Mar. 17, 2009
Learning Things--the Education Store
What a great site! I love the curriculum and books they offer there. There are tons of books to choose from.
I like the K-12 sets and the Christian Homeschool Bible study lessons they have available.
This is a real curriculum outlet. Just about every publisher I have had experience with is listed as available on the site--plus more. I have never seen such a long list.
See you later now....I am going back to their site to browse awhile.
You can join me by clicking the banner for Learning Things at the top of the entries for this site or at the top of the sidebar...either will take you to their site.
I like the K-12 sets and the Christian Homeschool Bible study lessons they have available.
This is a real curriculum outlet. Just about every publisher I have had experience with is listed as available on the site--plus more. I have never seen such a long list.
See you later now....I am going back to their site to browse awhile.
You can join me by clicking the banner for Learning Things at the top of the entries for this site or at the top of the sidebar...either will take you to their site.
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Nov. 7, 2008
HSB Company Porch contest--Check it out
I am hoping to be 1 of 15 winners for
The Quest for Thunder Mountain
on the HSB Company Porch!
You don't want to miss out on this
great new give-away from the author of
The Terrestria Chronicles!
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Jul. 6, 2008
Get Smart
We went to see Get Smart last night. It was fantastic. I must give one warning. There was some gutteral language in two spots, which many would not consider bad, but I still object.
I loved the movie. It was fairly true to the tv series, but not too corny. The shoe phone was an artifact now, but proven to still work. Cell phones were a new addition. What impressed me most was that Smart showed sympathy to an enemy by acknowledging that he was still a person. We saw that the enemy could have the capacity to repent.
I just loved it that I spotted the double agent from the beginning, as if it wasn't just a little bit too obvious. Of course, there were twists in the plot in just the right amount. Gimmicks and surprises were not overdone. There were parts of the movie that had me in stitches.
If you can overlook the two spots of language in this movie, I can highly recommend it. It is a comedy based on the cold war not being as over as we believe it to be. This is not for the very young, but I think any older child or teen should be able to handle the type of violence in it, since it is the type that is easy to interpret as "for comedy purposes only" and not the type that would impact them in a negative way.
I loved the movie. It was fairly true to the tv series, but not too corny. The shoe phone was an artifact now, but proven to still work. Cell phones were a new addition. What impressed me most was that Smart showed sympathy to an enemy by acknowledging that he was still a person. We saw that the enemy could have the capacity to repent.
I just loved it that I spotted the double agent from the beginning, as if it wasn't just a little bit too obvious. Of course, there were twists in the plot in just the right amount. Gimmicks and surprises were not overdone. There were parts of the movie that had me in stitches.
If you can overlook the two spots of language in this movie, I can highly recommend it. It is a comedy based on the cold war not being as over as we believe it to be. This is not for the very young, but I think any older child or teen should be able to handle the type of violence in it, since it is the type that is easy to interpret as "for comedy purposes only" and not the type that would impact them in a negative way.
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Jul. 5, 2008
Space Center Houston
Yesterday was great! We nixed the hotel and made it a day trip, since Derrick and Andy had to work early this morning. This is so much better on the pocketbook as well. We really can't afford hotels very well since the free nights points ran out. It really takes a lot to build up points again.
I liked the idea of going on a trip that is only one hour away as well. We left at a leisurely pace, but ended up traveling through a lot of heavy rain. The traffic was at a stand still once we got off of 610 onto I-45. So we got off and went north. That was the best call we made yet. We came up on Space Center Houston from the back way and by-passed all of that heavy traffic.
We paid for parking--for the last time. Derrick and Andy dropped Andrea and myself off at the entrance and went to scout out a parking space while I braved the long lines for tickets. We purchased a family membership for four. It was only $4 more than one day tickets, and we will get to go back unlimited times for a year...and have free parking to boot. With it being only one hour away, I think this year's trips will all be day trips to Space Center Houston and local museums. The exhibits change regularly as well.
Andrea was ecstatic that she was able to hold the light saber that Obi Wan Kenobi used in the Clone Wars Movie! She could even tell which one was which. I never could have done that. We all loved going through the Star War exhibit. Then we took the blue tram tour. We've seen them both before, but never tire of seeing history in the making.
