Well, no pictures got posted of the lovely cards we made because they were given away or mailed before we thought of it! I'll be making cards throughout the year this year, though, for various occasions. I will post them as India reminds me, since she will be helping me.
My husband was home for 2 1/2 weeks over Christmas. He took his vacation, then since he didn't take much during the rest of the year! So, while dad was home, we didn't do much "official" educating. I've decided to stop calling it "school work" since the idea of school is what we are trying to avoid. We educate, we do not school. There is a difference...just ask John Taylor Gatto.
I read some of Gatto's writings when I very first started homeschooling and my oldest was about 5 (she is 13, now). I have looked at his stuff off and on since then. Recently I reread his essay, Against School. http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/hp/frames.htm
Every time I read that it knocks me over the head. What I feel and have always thought, he puts into written word. If only the rest of society wouldn't bury their heads in the sand while the school system goes to pot, but rather stand up for the EDUCATION of America's children, perhaps our society wouldn't be in the turmoil it is in today. The family wouldn't be deteriorating so immensely with each new generation. Perhaps our government wouldn't, either, since people would actually grow up into educated people who don't follow the herd, but rather think for themselves.
That has been my goal all along: to raise children who can think for themselves and don't mindlessly do and think what everyone else says they should just because that is what is considered "normal". That is where society gets into trouble. When people do not stop and question, but they follow along instead. Even when they feel and know deep down inside that it things are wrong. Very wrong.
Anyway, we try hard, as parents, to instill this in our children: Think for yourselves! Discover for yourselves! Don't just follow the herd!
OK, stepping off of soapbox, now.
Well, dear husband went back to work yesterday. So, we are back to educating! It is the New Year, also, and we are doing some re-evaluating. Yesterday we still had cousins visiting, so I let the kids play in the snow all day. They don't get snow very often, after all! They had great physics lessons as they went sledding over and over down the road. They also had a bike ramp that they had to get in just the right spot in order to jump it, which was fun for the big 12, 13, and 14 yr. old kiddos.
Today, however, we are doing some other things. This morning we watched an episode of that show about people climbing Mt. Everest. I don't know the actual name. The kids chose it from Netflix, which we are streaming to our TV, now. Later today, I am having my older two do some research on the Himalayas. One of them just informed me that their Wordly Wise lesson is about Mt. Everest, so this is working out perfectly. The younger boys will look up where it is on the map and learn about the people who live there.
Since the Netflix streaming is new for us and we were excited to use it today, we also streamed an IMAX film called Hurricane on the Bayou that was in our queue. A few years ago after Hurricane Katrina, my husband took a business trip to New Orleans. Our youngest was only 4 at the time and we didn't want to leave him, so he and I traveled with my husband. We stayed near the Spanish Plaza at the Hilton. Our youngest and I would take walks downtown and ride the trolley downtown each day. I took him to the Audubon Aquarium there, and we wanted to watch this IMAX film and could never catch it. Today we did. It was about the disappearing wetlands in Louisiana and the effects of that. The wetlands are Louisiana's natural speed bump for hurricanes. This film fits in with our weather study we are starting on. We'll be learning about all types of storms on the earth.
I've been sitting with my youngest teaching him about money today. Also, we practiced his reading. Now, he is working on puzzles.
The older three are working in their books.
Later today, we will have a history lesson. We are just beginning Story of the World volume 3, which covers world history "from Elizabeth the First to the Forty-Niners". We are excited to cover this time period. We have been on ancient and medieval history for a while. I'm learning so much right along with my kids. I really love this history curriculum. The author tells history like a story, which is what it is. This is far from the dry lecturing and dates memorization that I had in school. They do projects, map work, and the younger boys have coloring pages for each lesson.
So, my break is now over. Back to educating! More to come. This is going to be a great year!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Crafting
This last month or so has become the month of project completion! I had so many unfinished projects laying around that have gotten finished. Craft projects, that is. I really feel like I've accomplished something.
