Every year around this time we usually study the pilgrims & The First Thanksgiving. I feel like we have given adequate attention to that topic so I asked my DC if they wanted to let's take a different approach this year in our study & they said yes. That's when we decided to study the Indians & their side to the story.

     It has turned in to a major indian study, not just the Wampanoags that were at the First Thanksgiving. We started with the Wampanoag & then my daughter wanted to study Sacagawea. So now we have pulled in the Shoshoni & the other tribes associated with them. My son said he wants to study Geronimo so we are going to pull in the tribes associated with him.

     We are going to do lots of comparisons with clothing, homes, traditions, tools, diets, etc. I have an indian DVD set that come from Sam's that has a great deal of the different cultures so we are going to use that. Between these DVDs and our library books we should have an abundance of study on our hands. I know this is going to take us through Christmas I'm sure.

     Oh, & I almost forgot, their dad & they are building a wigwam & a teepee. The children are excited over that. They are actually going to camp in them & cook like the indians. I don't know any better way to learn something better than just putting your hand in it & doing it. Hands on, they should learn so much.

     Our other studies are coming along. I need to clerify that I have a fifth & sixth grader. When I say we are getting ready for the S.A.T. it is the Standard Acheivement Test. Don't ask me why, but our covering that we are under calls it the S.A.T. so I have gotten used to calling it that also. This will be our first year to take it. We have wanted to do it in the past, but something would always prevent it. Hopefully this year in March we'll get to.

     We are just sitting here tonight riding out the storm from Ida. So far it's just a lot of rain. The wind hasn't been bad, thank God.

     Enough for now. I think this is a pretty good update of what we are currently doing. Until next time, Traci

I was able to snap a few pictures of Mark at his game this weekend.  He and Sam almost always play at the same time.  Between trying to watch both games, cheer for both boys, video both games and snap pictures -- well, I don't do a very good job of getting all that done.  :-)

Mark and Jackson

I took this picture to show the green on Mark's face.  He had very much enjoyed the snack of a fruit roll-up thing.  The green doesn't show as much in the picture.

        Our schooling has been a bit different this week. We have been working on a Spectrum Test so I can see where my DC are lacking in their subjects. I want them to take the S. A. T. in March. I am trying to see what areas we need to cover between now & then.

     There are a few things on the Spectrum Test in math that my DC haven't been acquainted with. I want to pick up some worksheets or a math program that would just cover those areas so I can familiarize them with those areas. I have been looking at Math Mammoth for an opption for this. Is anyone familiar with this program? I have not used it in the past. If so, how long  are the lessons & can you cover about two lessons a day without it going overboard in time?

     Things have been some what strenuous wwith our studies this week, but they'll level off tomorrow. We are going on a field trip. They will get to be with some of their friends so they can unwind. We will be outside the greatest portion of the trip so they'll get plenty of exercise.

     Well, it's not time for me to unwind just yet so I'd better go. We have to get back to the books. I just got on the computer long enough to let my DC get a bite to eat. Until next time, Traci

Bekah had surgery to repair her collar bone.  It's hard to believe it's been five weeks; however, for her, it has definitely felt like five weeks.  She hasn't been in pain but the restrictions have made that five weeks seem like ten weeks to her.  She had a follow-up appointment yesterday and the doctor was very pleased with her progress.  In fact, he released her and she doesn't return to see him until the spring.  He said she might even be able to play spring soccer.  She is now free to run but must be careful.  He told her he still doesn't want her taking a fall and no contact sports.  She is so happy to be able to run and play.  As soon as we returned home yesterday she was outside running and playing. 

Here are her x-rays from yesterday:

Last week Mark took his first official Math test.  I haven't been giving him any tests because I know if he's mastered the material or not and he's just in Kindergarten.  He wants to be just like the "big kids" and that means doing school like they do (on his own as much as possible) and taking tests like they do.  So last week he finished his Pace and took his test on Friday.  He was soooooo excited.  He ran to tell Bethany, "Bethany, I get to take a test tomorrow.  I finished my pace and I get to take a test tomorrow.  I love this school.  I love this school.  I love this school"  He was jumping up and down shouting how much he loves "this school", which translates to this curriculum.  It's funny because he has completed several other books but they were all thicker and didn't bring nearly as much excitement.  Something about these small paces and finishing one and starting another really bring him joy. 

Here he is with his completed test:

He was very happy to begin his new pace today and was sure to ask me "Mommy, do you have a lot of these for me?  I am going to be needing more very soon." 

