Well I couldn't even get a once a week update in.  Middle school is wearing me down.  We have so much going on, I can't keep track.  All of us are busy.  I'm not one for overscheduling but I think I may have done just.

Kids are doing great with school and are enjoying their Co-op.  They love the horseback riding and gymnastics.  They are continuing to volunteer at church and the food bank.  They are making new friends at an art club and choir.  This year seems to be coming together for them.  Yeah!

DH will be helping us with schooling a little more now.  The kids are looking forward to doing some field trips and other things with him.  I'm so glad he'll be able to partake in our schooling more.  I think it's important for all three of them.

I've decided to just do a week at a time.  I don't think I can keep up with the daily blogging.  We have such a busy schedule. 

Bible:  Exodus 1-7

Spelling/Vocab - Get new list and work thru the usual things

LA - Unit 3 Abeka, Writing - journals, headlines for future work.

Science - Plants - notebooking

Math - Placement tests, Saxon lessons

History - Chapters 1-5 Story of the World Vol. 3, Story Hour - Clara Barton and Martha Albright. 

Geography - Co-op - Around the World in 80 days.  Need to choose a country for end of class report.  Keaton - Denmark, Danielle - Thailand

Journal - Start daily journaling

Fine Art - Anime club, piano, creative art class, Choir

Character/life skills - Childcare class, MOPS, character training class, household work, read the Giving Tree. cooking and cleaning up. 

PE - Karate, 2 mile walk, gymnastics, horseback riding.

Reading - Bible, The Giving Tree, Science, free read.

Socialization - Family, MOPS, Church, karate, Co-op, Fieldtrips,choir, art club.

Well I'm not going to bore everyone with all the details but at least I can see we did a good amount of work. 

Our first field trip with our new Co-op was last Wednesday.  We met at Boehm's Candy in Issaquah, WA.  We are in Issaquah just about 3 times a week but had never gone to see the candy store.  My daughter has been wanting to go since we moved her 3-1/2 years ago.  Well she has finally gone.

If you are ever in the area I would definately recommend this place.  It is so cute.  I loved his little home and chapel.  You can actually get married there.  They have about 19 weddings a year.  Really neat. 

Here are a couple of pics from our trip.  Don't you just love the hats.

All the chocolate is coated by hand.  DS was a little concerned about the lack of glove usage.  They assured him that they wash their hands an obscene amount of times.  They can't wear gloves due to the temperature of the chocolate.  They have to be able to feel if it's too hot or cold. 

Here are some yummy chocolate figures they have made.  DD wanted to taste test them all. 

Jules Boehm was a huge art collector and had many beautiful paintings, sculptures and statues.

Here is is picture of the chapel and an inside shots.

Here's our group photo.  There were a couple of families who don't belong to First Class and many of our Co-op families couldn't attend.  We all had a really nice time.  And enjoyed sampling some of the chocolates.

Boy is getting back into the routine of school hard.  I'm still reading all these books for the course.  I really wish I would have homeschooled sooner.  It would have been soooo much easier.  I am thinking of going easy on the workbook work and text and do more real life work.  The notebooking and booklet making sounds light and fun. 

We are starting off with a little testing just to see where they are at for math.  That we'll keep on doing with Saxon. 

I feel much better about schooling this year.  They seem to be getting along better and DS is finally accepted that his sister is staying with us no matter how hard he tries to wear me down to put her back in school.  A battle I actually won!   Woohoo.

Here's a run down of what we've been working on:

Bible:  Exodus

Creative Writing: Gathering funny newspaper and magazine headlines for future poems or essays.  (this was a lot of fun doing this as a family)

History: Story of the World Vol. 3 - Ancient Roman Empire

Math: Placement Testing

Reading: Silent and out loud

Science: Plant Kingdom

Home: Chores, car washing, cooking

PE: horseback riding, karate, general playing, short hike

Last weekend we went to Silverwood in Idaho with friends of ours for a church outing.  The kids earned the trip thru getting bible lessons done.  We all had such a great time.  I think they enjoyed the waterpark the most.  Thanks D and L for a great time. 

Here is a photo I thought I should take before we started at the opening of the gates.  Just in case they were beat and all grumpy at the end of the day. 

Here are some pics of the waterpark.

D. and D. went on the PANIC PLUNGE!!! It is one of those free falling type of rides.  I was shocked she would even consider riding it.  I did it after here and was completely hysterical.

There goes my baby!  AHHHH!

Of course, what is an amusement park without the Merry-go-round. 

S. (3) just being so cute.

What a great way to end the summer! 