India and I have experimented with making cards using my Cricut and various stamps and papers. We are hand-making our Christmas cards this year. It is fun! I'll post pictures later!
India and I have experimented with making cards using my Cricut and various stamps and papers. We are hand-making our Christmas cards this year. It is fun! I'll post pictures later!
Its Been a While...
Good day, folks. It has been a while since I posted. Once of those nagging things in the back of my mind that I need to do, but I keep putting it off!
Well, another term of Treehouse went by. Treehouse is our homeschool co-op. Treehouse is in it's 6th year of operation. I helped start it and have continued to help out around the place. This was probably the most stress-free term, though. Things went really well. I taught two classes this term. An Ancient Writing and Art class for 8-10 yr. olds and a Paper Crafts class for 7-10 yr. olds. They were fun classes. I'm contemplating what to teach in the spring. We'll start classes back up again in February.
My kids have taken an awesome art class this term seperate from Treehouse that we have really enjoyed. They are also involved in a Revolutionary War history class that recently started up.
On the home front, we plug along in language arts and math as much as possible. Sometimes this is only a couple of days per week, but we are getting it done. I've learned not to stress about it because they are learning all the time. In history, we have gotten together with friends to study Ancient History once per week. A couple of weeks ago, we had a Greek Feast and Olympic games for Family night with 3 other families. It was great fun.
Chris and I went to HAWAII in October for a week. Chris had to go for work, and I got to tag along. We stayed in a beautiful house near the North Shore. I was grateful for some time away with my good husband :)
Well, another term of Treehouse went by. Treehouse is our homeschool co-op. Treehouse is in it's 6th year of operation. I helped start it and have continued to help out around the place. This was probably the most stress-free term, though. Things went really well. I taught two classes this term. An Ancient Writing and Art class for 8-10 yr. olds and a Paper Crafts class for 7-10 yr. olds. They were fun classes. I'm contemplating what to teach in the spring. We'll start classes back up again in February.
My kids have taken an awesome art class this term seperate from Treehouse that we have really enjoyed. They are also involved in a Revolutionary War history class that recently started up.
On the home front, we plug along in language arts and math as much as possible. Sometimes this is only a couple of days per week, but we are getting it done. I've learned not to stress about it because they are learning all the time. In history, we have gotten together with friends to study Ancient History once per week. A couple of weeks ago, we had a Greek Feast and Olympic games for Family night with 3 other families. It was great fun.
Chris and I went to HAWAII in October for a week. Chris had to go for work, and I got to tag along. We stayed in a beautiful house near the North Shore. I was grateful for some time away with my good husband :)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Books
I've been reading Fablehaven by Brandon Mull over the last week. I've gotten through the first 3 books in the series. Excellent fantasy writing for youth. Clean, too. Very creative. Up there with Harry Potter, even.
I started reading The Host by Stephanie Meyer. It is weird. I can't get into it. I'm a few chapters in.
I just want to read something lovely, now.
August is reading Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo. I read it a while back. I'm struggling finding things for Canyon to read. All he wants to read is Calvin and Hobbes. India struggles to find things to read because she's read everything! Roman, well..... He doesn't want to learn to read, yet. And that's OK.
I started reading The Host by Stephanie Meyer. It is weird. I can't get into it. I'm a few chapters in.
I just want to read something lovely, now.
August is reading Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo. I read it a while back. I'm struggling finding things for Canyon to read. All he wants to read is Calvin and Hobbes. India struggles to find things to read because she's read everything! Roman, well..... He doesn't want to learn to read, yet. And that's OK.
Peace
Unfortunately I've had some experience with mean girls. Girls who totally trash you so they can feel better about themselves, I guess. I never understood the whole mean girl thing, myself. I can only guess that is why girls are mean - that they have incredibly low self esteem. Some girls never grow out of this and become mean women.
I'm keeping my distance. It takes too much energy to be around mean people and people associated with mean people. Poor, naive people who blindly follow. My dear husband says that people can't offend him if he doesn't respect them. I totally agree. I just don't have time for the drama associated with these people.
