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� Mar. 15, 2008 - Field Trips

Posted in School Daze

My boys were complaining recently that we hadn't been on any field trips in a while. As a matter of fact, we haven't done any of the funner school work lately. Our lives have been so hectic that when we actually have time to do schoolwork, we just do the meat and potatoes and totally skip the dessert stuff. Well, I have vowed to get back on track and use Fridays again for our hands on days. We also have had the opportunity arise to go on a couple field trips.
Our first field trip was to an HEB Plus. For those of you outside of the state of Texas, HEB is a grocery store chain. The Plus version is comparable to say a Super Wal-Mart or even fancier. The one nearest us is actually the largest in existence. The also carry a lot of organic products. When we arrived, the children were given balloons with a sucker attached and a paper crown. They then went to the produce department, where they received a bag with an orange, apple, and a banana in it. The tour guide talked with them about how fruits and vegetables are good for you. The next stop was the sea food dept., where they got to pet a lobster. The children learned about how seafood is good for them. They got to watch people preparing sushi at the sushi bar. At the bakery, we sampled bagels, while we got a cupcake decoration demonstration. We heard how whole grains are best for you. At the tortilla maker, we each got to sample a tortilla. At the deli, the children were given a bag with some sausages, cheese, crackers, and chocolate. They heard about how dairy and protein is good for you. The boys loved this field trip and I didn't have to serve lunch since they were full from all of the free samples.
Our second field trip was to Petco. We got quite a talk about different kinds of animals. The children got to hold things such as rats, birds, snakes, and even a tarantula. And I only came home with a fish which we were given a coupon for in their goodie bag at the end of the tour.
I think that will tide them over on field trips for awhile.

� Dec. 4, 2007 - Castle Fun

Posted in School Daze

We are still working on the Obedience study of Konos.
Today I got out the craft stuff for the boys to work on building castles while I went to take a shower. K was ever so excited again. "Are we doing a craft? Do we get to do a craft? I love crafts. Crafts are my favorite part of school." He was so cute. I guess I need to do crafts more often, right? Even E got excited when he found out that they were building castles. "Oh this is so cool," was his comment. Don't you love days like that. So here are the photos of their castles.

The boys working on their castles.

E did a whole set-up with his. This is the nighttime version. He even put blankets on the windows to make it darker. You might notice that everything appears closed up. Notice the blue blanket moat.

This is the day time version. Notice the drawbridge is down on the right. The people are out in the center. The king is on the roof on the left. Notice the G.I. Joe getting hung.

This is the frontal view of K's castle. I don't know if you can read the sign, but it says, "Well come". See the red carpet rolled out. The blue ribbon is the moat.

This is the top view. Do you see the multicolored stairs made out of bear shaped blocks? This castle has a TV (video now). It also says, "Werr the best." Translation We're the best.

� Nov. 30, 2007 - Puppet Fun

Posted in School Daze

The boys and I have been reading through the book of Daniel. We started for the Dare to be a Daniel program listed in my sidebar. Well Konos also had us reading the story of Daniel and the Lion's Den one day. Then you were supposed to make puppets to go with the story. I got out the supplies for the boys to do it while I took a shower. K say me getting the supplies out and asked me if they were going to do a craft. I said that they were. He got really excited, it was so cute. Here are some photos of the process.

Now some pictures of E doing his puppet show.

The battery in my camera died before I could get a picture of the lion.

� Nov. 21, 2007 - I Fixed It!

Posted in School Daze

I think that I have all my computer problems worked out. At least schoolwork wise. Today I finally got E's science up and running, my Homeschool Tracker files transferred to the new hard drive, my printer working, and my bookmarks from the old hard drive on the new.

The only thing left is to figure out what to do photo wise. My Photo Explosion program is not Vista compatible. So I may have to buy or download something new.

� Nov. 14, 2007 - Work Day

Posted in School Daze

I was supposed to drive down to the valley today for prenatals and to check on our new baby. However my babysitter is still sick, so I ended up staying home. I went nowhere today. How often does that happen? It was so nice.
We actually had a great school day also. For Bible we are currently using a program
that encourages children to witness to others. And it is free. I did forget science and spelling though. I am still having trouble getting everything switched over from the old hard drive to the new. I may end up waiting until Christmas when my family is coming to get all the help I need. Because nothing seems to be working right for me. And getting help via IM isn't working too well.

