Alaska Homeschool

from my family to yours . . .

Christmastime is here again – it’s time to write our letter.
We thought long and hard on what to write – and decided to go one better . . .
So, we offer you this poem – all about our year.
We hope you find it fun to read and it brings you a bit of cheer.

Brian still works at Campbell’s, crunching numbers every day.
He blows his whistle in the evenings when the basketball’s in play.
Heidi’s still a homeschool mom, working from home with joy.
She loves sharing her days with her two girls and one boy.

Ashley spends her days reading, writing, singing, and playing guitar.
She’s 16 now and waiting to drive – hoping the car will take her far!
Tenth grade is full of ups and downs, hard days and fun ones too.
The years are passing much too quickly – she’ll graduate in two!

Gracie enjoys doing math and lots of crafts and art.
She plays the piano quite well now and recently the violin did start.
Fifth grade is going well this year and passing quickly by.
It’s hard to believe she’ll be 10 in 6 months – my how time does fly.

This year, Ian has changed and grown and learned many new things
He entertains us every day – especially when he sings.
In school, he’s learning letters and numbers; in his spare time he plays with toys.
He teaches us so much each day – the fun of living with boys!

In January, we traveled to Florida to spend some time with Mickey Mouse.
In the spring, we worked on the attic of our 80-year-old brick house.
Now each child has their own room – their own extra special place.
Summer took us on day trips and Brian went to Iowa for the big race.

We visited the Historic Triangle in Virginia for a few days this fall.
Even the rain couldn’t stop us from exploring, learning, and having a ball.
We’ve been through some hard days and learned lessons galore -
About friends, church, and cancer, and waiting to see what God has in store.

Now 2009 is ending and we’re looking forward to 2010.
And we want to send this poem to our family and our friends.
May God bless you with a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a new year full of fun.
And, if at all possible, let’s get together this coming one!

Triviathon

How many spaces do you want to move?
A. The number of countries that border the Sargasso Sea
B. The number of hearts in an octopus
C. The number of people named Oscar to have ever won an Oscar
D. The number of dogs that survived the Titanic

You can only move 1, 2, or 3 spaces (or 0, and stay where you are).  Of course, you want to move the most spaces (as the object is to make it around the board first).  So, which one would you choose?

The questions are fun; and, while they do require some thought, they can also be answered "off the top of your head" and still get you a good move on the game board.  In addition to the cards, though, there is also fun to be found in the playing pieces.  This game actually comes with 12 playing pieces (which I find a wonderful asset - most games require you to play in teams if you have more than 4-6 players).  Each playing piece is a different color, and each one has a name/personality - such as The Flirt, The Whiz, or The Bully (you can find out more about each character here).  Each character comes with a card that explains its personality trait, and a special "move" that the character is allowed to make throughout the game.  We haven't used these special moves yet, as we're still adjusting to the game itself; but I think they will be a fun addition to the game and would make Triviathon hilarious to play at a party.  (You can also create your own character).

Triviathon was invented by the Herbert Brothers, whose Doritos ad gained the distinction of "#1 Super Bowl Commercial of 2009". I'm impressed, as this is a game that definitely required much thought, time, and research in order to create it. The game sells for $29.99 and is, in my opinion, well worth that price. It will pay for itself in fun in no time! It can be purchased from the Triviathon Online Store or at Amazon.com.

Though I think that Triviathon would make a fabulous Christmas gift, it's too late for Christmas delivery now.  However, there is plenty of time to get Triviathon to you before New Years Eve!  I'm sure your friends will thank you for it! 

Oh, and did I mention that we had almost as much fun reading the box and the directions as we did playing the game?! 

Daybook Monday

Weekly Wrapup

From the Heart:

Plans best laid still can go to the wayside if you are blonde and seem to get blonder as you get greyer.  I had planned on getting four days of school done this week.  Instead we got two done:  Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday we had 8 appointments scheduled back to back for the kids to have well-child checks and dental checks, then I was going to the eye doctor.  On Tuesday, the dental office called and said my insurance wouldn't cover it unless I rescheduled for next week.  I went to do the other appointments and drove an hour into town to find out I was a day early for the well-child checks.  Not funny.  We did a bunch of errands and I got my eye exam done.   We still didn't get home until close to 5:30.  Then we had to turn around and do it again on Thursday so we could do the well-child checks.  Blah!  Friday our week was blown anyway, so I decided to go ahead and use it for house cleaning and preparing for the staff Christmas party.  Life happens.  Next week we probably won't get more than two days in either...

