This wrapup is actually going to be for the past two weeks since we did not do school and I was gone all week last week.
From the Heart:
Some amazing things have happened over the past two weeks. On April 6, early in the morning we headed out to Wichita, Kansas to spend the week with my sister, Becky. It was a 12-13 hour drive each way. In spite of all the snow we had the week previous to this and this week, we had beautiful weather for traveling on both Mondays. I loved being with my sister and getting to know my nieces and nephews. Soon I will be a great aunt again. We played lots of Settlers of Catan, as I brought it with us and spread the Catan "infection" there as well. Eliana and Josiah were both sick off and on during the week, but it did help Josiah (2) to take wonderful naps! We also visited my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Ray, and saw my cousing Kelly and two of her kids there. (We did an egg hunt with them). On the Saturday before Resurrection Day we visited my mom's twin sister, Aunt Ada and Uncle Jack. It was delightful to see my cousin Janet and one of her sons there as well.
My sister Becky and Jaedyn at my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Ray's house.
On Wednesday of last week, Tim, Becky and I took the kids to the zoo. It was a beautiful day, and we all had lots of fun. I will post some pics later when we have a better internet connection.
We complicated my sister's life a bit as we took part in my sister's Easter celebrations. No thanks on the ham, and three of us aren't eating wheat, but she was a great trooper. The kids enjoyed coloring eggs and participated in not one, but two egg hunts. We don't normally do this at our house any more, so it was especially enjoyable for the older kids who remember doing it when they were little. I also insisted on not buying them candy with artificial ingredients... As for Easter baskets, since Becky goes all out with her kids, I splurged a little more and got the girls some new spring dresses, and a few things to put in some new boxes for them to keep their stuff in. Nothing too much. I really hope next year to participate more in the OT Biblical holidays, and incorporate a study on all of them into our homeschooling schedule.
On the Sunday we were there, we decided to visit my old home church where I grew up, and where we got married. It was raining that day, but I enjoyed seeing some very special friends. I even reconnected with my matron of honor, who we didn't have addresses for any more.
On the Homefront:
Our drive way goes back and forth between being a mudhole and a snowpit. It snowed most of yesterday and today, and we have over a foot of new snow on the ground. Ugh! There is some talk of making another base garden on the directors' property at lower elevation this year. If this works out, we will be able to grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, okra and so forth. I'm excited to see what develops from this.
In the School Room:
We called last week our spring break.
We finished our read-aloud, Bound for Oregon by Jean Van Leeuewen. It was a good story. Because we are ahead on that and don't have another read-aloud scheduled for awhile, we started another book called The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. I couldn't put it down, so I know personally that it is an absolutely amazing book. I think this book would even be liked by boys, it is that good. It is full of mystery, adventure, sailors, murder... If you have a boy or girl in the preteen/early teen years looking for a good read, this would be a page-turner for them!
The girls did their national required testing on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings of this week, so we didn't do school on those days.
In history we studied about Samuel Morse and China's Opium War. We learned about two new states too.
We talked about gymnosperms (conebearers) and their kinds of leaves and reproduction.
Bible: Ciara finished memorizing James 4, and started on James 5. Jaedyn memorized James 5:9.
Language arts we continued doing Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Lessons. I was pleased with Jaedyn's essay today on what a horse is. She has come a long way this year. Spelling this past 4 lessons has been so amazingly difficult. The lesson we started today was better.
Math: Jaedyn worked in her green book one day, and went back to her Singapore book today, since she lost her green book yesterday! She did problems having to do with multiplying and dividing 7's. Ciara finished a review that was about four pages of story problems (she did the last page), and started learning about the area of a triangle.
Reading: Jaedyn started Naya Nuki by Thomasma. Ciara started Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.
Preschool: We are getting more consistent with Elly's school. She will be more than ready for Kindergarten next year.
On the Mission Field:
I haven't heard much from the two teams that we sent out the day Tim and I left except that they got to their destinations and the Pakistan team is already dealing with stomach issues. The other team is in China.
In the Clinic:
I took my NCCPA recertification test on the Thursday that I was in Wichita. I found out this week that I passed. It was a beastly test, and I thought I had probably failed it, but I was pleased to find out that somehow I didn't. I'm so glad! The clinic has cut back my hours, but I know God knows that and will see us through financially.
