A peek at our daily lives while living the learning lifestyle.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:43:00 -0600 Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:43:00 -0600 Might I just say I've had nothing but trouble since the big change here.  I've had to have a password emailed to me half a dozen times, & even then it wouldn't always work.  I don't much like the whole new set up to read my friends' blogs.  If I wanted to view their profile, I would.  If I want to read their blogs, I don't want to have to go thru their profile.  Ugh!  It's not as user friendly as it was before.  I may actually not post here very much b/c of all this...... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/254475/ Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/254475/ For some reason, I always lose track of days on this blog.  I post to my other blog just about every single day, but I forget about writing here.   School has been going pretty well.....  Taryn (5yo) is beginning to teach herself to read, recognizing words when she sees them, & learning to spell w/ the aid of her Little People ABC Treehouse.  Camryn (10) has been really focused on origami since her birthday.  She got a really neat kit that also include kirigami & she's been making all kinds of things.  She's also been reading an awful lot!   Kiernan (12) is still more interested in games (Adventure Quest, Aveyond, PS2 games) but they are teaching him to think, use logic, make decisions, etc. so I guess that's okay.  He does his schoolwork quickly so he can get to the "good" stuff.   Casey (15) has just completed his first week (of 2) in Driver's Ed.  He's had his first official drive time (5 more to go) & he's driven w/ me a couple of times.  He is also more interested in the above listed games, but has decided to move more to the "book" side of education.  He's doing Saxon Algebra, Apologia Biology, then adding in Greek & Latin roots, geography & other fun stuff.   Caitlin (17) is really working doubly hard so she can graduate this spring.  She doesn't take our "scheduled" days off, but goes ahead & does her work.  She's been very disciplined in her choice of studies.  (Lots to do w/ anatomy & physiology - it seems.)  She's kind of been taking a break from her art studies.  She has 3 lessons done that need to be sent in for grading, but the first of those 3 is a painting project that she just keeps putting off.  It's drawn & the base coat is painted, but it's the details, I think, that she's procrastinating on.  I keep telling her to get it finished so it's not hanging over her head & she can get back to the enjoyment of drawing.   Darci (18 - graduated '06) quit her job back in Aug. so she's been playing "kid" since then.  She's really been focusing on her photography & is doing very well w/ it.  She takes a lot of landscape & artsy type pics & edits them.  She's got quite an interesting collection.  Her dream job would be to travel & take photos for a magazine or something.  She's just about decided it's time to look for another job - maybe working 3rd shift (since that's when she seems to function best).   Tahni (3) isn't in school, but she's learning all the time.  She can sing her ABC's, knows most all her colors, body parts, etc.  She's Taryn's little copycat, too.   Anyway, that's what's going on around here.... Ciao! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/252761/ Sat, 9 Dec 2006 11:31:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/252761/ I didn't realize it had been quite so long since I'd updated here....   Things have been.....busy.  Seems like there's been tons of appointments to get to, practices to taxi the kids to, old house stuff to finish up, football games, business trips for John, etc. & so forth.   School has been.... well, not exactly like what I was envisioning, but I've not really had time to do anything differently.  Kiernan has taken it upon himself to start learning algebra, though!    I've had to study up on some of that myself (or ask John) b/c I didn't know how to do something!  We've been doing some word search puzzles using different vocabulary words (something the kids absolutely love to do!)  I'd really like to get them on a more.... uh..... schedule to follow.  We got some new schoolbookish type Student Handbooks over the summer.  I'd like them to get those out & work their way thru them.  One or 2 of them actually have AP courses lined out.  (Of course, that's more along the lines of "teaching to the test", but at least they'd get some of that info.)  I just need to feel like I have time to breathe, let alone figure all this other stuff out.   I still like the whole unschooling philosophy b/c I can see how much happier the entire family is, following that approach.  However, I'd also like to see a titch more structure to our day.  Sometimes, I look at the clock & wonder what in the world happened to this day?    It seems like, after 18 ish years of homeschooling, I'd be an expert, but I keep learning every day, too.  Maybe by the time Tahni is in high school, I'll have it all perfected.  I've got another 12 years or so before that happens....   Guess I'll go.... got a little one who's dying for some attention.  Happy Anniversary to us!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/213708/ Tue, 3 Oct 2006 17:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/213708/ Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be here for much of it.  It's a good thing the kids are capable of doing it on their own!  I had to meet Jason (my BIL & our realtor) at the old house to go over what needs to be done, as well as put out signs & the lock box.  When we got done w/ all that, I had to run a couple of DVD's back to the rental store & I wasn't sure where it was.  Then I had to pick up a prescription for Darci.  By the time I got home, it was almost 2:00.  