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Its November and I guess we are HOLIDAY MODE already. Joey had a blast with Halloween, literally he was an astronaut. We have been working on 2-3rd grade and pretty much completed 2nd grade. For November we are focusing on Social Studies. I had plans to complete an entire workbook, hopefully we can attain that goal. Just the usual ho-hum of daily life here... things should improve next week when the time changes and I dont have to be at work so early. Meaning I wont be so tired in the evenings. |
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Time sure does fly by. Last weekend Joey and I went to Ohio for my sisters wedding. Joey is staying in Ohio til NEXT FRIDAY.... just hanging out with grandma and doing all kinds of fun stuff. I am enjoying the break. I have not gotten much house work done but such is life. Joey is progressing well with 2nd-3rd grade material. Yes I am a mean mommy and sent him with school work to Ohio... LOL... The seasons are staring to change up there and he is totally enjoying the time outside. He got a new scooter and is burning up the sidewalks LOL When he returns we are going to see a play Charlottes Web and probably a halloween puppet show. I also have secret plans for a pumpkin patch/hay ride in October. Its so hard to believe we are into October already. The holidays sure are coming quickly. This year I am determined to teach JOHNNY APPLESEED in October. |
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Things are not fun when mommy is sick. Nothing gets done. We are going to Ohio on Thursday for my sisters wedding. I hope I feel better by then. School is progressing well for Joey. He is keeping up with worksheets and workbooks at rapid speed. At this rate I fully expect him to finish 3rd grade by the holidays (however I may need some time off so that my not happen) The trip to Ohio will be wonderful for him to experience FALL where trees actually have leaves that change color, real pumpkin patches etc. And I am going to enjoy the 2 wks of peace while he is staying there. Not much else to report. |
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We are back to class and working our way thru Language Arts and Social Studies this month. Joey also is doing a science class at the Library and took part in 'MAD SCIENTIST' Saturday which was a class on Robots. He didnt enjoy the class but I think the legnth was too long. 3 hrs is a bit much for an 'unschooled' child but hey... we dont know these things until we try it. Next month we may try a different class. Joey seems to prefer Art type classes so I will look for that as well. Next week we are going to Ohio on Thursday for my sisters wedding. I will be home on Sunday and Joey will be staying for 2 more weeks. Im going to use that time to clean and organize the house. Joey will continue with schoolwork while in Ohio. My goal is to complete the 2nd grade Language by the holidays and slowly introduce 3rd grade math and science. Im holding back on those subjects hoping to bring everything to the same level. Well a mom can hope can't she? Not much else is new here.... |
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Its official, we have started schooling again. Slow and tedious but we have started. Joey is doing 2nd grade writing and languages. He will beging 3rd grade math and other 3rd grade books. We have been super busy doing errands and a couple classes. Thursday Joey went to a kids cooking class, they made fruit punch with real fruit and confetti bars which is cookie dough baked with lots of gooey stuff on top (marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate chip pcs etc.) It was very yummy and I enjoyed the samples they brought the parents. Today, Saturday was art class. They made this adorable door hanger with a monkey on the front. The kids used paints, wood pcs and more paint. It was messy and so fun. While at Michaels they were clearanced out the summer crafts and items. We got several good things PLUS a handmade floral wreath and M&M'S stationary (from the $1 bin) for $14.00 The summer floral wreaths were 90% off... so it was a grand total of $3.99. No way was I going to leave that. After some more errands we ended up at the Teachers Store. Joey got a 3rd grade science book plus a 3rd-4th grade "solution to bordeom" book. This book has brain teasers and puzzle type activites that are still learning based. Tonight I think we may stay in, do a couple crafts and then some school work. I also need to get the house clean and decide if we are moving or not (probably not). I also can wrap some of Joeys B'day presents if time permits. Its so hot here we haven't even been going to the pool. Hopefully it will cool off soon and we can head up there for the afternoons. Catch ya all later. |
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Joey started with some school work Sunday Night. Just a few pages in his Writing and Language Arts books. He knows the material but he likes to goof around and give me the wrong answers at times. So for now we are sticking with 2nd grade books. He needs to learn to give the correct answer. Dont get me wrong, we will have lots of fun and activities this year as well but if he wants to progress at a rapid pace I need to feel confident he knows the material. We are signed up for a kids cooking class on Thursday at our Rental Office. It should be fun, I cant wait to take lots of pics and post some details. Its also getting time to registar for library activites, science clubs and theater shows... im soo excited to start filling up the calendar with activites and outings. Somedays I think I have as much fun as Joey does. Who would have thought the SCIENCE CENTER would be great, the ZOO is wonderful etc.... We are also waiting for the weather to cool off so we can get back to the beloved Zoo. I am working the early shift at work 6am-230pm which means we get home early but I also have to get up before 5am!!! Im headed to bed. |
