Well----I think it is about time I start getting a little serious about this. Janelle is a very smart child and will be turning 4 years old at the end of May.  She does know all her ABC's and sings nursery rhyme songs. She knows her basic colors and shapes.  But she wants to read and "do school" more then anything.  I checked out the Starfall website that has been told to me often and we played with it for a few minutes today. Even Ethan (who is 2 yrs old and will be 3 in July) liked it and copied us as we made the sounds for the letters.  It was really cute.

I have been a big part of Letter of the Week (a co-moderator on the Yahoo group) for about a year, and have really only just used the prep curriculum with the little ones before now.  I thought that I had better take a good look at the Letter of the Week curriculum and get serious about it.  OHHH there is so much with it and I like that, as I get to pick and choose what we want to do with it.  The only thing is to just get serious about doing things with them. 

Everyday as Christian (my 10 yr old and in PS) gets ready and off to school she says she wants to go as well.  The school is just down the street (on a main street) and so we drive by it often and she knows where it is.  She has not taken to "schooling at home" and mommy being the "teacher".  I had Berlyn do some fun "school" activities with her the other day and she said that Berlyn is her teacher now.  LOL  Cute, but that is not what I wanted to go for.  Berlyn is my oldest child and will be 15 this July.  She is homeschooling High School--freshman year.

So----I just need to figure a routine and go for it, although I seem to struggle with routine.  I am not sure why, but it is hard for me.  I can't set my life to a clock and do that.  I do think that Janelle's personality and life will need that though, as she does thrive on structure and when there is none gets very bored and then just gets into mishief.  The weather is turning more towards springtime and I can't wait to get out more.  She just loves the outdoors and already is "planting" in our garden.  HMMM it is about time we start something out there in the garden.  Maybe she is my time clock. LOL

I need to pray for guidance on how to get motivated to do preschool here at home and find her some friends.  She has two---Jessica and Angelina, but she needs more too--right? I mean I want her to be well rounded having many friends and seeing them often. 

TTFN---off to take Amber to the dentist for the second time this week. More later.

Deb

Christian and his dad helped build his pinewood derby car this year.  Dave helped Christian get his wheels on.  Christian hand painted his car, the way he wanted it--multi-colored.  I took him to the derby at the church and he got it weighed and some other dads helped put on the weight. 

He had fun but only won one race. He was pretty disappointed, but he has placed other races and done well.  He did win for Best Paint JOB and I was proud, because all the other dads helped their kids paint their cars and only Christian had painted his.  He is really hard on himself and not a very good loser.  BUT he did hard and I was proud.  OF course I forgot to take the camera, but a friend took pictures for us and so I hope to get those soon.

I am proud of Christian, he really worked hard on this and spent a lot of time on the car.  No matter what he thinks, I am proud.

Deb

Yesterday was my daughters birthday---13 yrs old.  This is now the 3rd teenager in the house....AHHHHH that makes me soooo old now. 

I remember the day she was born, a lot like yesterday---overcast and cloudy. Well, it is spring time right, what can you expect?  LOL

My oldest--B made a cake for her sister, but it didnt come out of the pan very well, and I tried to save it. Well--let's just say it looked like a chocolate dipped cow dung.  LOL  well, it was funny and we have something to laugh about now. 

The girls went to youth group last night and they did a skit party.  They had a lot of fun.  Today Am left to go spend a few days with my MIL at an Equine Event.  This is her birthday present from Dave and I.  She gets out of two days of school work and spends 4 days around horses, which she just loves.

So far having another teen around isn't so bad...although she has been a little more moody this past week then ususal.

HMmmmm I will have to think on this for a while.  AHHHHH I am soooo OLD now.  :)

Deb

We have had an interesting late winter here in Tehachapi.  We have had two large snow storms---dumping up to 6 inches at one point of snow.  Being at 4200 ft elevation that is ALOT for us.  We just love the snow, so we are NOT complaining at all.  We have had snow days and enjoyed taking pictures of our beautiful landscape.

So today it is raining and we MIGHT possibly get some snow tonight.  It is only supposed to snow down to 4500 ft so we might not either.  The kids are looking forward to another day full of snow.

We will see what it is like tomorrow when we wake up.  I will try and upload some pictures from the last storms, if I can figure out how to do it.

Debra

Hi there!

I received a copy of this magazine---TEACH--in my mailbox around the 2nd week in January.  It took me about 3 days to get all the way through it, along with taking care of my sick kids, but I finally finished it.  Let me say this, first--I really felt uplifted and a great sense of spirtualness after reading it.  This is a great magazine for Christian homeschoolers of all kinds.  There is a monthly "theme" behind all the articles in it.  The month I received was on Patience--and oh boy did I need that right around the time I got the magazine. 