So, I'm striving for peace in my life. Peace in the life of my family, as well. Hopefully my daughter will see my example and never have an inkling to be a mean girl in her lifetime.
I'm keeping my distance. It takes too much energy to be around mean people and people associated with mean people. Poor, naive people who blindly follow. My dear husband says that people can't offend him if he doesn't respect them. I totally agree. I just don't have time for the drama associated with these people.
So, I'm striving for peace in my life. Peace in the life of my family, as well. Hopefully my daughter will see my example and never have an inkling to be a mean girl in her lifetime.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Beauty
I was just looking on a friend's blog and at the blogs this dear friend follows. Now, I have some new faves. There are women who create BEAUTIFUL things for their homes and it is really inspiring! I mean, I knit some measly things and take FOREVER to finish projects....or....gasp.....never finish projects that I start. That is shameful. I need to organize my life so I can enjoy creating more beauty for my home.
My dear husband may be getting a raise at work, soon. The amount of the raise to go with his promotion would be more money that I could make if I were to go to work after 14 years and half a degree. Wow. I'm so proud of him and how hard he has worked for this - working himself through school and through his career. I'm grateful for a husband who works hard outside the home, so I don't have to go there. He laughed when we when I was telling him this and said I make it easy for him. HA! Easy in that there is food on the table and clean clothes on his back and a tidy home - well, half of the time, anyway! I love this man.
I have watermelons growing out at our land and I'm psyched! I cannot wait until I get the huge garden I want for next year. I planted some watermelons out at the land 2 months ago using the lasagna garden method. They were organic, native seeds, so I figured they would thrive without much care from me and boy, are they! I'm only out there about once per week to water them and they are very happy growing along the stream flowing out of our spring-fed pond. I have a couple of melons the size of the palm of my hand. Keep growing, little beauties.
I have never grown a large garden, so I'm planning and excited to get to do it next year. We will be living out at the land by then. Right now, the house we lease has a very shaded and sloped yard. Our TX yard was too shady, as well. Our AR house before that was OK - I grew a couple of things, but Roman was very small, then, and I didn't have time or energy to do much. So, I've container gardened for a few years, now, but I'm ready for something on a larger scale.
My in-laws gave us an Aerogarden for our anniversary this year. I have basil, purple basil, chives, thyme, mint, and parsley growing in my laundry room! I have harvested the basil several times. Yesterday it all looked like a jungle, so I harvested and froze all the herbs for later use. Love it.
Well, this afternoon is HISTORY! My favorite subject. We're using Usborne World History, Story of the World, and a Kingfisher World History book that is on it's lovely way.
My dear husband may be getting a raise at work, soon. The amount of the raise to go with his promotion would be more money that I could make if I were to go to work after 14 years and half a degree. Wow. I'm so proud of him and how hard he has worked for this - working himself through school and through his career. I'm grateful for a husband who works hard outside the home, so I don't have to go there. He laughed when we when I was telling him this and said I make it easy for him. HA! Easy in that there is food on the table and clean clothes on his back and a tidy home - well, half of the time, anyway! I love this man.
I have watermelons growing out at our land and I'm psyched! I cannot wait until I get the huge garden I want for next year. I planted some watermelons out at the land 2 months ago using the lasagna garden method. They were organic, native seeds, so I figured they would thrive without much care from me and boy, are they! I'm only out there about once per week to water them and they are very happy growing along the stream flowing out of our spring-fed pond. I have a couple of melons the size of the palm of my hand. Keep growing, little beauties.
I have never grown a large garden, so I'm planning and excited to get to do it next year. We will be living out at the land by then. Right now, the house we lease has a very shaded and sloped yard. Our TX yard was too shady, as well. Our AR house before that was OK - I grew a couple of things, but Roman was very small, then, and I didn't have time or energy to do much. So, I've container gardened for a few years, now, but I'm ready for something on a larger scale.
