I'm Back

Here I sit staring at a blank screen.  I'm really not sure where to start.  It's been just over 2 months since my last post.  And as a homeschooling mom who constantly harps on "just write something"...I find myself sitting here just typing into the great unknown. 

If you write it...what...if I write it, then what.  Some amazing thing will occur??  Hmmm.

Well, no, not exactly.  However, as my children can eventually attest, just writing is good.  It helps you get your thoughts and ideas out there.  Does it matter if no one else is listening or reading what I write?  No, not today.  Today is for me.  Today is a new beginning.  Today...I'm kicking my tires, scraping off the ice and telling everyone around that I'm ready to get started again!

I've had a good last couple of months.  Life has been crazy, but then again isn't it always?  We have two new family members...cats...lol.  They are just like having babies.  My house is getting cleaned up, but it's still a mess.  I always feel like we're broke...oh, wait...sometimes we are.  My husband and kids are wonderful...except when I'm a raving lunatic.  Homeschooling is amazing...except when I feel completely inadequate.  I'm getting out and making new friends...who are just my friends because they feel sorry for me (insert old issues here).  I've started exercising again...you know I'm just not going to say anything here, you can insert your own nasty comment.

See, overall life is absolutely amazing!! 

God Bless!

All in a Day's School Work

So, this morning I got up and found myself faced with a tickle in my throat.  Ugh!  I'm not at all excited by this.  AT ALL!!  Anyway, I got up and made the butter braids my sister had out on the counter rising.  These things are so yummy.  Really, if you've never tried them...you must!  I made cream cheese and apple.  Mmmmm.  We did a few loads of laundry, which I'm happy to say my kids were great about helping me.  Yeah, go kids!!

After breakfast, the kids and I sat down and began our school for the day.  I checked in with each of the children's instructional supervisors.  (This year we are doing online school, so there is someone we answer to...it takes some getting used to for me...I like to be in control.)  The ladies are lovely.  They have been very helpful and are always eager to do what I need.  There are just things that I don't always like or want.  School work was a huge success today.  I am always so much in awe of my children.  I am so happy for them and so proud of them.

Much to my little guys dismay today he drew pictures and had to do copy work about his drawings.  He does not like to draw or color, so we try to do this every week.  It's very painful for everyone involved.  He also did spelling, reading and math.  Of course, since we tend to do our work around the kitchen table, he also studies whatever subjects the girls are studying.  He listens and answers questions.  Even if he's playing with his toys at the table while they are doing their work, he's getting more.  :)

My middle daughter began working on spelling today.  We reviewed her words and she took spelling tests.  She also wrote a letter.  Mythology was the next subject for her.  She LOVES mythology.  Next, she worked on her multiplication.  We had a light bulb moment there...so exciting!  Then, it was off to reading and she rounded the day off with science...whew...that girl was crazy today!

My eldest was equally amazing today.  She flew through her history today.  She did so many lessons I can't even count.  I am always excited by the amount of information she retains when she reads.  I am also excited that she enjoys working on this subject on her own with just a review from me.  (I loathe history...really, I do.)  This has been both a good and bad thing about the online schooling.  She has more independence and can move at her own pace; however, sometimes I don't have a clue what she's talking about when she's got a question...I have to look through the book and her lessons, etc.  grrr...  Although, the questions are fairly few and far between....which leads to the other bad thing...I miss the one on one time with the school work.  I like teaching.

So, school is good!  My kids are great!  And, I am the luckiest mom in the world...that is until tomorrow when everything falls apart and the tickle in my throat becomes something worse and nothing goes right with school and the ice hits and ....and...and...Okay, maybe I'll stick with it's all good!

God Bless!

Force: Push and Pull

While visiting my niece at her school, my children were able to study their school work with me in the library.  My middle daughter had some science homework to do.  One of the things we needed to discuss and review was force.

After reviewing the vocabulary, and reading the lesson (boring!!), I decided that we needed to apply the concept.  So, guess what we did.  Any ideas?  None.  You sure?

Okay, we grabbed a rolling chair and I had my son and my middle child push and pull each other around the library and office.  It's all about the application and what we can do with what we learn, right? 

God Bless

Dinosaurs

I'm not sure how this has turned into dinosaur week at my home, but somehow we are there.  We are currently making a model of a dinosaur.  Tonight my son got some green paint on his teeth and my husband told him not to worry because it could just be the dinosaur's food caught in his teeth.  My son piped up and said.."Dad, he's a carnivore not a herbivore"  "Hello."  Ha ha ha

We also made white chocolate dinosaur suckers today.  My son enjoyed two of those and gave one to Daddy.  There's still one left, but since I don't like white chocolate...I'm sure it will be eaten by someone else tomorrow.

