HMJ-October 28, 2011

In my life this week:

Fast paced days and a trip to the ER with the 2 year old.

In our homeschool this week:

We have done well to get our core subjects completed. Natalie and Adam are chugging right along in their math and phonics. Natalie is also doing well with her reading and spelling. Adam is finally writing all of his letters and knows their sounds, so we are going to start adding in a few high frequency words next week.

What’s working/not working for us:

Having a toddler with 2 staples in the back of his head is not really working for us. He has no idea how to stay calm and not wrestle with everyone. I just have to keep reminding him of this! But then again , I can’t expect to much…he’s a boy and he is 2!

Questions/thoughts I have;

I prayed over my son as the doctor was putting the staples in his head. I prayed and prayed aloud, which is something I wouldn’t normally do (I pray, but not out loud and in front of other people, normally). This is just to show how powerful the God I serve is. He brought me to a place of complete awkwardness and made me shine. I felt powerful!

My favorite thing this week:

Praying with a child that is not my own and feeling peace for the both of us. I also moved him to tears and myself after a hard situation and praying.  This child is heavy on my heart and I hurt for him. I know he knows Jesus, but I want more for him. I want him to have a relationship with Him.

Something to share:

Here is my baby with 2 staples in the back of his head. He was playing outside in the wagon and the person pulling the wagon didn’t realize he was trying to get out while it was moving and Travis fell backwards onto the gravel in the driveway and landed on a rock. He had a 5 mm laceration, needed 2 staples and is doing well.

HMJ-October 14, 2011

In my life this week:

I have to say, I have had a great week. Nothing to great or to bad happened. Fairly quiet, content, routine week. I love weeks like these!

In our homeschool this week:

We added Science in our studies this week. Natalie loved it. Adam on the other hand wasn’t feeling well the day we did our science so he missed out. Natalie keeps asking  everyday if we are going to do more science. I say, we are only going to do it once a week at this point. If they want more, maybe we can add it in as we have time?

What’s working/not working for us:

I hate to say this and feel like an awful mother at times, but then on the other hand I don’t feel bad because I don’t see a problem with it at times….our kids watch television and play on the computer a lot of times during “school hours”. I don’t know if this is a bad thing or not, its not as if they sit in front of one or the other from the time they rise till bed time. I have tried to limit time with television, I have tried no television during the school week and then I just give in and let them watch it because they then drive me crazy in a sense! So I am wondering on how I find a happy medium for our family?

Questions/thoughts I have;

Do you allow your children to have free range of computer time and/or television during the school day?

My favorite thing this week:

I have to say it was Moms Night Out with our homeschool group of moms. We always have a great time and have great food!

Something to share:

These are the treats we got at the Apple Orchard last weekend. Apple cider slushy, apple cider in an apple, and an apple doughnut were a few things we sampled while we were there.

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In my life this week:

Do you ever feel like life has got ahead of you? Well that is how I have felt this week. I had the feeling that I had my home had spiraled out of control into a disaster, I had no control over anything, and couldn’t get motivated to do much of anything. Although, come Thursday and Friday, God had given me grace and I am, again on the top of the mountain. I have taken control of the laundry, dishes, and our normal day to day cleaning. There is a lot to do daily and sometimes I get overwhelmed on where to begin. My husband works outside of the home, and I work inside of the home with my daycare.  My God is the only one who can help me overcome, rise me up, and lead me in the direction He wants me to go. So I lean and ask Him to take me! He is so faithful!

In our homeschool this week:

This week has been lead by an un-schooling approach. My kids have not done much “book” work, but have taken interest in learning what they want to learn and when they want to do it. Its actually been a lot of fun. They have learned a lot. We have had sporadic talks about Heaven, Hell, and Satan. We have drawn dinosaurs. Built with Legos. Played outside, made cakes with rocks and grass in the yard! Pulled weeds and picked our pumpkins that grew in our yard. Its has been a great week for us! I am so in love with how they love to learn and pick up on things so easily when just given the gift of time and the presence of someone who cares!

What’s working/not working for us…

I have enjoyed getting up a lot earlier than normal. My husband goes to work about 6:20 am. I have been getting up about the time he leaves and getting myself ready for the day before the kids get up. It works so much better, that way I don’t have to worry about breaking up anything between the children  while in the shower! HAHA!