My in-laws gave us an Aerogarden for our anniversary this year. I have basil, purple basil, chives, thyme, mint, and parsley growing in my laundry room! I have harvested the basil several times. Yesterday it all looked like a jungle, so I harvested and froze all the herbs for later use. Love it.
Well, this afternoon is HISTORY! My favorite subject. We're using Usborne World History, Story of the World, and a Kingfisher World History book that is on it's lovely way.
Monday, August 24, 2009
I'm still alive...
Yes, I am still alive. It was a busy summer with all the camps, out-of-town visitors, baseball, and stuff. Yes, stuff.
It has been great taking a break, though. I didn't plan a single homeschool outing all summer. We actually took a summer break, but didn't go on vacation. We usually school through the summer, but it didn't work out this year. We did a little here and there, but nothing formal. I needed a break, as I was fast reaching the burn-out point!
I've been walking 3 mornings per week with a dear friend. It is invigorating! Not only physically, but mentally because we get to have girl talk. We go about 2.6 miles, so I feel like I'm such a serious athlete, now.
So, the month of August is here and I am all gung-ho. We had our "Not Going Back to School" party last week in combo with a neat field trip to Hobbs State Park. We got together with our lovely friends and are on a history schedule. I've made a list of what I need to buy for my different students and my kids have done school work almost everyday for a week. Our co-op will be starting up in the next couple of weeks and I signed up 3 of my kids for an art class taught locally. We're also scoping out shows performed at our local arts theatre so we can make a ticket order soon. I'm trying to figure out what to do for science.
The tab is quickly adding up, though, and getting expensive! I'm trying to think of ways to stay within my budget without slacking off on anything. Tricky...
August had his 12th birthday on the 11th. This was exciting for him - he is now a Young Man! He had an awesome birthday campout at our land and before that he learned to drive our new 4-wheeler. He was ordained a deacon at church, so he is a priesthood holder, now. He went on his first temple trip this past Saturday. I'm excited for him. He is a special guy.
We're planning a little trip to St. Louis and Nauvoo for September. I'm excited about that. We didn't take a trip this summer and need to get away as a family and have fun in a different setting. Also, Chris and I are traveling to HAWAII in October together and need to take the kids on a trip somewhere fun, too!
It has been great taking a break, though. I didn't plan a single homeschool outing all summer. We actually took a summer break, but didn't go on vacation. We usually school through the summer, but it didn't work out this year. We did a little here and there, but nothing formal. I needed a break, as I was fast reaching the burn-out point!
I've been walking 3 mornings per week with a dear friend. It is invigorating! Not only physically, but mentally because we get to have girl talk. We go about 2.6 miles, so I feel like I'm such a serious athlete, now.
So, the month of August is here and I am all gung-ho. We had our "Not Going Back to School" party last week in combo with a neat field trip to Hobbs State Park. We got together with our lovely friends and are on a history schedule. I've made a list of what I need to buy for my different students and my kids have done school work almost everyday for a week. Our co-op will be starting up in the next couple of weeks and I signed up 3 of my kids for an art class taught locally. We're also scoping out shows performed at our local arts theatre so we can make a ticket order soon. I'm trying to figure out what to do for science.
The tab is quickly adding up, though, and getting expensive! I'm trying to think of ways to stay within my budget without slacking off on anything. Tricky...
August had his 12th birthday on the 11th. This was exciting for him - he is now a Young Man! He had an awesome birthday campout at our land and before that he learned to drive our new 4-wheeler. He was ordained a deacon at church, so he is a priesthood holder, now. He went on his first temple trip this past Saturday. I'm excited for him. He is a special guy.
We're planning a little trip to St. Louis and Nauvoo for September. I'm excited about that. We didn't take a trip this summer and need to get away as a family and have fun in a different setting. Also, Chris and I are traveling to HAWAII in October together and need to take the kids on a trip somewhere fun, too!
All for now...
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