My new books arrived - so excited! I just love books. I ordered Susan Wise Bauer's 4 volume set, The Story of the World. I was previewing what I wanted the kiddos to read this week, and kind of got lost in the book and read way beyond what I intended to cover. They are written in an absorbing way; its easy to lose track of time while reading them!

The girls are working on a grammar lesson right now, and then I need to cover their Latin lesson before I let them go to town conjugating verbs. After Latin I'll go over their math lesson, then work with Liam on his phonics and reading, and counting money.

The girls will be moving on in poetry - still covering Robert Frost, but they have 'October' memorized nearly perfectly, so we will work on recitation of 'The Pasture,' now, and begin 'Stars' as copywork. Today, I'll have them neatly copy 'October' one last time, then illustrate the border as they like.

No science for the girls, today, but Liam will be working on Open Wide, Trek Inside. In history, they will watch the last episode of a 3 part documentary on Lindbergh and do some reading. Eep - I really need to mail back the documentaries on King Tut and the Suffragettes/19th Ammendment to Netflix, TODAY!!!

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Liam is working on counting money in math, right now... the coins in our change jar are getting a workout! He is getting the hang of switching from counting by 10s to 5s to 1s pretty quickly, and rarely has a problem, except that when counting by 5s he forgets the number 15 - almost every time! He'll get there, though!

His reading has also improved quite a bit over the past week, and he is confident enough now to work through level 2 readers without much grumbling, sighing, and complaining. Yay for small victories!

The girls are doing fabulous with the new curriculum - I wish I had been brave enough to try it before now. They are thriving! Latin is a blast and they are looking forward to next year when they will add French. Between the reading, copywork, map work, and writing, they stay busy enough - but are done with school by lunch most days, and then have quiet time in the afternoon to work on handcrafts and do some reading... but the rest of the day is theirs once their chores are done. Apparently that is a good incentive, because the dishwasher is usually unloaded before breakfast, now, and laundry appears in the hamper without my begging. They were even arguing about who got to change the litter in the cat box! (I didn't know that was a privilege!)

I managed to get 30 minutes on the treadmill today, which was great! I joined Weight Watchers a few weeks ago - the online program. Trying to become a little more fit, as much for my own health as for an example to the kids. I have a lot of knee pain, so I thought losing the excess weight would help. So, I was excited that I lost 4 pounds, and am very encouraged to continue. Through this, I've realized that I am an emotional eater... and when things go wrong a bite of chocolate or something is a pick me up... Then it hit me, that this is as much a spiritual issue as anything else! I should be turning to God when I'm upset, irked, anxious... It was a hard realization, but I'm starting to replace 'food therapy' with extra prayer time or Scripture reading. It works a whole lot better at soothing me - and then I don't have the guilt of failing at sticking with my diet!

Tonight, I'm making baked ham with peaches, rice, and broccoli for dinner. I'm guessing my husband is not going to be home on time tonight, since he hasn't called to let me know he's leaving work yet. He always calls to see if I need him to pick up anything on his way home, which is sweet of him, since we live so far from everything that a 'quick trip' to pick up milk or something, takes at least an hour out of my day and uses up gas! Well, time to serve the kids some supper - my boy starts to get wound up when he's hungry at night! He must be starved!

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We did an extra school day on Saturday - Bible, Reading, Latin review, Math Drills, and Music. They watched a documentary film produced in 1924 - Grass. They were tickled by the screens they had to read instead of listening to a narrator. Then the girls made a 1920s dinner, using menu suggestions and recipes straight from my vintage magazines. Our Turkish Delight failed - we'll try again, later. Dinner was tomato bisque, lima bean loaf, stuffed onions, broccoli, and cranberry jelly. They did a super job... But I don't think Lima Bean Loaf will be on the menu again. It was kind of dry and bland...

Today we started early with the household chores, since Rachel had a chiropractic appointment at 10:30am. Once the chores were done, I did their Grammar & Latin lessons with them, their Math, and helped with some mapwork. Now the girls have independent work. Then, we'll watch a  documentary on either the Suffragettes or on Tutankhamen. I'll let them decide which.

Liam did phonics and reading already, and his copywork,  math, and social studies. I'll be helping him with his science after lunch, and get some more reading in.