There are articles from many "famous" homeschoolers at the current.  The thing that impressed me most was the opening pages---they were from the Editor, and after reading them---well, I felt like she was a Sister, a true friend.  She brought me right into her family life.  This magazine is well laid out, with very little advertisement---at least stuff that is all jumpy, flashy etc.

I can't say enough about this magazine, except that I can not wait for my next copy.  I truly felt exactly as the Edito did a few years ago.  I have read many magazines, but nothing that made me feel special, close to God and above all---someone that was going through all the same homeschooling issues that I have gone through.

Here is their website if anyone is interested in checking out the magazine:  http://www.teachmagazine.com/

Hello dear friends

This year is full of changes---like most January's are.  But for our family this is going to be the best.  I had a wake up call----with some horrible headaches to go with it, but I realized that I needed to get back to my family--my number 1 priority.

So--I quit babysitting the two young children that I had.  My last day was last Friday.  Whew!  I truly loved them, but taking care of them was so much. With my own two youngest children I was almost neglecting them with all the attention on other things. 

So we have whittled down our homeschooling, adjusting things as needed and quit babysitting.  Life is already better for us.  I have my three older kids in three different programs but that is what works best for each of them and their learning styles.  We are still involved in our scouting programs and 4H, but there are commitments that we have signed on for that we are unable to break.

I went with Amber to her Girl Scout overnighter (2 nights) as a registered parent.  I ended up in a different cabin, which is ok as she is 12 yrs old (13 in 2 months).  She could handle it.  They had a "scarey" story on the second and last night.  The person who was doing the story, decided to change the story a bit and have "actors" act out the "scarey parts".  Well this just totally freaked her out.  Needless  to say we are very upset with the Council that we were visiting.  We are in the process of sending them letters.  In the mean time Amber is having a hard time sleeping at night, needs a night light and sleeps with a blanket now over the window...sometimes sleeping with her 14 yr old sister because she is too scared to be alone.  I really worry about Amber, for now we comfort her the best we can.

Today we had our latest MTH club meeting on Volcanoes.  We will be studying this with Amber and Christian, and this was our kickoff.  We also did "winter" activities with our friends--Christina and her two girls.  It was fun with a lot of cooking.  We are also doing our Around the World-and we are in China right now also going with Chinese New Year.  Tonight I have read the books that Christina brought along---The Empty Pot and Ruby's Wish.  They were very good books and Janelle and Ethan loved them.  I had to read them twice each, that is how much they loved them.

Well---off to bed now. I have had migranes for the past 6 weeks now, increasing just this past two weeks to the point of being in bed for hours.  I am so glad that I have made these changes and hope that most of these migranes have just been stress related.  I am going to write more tomorrow about this great new magazine that I have received. 

Night for now!

Debra Tangren

This year is Berlyn's first year of Homeschooling High School.  We are using an aray of different studies and curriculum. 

She is learning French from another homeschooling mom.  I will have to get the list of books, websites and workbooks that she is learning from.

She is taking a Church based curriculum for her Seminary class.  This school year she is studying the Book of Mormon.

For Biology we are making a homemade curriculum based on an old textbook, videos and other things that we find on the subject and topics. 

For math we are using Key to Algebra that is working out wonderfully.  She is in the middle of book 9 out of 10 at this time and we hope to finish up by Mid-February.

For English/Literature this year she decided on Mythology.  She is doing this course with a girlfriend and the friends mother is teaching the course.  This is a Freshman college level Mythology Unit.  She will be done with this course by the end of January.

For History this year Berlyn wanted to learn Sociology with her friend.  This is a college level textbook that we are studying from.  This is taking the girls a little longer as it is a college level, but other subject coming up with completion we hope to take more time with this course.

Also for history Berlyn is studying Civics with our homeschool group.  She is really enjoying the monthly or bi-monthly workshops and debates.  We will be focusing on adding to this in a unit study approach.

Welcome everyone to a Very Happy New Year---2006!

This year has already gone by so fast--it is hard to believe that a whole week has gone by already.  The last few weeks of 2005 had our whole family horribly sick, so please forgive the lag in emails.

This year our family has written down some goals and others non-written but something that we plan on working on.  Some are educational in nature and others are personal.

Some of my goals are:

Get back to my family as #1 priority.
spend more time with my husband
spend more one on one time with each of my kids
spend some alone time doing things I enjoy (those are called hobbies I think)
do better in my church calling(s)
go on a real vacation and/or anniversary vacation this year and of course---lose weight ( I have a lot to lose but if I can lose 20 lbs that is a good start--then 40 more to go)

What are your goals this year?  Did your kids set goals also?

What are your educational goals?  Any specific subjects or topics that you are going to be working on this year (or first 6 months)?

