tree wasn't a good idea. We made a mad dash to our van and by the time we all arrived we were soaking wet!! When we pulled into town I had to laugh because it hadn't even rained there.

In our homeschool this week…Caleb finished two books this week, Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific in a Raft by Thor Heyerdahl for geography and George Washington and the Founding of a Nation (PB) by Albert Marrin for a history biography.
Destini and Chantry finished The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daughtery.

I spent some time this week working with Chantry on some fine motor skills. He pinched tweezers and picked up pom-poms, cut out coupons, and had to do some nice and neat coloring. He was thrilled to finish First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind and Lessons in Responsibility for Boys Level 2.

We finished up reading Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long as a read aloud and started the The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit.

We are coming down the the homestretch!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Amy over at Hope is the Word posted this great idea for Parts of Speech Notebooking pages. I am going to have Chantry do this since he still doesn't quite understand all the parts of speech.
I am inspired by…Our school year coming to a close.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…Baseball, the doctor's office, and piano lessons.
My favorite thing this week was…Attending the homeschool round-up. I registered Caleb up for an art class for next school year.
Things I’m working on…It is that time to start thinking of next year. We have a local homeschool curriculum sale coming up so I'm getting thing ready to sell and making my list of what I will need for next year.

I’m reading…

I’m cooking…Tator-tot casserole, Stroganoff Chicken with rice, and a Heath Bar Cake that I surprised my husband with on Wednesday.

You can find the recipe here.

I’m grateful for…My husband--he is such a hard worker and that allows me to be at home with my children.

I’m praying for…We had a door open for our church, which my husband pastors, only to receive a call last night which basically slammed the door shut. Needless to say, we were shocked and hurt and a little confused. We ultimately want God's will in this situation and need either a miracle or peace from the Lord.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
A song that has been on my mind.

I am linkin up at iHomeschool Network & Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.