Rachel & I were both bit by deer ticks, yesterday. Ugh. Rachel, I understand.... since she played outside all day long. But I was only outside for about 10 minutes while I talked to Steve, then I went to the city with my mother for the day. When I got in the shower last night I found the tick, stuck in but good, so a tick check on Steve and the kids commenced, and we found one on Rachel, too. It has been so cold, I hadn't even been thinking about ticks. I called the doctor this morning and found there is no preventative pill you can pop for Lyme disease, so we have to watch our bites and if we get a rash or flu-like symptoms (yeah - right during flu season!), we need to go see the doc.

In other news - On Oct. 31 we met Steve at work so that we could take the kids to Happy Wheels - Christian Skate Night. While there, Liam jumped out of the car and swung the door wide, so it dented another car. A really tiny little dent, no paint chips or cracks... So I gave the lady our insurance info. She called on Thursday and said the mini-ding was going to cost $363 to fix. I nearly spit coffee everywhere. Seemed a little exorbitant. I've been on the phone dealing with the claims department several times now. The good news is this: my insurance company will cover the damage, and it won't raise my premium.

Prayer needed for a family situation... My ex-husband knows that we are in Maine for the time being, and is starting to play his mental games. From there, things usual spiral down hill real fast. I believe that the Lord has protected my girls from the situation in miraculous ways... and if I could describe the miracles, you would agree. So, I also believe that the Lord has a plan for my girls, that He has protected them for a reason, and that He will not let them suffer now... but it's still (for my frail human nature) worrisome.

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I really need to clean out the closet in the living room - condense the boxes, since most are only 1/3 full! Make room for coats and boots and a basket of mittens and hats!

I desperately need to organize my crafty stuff. Seriously, my desk looks like Hobby Lobby puked on it.

I could really use a new set of book shelves - all of ours are running over. Piles of books are taking over the window sills and end tables... And there are still more books in boxes! And I just ordered more books from amazon... erm... but I NEEDED them!

I did get the laundry room shelves cleaned out and organized today - that was a good feeling! And Liam's room is nice and tidy, as is the kitchen. The living room is currently occupied by sick children, so there are blankets and pillows, and water bottles and tissue boxes, as well as quiet games and books to amuse them. My Lydia is sick - possibly flu - so I am trying to arrange to get off work this weekend.

After much prayer and deliberation... we are completely changing gears for the rest of the school year. I know - seems like a quick decision, but it was something we'd been talking about since about week 3!

We are going with Ambleside Online - a curriculum rather derived from Charlotte Mason's. I am using year 6 for both of the girls, since they are at very similar levels. I am structuring the day like so:

Latin

Grammar

Bible

Math

History (M, W, F)

Science (Tu, Th)

Art (M, Th)

Music (lessons on Tu, F - Piano practice daily)

Poetry - currently memorizing 'October' by Robert Frost (going out of order)

Computer/Typing (not part of Ambleside, but required by Maine State Law)

Their actual work is done by 11:30am, and then they spend time after lunch reading and doing handcrafts.

Today, during handcrafts, we continued working on cross stitching. They are practicing their stitches right now, but in a day or so will begin making cross stitched bookmarks to give as gifts for Christmas. Today was really fun - the time period in history we are studying is the 1910s-1920s, so I played music from 1911, 1914, and 1918 while they stitched patterns from a needlework book I have from 1912! We talked about the 19th ammendment while working (women's right to vote), then looked through some 1920s copies of Life Magazine that I have.

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We are now 25% completed with our school district's attendance requirement. I just love checking those boxes off!

Schooling has gone well this week. Both girls did great on their Math test, are catching on in Latin quickly, and are doing well in science and history. Monday we took a nature walk at Fort Williams and Kettle Cove. While at Kettle Cove we found a huge jellyfish that had washed up onto shore - it was over 18" in diameter! We also collected shells and rocks and driftwood, and watched the gulls.

Tuesday was finishing up some end of quarter things: run of the mill stuff, but we were done early and enjoyed some time in the woods before hunting season starts.