I remember when I went with my Mother, Kerryn, Derrick, Bianca, and Riley when the children were really little. Andrea wasn't even born and Bianca and Riley were in strollers. I think it was 1991. Space Center Houston was not quite a reality yet. We were told it would be open sometime the next year. At that time, there was no admission and you just wandered throughout the various buildings and viewed the everyday life of Johnson Space Center. Of course, there were places you could not gain access to. But we went into a mission control center and were able to watch it in action instead of being told what used to happen in the room we were viewing. We were really seeing history in the making back then.
I like the new format, but I do miss the realism of the old format. Now, there is more security conscientiousness . There is a lot more tourist hype and it is definitely more fun for the children. There is more information available from museum type exhibits and guided tours, but the real-life flavor is what is gone.
I would really like it if there would be a way to have both styles at one. At any rate, we are going to take advantage of all that is offered to us now. I love going there and plan on utilizing the facilities quite often!
I liked the idea of going on a trip that is only one hour away as well. We left at a leisurely pace, but ended up traveling through a lot of heavy rain. The traffic was at a stand still once we got off of 610 onto I-45. So we got off and went north. That was the best call we made yet. We came up on Space Center Houston from the back way and by-passed all of that heavy traffic.
We paid for parking--for the last time. Derrick and Andy dropped Andrea and myself off at the entrance and went to scout out a parking space while I braved the long lines for tickets. We purchased a family membership for four. It was only $4 more than one day tickets, and we will get to go back unlimited times for a year...and have free parking to boot. With it being only one hour away, I think this year's trips will all be day trips to Space Center Houston and local museums. The exhibits change regularly as well.
Andrea was ecstatic that she was able to hold the light saber that Obi Wan Kenobi used in the Clone Wars Movie! She could even tell which one was which. I never could have done that. We all loved going through the Star War exhibit. Then we took the blue tram tour. We've seen them both before, but never tire of seeing history in the making.
I remember when I went with my Mother, Kerryn, Derrick, Bianca, and Riley when the children were really little. Andrea wasn't even born and Bianca and Riley were in strollers. I think it was 1991. Space Center Houston was not quite a reality yet. We were told it would be open sometime the next year. At that time, there was no admission and you just wandered throughout the various buildings and viewed the everyday life of Johnson Space Center. Of course, there were places you could not gain access to. But we went into a mission control center and were able to watch it in action instead of being told what used to happen in the room we were viewing. We were really seeing history in the making back then.
I like the new format, but I do miss the realism of the old format. Now, there is more security conscientiousness . There is a lot more tourist hype and it is definitely more fun for the children. There is more information available from museum type exhibits and guided tours, but the real-life flavor is what is gone.
I would really like it if there would be a way to have both styles at one. At any rate, we are going to take advantage of all that is offered to us now. I love going there and plan on utilizing the facilities quite often!
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Jul. 3, 2008
Wow! It's been a long time since I logged in!
I am really going to be blogging again. I know it has been awhile, but I just kept putting it off...it only takes a little procrastination to forget to log in for too long.
Here it is already time for Independence Day again. We are probably going to go to Space Center Houston tomorrow. We nixed the longer trips due to the price of gas. Instead, this is one hour away and we will come home the same day. Less gas, no hotel, less expense all around.
The best part of all is that Andrea will get to see her Star Wars display. I am anxious to see all the displays. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow when we get home!
Here it is already time for Independence Day again. We are probably going to go to Space Center Houston tomorrow. We nixed the longer trips due to the price of gas. Instead, this is one hour away and we will come home the same day. Less gas, no hotel, less expense all around.
The best part of all is that Andrea will get to see her Star Wars display. I am anxious to see all the displays. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow when we get home!
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Jan. 27, 2008
Semester stressout!
Wow! We're only a couple of weeks into the semester and it already seems like I have so much homework! It's a good thing that Andrea is so self-sufficient. She does most of her work on her own with very little supervision from me...until it comes to math. Thank goodness for Mrs. Wagner, the math tutor. She always pulls Andrea through.
Bianca and I have a really rough project assignment. It is for government class. We are to compare Christianity, Judaism, and Islam more for similarities than differences. I'm not sure how we are going to do this, but I some prayer warriors praying over the battlefield while we do this. This is a volatile assignment if I have ever seen one.
