Homeschool Mother's Journal

I have really missed posting and linking up to the Homeschool Mother's Journal and hope to do more of that now that the school year is in full swing.

In my life this week… 

Life is busy. Too busy I think and we aren't really doing much outside of going to church and homeschooling. Having a large family just equals busyness I think.

I issued a challenge to my family (and ultimately myself) to make our bread for this entire month.  I have been on a long quest toward healthy eating and it's time they came along.  NO store bought white or wheat bread.  I told my 10 year old that after a month of eating good bread she probably wouldn't even like that "bread" anymore.  We shall see.  I know that I couldn't eat it without gagging. :)

In our homeschool this week…

We had a full week.  My favorite thing we are doing this year is Circle Time.  I just love the time we have together each morning.  We start out reading a chapter of the Bible, then we have a short devotion.  On Mondays I read from Susan Hunt's book, My ABC Bible Verses and the other days we are having a lesson from Polite Moments by Gary Maldaner.  I love both of these.  We also review our verses that we are learning from the ABC book every day.  

We are learning US geography this year so we go over the states we have learned so far with large flashcards I made. We have learned the New England States so far and we are working on the Mid-Atlantic States now too.  I also ask questions from the Trail Guide to US Geography. (The kids work on maps later in the day.)

Other things we are doing in our Circle Time include Greek and Latin roots, Bible trivia, OT39 flashcards and lots of reading aloud.  I can't say enough about how much I LOVE Circle time.

This week we read:

Ruth Heller's Merry-Go-Round (book about nouns)

Verrazano, Explorer of the Atlantic Coast by Ronald Syme

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder (several chapters)

Brendan the Navigator by Jean Fritz

Follow the Dream: The Story of Christopher Colombus by Peter Sis  

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… 

The longer we homeschool the less I feel like I have tips and advice.  Just keep plugging I guess...oh and don't be afraid to ditch something if it isn't working.


Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… 

Unless going to church and the grocery store count, we haven't been going anywhere or seeing anyone.


Things I’m working on…

Going to bed earlier...and getting up early.  Had a pretty good week with that.


I’m cooking…

As I mentioned above I am making all of our bread...and with a family my size it means I am baking quite a bit of bread. I'm also making my own yogurt and kefir.  I LOVE being in the kitchen.  It makes me happy.

Hopefully I will have some pictures for next week's post but I didn't want to let my lack of pictures prevent me from linking up.

Head on over to Homeschool Mother's Journal to link up or see what others are up to.

Homeschool Mother's Journal

It's been a few weeks since I've linked up with The Homeschool Mother's Journal.  We had a power outage with Blizzard Nemo and I fell behind on some things.  Glad to be back this week finally!

In my life this week…

My husband is a public school teacher and this week he was on vacation.  So, for us this wasn't a school week.  My routine has been thrown off a bit and I haven't accomplished much of anything.  I have also been consumed with learning all I can about eating the Trim Healthy Mama way.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This month the commuter train is free on Wednesdays so we drove to the train station (about 40 minutes away) and took the youngest 5 kids on the train to the city and went to the mall.  We all had a good time and for 4 of the 5 it was their first train ride.  FUN!

My favorite thing this week was…

This may sound silly, but my favorite thing this week was getting a new blade and gasket for my blender.  It's 22 years old and has been leaking from the bottom for quite some time (years).  Someone told me that I could get a new gasket and it turns out they had them right at Walmart!  It actually appears to have been a problem with the blade and not the gasket but at any rate.  I have a new bottom for my blender and I don't need to buy a new one!  Yippee!!


My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

I'm pretty sure it was the train ride...oh and ride up and down the escalators at the mall.  They love that.


A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

My "baby" girl, Sadie.

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Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

I started FlyLady again this week after YEARS of not doing it.  I still have my old control journal.  It needs some updating but it is still a good place to start.  I will be so glad to have a cleaning routine and some other routines set in place. (and by start I do not mean I'm getting the e-mails...they were always too overwhelming)

In our homeschool this week…

We had a pretty good week.  Ryan has really been struggling with fractions so I pulled out some different resources including Math-U-See and that seemed to help.  We'll see how it goes this week.  Emma has been really enjoying her science book (look for a review at the end of the week) and her Greek and Latin root cards (another upcoming review item.)

