lesson plans

Bella's 2nd grade week 16 schedule

Bella has enjoyed Sonlight much more than the other girls did. I am very pleased that I was able to find the IG ( instructors guide) for next year.
It is "Basic 2" A one year intro to World History, 2000 edition. Which is just what I was wanting. I don't have all the books but I have many for this "Basic" and many from "Basic 1" ( 2003) so I will modify the plans to work for us.
Again Bella will be reading many of the "read alouds" as "readers" since she is way beyond Owl at Home and Fire Cat.

Not sure if we will stick with Learning Language Arts Through Literature. I'll be working on getting some sort of flow to science using Usborne books. I've heard many wonderful things about the Apologia Elementary Science, so that is a possibility. Another option would be to use the science topics from Learning Adventures Vol. 1, since they would "go along" with the history.

February Beginnings

It has been grey and gloomy here this past week. Lots of cold rain. Not a whole lot to report.

Last weeks menu:
Roast Chicken
Tacos
Chicken Chowder
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Chili

Next Week menu:
Pork Chops
Chicken something
Hamburger something
Another chicken something
Steak on Friday for Olivia's birthday. She will be 12! Hard to believe how fast my babies grow.

My brother started Chemo and Radiation tx this week. Thanks for any prayers on his behalf.

Starting to think about next school year. We will be starting a new curriculum called Far Above Rubies. Both Emilie and Olivia will be doing it. Bella is really flourishing using a modified Sonlight schedule this year, so I plan on doing something similar next year. Which reminds me that I need to post her weekly schedule, but that is on the other computer so I'll get to it later this weekend.

My Illinois family heard me state that I'd rather have my feet cut off then exercise. It's true, I hate cardio, but I do like weight/strength training. I found a book called the Cardio Free Diet and have started the workout routines. I really like it. I've not gotten crazy about counting calories or points. I think this is something I can stick with, I really like it. It doesn't take forever to do, only about 20 minutes, 3-4 times a week.

Rediscovering God in America

I received a free copy of Rediscovering God in America by Newt Gingrich, from Thomas Nelson as a book reviewer.

Like it or not our nation was founded on Biblical principals that are etched in the very monuments of our nation. After taking the tour of our national monuments through this book there can be no denying that yes, our founders knew Who it was that gave each man their freedoms and “unalienable rights.”

I found this book very educational and fascinating. I doubt many people realize just how many of our great founders and leaders over the years relied on, and thanked God. My copy did not have any colored pictures but I know the newest edition does have colored photos which really makes the book come to life for the reader.

We will be using this book in our homeschool to reinforce that even if current political correctness says we are no longer a Christian nation, we can stand firm knowing that this country and our founders held a different, higher standard.

Getting caught up

Already January 17 2010, and this is my first entry.

Been getting back in the swing of school. Even if the girls don't admit it, I think they were ready to do somthing.
Our first week back went well. Here is the Second Grade lesson plans for weeks 11, 12, and 13. This is for weeks 14-15.
For History we all spent the week watching Drive Through History/America, Foundations of Charater. These are really great. Fun and loaded with important information. I've started taping them from TBN, and hope to watch at least once a week even if they don't coordinate exactly with where we are at in American history.

Started our yearly cleaning. So far we have cleaned all the window sills and washed the kitchen cabinets.

I've been reading a lot. I'm really loving the Redwall books. Crazy I know, but some youth literature are some of my favorite books.

*~*~*~Menu~*~*~*
Roast
Oven Chicken
Pork Chops
*Jerk Chicken Nachos
Fish
Tacos

*Jerk Chicken Nachos
Ingredients
6 tortilla chips
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 cups marbled cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons jamaican jerk spice, divided
1 red bell pepper
1 lime,
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
1/4 cup sour cream, plus
1 teaspoon additional jamaican jerk spice (optional)

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange tortilla chips in a slightly overlapping layer on a cookie sheet.
2.In a bowl, combine chicken, cheese and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the jerk spice; diced bell pepper, juice of lime and zest of lime. mix gently.
3.Sprinkle chicken mixture evenly over tortilla chips.
4. add snipped cilantro
5.Bake 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted; remove.
6.If desired, combine sour cream and additional jerk rub in resealable plastic bag; trim corner to allow sour cream to flow through. Pipe sour cream mixture over nachos.

Sewing fever

I'm *really, really* wanting to sew. I really want to sew some aprons. They are quick, cute and don't take a lot of fabric. I've been looking at apron blogs and flickr groups for 3 days! I have about 3-4 apron patterns somewhere... I found one while cleaning Olivia room! YEAH, it is the one I really wanted to make. Saturday I ordered A is for Apron. I'm looking forward to getting it soon.

Here are some others I like. Simplicity 4282 view C,
Butterick See and Sew 5274 View A, Butterick Waverly 5263 View A, C. I really like the big pockets and full coverage of this vintage pattern. This one is a lot like it too.

I adore the looks of the aprons at Stitch Through Time, but I refuse to pay that much money! So I scouring the web looking for patterns that look similar. I think I've gotten close with most of them

Do you think that this Amish Canning Apron, looks like "Grandma's Apron" and/or "Violet's Apron"?

*************update**************
I found 2 more patterns I knew I had.
Kwik Sew 3396
And "Winnie"
I also found a free apron pattern pdf.

Now I'm on the hunt for fabric.

Olivia's Room

Olivia has wanted to rearrange her room ever since she moved in. Today's the day! So far we have the bed, nightstand & dresser moved, cleaned under the bed & hung up clothes in the closet rather than the floor.

Pictures coming soon.

We had a great Christmas!

Pictures to come soon!

Well now I can't find the pictures on the computer and Olivia isn't here to help me.gggrrr