A peek into life homeschooling our four kids http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:52:00 -0600 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:52:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/638562/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:52:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/638562/ Here are a few special memories from our 2008 Christmas celebrations..... The kids in front of a real gingerbread house at Disney World: Dressed up for the Christmas service on Sunday morning: Baking cookies on Christmas Eve:  Tree on Christmas morning: Claire loves soccer: All Anna wanted was this parrot: Audrey loved the horse costume: Drew and his Little People Rescue Chopper: The remains of the day: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/636922/ Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/636922/ Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/636142/ Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:05:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/636142/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/627455/ Wed, 3 Dec 2008 10:39:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/627455/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/618096/ Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:04:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/618096/ This was our first year actually taking the kids through the neighborhood trick-or-treating.  In prior years, our church has hosted a Fall Festival the same night as Halloween, and of course we did that, instead.  This year, our church's function will be on November 1st.  So, since we had the costumes ready, I decided to let the kids go around the block. Claire was a pop star, Audrey a pink leopard, Anna a pink princess, and Drew a race car driver. The first couple of houses were fine.  The kids had a blast!  But as we pressed on, feet started to hurt and bones started to chill.  It was 60 degrees outside.  I remember back in the day, way up in the great white north, wearing winter coats under our costumes and braving snow to get our treats.  My kids are soft....wimps....dare I say, southerners! All-in-all, the consensus seems to be that trick-or-treating is okay, but fall festival at the church is GREAT!  We all look forward to the fun and games tomorrow! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/612873/ Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:19:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/612873/ Happy 5th Birthday, Audrey Rose! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/608353/ Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/608353/ This is our first year attending a homeschool co-op.  I was against the idea initially, thinking about the extra time it would take from my week, but my husband thought it sounded like a good thing.  So I did some investigative work, trying to find a group that meets our needs.  I wanted something that would supplement our curriculum, not dictate it.  I found a co-op, thanks to the recommendation from a friend, that does just this.  It offers multiple choices per each time period.  I was able to give my oldest daughter opportunies for art, music and cooking, while the younger ones enjoy a variety of standard sessions with their own age groups.  All this for a very reasonable price! The kids all love co-op!  Even my two-year-old gets excited when we discuss going to co-op, though I think he is more eager to wear his very own back pack than to stay in the nursery ;-)   Four-year-old Audrey asks every morning if today is co-op.  Anna is making friends (okay, Anna makes friends everywhere, so this is no surprise!).  And Claire is excited to have actual homework.  Did I mention she's a bit goofy?  LOL This Saturday, our co-op had it annual Harvest Festival.  It was held at a member's beautiful property.  First, there was a candy hunt through the woods: Then the kids played games.  There was a three-legged race... spin your head on a baseball bat (after finding all that candy in the woods!).... balancing an egg on a spoon.... blowing up then sitting on a balloon.... and running back to the team.... And some gleeful rejoicing when their team won... Later, we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire.  The kids had never experienced a bonfire before, so they were thrilled!  Even Drew can't wait until next year's Harvest Party! All-in-all, a co-op has been a good thing!  I guess that's why God gave me a husband who will push me out of my comfort zone every now and then :-) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/607416/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/607416/ We are studying birds in science this year, using Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day.  This week, our focus was on eggs.  The kids have been learning a lot and they have been having fun doing it!  They especially enjoyed this experiment: Have you ever tried to squeeze an egg before?  I have to admit, we were dubious at first.  We didn't trust that it would work, so we began squeezing over the sink, gently closing our hands around the eggs.  But as we progressed, we began to realize that these eggs really were durable!  As long as you apply equal pressure, you cannot break an egg when squeezing.  And trust me, we squeezed hard!  Who knew?   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/606322/ Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/606322/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/605139/ Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:33:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bggagne4/605139/