Reflection of a Learning Week at the Beach

In the learning room................

We are slowing winding down.  Still have a few weeks left.  Just concentrating on the 3 R's.

A Faithful Household...... We will begin going to church in our new hometown soon.  My kiddos are a bit disappointed there is no VBS at our parish this year.  Hoping to find another VBS to attend.  We will really miss our church and Father Austin.

Around the house.......

We have a contract!  Finally.  We signed a contract on a house that was on our original House Hunting post. The one with no trees.  I guess we will be investing in some big trees to plant.  I love trees!  We are all happy to atleast have a plan of where we are going.  No one really enjoyed the house hunt around here.

  

In the Kitchen.....

I need to get back in there.  We have been traveling so much and eating out.  I have gained 4 pounds over the last week!  Stress eating and eating out.  Need to get back to the grindstone.  I want to make menu's for the next few weeks and start to use up some of the food in the freezer.  Moving in July, I am not sure what will last and for how long.

Out and about.......

We tagged along with Dad on a business trip to Pensacola Beach, Florida.  The beaches there are beautiful.  We spent more time at the pool than the beach.  We had to pay five dollars an hour for chairs and an umbrella and you know what?  I never had to pay more than five dollars!  The girls always wanted to head back to the hotel pool, which is right on the beach.

C-Sunsine and K-Doodle trying to find a wave big enough to "boogie" on.

A photo taken by K-Doodle while sunning herself!

Our hotel, which was the Hilton on  Pensacola Beach

Thinking about....and praying for....

I am thinking about our upcoming move.  I am praying for a smooth closing and an even smoother transition to our new home.  I pray for some stressfree days for my hubby.  I am updating our Relocation Control Journal and making a ton of list.

Visit Jen at Forever, For Always, No Matter What  to link up your homeschool week.  Have a great weekend!

Reflections of Learning Week 30

May has been a crazy month for us.  Full of change and uncertainty.  I am sorry that I have not posted much lately.  My thoughts have been on our upcoming relocation.  Here is an update.

In the learning room................

Our days are getting shorter as C-Sunshine and K-Doodle are finishing up subjects one by one.  Why it is that we always have more math left to do than anything else?  Could it be that we often just put math off until the next day?  nawww.....well, maybe.  We still have a lot of science and history left for the year, but we can always just continue on.  I have decided on different curriculum for history next year to try and keep on more of a schedule.  Not to be a slave to, but to help me stay on track and moving forward.


As for the countdown.....we will be schooling for atleast another five weeks.   I am hoping to be done by the fourth of July.  


A Faithful Household...... We have been enjoying the last weeks of Easter.  We also had our May Little Flowers meeting this month where we were working on our Piety petal.  I forgot my camera, so I don't have picture.  That's a bummer too, because we did a really neat craft.

My life has not been as prayerful as I would like.  Other than prayers about the relocation which seems to be consuming all of my time, thoughts and energy lately.  I am finding that as I am aging, my energy level is really dropping.  My eyesight is getting worse to.  So if you are still in your thirties, enjoy.  You start falling apart shortly.  The good news is....your self confindence increases and I think you become more self assured.  You just can't stay awake long enough to tell people about it.  :)

Around the house.......

House.  What a lovely word.  We are still looking for one in our new location.  We did put in an offer after our House Hunting Torture.  It was an offer on House #1.  It got into a bidding war, and we lost.  House #2 has since sold, but  House #3 is still available, but no trees grew appeared out of nowhere, so it is still not a desirable purchase.  So, we are going back to the drawing board for a season of Extreme House Hunting in June. We are going to begin looking in different surrounding counties.  Praying that we find something, close quickly, move and get settled in.  I need peace.  I have had a hard time sleeping, staying awake and living in general.  I guess I am just the type that needs to be settled.  

In the Kitchen.....

I started couponing.  Yes, I am addicted.  The girls actually love doing it along with me so it makes it a lot of fun.  We have set up a coupon notebook, purchased The Couponizer: Save More Than Money (can't say enough about how great that thing is) and we have logged into all the great coupon blogs to help us out on our coupon shopping trips.  My favorite sites for living in the Georgia area are Southern Savers, I Heart Publix, Saving Well Spending Less.

