• Monday, November 9, 2009 - ~25 Days of Gratitude~
Today I am grateful for.....
~Answered prayer...I have been praying about something for a long time. This weekend I finally got the fact that I was standing in the way of God answering my prayer in His way. I kept trying to fix/solve the problem. Within hours of surrendering it to the Lord, He answered my prayer in a great way.
~Great husbands.....my is the best!
~Grandparents....We had a fun time with Grandparents at our Keeper's Grandparents luncheon.
~My dog Belle....She is such a great dog and she likes me best!
Sleeping on my leg.
Poor dear, Grace dressed her up!
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• Nov. 9, 2009 - Pregnancy Center Gala time again!
Posted By earthenvessel
www.homeschoolblogger.com/earthenvessel/
This past Saturday was the annual Pregnancy Center Gala and Auction. As usual, my hubby was there that morning to set up the computers and make sure all was running smoothly in that realm.This is the same time that many hard working volunteers and Pregnancy Center staff are busy decorating the room for the evening.
Around 4 pm our sweet sister team of sitters arrived. We showed up at the St. Petersburg Coliseum a little before 5 pm and had a little time to look at the all the wonderful silent auction items before it was time for us to work. (We call it work, but it really is a joy!) Hubby was going to bid on a fishing pole but when the bidding went over $100 he decided that was too much for us.
My job every year is to connect with the lady who works out all the problems with registration. She keeps a list of changes to names and bidder #s which I take to make changes in the computer. That way when all the bidding is over, the item that were won go to the correct people! 
I am also part of the data entry team. Once again, after all the bidding is over, there are volunteers assigned to go gather up the bidder sheets and they are brought to the computer room. That's when the computer room really comes to life! Usually about 3 of us meticulously enter each Item # and the winning bid and price. I'm not sure how many Items there are in each auction but I would feel safe in guessing maybe around 200 items. As we are entering the items and winning bids, hubby is gathering the already entered sheets and sorting them by item #. When we finish entering we take over fine sorting what hubby started while he starts running reports for the cashiers and invoices for the folks who won their bids. It is a fine tuned machine as we all work together! 
As we are doing all this we get to visit with wonderful friends, who unfortunately, we seem to only get to see at this one event each year. I should have brought my camera but didn't this year. |
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• Nov. 9, 2009 - Spacers/T4L and more :)
Posted By Homeschooling6
Josh & I got our spacers on today. Josh was not happy about it. He still does not want to get braces. I told him, 'tough Twinkies" he still getting them .
Two of my spacers already busted. I'm going to have to go back tomorrow. Bummer! I haven't had anything hard or sticky. Some noodle soup, cookie & scrambled egg.
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Regarding school; I think I have decided not to combine everyone with My Father's World Exploration to 1850. I have thought hard and long about this and would like to combine them for History, Science & Bible but I can't see when I can pull everyone together. I am going to do Bible together though. We can do that first thing in the morning like we do now.
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Today, my dad came by. He loves visiting he grandchildren. I usually have the children do a lighter load of schoolwork on Monday because most times my dad comes and he stays for four hours. As long as we get math and language arts done with some reading we call it a school day.
The children still need to finish. once quiet time is over they'll finish their school.
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The children like Time4Learning. We use it basically for Language Arts only. The program is great but I don't like how much time the children are spending in front of the computer. Annette, Caleb & Brent each spend about 20-30 minutes on their lesson and 20 minutes at the playground. The playground is online games. Some are educational and others are just for fun. Normally this would be okay since the first half is learning. What I don't like is Lance & Ethan watch all three of them. If you add that up it's a lot of watching the computer. For me computer is equal to T.V. time. I feel like half of Lance & Ethan's morning time is in front of the computer watching their siblings. I am not sure but I might pull the plug on T4L.
Annette, is doing well with it and she is the one I mainly wanted it for. I asked her if she would still like to continue with T4L. She said either way is fine. She prefers T4L because she does not have to write. She did complete all of Level 3 and has started level 4.