In the Literary Scene:
Besides my studies, I read a couple of Avi books. The Blue Heron was one I didn't really like. I described True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle up above. I'm also rereading A Charlotte Mason Handbook by Karen Andreola. I would like to read more Charlotte Mason now, and I still need about 18 more hours of continuing medical education. I am still doing well with my Torah Club readings, though I got a bit behind the last couple weeks. I'll probably have it all caught up tomorrow. I do have the Torah Portions read (a Bible reading plan that I use that goes along with the Torah Club studies.
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then click onto the Mr. Linky below and leave your name and the link to your summary. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! If you want to participate in the Homeschool Weekly theme, be sure to leave a link with Mrs. Cuddles also (click on image above). If not, please do not use her graphic above in your post. Hope to read your summary soon! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox and I will put it up for you when I get mine done. Carol
Hi Carol, long time no chat. I did not know (or did not remember, that is more like it) you are from the Wichita area. :o) That is where we moved here from. We loved visiting the Sedgewick Co Zoo when we lived there!
I pre-read Charlotte Doyle for my kids and put it in the NO pile, but I can not remember why. You have my curiosity up. Is this the story where the girl finally remembers how she lost her parents?
Nice to hear you are all doing well.
Sally
Carol, that sounds like a wonderful time visiting your family-what great pics, too!
Schooling sounds like it is going so well for you all. We're kind of fizzling here. We ended up taking this week off as I am fried & life has crowded us, too. LOL
Way to go on doing well on your test! Holly
What a great vacation with your sister. You asked where the huge house was in my post. It is in Asheville, NC. I hope you all have a blessed week.
Blessings,
Dawn
What a GREAT time you had on your trip ! Ohh btw for you to visit and have wheat allergies Nelson is your place. The Health Co-op here has EVERYTHING you can imagine. Also b/c there is soooooo many health nuts around here ( me included) they offer a lot at the grocery stores too. Is the whole family not able to eat wheat or some ? I cannot remember.
Wahoo on passing your test !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You GO Girl ! (((HUGS)))
I would like to hear what you mean by your Torah Readings. I some how missed something.
I am soooooooo glad you are back my friend ((HUGS))
That sounds like a great trip. Sorry you had sick kids, but glad that your little one took good naps. I love Settlers Of Catan - I just wish I had a chance to play it more often. You always sound like you do a tremendous amount of reading. My personal reading right now pretty much consists of the Charlotte Mason book (if you call that personal reading). I hope that garden works out for you - sounds like a plan to bring it to a lower elevation. I remember your pictures from last summer where you are at though and they were beautiful, so high elevation living must have it's benefits too.
Carol,
That is wonderful that you were able to visit your sister Becky. Your pictures convey how much fun and enjoyment you all had. I love doing the Biblical Holidays too , but I still enjoy doing the traditional stuff like coloring easter eggs.
I'm with you on the ham! :)
Antoinette
Hey Carol. Briana moved 2 hours away last Aug. My first experience with one leaving home! She moved in with my parents, and is training in dance and musical theater at a professional theater there in their town. In Feb., she auditioned and made a musical. They have 36 peformances from March 19- June 14th. She had 2 on the Sat. before Easter day, and would have been almost midnight getting home. She had to be back Mon. afternoon. I did a post on her musical, Shenandoah, a couple of entries ago.
My heart has gotten used to her not being here on a daily basis for the most part. And, except for one stretch of 8 weeks, where I was only able to see her one day for a few hours (ugh), we normally see her every couple of weeks. Easter was hard, though. It was the first holiday we've missed with her. Our schedule didn't allow for us to go spend it with her, either. The next one will be Daniella's birthday this week.
I just got in last night from getting to see her performance again yesterday, and got to spend one night with her. FUN!
You can read my post at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bbullard/681022/.
I'm still experimenting with what will work for me as my life and lifestyle is a bit different, but we'll see...
One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To behold the beauty, the beauty of the Lord. To inquire in His temple, the temple of the Lord.
This is my everyday thoughts about being a mother to three little ladies (12, 10 and 5) and a three year old son. We serve God full-time, and I am a physician assistant. I have the most awesome husband in the world. I am trying to seek and serve God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength.
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