I also confess that we have had a blast watching the TLC's Extreme Couponing on the computer.  Although I think those people are a little crazy, it is fun to watch together.  C-Sunshine has learned a lot about couponing and saving money.  Good life lessons.

Out and about.......

We had Little Flowers, a good-bye brunch for a homeschool family that is moving away, double art classes this week (look for an upcoming post about the art show) and we plan to go to the Library on Friday.  We will be going to the Lake for the weekend to spend time with the grandparents.  Hopefully some relaxing by the pool or boating on the lake.

Thinking about....and praying for....

My friend Jennifer in Illinois.  How I  miss her.  Also thinking about my older daughter's and hoping to be able to see them this summer.  How proud I am of "my girls".  All of them.

I think Jen is taking a break, but normally you can visit Jen  to link up your homeschool week.  Have a great weekend!

Learning Week Reflections - Week....Something

In the learning room................

Our learning week began with our home school group used book sale.  So, our learning on Monday consisted of how to price, tag and sell items and count the money that you earn in hopes that you didn't spend more than you made.  We broke even, but got some interesting things for next year as well as the find of the year....

Eathways for just 50 cents!  Whoot!

We also completed the three R's daily and finished out the week, once again tagging items to participate in am impromptu garage sale tomorrow morning.  The girls REALLY want to have a garage sale, and I always dread them.  So, we are piggy-backing on our neighbor's sale up the street.  We are throwing out signs in the morning and the girls are selling their wares in the hopes of being able to purchase some things for their new bedrooms in whatever house we end up in.  See, I can be positive about the move.

A Faithful Household...... We enjoyed a wonderful Easter at my parents house.  After church, we had an Easter egg hunt by the lake and went up to the Lake Club for an Easter brunch.  No one had to cook and the food was fabulous.  Not very traditional......but very good.  And no dishes.

Our family, minus our two oldest daughters who have flown the coup.
Easter 2011

Getting ready for K-Doodle's first Holy Communion next weekend and the festivities following.  She is very excited about this special day. 

Around the house.......

Picking up, putting away and purging.  Planning to make a lot of trips to recycling, Goodwill and the community dump to prepare for the pending move.  I am basically doing a really thorough "spring cleaning" and trying to keep it that way.  Plunging into the deep dark closets and dragging out all of those things that I haven't wanted to deal with in the past two years.  The day has arrived....

In the Kitchen.....

I did it.  I made a menu plan for the week and my life is so much easier.  Why do I always procrastinate and not get the menu plan done?  Lazy...comes to mind.

I think that I am going to try and do some coupon shopping for a bit and see if it makes a difference in my food budget.  Gas is consuming our budget at the moment.  Something to think about when searching for a house I guess.

Out and about.......

We went to Explorer's coop, a wonderful play at a local theater - Frog and Toad.  K-Doodle had just finished the book and was so excited when she realized that fact during the play.  Afterward we had lunch with some homeschool friends.  Thursday was art class and today is home day.  Thank goodness.

Thinking about....and praying for....

Our move....what to do, where to live, etc, etc, etc....

Our older daughter Jessica who had to have an emergency appendectomy two days ago.  Praying for a speedy recovery.

All the families here in Georgia and neighboring Alabama who were affected by the tremendous and very devastating storms two nights ago.  Particularly our friend Kim who's husband's brother lost his life in the tornado.  Please put a prayer out for the Green family in Griffin, Ga.

This recent bad weather and tornado scare made me realize how unprepared I am for a true emergency.  I intend to look into this and make a plan with the girls.  We will put together an emergency kit and map out where we should go for the various types of emergencies including fire, storms and intruders.  More to come on this.

Visit Jen  to link up your homeschool week.  Have a great weekend!

Learning Week Reflections - Week 24

First let me explain our absence from blogosphere.  Or should I say mine.  C-Sunshine has been blogging right along.  I needed some time to concentrate on home and family.  We were also running around alot doing this and that.  Even if nobody missed reading about us, I do miss having the record of our lives.  So, here goes!