Today was productive - besides some poetry, grammar, Latin, writing, math, and history, we also visited the library. Right now the girls are working on embroidering and sewing little stuffed felt Christmas ornaments. They hand dyed the wool felt themsleves, chose their designs, and have really had fun!

Tomorrow, we will have to either school very lightly, or not at all. I was called in to work, and my Mum agreed to watch the kiddos, but she won't homeschool them. She did do her time, having homeschooled me and my three sisters. She deserves a break! I suppose if I get the kids up early, we can do a bit before I leave for work at 9am, and then I could have them do some reading while they are at my Mum's, and I can do a bit more with them when I get home at 3:30pm.

I have no idea when I am going to fit in grocery shopping and cooking for the next two weeks - Friday morning I have to go get the car inspected (luckily Friday's school lessons are easy to do in the car/bring along with us), then pick up my step-daughter for the weekend. Things get a bit crazy with an extra kid, but I love her to pieces and really enjoy when she stays with us for a few days.

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I really am not an early morning person, but for some reason I have been up by 5:00 or 5:30am everyday this week! It does make for rather productive days, though, as I can get myself organized before the kids are up and needing me for this, that, and the other thing.

My goal is to spend at least 20 minutes on the treadmill everyday - and I got that done, first thing! Yay for small steps!

So the plan for today...

• Get the kids up, showered, dressed, and fed.
• Get as much schoolwork done as possible by 9:30am.
• While the kids are doing independent work, I need to get some housework done and start a load of laundry.
• At 9:30am - take Rachel to the chiropracter (she has been complaining of back pain for a week or so, and scoliosis seems to run in our family... so we need to have her evaluated).
• After the chiropracter appt. we need to run to the grocery store for lunch & breakfast foods for the week.
• While we're out, we'll do the usual visit to my husband at his workplace and bring him a coffee - Medium Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte.
• I'm hoping to have time to drop in on a friend of mine, and also on my grandparents who live near the friend.
• Once we're home, I'll need to start dinner - but since I have already thawed it and will start it in the slow-cooker before we leave, it's a matter of throwing some potato wedges into the crockpot for the last couple hours of cooking, and make a veggie to go with it.

I thought I would share a few of my favorite websites with you, today.

I love word games, and my favorite is Babble.   www.playbabble.com

I also love sudoku, and I think the best online version is here: www.ironsudoku.com

And because any time my kids ask what a word means, I say, "Look it up." here is a great online dictionary!  www.onelook.com

I love to craft items, and get lots of inspiration here: www.craftster.org (also, I am working on a series of "Crafts for Christ" that I plan to post on the site, along with the Scripture reference that inspired the craft. Just a small way to spread the Word of God in a non-threatening manner!)

And I adore knitting and crocheting, so I like to get ideas (and free patterns!) from www.ravelry.com.

I like to post a fun fact every day on our white board, so I visit www.factropolis.com for little known facts (not all facts are appropriate for children so use discretion, but most are fine - like "American" cheese was invented by a chemist in the German military.)

We love to make school interesting, by 'celebrating' obscure holidays, like Talk Like a Pirate Day - for a list of other holidays, check www.holidayinsights.com. Just click 'Bizarre and Unique Days' on the left side of the page, then the month you are interested in. Did you know today is National Nut Day?! I may just have to make a card and buy some cashews for my husband, and deliver them to work with his coffee!

Hope you enjoy the sites!

Time for me to get out of this chair and hit the ground running!

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I have an extra girl to school today - my step-daughter spent last night with us. It has been a pretty good day thus far...

I woke early - 5:00am - and not on purpose! But it gave me time to check out the meteor shower, contemplate God's glory, and plan my day in the peace and quiet of early morning (with a steaming mug of coffee that my husband made for me before he left for work). All in all, an excellent way to start the day.

So far today, the girls have done their Daily G.R.A.M.S., Journaling, independent reading, English From the Roots Up, Spelling, Math, & Bible. After lunch & recess they'll do science and social studies, and an art project. We'll also work on our News Story Project.

Liam did some addition practice, writing and spelling, lots of reading, and his science. He's pretty much done for the day now.

Dinner tonight is Santa Fe Chicken (from Once-A-Month Cooking: Family Favorites), so that is thawing. I guess I'll make some rice and beans to go with it, and a veggie.