Questions/thoughts I have…

Nothing this week.

My favorite thing this week:

Learning right along side my kids!

Something to share:

Isn’t this so true!

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In my life this week:

Its been a pretty good week around here!

In our homeschool this week:

We have taken a few breaks with our schooling. We had 3 official school days this week. I needed to get something's done around the house and we skipped school!! We were due for a break anyways right!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We had our normal Monday Co-Op. Church on Wednesday night. We are going to a bon fire tonight to have s’mores, hotdogs, and great fellowship with friends!

My favorite thing this week:

MOMS NIGHT OUT! I had such a great time with a group of homeschool moms.

Something to share:

I am amazed at the depth of my daughters (7) mind and understanding. We talked about the events of September 11, 2001. She amazes me! Here is a picture of what she drew after she took in all of the information. Natalie truly expresses herself in her drawings. It’s a way I can fully grasp what is going on in her mind.

Natalie 7 Years Old

9/11/11

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In my life this week:

Life is still pretty crazy around here. It was nice to only have a four day week, although weeks like this might seem longer than most. We had a pretty good week all together, and took a few days off so that I could get things together and focus on a few other things in life.

In our homeschool this week:

We finished with two days of “school” this week.  We have been reading every night and doing outside of the box things for learning too.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

The only place we went this week was church on Wednesday evening.

My favorite thing this week:

Actually sitting down, and having a bit of time to myself in the evenings. So what do I do with this time…I read of course. I love Beverly Lewis, so I am reading The Shunning.

Something to share:

I would have taken some pictures this week, but the batteries in my camera are dead.

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In my life this week:

Have you ever had a week where you would like to crawl in a closet until it was over? Have you ever prayed so hard for Jesus to come back?  I have had one of those weeks. I have been up and down emotionally and am feeling weak and inadequate of all God is calling me to do on a daily basis. I feel so overwhelmed at times, but know I am doing what He wants me to do. Does that make sense?

In our homeschool this week: 

 We started our first co-op classes on Monday. Natalie and Adam are taking a Phys. Ed. class and art class. I am of course in the nursery with all the littles!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

The kids and I went to the Childrens’ Museum this week and then to Taco Bell for lunch. It was a free day because we used their free pass for the museum and free taco card that they earned from the Summer Reading program at the library!

My favorite thing this week:

 I cleaned and straightened up my laundry room. Washed. Dried. Put away. ALL of the laundry. I love being ahead of the laundry pile!

Something to share:

A picture I snapped on our trip at the museum. Don’t you just love the Mr./Mrs. Potato Heads!!

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In my life this week:

I’ve had a good week, I think this week has been sort of long? Well the days went quickly, but the week itself has drug on. 

In our homeschool this week:

I am so proud of Natalie! She has worked so hard with her reading, math, phonics, and grammar lessons. She has gone above and beyond what I would have asked of her!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

Our favorite outing this week was to Wednesday night Church. It has began and we are glad. I am not taking a class at this time, so I enjoyed reading and journaling while classes were in session. Michael is taking a Wild at Heart Men's study, Natalie and Adam are doing their lessons with peers and Travis is hanging out in the nursery.

My favorite thing this week:

Watching Natalie and Adam just flourish in their school work! They worked so hard!

Something to share:

I know we live in a fallen world. I ask that we all be praying for our world, nations leaders, and the people that are so dear and special to us along with our enemies.

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In my life this week:

This has been a busy week, exhausting and emotionally draining week for me.

In our homeschool this week:

We are working on our Sonlight and floating right through. We are doing well, and we even got in Tot School.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We have a couple of new kids that we are babysitting, playgroup, and our normal day to day errands.

My favorite thing this week:

Enjoying the precious time I have with my children and husband.

Something to share:

This week we celebrated my mother in laws 63 birthday, we are going to take her out to dinner tonight for a grand celebration with the family….

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NENE.

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In my life this week:

We have been on the go!

In our homeschool this week:

We have started our new school year! Its is going great! I am amazed that when we read bible stories together, the kids know most of them! Makes me happy!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We had a field trip to the zoo, trips to the park, a baseball game and meeting at church!

