Here We Go!

Our new school year has begun!!

When the kids were in public school back in NC,

we opted for the year round schedule.

At first, I was honestly worried about

having them home
ALL SUMMER!!

What in the world would I do with them?

How would I keep them entertained?

Would they lose everything they had learned in school?

Then couple that with the potential of 

taking vacations "off season" 

when rates were cheaper and beaches were emptier...
They would only be home for 3 weeks
at a time...

We figured we would give the
year round thing a try.

The idea for the year round school is typically

9 weeks on

3 week off

They don't line up that neatly, but that is the basis.

When we decided to homeschool, 

we decided we liked the freedom of the year round schedule...

After muddling through our first few
months of homeschooling,
we are finally ready to
jump in!

The boys finished the math books and language books

we were using as our schooling to complete
Kindergarten and 2nd grade.

After hunting and searching, I finally decided to 

continue down the modified
MODG path we were on.

I am using the same materials for both boys
but on their grade level.

Abeka: 

Math, Language, Spelling, History, Science

Rod & Staff - Pathways:

Reading & Comp

Religion:

Seton

Geography:

Road Trip USA


I have been feverishly trying to figure out the best
way to handle their assignments
and trying to figure out some sort of schedule
just to make things go more smoothly in this house.

With the help of some new homeschooling friends,
over a couple week span,
I put all of the boys daily assignments in excel.
First, by subject,
then there is a "master schedule" that is
arranged by week and day.

Week 1 for R, looks like this:

(click on it to make it larger)


We have opted for a 4 day school week.
Basically - it is 5 days of worked put shoved into
 4 days...BUT - there is room for "catch up".

R gets these assignments on Monday morning.
It is HIS responsibility to get them done!
After breakfast, I park at the kitchen table.
The littles come and go as they please,
and the big boys get busy.

There is still a LOT to figure out,
but this week was a GREAT start!!

We managed to get all of the assignments
on R's list done.
Except for all of the history.
We are going to work on that though.

Our first "break" is scheduled for the
first week of July when Grammy comes
to visit.
We will use that week to "catch up"
and visit with Grammy!

Until then...
Here We Go!

Accountability Check Up

Time for an accountability check up...

What have we been up to and how are my

"projects" going?

Well the budget is going...

QUICKLY!
Between purchasing next year's school books
(more on that later)
Paying Taxes (yes, paying - FIRST time ever - don't ask!)
Easter
An out of town family reunion
(also more on that later)

April's budget was blown before the month even started.

I am keeping up with my workouts

and enjoy them most days...

I manage to do it about 4-5 days a week

for 30 minutes each time
yet I am still

chasing those first 5 pounds!!!

Meanwhile, 

my darling husband is 

QUICKLY 

approaching 30 pounds
LOST!!

I don't get it!!

I am trying to stay motivated

and it definitely helps 

that I am not breathing as hard
during my workouts

and I feel better, 

but 

the weight is just NOT

melting off of me

like it is 

my sweet hubby!

UGH!!

We have all adjusted to the 

nap time/rest time each day.

If you remember, 

the boys have enjoyed sleeping in the

box that the elliptical came in...

I separate the kids at rest time

and one "gets" to sleep in the box.

I feel SO bad saying that...

but they literally 

take turns

"getting" 

to sleep in the box!

It is quite funny.

And they insist on the top being closed 

so its dark.

Whatever works

and

makes them happy

and

gives me a few minutes of
peace
and quiet.

But I promise...
I DO NOT
MAKE THEM
SLEEP IN A BOX!

This week we finally made some decisions
on school books for next year.
I am basically following this
curriculum 
with a few adjustments
that more suit me.

We might be joining a small
co-op for the fall
where each parent leads a different class.
Art, history, science, memory work.
But it is still getting organized.

I have mentioned before that J is
done with his math book.
R got so excited after looking through
the 3rd grade math book,
he came home that afternoon
and did 11 pages out of his math book.
And is so ready for 3rd grade!
Fine by me...
I will NOT squash his drive and desire!

