The thoughts and news from a stay-at-home, dairy farming, homeschooling mother of 3 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:32:00 -0600 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:32:00 -0600 Day 29, December 16: This is our dog, Buddy. He's a blue heeler and very good at getting our cows to go where they need to go. He's been a big help in the middle of the night, too. When a cow or two gets out, he barks to let us know. However,  he's also been known to bark his head off at any animal that wanders too close to the farm--deer, geese, rabbits, squirrels, raccoon   Day 30, December 17, One month completed!! This is our other dog, Jet, a black lab puppy. He wouldn't sit still for a picture, but I managed to catch him after he had hauled this bag of dog food out of the garage and was helping himself. Day 31: My daughter and 2 of her friends decorating gingerbread houses. Day 32: Here's one way to use crutches--as stilts to make yourself taller. Day 33: After an "elf makeover" Day 34: The elementary Spanish class that I teach had a Mexican Fiesta for their last class before Christmas. Here, Kierra is breaking open the pinata. We acted out "Las Posadas" and ate lots of good food. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/753626/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:32:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/753626/ Day 24, December 11: The first 4-H project meeting of the new 4-H year was a cake decorating meeting. My duaghter spent a couple of hours decorating a gingerbread house. Day 25: The final rehearsal for the church Christmas program. After missing a practice because of the snowstorm earlier in the week, we didn't really seem ready, but somehow these programs always turn out OK Day 26: 3 of the angels, my daughter and her 2 best friends, after the successful Christmas program. Day 27: How else do you get around the barn when you are the favorite cat? :) Day 28: Finally getting around to setting up the Christmas tree. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/752356/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/752356/ FOR TODAY, December 14, 2009 Outside my window...it's snowing and icing again. I am thinking...what to make for dinner for my husband's birthday I am thankful for...the Children's Christmas program at church yesterday was a success, even with a         couple of "technical difficulties" From the learning rooms...was supposed to be a "co-op day" but we had to cancel due to weather I am wearing...jeans and a red sweatshirt I am creating...a Christmas dress for my daughter I am going...nowhere today because of the weather. Don't want to risk it. I am reading...not sure. Just finished a book and now have to decide what to read next I am hoping...my son gets well soon. He's on day 3 of whatever bug he has. I am hearing...Christmas music from my computer :) Around the house...we are finally going to set up the Christmas tree today. I know, better late than never Here is picture for thought I am sharing   More SImple Woman's Daybook can be found here http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/751910/ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:12:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/751910/ I've been without a computer for the last 8 days, so I've been unable to post all my photos, or anything else. So,  here are the latest entries in Project 365 Day 16: Cows grazing in the field outside our living room window. Day 17: One of the many cows we milk each day. This one's waiting patiently for her turn, but not all of them do. :) Day 18: We're supposed to be ringing bells for the Salvation Army as part of our 4-H service project. However, the boys seem a bit distracted by a cell phone. On the bright side, these three boys spent most of the hour entertaining everybody with juggling and dancing. Day 19: Baby Jacob, the son of our friends. Day 20: George the kitten. She's (yes, she's a girl) the favorite in the milking parlor, frequently getting carried around by whoever is milking that day. That's her mom, Rat, behind her. Day 21: I saw this car in a local parking lot and had to get a picture. Somebody really believes in getting into the Christmas spirit. Day 22: The first snowstorm of the season left us burried under over a foot of snow. Day 23: The day after the snowstorm, the temperatures dropped to around zero. These kittens figured out rather quickly how to keep warm--stay in front of the heater in the parlor all the time. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/751189/ Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:13:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/751189/ Day 10: Eric is enjoying his Black Friday purchase--Rock Band for Wii. The problem now is since I was thinking about getting this for him at Christmas, what do I get him now? Day 11: Our second Thanksgiving with family included going bowling with all the kids. Day 12: It's polka dot night at Awana! Day 13: Janelle finally gets a turn on Rock Band Day 14: After a long day of working outside, it's really hard to stay awake at the computer. Day 15: Pea, one of our barn kittens, is fascinated with the TV. Maybe she wants a chance to play Rock Band, too? She was allowed in the house because she was looking so cold and wet out in the barn (and I'm an old softie when it comes to kittens looking sad) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/748936/ Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:24:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/748936/ Day 6: Lots of soap=really big bubbles! Day 7: Relaxing after a long day of getting around on crutches. It's amazing how tiring that is! Day 8: Just part of the over 400 jars of garden surplus I canned this summer & fall. Day 9 (Thanksgiving Day): It's turkey time! This is one very hungry teenager! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/747751/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/747751/ FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009 Outside my window...a little bit of fog on a warm (for WI) November day I am thinking...about the Spanish classes I'm teaching today I am thankful for...warmer than normal weather :-) From the kitchen...putting a roast in the crock pot since I'll be gone most of the day I am wearing...jeans and a Christmas sweatshirt I am going...to ring the bell for the Salvation Army with my kids and another family soon I am reading...just finished "The Missing" by Beverly Lewis. Not sure what I'm starting next yet I am hoping...my daughter's foot heals quickly so she can get off of crutches Around the house...need to get ready for Thanksgiving Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Bell ringing for the Salvation Army   Join others in the Simple Womans' Daybook here http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/747017/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/747017/ Day 2: My little girl on crutches for the first time. We're not sure what she did to her foot. We're waiting for the final diagnosis from the Dr which is hopefully coming soon. Day 3: Our homeschool group took a field trip to Ye Olde Schoolhouse on Nov 20. We spent the day in a one-room schoolhouse, learning how students in 1917 spent their days. We dressed for the day in pioneer-style clothes. Day 4: It's hard to believe that Christmas is getting close. I'm directing my church's Children's Christmas program, and we're having rehearsals on Saturdays. These are the older kids, grades 3-7, working on their parts for the program. Day 5: Sunday evening means Awana. Here we're working on small-group time, learning verses. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/746793/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:11:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/746793/ Here's the poem my daughter and her friends wrote for me for my birthday and then recited at Christmas Program practice the other day. My Mom How sweet the name of my mom sounds in my ear. She soothes my pain and boo boos. She is pizza to my hungry tum-tum. Yum yum! She is my hiding place from my brothers. She rises early to milk the moo-moos and showers away that sweet cow aroma (Thank you!) It would take more than two 21 year olds to replace you. Even if you quiver at liver I still love you. I tried to bake you a cake with a snake but the snake decided to hibernate Before the snake went to hibernate, he ate the cake So enjoy your non-snake cake. Happy Birthday from All of us!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/746622/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/746622/ Today was a field trip day for us. Since we are doing a co-op with Prairie Primer and learning all about Laura Ingalls Wilder, we decided to go to Ye Olde Schoolhouse. It's a one-room schoolhouse from the early 1900s here in Wisconsin. All the kids (and some of us adults) were assigned names of real people that attended the school. We dressed like they would have dressed and even tried to bring a lunch that was appropriate to the time period (no pre-packaged foods, etc). It was a great experience for everybody. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/746400/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:10:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/marysmooz/746400/