Caleb & Brent REALLY like it. I do like all the phonics review. Maybe we'll continue with if for this year or half the year 
I don't have time to reread my post today, so I'll have to check for mistakes later.
Blessings,
Linda<><
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• Nov. 9, 2009 - Homemade Vanilla Extract
I love to bake, and I especially love to bake during the holidays. In fact, there have been years that I’ve made a batch of cookies just about every single day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s how much I love holiday baking!
Obviously, with all this baking going on, I go through a lot of supplies which can really strain the budget. One of the most expensive yet most commonly used ingredients is vanilla extract. Since I do not like using imitation anything, my baking habit can get pretty expensive just in vanilla alone. In order to combat the ever-rising price of real vanilla extract, I started making my own. It’s surprisingly simple to make, but please note, the recipe contains alcohol, just like real vanilla extract.
Ingredients
1 quart vodka or brandy*
1-3 vanilla beans**
Pour vodka or brandy into a quart-sized jar.
Using a very sharp knife, slice the vanilla bean(s) down the entire length of the bean but not all the way through. The objective is to expose the seeds inside, to slice the bean into two pieces.
Submerge the bean(s) in the alcohol, and seal the jar tightly. Store jar in a cool, dark place. The mixture needs to steep for about two or three months and should be shaken weekly. I keep mine on my baking shelf behind my most used items so I don’t forget to shake it every once in a while. You should see the tiny seeds floating in the alcohol.
After about two months, open the jar and test the vanilla. I do this by smelling it. At first, you’ll probably smell just alcohol. Leave the lid off the jar for about five minutes and that will dissipate. How does it smell now? If the smell of vanilla isn’t strong, reseal the jar and let steep for another month. If your scent of vanilla is rich and strong, then your extract is ready to use. You might find it easier to refill a small bottle continually rather than trying to work out of the quart-sized jar. Also, be careful to filter out the seeds as you refill your bottle.
Notes:
*Both vodka and brandy are good choices for making vanilla extract because they absorb the flavor of the vanilla easily. The biggest difference is color. Both vodka and brandy will yield a brown vanilla extract, however the vodka will be a lighter shade. Also, some people will swear that only the finest vodka or brandy will create a good vanilla extract. Me? I buy the cheap stuff, and have yet to be disappointed.
**Vanilla beans can be difficult to find and very expensive to purchase. Believe it or not, I recommend checking out a local health food store. Many health food stores carry Frontier organic herbs and spices at amazingly low prices. Also, the strength of the beans you use will determine how many you use. Does the bean have a really strong scent? Then you might need only one. I usually use two or three. When the jar is looking a little empty, I refill it with vodka, and add one vanilla bean, leaving the old beans in the jar to help flavor the new batch.
Making vanilla extract at home does require patience. However, it has saved me a significant amount of money. My initial investment on a quart of vanilla extract was equal to the price of a 4-oz bottle. I got eight times the vanilla for the same price! Now that’s a savings!
Thanks for stopping by.
Betty
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
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• Monday, November 9, 2009 - Polly put the kettle on....
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
Probably not what they had in mind with those lyrics, huh?
(and... as you can plainly see... these Pollys prefer Suisse Mocha to tea)
Apparently it's time to round up my girls to pick up their toys..... |
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• Nov. 9, 2009 - American Heritage Foundation -- free American history curriculum
 Click banner to visit AHEF website.
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free,
in a state of civilization,
it expects what never was and never will be."
~~ Thomas Jefferson
The American Heritage Education Foundation is a non-profit organization created to help educate our children in the history of our nation and the philosophies upon which it was established. They believe that the focus on diversity in our schools is tearing the country apart and threatening its survival, and that it needs to be balanced with a study of our country's history. They focus on four themes in US history: Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility.