I had time to eat lunch, move a bookcase back in the schoolroom, try to get a cabinet in there as well (didn't work), & I had to take Casey to meet John for a football after-game meeting.  I got home from there around 6:15.  Aargh!!!!!   Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better school day..... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/187921/ Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:08:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/187921/ Guess I should start thinking about school again, huh?  Here it is, July 20th, & we will probably start school officially around Aug. 21.  I need to sit down & figure out the dates we wanna take off & when Memorial Day is, & make sure I get our 180 days scheduled.   It's really going to seem strange to be down to 4 official homeschoolers.  I'm not sure what Darci will be doing in the fall.  (Maybe I can talk her into working w/ Taryn on reading?!?!)  She'd be a great teacher's helper!    I think, once we get moved & somewhat settled, I'll start printing off worksheets for Taryn's "Preschool Book" since she loves to do them.  I just really need to get my mind in gear for the whole thing & think about things to do w/ everyone.  I can't believe how quickly the summer has gone!  Lots of things happening that I certainly didn't expect.....   I'll be back again .... someday! Ciao! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/170163/ Thu, 20 Jul 2006 16:02:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/170163/ 1.  Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4 and write what it says.   "God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us."  (One of Taryn's books...)   2.  Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.  What can you touch?    My file cabinet   3.  What is the last thing you watched on tv?   Let's see.... right now, "Yes, Dear" is on.  I  personally watched?  I don't remember, unless it was "So You Think You Can Dance."   4.  Without looking, guess what time it is?   5:10 p.m.   5.  Now look at the clock.  What is the actual time?   5:30 p.m.  (Story of my life... Time just keeps getting away from me...)   6.  With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?  Someone is laughing, the TV is playing, Tahni is being goofy, Camryn is playing the computer next to me...   7.  When did you last step outside?  What were you doing?  4:55 p.m.  I came home from dropping Darci & Taryn off at the gym.   8.  Before you started this survey, what did you look at?  updated blogs & my email   9.  What are you wearing?  Capri jeans, T-shirt, sandals......   10.  Did you dream last night?  yeah, but I don't remember what it was...   11.  When did you last laugh?  Last night when I went out w/ the big girls to see Stick It! & eat at Dairy Queen.   12.  What is on the walls of the room you are in?   3 bulletin boards, clock, picture, Darci's 2 senior picture story boards, family calendar, growth chart, "Parking for Colts Fans Only" sign...   13.  Seen anything weird lately?  If you discount the family, not that I can remember...   14.  What do you think of this quiz?  Interesting....   15.  What is the last film you saw?   Stick It! last night, Superman Returns last Friday, & Ice Age: The Meltdown on Saturday.  16.  If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?  Plane tickets to California to pay off Aunt Lou & Uncle Carl, then LAND & lots of it!   17.  Tell me something about you that I don't know?  I have all different colors in my hair naturally:  blonde, red, black, brown, a couple silver.... John has always called me Calico.   18.  If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?    Make it easier to raise your kids that way you believe is right.   19.  Do you like to dance?  No, not really   20.  Comment to George Bush:  Do you pray about ALL your decisions?   21.  Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?  Darci Lynn   22.  Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?  I don't recall having a boy's name picked out for Darci, but our first boy is John Casey.   23.  Would you ever consider living abroad?   Umm.... no.   24.  What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate?  Well done, thou good & faithful servant.   25.  3 people who you would like to do this quiz in their blog:   Peakmore_Academy   SlackerMom Grace http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/165307/ Tue, 11 Jul 2006 16:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/165307/ Lotsa things going on....  Caitlin was hit by a semi last Tuesday.... she's okay, the car is drivable... just really scared her. We found lice on Camryn - I don't know if she picked it up at the gym or a friend's house. Darci swerved to miss a dog on her way to work on Friday & her car flipped.  We spent 8 1/2 hours in the ER, getting X-rays, saline solution, glass picked out of her hand... but she's okay. Since she crawled out of the car & walked home (she couldn't find her cell phone to call me..) she crawled thru poison ivy or something similar & has a rash all over her arms & legs. John & I spent all day Saturday & Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway volunteering at the Formula One race to earn credit/money for Camryn's gymnastics fees. We also found out on Wed. (6/28) that our offer was accepted on a new house that's more than double the size of ours now.  (We hadn't even considered moving until just a couple of weeks before.) See why I haven't been back in a while?   The graduation open house went very well... lotsa people showed up, some that we didn't really expect to, had plenty of food (waayyy more than enough), & it was actually really fun.  I think Darci enjoyed it too.  Sounds like we may be doing it again next year.... Caitlin wants to go ahead & graduate early, too.   Well, I must be off.... Nothing much is getting accomplished today.  Ciao! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/162548/ Thu, 6 Jul 2006 10:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/162548/ I've been on the go almost non-stop for the last couple of weeks....  Darci's graduation open house is this Saturday.  I've been baking cookies like a mad woman, (42 DOZEN!  ) plus baking angel food cakes, a white & chocolate cake, & making buttercream frosting.  I have a bunch of fruit & veggies to prepare too.  I'm kind of excited about the whole shindig.... It's my first graduate!    The kids have been doing a lot of PS2, Runescape, & StickRPG.  (Especially the boys anyway...)  Darci's been working alot.... doing summer camps at the gym as needed.  She worked 7 hours today & was exhausted!  She, John, & Caitlin went out tonight & it wouldn't surprise me a whole lot if she falls asleep at the movies.   Caitlin's working on her art, plus she's still writing her book.  (She has a Xanga site specifically for her book.)  She won't let me read it yet, though.   Guess I'd better go..... think I'll go rest! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/147408/ Wed, 7 Jun 2006 19:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/147408/ My kids would finish that by saying "Teachers let the monkeys out!"  No, wait.... maybe that's what I'd say!  Anyway.... We are officially done w/ our required days for this school year.  All that's left is for me to get everything logged & host Darci's graduation open house!   I keep thinking I'd like to be just a bit more structured next year, but we all love the unschooling lifestyle so much, it's hard to think about changing it.  However, the kids occasionally say they don't think they've learned much.  I've been thinking, if we throw some "unit-y type studies" in, or more "major discussions", maybe they could see how much they're learning.   Taryn is so close to probably being able to read, I think it would just take maybe of week of concentrated effort & she'd have it!  She was riding in the car w/ Darci one day & they pulled up to a stop sign.  Taryn immediately said, "S-T-O-P spells STOP!"  Darci was flabbergasted!  She started working w/ her on different words, so now she can spell horse, cat, dog, obviously stop, & I'm not sure what else.  She can finger spell as well as write at least some of them.  She's even been learning to tell time on a digital clock!  She'll be 5 in September, so I know it's about time.  She loves to be read to & "do schoolwork", so as long as that interest is there, I should milk it for all it's worth!   We'll see about adding some stuff w/ the bigger kids next year too.  I'd like to do a few experiments so they can see & do, rather than just read about it.  Caitlin is thinking about graduating at 17 also.  Darci's still not sure what she wants to do next year; right now she's really focused on photography.  Probably the best thing for me to do over the summer is to work on a "curriculum" of my own for each kid.    The things I think they need to know & how to get to that point.  For the most part, my philosophy of education is - as long as they know HOW to learn, WHERE to find answers, & WHAT kinds of questions to ask to get there, I've done my job.  Facts are just that....  I graduated 10th in my class of 360something, loved school, but I sure don't remember much of what I learned there.  (I'd have to go back & relearn anything to do w/ math & science especially.  )  History?  Some dates I remember, just b/c it was something "personal" to me.  One of the things I LOVE to read about is Russian history.  (Yeah, weird, I know...)  Did I get that at school?  Nope!  Hmmm.... not sure where I did pick that up.....   Anyway, I'm rambling here so I'm gonna stop for now.  I'm really gonna try to log some things over the summer so I can remember what we've done.   Ciao! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/143512/ Wed, 31 May 2006 15:35:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/143512/ The 4 big kids went to the Fort the other day & decided to bring me home a birthday present....  A snake & a fish!    What a great present, huh?  Unfortunately, the snake later decided to finish eating the fish, then made a break for it.  We haven't seen him since Tuesday evening....   We've been really busy around here.  We're having a graduation open house for Darci on June 10 & decided to paint the entire downstairs, stairway, landing, & upstairs bathroom.  It's a nice, calming "Blue Pearl".  I'm still working on getting everything back together.  Caitlin cleaned up a bunch last night b/c she's having company over this weekend.  She did a very nice job!    There's just a few things left to find homes for.  (We got rid of one of our big cabinets...  It ended up being more of a place to stash whatever we couldn't figure out what to do w/.)  I'll post some pics.... (Keep in mind it's still not completely done!)    There's still a lot on my desk & the kids' desk that needs to find a home, plus we still need to get the kids' computer back in here & set up.  (It's in the girls' room at the moment...)     I think Flame really likes it this way.... he can lie down right in the middle of the floor & totally stretch out!  It really opens up the downstairs again... makes it feel spacious & roomy!   Now, I just need to finish up the invitations & get them addressed & mailed, buy some good quality document paper to print up the diploma, & get started on the food stuff.  I'm thinking I'll make some stuff up ahead of time (as much as I can anyway) & freeze it so I'm not trying to do everything at the last minute!  Should be fun stuff!  (Of course, I can't believe I have a daughter old enough to graduate, anyway!   )   Well, I must be off.... things to find homes for, bathrooms to clean, laundry as always!  Have a wonderful week!   Ciao!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/132908/ Thu, 11 May 2006 09:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LifeOfLearning/132908/