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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Sense and Sensibility


The classic Sense and Sensibility (Insight Editions) by Jane Austen is, well a classic. But the new Insight Edition with all the little extras takes it to a new level for a new generation.

The extra tidbits of information on every page cover historical and cultural information of the time period,facts about Austen’s life, themes of faith, and my favorite, comments on the books characters and plot.It’s these (and more) little facts that make reading so satisfying. They really give the reader a depth into the time, characters and the authors point of view of all of it.

Also included are discussion questions that will make this book perfect for my homeschooled high school student. I plan on buying the
Pride and Prejudice Insight Edition.

This book was provided to me free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Revolve 2010 Review


Revolve 2010 (Biblezines) This is a colorful and interesting concept. The New Testament in the accessible form of a “teen magazine.” Short vignettes covering a variety of topics that are of interest to teen girls.Some of the topics include, make-up, fashion, boys, music and movie stars.

While the little snippets are a fun read, there isn’t a lot of “meat” offered here. I wouldn’t even say a lot of “milk” either. I would hope that by the time a girl is a teen that she would be ready to handle some more in depth study on the topics. I mean hey the Word of God is right there contained in the magazine, let’s use it. I did really like the character study that looked like a Facebook page. I may use this idea in our homeschool Bible study.

My oldest daughter (14) likes the graphics and the short articles but like me would like to see fun Bible quizzes, study guides, character studies, and how to personalize the Word of God daily in her life.

This has great potential to be a wonderful tool if it included more substantial Bible application.

Thank you Thomas Nelson for providing this book for review. Visit. http://booksneeze.com to join Thomas Nelson as a book reviewer.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Planning for next year!

I received Bella’s curriculum for next year this past week.
It is Sonlight Basic 2 (World History), 2000 edition. I’m pleased.

There are several reasons why I bought one so old. First it was less expensive, the older editions of the Instructors Guide (IG) where cheaper to begin with, I don’t know why they have nearly doubled in price since I used it, 6 years ago. Are they any better? Contain more information? I’ve not a clue, so if I can get it cheaper that fine with me.

The second reason I wanted an older version is that I already have many of the books for the older edition. Sonlight has changed the books with the IG, so again I would have to buy more books if I went with the newer IG. It’s all about being a good steward, being thankful with what I’ve got.

I didn’t get Sonlight Science nor the Language Arts. I don’t like the LA, and even though I LOVE Usborne books (I sell them, mostly to myself) I didn’t want to pay for a IG. I like my Science to sort of go with our History.

So I sat down last night and wrote what the history topic was for each week-
Wk1-5 Egypt
Wk 6-13 Greece
Wk 14-18 Rome
Wk 19-24 Dark Ages- Middle Ages
Wk 25-30 Reformation/Explorers
Wk 31-36 America/Industial Revolution/Westward Movement/WWI

So our Science will be the following topics
Wk 1-5 Deserts
Wk 6-13 Human Body
Wk 14-18 Geology
Wk 19-24 Plants
Wk 25-30 Oceans( Bella was given the choice of space or oceans)
Wk 31-36 Insects

I love Rod and Staff Spelling, so will stick with it. I’m still thinking about what to do for Grammar. Wondering if I should go with something premade like Rod and Staff, or teach it myself with literature/Bible verses and something like Grammar By The Book.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times

Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times: Living in the Presence of God through Prayer and Meditation by William Moss, is a very short booklet that reminds the reader that Jesus has promised us peace, but it is our part to accept that peace that God offers. It is a quick read, with lots of room for notes as you study the Bible on your own. One might want to use this booklet as a stepping stone for a personal Bible study on peace. Mr Moss is very sincere and genuine in his writing.

This is a good message for believers, but there is the missing part that one must have already accepted Jesus sacrifice on the cross for our sins to have access to the true peace that passes all understanding.

I did enjoy it and it was a good tool to use to focus on the peace that God has promised.

Thank you B&B Media Group for this review copy.
For an author interview contact B&B Media at 1-800-927-0517 Ext. 104 106, or 109

I have one copy to give away in a random drawing. Just leave a comment and you will be entered.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Snow!

Snow is a rare thing here in Texas. Flurries started around 9am. It didn't take long for the snow to thicken up. It's been snowing nonstop since 9:30ish. It has been hard to keep the girls on task for school, but they knew that tomorrow was scheduled as a free day, so they worked well today. They are all outside playing right now. The last "big" snow we had was on Olivia's 6th birthday. She turns 12 tomorrow!