� Nov. 9, 2007 - E's Poem

Posted in School Daze

We have loosely started school back up. Still having some problems because I can't access all my files on my old hard drive.
Anyway, we were doing Konos. One of the assignments for today was to write a story or poem about your heroic deeds as a knight. This is E's poem:

He battled dragons in their lair.
He climbed Repunzel's long, sweet hair.
He fought and slayed the enemy.
He saved a cat within a tree.
He rode a mighty, valiant steed.
He always helps a friend in need.
He ran an errand for the king.
Did you know that he can sing?
He lives a happy, castle life,
With his lovely, blond-haired wife.

He's Sir Eman.

� Oct. 23, 2007 - School?

Posted in School Daze

Last week, we took off because of my dad visiting. After they left, I just have not been motivated to start again. Part of the problem is computer issues. The program that I use to schedule and organize their work is on my old hard drive. I can access the program, but not the files showing what we have done so far this year. So until/unless I figure how to transfer it, we either can't do school or I have to redo my info or write it out by hand and hope that I haven't skipped anything. I do have hard copies of what they were scheduled last. Maybe I will use that for tomorrow's work.

� Sep. 30, 2007 - How to Homeschool Videos

Posted in School Daze

Expert Village
is a website that offers how-to videos on many topics. I guess that they are put out by people who consider themselves experts in their fields, hence the name. Sharon Wilharm
on how to start homeschooling. Some topics include how to pick a curriculum, doing field trips, planning, and when not to homeschool.
Terry Neven
does a series on the benefits of homeschooling, learning styles, homeschooling through high school and college admissions. I haven't watched them all, but they appear interesting.

� Sep. 18, 2007 - Just a Little Blurb About Our Day

Posted in School Daze

Konos is going really well. The boys are loving the Medieval study that we are doing. E loves to hear the stories. We are reading King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the version written in 1912. K loves the hands on projects that we are doing. You can really tell what type of learners they are. We are at the part where you start making costumes for the feast, which goes along with wanting to get involved with the SCA.
We went to the thrift store to see if they had any usable items. I found stuff that will work great for me, but didn't purchase them yet. Instead we came home with a bunch of Archie comic books, a stuffed animal for each kid, some cloth napkins, and napkin rings.
We also went to Wal-Mart for cleats for K and some candles. Then we went to Joann's Fabric and bought costume patterns for the boys. Hopefully the costumes come out ok. Since I am still a beginner sewer with no instruction, I still don't understand some of the directions. But I figure a pattern might work better than trying to fake my own.
I did that once on a pair of pajama pants for K. Okay it was twice. I didn't make the legs wide enough the first time, so then I made a pair of shorts with the extra material. I focused too much on inseam length and not enough on waist to inseam length. Definitely a learning experience.
I bought the cloth napkins, napkin rings, and candles because of something that I read on another blog. I can't remember whose though. And I am having trouble accessing the person's that I think it is. My modem doesn't like to visit those of you with the really cute, very decorated, lots of graphics blogs. Anyway it was about doing a Sabbath dinner and making it special. Other than going to church, we don't really do anything special. I am the only one that really dresses up. The boys usually use that as one of the only days that they can play much with the neighbors. So I am wanting to change that.

� Sep. 7, 2007 - Fun Day

Posted in School Daze

First I got my car fixed. It was wanting to die at every stop light and sign. It just needed a hose replaced. I am thankful that that was all and he did it in 30 minutes. Then we did school work. I got some great pictures of the boys while we did paper mache for art.

I love that their reactions are so different.
Then we had a fun park day today. People actually showed up this time. One of "my" babies was one of them. We got talking about one of my favorite topics. If you didn't guess childbirth, you haven't been reading my blog long. And no I didn't start it. Someone asked me a question and it escalated from there. Fortunately the one single dad that is in our group was not there today. But we frequently end up talking about it in front of him. Poor Ed.
I got invited to one of my single women friends' house tonight. We played a game with dominoes called Chicken Foot. There were about 5 of us single women there. It was a blast. I haven't gotten to do something like that in a long time.

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� Sep. 4, 2007 - Behind

Posted in School Daze

The week has just started and already I am behind. Of course I guess that is what I get when I take naps on the my free days instead of checking over the boys 'schoolwork from the days that I worked. So I started the schedule this morning right before we started school for the day. I still haven't finished it.
Just as I felt ready to start school, I decided that a shower was necessary first. Then as I am ready to start school again, the phone rings. My niece is sick, so my sister was home from work. The next thing I knew an hour went by.
We did get quite a bit done before going to the library. Then we headed out for violin practice and Boy Scouts. I even got photos of our day to show you.

E reading his Apologia work off of the computer. He like to lay on my bed, since it is so close.

Cooking Hamburger Helper for lunch.

K was cutting out the pictures needed for doing his homework for the Cub Scout Religious Emblem award. Notice the chalkboard paint on my doors. The door on the left has my chore list written down. You can see who does dishes on what day.

