24 May 2007 Pictures from AR State Capitol Building
Here are some photos I took back at the first of 2007. We were at the Arkansas State Capitol Building, performing, displaying awards, and just generally trying to get the attention of the lawmakers, most of whom had been recently elected. Many are known to be antagonistic to homeschooling- so we were there to let them know who we are and that we won't be happy if they start messing around with the homeschool laws here in Arkansas. 
This first photo was taken while sitting on a (very cold and hard) marble staircase. It's looking through the side of the bottom curve as the stairs get wider. That's not a very good explanation, sorry!
I just loved that there was SO MUCH marble, and the shot was very interesting to me.
More marble!
This one is my 3 year old going against the tide, up the staircase
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24 May 2007 I haven't been blogging!
What's wrong with me? I haven't been utilizing this fantastic blog like I should have been.
This year has been crazy. We're starting years 12 and 5 with Ambleside Online. What a blessing it has been to have AO and House of Education. The wonderful people who take care of everything at that site have been a God-send. My homeschooling through the years has been an absolute JOY because of them!
THANK YOU to the ladies at AO and HEO. God bless you.
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18 October 2006 A must read article from Answers in Genesis! 18 October 2006 It IS a goldenrod. :)
I decided to go on an "online hunt" for the plant that is pictured in an earlier post. The site www.mywildflowers.com has mostly wildflowers that are in Pennsylvania, and other parts Northeast; but I thought I'd try it out anyway. And it paid off! Give this site a try; it's invaluable for looking up plants you might see on the nature trail!
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14 October 2006 Nicer weather
Today's weather was gorgeous. This whole month has been really nice! I'm thrilled, you know... the hot weather was really getting to me this summer. When I was skinny, I was hot natured, but now that I'm overweight, it's ridiculous. 
I've joined an online community called SparkPeople. It's like a free Weight Watchers site. By that I mean not that it's "like" WW, but that it's website is similar to the WW website, which costs money.
I've had success there; if not losing weight already- I've had my eyes opened as to what very wrong things that I eat. And how much, and how often...
In fact, I'm off to log in, and track my food eaten today, and read some inspiring articles.
TTFN
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13 October 2006 An afternoon at the park
This afternoon, because my husband was off of work today, we went to a park by Lake Catherine.
This first picture is of a plant with purple berries. It was near some poke-weed, but looks a little different. Any ideas?
This next plant is everywhere. Is it goldenrod? Or could it be ragweed?
Hope everyone else had as nice of a day as I did!
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8 October 2006 Moving into autumn
Well, we're plugging along here! Right now we're still doing Ambleside and HEO, but I might switch the two older children to something more "traditional" and "hands-on". Not science, we'll definitely stay with Apologia, but some of the other subjects. Just to see if they like it.
The youngest is now THREE (oh my, LOL) and I'm going to start working with him very soon on "school". That should be interesting! |
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8 January 2006 The current term
We're a little behind this term. I'm not going to leave anything out; we'll just go into the summertime and work through until next fall if we have to. It gets so hot here during the summer that I don't think anyone minds staying in the A/C to read and do math.
We had a great Christmas break, took a little visit to Memphis to see the grandparents, got some wonderful gifts (400 ct. sheets! WOOHOO), and went shopping the day after Christmas at the Wolfchase Mall. The best part of the trip to the mall was eating at Great Escape. 
I hope everyone's Christmas and New Year were fantastic!
God bless, and I'll post more very soon!
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13 November 2005 Good grief, I missed one. LOL 18 September 2005 'Robinson Crusoe' home found
True-life 'Robinson Crusoe' lived atop a hill on isle off Chile
09/17/2005
The Asahi Shimbun
A team led by explorer Daisuke Takahashi says it has found where
the true-life 18th century model for "Robinson Crusoe" spent more than
four years in the Pacific Ocean waiting to be rescued.
Traces of a structure that Scottish navigator Alexander Selkirk
(1676-1721) likely built after he was marooned in 1704 were found atop
a hill on what is now called Robinson Crusoe Island, off the coast of
Chile, Takahashi said in Tokyo on Thursday.
"I have finally reached him," Takahashi said.
"In times when the word `adventure' is almost obsolete, I would
like to convey to young people how exciting it feels to explore our
dreams," said the 38-year-old resident of Akita.
The team's findings are published in the October issue of National Geographic magazine, released Thursday.
The explorer has been hot on the trail of Selkirk for 13 years,
aiming to "excavate the real Robinson Crusoe." The 47-square-kilometer
island, named for the hero of the 1719 novel by British author Daniel
Defoe, is about 700 km off Chile's coast.
Accompanied by four archaeologists and geologists from Britain
and Chile, Takahashi is certain he has found the spot where Selkirk
took shelter until his rescue nearly 300 years ago.