I am thankful I have a cozy, snug home. I'm thankful for hot chocolate, chili, and a husband that went to the store for milk.





Monday, February 8, 2010

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.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

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.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Rediscovering God in America


I received a free copy of Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History 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.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

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.

Monday, December 28, 2009

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

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Product Reviews


Check out my product reviews. HERE

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Making it easier

Tonight is the Faithgirls Christmas party. One of the activities the girls will be doing is decorating cookies. I really didn't feel like making "homemade from scratch" cookies so I just got Betty Crocker Gingerbread cookie mix and a Sugar cookie mix. You know what, it made the whole process a lot easier, and kept the stress level down. Emilie, Olivia and Bella appreciated that!

I don't think the girls will have any less fun decorating and eating these "almost homemade" cookies.

For more Christmas ideas and recipes check out the Online Christmas Party.

It's Started!

Visit the Online Christmas Party!

The Online Christmas Party is a blog meme hosted by Melissa Telling of Lilliput Station Adventures. It is a way for homeschool bloggers all over the world to celebrate the Saviour's birth by sharing some Christmas spirit with our online friends. It is a place to gather new ideas, new recipes, and maybe a few new traditions. It is our way of making the season a little brighter for those we have never met, but still feel as if we know. This year's party runs from December 6th through December 19th.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Christmas School

Christmas School begins today!

We stop our regular curriculum during December and do a special Christmas study.

Check out these 3 Different Christmas unit studies. This year we are doing "Good Christian Men Rejoice" and reading The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry. I've not found any cool thingy to go with it, but will just be doing some worksheets I found online.

I've done Jesse Trees several times, the graphic with The Glorious Coming are so neat. This Jesse Tree devotional is free with "ornaments" for children to color. There are a lot of other free devotions and ornaments online.


Last year we did an Inductive Advent study.
The "sisters" read a Christmas Carol and did A Reading Record with it.
I *loved* the set up of the Reading Record. Isabella did this Christmas Lapbook last year, by Lilliput Station.

I'm a sucker for Christmas unit studies. I've got other Christmas studies this past weekend. One was A Christmas Adventure. I also bought Symbols of Christmas Lapbook, a couple years ago.
I have the Advent Calendar Lapbook but haven't used it yet. I've never met a Lilliput Station product that I've not liked.

Christmas just doesn't come around enough for me to use everything. I probably need to stop collecting Christmas studies now.

For more Christmas ideas to share with your family visit the On Line Christmas Party!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Menu

Turkey Roll Ups-chopped turkey, diced celery, onion, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, miracle whip-roll up in crescent roll dough, bake.
Beef Stew
Chicken soup-going to make this one up-I'm thinking white beans, chicken broth, diced chicken, green chilies, green enchilada sauce, onion, celery
Hamburgers
spaghetti
pizza
Jerk Chicken nachos

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Praise God from whom all blessing flow,
Praise Him creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye, heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Menu

oven chicken
eggs and bacon
pizza
Thanksgiving feast-Turkey, which I brined in a mixture of kosher salt, crushed red pepper, black pepper, sage, sugar, and garlic.
Sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, corn, asapargus, rolls, cranberry/sausage stuffing, pumpkin pie, apple pie, eggnog, and citrus punch.
Leftovers

Monday, November 16, 2009

Menu and More

2nd grade Lesson plans for this week.
2nd grade Reading list for the year-this reading list has a great age and interest range, can be used from K-3. Reading the books aloud for the K-1 or the older students 2-3gr can read selected books themselves, while others are still read alouds. The Usborne's IL Children's First Encyclopedia includes experiments and websites for diagrams, worksheets, online games and puzzles.

Menu
coconut chicken
chicken and dumplings
taco soup
spaghetti
pizza

~Vet Day Parade~
Here we come!


Here we are! Bella is on this 4H Clover Kids float.


Emilie and Olivia on on this TEACH float. Emilie is on the other side so you can't see her. Lindy is in the cab.


The rest of the TEACH float. We won 1st place for a non-profit group.




~My birthday pie~

Friday, November 13, 2009

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Menu and More

Mac and Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Nachos
Hamburger Potato pie
Chicken Fajhtias
Pizza

Week 10 Lesson plan Some may be wondering why I'm only doing 1 and 2 weeks at a time. I'm doing this so I can have flexability in our schedule, exspecially in math. Also I tend to add books at the last minute. I suppose once I've completed the whole year I can go back and make it one file.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Things Change

The first item to change is my age, today is my birthday. No big plans for today, except very minimal school for Emilie and Olivia. Bella's lessons don’t take long and I will be able to really focus on her today. My mother and gramma are coming up from Austin, not for my birthday, that is just a nice coincidence.