Derrick is moving over to the church for work now. I think he will be much happier now. I think that school and work schedules won't conflict nearly as much as they have been. That is good, since he is worried about his math class conflicting with work. That conflict should be eased somewhat with the job change.
I also need prayer at this time. My blood pressure is spiking once again. It was holding stable for quite awhile, but now it is out of control again. I am turning it all over to the Great Physician.
I am so glad our home is so peaceful. None of these things can come against me. I feel at peace when I am at home, church or even at school because our home is at peace.
Bianca and I have a really rough project assignment. It is for government class. We are to compare Christianity, Judaism, and Islam more for similarities than differences. I'm not sure how we are going to do this, but I some prayer warriors praying over the battlefield while we do this. This is a volatile assignment if I have ever seen one.
Derrick is moving over to the church for work now. I think he will be much happier now. I think that school and work schedules won't conflict nearly as much as they have been. That is good, since he is worried about his math class conflicting with work. That conflict should be eased somewhat with the job change.
I also need prayer at this time. My blood pressure is spiking once again. It was holding stable for quite awhile, but now it is out of control again. I am turning it all over to the Great Physician.
I am so glad our home is so peaceful. None of these things can come against me. I feel at peace when I am at home, church or even at school because our home is at peace.
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Jan. 10, 2008
Grand Central Station
Usually work is really slow between semesters during break. But today, the learning center was busy from the minute I walked in until I left. I didn't have anything to do with the goings on, but it was enjoyable to sit back and watch everyone in action. I love it when the learning center is busy.
I am really excited that school starts on Monday. For one thing, the learning center will be hopping again...back to its normal state of being. For another, I will be busy with my own schoolwork.
And most important, there will be more of a sense of stability for myself and Andrea as we go through her schoolwork. Even though we maintain an unschooling environment, we still need to maintain a sense of stability. It's just the way things are.
Tomorrow will be another busy day at work, but I doubt it will be anything like today!
I am really excited that school starts on Monday. For one thing, the learning center will be hopping again...back to its normal state of being. For another, I will be busy with my own schoolwork.
And most important, there will be more of a sense of stability for myself and Andrea as we go through her schoolwork. Even though we maintain an unschooling environment, we still need to maintain a sense of stability. It's just the way things are.
Tomorrow will be another busy day at work, but I doubt it will be anything like today!
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Jan. 9, 2008
New Homeschool Magazine! The Heart of the Matter
I just heard about a new homeschool magazine called "The Heart of the Matter." I just love that name. Actually, there is even a contest associated with the new magazine. Just pop on over and check it out.
http://www.heartofthematteronline.com/
I would put an image of the magazine here, but I haven't quite figured out how to do pictures yet.
Wouldn't I just LOVE to win that package. I love everything listed in the package, especially the devotional and praise book. I looked at the excerpt on Amazon and just know I could really use this book. I love all the items listed in the package. I am a devoted organizer...I love index card binders, chicken rings (binder rings), containers, forms, charts, graphs, flip charts, and anything else that will help the learning or the teaching process. I think I used my starter set of Cuisenaire rods in more ways than can be imagined--including just plain old colored building blocks. The kids even made trains from them. Naturally, the trains had to be counted and sorted by color, length, sets, etc. You just can't have a manipulative without a million uses for that manipulative. What is funny is that the uses multiply, just like rabbits...rapidly and a lot of them.
I love anything that I can be creative with...even a piece of paper. Stop and think of how many uses you have for a simple piece of paper. Paper is not just for doing school work. There are a million different ways you can use a piece of paper. Right now, the art club at school is working on making 1,000 paper origami cranes to send to Hiroshima. That is a big project--fascinating but big..
The magazine is an emagazine actually, and it has a wealth of information from what I can see. I am anxious to read more. The first article I read was a wakeup call. Andrea and I have been so much into the math battle, that I have been neglecting her Bible studies to make room for the war. Now, I am seeing how we have slidden away from what used to be the most important subject of the day. We are going to change that right now. It's back to the Bible for us.