The kids started horseback riding lessons this last week.  They had such a fun time.  D complained only a little about the smell.  K was really into the whole thing.  He even swept out the stable without being asked.  I think he may have a new job.  HA!  We are only going to do it twice a month just to get the used to it.  It's expensive to do these things.

They fell in love with the horse they rode named Jed.  He is a bay and next week they'll ride Foster who is a painted.  I know nothing about horses and have only ridden twice.  One of those times I was bucked off.  Ouch! 

D and K with Jed.

D cleaning and scrubbing the hooves.  Oh how she loved that! 

They have to groom the horse before and after riding.  I love the work involved here.  Of course,  they each got a side of the horse to groom and insisted that their own side was nicer than the others.  Too cute.

I finally got DS to do a drama camp.  My husband heard about it on the radio while listening to Dave Ramsey.  I had really wanted to do a camp for our son but wanted one that was christian based.  Ask and you shall receive.  God prevailed once again even in these little details. 

Of course, the first day he went he was soooo mad at me.  He didn't want to go back but after a heartfelt talk about allowing people to get to know you and not looking so unapproachable he gave it another try.  Picked him up in the afternoon on Tuesday and he was all smiles.  He had made a couple of friends, what a difference one day makes.  The rest of the week had been awesome.  He was so exctied to go and is planning on going next year.  Yeah!

The whole week the kids worked on about 6 different scenes and a couple of group ones.  They did a great one on the be"attitudes"  So cute.  It was amazing how much scripture they can retain in such a small amount of time.  The performance lasted about an hour which is pretty long.  We were so proud of all of them. 

The teachers were awesome.  Dave and Deb Shelton do a fantastic job and their guest Tonya was amazing.  She pulled stuff out of DS I don't think I could.  They all truly care about these kids.  So neat.  Here are some pics.  The first 1 is K with the Shelton's and the 2nd is Keaton with Tonya.

I decided to catch up on my lack of blogging and enjoy the quiet of our home.  DD is mother's helping and DS is at a Drama day camp all week.  Last year they went to a week long overnight camp but this year we didn't do that.  Never again!  We are signing them up for next year come January.  I really need some down time.  I didn't think I did but wow!  I need a break. 

I enjoy being with them so much but I have really let things go.  I think summer will be summer for our family.  We can't school the whole summer it's too much for all of us.  I like the break. 

We have been doing little classes and field trips most of the summer.  I'm okay with that now.  I was feeling really guilty that we weren't doing enough.  But I'm over that now. 

I am hosting the last three sessions of a bible study in my home.  This is a huge thing for me.  I don't every host anything or hardly ever have anyone over.  I think we've had maybe 3 people here since we moved in 4 years ago (this coming Dec).  I get so anxious about people in my home, their judgements, food, activities for kids, lull in conversation.  But God threw me another curve ball and my house was the only option for the study to continue.  I had no choice. 

Tomorrow is the last one.  I'm so excited.  I'm making a double chocolate cheesecake (actually my son is).  I'm actually sad it's ending.  I think I'll volunteer next time I like having God's Word studied and discussed in my home.  Not that we don't just that there's other people's ideas.  It's so cool.  (Now I sound like my kids)

I'm still working on the Barbara Shelton Homeschooling course.  Oh my goodness there's a lot of reading.  But it's so amazing.  I am slowly changing.  I really see the need for my surrendering to God but boy is it hard.  Okay I'm out of ramblings I must go clean and use the rest of my time reading. 

I'm hoping someone may be able to give me some direction on whether or not this is a good way to go.  I've been researching it a lot but havn't been able to find anyone who used or is using it.  It's expensive and I'd hate to buy more circ. and then not use it.  I'm sure getting a collection. 

Any thoughts, comments.

Lori

Back on June 8th I got tagged by Ladyjane.  Of course, it's taken me forever to do this but I am getting it done.  We just got back from a 2 week vacation in Pennsylvania and I'm finally getting around to all the things I put off.  I don't have the 7 friends to tag on to but I'll give it a try.  Here are 7 things you may not know about me.

1.  I have lived in WA for 3-1/2 years. 

2.  I have lived in Indiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York and now Washington.

3.  I accepted Jesus 2-1/2 years ago through BSF despite knowing Him my whole life.  Never understood the relationship or really heard much about it.  Amazing how each of my moves has brought me closer to Him.  He's a funny one.

4.  I have a green belt in Tang soo do.

5.  Met my hubby in college (Graphic Arts majors) and we've been married for 17 years this past 7-7-07.  Very lucky number.  He really annoyed me the whole first semester I met him.  He was always getting in my way of trying to brown nose my teachers.  They loved him and never took me seriously.  He was sooo smart.  Then we ended up having to work more together and I realized what a nice and smart guy he was.  Still is.