My educational goals for the children are:

for my 2 youngest (2 and 3 yrs old)-----continue with the LOTW Prep and LOTW curriculum.  Topics that might be fun to learn and do lapbooks on are: horses, ocean animals, flowers, birds, gardens, weather, camping.  These are just a few things we will be working on.  We are also continuing our FIAR activities and Around the World activities with our Homeschool preschool group.

for my son--10 yrs old------we are focusing on North American geography (maps), Explorers, oceans, volcanoes, weather related disasters, California history, letter writing and his scouting stuff---he just became a weblo scout.  He is also in a scrapbooking project and Rocketry project with 4h.  He is enjoying the scrapbooking which is secretly our "fine motor skills" activities.

for my 12 yr daughter---we are focusing on the "Ancients"---China, Japan, Rome; also oceans, volcanoes and weather related disasters. She is also in a rabbit and Rocketry 4h projects so we will be learning about those subjects, along with her Girl Scout Bronze project (which is an English themed tea party).  She is also working on spritual goals for church. 

for my 14 yr daughter ---we are focusing on a well rounded homemade curriculum for homeschooling high school.  Our biggest goal is just to finish this first year.  Our second biggest goal is to get active in sports or or other motivational activities to get her in shape. She is not needing to lose a lot, but since she is not very active we are hoping that this will keep her at least motivated to eat the right things and watch her weight. She is also in Girl Scouts and her goal as a Senior girl scout is to complete all the badges--she has a few years to go, but at least she can get started on it.  She is also working towards many spiritual goals in church as well.

Sorry this is long, I just thought that I would share this with you.  What are your kids goals this year?

I will be sending out our new topic this week--tomorrow.  Have a great year everyone!
Debra Tangren

Is it still really called that--at least it was when I was a working mom?  LOL

Well--the inlaws left on Sunday and the kids all came home.  HMMM I liked the peace and quiet but missed them terribly. I don't think that I can have it both ways right?

Well---pretty much a "detox" week as in the kid all winding down from their visits with dad.  My ex gave B a TV and DVD player for her Birthday--which was in July this year.  Never too late she says.  Of course she wanted it in her room and we told her NO!  We just don't believe in that for the kids.  It would be hard to manage and we just don't want that.  She cried, but I told her that we could put it in the "games/play"room, but she wants to have it all to herself and I don't blame her. What 14 yr old girl would want to share that.....but that is the only way we will let her plug it in.

School work is slowly getting back to normal--s-l-o-w-l-y!  WE are trying out our MOTH plan and hope to be up to par on it by next week.

Off to make dinner but just wanted to update before I forget everything been going on.  LOL  Marsha---I barely can remember day to day---just last week with my inlaws here I was lucky to remember it all.  LOL---well the bigkids were gone, so maybe my alzheimers is strong when they are around.

Deb

Hello everyone!

Well---it has been an interesting week off.  The big kids have all gone to their dads for the holidays and so it has just been the babies and David and myself. WHEW!  the house has been quiet, but don't tell on me to my big kids.  Although it has been quiet I have sure missed them.

Monday--I babysat my friends little girl (my regular--Cassy) and my Girl Friend Christina and her girls came over.  We did our Dr Suess acitivities that she planned, games and art stuff.  I didn't do the Polar Bear stuff that I had planned but I gave it to Christina to do at home if she wanted.  We also did our FIAR activities for THe Clown of God.  Hmmm my mind has completly gone blank as to what we did...LOL Oh I am so sorry.

Tuesday--I ran to the library with Janelle and Ethan to grab some more books and because she keeps bugging me EVERY DAY to go to the Library.  LOL So we went and oh my we had our arms overflowing with books.  Too many to count!  Well at least for a 3 yr. old.  LOL  I babysat Cassy later in the afternoon--no problems.

Wednesday my inlaws called to say they were coming.  Cassy didn't come today because mom said that someone strange had followed home Teresea--scarey!  So she stayed home from work and called the police.  I had Carter today though--Cassy's 2 yr old cousin.  He was good as usual, long day though with no nap.  My in laws came at dinner time, and we had a nice roast, potatoes and gravy for them.

Thursday-_THANKSGIVING day!  WHew!  We are finally here.  My husband got the turkey in the oven, then we all went out to my mother in laws trailer as she brought some more things from their ranch.  They finally closed escrow on it and are moving 37 years of stuff out.   We got the piano and we are so happy.  WE of course had to move things around in the living room to make room for it, but we got it done.  NOW the babies just love to bang on the piano. LOL  NOW at the age of 33 yrs old, I get to learn how to play the piano--along with the kids.

We had a nice dinner today and David's friend from college came over to eat with us. Davids sister and her boyfriend couldn't make it, but they gave us the news that they are expecting a baby.  HMMMM not going over to well with David and his parents.  BUT that is a story for another time. 

