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Homeschooling Adventures at the Maxwell's
Thursday, March 29, 2007
BFS Assignment #23 - Digging Deep for Damages
This weeks assignment is in two parts. The first part is to list any damage done to us emotionally by other homeschooling families that caused us to question our idea of homeschooling.
My reply to the first part is that I honestly cannot think of a single homeschool family that has ever caused this problem. All the ones that I've been blessed enough to meet have been nothing short of wonderful. I will say that at some of the gathering we've attended, I would feel a little left out when the veterans would hang together and chit-chat. Mostly that is because I'm actually a very shy person and am always afraid to appear rude by butting in. Other than that though, we've not really been discouraged by anyone. In fact, one of the reasons I'd never want to send my children back to public school is the fact that I'd miss out on these parents that truly enjoy their children. So many of the parents of the other students my children used to go to school with couldn't care less about their children's education. I know that may be a harsh assessment, because there were a few other mom's that volunteered to read to the classes, that was there for the school parties, helped out the PTA, and so on, but the vast majority was just happy when summertime was over so they didn't have to deal with their kids for a while (direct quote from more than one person). Fall was always my worst time of year, I hated sending my kids away for the best part of the days. I'm so glad I met so many other mom's that feel the same way I do!
Part two of this assignment is to see where we may be a negetive influence to other homeschooling families and list how we can improve that area.
My reply to this part is that I really don't think I am a negetive influence to others that are homeschooling. In fact, I try to encourage other non-homeschooling families to give homeschooling a try! One woman at our meetings freely loans out all sorts of curriculum and various other books that she isn't currently using, and I do want to do more of that too. So while I don't think I am a bad influence, I do feel I can be a better one. I also need to not judge ALL non-homeschooling families that I know by the ones that my children used to attend school with. I mean after all, I was at one time a non-homeschooling family too! |
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Thursday, March 29, 2007
BFS Assignment #22 - Pamper Yourself
Last weeks assignment was to pamper ourselves and write a blog entry about it. I put it off until forever, because I was thinking of pampering as being polishing my nails, or something like that. The week before, I'd colored my hair which made me feel very pampered, but it was before the assignment, so I didn't feel it should count. And with all the gardening type stuff I've been doing, I didn't see where a manicure would last very long. Then I decided that just doing something that you enjoy strictly for the pleasure of doing it would be considered pampering.
So what I've decided to list is the fact that I planted more trees in my orchard in my yard. I know, that actually sounds like a lot of work not pampering, but it is something that I wanted to do and I'm just so happy that I did it! I could have polished my nails, took a bubble bath and those would have been great too, but I still feel happy about planting the trees. I don't think I'd still be remembering my bubble bath, know what I mean?
Another thing I did was started working on finishing painting my kitchen. I'd started a month ago and got one wall done, then nothing since then. It's because I did the biggest and easiest wall first, then would get overwhelmed thinking of all the work the other walls entailed. The first wall was just a big blank wall, no windows, no cabinets, etc.. The wall I'm working on now has 5 windows and the end of a cabinet and counter in the corner. We don't have the money to replace the trim right now, and since it is so junky we can't remove it without it breaking, I'm being very careful to paint as close as I can to it without painting on it. So far so good. And the best thing, the kids are helping me with it. It makes my husband cringe when I hand a brush to our 6 and 8 year olds and tell them to go for it, but they are loving it. Plus, I've given them instructions on how to do it and restrict them to certain areas (like not right up next to the trim), so they are learning how to paint walls and having a great time doing it. I never learned how to paint a wall until about 2 1/2 years ago when my oldest son and I painted his room when my hubby was out of town on business. Otherwise, he would have taken over and none of us would have had any fun (not to be mean, but he is a world-class perfectionist).
So, even though these may not be considered pampering missions by some, I'm so happy to have done them, so I feel that I have pampered myself by not procrastinating about them anymore. |
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Friday, March 16, 2007
BFS Assignment #21 - Hands
This weeks assignment is two-part. The lighter first part is to post pics of my hands. I looked through pictures already on the computer and found two that feature my hands. This is actually fairly rare, since I am generally the one behind the camera and seldom in front of it. These were taken this past Halloween while I was helping the kids with their Jack-O-Lanterns and Lindsey was playing the part of the photographer.