My favorite thing this week:

We were at the zoo later in the afternoon and got to see quite a few of the animals have their dinner. My stomach was turning watching the alligator eat an entire chicken.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Check out some wonderful blogs on www.heartofthematteronline.com

Something to share:

SSHHHHH….don’t tell my husband, but I have a date with the laundry room this weekend!

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In my life this week:

This week has gone by fast! Spent a lot of time with great friends.

In our homeschool this week:

We are gathering the last of our books that we will need for the year.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We had two birthday parties to attend, play group, and dinner at a friends house.

My favorite thing this week:

We have found a new favorite book store! Since the Borders Book Store is closing in our area we have set out to find a new place to purchase books. We ended up at The Old Book Barn, this place sells new and used books. I was in heaven and so were my kids! Its 14,000 square feet of books, antiques and some specialty items. Its amazing! I found 5 books we would need from our Sonlight Read Aloud list. And paid nearly nothing for them. We will be going again shortly!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

I did some research on my homeschool record keeping. I have decided to use The Homeschool Tracker, basically because its FREE and I can use it on the computer! Which means no paperwork lying around.

Something to share:

Me: Travis its time for bed. Travis: No, I baseball. (while holding the Wii remote) Me: No, you are going to bed. Travis: no. no. no. no. no. NO NIGHT NIGHT!

Wow! He’s almost 2.  Gotta love this kid!

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In my life this week:

I am feeling a little over whelmed this week, but in a good way!

In our homeschool this week:

We have not done any actual school work. I have been looking through our materials and have my list of books that I still need to order. There really aren’t that many, but I do need them in order to begin our Sonlight Core.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We had quite a busy week. Lots out outings and a lot of fun. Baseball games, homeschool swim party, playgroups, and the youth group came over.

My favorite thing this week:

Was Thursday night, we didn’t have any plans! We had dinner as a family and all was well!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Does anyone use a homeschool planner? If so, what do you use? I have downloaded Homeschool Tracker, I think it looks neat!

I am currently reading:

My reading list is complete for the summer! I think I am going to take a week off of reading! I am going to finish reading the kids read aloud and take a break for everyone!

Something to share:

My husband and I went on our date night with two other couples. We went to a little restaurant in town that makes all of their food from scratch! I mean sauces, pasta, jalapeno cornbread with strawberry cream whip and a chipotle sauce that goes on most of their items.. There were so many things on the menu. I had chicken meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and Michael had a steak and garlic mashed potatoes! We had a wonderful babysitter and her kids watch our kids! They had so much fun! What should we do for our next date?

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In my life this week:

Life was a little busy this week! Its been very hot this week and we have spent a lot of our time inside!

In our homeschool this week:

We did not really do much of anything this week outside of reading, reading, reading and some more reading! I have put my curriculum list all together and am working on getting our workboxes in working order. I am still working on organizing some of our school materials as well…does this ever end? I’m beginning to think it doesn’t!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

I have an in-home daycare and we had a new little one start this week! I am definitely getting my baby fix! He’s six months old, loves to be cuddled, carried in the baby sling, and absolutely loves my kiddos!

My favorite thing this week:

This is so sad…I am so excited that God provided time for me to clean the floors, organize and straighten up our house and give me time to update my blog! These are all areas where I let my “stress” be relieved!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Last week I talked about Natalie and her reluctance to read. I have to say that this week alone she has made great strides. We have started over in our reading. I began working with her at the very beginning. We started with Sonlight’s 1st grade reading program. She is reading the very first I Can Read It Book. She is doing very well. I also assured her that no matter how great of a reader she becomes, I will always read to her for as long as she allows me too! I am so proud of her, she is working so hard at this and is starting to see the fruits of her labor!

I am currently reading:

Bringing Up Girls. By Dr. James Dobson. My final book from my summer reading list.

It seems that I am taking a long time to read this book, but actually I can only read a little at a time then let the book sit a couple of days and come back to it. I am amazed at the information in it, that it takes a few days of prayer and thought to fully comprehend all of it!

Something to share:

My husband and I are going on a date tonight! I’ll update you all next week!

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In my life this week:

A very slow paced week with little outside activities!

In our homeschool this week:

We worked on Math, Phonics, and Reading.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We went to our co-op book sale. I spent a total of $10. I know, I broke the bank. I ended up getting Natalies math for next year, a couple of reading books and board books.