It's such a joy to see Mark growing and learning more and more each day.  Yesterday morning while getting ready for church he had some "issues".  He wasn't happy about the pants he needed to wear.  He ended up getting them on but still had a bit of an attitude about it.  We went on to church and planned to deal with it when we returned home.  As church began, he still had an attitude and would pull away if I touched his shoulder.  I instructed him that he was being rude and he needed to get his heart right.  The service went on and we listened to the teaching etc....  It came time for communion.  During our quiet time to prepare our hearts for communion, Mark came to me and asked me to forgive him for being rude and not showing love.  He then went to Brooks and asked Brooks to forgive him for having the attitude about the pants (Brooks was the one dealing with that)  I thanked the Lord for working in the life of Mark and for Mark hearing and responding to the Lord working in his life.  God is so good to give us these glimpses along the way.  It is an encouragement to continue on this hard work that is before us. 

     My children & I are so excited! We have a new expansion to our home library. We had gone to a store in our local area & we found great books for only $1.49 each. I picked up a few of them, but there were many of them that I desired to have in our library.  I thought, I'll just purchase a few of them & order the others later on line. Whhen I got home I looked them up on line and soon discovered the blessing that I had received. These were books that ran from $27.00 to $34.00 each.  What does a homeschool mom do when she realizes that she has come across a great bargain, yes, your right, I went back the next day & loaded my buggy with some different titles than what I had purchased the day before. I spent about $60.00 but if I had purchased them on line or at a book store I would have only gotten 2 books for that price. I count my blessings, Praise God!!!!

     Here are some pictures of our blessings:

     Now we are only having one problem with all of these great books. Which one will we begin with on Monday? Oh, & what makes these books & even greater blessing is that we are studying United States history this year & at least 3/4 of these books make up our curriculum.

     I had started using living books & my DC loved learning that way. So This year I thought I would use A Beka's United States history for a scope & sequence & pull in books to go along with it. A great portion of these books will do the job. My God always does all things well. He has blessed me again.

     I may fail God in so many ways & have to pray for forgiveness & mercy, but He has not failed me yet. Thank you Lord for your blessings on me, Traci 

     Our schooling is moving right along. We haven't been in the books, but we have been schooling right on.

     We have another book report coming up on Monday so we have been reading library books & research on the internet to get them together.

     We have been listening to the audio of "Anne of Green Gables" as we travel in the van. In which my children are dearly loving.

     We came out of our A Beka math book to pull in some extra worksheets and other things for fractions.

     They brought in mosquito larva in to look at under the microscope. Why mosquito larva I don't know, but it's all educational.

     Lots of out door time for nature.

     My DS is reading a biography on Mark Twain & my DD is reading a biography on Cleopatra VII.

     Our library books have been about plants & wetlands so much Science.

     We have just been enjoying our selves. Maybe we'll get back to our routine of my lesson plans soon. If not, we'll just keep trudging along in the areas they are interested in at the present moment.

     Well, I'd better let that be all for now. We are on our way out the door to get my Niece. She is coming for the night.  Until next time, Traci

I haven't really decorated Amy's room. Up until now she has shared with her brother, so I didn't do much. But, we're shuffling kids around in our 3 bedroom house, and pretty soon Amy will be all by herself in her room. The 11 year old is going to make a bedroom in the sunroom (we need to add a door) and the three little boys will be sharing the big bedroom. My prayer is that God will add another little girl to our family and then Amy won't be lonely!

Here's the nursery now:

So, I'm looking for inspiration to redo her room (for very little cash).

this is cute from Design Dazzle

and maybe a homemade rag rug (go here for tutorial)

The boys were having a wonderful time in our beautiful weather yesterday so I grabbed the camera and snapped a few pictures. 

Mark is so blessed to have such an amazing older brother.  Sam is so patient and loving with Mark.  Equally, Sam is blessed to have Mark for a younger brother.  Mark looks up to Sam and wants to be just like him.  He is often doing -- or attempting to do -- a chore for Sam or something special for him.   As I watch the boys play and interact together, I am reminded of the seminar that S.M. Davis does on "Why Satan Wants Your Firstborn" and I completely see what he says and totally agree with it. 

This one is blurry but I love the smile on Mark's face:

I am certainly blessed.

Bethany is really enjoying this soccer season.  She had to move up to the U13 division this year.  She was so looking fwd to playing with Bekah.  Of course, all of that ended when Bekah got injured. 

Bekah's team had their end-of-season party on Sunday.  Here she is with Coach Jeff:

and w/ Coach Jon:

These two coaches are amazingly wonderful.  They love the Lord and we were blessed to have them as coaches. 

And here is Bekah's collar bone as it is healing.  This is just after all of the bandages are off so the yellow spot is residue from medical tape.

Her next appointment is on October 20th.  She is healing very nicely and is doing more and more each day.  She is feeling so much better that she is now tired of doing nothing (well, tired of just sitting around and reading etc...)  She's feeling so much better that she'd like to be able to run and play.  Her bone is achy when it is cooler outside.  She had that happen for the first time on Sunday when the temps were lower.