Well, it's been awhile since I did any real entries, aside from posting a few things from TOS. So it's time I popped in here and did something.

Summer has been breezing right a long for us here. A few summer reading programs...One in a nearby town that we've been to, is really cool. They have the kids all read out loud, as well, as other activities. The one here in town is okay. It only ran for the month of June, once a week. It was centered around learning about bugs, which was okay I suppose. My girls seemed to be hot and cold about the program, one week they would have a great time, the next time, wouldn't want to go back.

In anycase, school is progressing for us as well. Ahh, yes, we are year round homeschoolers, because in my mind, learning never stops, even for summer breaks. *LOL* We are not working hard, or fast...a nice leisurely pace. Devoting quite a bit of time to reading, as both girls enjoy that, and are striving to become better readers. There has also been plenty of walks, and time to spend at the park. Family time doing puzzles, and lets not forget the dreaded chores. They are finding that it isn't so horrible to have to fold laundry, if we count how many pieces of laundry each folds, or match them by colors (although mine are a bit old for color recognition), there are ways to make chores a little less horible, all the while training them for later in life.

I was one that went out on her own, without a clue how to do my own laundry, or how to cook most things (my love was baking, so I didn't pay much attention to cooking meals)....Took me awhile to figure out that houses didn't clean themselves...*LOL* I am striving to teach my children better, so that they will be prepared for life on their own, not that I'm rushing that time...I can't imagine life without my girls.

**********************************************************************************************************************

Here's a few other things about the planner. This link gives  a look at the planner BEFORE someone buys it, including the ENTIRE Table of Contents- http://www.thehomes choolmagazine. com/schoolhouse- planner-peek. pdf

Also, any questions that you may have, can be directed to Kris Price at kprice@thehomeschoo lmagazine. com

I haven't gotten a look at this product yet, but I have no doubts that it's great and packed full of stuff that any homeschooling parent could use.

Blessings from Kansas

I wanted to share this with you...though I don't have as much time as I would like to spend with the girls reading, I'm hoping to remedy that in a few months...In the meantime we do the best we can.

TOS SUMMER READING SPLASH! May 2008                                           Hi, Victoria! We're kicking off the TOS Summer Reading Splash and would like to invite your family to participate!  (This reading program is open to ANY homeschooled student - you do not have to be a TOS subscriber or a reader of our E-Newsletters in order for your children to participate.)  As a matter of fact, we are so passionate about getting children to read, we'd love for you to share this information with EVERYONE you know!  Please forward this e-mail to all your homeschooling friends and share the news about the Summer Reading Splash!   Over the next 3 months, we'll provide lots of great information and creative ideas for encouraging your children to read.  Below, you will see (in more detail) what all we have available to you NOW.  As the summer progresses, we will add more resources to our Splash! website.  You'll want to be checking back often!  In the coming weeks and months, we will be offering several freebies and downloads to enrich your family's reading fun! Summer is a fantastic time to promote reading to your child(ren).  Take a break from your regular studies and just spend some time reading to and with your children.  We are looking forward to this fun new program and hope that you will encourage your children to participate.  Please continue reading below to learn more about some of the awesome things we have planned for the summer.  Then, go pick up a book and READ!