My favorite thing this week was…

I think my favorite thing his week was feeling like I'm getting back into a groove. I'm exercising and getting the house in order.  I'm trying to squeeze in some reading and crocheting too.  January was a tough month and I'm ready for February to be great!

My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

Emma made some brownie cake pops with a kit she got for her birthday.  I think they all enjoyed these (except Katie..she doesn't eat chocolate)

Things I’m working on…

I am working on getting it all together. HA!  Not sure that will ever happen. :)

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

I heard about this book, Trim Healthy Mama recently.  The $35 price tag kind of scared me away. I ended up deciding that I really want to read it and since I had gift cards to Amazon, I ordered it. I can't wait for it to come!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

I found this on my camera with a bunch of other self-portraits and pictures Connor took.  I love this kid!



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Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

It was SO cold here this week.  It hasn't been above freezing in a week. This is also the first week since December first that I am not coughing.  I am finally, finally feeling better!

In our homeschool this week…

This time of the year seems so difficult. I am just struggling along trying to get everything done.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This week we went to the local aquarium.  It was very cold.  We got there right when they opened and there was hardly anyone there which was nice.  When we got to the penguin exhibit no one else was even there and the penguins had just been fed and were active.  It was a lot of fun to see them up close....with no one in our way. :)

Things I’m working on…

Crochet.  Lots of crochet.  Lots of fun.  I had been focusing on my knitting for the past year or more.  It's good to be doing both. (I also finished knitting a heavy scarf I started in the fall...perfect timing for this week's cold weather too!)

I've been making some hexagons.
They are fun. I'm trying to decide if I want to make a bedspread out of them.

Then I decided to try a 12" square.  I adore this one.
(It's only 11" blocked though)
The color in this picture is very off.
 It's actually a very bright pink.

I’m cooking…

sourdough crackers

I cannot make enough to keep them in the house.  My family gobbles them up.

I’m grateful for…

Long underwear!  It has been SO cold here this week (as I mentioned). BRRRR

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

taken at the aquarium-these are my 5 youngest

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Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

This week had half of my family sick with a stomach bug.  Not my idea of a good time.  However, I am finally over my pneumonia.  I even went for a run yesterday for the first time in weeks...more like 2 months actually.

In our homeschool this week…

Some fun things going on...but still having some trouble getting into the swing of things.  I think now that I am on the mend things should go better.  I am still tired but at least I can read a paragraph without coughing!

Making an edible cell model

My favorite thing this week was…

Celebrating Emma's 10th birthday.  Rob and I took her out for Chinese food.  It's not often that we get a chance to spend one on one time with the kids.  I think we are going to start doing that for each of their birthdays from now on.  (They can pick the restaurant.)

Emma got Just Dance Kids 2 for the Wii

Things I’m working on…

I am trying to finish up a couple of projects.  One is a baby sweater that I am almost finished crocheting and the other is a scarf that I started making in the fall to wear on our trip to NYC in December.  I didn't finish it (I was sick for one thing) and then it ended up being warm anyway.)  So now I'm just trying to get it done because it's so big it takes up half of my project bag.


I’m cooking…

I've been enjoying lots of fruits and vegetables lately.  I made a creamy mushroom arugula side dish this week that I plan to share the recipe for later this week...and my new favorite snack is Kale chips.  YUM!

YUM

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

A sharp crochet hook for crocheting borders

and a perforating rotary blade that makes holes in fleece for edging blankets.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

Connor working on  a mosaic

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Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

This was our first week back to school after 2 weeks off for Christmas vacation.  I have been sick in varying degrees since Dec. 1.  I am currently recovering from pneumonia.  It is a long slow process making getting back into the swing of things very difficult.

In our homeschool this week…

We started Apologia's Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology for an upcoming review.  I am very excited about this curriculum.  I think we'll learn a lot and have a lot of fun too.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Plan AND follow through with your plans.  I get nowhere fast when I don't have plans.


My favorite thing this week was…

Playing with my little ones using the Flowering Baby curriculum that I will be reviewing here in a few weeks.


Things I’m working on…

I crocheted a baby sweater while I was sick.  I hadn't crocheted in quite some time (I've been knitting) and it was fun to pick it up again.  I am trying to find the time to sew it together and do the finish stitching.

blocking the sweater pieces

I’m cooking…

Hot Buttered Pretzels

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

Rebecca on her 20th birthday (Jan. 1) with Connor

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The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In our homeschool this week…

Emma's wetu



Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Dentists, oral surgeon, dinner/shopping with my best friend, organ lesson, piano lesson, church, cantata practice, choir rehearsal, grocery shopping.....It was a crazy busy week!