The second and deeper part of the assignment is to think about other parts of my body and how it's perfect (or imperfect) creation has blessed me. My arms, while they aren't exactly trim and muscular, were perfectly made to cradle my babies, hug my hubby, and play with my kids. My legs are wobblier in places than I'd prefer, but with them I can walk all over the grocery store buying the food I'll feed to my family. My hair changes color depending on my mood, sheds onto everyone and everything, and finds it way into more of our meals than any of us care for, but it covers my head at night and can even be pulled over my ears to keep them warm too. My spine is very crooked, but luckily doesn't hurt or ache. It has made me more aware of the possibilty of scoliosis in my own children and I monitor them closely for any signs, and I can do it without them realizing I am. I'm blessed with my blue eyes, whenever I have all the children out with me, our remarkable eye color is always mentioned.
What a great assignment, instead of bemoaning over all the flaws I consider my body to be full of, it was nice to focus instead of how blessed I truly am. |
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Saturday, March 3, 2007
BFS Assignment #20 - Heart Schooling
How weird, I already typed up a post for this topic, but it is lost somewhere in cyberspace. Seems to happen quite a bit anymore. I know HSB is trying to come to terms with their surge in membership, and I really hope they are able to get all the bugs worked out. I don't blog on here often enough, or use all the cute doo-dads that some of the more talented bloggers use, so I'll probably stick it out here.
But anyway, here is the reason we decided to homeschool. Well, actually, there really wasn't any one particular reason. The biggest reason was that I truly hated sending my kids to school, I missed them terribly. So many of my friends and family can't wait for summers to be over so they can be "rid" of their kids, but I never wanted Fall to come because then I'd be losing mine to the school system that really didn't care about them. The best part of their days were spent with teachers and other kids and I got their worst times. When they finally got home in the evenings, they were tired, cranky, frustrated that they had to do homework, and still try to find time to eat, bathe, and just hang out.
I thought about homeschooling for a good two years before finally doing it. The proverbial straw that broke the camels back was the teacher my oldest son had for 4th grade. She was literally a monster, and should have retired many years before - actually, she should have never been a teacher to begin with. Plus my other son was in Kindergarten, and couldn't concentrate to do his work during class time because of distractions from the other students, so instead of being allowed to burn his pent up energy, he would be kept in during recess to do the work he didn't get finished. And then since there was other kids playing nearby, he didn't get the work done then either and still didn't get to play. He was bringing home hours worth of homework/make-up work every night. I finally decided that if I was going to be doing his work with him everyday anyway, why am I bothering to send him off to school.
We are very electic in our style of education, and we don't use any textbooks at all. We have an extensive library right in our own house and make great use of our local library (which has been rated number 1 in the country for our population size). We use wonderful math curriculums with each of the children, and are teaching the littlest ones how to read with "...100 Easy Lessons," but other than that, we get our education from books and hands on projects. I'll do another entry listing all the books we use throughout our day, it is staggering when I get them all out each morning, but it is amazing watching them learn. Plus, I'm learning some new things right along with them, and that is wonderful too.
I know we are considered the whacko's in our group of friends and families, but this is probably the only time in my entire life that I don't care if others think of me negatively. I know that what we are doing is the right thing for my children and for me too. I do regret that I hadn't done it sooner, but I am also thankful for the miserable years they spent in the public school system. It just helps to remind me that a frustrating day of homeschooling is better than sending them back to public school anyday. Being able to homeschool is something I consider to be one of my biggest blessings. |
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Thursday, February 15, 2007
BFS Assignment #18 - Share Your Love
Assignment - name three ways to share your love with friends and neighbors.
1. A phone call. I love to get a phone call for no reason except to chat and catch up. So, if that's the case, then I should assume that it is true for others too. I only have a couple of people that I call on a regular basis, but I think I will start expanding that circle.
2. Calling neighbors to see if they need anything when you are going to the store, especially in this treacherous weather. No sense in all of us being out if we don't need to be.
3. Invite to your home for a homecooked dinner. So many people eat out nowdays and work full time that they rarely take the time for a truly homecooked meal. Since 99 out of 100 of our meals are prepared right here, it's not at all difficult to include a couple of extra servings to the menu. The trouble is getting the people to come and visit in the first place, other people have a hard time making time for friendships too.
