It has been brought to my attention that I have not updated this blog for many months. Not that I didn't know that already, but the reminder was my call to action. So do I delete, or begin posting again?
This is the question I will be pondering for the next couple of days. Decision-making is not my forte.
Ginny, please check the comments on the last post! :)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A Few More School Photos
Our "Homeschool in the Woods" timeline... blank for now, but ready to go.
The Science Box- We spent a little bit of time putting together ziploc bags of supplies for each of the activities/experiments we need to do for science. I compiled a list of missing supplies at the same time... no more skipped science activities because we couldn't find the right stuff!
A small, easy to use arts and crafts box
Friday, June 19, 2009
Summertime and the livin' is easy
When I proposed a two week long summer break, followed by "fun" summer school sessions, I was practically boo-ed out of town. So the kids are having their lazy summer vacation. The books have been put away. The school-morning routines will have to be re-learned, for sure. But clearing the cobwebs from their little minds in the fall just may not be necessary.
We've all been working on our Spanish. Nicholas is using typing software to learn how to type instead of peck, totally of his own accord. Noah is learning to play the melody to Greensleeves on his mandolin, even though his teacher is AWOL. Elijah is gaining proficiency in counting money through playing a Reader Rabbit computer game.
Nicholas spent several hours one day measuring and drawing to scale the layout of our home, including immovable furniture (the piano and woodstove). All other furniture was measured and added to the layout with tagboard pieces. His motivation? It looked like fun, and the next time I want to rearrange the furniture, it will save him from making unnecessary moves- since he's usually the muscle behind my madness. You can see a miniature version of his floorplan in this photo.
We also realized that we can use magnets on our metal doors to hold up posters instead of using pushpins and making holes in all the walls. We've lived here for over 2 years, and I just now thought of that. Sometimes I am slow.
In preparation for learning American history next school year, we have purchased the Liberty's Kids videos. My children have been absorbed in the story of the American Revolution since, and their play reflects it. During the episode about Thomas Paine's Common Sense, Noah looked at me and asked, "Mom, is that the same Thomas Paine who was a deist?" Me: "Ummm... (consult Google)... Yes! How did you know that?" It's amazing the things they learn from The Sugar Creek Gang (the everynight bedtime story).
The children also tried writing their own invisible messages after watching Liberty's kids. I found the results the next day...
There was also a sticky spot on the floor where someone spilled the lemon juice and neglected to clean it up. They are still kids, of course.
I've kept myself busy making teaching aids. We've laminated fish for alphabet fishing, and made these lighthouse cards to use with math. Our first Konos lesson deals with lighthouses, so these shapes (purchased at the Dollar Tree!!!) will make for a fun way to tie math into that. I've also gotten a jump on making some necessary posters for science.
Painting is always a fun activity. I watch for discounted painting supplies when I'm out and about. These canvases were half-price at Hobby Lobby, and made for a good 1 1/2 hour project today with the outside temperatures in the 90s.
We've all been working on our Spanish. Nicholas is using typing software to learn how to type instead of peck, totally of his own accord. Noah is learning to play the melody to Greensleeves on his mandolin, even though his teacher is AWOL. Elijah is gaining proficiency in counting money through playing a Reader Rabbit computer game.
Nicholas spent several hours one day measuring and drawing to scale the layout of our home, including immovable furniture (the piano and woodstove). All other furniture was measured and added to the layout with tagboard pieces. His motivation? It looked like fun, and the next time I want to rearrange the furniture, it will save him from making unnecessary moves- since he's usually the muscle behind my madness. You can see a miniature version of his floorplan in this photo.
We also realized that we can use magnets on our metal doors to hold up posters instead of using pushpins and making holes in all the walls. We've lived here for over 2 years, and I just now thought of that. Sometimes I am slow.In preparation for learning American history next school year, we have purchased the Liberty's Kids videos. My children have been absorbed in the story of the American Revolution since, and their play reflects it. During the episode about Thomas Paine's Common Sense, Noah looked at me and asked, "Mom, is that the same Thomas Paine who was a deist?" Me: "Ummm... (consult Google)... Yes! How did you know that?" It's amazing the things they learn from The Sugar Creek Gang (the everynight bedtime story).
The children also tried writing their own invisible messages after watching Liberty's kids. I found the results the next day...
There was also a sticky spot on the floor where someone spilled the lemon juice and neglected to clean it up. They are still kids, of course.I've kept myself busy making teaching aids. We've laminated fish for alphabet fishing, and made these lighthouse cards to use with math. Our first Konos lesson deals with lighthouses, so these shapes (purchased at the Dollar Tree!!!) will make for a fun way to tie math into that. I've also gotten a jump on making some necessary posters for science.
Painting is always a fun activity. I watch for discounted painting supplies when I'm out and about. These canvases were half-price at Hobby Lobby, and made for a good 1 1/2 hour project today with the outside temperatures in the 90s.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Freeze Advisory
Glad to have a few extra pots, #10 cans, styrofoam cups, and empty pretzel containers on hand. *sigh*
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Our First Big Fight
or "A Tale of Two Roosters"
I don't remember why we thought we needed more than one rooster. I can assure you, however, that we don't need more than one.