Maybe we will just head to the library and check out some books and then get the Land Before Time movie.  :)

I'm enjoying this special time with my little man.

God Bless

Schooling over the Phone

So, my oldest and I just did homework over the phone.  I must say that was an interesting way to do things.  Although, I must say that I am so very lucky that I have such wonderful children who are so willing to do the many crazy things I ask them to do.

Missing and loving my girls tonight!!

God Bless

I'm back and on the Road to??

Well, after a few days off for the holiday season there were many conclusions that I have drawn.  Here they are.

1.  I have an addictive personality.  Whether it be blogging, facebook, scrapbooking, eating, cooking, etc...I am there!!  Now, why oh why can't that translate into exercising, spiritual development, and other really wonderful and worthwhile things?

2.  My husband and I need to go on more dates.  I really enjoy when we have time out and away.  It's so easy to get caught up in everyday things and not enjoy each other.

3.  I worry so much that I am ill equipped to teach my children.  I am always concerned that I am not doing enough or that my children are not going to do well.  Over the break, we received my middle daughter's reading test results.  She did really, really well.  I was very happy.  She has been homeschooled since K and she's now  in 3rd grade.  This was her first state test.  Ahhhh.  I'm okay.  Whew--ha ha ha

4.  I'm scared of dying.  I had to go to the emergency room over the holidays.  No, I didn't cut my finger in the kitchen again.  Before I left the house, I found myself kissing my children and thinking what if this was the last kiss they got from me.  I was worried for them.  I was okay for me...but I was worried for them.

There are so many things that I could go on and list, but I won't right now.  Right now, I am reflecting on what I have written and hoping that I can make sense out of what I have discovered.  I think that is what is truly important with self discovery--what you do with the information.  Where do you go from here?

Good luck on your road of self discovery and God Bless!

I love the library!!

If you haven't been to the library lately, you should go.  I absolutely love the library.  Although, I'm not sure who likes it more...me or the kids.  :o) 

Our biggest dilemma, when we go, is deciding how many books we can check out.  The kids always want to check out more than me.  Don't get me wrong, I love that..but whew..it makes our library basket over flow at home.

So, that being said, my eldest is checking out 5 this time.  My middle daughter is checking out 1 HUGE book.  And, my youngest...he has a whole pile of them.  He decided he wanted to read about fire trucks this time.  We went back for one book and it was down hill from there....twelve books later....lol.

Now, some of you may think wow that's not much!  Uh, we are taking it easy this week since we are having company.  There is no reason for them to have tons of books.  The plan is for them to visit with their cousins.  :o)

I hope you all visit and enjoy your library.  If you live close by, please go to one of our incredible branches here.  We have an amazing library system!!  (Go Columbus Metropolitan Library System!) I am so lucky to live here.

p.s.  I have two great friends that work at the library---HI!!  You guys rock!

Happy Reading and God Bless

Fun Science is in the future!!

We are studying animal and plant cells.  It was supposed to just be for my middle daughter's homework; however, my little guy wants me to wait until he gets finished with his work to start her science.  ;o)  Uh, okay...you twisted my arm.  So, drawing a diagram and labeling it is fine.  Reading books and talking about it is okay too.  But, really, hands on is SO much better.  And, if we can eat too...it's totally a win-win!!

The kids and I have been discussing the best medium with which to create our cells.  We are making both types since they differ.  We discussed jello and cake.  There are pros and cons of both.  The jello is wiggly and really, really fun to mess with; however, after much discussion, we agreed that cake would give us more options.  (We still may have to make some jello jigglers just for fun in the future!!)

That being decided here are some of the ideas the kids had the cells and for the parts.   First, since the plant cells have sturdier cell walls, it will be a cake baked in a glass pan.  Can you guess what we are doing with the animal cell?  It's going to be cupcakes.  They want to surround the outside of both cells with air heads...I told them we'd compromise and go with fruit roll ups.  The nucleus will be some sort of gummy candy--they'd really like to find a gummy brain.  The nuclear membrane will surround the nucleus and will be made of rice krispie treats.  (not sure of the color yet--the jury is still out on that one)  For the plant cell, there will be either green M&M's or green sprinkles.  (I'm voting for M&M's!!)

We still have more planning to do.  The kids are super excited about this project.  This is going to be dessert for Thanksgiving week.  They want to share with Aunt Lori.  ;o)

I'll let you know when the project is finished and I'll post pictures.

Have a great evening and God Bless.