Dh and I sitting with some of our coworkers/friends at the staff Christmas party on Friday night.

In the School Room:

Since school was five days ago, I really can't remember too much off the top of my tired head about what happened in the two days...sorry.  It is in my schedule, but I'm too delirious to get off of this chair and look it up. 

Our fearless leaders dressed up silly to host the evening.  She does not appreciate this picture, but since I copied it from my friends' page on Facebook, I guess it is already out there!

One thing we learned about this week was Hanukkah.  We didn't plan to make a menorah ahead of time, so unfortunately we didn't have one.  We found a lot of books to read about the holiday, and I found it to be really meaningful.  I especially liked reading the Messianic significance of it from Robin Sampson's book, A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays.

Our good friends, Jessie and Yvonne at the Christmas party.  Below their son Micah in a dragon costume after we shared a meal together on Wednesday evening.

On the Mission Field:

Still praying a lot for vision and calling as to what to do next.  From there we will work on raising our support to meet our needs and do as He calls us to do.

In the Literary Scene:

Now I'm reading the fourth and final book of the Galway Chronicles by Brock and Bodie Thoene.  These books are great for cold winter nights, but dangerous to pick up during the day when I have children to take care of and who need my attention! 

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 sign the Mr. Linky below.  I'd love to read your weekly summaries too!    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 or comments from the week before.  Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did!  It is a great way to meet new people.

Washing Dishes By Hand

Sometimes progress isn't always the best thing. For several years we've used the dishwasher to wash our dishes. Well, most of them. Of course there were always the dishes left over that couldn't go in the dishwasher for one reason or another, so my sister (or Mom) was stuck washing them. Why not me? you ask. Ha. It was my sister's job, that's why! Up until recently, it was my job to empty the dishwasher. This happened daily, sometimes twice a day.

Well, a few months ago, Mom decided we were going to quit using the dishwasher. Just an experiment to see if it made any difference on our electric bill. We kids (I was, at least) were skeptical, but went along with it cheerfully enough. Surprisingly - I found I love washing dishes! We quickly worked out a schedule. Emily is to wash the breakfast dishes, Elisabeth and I do the lunch dishes, and Amy and Mom do the supper dishes. It works out pretty well!

Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware

Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format.

Sure, it’s easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you’re a theology professor. But what about the rest of us?

With Big Truths for Little Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6–14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths.

The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children’s primary faith trainers—and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.

Bruce Ware is an evangelical theologian and author. He is currently Professor of Christian Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Formerly, he was at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he served as Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biblical and Systematic Theology. Prior to this, he taught at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary and at Bethel Theological Seminary. Dr. Ware has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, and book reviews.

Crossway is the publisher of the English Standard Version of the Bible that I won several months ago.  I've been so enjoying that Bible - it's easy to read because of the large size and the additional study notes are so helpful in learning and researching more about the Bible.  Dr. Ware's new book - Big Truths for Young Hearts - is a great way to utilize my Bible (or your version of choice) to teach my kids important Biblical truths.

I have not actually started working through this book with my children yet, as I thought it would be a great way to usher in 2010 - by starting the year off learning more about God and His Word.  This book could be used in a family setting, for family devotionals (daily or weekly, depending on how much time you choose to spend); but it would also be useful for Sunday School teachers.  It's been my experience that so many of the  current Sunday School curriculums are extremely dumbed down; so if I were teaching a younger children's class right now, I'd enjoy using this book to teach truths and stir up intelligent discussions.  Children are so smart and absorb so much.  This book will help them absorb things that are important.

NOTE: I received this book free from Crossway in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Snowed In

Weekly Wrap-up

Beautiful Mess by Diamond Rio (with Tom Roland)

Can a band comprised of six very talented but very different musicians make a difference with their music?