In the learning room................

We were back at it after a spring break and camping trip.  Both girls are getting close to finishing Language Arts, but for some reason, we ALWAYS are behind in Math.  :)  I think we will be schooling well into the summer doing more of a "year-round" school schedule this year.  I do plan to take a 3-4 week break around the middle of June.  I really need the break to revamp and do some planning.  I am suffering from a bit of burn-out these days.

In addition to schooling, my attention has turned to the multitude of homeschool catalogs that have arrived in the mail for next year.  I am having a hard time concentrating on the present.  My mind is drifting to what we will be exploring next year.  What to buy, borrow............I love to plan.  I just stink at closing the "deal".  The school year.

A Faithful Household...... We have been busy working on K-Doodle's First Holy Communion notebook and prep.  C-Sunshine has gone through Altar Server training and will serve for the first time this weekend.  While I am generally not found of  "female" servers, our parish is in desperate need of anyone to serve.

We are using Lent to work on projects for others and have more prayer and faith filled days.

I am looking for ideas for filling Easter baskets this year.  Have any?  I know someone has posted about Catholic Easter baskets before.  But where was it?

Around the house.......

Again, lots to be done.  I noticed that Sarah over at Amongst Lovely Things had listed "A Tidy House" on her list of things she was grateful for.  Isn't that the truth!  The state of our house drastically affects the atmosphere in our home.  I am on crutches at the moment from trying to jump over a creek during AHG camp (long story).  This has caused a back up of laundry, general cleaning, etc....  The girls are doing a great job helping, but I will be glad to be back on my feet again.  And the hubs is always happier when the house is clean and there is food on the table.....before 8 p.m.

In the Kitchen.....

I really need to work up a menu.  I do really well with food prep when it is on paper.  For the last couple of weeks, I have neglected menu planning and find myself digging in the freezer at the last minute with no idea what to do with a frozen pork loin at 4:30 p.m.  Maybe this is part of homeschooling burnout?

Out and about.......

We went camping with our American Heritage Girls troop the first part of the week.  You know, the part of the week when a torrential down pour, along with thunder and lighting and high winds whipped through.  We were shaking in our tents.  I was standing holding the flap shut so that it wouldn't blow open and pour rain all over us.  The storm that last four hours!!!!!!  Note to self:  NEVER go camping when there is a possibility of thunderstorms again.

After camping, we tried to stay home.  Not only because I am now on crutches, but because it is spring break for the public schools and frankly just too many people out and about.  Does that sound a little homeschool snobby?

Thinking about....and praying for....

My husband and his busy schedule at work.  Praying that his stress level stays low and that he finds a rythum to his work, church and family life.  I am also so grateful for the week we had to share as a family at the beach.  Oh how I miss the sound of the ocean.......

Visit Jen  to link up your homeschool week.  Have a great weekend!

Learning Week Reflections - Week 19

In the learning room................
We had a very productive week in the learning room.  K-Doodle finished book 1 of 2 of her K12 phonics which means she is half way through her schooling year.  She celebrated with a cup of hot cocoa today after her assessment.  Excitement here.

C-Sunshine has decided she does not like the fact that her assignment list is twice as long as K-Doodle's.  I tried to explain that 2nd grade is much different than 5/6 grade.  She did not except my answer.  Hmmm....

In History we are finished reading about the Declaration of Independence.  We had picked up a replica down in St. Augustine this fall, so we pulled in out and took a look.  John Hancock definitely stands out, and I explained why people say "just put your John Hancock here".  His was the largest and "prettiest" signature.  An art that is getting lost in this techno age.  I just heard that the public school's here are no longer going to teach cursive in school.  They are started keyboarding earlier instead.  Hmm, that is something I need to add to our day.  Keyboarding.

In Science, we read more about our blubber friends and did an experiment to show just how much warmth a seals blubber gives him.  It was a very messy but fun experiment.