Ring Ring...answer when He calls

Although I fought against the calling of homeschooling, I am very happy that I accepted God's call.  It's been a joy and pleasure to be a part of my children's lives in this way.  Yes, there are days when I think "I need to get out of the house...alone!"  Absolutely, there are days that I feel like I am not enough for my children.  (Don't we all??)  I worry that I'm not giving them the things they need. 

Then, I take a deep breath and think about the fact that I'm not alone.  God wanted me to do this for a reason.  He knocked and knocked until I answered.  He would never give me more than I can handle...and he will never leave me alone. 

He has given me a fabulous support system.  I have an amazing husband who supports me in our homeschooling journey.  My bible study group is always encouraging and caring about any crazy homeschooling thing I decide to do with my children.  (..like when you decide to teach them the periodic table by using real people...uh, that's coming soon and I'm gonna need volunteers!!!)  I'm also honored to be a part of a Catholic homeschooling group that lifts me up spiritually too!

Finally, I have been given the gift of an amazing set of children.  They enjoy the "one room schoolhouse" setting.  They like working together.  They enjoy group projects and family dinner conversations about how to build an edible plant or animal cell.

If when thinking about all of this, I can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  There are a few things tend to remember.

My favorite verse:  Romans 8:28  All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things?  If God shall be for us whom shall be against us?

Finally, last but not least, I love, love, love to think about the poem Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson.

If you have an inspirational verse, poem or story that you'd like to share...please do so.

Thank you and God Bless

What to do for School?

Even though we are enrolled in BOSS this year, I still like to enhance the children's education with extra projects.  We attend weekly Academic Enrichment Classes which cover a different subject every month.  Additionally, we go to the library about once a week in order to peruse the shelves.  The children also enjoy tennis lessons, soccer (for my youngest), clay classes, and 4-H.  --Although, these last things listed won't start again until spring.

With the extra things in mind, I also like to make sure my children feel passionate about their school work.  They don't have to love everything, but I want them to love learning.  I need them to have fun with school! 

So, we try to take the subjects that BOSS presents and adjust them to our needs.  We might make crafts instead of just reading the mythological lesson.  There might be experiments instead of just reading in the science book.  You get the idea.

I need to decide where we go from here.  That's where I am this morning.  I'm thinking about my children's future educational needs.  What do I need to do to meet those?  What can I do to make their education more fun and exciting...while still creating that all important learning environment?

Hmmm.  A great deal to be thinking about this early in the morning.  Yet, at the same time, I think about this all day everyday, so today is really no different.

So, where do we go from here??  I will always be planning for tomorrow and looking to their future, but hopefully living in the today with them!!   


Enjoy your children today and God Bless

Lazy Saturday

What an amazingly wonderful day!  After our yummy breakfast, the kids got out their computers and started doing school work.  No, I didn't ask them to this.  I am just that lucky! 

My little man is really interested in science, so he studied plants on the computer today.  He reviewed the parts and the life cycle of plants.  We decided to put studies in action, so we took some cuttings of one of my plants and place them in water.  We already have some growing on the counter, but you can never have enough!

My middle daughter decided she wanted to go back and review the human body.  She's always excited to learn new facts that she can share with me.  She likes telling me things and seeing if I already knew it.  :o)

Finally, last but not least, my eldest child did some school today also.  Guess what she did.  Well, anyone who knows us at all can probably guess the answer.  I have a tween who reads like a fiend!!  In fact, that's all she wants for Christmas this year.  Books, books, books....

We followed up the unplanned school time with free time for the kids and a early afternoon movie date for my husband and I.  It was so nice.  We don't go out very much.  I don't like to be away from the kids.  I really am a homebody.

Tim and I saw Morning Glory.  I laughed out loud in the theater.  No, really I did.  Of course, there were only 4 of us in the theater!  Ha.  Which made it all the more funny as I was cracking up at this movie.  I'm quite certain the people several rows ahead of me thought there was something wrong with me, but I just thought this was such a funny movie!  Now, that being said...I could have done without some of the foul language in the movie.  I mean why do they do that???  It could have been just as funny without that.  I would still see it again.  (It was funny!!!--even my husband was laughing)  Although, now that I think about it, I can't be certain whether he was laughing at me or at the movie!

Lunch was spectacular and eventful.  Joseph came up to me during lunch with blood dripping down his face.  (nice, right?)  We had a tooth malfunction.  So, while chewing a bite of my sandwich, I pulled a tooth.  Go me!

We wrapped up our evening with a family movie and homemade soup.  It was a fabulous day!!

Happy day and God Bless!