The Homeschool Mothers Journal -

 

In my life this week…  It was a good week.  We did have a bad math test but we have been going over it and reviewing it this week.  Retest today!  I am hoping for a much better outcome ... fingers crossed!

In our homeschool this week…  We get to examine and dissect a chicken wing.  B is very excited for this.  I am just glad that it is a cooked chicken wing and not a frog!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…  Not too much out of the ordinary.  Two hockey games last weekend and two more this weekend.  Practices in between ... normal week during hockey season.

My favorite thing this week was…  B writing a short story from a picture.  He usually would complain about writing but not this time.  It was interesting and he wrote a full 3 pages!

Questions/thoughts I have…  What to do next year.  I am already trying to prepare and get ready for having all three kids at home.  I can't wait!!

I’m reading…  I just picked up a book that I read before ... but wanted to read again.  You can tell by the dog-eared pages, it must be a good one!  It is called Holy Cows & Hog Heaven - The Food Buyer's Guide to Farm Friendly Food by Joel Salatin.  If anyone watched Food Inc., the author of this book is a farmer from VA that is interviewed in the movie.  Good book and great movie ... if you are interested in the food industry.

I’m cooking…  I printed out three new recipes that I want to try soon.  I hope to get around to them soon!  BBQ grilled shrimp tostadas, pan seared sea scallops with citrus balsamic glaze, and slow cooker san francisco chops ... yum! 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… 
Anyone else looking forward to see this movie?  It comes out today.  I think that my hubby and I are going to have to have a date night soon!  It gives me chills just watching the trailer!

Why I Homeschool - This Week

I'm linking up with Hammock Tracks Blog Hop this week.  Go on over and check out what other homeschoolers are up to! 
 Hammock Track Homeschool Blog Hop

5 Reasons Why I Love Homeschool This Week -

Fun at the grocery store.  Yep, I said fun at the grocery store.  B and I went to the store together after his work was done and actually had fun together.  I'm not saying that we don't usually have fun together, but it is rare at the grocery store.  The grocery trips with kids in tow are usually frantic and tension gets the best of me.  Now we go the grocery store together during the day and laugh and enjoy ourselves.  Who knew going to the grocery store could be fun!

No doctor/dentist notes.  My two youngest are still in public school (only one more year - yea!).  They had dentist appointments today and when my husband went to pick them up he was reminded to bring a doctors note back so the absence is excused.  This really irks me and my husband.  Why do we need permission to take our kids out of school?  .... only one more year ...

Johnny Tremain.  B and I started to read this book this week and we have really enjoyed it.  I would say that it is our favorite this year, so far.  We are only on chapter 3 but I can't wait to see what happens to Johnny!  I love having this time with B!

Politically Incorrect Guide books.  I recently found these books on Rainbow Resource and I am really interested in getting some of them.  They are too old for B (they say 8th grade and up) but I would like to read them myself.  The books aren't actually one of my 5 reasons, but the ability to use all different resources to teach is.  I am sure that these books aren't 100% accurate, just like public school history books aren't 100% accurate.  What I love is having the ability to give B all different viewpoint and sources to learn from so that ultimately he can decide what make the most sense. 

Math.  We had a bad test last Friday.  That is obviously not one of my 5 reasons but reviewing what he didn't understand and ultimately giving him a retest is.  Last week his test had some word problems.  Word problems are the part of math that B hates.  He doesn't like them and doesn't get them. We are going over more word problems so that I can make sure that he fully understands them before moving on.  This would never happen in public school, unless the entire class didn't understand them!

Here is a little homeschool humor.  I just found this christian comedian and he is really funny!

Normal is Boring

This has been my favorite saying recently.  The kids have come to expect it.  It all started a couple of weeks ago when B asked me if he was normal and I said no.  He seemed surprised at my answer and inquired more.  I explained to him that 'normal' kids don't have strong faith in God.  'Normal' kids aren't homeschooled.  'Normal' kids look to TV and friends for guidance instead of God and their parents.  'Normal' kids do what others think is cool even if they don't agree.  Who wants to be normal?

The other day I pulled into the bank and acidentally pulled up to the ATM when I wanted to go to the window.  I had to pull around again.  C said, "Mom they're going to think you're weird".  I said, "Oh well, who wants to be normal.  How boring would that be?"  My adorable, confident 8 year old said, "Yeah, I'm not normal.  I'm awesome!" 