I am thinking about testing him in a few weeks...
gonna look into it.

So besides blowing our budget,
buying school books for next year,
getting my car registration transferred down here,
(after waiting in line with 4 kids for an HOUR)
practices,
scouts
and every day life...

We managed to fit in a couple of fun things.

The Easter Bunny was able to fit some interesting things
into the kids baskets.

The older boys each got a
"paint your own ball"
kit.
J - soccer
R - football

First you have to pump them up,
then paint them,
then let it dry,
then paint again,
then dry,
then paint,
you get the picture.
They might be finished in another month,
when I finally feel like letting them leave them out
to dry between coats.



The littlest two got
some sand for the sandbox
I insisted we ship all the way from NC.
But I wasn't allowed to bring the sand with us!
So it sat empty on the back patio
til now.

And a bubble machine
(that I *just* got around to putting batteries in)

They also each got a chocolate bunny
and I let T eat part of one.
And, for whatever reason,
he doesn't like having his picture taken lately...
so this is what you get...

We were sent another craft from one of their sweet
crafty aunts...

I didn't snap a before picture,
but she sent bunny cutouts
that said
"No bunny loves you like Jesus"
and asked the kids to create a "home"
for the bunny.

So we got out the scissors,
construction paper,
glue,
markers
and
pom-poms

And they created these
masterpieces...

Finally,
we are getting geared up for our first
"official"
visit to daddy's office.
Since he is on base, and a civilian,
he is not authorized to
escort others onto the base.
So...tomorrow is a special event
that families can come to.
In order to get on base,
I had to have an updated registration...
which I didn't...
(blame it on the move)

Hence, the NEED to stand in line for an HOUR
with FOUR kids
to get my car registered here.

While I was swapping license tags...
I *finally*
got around to a few more vehicular updates.

Before
(SOOOOOOO sad to see this go - feel free to send me a new one!)







After
(how stinking cool is this thing??? and oh so true - thank you Mimi!!!)




And I will still be rocking the NC State Wolfpack tag on the front
until I am told otherwise
by those men in blue
that might insist that I put the front tag on my car
that I got when I received the back tag.
(atleast I am assuming that is why I got 2 tags - haha)

And I am sure I will have TONS to share from my first
family reunion with this side of the family.
I am so looking forward to it!!!
(seriously!)

Week In Review

This has been a busy week.

I have all but abandoned the

curriculum that had me 

giddy with excitement a few weeks ago.

After getting into it

and reading through 

the materials

it is just not me.

There are many reasons,

but suffice to say - 

the hunt continues!

I told you last week that 

R had written a letter to his old school mates.

At the request of one of my sisters...

we are adding letter writing to our weekly

lessons.  

So aunts and grandmas...

be patient and 

check your mail!

Each week a letter will be written to a different person.

It is an exciting addition to our lessons.

We officially signed A up for dance.

We chose the "hip hop/cheer/tumble" class.

Well actually, she did. 

And she LOVES it.

I captured a few pictures

through the glass.

They aren't the best, sorry.

(warm up laps around the studio)

notice the shirt!!  

Go Pack!!

stop for a couple of jumping jacks

 more jumping jacks

standing on their "x" spots

touchdown move!

We had a birthday this weekend.

 A turned the big 3!!

We started the day by getting up 

SUPER early to have everyone at 

another 8am basketball game. 

Then on to a football game.

Couldn't find a jacket that fit little man...

so we borrowed brother's.

He got a lot of laughs and giggles when I let him get down

and walk around a bit.

Makes me think of ET.

Let me out....

For those interested in keeping count

After this past weekend:

Blue Jays Basketball is 2-1

Wolfpack Flag Football is 2-1

We came home briefly to regroup. 

Then went to an eat-in theater to watch 

a private showing of

Beauty and the Beast.