I keep trying to insert images and links, but I am having problems with this. Does anyone have any hints on how to do that on here?
http://www.heartofthematteronline.com/
I would put an image of the magazine here, but I haven't quite figured out how to do pictures yet.
Wouldn't I just LOVE to win that package. I love everything listed in the package, especially the devotional and praise book. I looked at the excerpt on Amazon and just know I could really use this book. I love all the items listed in the package. I am a devoted organizer...I love index card binders, chicken rings (binder rings), containers, forms, charts, graphs, flip charts, and anything else that will help the learning or the teaching process. I think I used my starter set of Cuisenaire rods in more ways than can be imagined--including just plain old colored building blocks. The kids even made trains from them. Naturally, the trains had to be counted and sorted by color, length, sets, etc. You just can't have a manipulative without a million uses for that manipulative. What is funny is that the uses multiply, just like rabbits...rapidly and a lot of them.
I love anything that I can be creative with...even a piece of paper. Stop and think of how many uses you have for a simple piece of paper. Paper is not just for doing school work. There are a million different ways you can use a piece of paper. Right now, the art club at school is working on making 1,000 paper origami cranes to send to Hiroshima. That is a big project--fascinating but big..
The magazine is an emagazine actually, and it has a wealth of information from what I can see. I am anxious to read more. The first article I read was a wakeup call. Andrea and I have been so much into the math battle, that I have been neglecting her Bible studies to make room for the war. Now, I am seeing how we have slidden away from what used to be the most important subject of the day. We are going to change that right now. It's back to the Bible for us.
I keep trying to insert images and links, but I am having problems with this. Does anyone have any hints on how to do that on here?
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Jan. 8, 2008
WOW
I just can't believe it! I won an ebook from Heart of Wisdom! They have a really neat contest going on right now with three winners each week. The first winner receives a hard copy of the book of the week and the second and third win an ebook version. It's fantastic. Just go to this link and sign up for the contest as well. http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/heart-of-wisdom-news/homeschool-book-blog-contest/ There are still several weeks left. I'm tickled pink.
Now for the more mundane stuff. I haven't blogged for a couple of days. I can't seem to get a daily habit. I guess I may be a little skeptical of doing it daily with classes starting next week. I am so excited about going back to classes.
I got my books yesterday--at least most of them. I still have four to go. One of those is a big question mark. One book is listed online and another one is in the bookstore, so we are going to go to class first to find out which book we are really supposed to buy.
I did drop the Monday night choir. I figure that is three hours of homework time that I couldn't afford...for only one credit hour. So I am back to five classes. Since they are heavy duty classes, I don't think I will regret the decision at all.
Andrea made 100 on her math test. That makes two in a row! It's getting better and better. Next thing you know, she'll be a whiz in math Don't tell her I said that, though. It might scare her off.
Now for the more mundane stuff. I haven't blogged for a couple of days. I can't seem to get a daily habit. I guess I may be a little skeptical of doing it daily with classes starting next week. I am so excited about going back to classes.
I got my books yesterday--at least most of them. I still have four to go. One of those is a big question mark. One book is listed online and another one is in the bookstore, so we are going to go to class first to find out which book we are really supposed to buy.
I did drop the Monday night choir. I figure that is three hours of homework time that I couldn't afford...for only one credit hour. So I am back to five classes. Since they are heavy duty classes, I don't think I will regret the decision at all.
Andrea made 100 on her math test. That makes two in a row! It's getting better and better. Next thing you know, she'll be a whiz in math Don't tell her I said that, though. It might scare her off.
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Jan. 5, 2008
A Day Without the Internet
it's been an amazing day!
I started out trying to get to my gmail. At first it worked just fine....then things got real slow. Then they got even sloooowwwwerrrrr...then things didn't go at all. And it stayed that way for hours. Actually a couple of hours.
We were trying to get some lyrics to a song. We could go to any internal website. We could go to the Harris County library website. But that was about it. We could google all we want as long as we didn't want any results. They just wouldn't come up. Stuck in the middle.
And then I got a bright idea. Try yahoo. It worked. And then for some strange reason, so did everything else. I guess it just happened that things loosened up about then.
So, I checked my gmail. Nothing new really. Not even a new email.
Then I came to my blog. Now I can add an entry for today with no problem! Yeah!!!