Below is my Matthew 6:25-34 inspired Lily. I know - it's a waterlily, not a lily of the field... but it is a lily nonetheless... and I could figure out how to make this kind with felt! Besides, waterlilies are my favorite. My husband picks one for me whenever he's out in his boat where they grow.

The wool felt was hand dyed then all the little petals (28 of them) were hand cut. The petals of the lily are blanket stitched with silver thread, which was a real bugger to work with! Then they were arranged in staggered circles of 7 petals, and stitched down. The center is a piece of gold colored felt, embellished with gold seed beads. The lily pad is simple, with backstitching in a variegated thread for the midrib and veins of the leaf.

It took about 6 hours of work, total. I think any others I make would go quicker, since I'm not figuring out how to do it, now!

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It looks like Tuesday the 27th will be the last day of our first quarter. Wow, has time flown by!

Yesterday, my girls completed their science unit on botany. I allowed them to choose what they study next. Rachel chose geology, Lydia selected insects. I guess it's good that I've been wide awake so early lately - I need to pull out more books and create dual lesson plans, instead of tweaking the same plan for their respective grade levels.

We are still working on Civics for their social studies class, but I'm planning to start doing something different, just on Wednesdays. I used to do it, and then we stopped last year... Each week I would select a country, region, town... a specific place that (hopefully) had something unique about it. We would locate the place on the globe/maps and do a brief study on its climate, its people, its industry, special holidays & customs, traditional dress, food, etc. Then came the fun part - we would make dinner using the place's traditional foods (or as much as possible). We would try to learn some greetings in the native tongue. We might make paper placemats with fun facts, maps, or drawings of important landmarks. If possible, we would even dress accordingly. Greece was fun - we wore togas and ate honeycake. China was cool - noodles, chopsticks, and discussion about walking the Great Wall. England - oh you should have heard the kids attempt cockney accents while eating their bubble & squeak! And on and on it went. Now that they are older, we can revisit places we've 'gone' before, and get a little more in depth.

Liam is doing quite well in school, but he'd rather play. His reading improves daily. He's a whiz at math. He picks up on everything I teach the girls, too! He really is good about school, though, even though he doesn't want to do it. It seems like we have the same routine every morning. "Mom, can I play X-Box?" "No." "Can I go play outside?" "Liam, no. You have to do school first. Then you can play outside." "Ok." And he schools without complaining or fussing. But he still asks! Mostly, he just doesn't want to work at reading... The rest of school he actually loves!

I've been working on pretties lately - for Christmas. Yesterday I had some time to myself (between schooling, housework, getting the oil changed in the car, maing dinner, etc.) to make a felt flower. I only had green and white wool felt so I dyed a white piece aquilon pink and heat set the dye with the iron. Then I cut out 8 tiny petals and blanket stitched around the edge of them with thin metallic thread - what a bugger! - then I arranged the petals into a flower and stitched them in place. Then, I took thin gauge silver plaed wire and strung little pearl beads on, and twisted the wire, to make stamens/pistils. I poked the wire ends through the center of the flower and stitched them down to the backs of two petals, and arranged the stamens/pistils. The leaves, I simply cut out of green felt and backstitched midribs and veins on, with a grean variegated floss. It sounds more complicated than it actually was, and the results were so pretty - the photo really doesn't do it justice. The flower is just about an inch across. I think I could make water lillies with this method... If I cut out a circular 'base' of felt, and started attaching petals... *must go dye more wool felt*

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Today I made Spam Musubi for lunch. I guess that just proves how much of a geek I am... I was reading a novel, set in Hawaii. It was mentioned that the characters were eating Spam Musubi. So, I immediately had to google the stuff. Then I tried making it. Which led to me buying a musubi press.

So this is what pure deliciousness looks like. And if you want to make your own - this is the tutorial/recipe I used:  http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/04/tutorial-how-to-make-hawaiian-spam-musubi-sushi.html

On a schoolier note...

Liam has been writing 2-4 sentence 'stories' and illustrating them, and working on his math. Science is up next, but right now they are enjoying recess outside... Taking advantage of the comparatively warm weather!