First we covered one hand with a glove, and one hand with a glove and an inch around of vasoline with another glove on top.

We timed how long we could leave our glove only hand in the iced water.  1 minute for K-Doodle and about 1 1/2 minutes for C-Sunshine.

 Then we dipped our "blubber" hands into the iced water.  The girls hand their hands still in there after 5 minutes so we just quit timing.  

What did they learn......that having a layer of "blubber" sure helps you stay warm in ice cold water and that God was very smart for making seals, manatees and whales this way!

Around the house.......
Utter chaos and loads of laundry to be done.  I am grateful this is a relaxed weekend so that I can catch up.

In the Kitchen.....
It's clean.  Does that count for something?  We have been eating a lot of the meals I made at Meal Makers.  I need to get more crock-pot ready meals in the freezer for the on-the-go days.  Have I said that already on this blog?

Out and about.......
This week we had Explorer's co-op, American Heritage Girls, CCD class, art class and a field trip that I didn't show up for because nobody wanted to go.  Everyone wanted to stay home today!

Thinking about....and praying for....
My dear friend Patty over at Reasons for Chocolate.

Visit Jen , Kris and GranolaMom4God to link up your homeschool week.  Have a great weekend!

Learning Week Reflections - Week 18

In the Learning Room......

C-Sunshine and K-Doodle are both progressing nicely with Language Arts and Math.  I am still using the leftover K12 phonics with Kaylee.  I don't really like the K12 "online" stuff, but for us, the phonics is sock solid and works nicely.  For someone who doesn't really like a "structured" phonics teaching style, we need it.  K-Doodle has really progressed this year and just LOVES to read.  C-Sunshine continues to work through Language of God, Language Lessons for the Elementary Child and now...Writing Strands.  I just love, love Writing Strands.  And so does C-Sunshine.

We actually did History this week and got to the Declaration of Independence.  Finally!  I am taking on the mantra of Nike, "Just Do It!"  Just DO History  or just DO science.  We plan to do our science experiment tomorrow and finally move out of seals.  I will keep you posted.

Around the house.......

Finally hung curtains in our living room after 18 months of living here.  I like 'em.  I will snap a picture soon.

I am continuing to try and organize a scrapbook area for myself.  I want to get back to making those memory albums for the girls.  It is a fun hobby for me and they love to look through them.  Feeling guilty when I spend time scrapbooking.  I shouldn't though.  Everyone needs to have a hobby.  Something BESIDES looking through homeschool catalogs.  :)

Outside the house.......

It all started back.  We went to homeschool co-op where we began a unit study on Medieval Times, an American Heritage Girls meeting, CCD and art classes.  We did not make it to homeschool choir.  We are trying to decide if we want to go back.  We are on the run so much, that we might just cut it out.  K-Doodle wants to continue to go, but C-Sunshine could take or leave it.  What to do.  

Today we went to downtown Atlanta for a mass for the Unborn Children.  Then we participated in the Right for Life march.  I will be posting about this incredible day soon.  Until then...here is a pic I will share.

How was your week?  I will be back soon with all the details from our day at the capital.  For now, I just need a nap!

Visit Jen and link up your homeschool week.  Have a great weekend!

Learning Week Reflections - Week 17

Well even though the snow and ice had the public school's closing their doors for the entire week here in Georgia, our learning room door was wipe open.  All of our outside activities were canceled for this week and I must say that I enjoyed that very much.

In the learning room......

The 3 r's were covered by both girls continuing on with assigned lessons.  C-Sunshine finished reading Ben and Me and began reading Abigail Adams and is about the begin Anne of Green Gables (by request).
K-Doodle and I have been reading through all the storybooks on her bedroom shelf this week.  We have returned to reading at bedtime, something that got lost over the summer.  I just love this cuddly time together, just the two of us.

For science, we are studying seals this week.  Still using Swimming Creatures of the Sixth Day.  I found a lot of ocean creature cut-outs and printable's at LearningPage.com.  And they are free too!  We are continuing to make our Swimming Creatures notebooks although we didn't do much in those this week.  We are only in week 3 of this book.  We should be A LOT farther.  I need to make science a priority and stop pushing it to the back of the list.   Way, way in the back.....