I had a test to submit for Andrea, but I am going to hold onto it until tonight. I don't trust this enough yet to submit her test online. I'll do it when I get home after church tonight.
Other than the internet connection, it has been a great day. It has been very quiet. And my most exciting news is that Bianca is going to be in government class with me again during the spring semester. Yeah!!!
I started out trying to get to my gmail. At first it worked just fine....then things got real slow. Then they got even sloooowwwwerrrrr...then things didn't go at all. And it stayed that way for hours. Actually a couple of hours.
We were trying to get some lyrics to a song. We could go to any internal website. We could go to the Harris County library website. But that was about it. We could google all we want as long as we didn't want any results. They just wouldn't come up. Stuck in the middle.
And then I got a bright idea. Try yahoo. It worked. And then for some strange reason, so did everything else. I guess it just happened that things loosened up about then.
So, I checked my gmail. Nothing new really. Not even a new email.
Then I came to my blog. Now I can add an entry for today with no problem! Yeah!!!
I had a test to submit for Andrea, but I am going to hold onto it until tonight. I don't trust this enough yet to submit her test online. I'll do it when I get home after church tonight.
Other than the internet connection, it has been a great day. It has been very quiet. And my most exciting news is that Bianca is going to be in government class with me again during the spring semester. Yeah!!!
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Jan. 4, 2008
Back to work!
Wow! It feels so good to be back to work!
I am just one of those people who actually like to be at school and work. I am so anxious for school to start up again. I just wish I could get Andrea to feel the same way about math. Once tutoring starts again, she should be doing better....if we could only find her books. I know she had them at church with us on New Years Eve. But we kind of lost track of them after that.
For right now, I printed out her test. She only had four questions left, but since she lost her book, she will have to do the entire test over. This might actually be a lesson in accountability. I will have to think about that and possibly follow through.
Then, I will actually go ahead and let her move to the next book, knowing that they won't send the next set of books until she has the one on measurements done. So we still have to locate the missing book that hasn't been started or end up printing it out. Youch!
Today is really looking up, though! Monday, I'll go get my books and then later on in the day, I will go to the teaching session to find out more about the joint admissions program between the community college and the university. This is a wonderful program that they have between the two institutions.
I went over to the college library and checked out two more books by RosemaryPoole-Carter. One is "Juliette Ascending" and the other is "What Remains". I am as excited to read them as I was "Women of Magdalene". I also checked out a couple of cookbooks. One of these looks really interesting. It is about Starbucks Coffee!
I am just one of those people who actually like to be at school and work. I am so anxious for school to start up again. I just wish I could get Andrea to feel the same way about math. Once tutoring starts again, she should be doing better....if we could only find her books. I know she had them at church with us on New Years Eve. But we kind of lost track of them after that.
For right now, I printed out her test. She only had four questions left, but since she lost her book, she will have to do the entire test over. This might actually be a lesson in accountability. I will have to think about that and possibly follow through.
Then, I will actually go ahead and let her move to the next book, knowing that they won't send the next set of books until she has the one on measurements done. So we still have to locate the missing book that hasn't been started or end up printing it out. Youch!
Today is really looking up, though! Monday, I'll go get my books and then later on in the day, I will go to the teaching session to find out more about the joint admissions program between the community college and the university. This is a wonderful program that they have between the two institutions.
I went over to the college library and checked out two more books by RosemaryPoole-Carter. One is "Juliette Ascending" and the other is "What Remains". I am as excited to read them as I was "Women of Magdalene". I also checked out a couple of cookbooks. One of these looks really interesting. It is about Starbucks Coffee!
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Jan. 3, 2008
I finished it!
I finished Women of Magdalene. This was such a fascinating book! I can't get over the way Rosemary will turn the tables on you every time you think you have the ending figured out. When I read most books, I will have the ending figured out after the first or second chapter. That definitely didn't happen here.
Every time I would figure out what was going to happen, Rosemary would through in a twist in the trail. That is what made this book so interesting. I had a new trail to follow nearly every chapter. And then when I finally did get to the end....a complete surprise awaited me. I never would have dreamed of this ending. I would tell you more, but I don't want to ruin the book for those who have not read it yet.