My favorite thing this week:

We went to a fellow homeschoolers home for a playdate and borrowed a lot of reading books!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

So, I have an upcoming 2nd grader who is a very reluctant reader and doesn’t like to read by herself. She likes for me to read to her. She enjoys looking at books, but doesn’t like to read the words herself. If she does read the words she acts as if she doesn’t know the words, but she has read them before. This issue has been going on for about the last year. I am very frustrated in this situation and don’t quite know how to go about handling it?

I am currently reading:

Bringing Up Girls. By Dr. James Dobson. My final book from my summer reading list.

I have learned way to much from this book about myself, my daughter and the relationship between daughters and fathers. Dr. Dobson has written this book beautifully, I have cried and laughed and even had a few epiphanies!

Something to share:

My most current idea about Natalie and reading. A friend said to me, Do you think Natalie might be scared of loosing the closeness with you if she begins reading all on her own? Do you think she might be scared that you won’t read to her anymore?

So, my thoughts are that….Natalie could be scared that I won’t read to her anymore, but I will always read to her, as long as she will listen to me!

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In my life this week:

We have had a wonderful week.  We traveled about an hour away to stay at our friends house over the 4th of July weekend. We had a great time, the kids played, we ate great food, and had some really fun fellowship.

In our homeschool this week:

A friend has given me a few Core A things from Sonlight, I have been researching what I will use of Sonlight and won’t use. I am pretty impressed with the Core A and am planning on using it this coming year with my 2nd and K.  I am working on gathering the books that go along with this and looking at getting the 2nd grade reading books.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We didn’t attend playgroup, or any outside activities other than baseball. Adam played his last game of the season on Thursday. We sort of played it low key this week. We needed to recuperate from the weekend and get things done around the house…LAUNDRY!

My favorite thing this week:

Adam hitting the ball for the last time of the season. then celebrating at DQ with ice-cream and the team receiving their trophies! They all worked so hard this season, looking forward to next year.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

I can’t think of anything….

I am currently reading:

The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson (this is the 3rd of 4 on my summer reading list)

I am still reading this. Its been at least 2 weeks. I have been busy!

Something to share:

Travis At Baseball

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In my life this week:

I was very busy!! Mother by day and VBS teacher by night!

In our homeschool this week:

I have reorganized our supplies and materials! We have it all ready to go and workboxes are loaded, lesson plans written out for a week, and copies made. I even put together Tot School things for Travis. I still need to sharpen pencils…ahhh!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

This week we spent the evenings at my MIL’s church for VBS!

My favorite thing this week:

Definitely VBS! All my kids keep saying THANK YOU GOD!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Any tips for my toddler while I am doing lessons with my older two?

I am currently reading:

The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson (this is the 3rd of 4 on my summer reading list)

I may need a few suggestions on books to read, I mean I only have one more to go!

Something to share:

Sorry, I would have put a picture of VBS. I forgot my camera all week long.

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In my life this week:

Nothing has gone as I have planned or scheduled.

In our homeschool this week:

We had planned on beginning our 2011-2012 school year on Monday. Well we did our work for that day and then the week got away from us. I don’t know what I was thinking? We have baseball going on, VBS next week and the rest of June is booked. I am going to hold off starting our new school year until after July 4th, when life as we know it slows down a little.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We did our usual play group on Tuesday and had a picnic lunch. We went to a Backyard Bounce in a local park. This was  put on by our local Christian radio station, they had so many things for the kids to do. They got to go on a few bounce houses, hula-hoop, play on the playground, get balloons and run around with friends.

My favorite thing this week:

Date night with my hubby! We went to a free concert with Sanctus Real at a local church. It was a lot of fun and we even got to worship the Lord! My husband even arranged the babysitter! I am pretty proud of him for this.

What’s working/not working for us:

This rain that we have had here in town, um..we had two nights of baseball rained out. I mean we need Adam to play, he only has 2 games left. Hopefully we will get to play this week and no more rain!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Any tips for my toddler while I am doing lessons with my older two?

Something to share:

Our Date Night

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In my life this week:

This week has been great. We have had some very HOT weather, but have still spent a lot of time outside in our kiddie pools and at the baseball fields and zoo.