Tomorrow the girls are in the Veteran's Day parade, on 2 different floats. We will be going out to eat lunch with mom and gramma and the girls.


The trees are starting to change and the smell of fall is in the air. I love autumn, it is my favorite season. The girls have been spending more time outside this week, which is nice since we had nearly nonstop rain for 2 weeks. We did school outside yesterday.


Emilie and Olivia went to the Powerhouse Wednesday with a friend. They all loved it. Live youth band, lots of friendly nice kids. The girls didn’t feel excluded, but excepted. The knots of kids, enlarged, (they stepped back to make room for others) not turning their backs to keep others out. They enjoyed the lesson, Emilie really likes to have a good lesson. I’m thinking about letting them go once a month. I don’t feel it is right to abandon our church, but I do want them to have spiritual growth, feel a part of a group, witness other youth living for God, & witness youth’s authentic worship.


Bella told me this week, that this year in school is “really good, better than last year.” So I must be doing something right! When I asked her what she likes best, she listed everything except math, and she isn’t to fond of Language Arts.


After 8 weeks of LLATL with the “sisters”, we dropped it. None of us liked it, very little grammar work, not much creative writing. So I started back the Language Arts in our unit study- Learning Adventures. I know it was a “God Thing” that we started it back when we did, because when I opened it up, it was the beginning a whole new unit on newspaper writing. That coordinates with their literature section- reading a biography on Ben Franklin. The Fine Arts lessons are about cartooning. Both the girls love to draw and both are really good at manga, so that has been enjoyable for them.


This week we started reading the New Testament on a 90 day plan. Not sure if we will finish in 90 days but we are working on this. Emilie has read a lot of the NT herself, but not front to back all the way through. I’m excitied about this.







Monday, November 2, 2009

Weekly Menu & activities

grilled chicken sandwiches
chili or soup- something with hamburger
super baked potatoes, salad, leftovers
chicken spaghetti
pizza

Wednesday-AWANA
Thursday-TEACH (homeschool support group)
Friday-My birthday
Saturday- girls in Vet. Day parade.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

2nd grade lesson plans

Bella's week 8 ( this week, 10/26-10/30) and week 9 (next week, 11/2-11/6).

The big girls won't have school on Novemeber 6, it's a holiday for us. Mom's birthday!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

School Week

Click to see Bella's Lesson plans for the past week. And here are our plans for this week (10/19-10/23)

~Sisters~
10/12-10/16
Bible-AWANA, Missionaries
Literature-Calico Captive
Grammar-LLATL-dictation, creative writing
Math
History-New Jersey, N & S Carolina, Pirates, The Story of the Thirteen Colonies ch. 44, This Country of Ours Ch 38, timeline
Science-Test unit 2, Start unit 3, 4 experiments
Home Economics-Apple Crisp

I'm seriously thinking about adding MuGuffey readers.

Menu

~Menu ~
Beef Stew
Poppy Seed Chicken
Grilled Chicken
Tacos
Spaghetti
Pizza

What is Faithgirls?

Here are our Faithgirls lessons for the next couple months.

So what is Faithgirls?

I've been doing "Keepers" with my girls and off & on with other families for about 7+ years. I introduced our pastor's wife to Keepers of the Faith, last summer when they first moved here.
After spending a couple hours in my home looking at the vast curriculum choices available to homeschools, she ditched Abeka and pretty much ordered the whole Keepers catalog (along with Doorposts materials)! LOL.

Anyway, she loves the KAH concept and introduced it to the Ladies Ministry at church, asking if they would support it to train the girls in ministries. They agreed and I'm the director.

We meet just twice a month. We do AWANA on Wednesdays, and since most of the the girls go to PS I figured we'd get low attendance and/or uncompleted projects if we met to often. I also wanted them to do projects and "homework" at home between meetings. Part of their homework is baking for a ministry weather for their own family or different ministries at church.

I call the club, "Faith Girls" first because our church is Faith Baptist Church.

Right now we are learning to Bake. My girls have been baking for years, but all the girls voted for Baking. For the Bible/Spiritual lesson we are doing the Missionary lapbook from Hands of a Child.


After we finish with the lapbook, we will use the Polished Cornerstones from Doorposts for character/Bible lessons. I coordinated the character trait/chapters of the PC book with the KOF badges. I'll see if I can get that in a pdf soon.