On a different note, I go back to work tomorrow. Vacation is over. I am so glad. I do not do well with idle time. I much prefer to be busy and productive. The only regret I have about going back is that Andrea and I did not work on math enough to satisfy me. Math is the only area where I absolutely do not unschool. I just don't know how to get around it.
Hopefully, the math class that I will be taking this semester should help out tremendously with that. I am really looking forward to school for myself this semester. At the same time, I am looking forward to seeing real progress in Andrea's work.
Right now, Derrick is playing his guitar and singing. He does come up with the most original songs. I like when he records them and then electronically changes them into real works of art.
This is a new year, and just as with every other new year, I am left somewhat disappointed. I always think that the new year will leave me feeling different in some way, but I always feel the same as I did in the old year. That is the way it should be, but I still have the tendency.
Every time I would figure out what was going to happen, Rosemary would through in a twist in the trail. That is what made this book so interesting. I had a new trail to follow nearly every chapter. And then when I finally did get to the end....a complete surprise awaited me. I never would have dreamed of this ending. I would tell you more, but I don't want to ruin the book for those who have not read it yet.
On a different note, I go back to work tomorrow. Vacation is over. I am so glad. I do not do well with idle time. I much prefer to be busy and productive. The only regret I have about going back is that Andrea and I did not work on math enough to satisfy me. Math is the only area where I absolutely do not unschool. I just don't know how to get around it.
Hopefully, the math class that I will be taking this semester should help out tremendously with that. I am really looking forward to school for myself this semester. At the same time, I am looking forward to seeing real progress in Andrea's work.
Right now, Derrick is playing his guitar and singing. He does come up with the most original songs. I like when he records them and then electronically changes them into real works of art.
This is a new year, and just as with every other new year, I am left somewhat disappointed. I always think that the new year will leave me feeling different in some way, but I always feel the same as I did in the old year. That is the way it should be, but I still have the tendency.
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Dec. 29, 2007
What a beautiful Saturday
It's such a beautiful day today. I woke up and read for awhile.
I'm reading "Women of Magdalene" by Rosemary Poole-Carter. It's funny how you can work with someone and never know what an awesome author they are until they have a book signing. This book is fascinating. I can't imagine being in an insane asylum immediately after the Civil War. Conditions were horrible back then, especially in the South.
Can you imagine how women were locked up for any little thing--just because they were an inconvenience to their menfolk? One woman in the book was committed because she objected to her husband keeping a mistress in her home. Women really had no rights back then at all. What a long ways we have gone in the past century and a half. I am glad we have come this far. Now to make sure we don't slide backwards. And I say that even though I am definitely not a women's lib backer.
I really do love historical fiction. I also love nonfiction. The other current book I am reading is "Meningitis" by Brian Schmaesfsky. He will be my Biology teacher this coming semester. The book is fascinating to me, especially since one of my grown daughters had cerebrospinal pneumoccoccal spinal meningitis when she was turning one year old. I hope his teaching is as interesting as his writing. I am sure it is, though. I have heard so much about his teaching. And I truly love Biology.
Like I said, It's a wonderful day. I'm going off to enjoy it now!
I'm reading "Women of Magdalene" by Rosemary Poole-Carter. It's funny how you can work with someone and never know what an awesome author they are until they have a book signing. This book is fascinating. I can't imagine being in an insane asylum immediately after the Civil War. Conditions were horrible back then, especially in the South.
Can you imagine how women were locked up for any little thing--just because they were an inconvenience to their menfolk? One woman in the book was committed because she objected to her husband keeping a mistress in her home. Women really had no rights back then at all. What a long ways we have gone in the past century and a half. I am glad we have come this far. Now to make sure we don't slide backwards. And I say that even though I am definitely not a women's lib backer.
I really do love historical fiction. I also love nonfiction. The other current book I am reading is "Meningitis" by Brian Schmaesfsky. He will be my Biology teacher this coming semester. The book is fascinating to me, especially since one of my grown daughters had cerebrospinal pneumoccoccal spinal meningitis when she was turning one year old. I hope his teaching is as interesting as his writing. I am sure it is, though. I have heard so much about his teaching. And I truly love Biology.