Still working on his project.

I have to include some cute photos of my niece. These were still on my camera from the last time that I babysat her.

Playing on my bed.

Eating lunch.

� Aug. 21, 2007 - New School Week

Posted in School Daze

So far our new school plan is going well. (See previous post.) The last two days we did Bible, Konos, and reading. For Bible we are starting to read through Proverbs. E is reading at least a chapter a day from whatever book that he is currently working on. K is starting What Your 4th Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch. I like this series. It was recently featured on the Regis show. The boys are liking the Konos. We have had fun with it. Our candle didn't come out very well. I didn't have everything I needed for that, so it ended up more like a huge, purple crayon. The rest of the stuff that I mentioned will mostly be done on the days that the babysitter is here. I do think next week they will have to do math every day as well.

� Aug. 20, 2007 - Revamping School Already?

Posted in School Daze

We just started school on July 31st. So far we have done two weeks of poorly done school, partly because I had to work and partly because I had my niece one of those weeks. We took the third week off to work on attitudes. And already I am revamping.
I had purchased some books to use. But I became interested in a free curriculum. I decided to try it out. The boys didn't like it much. So I decided to go back to some of my original plans and build off of it.
We are sticking with Math-U-See
for math. E is in the middle of Pre-Algebra. He is also finishing the Abeka Basic Math. He detests the Basic Math, but it has some skills that I think are necessary for him to learn, so he is going to finish it.
For Science, we are using Apologia. E is doing General Science and K is going to start Zoology 1.
For English K is finishing up Bob Jones English 3, before starting Learning Language Arts Through Literature Orange. E is doing the LLATL green.
We are also going to start using Konos'
Obedience curriculum. I had bought it two years ago with the Africa study. We have worked slowly through the Africa study only doing one lesson every couple of weeks. So we are just now getting to the Obedience study.
For Spelling, I use the Scripps Howard booklet for E. The last two years, K used the book our support group made up for younger kids. This year he moves up to the big kid group.
They both did Abeka cursive while in Christian school starting in K-4 or K-5. They know how to do it, but neatness is not always included. But how many boys do you know that have neat handwriting? I am going to work on that, just by having them redo it if it isn’t readable.
Anyway, this is my new game plan. Let you know how it works.

� Aug. 17, 2007 - More Good News

Posted in School Daze

To start with, my eye is doing much better. Thank you for your prayers. Last night when I went to bed, you could see some eye tissue sticking out of the eye. This morning it was back in place. There is a little swelling of the outside, but the eye itself looks normal. It feels a little dry and itchy, like something healing does. The eye drops sting a little. I went for my recheck and she said it looked a lot better. She told me to just finish the drops. Oh, and she didn't charge me for the recheck.

We went to the library today. They have room where they sell some books. Ones that the took out of circulation or that were donated and they didn't want. Well today, the books are $.50 for a Wal-Mart bag full. I was able to fit a ton of them in the bag.
I got the abridged versions of The Red Badge of Courage, Captains Courageous, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Wind in the Willows, and Black Beauty.
I got Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey. A book on Handel. He is one of the musicians studied by Ambleside Online. I am using them for the artist and composer studies this year.
Lucy Fitch Perkins has a series about twins of different nationalities. I picked up the Norwegian, Indian, Swiss, Eskimo, Spartan, Pioneer, and American Twins of 1812 books. I also got a book on Joseph, Vikan the Mighty, and Cooking for You Hyperactive Child.
I bet you are wondering how they all fit in one bag. The abridged books are the mini paperback ones.
Anyway that's my good news for the day. I thought it was worth doing a third post just to share that with you.

� Aug. 3, 2007 - Homeschool Open House

Posted in School Daze

Tiany
is holding a Homeschool Open House. Some wonderful prizes are going to those who participate. So this is my entry.

To participate simply write a post (as elaborate or simple as you want, pics or no pics its up to you) about any of the following, …

A short intro about you, how many blessings? How long have you been Homeschooling etc.. Just in case this is someone’s first visit to your blog.

This is our third year homeschooling. I am a single mom of two boys. E is almost 12 and K just turned 9. Previously they were in private school. My oldest did have one semester of kindergarten in public.

Your Homeschool Day, what does it look like?

This is a tough question. Our days vary. Because my boys are older, they do a lot of work independently. I try to start with Bible together. The boys have planners and I let them do their work in whatever order they choose. Some times I will say, "You need to work on something by yourself right now, so that I can go shower." Or things to that effect. Some days, we do things together, like Konos or science. I have a new little math project that I am designing that we are doing together.