I'm so glad that my kids are really taking this to heart.  Normal is boring.  My kids aren't normal but they most definitely are awesome!!

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "  - Romans 12:2

Science fun - The edible cell

Last Friday we made the much anticipated edible cell.  B has been looking forward to this day since he found out about it.  First, I had to go to the store to get all of the candy to add to the jello.  Second, we had to not eat all the candy before the jello cell was made (hardest part).  When the jello was ready, we got started.

Check out all that candy!  I realized pretty quickly that I got way too much candy.  Darn.  This is what was left over after the cells were made.  Woops.  Whatever will we do with all that candy? 

After dinner, C and E got to join in the excitement of testing out the cell.  It was also great to hear B tell his dad all about the different parts of the cell.  There is something adorable about hearing him say Endoplasmic Reticulum.  And I was impressed with all that he remembered!

I also wanted to share a picture of B that I took 2 weeks ago enjoying the great weather.  These are the times that make homeschooling worth every second.  From a kid who hated reading ... he now reads everyday ... and actually seems to enjoy it! 

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

 
I'm linking up with Homeschool Mother's Journal again this week.  Press on the link to see what other homeschool mom's have going on!

In my life this week…  We finally got back to a full week of school.  We took off last Thursday and Friday because my youngest two had school cancelled due to the flooding.  It was good to get back to school and back into the swing of things.  We also took B to his first big concert.  It was a lot of fun and a late night so we got a late start Thursday but still got school done!

In our homeschool this week…  Things are going smoothly.  We have gotten into a groove.  I added a Spanish workbook.  It is really simple and just teaches common words.  I figured that it is a good start until we want to spend the money on Rosetta Stone. 

I am inspired by…  We had severe flooding in our area last week and it was awesome to see the community come together.  The local police kept everyone up to date on FB.  The amount of volunteers helping those in need was amazing (including my hubby who was deep in the mud all day Sunday).  It was heartwarming how the community came together, and it happened to be on the weekend of September 11th. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…  As I said, we took B to see his very first big concert.  It was Toby Keith with Eric Church at the York Fair.  We spent 7 hours together (just me, my hubby, and B) at the fair and then the concert.  It was so much fun! 
My favorite thing this week was…  Definitely the fair and the concert.  There was a storm that came through right at the start of the concert and it was delayed for an hour.  Luckily, we had seats that were covered and the rain didn't bother us one bit!  We also got to watch a pig race ... yes, I said pig race ...  He loved the concert and it was worth the money to see the smile on his face and enjoy the laughs together!

What’s working/not working for us…  Our new Science (Apologia's Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology) has been great.  B is excited about it which is all that I can ask for.  He has been looking forward to making a cell out of Jello all week.  Today is the day!  I also made a quiz for him on Monday to see if he was retaining anything.  He got a 100%!  So far, this Science has been perfect.  I love how it explains things in interesting ways. 

Questions/thoughts I have…  Anyone have a suggestion for Spanish?  Something simple and cheap?  Something good for 5th grade?  I am thinking about getting Rosetta Stone Spanish but it is pricey ... haven't made the leap yet.  

I’m praying for…  All the people in our community who lost everything in the recent flood. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

My guys waiting for the concert. 

I thought that these would be perfect links since we just remembered the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  If you've never heard of Eric Church and like country, check him out on the link below.  He's one of our families favorites!  Uber talented singer/songwriter.
Toby Keith - American Soldier
Eric Church

The Flood

What a crazy couple of days we have had...

We started hearing about record rain amounts but I didn't really listen.  I have a hard time believing the hyped up excitement and frantic rush to the grocery store.  Every winter we have at least one snow storm that makes everyone rush to the store to buy snow shovels, milk, and bread.  Usually it nothing more than a couple inches and even if it is 2 feet ... we live in PA ... it is cleared off the streets within 24 hours. 

Yesterday it was pouring buckets all day.  My youngest two go the public school which is about 2 miles (or less) down the road from me.  I got the call that the school was going to close early and the kids would be sent home at 2.  Then I got another call later from a neighbor that said if we could come pick up our kids, the principal said to go ahead.  They were worried about getting buses out and wanted as many kids picked up as possible.  I immediately got in the car and went to pick them up.  I was home with them safely within 15 minutes.

Later in the day I found out that most buses never made it the elementary schools.  We have a staggered bus system.  The same bus takes high school kids home, then picks up the middle schoolers and takes them home, then the elementary school.   Most of the middle school buses couldn't make it through roads that turned into rivers and had to go to the high school to wait it out.  I heard there were 1600 kids at the high school stranded and a lot of parents had no way to get to them.  Our elementary school had some kids still there into the evening.  Thank God I was able to get my kids home safely and quickly!! 