This was actually a fairly tough assignment for me. It's pretty easy for me to show my love to those that live under my roof, but lots more difficult to extend it outward. I'm always worried about offering things to people, even just a meal with us at home, for fear they'll turn us down. Even if they have a good reason, I still feel really bad about it. |
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Wednesday, February 7, 2007
BFS #17 - After School Snack Time
Our assignment for this week is to share what some of our favorite snack foods are and to provide recipes if needed.
We use a lot of what has been officially dubbed as my "Special Dip" although it is not so much a dip as a spread really. The recipe is very simple. A block of reduced fat cream cheese (8 oz.), and blend in the seasonings in whatever amounts you choose as per your taste preferences - season salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and italian seasoning. I just blend it with a fork and put any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. We use it spread on plain bagels, and a variety of crackers. We dip tortilla chips and carrots in it. It's probably our most requested snack here at our house. |
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Friday, February 2, 2007
BFS #16 - Show and Tell
This assignment is to post a picture of something or someone and tell all about it. Hmmm, I need to go check my pics that I have on file and see what would be a good one to use that I haven't used already.
This is our cat, Smokie. My daughter took this picture of him. He is such a cuddle-bug, and very vocal. He lets you know exactly what he wants, and he pretty much runs this household with a furry fist. We let him though because he lets you cuddle him and he's so docile, he won't scratch or bite, no matter what you do with him. He's just the cutest thing and we are so blessed to have him in our family. |
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Thursday, December 14, 2006
Cute Christmas Quote - BFS #10
The 10th assignment for Blogger Friends School is to write your favorite Christmas quote, poem or verse. Since I don't have one particular one I love, I did a google search for funny Christmas quotes. This one is my favorite:
by Dave Barry, Christmas Shopping
"In the old days, it was not called the holiday season; the christians called it "Christmas" and went to church; the Jews called it "Hanukka" and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing on the street would say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hanukka" or (to the atheists) "Look out for the wall!" |
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Sunday, December 10, 2006
People I Admire - BFS #9
This is for the Blogger Friends School Assignment #9. Choose two people that I admire and pick one gift they have and write about it. Then do the same about myself.
Person #1 - My Dad
My dad is the person that every kid I knew wants as their own dad. He's great with kids, a real natural. I thank God that I was blessed to have him as my father. He has more patience than anyone I know and really enjoys sharing his passions and knowledge with others. My kids are truly blessed to live next door to him and have him take such an active part in their lives. Any child that's met him leaves feeling better than they came, and probably more than a little spoiled. A shy child forgets they are shy when he's around.
Person #2 - My husband
He's a good friend to everyone that knows him. He's honest and kind. He's a nice guy even when nice guys weren't always cool. He doesn't hold grudges, will help anyone that asks. He doesn't take advantage of others, but won't allow others to take advantage of him either. He avoids confrontation, but I know he will stand up for us if the need would arise. He's my knight in shining armor, even though there was a time I'd forgotten that fact. He stands by me, even when I'm hard on myself. He's finally realizing what a great dad he can be, he'd been raised on negativity for so many years, it's taking some time to wear off.
Person #3 - Me
Hmmm - this is harder. I think my gift would be my creativity. I'm not creative in everything, but I am in most things I attempt. Pretty much everything I touch somehow has my own little flair to it. From sewing, to cooking, to crafts, and scrapbooking, and many arts and crafts projects in between, I always seem to tweak things to suit me. Usually thats a good thing but it doesn't always work out that way (especially with the cooking). But, I normally get compliments on my creative attempts, so I'm going to go with that being my gift. |
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Friday, December 8, 2006
Recipe For Cookies-and-Cream Fudge - BFS #8
Here is the recipe for the YUMMY fudge we made the other day. It is soooo good, probably too good, I can't keep my hands off it! This was my first try at making fudge and it was real easy.
Cookies and Cream Fudge
3 cups sugar
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
2/3 cup (5 oz.) evaporated milk
2 cups white-chocolate chips
7-oz. jar marshmallow crème
½ cup finely crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreo’s)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup crumbled cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
1. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang.
2. Combine sugar, butter and evaporated milk in a medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in white-chocolate chips, marshmallow crème, finely crushed cookies and vanilla extract. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle crumbled cookies on top. Using a knife, gently swirl cookies into fudge without touching the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces.
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