In History, after a brief dip back into Story of the World, we have returned to American History.  We covered the shot heard around the world and the beginning of the American Revolution.  C-Sunshine has started planning a meal that will be from the colonial time period.  Again, I feel that I could put a lot more energy into teaching history.  Both girls love history.  I don't know if it is because I am just burning out, or if it is that we are just way to busy outside the house.   Will be working on this in the weeks ahead.

Faith - we have started K-Doodles First Holy Communion notebook.  It is coming along quite nicely and she is enjoying helping to design the prayer sheets and drawing, painting.  I will be posting more on this, hopefully next week.  Anyone else have a First Communion this year?

Music and art were both canceled this week outside the house, but many songs were sung, classical music was played and there was a ton of crafting and artwork going on.  Extra time means being artsy around here.  Especially for K-Doodle!

Around the house........
Tidying, cleaning and organizing.  Making a spot for scrapbooking.  Reorganizing the learning room.  I will post about that soon.  I do so love that space!

We were home all week.  Went to Mass and took C-Sunshine to the doctor.  That was about it.  Just lovely days at home.  A very nice week in deed.

I posted enough snow pictures from the week.  So here is one of our trip to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta when we went in December.  The girls with my pal Big Bird.  I found out later that I wasn't suppose to be taking photo's in there.   Ooops.  The picture's cute though, isn't it?  We were suppose to go today, but the trip go canceled.

Visit Jen and Kris and link up your homeschool week.  Have a great weekend!

Reflections on Learning Week 14

Here I am late again with my reflections on our learning last week. I seem to be a bit behind in posting and always a dollar short. I have given up posting in exchange for establishing some order around the house. I have been diggin' in and cleanin' out. I have even signed up for Flylady again - Yeeks - look out!

Any hoo, we did get some learning in there somewhere. Mostly the 3r's.

Outside activities included Explorer's co-op, our second Little Flowers club meeting, homeschool choir, CCD, Art Class and 4H Horse and Pony Club meeting. Whew....that's a lot. I had to cancel our planned middle school hayride and bon fire on Friday night for C-Sunshine. The girls were having too much fun playing and it was pretty far away. I don't regret that decision one bit. We so needed a home day. For a family that "home" schools, we seem to rarely be here. I need to follow Patty's lead and cut more activities out!

Here is C-Sunshine during art at our Explorer's HS co-op

Around the house.....pulling out Thanksgiving decorations and putting away Halloween. Trying to just locate the Christmas boxes amongst the gazillion boxes in the garage. I am planning to decorate the weekend of Thanksgiving this year. I downloaded my Flylady holiday control journal to keep on top of things this year. Anyone else flying out there?

Upcoming plans.......more of the same. Co-op, American Heritage Girls, choir, CCD, art and a day with nothing planned! Yeah! Oh, K-Doodle is also going in for her polio vaccine. That's another post.

Have a great week everyone.

Reflections on Learning Weeks 12 & 13

I had a LOT of problems loading these pictures. We are about 5 days late in posting. Sorry.....

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. I am late in chiming in with our reflections of the learning week(s). But I do want to take the time to do it. I am finding that I enjoy having notes of what we have accomplished and things that might need some tweaking. Some here goes......

In the learning room....We are marching forward. Chloe is still reading This Country of Ours independently and doing narrations. She is really enjoying this book and is writing 2-3 page narrations. We are still in Colonial Times as a family. I started reading Welcome to Felicity's World with the girls. It is actually a very educational book. I was surprised. It also adds some fun by allowing the girls to bring in their American Girl dolls.

Activities.... The girls enjoyed the weekly Explorers co-op, choir, CCD, American Heritage Girls and art class.