What made it possible for Diamond Rio to weather the storms inherent in the fickle world of fame and fortune and go more than two decades without a single lineup change? Any reader in search of transparency and a behind-the-scenes look into the life of the band as a unit as well as the individual lives of the players and singers will be well satisfied. Can true loyalty exist within the competitive, seemingly unforgiving music industry? In A Beautiful Mess, Marty Roe, Dan Truman, Jimmy Olander, Brian Prout, Gene Johnson, and Dana Williams each has an entire chapter devoted to his personal and professional life. A Beautiful Mess is a wild ride from the edge of disaster and a little-known secret to an ongoing heart-warming revival.

What can I say?  I'm a Diamond Rio fan.  I have been, ever since their very first hit - Meet in the Middle - debuted on the country music charts in 1991.  I was raised on music and, right away, I could tell that this was a band that I was going to love.  The rich harmonies and the wonderful musical sounds were addicting.  I quickly bought their cd and I was hooked.  I bought the next cd, and the next . . . I loved singing along with their songs - both the catchy, fun ones  and the hauntingly beautiful ballads. 

I was thrilled when I heard that they were coming to our local county fair in 2001.  Having a famous band here in our little corner of PA was big news (and, in my personal opinion, there have been no acts to rival them here before or since).  Brian bought me tickets to go see them, and we had front row grandstand seats.  I loved that concert!  (I only wish I had pictures to share!)

I hadn't heard anything from Diamond Rio in awhile, so I was excited last week when my daughter came to me and said "Guess what, Mom? Diamond Rio has a book out!"  She knows I'm a fan - she is too (it's in the genes).  So, needless to say, I was thrilled when I saw the book on the Thomas Nelson blog review list!  Call me crazy; but the book came in the mail yesterday and I finished reading it today.  I just couldn't put it down! 

Marty, Jimmy, Dan, Gene, Brian, and Dana all contribute to this book by sharing their personal stories.  You'll learn how they got their start in Opryland, USA, how the band was formed, how they decided on a name, and all the twists and turns in the road that got them where they are today.  Guess what?  It wasn't all easy and fun.  These guys have faced adversity and trials.  But, they've remained true to themselves and true to Diamond Rio as a whole. 

I enjoyed learning a bit more about each group member as an individual - learning about their personal lives, upbringing, and the things that led them into music.I also enjoyed seeing all the great pictures - straight from the member's personal photo collections.  And, at the end, I was thrilled to learn that, even after 20 years in the music business, Diamond Rio is still going strong.  I was especially impressed to learn of all the work they do in support of Big Brothers & Big Sisters (a very reputable cause) and that their latest release is on Word Records - The Reason.  (I'll definitely be adding it to my cd collection - can't wait!)

Diamond Rio fans, this book is a must!  You can learn more about the book by viewing this video.

Our Ovarian Cancer T-shirts

• t-shirts (white or light colors work best for this particular project - see note for alternatives)
• Elmer's School Glue (the washable kind - I think it all might be)
• Fabric Spray Paint by Tulip (any color or combination of colors)
• OPTIONAL: stencils or cardstock and scissors to create your own

For Ashley's t-shirt, I cut a large awareness ribbon template out of cardstock.  My t-shirt has a smaller awareness ribbon, also cut from cardstock.  You simply lay these on the t-shirt where you would like them to be positioned.  Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours.

Next - the fun part - painting!  Take your fabric spray paint and paint the area that you want colored. 

Wait until the paint has dried, then remove any of the cardstock templates (or, if you're impatient like we are, remove them right away; but don't be surprised if your fingers turn a different color!)

Then, wait 2-3 days (I know, it's very hard to wait!) and throw your shirts in the washer to remove the glue (it washes right out - I did run mine  through 2 wash cycles).  The finished product looks like this:

I don't know why, but mine seems to have faded more than the other two.  Oh well.  Not bad for designing and creating them all by ourselves, right?  And they were much more cost-effective than the ones we had originally ordered; so the cheapskate in me is pretty proud. 

NOTE:  A few alternatives/variations on this project:

• Instead of using the glue and painting AROUND it, you could use stencils and paint INSIDE them.  That would create a very different look, but would still be fun. 
  
• If you would prefer to use darker colored shirts, you could still get the same effect by putting some slightly-watered-down Clorox in a spray bottle and spraying that on over the glue.  It would fade out the color and create a very similar look, in reverse.  I haven't tried this yet, but think it would look neat.