The girls did their math test, Greek & Latin roots, and journaling. Then we started discussing newspapers - content and article formats. Then they each wrote a rough draft of an article on the topic of the adoption of their new kitten. This will be a year long study for writing, and will involve them publishing a homeschool newspaper every month or so - they'll write the articles, do the interviews, draw the comics, etc. And, put it all into a document on the comp and print it out! I think it will really be a fun way to practice a lot of essential skills. They have science and history and spelling left to do, when recess is finished.

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Just 11 weeks until Christmas - Oh, how I love this time of year!

For the record - we are not huge gifters. We spend very little money, we don't buy lavish gifts, and I don't think I have gone to the mall during the holiday shopping season in about... 15 years? We do keep Christ central to the day - but we also love making things for the people we love. The gifts we give are mostly hand-made - even the candy for the stockings! Starting this week, after school, we'll be spending some time in the afternoon working on little gifts for people. It also counts as home ec. and art for the kids - practicing their knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, and general craftiness!

So yesterday I was anxious to try one of the items I plan to make for several people - it is just a little ornament to hang on the tree, or a door, or window... where ever! Mixed media - paper & cardboard, felt, beads, glitter, paper cutouts, gilt paint, embroidery... and glue. Lots of glue. =| Then I 'stole' a picture of my best friend's new baby from her facebook page and decoupaged it on there. Anyway, I'll mail this to her today, since it was just a practice run!

The idea and the template is from Pretty Little Felts by Julie Collings. She has some amazing ideas in this book... But the best part is that while the specific projects are incredible, they are also inspiring - you are not limited to just the projects in the book. The techniques and ideas will carry you further. Much further! Another huge plus is that the projects mainly take scraps from other projects! A great way to use up all the little pretties that were too gorgeous to throw away, but too small to do anything with! I admit, I did go out and buy new scrapbook papers to use... but I probably would have, anyway. I just love paper.

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It's so good to be home after a long weekend at work. Steve & I brought home a surprise for the kiddos, though - the sweetest, cuddliest little bundle of fur ever: a 10 week old long haired kitten with tiger markings. She has been named Rogue. Can you tell we have X-Men fans in our house?

Rogue has been a minor distraction this morning - Lydia used Rogue as a topic for journaling, Rachel tried to get away with playing with the kitten instead of doing her independent reading, and Liam has been playing with her during every break!

We're off to a good start though. Rachel & Lydia have already finished their Daily GRAMS and their English From the Roots Up. They have done their journaling, Rachel did her independent reading, and Lydia has almost finished her spelling/creative writing assignment. Up next is math, then science. In science they are continuing their study of botany, but we are moving on to trees... New vocabulary words, some reading, then outside to examine specimens, and to do some drawing and some diagrams.

Liam reviewed his phonograms, and we added a couple new ones to the mix. He read 18 pages in a new book, and practiced his handwriting using his spelling words. He also did a math workbook page in addition, illustrated some sentences he wrote, and just needs to do science.

We are starting a unit on teeth, dental hygiene, etc.  It is a FREE curriculum from the National Institute of Health, called Open Wide and Trek Inside. It is geared towards 1st & 2nd graders. The curriculum is complete, and even comes with a CD Rom. To request a copy, you can go here:  http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/WebPages/CSHome

For Home Ec we are making peanut butter fudge - my Great Gram's recipe. =)

 2 c. sugar

2/3 c. milk

1 c. peanut butter

1 c. marshmallow fluff

1 Tbs. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Lightly grease an 8x8 fudge pan with butter and set aside. In a heavy sauce pan, bring the milk and sugar to a boil, over medium heat, and cook until it reaches soft-ball stage (235°-240°F). Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Pour into the pan and allow to cool.

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There we were, knee deep in Greek & Latin root words, when a shadow dims the room. I glance up to find a horse staring in my window at me, blocking the light. It's a beautiful horse - rich brown with a black mane and tail. So, I went outside to take a look - it walked right up to me and nuzzled my arm and hand. The kids brought it a carrot and an apple, which it seemed to enjoy immensely. None of our nearby neighbors have any idea who he belongs to, so there he stays, hanging out in my back yard, trimming my grass and leaving french fertilizer (family joke), in exchange. He's been out there close to two hours now, and doesn't seem to have any inclination of leaving. Right now, he's trimming those hard to mow areas under the swingset...

