Cold Up There

After talking with our daughter Amber, I thought that I would write to all those we care about "up there" where it is REALLY cold and snowy right now. We are thinking of you. I also want you to know that it still gets cold down here. Last night it got down to about 20 and the high will be in the 30's. We have no snow, however, and I miss that. But I don't miss shoveling it! So, we will be drinking a cup of hot cocoa for all our northern friends! We miss you!

A trip to the Georgia Aquarium

We went to the Georgia Aquarium with our friends from Illinois. All I can say is "Wow!". It was fantastic! The colors of the fish are incredible. Because we have been "land locked" for so many years, just seeing all the fish, sharks and whales was quite a treat. Although admission can be a bit pricey (we got discounts through Pat's work) it is well worth the trip.
This picture doesn't even begin to do justice to this enormous tank filled with all those beautiful creatures. The tank is made out of acrylic and is over 17 inches thick! It is crystal clear, and you can see everything. Wonderful!
Grouper anyone? This is K-Doodle and her friend Mr. Grouper!

There were quite a few "petting" areas where you are allowed to pet the fish. C-Sunshine is trying her fingers on a small stingray and shark in this petting pool. The first time around, she actually never "touched" anything. But, after the day in the aquarium and getting more familiar with what the creatures were, she was able to give them a loving pet before we left.

What we are doing in Homeschool

As I am maturing in my role of "home-educator", I am finding that I favor the Charlotte Mason style of teaching. It is also the style in which my children thrive. It is a gentler method. I thought I would share our progress in moving more inline with her style. We will keep using things that are working with the more traditional materials, but I would like to give my girls the love of learning and fill their minds with real "living" books.

Our daily routine does change from time to time, still trying to find that perfect rhythm for our day. I must say, now that I have a few years of homeschooling under my belt, it is easier to just scratch things and find what works. The education of the "whole child", starting with the heart.

Here goes:

K-Doodle (Kindergarten)
Winter Promise LAK - (I am really liking this program and she is doing well with it.)
Saxon Math 1
Human Body Children's Encyclopedia - Science
Handwriting without Tears K
Alphabuddies - we love these
Lots of arts and crafts

C-Sunshine (3rd or 4th grade. Does it really matter? :)
Spelling Wisdom - I love this!
Explode the Code 7 & 8
Primary Language Lessons
Language of God for Little Folks
Handwriting without Tears Cursive
Saxon Math 3 and about to start 5/4

Both Girls
Winter Promise American Story 1 - (Although we like this program, we are missing Story of the World. We will probably not be continuing next year and will switch back to Story of the World. Why must I try new things when what I am using is working? :)
Nature Study
ARTistic Pursuits
Artist Study*
Composer Study*
Using schedule from amblesideonline.org
Homeschool Gymnastic Class (PE Class)
Homeschool Art Coop (We start this week!)
Girls Book Club - we are starting this in our area at the end of the month.

A Trip to Callaway Gardens

We had a great time yesterday visiting Callaway Gardens with our good friend from Illinois, Sandy. I had heard a rumor that the Gardens were free in January and February and it was true. Though the gardens are not in bloom, they are still beautiful and we had a great time at the Butterfly Garden which is indoors. We got to see a large variety of exotic butterfly's. If you ever get a chance to visit, it is worth the trip!

Learning Room

Our New "Learning Room"

I thought that I would snap a few shots of our "Learning Room" here at our new home. I actually really love it. It has lots of space and is very bright and cheerful. We have bookshelves galore as you can see, completely full already. (Yes, Jennifer, I should have left half those books in Illinois! I know what you are thinking.) Anyway, we spend the mornings up here doing our book work and reading and we also spend a lot of time up here as a family. It is just a nice space that we are VERY grateful for. As you can see from the pictures, we need a little more organization. That is one of my new year resolution's of sorts. Wish me luck!

I am usually on the floor where you see the file crate, spread out with all my books working with one of the girls on their lessons. The other one is usually working at the table on her own. We also do our morning devotions on the "carpet". I must say that as I am aging, ahemm, the floor is becoming less and less comfortable. I am looking into a small table for mom. :)

Have a nice weekend everyone.

A Lost Tooth

Today was an exciting day. K-Doodle lost her very first tooth! After many days of waiting and wiggling and a little help from Dad (Mom is a whimp) the tooth is out! Our baby is growing up!

Jumping Jelly Beans

Today we took the girls to a local indoor play park called Jumping Jelly Beans. We also had their two cousins which made it twice as much fun. The play park is made up of huge blow up activities and lots of them. Parents are allowed to go in too, so both Pat and I took our turn "in" with the kids. I did not do so well! Too much motion for me. :) Our local homeschool group goes to this place once a month or so. I am sure it will become one of our new favorite sports here in Georgia for exercise and fun.

Yes, that is Dad at the top bouncing getting reading to slide down with the kids! I cut off his head in the picture, but he was there having fun. :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our family and friends. Today we spent the day in Alabama with my brother's family and my parents. While some people were wasting time watching football, aheem, some of us were out having fun! The girls played "non-stop" with the cousins while Pat went out with the "real men" to shoot guns. He did his first skeet shooting and hit 5 out of 6. Not bad! Of course, I was there to snap a picture. Gotta love a scrapbooker!