(oddly no one else showed up to watch the 2pm showing)

That was a first

and 

AMAZING 

cause we could let the little ones wander

a little.

Then we took Ms. Priss to 

a habachi restaurant

which was NOT

like the ones back home

and it will probably be a one time visit to that one.

She passed out on the way home.

Then we had to wake her to do her cake

and presents.

Kitty pony tail holders that didn't make it through one church service without falling apart.

I stuffed the errant bow in daddy's pocket without telling him and he gave me the oddest 

look later when he found it.  (yep, he is a daddy of a little girl)

Everyone helped open gifts.

Hello Kitty (of course!!)

Made my your's truly!!

Strawberry Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream - YUMMY!

and a great way to KILL a diet!!

T is trying to figure out where his candle is and why he didn't get one!!

Looks like he is ready to dive in!!

Sunday we did a little "Sunday driving"

and stumbled upon this pretty site!!

This is a river on the other side of the 

Medina Lake Dam...

you will see what is left of Medina Lake below.

This is Medina Lake.

The white all around the edges is where the water USED to be!!!

Apparently they drained the lake right before the drought down here

to do some work...

BIG MISTAKE!

If you look closely the "debris" on the far side of the hill are:

docks and a pontoon!!!

We actually looked at some property out this way.  

It was beautiful!!

6.33 acres

in a planned subdivision 

with a pool and clubhouse...

wonder what will become of this.

Then Monday we got some much needed rain.

I, personally, LOVE the humidity when it comes.

Feels more like home!

We got a nice steady soaking most of the afternoon.

The kids and I actually sat doing their school work

at the kitchen table with the back door open listening to

the rain.

Then as I started dinner, they wound up on the covered back porch.

And silly me, uttered the words...

"Don't get wet!"

Yeah - fat chance on that one!

I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I didn't 

want to encourage them in their blatant disobedience.

But I witnessed my 

two oldest boys

using coolers and anything they could find

to fill up

the babies' empty turtle sandbox

then they hiked their pant legs up to their knees

and proceeded to stomp and squeal with delight 

as they took turns in the turtle sandbox that they turned into a kiddy pool.

(as much as a 7 yo and 5 yo boy squeal with delight anyways)

All daddy and I could do was just sit there and watch.

Eventually the baby girl got chilly and came in.

Then things got crazy and the boys

asked to go on the 

trampoline...

Hopefully I got some cool mommy points from the boys for this. 

I remember the joy of playing in the rain

when I was a kid.

Question...

So I was at the grocery store with all 4 kids (as usual)

and in the produce section talking with the boys

about apples and which

flavors we liked and didn't like

and what to look for when picking out apples.

Then a lady walks up to me and says

"Do you homeschool?"

I looked at her like she had 4 heads and said 

"actually we do, what makes you ask?"

She said 

"usually when I see women with a large number

of children they homeschool"

This lead into a longer conversation, 

she was a homeschooler as well.

But one thing I have noticed...

In North Carolina,

we were in

the minority

with 4 children

the responses I got from people in NC

were mixed

but always 

pretty shocked or surprised that

I had 

"that many kids".

Down here we are 

NOT in *that* 

minority at all!

I feel sometimes that we are

on the other end of the

spectrum

and have 

an small family.

We love every minute of it.

Down to the dinners 

with NO

peace!

I now know how my dad felt 

on those many nights

when me and my

two sisters never

stopped talking during dinner.

And worse,

we would have these

laughing fits.

Bless his heart!

Daddy - I understand now!  

HA!

But what an odd question to ask 

in the middle of the produce section.

I don't think I look like a homeschool mom.

Do I?

(but then again, what do they look like?)

My new homeschool books are trickling in.

I have all of our supplemental books.

But am waiting 

ever so patiently 

on the syllabus 

and our 

Math books!

Probably won't start on the 

syllabus stuff for another 2 weeks.

We have company coming in

and I am not going to attempt to start a 

new schedule when everything is going to be

somewhat

"fly by the seat of our pants".