My favorite things this week …

Having my oldest daughter home for 5 days.


I bought an electric tea kettle this week after not having a tea kettle for a very long time.  I love this little kettle.

Things I’m working on…
knitting- I have several projects in the works.  I love to knit!

sour dough starter-I have been trying some different recipes with a wild yeast sour dough starter that I started just over a week ago.

I’m reading…

finished reading  Letting Go

King Alfred's English: A History of the Language We Speak and Why We Should Be Glad We Do. This is a fascinating book!  Check it out.



I’m cooking…

Sour dough waffles with my starter.

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The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

I didn't post last week because I honestly had no interest in being online.  Hurricane Sandy blew through on Monday leaving us without power for 48 hours.  Our internet was out for another 12 after that.  Once the internet was restored, I spent a considerable amount of time looking at pictures and videos of the damage in our area....and then, I just didn't even care about logging on.  I spent a lot of time reading as you'll see below :).  I feel like maybe I have a bit better balance with my computer time now. This week I was able to rejoin the internet but not feel like it was sucking me in.


My favorite thing this week was…

My family--

Celebrating my son, Ryan's 13th birthday (6th) and my daughter, Ellie's 5th birthday (which will be on the 14th) today with a family birthday party.

My daughter Rebecca came home for a long weekend visit.

Teaching my 9 year old to play Quiddler.  I hadn't played in ages and it was a lot of fun.


I’m reading…

Last week I finished Vintage Remedies Guide to Baking Bread (interesting, excellent read)
Since last weekend I've read Truffles by the Sea, A Tailor- Made Bride, Courting Morrow Little, The Lord is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries.  I'm half way through Letting Go.  I've enjoyed all of these books.  I LOVED Courting Morrow Little.  All of these books were free for on my Kindle at some point.  I've had my Kindle for almost 2 years.  I just love it.

Tonight I purchased King Alfred's English: A History of the Language We Speak and Why We Should Be Glad We Do.  I've read really good things about this book so I'm looking forward to reading it.

I’m grateful for…

Power and heat, a nice home to live in with my family...plenty of food.  All things I take for granted much too often.


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

This beautiful scene was taken just days after Hurricane Sandy.  You can't tell from this picture the havoc that was wreaked up and down the coast.  I could have shared a picture of the destruction, but this stuck out to me and so here it is.

The heavens declare the glory of God
and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.

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Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

This has been a busy week where I couldn't be home as much as I wanted.  I mentioned this last week too.  I long for the days when I can just stay home for days on end.  It is rare that I can stay home for a full day anymore.

In our homeschool this week…

This has not been a great week.  Too many outside appointments and some things just not really working.  I changed Ryan's science from Apologia's General Science to Christian Kids Explore Chemistry.  We did the first 2 units in CKEC last year so we are going to finish that book and then move on to Christian Kids Explore Physics.

Emma and I worked on building model Pilgrim houses with popsicle sticks and grass.  It was a fun (albeit time consuming) project. This project was part of her Pilgrim Story curriculum.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

3 kids went to the dentist this week.  NO cavities!  YAY!  Katie (15) had her wisdom teeth out on Wednesday.  Not much fun in this category for sure.

My favorite thing this week was…

Christmas cantata practice...my favorite thing all year.  Choirs from several churches gather to sing a cantata with an orchestra.  I just love it.

I’m reading…

Vintage Remedies Guide to Bread  - This book was free for the Kindle a few weeks ago.  I downloaded it but didn't give another thought to it until someone on facebook mentioned they were reading it.  I love this book...it is so interesting.  I hope to be baking some nutritious sourdough breads in the near future.


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The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In our homeschool this week…

This week went by so fast it seems like a blur.  I am always thrown off when we have a Monday holiday.  Two of the girls started back to their music lessons.  We are just plugging away.


Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

My husband and I took a trip to upstate NY to visit our oldest daughter on Monday.

a little foliage from the trip

My favorite thing this week was…

Getting the news that my oldest daughter passed her CNA license exam on her first try.


