A superquick breakfast on-the-go idea:Lightly beat two eggs. Add about a tablespoon of cream cheese and scramble. Spoon into half a pita pocket with a bit of salsa, and head on out the door.
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14 years ago
Thursday, October 9, 2008
From my notebook...
A superquick breakfast on-the-go idea:Lightly beat two eggs. Add about a tablespoon of cream cheese and scramble. Spoon into half a pita pocket with a bit of salsa, and head on out the door.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What we do all day
Well, it's October, and we have a pretty good idea of what we're doing, curriculum-wise... mostly. I did manage to score Oak Meadow second and fourth grades, and while I like them, it's just not practical to do two completely different curriculum with four kids running around. I need to consolidate and teach them all together whenever possible. I also needed some independent materials they could work on if I was doing a one-on-one lesson with another child. One thing I learned last year was that if I "lost" someone during school, it took a good half-hour to get them back. For us, it works better to chug away at the work and then break for play.
I'm not 100% pleased with it. There's some stuff here that's a compromise between the ideal and real life, and there's some stuff we do that I really want to change. All in all, though, I feel pretty pleased with how I'm juggling home, life, parenting, and homeschooling.
Christian Ed: We're working through Our 24 Family Ways right now. We also do liturgical year-based projects and are keeping a saints main lesson book again. One thing we're doing is making a "Great Cloud of Witnesses" display, and we print out a classic picture of each saint we study and hang it up.
Math: I've said here before, I can't think creatively about math. I used a very tradition curriculum, Progress in Mathematics. I do try to "gnome it up" when I can. We have a heavy emphasis on hands-on experiences, manipulatives, literature, and art, not just on worksheets. A lot of what the teacher's book considers to be extension activities, we use for the bulk of the lessons. As I grow more confident with homeschooling, I may not even buy the workbooks. We've also been using Calculadder for drilling math facts. I'm going to try to bundle a few math units together--measurement, money, time. The rest we have to do as separate lessons.
Handwriting: Copywork a la Charlotte Mason. I also have A Reason for Handwriting for when I'm in a pinch.
Reading: For Katie Grace, we're finishing up with Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. Michael is just reading. He keeps a reader response journal and a vocab journal. We also started a book club for homeschoolers at our public library. We have read-aloud every day.
Grammar/Writing: Somehow, I ended up with copies of Learning Language Arts Through Literature for all the grades. I'm using it as a foundation, but I really want to work in some of the Waldorf main lesson blocks as a vehicle for teaching grammar and writing. Katie and Michael both also keep a journal.
Spelling: This is another area I had a hard time thinking about creatively. I want to pull spelling lists from reading and writing but frankly, I just don't have the time. So, we've been using A Reason for Spelling. I'm not crazy about it. I like the word lists, but some of the exercises are silly. And my kids both hate word boxes. On the other hand, they can work through it fairly independently, which is a plus.
Social Studies: Story of the World and History Odyssey. We're enjoying learning about the middle ages together. Michael is also taking a side order of PA History for 4th grade. Both of them also do Daily Geography.
Science: Still struggling with this. Right now we're doing a nature study on trees, and Michael is going further and studying Pennsylvania trees. I actually started a thread here asking for science help.
Art: We do a lot of the tradition Waldorf handicrafts, handwork, and art projects. Every other week or so, we pick an artist, learn about their work, and do our own project inspired by that artist.
Music: Katie Grace is learning piano. Michael is learning drums and takes cello/orchestra at his old school. They're both in children's choir. Both my husband and I were music majors and music is a huge part of our lives, but we aren't terribly intentional about music appreciation/music education, which is something I've been thinking about.
Phys Ed: Soccer for all, basketball is coming up, Katie Grace is in dance.
Latin:Prima Latina. I'm kind of blah/apathetic about it.
Preschool/Kindergarten: I'd say we remember to do circle about 3 times a week. :bag: We've started some math concepts with Nick, but mostly I've been picking a nursery rhyme each week and trying to find some projects that go along with it.
I'm not 100% pleased with it. There's some stuff here that's a compromise between the ideal and real life, and there's some stuff we do that I really want to change. All in all, though, I feel pretty pleased with how I'm juggling home, life, parenting, and homeschooling.
Christian Ed: We're working through Our 24 Family Ways right now. We also do liturgical year-based projects and are keeping a saints main lesson book again. One thing we're doing is making a "Great Cloud of Witnesses" display, and we print out a classic picture of each saint we study and hang it up.