Reading Goals     We will be providing you with downloadable record-keeping sheets; these are available in two formats- for younger students and older students.    We encourage you to help your children set attainable reading goals this summer.  If you're not sure how to do this, here are some great ideas for you.  Let your children take an active role in helping to set their own goals;  they will be more eager to read if they are doing it for themselves!   Reading Facts   I would rather be a poor man in a garret with plenty of books than a king who did not love reading. ~ Macaulay~   You may have tangible wealth untold, caskets of jewels, and coffers of gold - Richer than I you can never be - I had a mother who read to me. ~Strickland Gillian~     Reading Encouragement   Here's a sneak peek at our exciting Summer issue: Ten reasons to homeschool your special needs child Homeschool Pioneers: Charlotte Mason and Susan Schaeffer Macaulay Staying close to our Shepherd and following His voice as we homeschool What's the fuss over intelligent design? Nature walks and outdoor play - their impact on indoor learning Homeschooling the gifted child Changing theories of history Homeschooling families and adoption Instill a love for reading in your child An interview with Norm Wakefield The science of flight And much more! Click here to subscribe.   Reading Tools   To kick things off, download and print (cardstock works best) our fun bookmarks. Our cute Summer Reading Splash! mascot makes these so cheerful!   Speaking of our mascot, this little guy needs a name; and we're open to hearing your suggestions! Reading Favorites    We will be offering even more reading incentives on our Summer Reading Splash Blog.    Each Monday, we will post a new topic for your children to think about and answer (for Internet safety purposes, we will have an email address where they can send their replies - please see the  blog for more details).    We have a fabulous assortment of books that we will be giving away.  Each week, we will share a  bit of information about the book(s) that will be offered as prizes for that week.  We'll also be providing links where you can learn more about these books.   Then, each Friday, we will have a drawing of all entrants (those who emailed their answers to us), and give away new books (or series of books) from some of our favorite authors!  Be sure to check in each week for a new topic and lots of chances for your children to win a new book!  Bonus E-Books w/$30 Purchase     Each month of the Summer Reading Splash! (May, June, and July) we will be offering a special E-Book from the Schoolhouse Store- FREE with a $30 purchase.  To get things started for the month of May, we have a special treat for you~10 FREE E-Books from Sylvan Dell Publishing. When you make your purchase of $30 or more in the Schoolhouse Store, you will receive a link and a code which will give you access to all 10 E-Books for FREE!

We are really looking forward to our first ever Summer Reading Splash!  We hope that you will encourage your children to participate, not only by reading books this summer, but by playing along in our weekly contests.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.   Sincerely, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

FREE E-Book for kids! The Summer Reading Splash! will end on July 31st.  During the week of July 24th through the 31st, you will be asked to turn in your child's reading log. At that time, we will be offering each child who participates a FREE E-BOOK. Your child can choose from 10 pre-selected children's e-books (we have selected a variety for age and interests).    Offer Expires: August 31, 2008

I received this info in an email from TOS earlier this week. I had never heard about this company before. Here is what CVBBS has to say about themselves.......

"Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service, cvbbs.com, is a family owned and operated Christian Book Service. For over 20 years we have made available the best in Christian books and Bibles at the lowest possible prices. Below are a few offerings especially suited to your home school family from our family. Come visit our web page, cvbbs.com, and take advantage of the full range of products we offer, the free book advice help desk, the book blog, and until the end of May see how you can get free shipping for your order as well."

The email advertised some great sounding books, with titles like....

The Guide – Creation … chance or design? – by David Tyler

Caught in the web – by Faith Cook

The Guide – The Bible book by book – by Roger Ellsworth

Anyway, as a homeschooling Mother, I am always on the lookout for great books, and other resources...These things do not necesarily come from school supply business, textbook companies, or even awesome stores like the TOS Store!! I have found stuff to use for schooling at places like Walmart and Toys R Us, as well as stuff for every day life, or birthdays and Christmas gifts at "school" supply places.

Be creative, and take advantage of things that you find anywhere, even if that is not the original purpose of that thing, it doesn't matter!! Use it in whatever way you can!!....A game of Bingo can serve as number recognition...dot to dot books can help with counting..Even something as silly as screen savers on a computer can do many things...I have animals for my screen saver, and that's how my children became well versed in MANY MANY types of animals!!!

Please forgive the sporadic entries...Life has been so crazy that I haven't had a moment to do much of anything!!

In addition to my regular crazy schedule, I've been working some overtime, and taking care of dentist appointments, and eye appointments for the girls. And in addition to homeschooling the girls, I am homeschooling myself as well...*LOL* About a month ago I started taking an online college course for medical transcriptioning. So that has been keeping me pretty busy.

I have found a great motivator for getting the girls to do their schoolwork lately!! When they complain about their work, I pull out my book of medical terminology and ask them if they would rather do my schoolwork...*LOL* They have since decided that their work isn't so bad after all!!! *LOL*

Well anyway, I'm off to do...well I have a list of about a 100 things, so I'm off to do what I can of that.