Wednesday, October 14, 2009

just catching up

I've got some more simple lapbook templets here, here and here.

Menu this week:
BBQ chicken
Chuckwagon Soup
Roast beef sandwiches
jerk chicken nachos
pizza

We had a Faithgirls meeting last night. We had fun. Faithgirls is what we call the Keepers At Home program at our church. We are doing a baking unit, and studying Missionaries.
We made apple crisp last night and worked on our Missionary lapbook.

Tonight is AWANA.

Girls have had a wonderful attitude with school this year. It has been nice. I'm not always good, patient and kind.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Free lapbook templets

I made some super simple blank lapbook templets. I have some more on another computer that I'll load at Scribd sometime.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Fall weather menu

Chili
Chicken & dumplings
Ham and green beans
Corn Chowder
Fajihtas
pizza

Friday, October 2, 2009

Was it worth it?

My review for The Well Planned Day homeschool/family planner.

Well, it is attractive. I like the monthly articles, I like that it is dated and includes a month at a glance calendar with the daily Bible reading at the beginning of each month. I like the weekly quotes, and catechism. I liked that it is spiral bound. And that is about all I like. Everything I could and have make on my own.


I didn’t like the shopping lists included in the planner. For one thing they are way to small. I also don’t like to mix my school stuff with my household stuff. My biggest complaint is the lack of space to write lessons plans. There is no way that more than 2 students’ work can be written in the space provided. I ended up making Bella’s planner separate. Also the space for “English” is way to small for even one student, since “English” is suppose to cover- reading/literature, spelling/vocabulary, grammar and writing. Now how all that is supposed to fit in a small box is beyond me especially for more than 1 student.


So it is not something I will purchase again ever. And the only reason I’m probably still using it after 4 weeks is because I paid $20 for it. I just hope I don’t get fed up with it and end up not using it in a few weeks, which would be a waste of money all together.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Learning at Home 9/21-9/25

Bella~
Bible-AWANA Matthew 6:9-13
Character-Hero Tales-Tyndale
History/Social Studies-Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modern Times, People Around the World, John Oglethorpe
Science-Rainforest, Oceans, Waves, Currents, Coast
Math-word problems
Reading-Besty and Tacy
Literature-poems, James Harriot Bonny's Big Day & Only One Woof, fiction/non-fiction
Grammar-capital I, copywork
Spelling-Lesson 4; Explode the Code book 5
Free Reading- Clarice Bean, The Swan Princess

~The Sisters~
Bible-AWANA
Literature-Finished Amos Fortune, started Calico Captive
Grammar-Dictation, topic sentence, paragraph,
Math
History-Baroque Art, Charles I & Cromwell
Science-review and test
Home Economics-clean house, entertain guests
Free Reading-Emilie-Sister of the Bride, Olivia-Warriors Into the Wild

Friday, September 18, 2009

Another week of learning

Time sure is flying!
~Bella school week~
AWANA
History/Geography-Virginia notebook sheets, World timeline overveiw, Egypt, Rome
Science-Reading and notebooking about Volcanoes, Rivers, Mountains, Deserts, Grasslands
Math- counting by 5 and story problems
Reading- finished The Boxcar Children
Spelling-100% & Explode the Code book 5
LLATL- rhymes, opposites, copywork
Literature-Poems, rhymes, copywork

~Sisters school week~
Emilie said 2 sections in Journey (HS AWANA) and 1.5 sections in T&T
LLATL-The Eagle dictation, similies
Literature-Amos Fortune, Free Man-excellent book
History-Virginia state sheets, Native Americans, John Eliot-missionary to the Native Americans, Read Story of the Thirteen Colonies chapters 2 and 3, Time Line states studied so far-Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine.
Reading-Emilie read Alice in Wonderland Olivia is reading Harry Potter
Science-study questions, chapter summary worksheets

Olivia and Bella got a hair cut. Super Cute!
Image hosted by servimg.com

Monday, September 7, 2009

Started school

We started school last Monday. Our first week went very well.

Bella really enjoyed learning, and this week I'm adding more for her. I went back looking at all I have and found SL core C (which was K years ago when I used it with Emilie and Olivia.)I have most of the read alouds and the History/Geography books. Bella is way above the readers listed, so I'm going to have her read some of the "read alouds" as readers. They are all grade 3 and above reading level. She is reading Children's Encyclopedia IL for science and joining the "sisters" for Apologia General Science. She is doing Rod and Staff Spelling, Explode the Code 5, Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL) Red book,and Math U See classic Foundations.