The town of Hershey (2 miles from us) is practically an island.  Most roads are covered by rushing water and it is hard to know that there was ever a road underneath.  Our local Pizza Hut, Bob Evans, Hoss's, and Wendy's were underwater and destroyed.  Hersheypark is also majorly flooded in most areas.  ZooAmerica (the zoo at Hersheypark) experienced major flooding and could save all of the animals except for 2 bison. :-(  Not to mention all the houses.  My heart goes out to all the people that lost everything.  I can't even imagine what they are going through.  We have been extremely lucky.  Even in our neighborhood, half of the people have swimming pools in their basements.  We don't have a drop. 

The kids were off school today and I just got the call that school is cancelled again tomorrow.  We are using snow days already ... in September!  We are also waiting to see if we lose water.  The local water company is telling everyone in our area to be prepared for a water shut off for up to 72 hours.  My tubs are full of water and I have 8 gallons of water in the garage.  Yep, I went to the grocery store and stocked up.  Not sure if it will happen but I want to be prepared.

Here are some pictures of our town.  Sorry they are really grainy pictures ...

Hersheypark

Hard to see but there is a Pizza Hut roof in the middle of what looks like a lake.

Local restaurant, walking distance to our elementary school.  First floor under water.

7-11 in downtown Hummelstown.  Gas tanks underwater.

Last that I heard there were 4 deaths in our County.  Hopefully there won't be anymore.  Did I say that the rivers haven't even crested yet?   My prayers go out to anyone that has lost their home or God forbid a loved one. 

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

 

This week I am linking up with the Homeschool Mother's Journal.  Click on the link above and check out what all the other Homeschool Mom's have been up to this week!

In my life this week…  My youngest two started public school on Monday (1st & 3rd grade).  This will be their last year before they come home with me.  I was sad to see them go but they have had a good week and they are happy with their teachers and classmates.  It has been easier doing school with B without all his friends knocking on the door throughout the morning. 
In our homeschool this week…  Things have went pretty smoothly.  B's favorite thing was probably Art where we learned about Picasso and he got to paint a copy of one of Picasso's paintings.  He had a lot of fun doing it.  I also found out that B really likes geography, which is something that I never knew! 
My favorite thing this week was…  Finding out the B like geography.  I have had fun looking online for fun games and printables for him to work on. 
What’s working/not working for us…  We changed our Science curriculum.  I love the books that came with our curriculum but I don't feel that he was retaining any of the information.  I ordered a new Science (Apologia's Exploring Creation with Anatomy and Physiology) last week and it just came yesterday.  We are going to start next week!  I am excited to try it!   
Things I’m working on…  Putting together a Geography curriculum that is fun for B.  I don't want to spend any more money ... so it is pretty much printables.  And we have a game that all the kids LOVE called the Scrambled States of America.  They don't even realize that they are learning the states and capitals!
I’m reading…  I just borrowed The Help from a friend.  I have heard so much about it and I can't wait to get started!
I’m grateful for…  My husband who works so hard so that I can stay home with the kids and homeschool.  I have heard a lot of moms say that they would love to homeschool but they can't because they work.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…  I have been in a very fall mood recently...

It's September!!!

I love September!!  It is my favorite month of the year.  It is the beginning of fall with gorgeous colors all over God's creation (especially if you live in the north).  I love my fall candles and I got them out of the cabinet yesterday.  Mulled cider ... spiced pumpkin ... aahhhh.  I love fall!!  Anyone want some apple pie or ginger bread cake?

I'm itching to get out my Halloween decorations but I am making myself wait another 2 weeks.  We always get mums, corn stalks, pumpkins, and gourds to decorate outside.  What is better than pictures in the fall?

It is also the beginning of the holiday season.  I know it is early, but in 3 months it will be Thanksgiving and then Christmas (another of my favorite times of year)! 

Our hockey season starts in the next couple of weeks.  It is hectic, but so much fun.  The ice rinks are cold and the travel is heavy, but the games are exciting and the family time is unforgettable.  I turn into a mega hockey mom in the winter.  You will find me in the ice rink with my team sweatshirt on including buttons (pins) of my favorite players.   Here are my favorite players!

B (#32)

C (#22)



What are your favorite things about fall?