Selkirk was abandoned on the uninhabited island after a
confrontation with his ship's captain. He survived four years and four
months alone.
The island now has a population of about 630. Renamed in 1966 for
the Defoe hero, it was originally called Mas-a-Tierra island. Until
now, no one was certain where Selkirk had sought shelter.
In January and February, while excavating man-made stone remains
on the hill, the team came across traces of a camp fire and pillar
holes dug into the ground. It was Takahashi's fifth visit to the island.
A 16-millimeter piece of copper, which turned out to be part of a
divider, a tool that navigators like Selkirk would likely have
possessed, was also unearthed.
Radiocarbon dating and other methods confirmed the site's remnants were from Selkirk's time, said Takahashi.
In 2002, Takahashi published "Robinson Crusoe o Saga****e" (In
Search of Robinson Crusoe), a detailed account of his explorations and
research.(IHT/Asahi: September 17,2005)
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16 September 2005 looking forward to Monday!
Monday, Ian goes back to Mother's Day Out, for his second day. He's only going one day a week, and it's four hours long. So Zachary and Carolina and I are going to sit in the library at the church (where MDO is) and do four hours of solid uninterrupted schoolwork! yippee!!! (hey, is THIS what it's like to homeschool without a toddler climbing all over everyone's work? Cool.) ;)
I am hoping that we're able to do this every week, and are able to get some things done. The hard stuff that requires concentration. Then the easier things can be done at home during the rest of the week.
More later! |
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13 September 2005 Old time math lessons...
I love to find old math and other textbooks. My favorites besides
math books are the old Home-Economics books! I have found two
that I gave to my mom, both were from the 1920's and talked about the
newfangled electric or gas stoves! 
I am currently using for my son as review, a math book from
1935. You cannot believe how difficult the problems and
concepts were; my son is in 10th grade and this math book is on
at least that level. And it's for... SEVENTH grade!
more later,
Gini
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6 September 2005 already behind?
Ack. School started last week for us, and I'm already behind. LOL! We went out of town so that threw us off a bit. But we didn't do school but one day that we were home! So distracted! Lots of changes at church (promotions), and just plain getting sidetracked. Not sure what we're going to do today; what I had planned called for driving, but I'm trying not to buy gas again until Friday, because I have to drive to the church and back twice tomorrow and that will almost empty the tank! Carolina starts ballet tomorrow, and next week, Ian starts Mother's Day Out.
I'm sure it will be fun for both of them! |
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1 September 2005 Math, anyone? :p
Been a while...!
I've been trying to make a schedule that we can follow. Having a child in 10th and a child in 3rd grade, plus a toddler, makes it interesting. And maybe if I wasn't such a perfectionist then it might have only taken me a couple of days. But as it is, even though it's not that great, I'm still working on it after a week. UGH! LOL ;)
I am still not sure that I want to use Saxon for the 10th grader, but I honestly don't know of any other good math programs for the upper years. However I am still considering the "old" math books that I have picked up over the years; when I say OLD I mean 1920's, and believe me, they were MUCH harder back then! I have a math book for 7th graders that many college kids would find tough these days! =) So I might use some of those and also a Saxon algebra 1 (and 2 for next term).
More later... |
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14 August 2005 I'm OWL! =) 13 August 2005 New school books!
Oh yes, I love new stuff.  I
recently received some Draw Write Now workbooks from a friend;
the workbooks are unused and in really good shape. My daughter
Carolina will be starting year 3 of Ambleside Online and I think the Art will be fun for her.
Another book we received was Little House in the Classroom, a book to use with the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Looks interesting.
We also are big collectors of old and antique books. I'm not a
snob; they don't have to be first editions/first
printings/etc.  But those are nice!
More on scheduling to come, plus an outline of all of the books we'll be using this year...!
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11 August 2005 Narnia countdown!
I have, with the most generous help (he did most of it LOL) our own forum's Mark, put a Narnia Movie countdown on this page. It's on the left; scroll down to take a look. I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie, almost as much as I was looking forward to Lord of the Rings. And that's saying something! :)
Gini |
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11 August 2005 What kind of knitter am I?
You are "turbo" charged.
Fast moving and classy, you get things done with
power and grace. Your expensive tastes can be
deceiving, since what you really value is
quality and efficiency. As you're careening
around those corners in life, finishing a dozen
knitted objects each month, stop and smell the
roses. Don't miss the beauty of process!
What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
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30 July 2005 books and scheduling...
I'm really tired. Last night, I sat up until 3:30am looking at the Ambleside Online
site and trying to figure out what books I'll need, which ones I
already have, and what I'm going to have to skip (can't do it all!)
this year for Carolina. I have many of the books; so it looks
like the basics I'll need are a new math curriculum and some of the
'free reading' books. C will be in 3rd grade this year, so it's
not so hard to plan for her.