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Summer is coming to an end... Public school kids start on Monday. I am still gathering books and information for Joey. He has to finish 2nd grade books and brush up on handwriting then he will be set for 3rd grade. Depending on how quickly he works it may be fall when we make the official switch. The schedules are now printed for the 07-08 season at the Arizona Puppet Theater and Childsplay. At Childsplay we would like to see Charlottes Web, Seussicial, Good Night Moon and Alexander's horrible terrible day. If we get tickets for the first show they are $12 vs $25.00 so that is my plan. The library also has started scheduling crafts, classes and activites. Our apartment complex has a kids cooking class this coming week. I guess that can count for Math, Social interaction and Science, Reading too.. WE LOVE UNSCHOOLING. My favorite Goodwill had 50% off all items today, we got BOOKS... never can have too many books. I'll update more often |
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No updates for such a long time... we have been taking the summer off from schooling... Joey has been doing alot of learning via Nascar... I hope to start listing more learning activites in late August. For the summer we have been swimming, to a Harry Potter Party, several library activities, and just basically hanging out... |
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WOW, Im always amazed how time flies. Over the past 10 days Joey has been in OHIO visiting grandma and grandpa and aunt muffin. He did lots of fun activites and I was in HAWAII.... HAWAII is paradise... Joey comes home tomorrow to start a week of space camp before I go back to work at USAA. I will update and post more later |
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Joey and I had a great week. Last weekend we went to our usual Saturday Art Class and lunch. Sunday we went to our pool. Monday was errands, Tuesday joey went to play with his friends, Wednesday we hung out at Burger King and the library. THursday, TODAY we went to the waterpark, Man did we have a great time. Joey loved surfing in the wave pool and the mini water slides. I had a surprising relaxing time. The park was almost an hour away but during the ride we listened to part of a book on tape "Criss-Cross". At the library we got 4 books on disc, I dont know why I didnt think of that before. Books on disc make a car ride so much more exciting. I am getting ready for Joey to spend 10 days in Ohio, while I go to HAWAII.... my first totally adult vacation in 6 years... Im so excited and so is Joey. HE will be going on a train ride, going to the zoo, the pool, the parks, the INVENTORS HALL OF FAME, plus lots of other fun stuff. I plan on taking a week and just laying in the sun, on the beach, reading lots of good books, and relaxing. Joey is keeping good pace with his school work. I bought him some 'filler' books to stregnthen his language skills and hand writing. He is way ahead in reading and math so this seemed like an opportune time to add some new skills. Right now Joey is watching a new Survivor type show called PIRATES. |
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I can't believe another month is almost over. What have we accomplished? I LOVE THE ZOO. Joey and I went to an evening zoo camp from 6-10pm. It was wonderful. We experienced a private tram tour and saw several animals getting into 'bed time' mode. The kids played a couple games. We treked through the zoo in twilight, then saw animals in the 'dark' those are NOCTURNAL animals. Joey and I were both exhausted by 930pm and I still had to drive home so we left a bit early. We will definately do this program again. Every Saturday am Joey has been going to Art Class at Michaels. They make some pretty cute things, some junky things but for $2 he gets to do a project and have fun. I am going to Hawaii for a bit of an adult vacation in June and Joey is flying alone to OHIO to spend 10 days with grandma/pa. They have lots of activites planned. Joey has officially completed the 'readers' books at the library and can work on novels and such. Im sure he could've done it sooner but he was overwhelmed with all the words and lack of pictures. So now he can check out any books he wants in the entire kids section... WOW how exciting. For Math Joey is starting his 3rd grade books. His handwriting is still lacking so we have taken an extended break from Languages and Spelling and Joey just reads alot. After his trip to Ohio he comes back and does a week of afternoon Space Camp at the Challenger Space Center. I was hoping for one last trip to the zoo before it gets too hot, I dont know if that will happen or not. Joey is also doing the summer reading program at the library. I also found MADSCIENCE camps one Friday night a month that he is excited to attend. We will have a busy and fun summer. On a personal note, I have signed an offer of employment from USAA. This company is much closer to home and is a 20 min commute vs 90. Fuel is over $3 gal and hopefully I can only need one tank a week instead of two. |
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OMG... I almost forgot about posting for FIVE WEEKS... In my defense I had surgery in March and then had to go to Ohio in April for a family emergency. In that time Joey finished 2nd grade math with no problems and he is flying along with multipulication. The weather has been beautiful and we are spending lots of time outside... park days, the pool, just generally buming around.. This Saturday we have an evening camp session at the zoo, im excited... I had planned an adult vacation this summer to Hawaii however that may have to wait as I am searching for a new job...Im doing a bit of babysitting on the side and really just focusing on Jeoy and doing some school etc with him.