Like I said, It's a wonderful day. I'm going off to enjoy it now!
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Dec. 27, 2007
It sure is nice to be on vacation!
I've just been sitting back and taking it easy.
I'm actually making a big batch of beans, since there is an empty ham bone to toss in! I can't think of the last time I made beans with a bone. I hope I don't burn them this time. I burned the last three batches...but those had no bone AND were actually made in the crock pot. I decided to make this batch in the extra large skillet. Hopefully, that will keep me on my toes so I won't burn.
Andy has been sick, so I just let him lay on the couch and get some rest. He's snoozing away. He doesn't have to work until tonight anyway. I hope he kicks this virus fast! It's been a rough one to kick this winter. Mine held on for about three and a half weeks. I feel so sorry for him. I'm sending some prayers his way.
Andrea is playing her PSP. When she doesn't have to work on her math, that is what she focuses on. Math is the main focus of school lately. We unschool, so whatever block she is in on her correspondence school, that is what she focuses on formally. Otherwise, we learn a bit of everything. She takes guitar lessons at the church. She gets some math tutoring at the college. I just have so much problems teaching math--unschooling or not.....Math is tough to teach!
Maybe the class I am taking in college will turn that around. I am taking Math Fundamentals for Elementary Teachers part I. I am looking forward to it. Maybe it will help in my methods with my own children as well. I love teaching, so I am going to college to be a teacher. Andrea is the only one left at home being home schooled, so about the time she finishes, I can move on with more children.
I'll also be taking American Government II- honors with a focus on foreign policies, Hopefully, Bianca will be in that class with me as well. I hope she is. It's great to be a mother/daughter team in an honors class. Instead of just lectures and tests, honors classes have participation and interaction. They are a bit more like homeschooling. We all do better in honors courses at the college. I'll also be taking English 1302, and Art History II. I am looking forward to those classes. I just don't really know what to expect.
I am really excited about taking Biology for Non-majors I. I will be heading off the project of adding onto the replica of Thoreau's cabin, the zen garden, and the bamboo retreat. We will be finishing the zen garden and then maintaining it. We will be putting replicas of the furniture in Thoreau's cabin. I am not sure if we will be doing anything to the bamboo retreat. The college wants us to come up with a project to add on with another culture and nature. Luckily, this will all cover more than one semester. It is ongoing with the biology department. This last semester, the Art Club climbed on board. That is how I got involved. I love Biology, so I am really excited about this venture.
I am looking forward to being in the Monday night choir as well, though I may have to drop this class if the course load turns out to be too heavy. I am in the church choir and help out with the children's choir as well. Music is one of the loves of my life. Andrea helps in the same class of children. She is my right hand girl. We will do vacation Bible school together as well.
I am glad that Andrea can be with me on campus. When Andy is off, she stays with him, but I love it when she is with me. Derrick and Andrea will be coming to Art Club with me this semester. We'll work on the Thoreau project and making 1000 origami paper cranes as well. The Art Club plans to send them to Hiroshima when we have 1000. Our sponsor is from Japan. She is a wonderful artist and teacher at the college as well. Mari is head of the art department.
I have been looking for some projects to do with Andrea. She seems to be really into journalling lately. Bianca gave her a new journal for Christmas, and I have seen her writing a lot. She wrote a lot more, but now I notice it even more.
Derrick is at work. He's always at work. It would be nice if he could work at the church, too. I keep encouraging him to put in his resume. I hope he actually does soon. Randall's is a good job, but they do want him to work his off days a bit too much. I know he is looking at the stability, but I would like him to give it a try. He'll have a new schedule at school next semester. I know he doesn't like the idea of taking math, but I know he'll be good at it once he gets in a classroom situation. He's also taking Basic Animation and Karate again. Actually it is selat, not karate, and he's taking it for the fourth time. Karate is his favorite.
Bianca might take karate again as well. I hope she is able to take government and choir as well. I look forward to being in class with her. She is going to try to get in math again as well. I am not sure what else. Maybe philosophy?
Christmas was really enjoyable. Bianca and John came over and we had our usual dinner. Everyone traded presents, although there was more restraint than the last few years. I am glad. I don't think there should be too much emphasis on the gift giving, yet it should be there. I'm afraid I started it, but it did get a bit out of control. From now on, we will just have to keep control.