You know I will keep you posted.

Gingerbread Houses - Take 2

So the pre-made gingerbread house kit

didn't work out so well.

Due to the kind we chose this year - 

it would not fit together properly. 

Sounded and looked neat in the beginning

but implementation...not so great.

And that is ok with me, 

cause I think the boys got a little

carried away with the decorations!

So one of our new friends

invited us to her house for a 

Gingerbread House Decorating Drop-In.

She made them out of graham crackers.

I have seen and heard of the idea

but never in person 

and I have found a new

tradition for our family.

Gone are the days of one

big gingerbread house

in this household...

Hello individual ones!!

The kids had a great time

and they will eat off of them for a few days

and then it is GONE!

So it is their special snack for the next few days.

We also used it for today's writing

exercises. 

R is writing a story about his

gingerbread house.

J is drawing a picture about his.

Using lots of detail!

(R's masterpiece)

(J's masterpiece)

(A's well decorated attempt - with a little help from mom)

What else have we been up to??

We are still doing well in the homeschool

area and still "winging it".

BUT there is an end in sight!

I met my new best friend.

At least that is what I told her she was gonna become!

I am one that I really like to see items in person

before I bite the bullet and order on line.

(It is a whole lot harder to change my mind and return

stuff I buy on-line)

I have been struggling with which math style to use:

Saxon

Singapore

Abeka

etc...

On one of the local yahoo groups, she was getting rid of all 

of her singapore math books.  

I was so excited...

I wanted to go over and look through the books and

see if it would fit us.

I arrive at her house to learn she is pregnant with #8 

and has been homeschooling for 9 years 

(her oldest is in 8th grade).

I was so excited.  I told my husband 

I wouldn't be long when I went to visit and look through her

singapore math items.

Oh was I wrong!

I got home 3 hours later and 

had a PLAN!

I was beside myself with excitement!

I left there and had decided to do something

I would have NEVER decided to do on my own.

I spoke with my husband,

and he agreed.

So we settled on following the

"Mother of Divine Grace" 

curriculum.

It is a classical Catholic curriculum

that is VERY inexpensive

and they have it all organized out 

you purchase a syllabus 

and then the books individually

and follow the syllabus.

I can do this!

That is exactly what I have been looking for!

Reasonably priced

AND

it has all of the lesson plans done for me!

I am sure I will tweak and add and subtract things.

The best part about all of this is

"I" decide!!

So we are gonna start off attempting to follow it 

and add a few things in here and there.

I am very eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new goodies!!

This is mainly for, my oldest, R.

And somewhat for my second son, J.

J will also use parts from Confessions of a Homeschooler

and A, my 3 year old, will do her PreK curriculum.  

A already knows most of her alphabet and the sounds they make

but she is not ready to move on to other more advanced stuff yet.

I don't want to push her too hard.

So she will get to do lots of fun stuff with the PreK stuff.

I am excited to get it.

But we probably won't get REALLY into it for another

few weeks.

It is amazing how much time it takes to get this stuff ready!

But its ok - it is a great feeling working on it 

and seeing the results.

I acquired a bookshelf, lamination machine and paper cutter over the holidays.

The bookshelf houses our books - imagine that.  And looks better than it ever has!

(our paperbacks organized by reading level)

The lamination machine and paper cutter are already being used

and have helped me develop our HCIA -

Household Central Intelligence Area.

I will add to it as we go.

But for now,

It is helping J learn about the calendar and days of the week

and we will move on to months of the year.

And I am attempting to keep up with a weekly 

schedule too.

So the kids will see what is coming up in our week.

Mom and dad too.

Scouts, sports practices, special events

(like gingerbread house drop in).

And special snacks,

I am also going to do a little more baking with the kids.

So special snacks will include,

homemade soft pretzels

more granola bars (but with real oats, not quick cook!)

There will be a few more posts coming up about some of the other 

excitement over the holiday "break".