In order to promote these four themes, the American Heritage Foundation created an American history/citizenship curriculum for K-12. They provide this $150 value curriculum free of charge as a free PDF download, as PDF documents on a free CD-ROM, or for $19.50 in a printed notebook format.
The curriculum is provided in 3 levels: elementary, middle school, and high school. They also provide a Spanish language variation in the elementary level. Each level of curriculum is over 180 pages long, with information for the teacher, lesson plans, group activities and individual activities.
These materials are designed for public school use, and some of the activities are obviously created with a larger group in mind than a typical homeschool family (like the Colonial America Simulation Game). These could be adapted with some effort, or they could be used in a homeschool group or co-op setting. Now, I will admit that adapting materials intended for a public school classroom to the family homeschool isn't always easy, but sometimes it can be worth it.
Although the American Heritage Foundation is a secular organization, the curriculum refers to the founding father's belief in God and the Bible with factual respect. The Christian beliefs of the Colonial settlers and founding fathers is not ignored, but it is still a secular curriculum. This makes it suitable for classroom use, or use in a homeschool group with members of varying beliefs.
Some of the citizenship topics covered include:
- The American Revolution
- George Washington
- U.S. Presidents
- The Declaration of Independence
- The US Constitution
- The Great Seal
- Thanksgiving
- The Bill of Rights
- Our National Documents
- Entrepeneurs in American History
- The United States of America's Flag
- The Star-Spangled Banner
- The Gettysburg Address
- The National Motto
- The Statue of Liberty
- The Pledge of Allegiance
- America the Beautiful
- What is An American?
The three levels include much of the same materials for the teacher, with age-appropriate differences in activities and discussion questions. This means they can be used together in a homeschool or co-op setting to teach the same material to all the students. This is NOT a complete American history curriculum, but can be used to supplement your American history or US government studies.
For myself, I have to admit that I will not use all these lessons and activities, but I will use some of them. Most of our citizenship lessons are oral discussions. We aren't likely to use most of the worksheets, but we are more likely to use the activity ideas. I think this curriculum lends itself to a homeschool group or co-op more easily than to an individual family situation.
BUT, it's a FREE curriculum!! Request your own copy and check it out for yourself. Even if it's not something you'll use regularly, there may be some helpful information or even one activity that makes it worthwhile. Get it for your homeschool group ... or you might fall in love with it, and take the time to make it work for your family. You have nothing to lose!
If you'd like to help promote the American Heritage Foundation, you can donate to their non-profit organization. These donations will help them continue to share their curriculum free of charge to public schools, private schools, and home schools.
This item was provided free for our review as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. We received no other compensation, and this review is our honest opinion. Click the TOS Homeschool Crew banner at the top to read more reviews on this product by other Homeschool Crew members.
Trusting In Him,
April |
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• Monday, November 9, 2009 - We Are Thankful
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
As is the custom for many at this time of the year,
we are reflecting on God's bountiful blessings to our family.
In years past we have done a 'tree of thanks',
it's a project that we have enjoyed, but this year we are doing something just a bit different....
an 'advent calendar' for Thanksgiving.
First, we made our own envelopes (one for each day of November,)
and then we searched online for cute images and clip-art to decorate them.
 
Inside the envelopes are small slips of paper that say, "I am thankful for...."
Each day we will each write down one thing that we are especially thankful for, and then place it in the pocket for the day.
At the end of the month,(or perhaps at our Thanksgiving celebration,)
we will all read our slips and share with one another just how richly we have been blessed.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:13
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• Nov. 7, 2009 - Beanie Weenies Video Ok
It's time to change the video at the top of my blog, so my darling daughter asks me to post the "Beanie Weenie" video from the Skit Guys. How could I resist?
So, I said, "Okay."
And she said, "Okay."
And I said, "Okay."
And she said, "Okay."
And I said, "Okay."
And she said, "Okay."
And...just watch the video. You'll understand.
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• Nov. 6, 2009 - Rambling About Next Year.