I’m reading…

I've been reading the Bible chronologically since I finished the Bible in 90 days back in March.  This week I decided to use a Beth Moore study for my personal devotions.  I am deciding between one on the life of David and the other on Jesus.  I am pretty sure I've decided to buy the one on Jesus (for my Kindle.)

I also read Diagnosis Death: Prescription for Trouble series #3 by Richard Maybrey.  It was free (at some point) so I had it on my Kindle. It was an enjoyable read.

I’m cooking…

This week I made a new recipe from the newest Weight Watchers cookbook, I ♥ Leftovers.  Here it is:


Spicy Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder

2 tsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. flour
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1 (32-ounce) carton reduced sodium chicken broth
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
1 chipotle en adobe, minced (I left this out because I didn't have any and thought it might be too hot)
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups fresh or frozen corn
1 (6-oz.) reduced sodium lean ham steak, trimmed and cut into 1/2" cubes (I used Canadian bacon)
1/2 cup fat free half and half
 T. minced fresh chives

 Saute onion, celery and garlic in oil over medium high heat, stirring frequently until vegetables are soft (about 5 minutes). Stir in flour and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute.  Add broth, sweet potato, chipotle, and salt; bring to boil. reduce heat, cover, and simmer until potato is tender (about 10 minutes). Stir in corn, ham and half-and-half and cook until heated through. Sprinkle each serving with chives.

Serving size (generous 1 cup)

185 calories
5 points plus




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

Jenna, Emma and Connor sitting outside the Mayflower II.  A great field trip we took yesterday. 

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Homeschool Mother's Journal

I came across the Homeschool Mother's Journal link up on my friend Sam's blog and thought it would be fun to do. If I like it, I will try to link up each week.

In my life this week…

On Saturday, we took the kids apple picking. Then, I did something drastic.  I cut my hair short.  I haven't had short hair in many years.  I love having it short again.  I was a nervous wreck while it was being cut off (I meant to take a picture of all the hair on the floor but I forgot.)  It turned out good though, so I'm happy I did it.

the back of my head

Oldest and youngest at the apple orchard
This was in the morning before I cut my hair.

We went to church on Sunday morning and evening. My oldest daughter, Becca was here visiting. It was nice to have the whole family together. It had been almost a year since we took a photo of all of us.

All of us 

 On Monday, I had to take Katie (15) to the oral surgeon for a consultation for getting her wisdom teeth out.  I also took her to practice the organ and managed to squeeze in a 2 mile run in preparation for my first 5K race this weekend. It was also two of my daughter's birthdays.  Jenna turned 7 and Sadie turned 3.

Sadie

Jenna

On Wednesday morning, I knew that I needed to get up early to run or I would not have time.  I started out fine, but about half way through I got an excruciating pain in my neck, down my back and in my shoulder.  I ran for a bit more, but ended up having to just walk home.  SIGH...it still hurts and the race is tomorrow.  But, I digress.  I came home and went to Weight Watchers.  I brought my "fat clothes" as a show and tell and that was pretty fun.  

The rest of the week was pretty run of the mill. My focus has been on this neck pain and whether or not I'll be able to run after months of preparation.  

In our homeschool this week…

This year Emma (9) and Jenna (7) are using Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space.  We are currently doing the second unit which is on the Lithosphere.  The chapter is on volcanoes so I decided to do Download N' Go's Volatile Volcanoes unit study.  Two years ago we used Download N' Go as our curriculum and it has been good to get back to some of that. (We finished Cavernous Caves last week.)  We did 3 days of it this week and we'll finish it next week.  

We also made some changes this week.  Katie switched back to Teaching Textbooks for Algebra II. She has been studying diligently for her upcoming PSAT which I went and officially signed her up for today.

I've also realized in the last week or so that my daughter Jenna can read. Normally, I use Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, but we reviewed Reading Kingdom so Jenna has been using that on the computer each day and has really blossomed.  She read, The Golly Sisters Go West all by herself.  I am so proud of her.  I think she is seeing the fun in reading.  (At the beginning of the school year, she told me she didn't want to learn how to read.)

I’m grateful for…

So many things but with my recent neck injury I am thankful for my good health.  I am thankful that I've been able to lose over 80 lbs and be in shape enough to even consider running a 5K....just so thankful for it! I am grateful to my family for supporting me as I take the time to run each week too.

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

Becca and Connor on our trip to the apple orchard.

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