The past two months we have been working on remodeling our kitchen. It is looking so great. I can't wait for it to be completely finished. Here is a before shot of the cabinets, counter top and appliances.
Now here is a pic of my new counter top and cabinets.
It is so much prettier. I love it! We still have to replace the floor and get a new table set.
James and I like to include the girls in what we do when that is possible. They obviously could not help put in the cabinets and appliances, even though they wanted too. So to let them be involved we purchased three canvases and paint. Here is my artwork for the kitchen.
Lulu's is first, then Monkey's, and then James/Lil's. They did a great job.
And here are my girls for their first day of co-op. We are having a great year so far!
Life has been moving full speed ahead for us the past few months. I am wondering when it will slow down a little. I have all these great intentions of posting about our school days, special events we are participating in, and all the funnies that occur each day. Then I look up and it is time to go to bed.
Our plate is overflowing as a family right now. Back in August our church launched a new Saturday night service. James and I both joined the ministry team. He is on the worship team and I am directing the children's ministry for Saturday night. We both also teach class on Wednesday night at church. James started a Bible study for the men back in the summer. They meet twice a month. The ladies started meeting twice a month also. The girls and I have really enjoyed this. We all, minus Lil, know how to knit and crochet now. Co-op started back in September. I am on the board this year and coordinating the Teacher's Lounge each week. Add school each day, chores, work... the plate is overflowing!
So that is why the blog is suffering. I do intend to get back at it though. Lulu wants to get her blog going again too. We changed the background and some other things a few weeks ago. She posted a story she wrote for her writing curriculum. She has another story ready to post when we get a chance. You can read her story here.
Lulu and Monkey have their first JBQ match of the season tomorrow morning. They are excited about quizzing. Lulu is in A league this year. That means her age group will quiz on 10 point, 20 point, and 30 point questions. Monkey is still in B league. They quiz on 10 point and 20 point questions. Lil spectates :) I was asked if Lil would want to quiz on C league, even though she is four. I just don't think she is ready to sit quietly at the table and only buzz when she knows the answer. Too much energy still bottled up inside her.
Our plate is full, but we would not have it any other way. We stay busy, but it is all things we do together as a family (for the most part). James is not off doing his own thing, me off doing mine, and the girls in different directions. We are together. And what God has called us to do, He will give us the grace we need to accomplish it.
Has the new school year started with gusto at your house? Or guesses?
“I guess we’ll use this curriculum. I guess we’ll start on Monday. I guess we’ll use this folder, and I guess we could try unit studies this year.”
Does any of this sound familiar? Time for a change?
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To celebrate the girls' first day of school, four weeks ago, James filled up water balloons. They had a blast getting each other soaked.
After the balloons were gone, the hose came out. Building memories is so important. I don't remember all the toys and gadgets I had as a kid, but I do remember the people that poured love into my life.
My prayer is that my girls will remember that we got dirty, we got wet, we dropped things in order to spend time with them, we made sacrifices, we loved them.
The past two weeks we have been finishing up our study of Colonial Times. Lulu, Monkey, and I have been going to church twice a month all summer to tack knitting and crocheting classes. We have all three really enjoyed this time together. It's one of the things I regret not having my grandmother teach me when I was younger. Anyway, when I gave the girls a list of activities to do for Colonial times I knew the choice would be an easy one. They both wanted to knit a pouch and do embroidery. We have not gotten to the pouches yet, but they have finished their embroidery. (Lulu even done an extra one on her own)
Don't you just love the way Monkey 'sits' in her chair.
Lulu finished hers very quickly. She is serious at embroidery.
Lulu loves horses. She also chose to add buttons to her work.
Monkey was proud of her finished product as well.
The girls did a great job. I am really proud of them.
We follow a four year cycle for science. This year our studies will focus on physics.
Several years ago James and I purchased six Scienceology kits: electricity, magnetism, flight, land vehicles, lights/colors/optics, and radios/phones/telecommunications. I am finally going to make good use of them. There are around 20 different experiments within each kit, as well as an instruction manual. I think they will make a nice intro into physics.
Today we started our study using the Magnetism kit. The girls wrote definitions and complete two experiments. They made a 'metal detector' and tested various materials to determine whether or not they were magnetic. Then we learned about induced magnetism. Lulu and Monkey had a lot of fun making their magnetic sculptures.
Aug. 15, 2009 - Student Photo Week: Not Back-to-School Blog Hop
My students were very excited for their first day a couple weeks ago. I missed the curriculum sharing week so I am going to combine it with this week.
First up is my fourth grader. How is that even possible?
Lulu is becoming quite a young lady. She has a big heart and wears it on her sleeve. Her personality is very giving and compassionate. She rejoices with others and also cries for them. She has often wanted to pray about something for a friend. I am so excited to see what God has in store for her.
Her individual work is listed below:
Bible - An emphasis on personal devotion Math - RightStart Mathematics Level E Spelling - Spelling Wisdom (copywork and dictation approach) Grammar - Daily Grams 4 Writing - Writing Strands Level 3
Next up is my third grader.
Monkey always has a smile on her face. She loves to laugh. She has been determined from day one to do her own thing. Monkey loves the Lord and she will not be swayed. I know that God will use her in a great way. During prayer time I can always hear her saying her prayers right along with me. She is a hard worker and is not afraid to get dirty.
Her individual work is listed below:
Bible - Reading through the New Testament Math - RightStart Mathematics Level D Spelling - Spelling Wisdom (copywork and dictation approach) Grammar - Daily Grams 3 Writing - Writing Strands Level 2
Lulu and Monkey do a lot of work together as well. Here is their combined work:
History - We are going to use a unit study approach this year. I started out with the four year Classical cycle. Last year I switched to Ambleside Online and our cycle got a little off. I am going to try to get back on the four year cycle this year with unit studies. We are starting out with a small unit to finish up the Colonial period. The girls are preparing individual reports and one together. I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with.
Geography - Minn of the Mississippi and Paddle to the Sea (Both books are by Holling C. Holling. We read three of his books last year and the girls loved all of them. They were excited to start Minn this week.)
Literature Readings - Robinson Crusoe, Kidnapped, The Incredible Journey, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Paul Revere's Ride, and Rip Van Winkle (Selections taken from Ambleside Online)
Biographies - Poor Richard and Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution
Science - It Couldn't Just Happen (Give facts that support creation and disprove evolution) and a focus on physics this year
Spanish - Let's Speak Spanish workbooks
Poetry - Alfred Lord Tennyson, Emily Dickinson, and William Wordsworth
The girls will also have gym, art, Keepers of the Home, creative literature, science units, and choir at our co-op.
Last, but not least, is our preschooler.
Lil adds a lot of spice to our family. She is Lulu and Monkey all mixed into one. She has qualities that link her to both her sisters. Lil wants to learn so bad. She complains that I don't have enough planned for her to do and her sisters complain that she gets more free time than they do.
I am planning to do a mixture of things with her this year. We did not finish our ABC notebook last year. That's first up. And then we will see. I had wanted to have more planned out for her by now, but it just did not happen.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great year.
Welcome to our blog! I hope you enjoy your visit. We are a homeschooling family of 5. Our approach is eclectic, but leaning more and more towards Charlotte Mason. Our girls are 9, 7, and 4. Never a dull moment as we desire to teach our girls in the ways of the Lord.