We're not sure who is hurt worse... but we do have our favorite. The rooster above is very sweet and loving toward one particular hen. They stay together all the time, she picks his feet clean, and if someone approaches her, she squats down and scoots herself underneath him. Love.
I don't remember why we thought we needed more than one rooster. I can assure you, however, that we don't need more than one.
We're not sure who is hurt worse... but we do have our favorite. The rooster above is very sweet and loving toward one particular hen. They stay together all the time, she picks his feet clean, and if someone approaches her, she squats down and scoots herself underneath him. Love.
Breaking Radio Silence
Nothing has been posted here for a while. Sometimes my mind is jumbled up and so full of stuff that I can't think clearly enough to put together a cohesive sentence. And yet,today, while I have in my home a 2 year old, 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old, 8 year old and 12 year old... I'm feeling froggy.
The nephews came over to spend the night last night. The boys arrived late and were a little wound up, so I gave my 12-year-old his first paying baby-sitting job. His instructions were to put on a movie and come get me if I was needed. I woke up to the sound of loud snores- from the 12 year old. One of the little ones was asleep, and the other one was still watching the movie. I think we all got to bed by 1:30am. A fun time was had by all.
I've pondered discontinuing the ole blog. When we started this, it was to share the things God was teaching us. Lately, it seems that the things we've been learning would be inappropriate to share. To share them would either seem boastful, or gossipy, or complaining.
When we answered God's call to minister to youth, a lot of things came with that- things we weren't necessarily prepared for. Becoming involved in a child's life is complicated. Their family situations are complicated. Sometimes looking into their eyes is like looking at the face of death. It makes me want to cry, to scream, and sometimes to beat some sense into them. The only way to break the generational patterns of self-destruction and self-loathing is Jesus. This Jesus whom we preach, this Jesus whom we love... is the same Jesus at whom they scoff, the same Jesus whose death they mock. I believe some of these children only come to youth meetings be certain that Satan is duly represented.
That being said, I think for a while this blog is just going to focus on family and "pseudo-farming" things. Fun stuff. Good stuff. We'll be thinking on good things.
The nephews came over to spend the night last night. The boys arrived late and were a little wound up, so I gave my 12-year-old his first paying baby-sitting job. His instructions were to put on a movie and come get me if I was needed. I woke up to the sound of loud snores- from the 12 year old. One of the little ones was asleep, and the other one was still watching the movie. I think we all got to bed by 1:30am. A fun time was had by all.
I've pondered discontinuing the ole blog. When we started this, it was to share the things God was teaching us. Lately, it seems that the things we've been learning would be inappropriate to share. To share them would either seem boastful, or gossipy, or complaining.
When we answered God's call to minister to youth, a lot of things came with that- things we weren't necessarily prepared for. Becoming involved in a child's life is complicated. Their family situations are complicated. Sometimes looking into their eyes is like looking at the face of death. It makes me want to cry, to scream, and sometimes to beat some sense into them. The only way to break the generational patterns of self-destruction and self-loathing is Jesus. This Jesus whom we preach, this Jesus whom we love... is the same Jesus at whom they scoff, the same Jesus whose death they mock. I believe some of these children only come to youth meetings be certain that Satan is duly represented.
That being said, I think for a while this blog is just going to focus on family and "pseudo-farming" things. Fun stuff. Good stuff. We'll be thinking on good things.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Psyching Myself Up for Youth Camp
*Recalling things about our kids at church that make me smile*
Shortly after accepting our assignment from God at the small church where we now serve, I noticed things are a little different here. Homier, maybe. Despite all the problems that these teenagers have (and they would rival the problems of inner city kids), they retain some of the mannerisms of hill country upbringing.
One evening, I offered a bowl of chili to a 13 year old boy who had been sitting on the table, legs dangling over the side in constant swing motion, and chatting with me while I cooked. (If I remember correctly, he was telling me how to clean fish and gut deer.) His response? “No, thank y’ma’am. I’ve not been feelin’ all t’myself today.” I wanted to pinch his cheeks and tell him how cute that was, but 13 year old boys don’t take too kindly to such things.
Shortly after accepting our assignment from God at the small church where we now serve, I noticed things are a little different here. Homier, maybe. Despite all the problems that these teenagers have (and they would rival the problems of inner city kids), they retain some of the mannerisms of hill country upbringing.
One evening, I offered a bowl of chili to a 13 year old boy who had been sitting on the table, legs dangling over the side in constant swing motion, and chatting with me while I cooked. (If I remember correctly, he was telling me how to clean fish and gut deer.) His response? “No, thank y’ma’am. I’ve not been feelin’ all t’myself today.” I wanted to pinch his cheeks and tell him how cute that was, but 13 year old boys don’t take too kindly to such things.
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