On Wednesday Ethan (my 2 yr old) woke up with goopy eye on his right side, and it just got worse on Thursday with a fever.  So we watched his carefully and kept up on the tylenol to keep him comnfortable.  I called Carter's grandma on Thursday evening to say that it probably wasnt a good idea to have him over on Friday, just because we didnt know if he was contagious. 

Friday---all is better with Ethan. His fever broke last night and has not returned.  His eye is looking much better also.  David's parents and us all went out to breakfast this morning.  His mom and Janelle and David all went out to check out the sales.  They came home soon as they said it was just crazy out there.  Ethan and I got a corner of the games/school room cleaned up as that is a job I need to get done.  My in laws then left to go to Las Vegas to see there daughter and drop off some things of hers that were left at there house. They will be back on Saturday evening.    My girl friend Lorainne called and asked if I was ready to get a perm.  We decided that today would be the best day with our schedules.  So--I left the babies with David and took off.  Lorianne and I went to a store-_Dress Barn--as she needed to get an outfit for her daughters Bat MixVah coming up.  I looked around and she insisted that I try something on. I did and she ended up buying two outfits for me. VERY nice clothes.  Then we went and got our perms done at the Beauty college.  They turned out ok, but some parts of our hair is a little straight.  So might have to go back to get a touch up.  I came home to calm babies well taken care of.

Today--Saturday--David took off to go help his college buddy take out some cactus in his garden.  I am here with the babies catching up on emails, getting my MOTH plan on the board for all the kids to see.  NOW I think I need to go save this poor old piano from the babies.

Have a great weekend and off to December---OUCH!  it is already the last month of the year. or at least we are getting close to it.

Deb

since I have been here.  I have missed writing what we have been up to. I see all my friends are better at this journaling thing then I am. 

All of us are healthier now---well Ethan (2 yrs old) has an Eye infection, but I think that he will be alright, I am keeping a close eye on him though.

Well---my dear friend Marsha leant me a book (MOTH) and I read it cover to cover in a few days.  I was very impressed by it.  Although we already do this or at least most of it in our home already.  SOOOOO I am trying to get us back on a schedule and just keep working at it, until I find what is right for us.

  Thank you Marsha for lending it to me, I will send it back ASAP---I really want to get this schedule thing down before I send it back---I just feel better having it for reference during all this trial and error period. LOL

I have realized just this this past month that---oh this hurts saying it---but I have a whole lot of kids!  LOL  Now why it has taken me so long to figure this out, I am unsure of.....but I just wish that I had more time with them. OK OK, so I should schedule me into this MOTH thing as well, I see then I should have time with them, but I just don't feel it is enough. 

The first weekend in November, My brother and mother have their birthdays--my brother offered to fly me up to see them and surprise mom, but I had a Girl Scout training overnight camp that I had to attend.  I realized while on this camping trip with my daughters Girl Scout leader that I sure have missed out a lot on spending time with them and participating in their GS.  I just send them off to GS and dont mention much about it afterwards.  So---I am trying to add in GS time with mom. 

THEN--I have my son in Cub Scouts and so we have added in Cub Scout mommy time as well.  OK___So I am stretched way thin at this point.  I wish that I could say that I was thin--but I can't.  That is something else that I want to work on, getting fit.  I look like I am about 9 months pregnant, and feel just like it also, without all that movement.  LOL  It would be a great excuse to be that big again, but I can't say that I am enjoying this fat bit at all.  Soooooo--I need to figure out something soon.

The big kids are all off to visit their dad's this Thanksgiving week.  My mom is visiting them today, which is nice for her, as she really misses us.  IT has just been David and the babies and myself since Saturday.  Tonight my inlaws are coming over for a few days and my SIL and her boyfriend are coming tomorrow sometime.  W house ful of people and a whole lot to feed.

Well I best be getting off this computer.  I have laundry and cleaning to do before everyone gets here, and that is including my husband.

I really will try and keep up on this blog.

Deb

Well---the past two weeks have not been that wonderful.  First Janelle got sick with fever, aching and coughing and it just got worse.  I got her to the doctor for an exam and he prescribed medicne.  Unfortunately we both ended up sleeping on the couch for about 4 or 5 nights.  Sometime during that week Ethan then came down with the same thing, except he had more mucous in his lungs then Janelle did and so was on different medicne. 

Janelle had her exam on Monday and the doctor said that her ears were very plugged with wax, so we had to come back on Friday for a "cleaning".  I was back in the doctors on Thursday with Ethan and then back again on Friday for the cleaning.  Janelle did a great job sitting still for her "potato flushing" as the nurse called it.  HEHE  Janelle still remembers all the potatoes coming out with "bubbles".  LOL Cute description for a 3 yr old. huh?   She did such a good job that the she got a treat afterwards.