Math: I've said here before, I can't think creatively about math. I used a very tradition curriculum, Progress in Mathematics. I do try to "gnome it up" when I can. We have a heavy emphasis on hands-on experiences, manipulatives, literature, and art, not just on worksheets. A lot of what the teacher's book considers to be extension activities, we use for the bulk of the lessons. As I grow more confident with homeschooling, I may not even buy the workbooks. We've also been using Calculadder for drilling math facts. I'm going to try to bundle a few math units together--measurement, money, time. The rest we have to do as separate lessons.
Handwriting: Copywork a la Charlotte Mason. I also have A Reason for Handwriting for when I'm in a pinch.
Reading: For Katie Grace, we're finishing up with Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. Michael is just reading. He keeps a reader response journal and a vocab journal. We also started a book club for homeschoolers at our public library. We have read-aloud every day.
Grammar/Writing: Somehow, I ended up with copies of Learning Language Arts Through Literature for all the grades. I'm using it as a foundation, but I really want to work in some of the Waldorf main lesson blocks as a vehicle for teaching grammar and writing. Katie and Michael both also keep a journal.
Spelling: This is another area I had a hard time thinking about creatively. I want to pull spelling lists from reading and writing but frankly, I just don't have the time. So, we've been using A Reason for Spelling. I'm not crazy about it. I like the word lists, but some of the exercises are silly. And my kids both hate word boxes. On the other hand, they can work through it fairly independently, which is a plus.
Social Studies: Story of the World and History Odyssey. We're enjoying learning about the middle ages together. Michael is also taking a side order of PA History for 4th grade. Both of them also do Daily Geography.
Science: Still struggling with this. Right now we're doing a nature study on trees, and Michael is going further and studying Pennsylvania trees. I actually started a thread here asking for science help.
Art: We do a lot of the tradition Waldorf handicrafts, handwork, and art projects. Every other week or so, we pick an artist, learn about their work, and do our own project inspired by that artist.
Music: Katie Grace is learning piano. Michael is learning drums and takes cello/orchestra at his old school. They're both in children's choir. Both my husband and I were music majors and music is a huge part of our lives, but we aren't terribly intentional about music appreciation/music education, which is something I've been thinking about.
Phys Ed: Soccer for all, basketball is coming up, Katie Grace is in dance.
Latin:Prima Latina. I'm kind of blah/apathetic about it.
Preschool/Kindergarten: I'd say we remember to do circle about 3 times a week. :bag: We've started some math concepts with Nick, but mostly I've been picking a nursery rhyme each week and trying to find some projects that go along with it.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Family Celebration
It's your birthday,
Wish you many more.
Health and wealth and friends by the score.
Cut the cake and let's eat some more-
Happy Birthday to You!
Wish you many more.
Health and wealth and friends by the score.
Cut the cake and let's eat some more-
Happy Birthday to You!
Nicholas and the "special day" plate. He also chose the menu-- chicken parmasan, mac and cheese, and peas. Doesn't he look proud?
The requisite messy baby picture.
The store-bought birthday brownies (I just wasn't in the mood to make two cakes. The one for the party just about did me in)
A Penn State football from Michael. Less than an hour later, the baby bit off a big chunk of it. Luckily, he ate the unautographed end.
Chick Hicks from Katie Grace. There was also a wooden bowling set from Mama and Daddy, but it was the Cars car and the Penn State football that made his day.Five is fabulous!
It wasn't a Cars party. It was a racecar party.
Who needs games when you bring a big basket of cars and trucks?
And pizza. Lots of pizza.
This pinata was a lot easier to kill than the one at Katie Grace's party. Michael was the third person to try, and he broke it!
When I asked Nicholas who he wanted to invite, the first person he named was "Seany". Sean is one of our awesome youth group grads who is in college. Coming to Nicholas's birthday party made Nick's night!
Nicholas spent the night dribbling balls. It was really a little odd. I've never seen a one-year-old who could dribble before.
ETA: Whoops-- that's not Nicholas, it's Daniel. We have a theory that the reason Daniel cries so much is we keep calling him by the wrong name.
The cake. I made it myself!
I love kids this age because they're so willing to help. Clean up took no time at all. The party was over at 7:30, and we were out of there by 8!
Who needs games when you bring a big basket of cars and trucks?
And pizza. Lots of pizza.
This pinata was a lot easier to kill than the one at Katie Grace's party. Michael was the third person to try, and he broke it!