So, schooling is taking a break, beacuse my horse crazy girls can't concentrate with that animal out there. Fortunately, we were very nearly done for the day!

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Technically speaking, this is our 28th day of school, and we are 16% done with the school year. I find, though, that we tend to have 'school' on our off days, too, to some degree... The kids are always reading books of quality - biographies, historical fiction, good literature, how-to books, etc. When we rent DVDs through Netflix, they are often documentaries, historical fiction, and such. They use the dictionary and other reference books on a daily basis, I continually correct their spoken grammatical errors, and they utilize their math in real life applications: measuring and geometry while trying to build a clubhouse with scrap wood, fractions while decreasing/increasing recipes while cooking with me, and so on. They all love to write, draw, and play on the piano, so art education really takes care of itself, with their continual efforts to write poetry and creative stories, or their research into different artists and their attempts to copy each technique. On rainy days they play games - like Scrabble, Boggle, Scattergories, MadLibs, and Othello, or the girls will play Sight Word Bingo with their little brother. We love to visit museums and historical sites/re-enactments and natural 'wonders' in our area. All three also love crafting, and the girls are learning knitting, crochet, embroidery; my son loves painting and working with wood like his Gramps. Quite often we have 'mad scientist' experiments taking up counter space in the kitchen; we own two microscopes, model skeletons, and my test tube flower vase has been commandeered on more than one occasion.

This didn't seem that remarkable to me; it was simply how we live. Then yesterday, two of my three step-daughters came to visit... Normally we go see them at their house and all 6 of the kids go off together. But here... we have no cable or satellite dish, we don't have all the latest movies (with questionable content), no Wii... Just lots of books, games, space to play, and three very happy, content, intelligent children. And the step-daughters were largely bored out of their minds, which really surprised me, because they are homeschooled as well. I guess I assumed that most homeschool families were like us.

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So - school today: I have an extra kid to school, since one of the step-daughters wanted to stay the night. I promised to school her along with my three. Praying it will work out all right - she derailed devotions on three separate occasions, last night, and it took all of our efforts to get her back on track! I love the kid to pieces, but the behavior expectations in her home are far different than in ours.

We'll do the usual Daily GRAMS, English from the Roots Up, Vocabulary, Reading, and Math (fractional parts, today). In Social Studies, we'll review chapters 1-3 in Land of Fair Play, then read and discuss chapter 4 (Majority Rule). In science we are continuing with Botany - reviewing our previous lessons briefly, and discussing the nitrogen cycle. I'm going to have them draw and label a diagram of the nitrogen cycle.

Then, my boy has some reading to do, work on his penmanship, and some math. No science for him today, but he listens in on the girls science and is learning quickly.

This afternoon, I'll bring Sarah home, and then I have a bit of housework that will need doing. I'm hoping to get a chance to do some knitting on my husband's Christmas present...

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Not much to say, today... Schooled, housework, grocery shopping, etc. I'm inspired by a new cookbook, so I'm going to be trying some new 'make ahead' meals over the next month or two. I love the concept of once a month cooking, but usually do it in 2 week increments, rather than a month.

They were giving samples out at Sam's Club - Gluten Free crackers. They are completely awesome. They taste like crackers, not dry rice mush like some do. And they don't break your teeth, like others try to. They are called Crunchmaster Multi-grain Crackers - they were so good I had to buy a couple boxes of them.

To add to my list of things to deal with this week, we just found out that the Ford Explorer we were going to buy from a co-worker of my husband's was sold to someone else. Not by the co-worker, but by the co-worker's father, who took it while his son was at work and sold it to one of his friends. It is times like these I am glad I know Who is in control, and that He is working all things for my good, even though I don't always understand His ways! So, we could use prayer for a vehicle: My husband's car is beyond hope, so when the inspection sticker runs out in a month, we can't drive it anymore. We need a four wheel drive vehicle, because we moved to Maine and live on a road that get rather nasty in the winter (Or, we need a really mild winter!). My car is rear wheel drive, and is really too small for our kids who are growing taller all the time. A convertible Sportage is fun, but not the best for leggy 13 year olds to ride in! So, yes, prayer for a vehicle! Prayer for provision! Thanks to God, because He is always good!