On the other hand, Zachary will be in 10th and it's a doozy!
The "schedule" isn't up yet, but the book list is. I am in the
process of finishing up choosing which options we'll do this
year. I will probably post them when I'm done. 
Gini
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27 July 2005 Well we finally got rain! 27 July 2005 heat wave over?
The heat wave is supposed to be over very soon, as in tomorrow. I'm thrilled  beyond belief. Honestly, I thought I was going to melt.
It has been difficult trying to motivate children if I am not motivated
myself to even MOVE because doing so breaks me out in a sweat. Ugh.
With the rain coming tomorrow, and temperatures down into the 80's,
hopefully we'll feel like doing some work outside the house, and also
our schoolwork! 
Not sure what we're going to work on tomorrow, though. I'll
probably just wing it for the rest of the week, while I get a new
schedule for the rest of the summer typed up.
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25 July 2005 Are these guys cute or what? 24 July 2005 Making changes...?
Not sure what "modern" font is, but we'll see, I guess. 
I have been thinking about what curriculum I should use in certain
areas this year; areas like language arts for Carolina, and math
for Zachary. I'm also looking for something that Ian (2) can do
while the other children do their work. Any ideas would be
appreciated.
With Carolina and Zachary both, I've been using Ambleside Online and House of Education.
We're really very pleased with this curricula! It's a Charlotte Mason
approach, which I think is one of the best around, as good as Classical
at least and more interesting. Although, Miss Mason herself
employed a large amount of Classical style in her own.
I am starting to get more organized for the fall term, but it's still
not all together yet, while I decide on these things.
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Yesterday, my daughter, who is 8 years old,
began reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first
book. I am so proud of her! 
We read lots of great books, old books, and fun/picture books together,
but this is the first chapter book that she has decided to tackle on
her own. I'm letting her read HP because even though it's not the
greatest literature, she'll be able to recognize names and places from
the movies that she's seen.
My son is making a list of what we'll need for his next few science
projects. We have lots of fun doing science projects, with the 2
year old trying to climb into the middle of whatever we're doing. 
Hope everyone's day was great!
Gini
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17 July 2005 What kind of homeschooler are you?
Galileo - If it is worth learning, it has been
printed in Latin. You want your children to
have a classical education. You teach the
Trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, and
the Quadrivium of arithmetic, geometry, music,
and astronomy. Ancient history is fascinating
to you, and you own several Greenleaf Guides to
prove it. Visit my blog:
http://www.GuiltFreeHomeschooling.blogspot.com
What Type of Homeschooler Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
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Today
was fun, Mark took the kids to the Convention Center, downtown, to see
the bass fishermen weigh in from their tournament. They had lots
of fun! Some free stuff, huge crowds, etc.  I stayed home and finished the newest Harry Potter book. 
All I can say is WOW. It's a good one! I had read some
reviews early this morning, from readers in England. But you know, they
were "speed reading"; and we all know that although that has it's
place, you don't get out of it what you do when you take your time, and
absorb the book. The reviews were obviously from people who are
obsessed with the "craze", not people who necessarily (sorry this is
the one word that I don't think I ever spell right LOL) love the
story. Talked about it being "slow"- well I'll take slow,
and a good plot, before action and explosions to cover up a bad
one. 
Anyway, I recommend this book heartily, for those of you that like HP. If you don't, well, sorry.... 
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| Your Power Color Is Magenta |  At Your Highest: You energize yourself and push others to suceed. At Your Lowest: You feel frustrated and totally overwhelmed. In Love: You are suprised by who you attract. You're a love magnet. How You're Attractive: Open and free spirited, people want to explore the world with you. Your Eternal Question: "What is my next source of inspiration?" |
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15 July 2005 Crazy morning
It's around 10:15, on Friday morning.
I'm really looking forward to organizing the homeschool stuff this
weekend, and am also REALLY ready for Monday's school day!
I keep peeking at my daughter's Astronomy book.  It's a great textbook for younger kids.
This morning I brought the English Shepherd, Derby, into the house to
hang out for a while (he gets restless though, and wants to go back
outside pretty quickly). Now my white pants are white with long
black hair. LOL 
We're going to the vet's office for flea meds today, for the inside dog
and cat. Derby gets his next Friday. We'd buy them all at
once but the cell phone bill was HUGE and we're not able to do
everything this week. 
We've signed up for more minutes per month and shouldn't have this
problem again. God forgive us for being foolish with our money
and resources.
One thing though, we've had a great time this morning. Ian and I
playing, watching Veggie Tales, All of us playing with the dogs, God is
good and we're all healthy and happy... I talked with my
wonderful awesome friend Melody last night and a little today, which is
also great! More randomness later on!
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God is good! 
There's no telling what he looks like. LOL!