Not much more to report.... |
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Wow, another trip to the zoo. Today Joey took a friend with us. The boys had a great time running around. They had a real camel ride, we saw the sting rays again... just a nice day... Im still very tired from surgery. I have a difficult time staying awake for more then 6-8 hrs. I have no idea how Im going back to work on Monday. Saturday we have a lunch program at the zoo, ironically about zoo nutrition. It should be fun and educational. Im trying to get a few last trips into the zoo before it gets way too hot. We had a hot spell last week and I ended up turning on the AC in March ;( We took a trip to the library this week and Joey got a few movies. He is still reading and re-reading the Poppleton series. Also working his way through 2nd grade math. I'll post more about our zoo lunch this weekend |
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I had surgery on Monday and I've been resting a bit. Joey spent a couple days/nights with his babysitter and had a great time. Its around spring break week here so I guess we are taking a week or 2 off by default. Im off work for a couple weeks and things are lazy... But thats the great thing about homeschooling... its totally run by YOUR schedule... I will probably take Joey to the zoo again this week... he loves it there. I also registered him for 2 classes at the zoo, one is a luncheon about zoo nutrtion next weekend and the 2nd is an evening camp session in May. Yes Im looking forward to them. Nothing new to report... just tired... going to bed |
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Wow, the weather has changed, activies are in full swing... here is a brief update Saturday Art classes are going well. Last week Joey made a windsock, this week was a magnetic picture frame, next week is something with GLITTER We finally made it to the zoo, both on Thursday and Sunday. I bought a zoo membership and Joey is enjoying it.. plus its easier on me, if we only stay a couple hrs its not a major expense. I think it was $60 for both of us for the entire year plus discounts on the classes and programs. Thursday we saw the "sting ray exhibit" and the touch pool. the Stingrays were jumping out of the pool... totally awesome. Joey also spent a good 90 mins at Harmony farm, the kids petting zoo.. Also we saw a puppet show about the animals of the desert. Today we saw a tiger in a tree, apparently a rarity... we visited Monkey island, saw the baboons, took the usual tram ride and had a picnic lunch. It was nice just to get out and walk around. The seasons have changed, we are into spring and the daily temps are into the upper 80's and lower 90's. I even got a bit of sunburn today Last weekend we made it to the puppet theater for a great show about PIRATES... www.azpuppets.org On a different topic I am now babysitting Friday nights for a wonderfully sweet 18 mos old girl. The extra cash is nice and its an easy job. I am off work for a couple weeks, im having minor surgery tomorrow... Im hoping I feel good shortly after, Joey and I have lots of fun stuff I can do while im off on leave. We can go up to Prescott, we can go to the Grand Canyon, possibly the OUT OF AFRICA ZOO. Spend a day in Tucson... The weather is nice and I want to get lots of activies in before it gets too hot... Oh yes, we are learning too. Joey is about 1/2 done with 2nd grade math and spelling. He is reading the "Poppleton" series by Cynthia Rylant. Easy reads but fun and silly... |
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We have been super busy over the past 10 days. Joey is plugging along on his workbooks. We are still doing Saturday AM art class... Nothing earth shattering or overly exciting has been going on. We still have not made it to the zoo... maybe this weekend ?? Today Joey is going to 'If you give a mouse a cookie' program at the library, its susposed to be for ages 6-8, I cant wait to hear about it. Next weekend, the puppet theater has a show about Pirates so thats definately on my list of MUST DO's
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Well the weekend seems to have gone well. Joey enjoyed his art class. They made construction paper flower lolli-pop holders and valentines day cards... He came to my office around noon, then we headed home for a quick lunch. We had a great time at the Geography program at the library. We learned about different types of maps, places in the country, states, flags, etc... it was a great learning and fun adventure. We will probably do this 1x month, each month has a different topic and Joey was excited. The program also involved a bit of art work and some computer time. Oh the best part ITS FREE!! Sunday I was lazy and took an afternoon nap. It was raining, such a rarity in the desert that i opened all the windows and let the rain lull me to sleep. Joey did read me a book 'This is a Hospital, NOT the zoo' on the way to Mc Donalds for some playtime. Today, Monday I sent him with Math, Reading and Spelling. He woke up with a nasty cough so I dont know if he will complete all the work. If I have time I will make up some worksheets for him about grammar. Our GOALS for the week, finish the money chapter in math and complete the measurement lessons. Continue working on the reading book and practice handwriting. Wednesday is Valentines day and he is going to make cupcakes for the babysitter.