When I asked Nicholas who he wanted to invite, the first person he named was "Seany". Sean is one of our awesome youth group grads who is in college. Coming to Nicholas's birthday party made Nick's night!
Nicholas spent the night dribbling balls. It was really a little odd. I've never seen a one-year-old who could dribble before.ETA: Whoops-- that's not Nicholas, it's Daniel. We have a theory that the reason Daniel cries so much is we keep calling him by the wrong name.
The cake. I made it myself!
I love kids this age because they're so willing to help. Clean up took no time at all. The party was over at 7:30, and we were out of there by 8!Heritage Days
We are so thankful that Donna reminded us of Heritage Days! We were originally going to the Great Insect Fair at State College, but bugs make me puke. Plus we're learning about PA history (and not bugs. or vomit.) So this was perfect!
Our first stop was to learn about weaving tape. Apparently this stuff was widely used before elastic.
Then we watched a gentleman and his apprentice carving a bowl. Do you know that these bowls would take about 12 hours to make?
Nicholas was intrigued by the medicine man's show.
The music tent was the favorite, I think. Well, let's be honest--the food samples were the favorite. But the music tent was a very close second. As usual, Michael went straight for the drums.
Katie Grace enjoyed playing the spoons.
A few more folk instruments.
This was what Katie Grace was most looking forward to. She can't wait to start orchestra next year!
I love Katie Grace's expression in the picture-- like she thinks Nicholas is totally doing it wrong. Nick loved it, though. Hmmmm... with Michael on cello and Katie Grace on violin, if I could get Nicholas a viola and hook Daniel up with a bass, we could get a nice little quartet going.
Katie Grace and Daniel enjoying the music, with Michael looking on.
I can't get him to do laundry at home, but apparently, slopping a stick around a huge cauldron of boiling water has more appeal. Go figure.
Again, Katie with the funny expression.
We ran into homeschool friends, which was wonderful. This is the part of the blog where I wax rhapsodical about homeschooled kids. I really love them. I love how gentle and loving and patient they are with the younger kids. I love that I can have an intelligent conversation with them. I think they're just wonderful.
More homeschool friends working with looms.
Nicholas, chilling in the Native American village.
A half-built long house.
Three kids in a canoe.
One of many food displays and samples.
And finally, dipping candles. I don't know if you see behind Michael and Katie Grace, but that was an open fire pit full of boiling hot beeswax with about ten kids jockeying for position and no real adult supervision. Awesome.
Our first stop was to learn about weaving tape. Apparently this stuff was widely used before elastic.
Then we watched a gentleman and his apprentice carving a bowl. Do you know that these bowls would take about 12 hours to make?
Nicholas was intrigued by the medicine man's show.
The music tent was the favorite, I think. Well, let's be honest--the food samples were the favorite. But the music tent was a very close second. As usual, Michael went straight for the drums.
Katie Grace enjoyed playing the spoons.
A few more folk instruments.
This was what Katie Grace was most looking forward to. She can't wait to start orchestra next year!
I love Katie Grace's expression in the picture-- like she thinks Nicholas is totally doing it wrong. Nick loved it, though. Hmmmm... with Michael on cello and Katie Grace on violin, if I could get Nicholas a viola and hook Daniel up with a bass, we could get a nice little quartet going.
Katie Grace and Daniel enjoying the music, with Michael looking on.
I can't get him to do laundry at home, but apparently, slopping a stick around a huge cauldron of boiling water has more appeal. Go figure.
Again, Katie with the funny expression.
We ran into homeschool friends, which was wonderful. This is the part of the blog where I wax rhapsodical about homeschooled kids. I really love them. I love how gentle and loving and patient they are with the younger kids. I love that I can have an intelligent conversation with them. I think they're just wonderful.
More homeschool friends working with looms.
Nicholas, chilling in the Native American village.
A half-built long house.
Three kids in a canoe.
One of many food displays and samples.
And finally, dipping candles. I don't know if you see behind Michael and Katie Grace, but that was an open fire pit full of boiling hot beeswax with about ten kids jockeying for position and no real adult supervision. Awesome.Sunday, October 5, 2008
This week's plans and projects
We've got a lot going on this week! We didn't quite get the porch cleaned off-- our September decluttering netted us a whole bunch of stuff that's sitting there waiting to be whisked off by Freecyclers or the Rescue Workers. After it's gone, we're going to really give the porch a scrub down and get it ready for winter.