Out in Nature..... last Friday we drove down to Auburn to visit with the cousins. We enjoyed a simply gorgeous day at the park. Playing and catching up on the family. The trip went by way to fast, because we had to return so that C-Sunshine could practice for her 4H Trot or Treat show next weekend. Here she is with her Shareahorse.
On Saturday, Dad took the girls to our parish children's fishing tournament. Both K-Doodle and C-Sunshine participated. K-Doodle caught two fish! C-Sunshine caught nine fishing off the bottom with crickets and won a rod and reel and $20 gift card from Walmart. She loves to fish, especially when prizes are involved. They get it honest. Dad is a fisherman.

This past Friday, we drove into Atlanta to see SlimGoodbody's Bodyology. It was FANTASTIC! If you ever get a chance to go and see this guy, take it. The tickets were only $6.50. The show is very educational and fun! He is very entertaining. Has so much charisma. The girls liked his show better than Disney on Ice! That is saying something.

Yesterday, C-Sunshine competed in her first 4H horse show. She showed a horse named "Sandy". She won first place! We are so proud of her. We stayed at the show all day (and night) and had a great time.


Today we have a Trunk-or-Treat at our parish. We always decorate the back of Dad's pickup and hand out candy to all the little cuties. This year my hubby has created a pumpkin throwing game of some kind. It should be a fun day for all. Hope to catch up with all of you soon. Have a great week!

Join in at Jen's Weekly Wrap Up

Reflections from Learning Week 11

Weekly Wrap-up from Learning Week 11

3R’s – Just cruising along with language arts. I do need to introduce some kind of writing assignment other than narrations. I think we will write letters to shut-in’s next week and give them to Deacon Jim at church to pass out to those he visits during the week. I also want to do some kind of “seasons” project with Kaylee next week. She is figuring it all out, but I don’t think I have given her the opportunity for all the “cute zee” things that her big sis got to do at her age. We are going to work on that.

History – read in Liberty about minutemen and red coats. The colonist as getting ready to revolt! We actually only got one day of History in this week.

Science – the girls decided to make lap-books this week. Chloe downloaded a ton of stuff from the internet and made copies of things we had at home. She is working on an extensive lap book on ocean animals. Because she is a bit of a perfectionist, it might take a while to complete.  We are currently studying Whales.

Art – Kaylee had art day about every day this week. She just LOVES to create. She has a “formal” art class on Thursday afternoon’s two hours each week. Both of the girls do and absolutely love it. I have always known that my girls were Artsy girls, but I am still blown away by all that they create at home and away.

The Impromptu Masterpiece

Nature - Yeah, we actually got outside this week. We played outside, walked outside and this morning Kaylee and I just sat outside for about two hours. She spent her time making sketches of the trees and drawing pictures. I was actually being bad and typing lesson plans on the computer, but I WAS enjoying the outdoors. Especially since it was only about 62 degrees. I love Autumn!

Outside Activities – we had our first week of our homeschool “Explorers” co-op. They are studying China these six weeks. We also had American Heritage Girls, CCD, homeschool choir and today (Friday) we are at Disney On Ice – Toy Story 3! Picture forthcoming, I am sure.

Around the house – disaster. A good tidy is planned for the weekend along with the dreaded season changing of the guard with the clothes. Why do I DREAD that every season? It really doesn’t take that long, but I still dread it so.
Still struggling to find a rhythm these days. I am still preoccupied with outside activities ( being the Mom who leads, directs, plans). I need to pick ONE thing each year and that’s it. It truly is taking away from the things that I need to be doing for my family and the planning that I need to be doing for our homeschool. Will I ever learn?

Join in at Jen's Weekly Wrap Up

Reflections from Learning Week 10

Our Week in Review

At the request of my good friend Patty at Reasons for Chocolate, we are going to begin participating in Jen's Weekly Wrap Up. So here goes for this week.

This week was a short week because of doctor's appointments and too many outside activities. It was rushed and unorganized and drove both C-Sunshine and me (perfectionist) crazy! We had to turn down a camping trip with American Heritage Girls just to get our life back together. I am hoping for a more peaceful and productive week next week.

