Spirited Sons

Welcome to My Blog!

Schooling two active boys has never been more... interesting. That's the word I'm looking for! I love my boys! God has given them the blessing of strong, active bodies and minds. We continually pray the first will remain intact, and the second will remain engaged with Him first, and then the school work. You'll meet my sweet sons, both entirely different, but both loving God to the best of their ability in the way He made them. I lovingly refer to them as my Bell Pepper Boy and my Habanero or Hambone. That should say it all! This blog is an eclectic mix. The events, conversations, and the thoughts behind it all will be in here. Every once in a while I'll try to capture something I don't want to forget. I hope you find things you enjoy. Please let me know if you do! Blessings!

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Completing Grades
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Choosing a Language Program

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Friday, July 18, 2008

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Posted in School Things

I'm sure I'm not the only one gearing up for the upcoming year. Honestly, I know there are those out there who are on a year-round schedule, so you've got me beat by a mile already. ;') I was doing some prep for the year, and I thought how much I have favorite things about my school prep that I love (and some things not so much). In an attempt to count blessings and share them with you, I thought I'd create an entry about my favorite things. In case you were curious . . . .

My first and most favorite thing is my Home School Tracker Plus software. After attempting to keep records in a home made spreadsheet (and I like Excel way too much, just ask my Hero), I decided I preferred having all of my records in one place and not having to program each cell to do what I wanted. (Hero is glad he doesn't have to check my math and correct my mile-long formulas, I suppose.)

Home School Tracker Plus has so many more features than the basic version I began with. While the free basic version was a help, I can't stop praising God for inspiring someone to make HST Plus. It's a lovely gift to me (almost as good as coffee and chocolate . . . almost). Not having to compute anything is the biggest blessing to me. Having a report card to hand to the kids so they can get all the same free things other schooled kids get . . . priceless!

So, then this leads to a second favorite thing: Yahoo Groups containing HST lesson plans! Oh, thank you, Father, for inspiring people to create lesson plans for my software. That they are generous is an even greater blessing. Free downloads? Does it get any better? Not everything is exactly as I would do it, but to have a framework (or a complete) plan is a big blessing for me!

Yes, I know. I live in Illinois. There are no requirements for me to maintain records. It might even be more work for me than I will ever *really* need to do. But, this school teacher has an agreement with her principal and her students. I will keep my promises to the best of my ability. And, if HST makes it more reasonable for me to do that, even better! *grin*

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Winding Down. . .

Posted in School Things

My first grader is nearly finished with everything. So, he's off working on his Lego present that has 1,366 pieces. I wonder if I'll see him today.

My fourth grader is contemplating the sweetness of being finished with school. It's a shame the work still stands in his way. :'P

Me? I'm editing a friend's book, supervising school, and performing "dog doorwoman" duties for our indecisive pack.

I'll be checking the corners of the Blog Universe at some point. Hopefully, I'll get some time today! I spent more time on the Walking in the Word blog today. :')

Love you, friends!

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Monday, April 28, 2008

A Little Encouragement

Posted in School Things

Some of you may be receiving SoCalVal's Yahoo Group e-mails. For those that do, you know how encouraging she's been in her posts the last week or so. (I'm so blessed by her encouragement over finishing the year strong...and finishing, in general!)

So, today I read that schools rarely finish their curriculum. I read that most home schooling moms don't finish their curriculum either. (Hmmmmm.) That was fairly freeing.

You know what was more freeing? When I read it to my Dashing Hero, he said, "See-e-e-e-e? It's okay! You don't have to finish everything!"

*sigh of relief*

I'm going to look for my nearest "escape hatch" now. . . *giggle*

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Going Green?

Posted in School Things

I had to laugh a little bit. A friend of mine was sharing the other night about her experience with "going green" in her world. She has three very lovely daughters, the oldest of which is becoming much more aware of the recycling opportunities around her. She was so moved, she took boxes (more than one) to be used as a recycling center in their garage. That wasn't enough. She took it a step further and sorted the already pitched garbage to show how much they could have been recycling. (We both giggled at that. My friend made mention of the "cult" she thought was occurring.)

All that aside, I'm starting to think. I know I'm not the only one turning this over in her mind. Some of you have been going green for months...maybe years! Me? I'm an anemic shade of chartreuse at this point, I suppose. So, what should I be doing? I'm not sure yet.

I think we'll be focusing on this some more in the near future. Any ideas? (Without the scary, mean "recycle or else the planet is going to blow up or implode" kind of pressure, please.)

Thanks!

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