So---our sleeping in our room thing got thrown out the door.  Janelle also figured out how to "breal open" the child proof door lock.  LOL I am going to have to try something new now--just what, I am unsure.  She has been sleeping most of the time on the couch as that is her new found bed.

This week has been a uproar, just trying to get back into routine, mostly the babies are all better, it has just been me that has not been feeling well for about the past week and a half.  ICK!  Just run down and tired, with some achiness and headaches.

We have tried to implement our MOTH schedule, but it is not working.  I am not sure how anyone actually "starts" on it.  I mean it looks great and all, and I am sure it works, but I just need to be that "Time Manager---Drill Seragent" to get it going .  That is just not me at all.

The big kids have gotten on with most of their school work, with a few bumps in the road.  Janelle does "school" when she feels like it. She has had a lot of fun playing on the computer some "toddler" games and that has been nice.  She is very independent on the computer.

This past Monday our friends Christina and her two girls --Jessica and Angelina came over and although we weren't 100% we still got through some reading time and of course---we made our Apple Pie----oh how yummy that was.  We are going to make it again soon.

We finally got to the library for reading time on Thursday.  The librarian read some really cute stories--I will have to try and get the names of them.  Then we choose a book or two---actually 4 of them for Janelle.  We paid our library fines from early spring.  We went back to the library later in the afternoon as the babies were sleeping.  We check out a whole bunch more.  Some for me----Homeschooling Teen years and Homeschooling for Free!  Then some on California Indians for my son and of course Magician books as he loves Magic.

After dinner last night I went to bed early and got most of anight's sleep.  Today we are cracking down--have to.  David is home today working on his friends car.  Berlyn has Teen Movie night this evening.  Christian has a birthday party to go to tomorrow and 4H activitiy--gathering cans for the needy in our town.  Tomorrow evening is our Chruches Trunk or Treat evening and the girls have activities planned with that to help out.

Off for now-Janelle wants me to read Thundercake again.

Debra

It has worked!  I decided two days ago--or was it just yesterday---yes, just yesterday....that I needed to start getting the little ones to bed and sleeping in their beds at night.  Ethan---we normally rock for a while and either put him to bed awake--but well on his way to sleep, or he passes out in our arms. He has no problem going to bed when we deem necessary.

On the other hand, Janelle has been another story.  She would only let us rock her to sleep, pass out on the couch while we were watching TV, or in our bed.  This was all due to some major things going on in her little life when she was little and we had no routine.  She needs routine!

So---last night, I bathed both kids, got them in their jammies and we settled in to watch quiet TV for about an hour, winding down the day.  Then promptly at 9pm I took them to their rooms.  Then I put them in their beds, tucked them in and kissed and hugged them and dimmed the lights.  I told them that they could read in their beds if they wished.  Now earlier in the day I had put the "child proof" door handles on the INSIDE of their door, as Ethan has learned to open doors now and would get up for his nap time.  So I walked out and closed the door.  After much screaming and throwing themselves against the door, I waited outside the door. 

I realized then that I had wanted to read them a story as sort of an adjustment to being in their rooms while I was in there.  So I came in to read them a story.  They were quite relieved with the sight of me.  I sat them down on the floor, hugged them both and calmed Janelle down, who was the most hestrical.  It took her a while (about 15 minutes) after she got done showing me that she was "sick" and "showed me her pretend throwing up expression".  I told her that she was not sick and that she was  going to be just fine. I read them a story---the one she chose.  I then relized that someone smelled and so I checked diapers.  It was Ethan.  So I explained to Janelle that I would be back in 3 minutes after changing his diaper.

I ran out of the room with Ethan and changed his diaper.  I came back in to her crying again for me.  I kissed her and hugged her, told her I loved her.  She had another book in her hand for me to read, but I explained that she could read this one as mommy only was reading one book that night.  She didn't like it and they both chased me to the door.  I got out but was unable to latch the door.  They opened it up and I got down at their level and explained calmly that "No, they had to go to bed now".  I blew kisses at them and shut the door. 

I walked to my room, dimmed my own lights and shut the door.  Within 3 minutes they stopped crying.  I checked on them about 45 mintues later, to turn off the lights in their rooms and make sure they were in bed and covered up. Janelle was sleeping soundly in bed with the blankets on.  Ethan was in bed, uncovered as usual.  I covered him up and walked out of the room. I left their door open and mine as well. 

They both did come into my room in the middle of the night to sleep with me, but hey---first things first.....they went to bed in their own beds---putting themselves to sleep.