I also want to get the living room super-cleaned this week-- wash the curtains, maybe steam-clean the floor, move the furniture and vacuum. I need to call someone to come check our fireplace and put in the storm door and windows as well.
Tomorrow we're going to the Amish produce stand to get apples. We're going to dry some and make a bunch of applesauce--yum! While we're out that way, we might do some nature hiking and collect autumn leaves. I also wanted to pick up some nuts. Michael has soccer and Scouts in the evening. Daddy has a funeral.
On Tuesday, the pastor is taking the youth group to Gettysburg. Katie Grace has ballet, but we might skip it this week. The boys get a little out of control waiting while she dances.
Wednesday nothing special is happening other than soccer for Katie Grace and Nicholas.
On Thursday, Michael and Katie Grace are going to see The Miracle Worker. I'll have to plan something special with Nicholas. Then in the evening it's chimes for Michael and Brownies for Katie Grace and me. Apparently it's some kind of makeover/beauty thing.
Friday is family day. I'm trying to come up with something fun to do. It's the first Friday there hasn't been a wedding rehearsal in a long, long time!
Saturday we may go to Thomas Day out at Toys R Us after everyone has their soccer games. Then again, maybe we won't. In the evening we have a church weenie roast and hay ride.
Sunday brings the first children's choir performance and, in the evening, Michael wants to audition for A Christmas Story.
Have a wonderful week!
I also want to get the living room super-cleaned this week-- wash the curtains, maybe steam-clean the floor, move the furniture and vacuum. I need to call someone to come check our fireplace and put in the storm door and windows as well.
Tomorrow we're going to the Amish produce stand to get apples. We're going to dry some and make a bunch of applesauce--yum! While we're out that way, we might do some nature hiking and collect autumn leaves. I also wanted to pick up some nuts. Michael has soccer and Scouts in the evening. Daddy has a funeral.
On Tuesday, the pastor is taking the youth group to Gettysburg. Katie Grace has ballet, but we might skip it this week. The boys get a little out of control waiting while she dances.
Wednesday nothing special is happening other than soccer for Katie Grace and Nicholas.
On Thursday, Michael and Katie Grace are going to see The Miracle Worker. I'll have to plan something special with Nicholas. Then in the evening it's chimes for Michael and Brownies for Katie Grace and me. Apparently it's some kind of makeover/beauty thing.
Friday is family day. I'm trying to come up with something fun to do. It's the first Friday there hasn't been a wedding rehearsal in a long, long time!
Saturday we may go to Thomas Day out at Toys R Us after everyone has their soccer games. Then again, maybe we won't. In the evening we have a church weenie roast and hay ride.
Sunday brings the first children's choir performance and, in the evening, Michael wants to audition for A Christmas Story.
Have a wonderful week!
This week's feasts and festivals
Tuesday, October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary
An interesting link I found: A Lutheran Rosary
Domestic church.com has some rosary links
And here are instructions to make your own rosary
You can also make rose beads and make a rosary
Thursday, October 9: St. Dennis
An interesting link I found: A Lutheran Rosary
Domestic church.com has some rosary links
And here are instructions to make your own rosary
You can also make rose beads and make a rosary
Thursday, October 9: St. Dennis
Saturday, October 4, 2008
I say, we will have no more marriages...
I think my kids miss their Saturday Daddy.
Two weeks ago, there was one wedding.
Then last week, there were two weddings.
This weekend, there was one more wedding.
And with weddings come Friday night rehearsals and Saturday night receptions.
I'm glad all these people are entering the most holy state of matrimony, but I definitely understood the song Nicholas was making up in the back seat of the car today on our way to Heritage Days without Daddy...
Two weeks ago, there was one wedding.
Then last week, there were two weddings.
This weekend, there was one more wedding.
And with weddings come Friday night rehearsals and Saturday night receptions.
I'm glad all these people are entering the most holy state of matrimony, but I definitely understood the song Nicholas was making up in the back seat of the car today on our way to Heritage Days without Daddy...
Dum, dum, dum,
Dumb old weddings.
I'm so tired of everyone getting married.
No one else can get married.
I miss my daddy.
Dumb old weddings.
I'm so tired of everyone getting married.
No one else can get married.
I miss my daddy.
Free audiobook download
If you go to www.audiblekids.com/parenting you can download one of three audio books for free! Your choices are Rapunzel, Rikki Tikki Tavi, or The Emperor's New Clothes.
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