I'm actually making a big batch of beans, since there is an empty ham bone to toss in! I can't think of the last time I made beans with a bone. I hope I don't burn them this time. I burned the last three batches...but those had no bone AND were actually made in the crock pot. I decided to make this batch in the extra large skillet. Hopefully, that will keep me on my toes so I won't burn.
Andy has been sick, so I just let him lay on the couch and get some rest. He's snoozing away. He doesn't have to work until tonight anyway. I hope he kicks this virus fast! It's been a rough one to kick this winter. Mine held on for about three and a half weeks. I feel so sorry for him. I'm sending some prayers his way.
Andrea is playing her PSP. When she doesn't have to work on her math, that is what she focuses on. Math is the main focus of school lately. We unschool, so whatever block she is in on her correspondence school, that is what she focuses on formally. Otherwise, we learn a bit of everything. She takes guitar lessons at the church. She gets some math tutoring at the college. I just have so much problems teaching math--unschooling or not.....Math is tough to teach!
Maybe the class I am taking in college will turn that around. I am taking Math Fundamentals for Elementary Teachers part I. I am looking forward to it. Maybe it will help in my methods with my own children as well. I love teaching, so I am going to college to be a teacher. Andrea is the only one left at home being home schooled, so about the time she finishes, I can move on with more children.
I'll also be taking American Government II- honors with a focus on foreign policies, Hopefully, Bianca will be in that class with me as well. I hope she is. It's great to be a mother/daughter team in an honors class. Instead of just lectures and tests, honors classes have participation and interaction. They are a bit more like homeschooling. We all do better in honors courses at the college. I'll also be taking English 1302, and Art History II. I am looking forward to those classes. I just don't really know what to expect.
I am really excited about taking Biology for Non-majors I. I will be heading off the project of adding onto the replica of Thoreau's cabin, the zen garden, and the bamboo retreat. We will be finishing the zen garden and then maintaining it. We will be putting replicas of the furniture in Thoreau's cabin. I am not sure if we will be doing anything to the bamboo retreat. The college wants us to come up with a project to add on with another culture and nature. Luckily, this will all cover more than one semester. It is ongoing with the biology department. This last semester, the Art Club climbed on board. That is how I got involved. I love Biology, so I am really excited about this venture.
I am looking forward to being in the Monday night choir as well, though I may have to drop this class if the course load turns out to be too heavy. I am in the church choir and help out with the children's choir as well. Music is one of the loves of my life. Andrea helps in the same class of children. She is my right hand girl. We will do vacation Bible school together as well.
I am glad that Andrea can be with me on campus. When Andy is off, she stays with him, but I love it when she is with me. Derrick and Andrea will be coming to Art Club with me this semester. We'll work on the Thoreau project and making 1000 origami paper cranes as well. The Art Club plans to send them to Hiroshima when we have 1000. Our sponsor is from Japan. She is a wonderful artist and teacher at the college as well. Mari is head of the art department.
I have been looking for some projects to do with Andrea. She seems to be really into journalling lately. Bianca gave her a new journal for Christmas, and I have seen her writing a lot. She wrote a lot more, but now I notice it even more.
Derrick is at work. He's always at work. It would be nice if he could work at the church, too. I keep encouraging him to put in his resume. I hope he actually does soon. Randall's is a good job, but they do want him to work his off days a bit too much. I know he is looking at the stability, but I would like him to give it a try. He'll have a new schedule at school next semester. I know he doesn't like the idea of taking math, but I know he'll be good at it once he gets in a classroom situation. He's also taking Basic Animation and Karate again. Actually it is selat, not karate, and he's taking it for the fourth time. Karate is his favorite.
Bianca might take karate again as well. I hope she is able to take government and choir as well. I look forward to being in class with her. She is going to try to get in math again as well. I am not sure what else. Maybe philosophy?
Christmas was really enjoyable. Bianca and John came over and we had our usual dinner. Everyone traded presents, although there was more restraint than the last few years. I am glad. I don't think there should be too much emphasis on the gift giving, yet it should be there. I'm afraid I started it, but it did get a bit out of control. From now on, we will just have to keep control.