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WOW another week has come and gone, where does the time go? Joey is still battling his infected finger. Back to the DR we went, got another RX and they wanted x-rays to make sure the bone is ok. He worked in his books this week, plus he did some reading of chapter books. He is re-reading the "Lighthouse Series" by Cynthia Rylant. He is almost done with his Money chapter in math. Tonight we will probably do the TEST. The library has a geography program this afternoon which he would like to do. It sounds fun so hopefully we can make it. He is also going to Art class this morning. Unfortuanetly I am stuck at work til noon so a friend is taking him then dropping him at work. I do not like the spelling/Language books he is working from so maybe I will search out other options if we head to the bookstore this weekend too. Actually at this age I dont think he needs spelling/language so I plan to put that on the back burner anyway. |
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WOW what an eventful and FUN weekend we had. Saturday started out with an art class at the craft store. Joey used ‘model magic’ from crayola and covered a circle box with green and orange. Then he used mini cookie cutters ( im sure there is a proper art name for them) and make little clay decorations.. it looks beautiful. From art we went to the Notary, yes I have been a bit delinquent in notifying the state of my Homeschooling… oh well.. then we went to the Post Office, I had to mail several items and pick up from our PO Box… YEAH my shipment came, I got a new pair of pants and new boots… Then we ended up at the mall and had some great Valentines day pictures of Joey. We did some more shopping at the mall while we were there. On the way home we stopped at the LIBRARY, I paid off the fines and renewed our membership. We live out of district for the library that is closest to our home. It is a very nice library system and the $10 a quarter is money well spent. Joey got 8 movies and a ton of books. He is re-reading “The Lighthouse Series’ by Cynthia Rylant. Once we got home we went to the pool for about 20 mins. Yes the pool in February.. don’t ya love Sunday we slept in, went to lunch at Mc Donalds in Walmart. Joey and I picked up some odds and ends and fresh cookies and donuts… Man were they YUMMY… for dinner I cooked Chicken, Mashed taters and veggies. We have enough chicken for the week now which will make dinners very simple after work. Then Sunday night we did some serious homework. Joey spent about 30 minutes on Math and completed ½ the ‘money’ chapter. I hope we finish the lessons tonight. He is really flying through Math, soon I will need to decide if we are going to get a different 2nd grade book or move on to 3rd grade. He is still struggling with handwriting, quite honestly I don’t think he has the patience which is fine at this point. His verbal skills are great. He did work about 10 mins on spelling and grammar books. Today I sent him with a reading assignment and spelling games. That should be fun. On a totally different topic his sitter quit on me Friday, its just as well as I was getting ready to fire her. She left my child alone in her room for 8 hrs and let him watch Nickelodeon, something he is NOT allowed to watch and he told her that. Wednesday she didn’t feed him lunch so Thursday I packed his lunch and the sitter gave ½ his lunch to her kid. HOW RUDE. The only conflict with me on Friday was after she tried to refund my 4 days overpayment ( I paid ahead a couple days) she gave me a bad check. I found this out when I took it right to her bank and they said ‘sorry no funds in the account’ Yes I high tailed it back to her doorstep and got CASH. Joey really loves the Art sessions and Im hoping to make that part of our Saturday routine. Michaels has a wonderful kids program from 10am-noon its pretty much on a drop in basis for $2 your child gets a 30 min craft. This also helps with our Art at home, he can do some messy projects there instead of my living room. This coming Saturday I have to work in the morning but I’m hoping the sitter will take him. This week is FOAM oh man he loves to work with foam sheet and glue. I hope to be able to figure out how to post some pictures soon |
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Wow, It has been a long time since I’ve posted here. Lots has gone on. Joey successfully completed the first chapter of 2nd grade math. We are skipping around in the book and will probably do Money next. He is also excelling at reading. Suffering from typical asynchronous development is handwriting, but then again his brain is probably moving faster then his hand can. Last weekend we saw Charlottes Web at the theater and he loved it. I’m still not a fan of the story but I survived. Joey continues to be immersed in NASCAR and loves setting up his own track. OH I ALMOST FORGOT our huge adventure of last weekend. Saturday night was the huge MONSTER TRUCK FEST… we got 3 hours of bone chillin’, rip roarin’ monster trucks. He loves it, I suffer through it. It’s a great learning adventure as well as culture. He also loves to set up ‘Freestyle’ at home with his trucks and replay the events. I’m not sure what this weekend will bring. Friday is definitely a trip to the grocery store and he can hang out in the play area there. Hopefully Saturday we can make it to craft time at the craft store and then maybe for Valentines Day pictures?? I’m trying to complete the 2nd grade math book in record time. It mostly seems to be review and should not be a problem. At this age spelling/language arts and writing all appear to be the same. He is going to start doing mini projects about books. I am hoping for one a week, just a small reader type book and maybe a few sentences and a picture about his favorite part. On our list of field trips are the Zoo and the |