Sisters-
Learning Adventures- Literature,Grammar, Fine Arts
Truthquest History-American History, Government/Civics
LLATL-Tan book
Apologia General Science
Practical Arithmetic
Latin-we hope to add Latin this year
Nature Journals-we hope to do this year too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Menus
Grilled pork chops
Jerk Chicken Nachos
Mexican pasta shells
Red beans and Rice
Pizza

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Happenin's

Our friends Temple and Hannah will be coming over this afternoon for a visit. It seems like it has been weeks since we have seen them. I think Hannah will be spending the night.

My mom has been with my gramma all week. My gramma had a knee replacement a couple weeks ago and is just getting worn out trying to take care of her husband as well as herself. She just can't do it. So my mother is helping them get him placed and settled in an assisted living center, just down the street from gramma's house. It is a really nice place. My gramma isn't ready to move into an assisted living center yet, she doesn't need as much care as her husband. It has been hard for all of them.

"The Grammas" and I are going to see a movie together Friday morning, "Julia & Julie".

Now onto a vent- a minor one. For the last 2-3 years back to school one subject notebooks have been 10 cents each, or $1 for a case. This year the price has jumped 150% to 25 cents for the same notebook. I know 25 cents isn't much, but an increase of 150% is outrageous! I'm glad I bought like 6 cases last year!

Speaking of back to school, we are practicing getting up early. None of us are morning people. I want to be, but it is hard! My plan is to use these 2 weeks before school starts to get into a habit of getting up for 7, getting the girls up by 7:30 and starting school by 8:30-9:00.

We have lots of activities going on this year. I pray that I don't burn out.