TONIGHT----well we did the same things.  I bathed them and we cuddled for about an hour in front of the calming TV and at 9pm we gathered ourselves up and went to their bedroom.  They were not to happy about that and Janelle kept saying that she wanted to sleep in my bed. I explained that she had to sleep in their bed tonight.  She got upset which just made Ethan upset.  I asked her to pick a book for me and so she did.  We read that book and then she got upset again.. I told her that she could pick one more book and so her and Ethan each choose a book.  We sat back down on the floor and read together.  It was a good book choice.  After the last book she said "good night mom".  She climbed up in her bed and pulled the covers up.  I kissed and hugged her good night.  Ethan still fought me a little.  I dimmed the lights and went out. 

Janelle did not cry at all. Ethan started crying "ow" about 10 minutes later so I peeked in on him to check on him, to make sure he was ok.  He was tangled in a blanket behind the bedroom door.  So I untangled him and put him in bed. Janelle said good night again and I kissed her and Ethan and put him back in bed. 

He did not like it, but only cried about 3 or 4 minutes.  All is well now--they are both asleep.

So we will try this for another few days, then start putting the bedtime about 15 minutes back until we eventually get them down at 8pm or so. 

Watching Super Nanny gave me the idea as well as other friends.  I am so thankful that the young ones are getting into a routine.  WHew!  I needed that.

Now I can have some more one on one time with David--my husband and a few minutes for myself.

Good night all!  Have a great weekend.

Deb

Whew!

What a week---ok, I know, it is not over yet....but in some ways I wish it were.

Last Saturday (10/8) My husband and the kids worked on cleaning out our boat.  It has been in storage at my in-laws for about 18 months now.  Since they live in a rural place there was tons of dirt, horse manure etc.  They also found our cat----she had curled up on the drivers seat and passed quietly away.  BUT she had started deteriating on the seat and floor.  With lots cleaning and shampooing carpets they were able to get it all cleaned up and secured for the winter.  Then we got cleaned up and went down the mountain to go to Sam's club to get our two week shopping done.  On the way back home we picked up my friends daughters for a "indoor girl scout camping event" at my house.  Our two daughters are all in Girl Scouts together--she is the leader.  She needed me to get "certified" to be an aproved and trained registered parent so I am taking the courses and had to be in charge of an 'indoor sleepver".  The girls made pizzas and then decorated pink shirts for the Walk for Breast cancer this coming weekend.    Then they watched movies and went to bed at midnight. 

Sunday (10/9) Their mom came to get them at about 10am.  Amber had to rush off to a meeting at church as she is now the Secretary for her class.  My foot was still hurting from the cut that happened the other day.  I knew since we were going on a field trip the next day that I would need to rest it.  So I took all the big kids to church and dropped them off then came home and had a lazy day.  David and I watched some neat shows on the travel channel---Yachts and Vacation homes.  He also watched Nascar.  The babies and I just lounged around--something we don't get to do much.  That evening we packed up our lunch for the next days field trip.  We all got to be bed early so we could be up on time.

Monday (10/10)  Well---we slept in a little bit so we had to hurry.  I took Berlyn to seminary class and ran to the store to get some last minute snacks and water bottles.  Then we came home packed up the van--since we were carpooling with a friend and her kids.  We got home just in time as she was waiting for us.  We packed up her van and climbed in the car.  Unfortuantely the babies woke up and so I had to make sure that David was awake as well, so they would have their supervision. David got up and so we left.   He was gracious enough to stay home with the babies as King Tut is not a place for babies.  It is a museum showing the King Tut Exhibits......  So we drove to Los Angeles to the exhibit.  What a wonderful and educational exhibit it was.  Amazing the things are still so preserved.  The children and I were so amazed that they had the tools to make such great engravings and sculputres.  It was just so great to be there.  We came home and chilled for most of the evening and went to bed early.

Tuesday (10/11)  Today we tried to gather our thoughts and get back into our routine.  We got some of the things that I had planned done.  We sat and talked about the exhibit from yesterday---what a day it was.  Christian got to scouts on time and we tried a new dinner......Chicken Bundles.....I will post the recipe later.