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Sometimes, I wish life were just a wee bit easier. I'm not unhappy - don't get me wrong. I'm not malcontent, pessimistic, or grumpy. I'm simply mildly annoyed that my husband's paycheck had the insurance deducted from it twice, and there is nothing they can do to fix the problem, since the deduction was already sent to the insurance company. Yes, it will work out just fine in the end (read: will work out just fine in 2 weeks), but I wanted to pick up my step-daughter's birthday gift. And now I have to wait, because paying the rent and feeding the kids comes first. Oh well! It could always be worse.

Anyway - on the homeschooling front... Liam is really taking to reading; I am so proud of him. He's sounding out everything, so I'm checking the walls of bathroom stalls before I let him use facilities when we are out running errands! The girls are both doing well, but we are a bit behind in math right now. Next week, we'll be able to catch up, I think.

We are getting back into the swing of memorizing a new scripture verse per week, after taking the summer off. I didn't want to take the summer off, but we were living with my parents until our house opened up, and it was a bit difficult to be our own cohesive family unit and follow our own routines.

I just ordered a new book, Pretty Little Felts. I can't wait until it arrives. Lots of adorable mixed media items to craft. I'm hoping to help the girls use the book to make some nice Christmas gifts for friends and family. And speaking of gifts, I need to finish embroidering flowers to an elephant's rump... One of my nieces in KY is getting a stuffed, embroidered elephant. Haven't decided what to do for the other, yet. Then, I have a niece and nephew in SC, and 2 nephews in ME, and 3 nephews and 1 niece in CO, and, of course, our own 5 girls and our son.

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What a day - I woke up really late this morning... Usually I'm up by 7:00am - today I didn't get up till 8:30am! Didn't sleep well last night for some reason. Got the kids going on some school, got dressed, made breakfast, and sat down to check my email... Remembered that I had a meeting at 9:30am (to get the paperwork done for volunteering with Meals on Wheels), rushed out to do that - leaving the kids in my Mum's care. Thank goodness she lives across the street!

So, meeting goes well, paperwork is all filled out... I try to come home, but my car won't start. I fiddled around with the battery cables, because it seemed like a bad connection, but still couldn't start it. Called my Mum to see if she could pick me up till my husband could get home and look at the car. In the meantime, a guy in his pick up truck slows down and asks, "You ok, babe?" Now, I lost 'babe' status over a decade ago, so I'm assuming this is just the way he refers to women. I shrug and keep fiddling with the wires. He stops, looks, and fixed my car in about 5 minutes flat... Yep - battery cables needed to be stripped down and reconnected. (ok - probably not the right verbiage, but I'm not a mechanic!). Anyway, car starts now!

Cell phone died as I was trying to call my Mum and tell her not to come get me - so I waited for her there. From there, we decided to go to the Farmer's Market up the street, so I swung by the bank for some cash. Loaded up on all kinds of good stuff: 10 lbs white potatoes for $2.67, Sweet Red Peppers for $1.98/lb, Rutabega for $0.68/lb, onions for $0.48/lb - bags of apples, cider... I completely loaded the back of my Sportage for about $28! However, since I had only gotten $20 from the ATM, I had to run back to the bank so I could pay my Mum back for what she bought for me, lol. From the bank we went to the butcher shop - Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast for $1.59/lb if you buy 10 lbs or more.

From there, I stopped at a yard sale, looked a chair for the living room for $5.00 - needs a major cleaning, but would be worth it... Might go back and get it if it is still there.

So the kids are eating lunch, then we need to finish school, and I need to get dinner planned and started.

Anyway, I try to have the kids involved in some community service project every year, whether through an agency or through our church. Last year, when we still lived in  North Carolina, we volunteered with the neighborhood Community Watch program, and did neighborhood clean up projects. This year we decided on Meals on Wheels for several reasons: The kids all love and respect elderly people, and elders seem to like them (Yeah! Natural socialization!). The project will allow me to school them between stops (reading, orally review spelling and vocab, Greek and Latin root words, math drills, memorization work), and I can have them work on map skills (planning routes, compass direction, etc.).  And, I'll be reimbursed mileage, which will enable us to volunteer long-term. With gas prices the way they are, this is the only way I can afford to volunteer with the kids right now.