What curriculum will you be using? Do you not use a curriculum? Do you homeschool for FREE? Tell us about it!

This year, I am using a lot of my curriculum from Miss Maggie's site.
All the stuff on this site is FREE, except printing costs. I also use Math-U-See, which my boys love. We use a bunch of other various sources, such as Bob Jones, Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Considering God's Creation, the Internet, and the library.

Do you schedule your day to the minute or go with the flow with no real structure?

With my life style and schooling to become a midwife, I am more of a go with the flow kind of person. The first two years, I planned a whole schedule. They lasted a week at most.

Do you homeschool in a homeschool room, at the kitchen table, at a desk, in the park on the grass?

We school wherever. Today we actually worked at the kitchen table most of the day. Some days it is the couch. Sometimes it is my bed. E likes to do his independent work on his bed some, but K usually likes to stay closer to me.

Do you have any “must share” tips?

If something is not working, don't be afraid to toss it. Don't pressure yourself or the kids to continue if you hate it just because it was free or because you don't want to waste money.

Do you have a question or concern? Throw that in there too!

My biggest concerns are that they will be prepared for life, mentally and spiritually. They have a lot of head knowledge, but I want to make sure that they have skills as well.

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� Aug. 3, 2007 - New Respect

Posted in School Daze

We started school this week. It was not quite a disaster. I over extended myself and should have waited another week. I was just ready to start back and think we will go to year round schooling.
I have new respect for those of you who school with toddlers. With my niece here, that was one of our biggest problems this week. This year I am focusing a lot more on K's reading. So we are working pretty close together the whole time. E is in charge of his schedule. I plan how much work he needs to complete for the week, but he does it when he wants. He just has to be done by 1pm on Friday. Well, we were into our groove and working intently and B kept getting into things or demanding attention. I also had J several times this week, but he was no problem. Other than wanting to play video games while we were doing schoolwork.
Oh, and I ended up having to work 3 days this week. Two of those were partial days and not full days though.
Today went pretty well though. B is gone. We are using Friday's to focus more on hands-on activities.
In hindsight, I should have just waited a week.

� Jul. 31, 2007 - Starting School

Posted in School Daze

Well, we started school this week. Already it is not off to a great start. We were going to start last week, but since E's dad came we postponed. I thought spending time with his dad would be more important.
To start with the boys spent the night at a friend's house on Sunday. It was the kid's b-day party. I told them to come home as soon as they got up, so that we could do school. Well, they didn't even get to bed until 6AM!!!!!! So they got home at 1pm. E, of course was an emotional wreck all day, because he didn't get enough sleep. We barely got things crammed in before we had to leave for violin practice.
Then I had to work all day today. I actually left before the boys got up this morning. They were making up on lack of sleep.
Hopefully I can get it all done before work tomorrow.
I am trying to upload the photos from Jim's visit to Photobucket. Due to slow Internet connection this is taking awhile. Once it is done, I will post them.

� Jul. 23, 2007 - Violin Lessons Started Today.

Posted in School Daze

Awhile back I mentioned that we were going to be starting free music lessons. (See here.)
Today we started them. We learned how to hold the violin. We learned how to hold a pencil like it is a bow. We learned how to pluck the violin. We learned which strings are which. We also learned a catchy little song to remember the notes. Okay, so it wasn't really my lesson, but I figure I can learn with them right?

� Jul. 9, 2007 - What to Do?

Posted in School Daze

I am still getting many phone calls on the latest about the possible divorce. I give advice and it doesn't get taken. I am turning my phone off tonight. I have been woken up every morning except Saturday I think since Thursday. Thankfully I am not on call right now, so that I can do that.

Also, yesterday was a huge blowout with my boyfriend. I was babysitting his son yesterday. I took him to church with us. He was causing all kinds of problems. He was fighting with other kids, refusing to put the change that I gave them into the offering, and not participating. When we went out to the car, I got stopped by someone to talk. During the few minutes she was talking to me, World War III erupted in my car. The next thing I know J is screaming his head off. I leave the church and call his dad and ask him to pick him up. I was freaking out, so I handled it badly. That got him upset and we were fighting for the next 4 hours. Back and forth on the phone. I thought we were going to break up. And I wasn't sure if I minded.

On a happier note, I received an email recently about free music lessons for homeschoolers. It was a program started by the local college for scholarship recipients. Originally they were doing it for just low income students, but were have difficulty getting enough consistent participation. So they extended it to us. We had a parent's meeting for more info today. They are only doing string instruments to start with. So both boys chose the violin. I wasn't sure that they were going to want to do it. So in two weeks we start lessons.