Wednesday (10/12)  Yesterday my husband left early for a trip to his Alma Marter. He is representing his work in the Career Expo there.  He had a good trip and all went well.  The kids and I had an interesting day. The night before the babies were up all night.  Ethan finally fell asleep at 11pm, and then Janelle woke up then.  I put Ethan to bed and had Janelle lay in bed with David and I.  She finally fell asleep at 2am. So I slept from 2am to 4am when Ethan woke up again.  I brought him to bed after rocking him didnt work.  I put Janelle in her bed and him in ours.  Then David was awake at 4am and we talked for an hour until he had to finally get up to go on his trip.  I was able to talk the big kids into helping with the younger ones so that I could get some sleep---hmmm from 7am to 10am I was sleeping HARD.  When I got up we got back into our routine---and got a lot accomplished.  We worked until 5pm with lots of breaks in between.  We made dinner then and took the girls to their Youth activities.  Of course we were late but that was only because we had a problem getting the middle seat in the van.  What a trick it was.  After 30 minutes of fighting with it and sweating bullets we got it in and ran the girls to their activities.  Amber is learning a song in Sign Language and Berlyn made cookies and decorated pumpkins and took them over to a new girl in our church.  Then Berlyn had a practce for her choir.    I picked up the girls from church and came home.  We relaxed for a while then Janelle fell asleep watching Charolottes web.  Ethan wouldn't go to sleep on his own so I rocked him for a while then got him to bed at 10pm.  Janelle I had already put in bed at 9:30pm.  Whew!  What a day.  I tried to relax and finally got to bed at 11:30pm.

Thursday (10/13) Today!  Whew!  what a week it has been. Today I woke up somwehere around 3am to find that Janelle had crawled in bed with me.  We snuggled most of the morning and Ethan joined us around 5:30am.  It isn't so bad having them in bed with me, as David wasn't here. But when he is the bed is crowded.  I got up at 6am to take Berlyn to her Seminary and picked her up at 7am.  Although we are trying to stay on routine I let the other kids sleep in.  The babies slept until 8:30am as did Christian.  Amber was up by 7am and taking a shower.  I got some reading done this morning on getting babies and young kids on a sleep and bed routine. I am going to try that this week as this is really getting to me.  Hopefully we can get on our Native American unit with Christian.  We want to make Native American Fry bread today.  The girls have French and I need to take them, ahhhh right now.  So I better go get dressed for the day.  Off to take the girls to French. Then we will come home and mix the ingredients for the Fry bread as we have to let that sit for 2 hours before cooking.  Then we will maybe get over to the library today to look at some books--we can't check any out as we owe them money and so we have to wait to get paid to pay that bill off.   Maybe they have a copy machine where we can copy some Native American things off.

Ok--sooooo Off I go for now. Hopefully will be back before the week is out.  That means tomorrow, right?  LOL

Deb

Oh I feel bad---I have really meant to stay on top of this log, but it has not been so easy to do.

Overall things are going well.  My oldest daughter---I have had to kick into gear about getting some things done.  Like actually right now I should be typing up her test for Biology. But she got the hint and is working harder on getting the work done. I mean afterall she choose these topics to study.

My next daughter---is doing well. We are doing lots of hands on activities and somehow making it day to day.  We are doing alot of reading and work hard on her math.

My son--is doing wonderful in his studies.  He is working hard, takes a break but comes right back to it.  His hadnwriting skills are getting better, but he tries to do things quickly because he wants to hurry, and then we see his messy hadnwriting again.  So he is trying harder to work on that. 

My two little ones are having fun.  We have been playing with playdough and coloring.  We made cookies the other night together.

I am going to try and be better and writing in here.

Deb

Well---today was our First Homeschool Co-op Workshop at my house for the Fall term. 

We had a mom--Christina, a dear friend of mine, start us off with a Intro to King Tut, as some of us will be going on a field trip, or already have.  She showed us a short video and gave us some pictures to color and learn how to write our name in Hyroglyphics.

Then we had our MTH--Ghost Town at Sundown workshop. This workshop is mine and I am in charge of it.  We take the books of MTH--in order--and take the theme and do activities and/or learn something new about it.

So-----we learned a little about the Ghost towns in our County---we had 4 ghost towns within about 25 miles of here--one being just down the street from us.  We also talked about Wild horses and Mustangs.  We sang some old songs--Home, home on the range and She'll be coming around the mountain.  Then we played "rounding up the horses" --a game of tag in the backyard, even the babies 2 and 3 yr olds got into it.  Then we dug for gold in the dirt and then washed up....we had "haystacks" for a quick snack.  It was a good day!

Then we had lunch and then Christina and our friend Terry B and our girls had "preschool" time.  They read stories and got to decorate their "passport" as they are traveling the world through books.  They "visited" Sri Lanka and Jamaica today.  They also got a new box for pencils, scissors and glue--to use only for our group times.  We also got a huge puzzle book and some coloring pages to do. 

Christina has been so helpful to me and my family.  She is giving me lots of advice to help me organize my day with my young ones.  I am so thankful for her.  NOW---I just need to sit down and write up a rough draft of my next week or so with my babies---Janelle 3 yrs and Ethan 2 yrs.  Things that I want to do with them, and try and get at least half of them done.  I have realized that I need to change around my big kids schedule a little so that I can have thier hands on activities later in the day when the young ones are tireder, and one down for a nap.  Janelle can then watch some educational tv and play outside during this time. 

So---off to write up a plan.....