6.  I have 2 wonderful children (dd - 13 and ds-12) and 1 nutty Golden Retreiver (3yo).

7.  Only been homeschooling for 1-1/2.  Pulled son out of public school the January of 5th grade and then my husband thought we should do our daughter so she started this past year with us as a 7th grader.  So we are a home school of middle schoolers.  So wish I had done this from the beginning. 

So I'm going to tag Leigh since you are the only friend besides my new one (Pam)  I'm sure Leigh has 7 on here.

Love to you all,

Lori 

Today I thought I'd put in a couple of simple projects that the kids worked on.  The first one is one they had to do with our Co-op.  The assignment was to explain how something works.  K. did how glowsticks work and D. did how mirrors work.  They had to research and write a report then present it with a poster of some sort.

  This next one is a cooking project that K. wanted to do.  He wanted to make a Double Chocolate Cheesecake.  I had never made one and had no idea.  So he found a receipe, and followed all the directions.  I was assigned clean up.  He wanted absolutely no help and that is what he got.  The cake was delicious.  He was so proud of himself.

This project was supposed to be part of D. mirror project but she wanted to keep it for herself.  In the end she gave it to me for Mother's Day. 

Thursday 

D. (13)

Piano - 30 minute lesson.  Teacher was very pleased with D. progress.  D. concentrates well and has great rhythm.  She needs to count a little more quietly.  I am so thrilled with our teachers comments.  I am so proud of the way she has picked up on the piano.   

Speling- Continued to work on List 16.  Writing words 2X's each. 

Writing - Continued work in workbook.  Wrote a cause and effect paragraph about weather.  Completed in her beautiful cursive handwriting.

PE - 1 hour of karate.

Community - Came to babysit little ones while moms worked out from 1-2:30.  However,  all the little ones were sick.  So she worked out with the moms.  Way to go.

Reading - Continued with Princess Diaries book.

Voice - Practiced for recital

K (12)

Math - Review subtraction of whole numbers and estimation of sum and differences.

Lang. Arts - Continued work in workbook Who, Whom, Whose and review on pronouns.

Writing - Wrote a comparison paragraph on two sports.

Piano - 30 minute lesson.  Did better.  Needs to work on rhytmn and finding keys faster.  Also needs to no play so forte.  Sounds mean and angry.  Of couse, he likes that. 

PE - 1-1/2 karate class.  Needs to keep cool when a new technique is introduced.  Easily frustrated.  Put way too much pressure on self to be perfect. 

Community - Came with D. to help her with little ones.  Since there weren't any he helped mom and other 2 teachers work on belt work for test on Wednesday.  He was very helpful and kind.  Did a great job instructing but enjoyed keeping mommy in a headlock and laughing 'cause I couldn't get out.  Nasty little boy.

Wednesday - Cloudy again

D. (13)

Reading:  Read Princess Diaries book she can't seem to put down.  Love that she's reading but wish it was something of more substance. 

Writing:  Worked in her workbook on proper proofreading using the marks and some Thesaurus work.

Spelling:  Continued in her spelling workbook List 16 with Vocabulary.  Finished Exercise A and B.

Piano: Practiced her lessons for 20 minutes.  Class tomorrow.

Voice:  Downloaded the lyrics and some of the music to work on.  Rehersed for about an hour.  Working on only what the coach wants for the recital not what Diva D. wants.  Had to sit and discuss following direction from those who know more and have experience.  Best practice she had in a while. 

Home:  Cleaned her entire room.  This was a major part of her seeing that she has really let it go.  She had a surprise unveiling for me.   Helped Mom with washing dishes and getting dinner ready for our Family Movie Night.

K. (12)

Had a rough start in the morning.  Slept way too late and eating everything in sight.  He'll be as tall as me by the end of the month.  I should wake him up so he stops growing.  I don't want my baby to grow too fast. 

Spelling:  Made corrections to his last assignment on Titles of Works.  Reviewed words for a pretest coming up.

Math:  Reviewed addition of whole numbers.

Lang. Arts: Worked on refelxive pronouns and indefinite prounouns.

Writing:  Wrote a paragraph working from two advertisements and comparing them. 

Piano:  Practiced lesson for 20 minutes. 

Home:  Helped with laundry. 

I started the homeschool qualifying course from Barb Shelton about a month and a 1/2 ago.  Boy, does this take a lot of time.  I've only got thru 3 book/pamplets.  I'm so tired of reading non-fiction.  I need a good story.  But I know if i get off track I'll never get back on. 

