Year Five ~ Jigger
Faith and Life 5
My Path to Heaven by Geoffrey Bliss
Our Lady's Book by Lauren Ford
Stories of the Child Jesus from Many Lands by A. Fowler Lutz
CHC's Saint Comprehension Book
Exploring the Mass from Catholic Heritage Curricula (CHC)
Life of Fred: Fractions by Dr. Stanley Schmidt
Calculadder 2
What's Your Angle, Pythagoras? by Julie Ellis and Phyllis Hornung
The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura M. Berquist
My Catholic Speller: Level D, by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Language of God: Level D, by Catholic Heritage Curricula
CHC Handwriting Book
Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb
The Tale of Troy by Roger Lancelyn Green
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo and Timothy Basil Ering
Story of the World I by Susan Wise Bauer
Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
Augustus Caesar's World by Genevieve Foster
Of Courage Undaunted by James Daugherty
Catholic Geography Bee by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Map Skills: Level D, by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Latina Christiana I by Cheryl Lowe
Rummy Roots
English from the Roots Up
Le Francais Facile (The Easy French) by Marie Fillon
Art Through Faith
A Catholic Garden of Puzzles by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Black Holes and Uncle Albert by Russell Stannard
The Universe in my Hands by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Pilgrim's of the Holy Family by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Year Nine ~ Piper
Introduction to Catholicism: A Complete Course (the Didache Series) by James Socias
Beginning Apologetics 1: How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith by Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham
The Meaning of Vocation by Pope John Paul II
Life of Fred: Advanced Algebra by Dr. Stanley Schmidt
Calculadder 6
Mindbenders
Typing Instructor CD-ROM
The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura M. Berquist
Assorted Classical Literature Selections (one per week)
Warriner's Grammar, Third Course
Vocabulary
Christ and the Americas, from Catholic Heritage Curricula
History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer
Catholic Geography Bee by Catholic Heritage Curricula
Rummy Roots
English from the Roots Up
Henle Latin, Year One by Fr. Henle
Le Francais Facile (The Easy French) by Marie Fillon
Edible Wild Plants
Fur Trapping in North America
Ecology and Field Biology (text)
Assorted library and internet resources
National Geographic Magazine
Popular Mechanics Magazine
Smithosonian Magazine
Isn't it wonderful to begin each school year anew? The excitement of finishing the old year has segued into an equal excitement to go 'round again. With each book that arrives in the mail, the flush of Christmas as a child comes over me, and it is with barely restrained glee that I rip into the package to see which goody has blessed us that day. The pure feelings of pleasure, pride, and gratefulness as I reverently slide another book onto its shelf for the year bring untold joy.
My excitement is contagious, in spite of the fact that it's not 'cool' to want to start school, and the boys were up, showered and dressed, chores completed, and ready for our opening day breakfast of homemade French toast by 8 a.m. yesterday. Morning lessons fairly slid by, and before I knew it we were making lunch and I was putting dinner in the crockpot. We headed off the libraries and outside music and dance lessons for our one day out of the house, and enjoyed our tea between lessons.
What a wonderful way to begin our school year! And we have today, tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday morning at home, with Friday afternoon being spent studying astronomy with friends of ours. The perfect week! No where to go, nothing to do, no one expecting us! What else could one want??
Well, not to wake up the next morning feeling less than stellar because this month's visitor has decided to wage womb war. In spite of the all-day (so far) discomfort, we have still gone through school like clockwork; the boys are finishing their days as I type (music and dance practice). We have tea on the schedule next, but I think that's going to be visited by the chopping axe, as the thought of standing in the kitchen right now is enough to make me cry. Yes, Midol helps. Yes, I've taken some. But when your discomfort begins strong enough to fell a Redwood, the downgrading of the discomfort becomes relative, then, doesn't it?
I didn't begin this to whine, actually, more to chronicle our day and to share the joy I am finding in this new year. For the joy is limitless. We have a new schedule, which I may remember to type up soon if anyone would like to see it, and my days are being spent this year with a new priority: HOME.
I know some of you are confused, because a home educating mother's priority should automatically be home and hearth, right? Well, sadly, many, many HE mothers' priorities are shifted, and mine was as well. I was running children to lessons, local group outings, field trips, park days with friends, family requests, etc., and our school work was suffering. This is not unusual, unfortunately, and the only way to change it is to make a commitment to changing it, and then forcing yourself to Stay Home. Pretty soon, you don't even realize it's happening, but you don't have to force yourself any longer. Your home is clean, your children have settled in, your husband hurries home, and you are actually starting and Finishing projects! All because you're home, the phone is off, and the computer is neglected. Whoa! Yep, you heard me. More on that later, as well.
All this is to say that life, even in one of the largest cities in the U.S., can be simple if you let it. If you encourage it. If you, at first, force it. And it's so much more worth living, IMHO. So, list your priorities, be realisitic, give it great thought, pray, talk to your husband, and find the life in your home. It's a lovely place to be. Especially with the drone of the bagpipes in the background piping out America the Beautiful while the beagle accompanies him with his lovely howls and growls.
Have a lovely week, and if it hasn't begun on the best note, make it a wonderful rest-of-week.
I just LOVED this post ! I am please as punch that you visited me. I want to affirm what you said about staying HOME more. Yes it does get easier and I am content to do it. It is when you go out too much you start missing it. [0=
Oh, btw. I think you are a good person to ask. I want to buy some good celtic ( no vocal) music. Do you have some suggestions ?
By the end of your second paragraph, I'm thinking, Wow, is this really your life, or are you making all this up? *Sigh* I feel so inadequate. I think I will go read the blog of my friend whose filing system is on top of her washing machine, or the one who is totally unprepared for the imminent schoolyear, or the one who.... Then I will feel better about the unfocused chaos that I call home and family.
But really, I like your blog! It is inspiring. I am glad that your schoolyear is off to such a great start. Mine will not begin quite so smoothly, I fear. But we'll manage.
My daughter has those issues when the "visitor" comes, too-- much worse than I do. Hers came the day before yours, and we were on Mac Island that day! She ended up napping in Marquette Park (waiting for the Midol to kick in) while we biked. I was on Day 3 so did not bike as much as I would have otherwise, but even on Day 1 I am not "down for the count" like you & she are. i guess I can count my blessings there!
Welcome to our home! Within you will find an assortment of ramblings having to do with home educating, books, homemaking, being a wife and mother, crafts, Catholicism ~ in general, our life at home, where our hearts truly lie.
Happy at Home
Mo Chroi~ Wonderful Husband who makes me laugh and is crazy about me and our kids
Me (Celtic Mom)~ Happily married to My Heart, mother of two wonderful sons, and passionate about many things, among them being teaching, making our house a home, and exploring my Creative Well
Piper~ Eldest son who loves being home educated and playing the bagpipes with the local Scottish Pipe Band
Jigger~ Youngest son who loves keeping up with his brother, and is convinced that someday a sword will once again be a necessary accessory. In other words, he's obsessed with all things medieval.
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