Deb

Ok---we have done 4 weeks of school now, and SOME things seem to be working, but then others are NOT!

I have my big kids are a pretty good schedule with little to minimal need for my help--or so it seems at times.  BUT the babies are not getting my attention like I thought that I would have.  I guess that I have been more hands on with the big kids then I had anticipated and so the babies are doing a lot of TV watching.  I do DO things with them, scattered throughout the day, but not what I had hoped for.'

Also my 3 yr old daughter Janelle doesn't seem to be wanting to Potty Train.  I mean she will go on the potty when I tell her to but she will NOT tell me when she has to go potty.  I keep holding back waiting and thinking that she will do this when she is ready, but this is a long process, longer then it took my other kids.  Having two kids in diapers is expensive and we are tired of the expense.  I am not trying to rush her, dont get me wrong, but I just wish that she would hurry and decide to do this on her own.  I am very patient when she does have accidents and explain that we must go potty on the chair.  She has a step stool to get to the potty and and a soft cushion seat that sits on top of the regular seat, very comfortable and lots and lots of toilet paper to unroll...LOL

Anyway, its not just the potty thing, but spending some good quality time with them.  I am struggling with homeschooling all 5 of them this year----well that includes the younger two----She is counting to 10 and is finally starting to sing her ABC's almost all the way through.  When she does ask for things I give her her special "homework" book--which is a notebook and pencil.  She writes in it, but I just hand it to her and off she goes.  She doesn't like me to read books to her as we start and then half way through, or even sometimes a few pages into it she wants to read it to me, and then throws it down on the ground.

I am frustrated by this and have so many ideas, just don't know how to implement them.  We have a Homeschooling High schooler, middle schooler and grade schooler.......sometimes they go read or play with the babies when they are done with a project, but I just don't feel it is enough and it seems as if the 2 and 3 yr olds are bored.  I hope someone has some suggestions.................I am at a loss.

Deb

Ok----this is so late in coming, but we finished our first two weeks of "school" for this year.  Ok, this is our 5th year homeschooling, you would think that I wouldn't be so excited, but this is a new adventure for me. This will be our first year having ALL kids home from PS----last year just my son was at PS.  So I have all 5 of them, including the two toddlers. 

My oldest--Berlyn is starting her first year of High School Homeschool, and it is such a treat. We are filing our R-4 with her but are also hoping to register with NARHS here soon.  She is accomplishing a lot of "classes" but these are classes that she wanted to do. She is doing Seminary with our church, typing, Sociology and Mythology are being done with a friend together, French (workshop with our homeschool group), Key To Algebra--hope to be done with this soon and then go on to regular Algebra, we are also doing Biology on our own and Shakespeare.  --So that is 8 classes--hmmm I think that I am missing one but I can't think of what it is off hand.

My next oldest daughter--Amber is doing her 2nd year with a charter school. She really enjoys it and so we are continuing with it.  We are doing more unit studies this year then last year, but using some textbooks, as a guide.  We are doing a Literature book that she really is enjoying.  We are using a textbook for math but not sure of the publisher.  We are studying Ancient History and starting off with beginning of time, and working our way through Ancient Egypt, China, Japan, India, Middle East etc.  For Science I am combining her and her brother and we are doing Earth Science, starting off with Biomes and of course using our Field trip to the zoo as a jump off in Animal habitats.  Our goal is complete 6 books with our Literature circle plus more--as she has a hard time finishing books.

My oldest son--Christian will be homeschooling this year.  Although we have homeschooled him before, we hope to do this whole year long.  He is doing a 4/5 th combo for school as I know he can do it. He is testing very high in Math so we are doing a 4/5 math and a 6th grade level reader.  He is very successful at this and we are working hard on his weak points, writing and grammar.  He is studying Early American history and down to California history by the end of the year.  He is working very hard and loves homeschooling.

My youngest daughter--Janelle is a joy to have.  She definetly keeps me on my toes and running everywhere. She is only 3 but loves to learn everything she can.  She has her own notebook for "homework" as she calls it and loves to read books and watch educational TV. (although I need to be more diligent about monitering the TV time).  She loves everything horses and animals.  She really loved the zoo and I hope to take her back again soon.

My youngest son--Ethan is an interesting little one.  He just goes with the flow most of the time.  We are trying to get him to talk more--as he is 2 yrs old, but he would rather signal things he wants.  He will sit and "read" on his own and play in his room with his toys.  We are very laid back with the two younger kids with "educating" them and just letting them learn as they grow.  We are teaching them ABC's and numbers and "play/learn" with household things----washing dishes, folding clothes etc.

Well this past two weeks has gone very quickly and I try and be more diligent about writing daily so you can get a "true" feel for how it really is going.  We do have our ups and downs daily, but overall it has been a pleasant two weeks.

Debra