In our homeschool this week:

I have finished up our lesson plans to start next week. Hopefully we stick to them and will accomplish a lot!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing:

We had a fieldtrip to the Zoo, 3 nights at the baseball field, playgroup, we drove to 1.5 hours to visit our Great-Aunt Rosie at her house on Saturday and we went to lunch.

My favorite thing this week:

God has answered many prayers this week, some have been very minuet and some large. As I have said for the past few weeks, I have had a foggy mind in some things for our family. I believe God is working firsthand with this and beginning to reveal little by little. My mind has cleared a little! I am continuing to lean on Him and not my own ways. Every morning I have woken with the same song in my head, and heard it throughout the day. The song of Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you. This is such a LOUD phrase to me right now!

What’s working/not working for us:

We are planning on starting our 2011-2012 school year on Monday! I’ll let you know if we stick to our lesson planning, schedule, and Moms FIRMNESS!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have:

Does anyone use workboxes?

Something to share:

 

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In my life this week….

This has been a whirlwind week. Mike was off all last weekend and also on Monday for Memorial Day. We spent Memorial day at home and played outside and did a little cleaning. We then went to the cemetery to show our respects to my husbands dad, and to a dear friend that passed away a couple of years ago that my husband went to high school with.

In our homeschool this week…

This week has been all about cleaning out, and checking to see what we have. We are going to start our new school year on Monday. We will have a 2nd grader (7), Kindergartener (5), as well as a Tot Schooler (20months)!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We have gone to the library 2x this week. We signed up for our summer reading program. I allowed the kids to pick how many books they would read/ listen to. Natalie picked 7, Adam picked 5, and Travis..well I answered for him and said 10.

My favorite thing this week was…

Thanks to Nene, the kids have enjoyed playing outside in their new pools. We got little plastic ones. I am hoping these will last all summer! The kids have enjoyed “swimming” in these! They will go far from the pool, start running towards the pool all while screaming “HOMESCHOOL RULES” as they proceed to jump into the pool!

What’s working/not working for us…

I have decided to move our “classroom” out into the open area of our basement, where our living room is and toy area. I am hoping that this transition will brighten up our work area and help us focus a little better.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

Last week I was looking at how to plan all of our assignments and keep track of all that we do. Well I have made my own sort of planning sheet/assignment sheet. I will be filling it in at the beginning of the week and we will work from that to see what work we will do daily. I am also using this blog as a sort of online scrapbook of our homeschool journal.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

A life lesson…when sending your children outside to play in water in the hot, hot, hot, hot afternoon when the sun is shinning and clear blue skies are amongst us: USE SUNSCREEN! The two older kiddos and I have got a little burnt on our shoulders. We have learned that we will be putting sunscreen on from now on. I just plain forgot to get it out! I now have it sitting on my counter!

Homeschool Blessings

Jackie

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In my life this week….

As I sit here thinking of what has been going on this week, I am a little challenged. I am in a strange place right now, I’m not sure what it is. I am questioning some things with in my heart. I have let them go to the Lord and I am now (patiently…ahem..clearing throat)  waiting upon His answer! I love how he answers me in different ways,  I know he is trustworthy.

In our homeschool this week…

We have not had any “formal lessons” this week. We have talked about things when they come up, watched the birds in the yard and read some books. Other than that we have had a pretty laid back week.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We have been to three playgroups this week. I know! Three days of playing with other children outside of our own home. My, my, my homeschoolers are so unsocialized! HAHA!! I just love to think that we are home all day most days and this week we were like “normal people”. We were out of the house three mornings. This is crazy! We had great times though and are building relationships with people!

My favorite thing this week was…

This might be crazy, but normal to me….I enjoyed cleaning my room and seeing how much stuff I can purge! I love to get rid of things, especially if I know someone that can benefit from it!

What’s working/not working for us…

I am beginning to plan for 2011-2012. I already have all of our curriculum! I am so proud of this! Well we still need to get some readers and reading books, but I will get those as needed or borrow from the library.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

I am trying to figure out what will work as far as a homeschool planner or daily sheet. I have looked around for some, but haven’t come up with anything I am liking or looking for. I need the “perfect” one.

What do you use to plan your day? Do you write out all of the assignments daily/weekly? Do you use an online planner? Any feedback would be appreciated!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Travis the Baby Chef!

(Please excuse the messy counter and dirty dishes)

Homeschool Blessings

Jackie