One thing that I keep reading and is striking me over and over is that I need a vision, goal and to get rid of my public school mentality.  This is hard for me.  I'm so worried about what others think yet I'm the first to tell others to not worry about that.  I can't practice what I preach.  Even among my own homeschool friends I worry about what they think.  And that they'll dump me and my kids if we aren't up to par. 

Has anyone else done this course.  How long did it take?  My one friend said it took her 8 months. 

I just have to rave about my kids for a couple of minutes.  K (12) is emptying the dishwasher right now.  I'm shocked.  Could it be that he's growing up.  Not being asked to do something.  The angel choir is singing for me.  He's put in his own pizza for lunch, sat and did his workbook and unloaded the dishwasher while waiting for his pizza to cook.  Multi-tasking.  Something I never thought would happen.  I'm a happy girl. 

Today D & K started working at the local food bank.  They only worked for an hour and the other two kiddos who are going to work with them weren't able to come.  So they got some one on one time with the head gal.  She said they did a good job but didn't seem too interested in it. 

I'm disappointed,  I thought they'd like it.  K. thought he was working at a soup kitchen, serving.  That is what he is more interested in doing.  D. is D and a 13 yo girl.  Need I say more.  UGH!  K is fine with it since it will help build muscles.  Thought I'd die laughing at that.  I didn't even crack a smile.  We'll go another few times just to see if the addition of the other kids helps. 

I asked them to pray about it and see where their hearts are leading them.  Just because I enjoyed it doesn't mean they will and I'm okay with that. 

Well yesterday the kiddos finished their testing.  I'm so anxious to find out how they did.  It won't be until July to get the results.  They both struggled on the social sciences.  Map reading seemed to be DS' trouble.  This surprises me since he's been navigating for me around town.  Guess we'll have to work on it some more.  DD thinks she did great on everything.  All the mommies said for me to not put a whole lot emphasis on these tests but my public school mentality creeps in. 

Today we relaxed more since their testing was done.  We just did bible study and then went to the Homeschool Potpouri to get some stuff for summer.  40% off of tapes.  I picked up a couple of Story Hour tapes.  Then they practiced their piano and and fun little music note game I found online. 

DH and I got to take a walk after dinner.  The sun was still out and it wasn't raining.  Just a wonderful little stroll.  I really enjoy our walks.  It's fun to just be alone and laugh.

I feel so inept at this blogging.  Thanks Leigh for helping me get to this point.  Sorry it took me almost a month do acutally write a note/blog thing. 

Today the children DD (13) DS (12) had their SAT tests.  I was so happy to drop them off for 4 hours and not have to worry about them driving each other nuts.  I went for a coffee and then out to lunch.  It was wonderful.  I almost felt guilty feeling nice.  Very short lived.  I miss hanging out with friends and talking about nothing in particular and not having a time allotment on my conversations.   Or having to sit in my car in the garage to have a "private" conversation.  The bathroom is no place to hide.  They find me.

It has been almost a year and a half since we started on this journey of homeschooling.  I am amazed at how much we have grown as individuals and as a family.  God has been so faithful despite my whining, my yelling, my doubts, my anger and my overall bad attitude.  He has taught me so much thru my children and has provided friends that have been amazing.  He is my rock and provider.  Thank you Lord Jesus.  Okay now I feel like crying.  Ugh!  This blogging thing is too much. 

Okay I'm better now.  I would like to use this blog to be able to look back on our weeks together so that I can see that we've actually done something constuctive.  Some days it feels like we aren't doing anything worthwhile.  Like today.  We tested for 4 hours, went to voice lessons (mine, mommy needs some fun too), then came home and relaxed.   We are going to do some reading of some social science stuff.  Apparently, that's what they are being tested on.  What the heck is social science?  Cramming time.   They will get the piano in as well. 

 I would like to put a picture in but can't seem to get it to insert a picture from my computer.  Need more lessons from Leigh.  Can't remember what she said.  She's soooo techy.    At least I can do smilies

K. decided to make the family a double chocolate layer cake in the shape of a heart.  He chose 2 different kinds of chocolate and had a fun time with the frosting set.  We were very touched that he wanted to make us something. 

This past January we went to the Science center with friends of ours.  The kids had such a blast.  We did the Imax theater which was so neat.  Our favorite was the butterfly house.  K. took alot of pictures and did a pretty good job. 

Here's a picture of me and our some of our friends.

 Another favortie spot was the mirror.  That was fun.  Scary thought to have two K's.  D. looks like a cartoon character.

 D. wasn't feeling quite herself.