Habits

Well, we had certainly fallen off the band wagon on some very important habit traits. This week we concentrated on just getting back into our normal morning routines after vacation. Getting up, actually getting dressed, eating breakfast, making beds and brushing our teeth. This should be done by the start of schooling at 9 a.m. SLOWLY this is coming back to us.

Language

C-Sunshine is using Language of God D, Language Lessons for the Elementary Child and Learning Language Arts through Literature. It seems like overload, but it works for her and was at her request. She is also using Spelling Wisdom again this year. She has a reading list a mile long. She is never without a book in hand. She begins The Trumpet and the Swan next week as a read-aloud.

K-Doodle is progressing nicely with her phonics. We are using a combination of things for phonics this year. I have downloaded some Montessori language files that I plan to print, laminate and begin to use soon. We are finishing up our blends this week. K-Doodle also loves to read and gets frustrated if she can’t understand every word in her sister’s books. She is reading short chapter books and still lots of picture books.

Math

Saxon Math 6/5 for C-Sunshine – looking into more games for her.

Saxon Math 2 for K-Doodles along with math games.

Science

We studied about whales this week from Swimming Creatures lesson 2. C-Sunshine has been reading ahead in the book and does quite a nice job at narration. They are sometimes 3-4 pages long at this point. She is turning into quite the writer. I purchased Pagoo and the Burgess Seashore book to help us with our study of the ocean. I have also ordered What’s Under the Sea? from Usbourne. I checked all these books out from the library previously and they are all keepers.

History

We are currently studying about the American Revolution but did not do much with history this week. I did print out the timeline figures and plan to work on putting them in the girls timeline books. Other than that, this week was a History wash out. Bad mommy!

Faith Formation

The girls attended their first Little Flowers meeting and weekly CCD class. Other than daily prayer, I am afraid I did not do much with faith formation at home this week. We were extremely consumed by outside activities. Not good.

Fine Arts

We are listening to Vivaldi this week. The girls attended homeschool choir and their weekly art class. In addition we did drawing, painting and some crafting. Again, we were over extended this week.

Nature Study

Failed here. Nice weather and were just too busy to really enjoy it. Do I sound like I am complaining about being too busy? :) Again, Mom failed here.

Home Life

We are beginning to feel “fall” arriving around here. Finally it is below 80 degrees! We will be pulling out fall clothes and decor over the next week. We have begun Holiday planning by starting a Holiday Notebook and the girls started a Homemade Christmas gift list. We are going to try and make as many gifts as possible this year.

There are no pictures because we were just too busy being busy!

Reflections on Learning Week 3

Can you say failure? On Mom's part? :) We did "do" school. Just not enough of it. Because Dad was out of town, I decided we should spend time with Nanny (my mom) and go to the lake. We did and had their huge pool with the gigantic water slide all to ourselves! However, now I have to revised all those assignments that I preassigned in Homeschool Tracker. Shame, shame. :) You can see how bad I feel about this.........

Take note. C-Sunshine and K-Doodle have remembered much from homeschooling last year. Thank goodness for that! It's working! Teeheehee

Reflections on Learning Week 2

This week was a productive week of learning. We added in our American History and Science. This year we are using Winter Promise American Story 1 as our core and adding in a lot of living books from Ambleside and MaterAmabilis to go alongside. Because I had American Story already, it was just a matter of pulling it out of the closet that made it so attractive. However, now that we are diving in, I really like it. I like having the lessons already planned out. What to read each day. I think I needed that break from Story of the World.

We also began our science program for this year. Exploring Creation With Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day by Jeannie Fulbright. We are going to love this book. Ms. Fulbright has done a very nice job with the ocean creatures. My mother was so generous in buying us the Deluxe Experiment kit, sea monkeys and sea shells from Creation Sensation that go along. They just arrived yesterday and after looking through the experiment kit, it is well worth the expense. No more hunting down a red balloon and some AA batteries for an experiment. It's all there! We have a trip to the beach planned for early fall, so I am thrilled about exploring the ocean and everything in it. (oh, and so are the girls. :)

Here's a look back at some pattern block art and some quill writing by K-Doodle. :)
Have a great weekend everyone!