I got "The Well Planned Day" planner. I like it good enough. I don't think I'll purchase it again next year unless I end up liking more as I use it more. The price is pretty high, and I bet I'll still use my homemade sheets to some extent.

~~~~~~~~~~Menu~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taco Salad
Pork Chops
Chicken
Fish
Pizza


Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Menu and More

Beef Noodle casserole
Spicy Chicken Strips
Taco Salad
Grilled Chicken
Pizza

Last night was Bella's first Clover Kids Club, a 4H for younger children. My good friend Kay is the leader. This month they learned about recycling, they are to collect metal for a month then next month we will take the metal to a metal recycling center for a field trip. The owners are also a homeschooling family from our group. The meeting went well, and I think the kids all had a good time.

Church blog site

Check out our new church blog.
Faith Baptist Church

Thursday, July 30, 2009

WOW!

It sure has been a long time since I've blogged. I'll have to get some pictures up soon.

We had a great time in Illinois with my family. The girls had a good time getting to know their yankee cousins.

The girls and I also had fun visiting our friends in Wisconsin, at the Bristol, Ren Faire.

Next week is VBS. Call me a heathen, but I'm not really looking forward to it.

My friend Cassidy is up here visiting her family, but we havn't gotten together yet. I hope to see her before she has to return to Florida.

I ordered a few homeschool items~
Science, Apologia General Science
History, Truthquest Age of Revolution I (US/Europe, 1600-1800) .
Math book-Practical Arithmetic- Keepers of the Faith

Olivia, Bella, and I are taking ballet class on Saturdays. The girls are enjoying it, and are pretty good. I'd doing it for the exercise.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Starting to plan? Nah, not yet!



I've always made my own planning sheets, and enjoyed it. But after getting like 20 emails about The Well Planned Day planner, I took a look at it. It is very pretty, which is a big thing for me if I'm going to use it. Each month's pages are decorated differently with monthly articles included, PLUS

. A Class Planner: Schedule each student's class assignments.

. Weekly Schedule: Organize your week with class assignments, weekly priorities, prayer requests, dinner menu, and notes.

. Semester Time Schedule: Track each day by the hour.

. Month at a Glance: Plan field trips, enrichment activities and books to read

. Semester Attendance & Progress Reports

. Transcript Evaluation Forms

. Menu Planning: Plan weekly meals and conveniently shop with perforated shopping lists.

. Family Worship & Prayer: Read through the Bible in a year and record prayer request weekly.

Sounds really good, I liked the samples. I bought it. I've never had a "real" planner like this, I hope it is actually useful.

PS for my DH, I got it on sale!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Weekly Menu

Spicy chicken strips
Roasted Chicken
hamburgers
mac and cheese
chicken nachos
pizza

This past week June 22-27

hhmm, it seems like I must be doing something since I've not been blogging much, but in all honesty
I've not done anything exciting or even remotely interesting.

Monday-Mom's Bible Study
Tuesday- Magic Springs- got rained out- girls only got to float down a "lazy river" once- this was a big waste of gas money
Wednesday- Bible Study
Thursday-Library, visited gramma, got shoes for Emilie, Faith Ladies Supper
Friday-Started 24 hours of prayer at church my hour was from 4-5
Saturday- grocery shopping, Alabaster Box concert at Church, kick off to Revival
Sunday (28)- Revival, potluck dinner

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

This week's plan

Monday-Mom's Bible Study
Tuesday- Library and visit with gramma
Wednesday-evening church
Thursday-Magic Springs
Friday-
Saturday-sale at Mardel

Even though I didn't win the "Biggest Loser" contest with my friends. I have lost some weight. Mom and I are working on this together. I was doing a strict eating program, but that didn't last. So now I eat anything, but much smaller portions, with more veggies and some fruits. I have increased my walking, I walked 5 times last week and have already walked and showered this morning before 9 am. WHOO-HOO for me! I'm also going to start circuit training with Lindy.

Olivia and Bella are going to start Ballet lessons in July. Olivia has also expressed an interest in cake decorating lessons. I could show her the simple fundamentals but she would rather go to a class.

I want to do some Letterboxing, I'm sure the girls would really like it. I got out the Bocce ball set I bought 2 years ago and never opened. Seems like a fun family game we need to learn together.

Olivia has been coughing for 2 weeks now, she is about to hack a lung up any time now. I'm thinking it is allergies.

Weekly Menu

Lemon Pepper Chicken
Italian Roast Beef Sandwiches
coconut chicken strips
some sort of mexican dish
pizza

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Summer School?

We have finished up with Into a New Land- The Beginnings of America. Except for a few Fine Arts lessons. We will work on those randomly through the summer.

I had planned to do a unit study on The Secret Garden, and I still want to, but not a real intense deep study. Something fun. Math we continue all summer.

We are gong to get season passes to Magic Springs/Crystal Falls in Hot Springs Arkansas for the summer, instead of our usual Galveston Trip. A couple good concerts are scheduled too. The girls of course want to see Barlow Girl, and Lindy wants to see Three Dog Night.

A trip to Illinois is planned for July. Hoping we get to see everyone and everything we want.

Recent Happenings-New Hair!

I love Olivia's new hair! It makes me want to get my hair cut too!







Sweet side


wild, spice side. It's so HER, sweet and spicy.

Recent Happenings-More Birthday Pictures





Recent Happenings-Bella's Birthday

Just a bunch of Birthday pictures.









Recent Happenings- AWANA Awards

May 27, was AWANA Awards.
Emilie received her second year service pin for being a LIT- Leader in Training.
Olivia earned the Third Book Award- which our church renamed the Barnabas Award. Cause Third Book Award is a boring name.
Bella earned her Sparky Second Book ribbon.  
We are very proud of their hard work.





Recent Happenings-Ladies Tea

May 17- Faith Ladies Tea
A wonderful tradition at my church, each May there is a different theme with decorations, food, door prizes and some sort of "costume/craft".  This year the theme was Aprons and being a service to others.  I suggested the Apron theme. We all wore aprons, and ladies could share a story  about a special apron.  Emilie, Bella and I wore aprons my mother made for us, Olivia wore the apron I made for her.  I was asked to read an Apron story.  I combined 2 different stories.  Here it is.

"The principle use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material. But, along with that it served the homemaker and her family is so many ways.


 As a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.


It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, wiping runny noses, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.  The pockets seemed bottomless when filled with clothes pins while  hanging clothes on the clothes line.


From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. And, from the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. It served to wipe hands and jars during canning time.


When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. Those aprons were also ideal hiding places for shy children.


In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. 

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and then men knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner.


When the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

Those old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.


In today’s world you would go crazy trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron, but love.

Today, aprons are making a come-back. It will be a long time before someone invents anything that can replace that “old-time apron.” They served so many purposes.  What kind of apron will you wear and what kind of love will it bring to the hearts of others?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Olivia and Bella

 



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Emilie and Olivia~~~





         Gramma and Mom

The girls and I were very happy that the "grandmas" could come.

















Kaitlyn and Olivia with their cookbooks














Each place card was a different apron. Very Cute! Each table was a different color theme, pink, yellow, blue, green, orange.