I think I ought go be productive, now... Get the girls going on their Math, get my boy reading, and then maybe paint the front steps or go buy that chair! Or both...

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I guess I'm inordinately excited, but we've been trying to grow some bean plants for observation of hydrotropism, thigmotropism, geotropism, and phototropism... And for some reason - those beans just wouldn't sprout! We planted them ages ago, and usually they pop right up in a couple days. But not these beans. Noooo. These beans tried desperately to throw a monkey wrench into my lesson plan! Fortunately, the flexibility of homeschooling saved the day - We're doing an intense study on botany, so what does it matter when we observe the tropisms, as long as we understand the concept when we're done with the unit?!

I'm trying to decide if I want to invest in the Crossword Weaver software - they give a great discount for homeschoolers. And the kids love to do them - it would be a fun way to reinforce their Greek and Latin, their Spelling words and Vocabulary words... I downloaded the trial version, and it does a really nice, professional looking job... Anyone have any comments/ideas/suggestions?

I think we're going to start working on our homeschool yearbook this afternoon, which will also double as a 'portfolio' for end of year reporting requirements.

As for our day thus far, my boy is pretty much done with his reading, writing, and math. We just have a bit to do for his weather unit we're doing in Science. The girls are just finishing up with their independent work, and they'll be done for the day, other than special projects for home ec., going to the library, and piano practice.

I need to get some ideas for a fun way to work on geography...

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...Until the next morning when it is time to get up, anyway! I am so not a morning person, but I was blessed with a wonderful husband and two energetic children who are morning people. My middle child is a mini-me - she doesn't do well with mornings either!

For a while, I thought that maybe the whole 'morning person' thing was just a myth, and that if I reset my personal schedule, I too could be a morning person. Didn't work. I'd lie in bed, eyes squinched shut, trying to sleep, all to no avail. My mind is way too active at night, and I feel too energized to sleep. I don't really like the idea of medication, so I am a night owl with my Liddy-bug, while the rest of the house sleeps peacefully.

I don't mind, anyway. The house is so quiet (for a change). I can actually hear myself think! It is definitely my 'me' time - I can plan lessons, work on my writing, sew or knit or embroider on Christmas or birthday gifts, etc. without answering a billion questions. I do love my kids' questions - they ask so many great ones... but sometimes I don't want to be the encyclopedia!

The other day I realized my boy has outgrown everything that resembles cool weather clothes. Highwaters don't matter so much when they are shorts, y'know? Less evident. Out to Goodwill... where I scored big time. I got him 4 pairs of pants, 3 of which had never been worn, a hoodie, a sweatshirt, and two button up shirts suitable for church. I also got the girls each a couple pairs of jeans (brand name, never worn!), and my oldest also got a beautiful Fall jacket. All for $30. I love that store.

I realized September is half through... and that made me think.... it is really time to get into gear for the holidays! We don't do extravagant Christmas gifts... but we do try to make the majority of gifts by hand, which takes time. Lots of time. We even make our candy - safer that way for those of us who must be gluten free. I have knit a couple hats, and need to finish a felted flower for another hat. I have a scarf mostly done, and a sweater for my husband in progress. And I have to make p.j.s - we always give pajamas to the kids to open on Christmas Eve. I might make slippers this year, too. I'm also going to have to find time to hit the used book stores, since paying full price for books hurts the Scotch in me - especially at the rate my girls plow through them.

I suppose, I really ought to force myself to bed now. 5:00am comes early! Ugh! I know - morning is beautiful - God's hand is amazing... but I can enjoy morning snuggled under the covers, too!

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Today was pretty informal, school-wise. We had a whole lot going on: Father-in-law was in surgery, husband needed to attend his daughter's counseling session (she is from his first marriage and is dealing with issues from the time she was living with her mother), and my mum has a bad back and knee and needed me to drive her around and help with errands.

So, not a whole lot worth writing about... I'm off to make dinner: Teriyaki grilled salmon, rice, and corn on the cob... maybe some brussel sprouts.

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