Posted By Homeschooling6
I know I'm hopeless, it's only November and I'm getting ready for next year. I have been racking the brains of my sweet friends at My Father's World forum. I had it all figured out for Joshua's 7th grade year.
- My Father's World for Bible, History & Read Aloud
- Apologia Science (as recommended by MFW)
- The Bridge to the Latin Road
- Character Quality Language Arts for spelling, grammar review, writing. I will omit the editing, all optional exercises since he will be getting some heavy grammar using The Latin Road.
- Progeny Press Guides or Christian Light Education
- Math Mammoth
I was going to have Joshua, use MFW Exploration to 1850 on his own. I would order this early and pre read the books so I can discuss them with him. I could write out everything he needs to do in his student planner.
I have been chatting with the ladies on the MFW forum and they have suggested I combine all dc for Bible, History, Science, Read Aloud using MFW Exp1850.
BUT here is my dilemma; I plan to use The Phonics Road Levels 1 & 2 and The Bridge to the Latin Road. These are all mom intensive. They can not be done as independent work. It would take me about three hours to get through it all.
- The Bridge 40-60 minutes (Josh & Annette)
- Phonics Road Level 1 20-30 minutes (Ethan & Lance. I might also wait another year, depending on Lance how mature he is and how far Ethan has gotten with Christ-Centered Phonics)
- Phonics Road Level 2. (Caleb & Brent) There are three parts or sections and each takes about 20-30 minutes
If I combine when would I ever get to MFW?
I do want to continue with The Phonics Road to Spelling & Reading. I already see improvement in Caleb's & Brent's reading & spelling. I think it is worth the time and effort.
The Bridge to Latin Road is also something I don't want to give up. I truly believe it will give Josh & Annette a strong start in grammar. It looks to be a very solid program. I also want to use The Latin Road for High School credits (can't believe I'm talking about high school credits )
I still have the rest of my children's subjects. Annette, can do a lot on her own. Not sure where Caleb & Brent will be regarding reading.
I'm thinking out loud here. We can all do MFW Bible together in the morning. Do The Bridge with Annette & Josh so they can be set loose to finish their other subjects after we are done.
After that I'm stumped . I think that once I have the Teacher Manual for MFW Exp1850, I can get a better handle on how to accomplish everything. I can figure out if it would be better for Josh to do MFW on his own or if we should combine.
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Today we went to Mr. Jim's Pizza for lunch. We actually picked it up and took it to the park. It was pretty windy. The leaves where falling everywhere. Pretty but some of them hit your face pretty hard.
The children had fun playing. I was busy looking at the Scope & Sequence of CQLA & The Bridge. trying to figure things out. We then came home and the kiddos are napping and here I am.
As for school I still need to correct papers but other than that we are done with week 9. Amazing.
I almost forgot. Joshua, is going shooting with Lupe, this weekend. Yesterday they took a class with some men from church regarding firearms. Josh, was so excited. My boy is growing up  .
Blessings,
Linda<>< |
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• Nov. 6, 2009 - Halloween
Posted By Amanda
Our church hosted a Harvest Party. The kids had a lot of fun, playing games & winning candy. :)
After we left (I had to bring Steve home--he had to work that night), I brought the girls to my friend Val's house to go trick or treating. This was the first time my girls had ever been trick or treating. And now I know why. I was exhausted by the time we were done & so were all of the kids! LOL
Here are some pics of the party:
The cookie that Patience decorated for me
Patience getting her face painted by Miss Heidi. I thought she would get a rainbow on her cheek or something...NOT.
The finished product!
Eli helped the little kids play games. He is growing up so fast!
Next!
Patience doing spin art
Maddie, getting her face painted. Quite frankly, seeing her made up like this was disturbing to me, so I didn't take a picture of the end result.
I didn't bring the camera Trick or Treating--it got dark pretty quickly. The girls had a great time (and for those of you wondering, Eli said he didn't want to come. Steve said he changed his mind 2 minutes after we left--oh well!). |
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