tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41112310800069100362024-03-19T02:35:34.504-07:00Homeschooling Their Hearts.....for lifeWe are a Christian homeschooling family that uses an eclectic approach. Our main priority is not only to have our children read, write and do arithmetic well, but to also instill a love of God in their hearts. You'll find a lot about our homeschooling journey here, along with a little bit of everything else we encounter in our day to day lives.Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-19956776329490741242012-01-05T12:23:00.001-08:002012-01-05T12:23:44.028-08:00My Last Post….<p>at this blog address, that is. I am merging this blog with my new one:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.rustyandredone.blogspot.com/">Rusty and Redone</a></p> <p align="left">As my life evolves and interests change, I feel having one blog that shows my life as a whole, better suits me at this moment. I am still homeschooling. I am still a stay-at-home mom. My views and beliefs have not wavered.</p> <p align="left">But I am heading in some new directions, and I’m excited to see what God has in store for me and my family.</p> <p align="left">So, I hope you will check out the new blog, and continue to follow me as I post about our homeschooling, family life, field trips and a whole bunch of new stuff!</p> <p align="left">Blessings~</p> <p align="left">And thank you~</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6fFE2r_7LqI/TwYGzdpiTbI/AAAAAAAABjg/0Z6hdVjCNAM/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-38XaAVsAGbA/TwYGziFxKEI/AAAAAAAABjo/bpwRDmUU1ds/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-33109383313119317692011-12-19T19:00:00.001-08:002011-12-19T19:00:57.098-08:00Christmas in the Trenches<p>During the Christmas season I try to read as many Christmas books to the kids as I can squeeze in. It’s not possible to read every night, due to other holiday going-ons, but the kids take turns picking out which story they want to hear when we are snuggled in at home.</p> <p>Tonight Blake chose <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Trenches-John-McCutcheon/dp/1561453749/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324349479&sr=1-1">Christmas in the Trenches</a></em> by John McCutcheon. This is a book I picked up at ,where else but,  a thrift store a couple of years ago and  it remains one of our favorites. The author first wrote a song, then a book was developed from that. The touching storyline is loosely based on a Christmas truce that occurred during WWI. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B8lMWllbF_Q/Tu_6X6PcSeI/AAAAAAAABi4/OTHeFy992Ek/s1600-h/100_5793%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_5793" border="0" alt="100_5793" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hFikmUVN18Y/Tu_6YVeY4SI/AAAAAAAABjA/sfXeYOzUfD4/100_5793_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="330" /></a></p> <p>The book also contains a brief author’s note on how he came to compose the song and a historical note on the actual occurrence of the truce. The last pages of the book are the lyrics to the song, itself.</p> <p>So, to wrap up our story time, we found a video of the author singing the song and watched that. If you have the time, it’s worth viewing, especially at this time of year.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 448px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:2100e306-10b4-4380-a009-cccb068d4d33" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="a14dde99-3e1f-4d46-9670-4cb407fbde05" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1mnIG48S48" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mcMmMbySNBs/Tu_6YmNZ2mI/AAAAAAAABjI/wXFQM1ecjJY/videoace1c8f08797%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a14dde99-3e1f-4d46-9670-4cb407fbde05'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/e1mnIG48S48?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/e1mnIG48S48?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pteEpdZC1pU/Tu_6Y6ij5rI/AAAAAAAABjQ/ZCqD0i26hP4/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6V322fq8klE/Tu_6aBWp_wI/AAAAAAAABjY/8Q8zJ0ilGm0/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-61595303363270591712011-12-01T21:13:00.001-08:002011-12-01T21:13:20.504-08:00Thanksgiving Week<p>Since today is December 1, I thought I ought to share our Thanksgiving activities with you before it made it too close to Christmas.</p> <p>We were invited to have our Thanksgiving meal with some good friends of ours. Since, all of our family, except one grandma, still resides in California, we’ve been adopted into a couple other families here. It’s been wonderful having some friends that are so easy to be comfortable with; they even let their kids call me Aunt Shannon. I love that!</p> <p>Anyways, on to our meal.</p> <p>Robin decorated our table so nicely. I loved the centerpiece.</p> <p>                                              <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZDXUnMLW_cQ/TtheVZ3QPQI/AAAAAAAABhY/gvzMrEzYKDQ/s1600-h/IMG_0171%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0171" border="0" alt="IMG_0171" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GvYCMHG0BLs/TtheVxVCeDI/AAAAAAAABhg/3Z7eNVqg5DE/IMG_0171_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="344" /></a></p> <p>                            <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GPGB3pedJsg/TtheWoXeiXI/AAAAAAAABho/bhwgV3Hs34w/s1600-h/IMG_0170%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0170" border="0" alt="IMG_0170" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HQgcoahZDXM/TtheXPIxFZI/AAAAAAAABhw/rPhkxObB2h8/IMG_0170_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="269" /></a></p> <p>                           <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SbyHrMoYr8w/TtheYP1jc8I/AAAAAAAABh4/0dSHqodAi0g/s1600-h/IMG_0172%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0172" border="0" alt="IMG_0172" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WwioS8ybY_4/TtheYUGfgJI/AAAAAAAABiA/knVVAXBQ2lk/IMG_0172_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="273" /></a></p> <p>It was so much fun to hear the kids goofing off together at their table. Don’t they look like they’re enjoying the meal?</p> <p>                           <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nqYUheN3lQk/TtheZPoirfI/AAAAAAAABiI/dR7ai6F3EOQ/s1600-h/IMG_0173%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0173" border="0" alt="IMG_0173" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iw90KsjIopk/TtheZmX0GDI/AAAAAAAABiQ/SwszYQnQ-rs/IMG_0173_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-94XwOVgBuQM/TtheaWnAA8I/AAAAAAAABiY/-guSrSGa39M/s1600-h/IMG_0174%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0174" border="0" alt="IMG_0174" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qa6XzeXtWR8/Ttheali3ZlI/AAAAAAAABig/hvSml7bMUoY/IMG_0174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>I should have taken a photo of the food. It was all fabulous! We had turkey, mashed potatoes, 2 kinds of gravy, sweet potatoes, a gluten-free stuffing (which turned out delicious), green salad, corn, green beans, frog whip (whipped cream concoction), rolls and a lot of dessert. Robin’s other half, David, made a homemade Reese’s cheesecake. There was fudge, homemade carrot cake, and a gluten-free pumpkin roll, which was delicious. Since I’ve been gluten-free, I’ve not had a pumpkin roll-so this was a nice treat made for me by Robin’s mom.</p> <p>We spent the afternoon playing Boggle, then went home for naps so we could rest up for some midnight Wal-Mart shopping deals.  We managed to come home with a laptop for Connor. He’s been saving his money and of course the best deals are the day after (or of) Thanksgiving.</p> <p>I’ll share next on our town’s tree lighting ceremony that we attended the day after Thanksgiving. It’s pretty picture heavy, so I’ll give it it’s own space!</p> <p>I hope your holiday was as blessed as ours was.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yYTzvicQ-y8/TthebIZLewI/AAAAAAAABio/tVZbh7tj3uw/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iHgxwCxMQZM/Ttheb4xwo7I/AAAAAAAABiw/gOc8zLa_DXI/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-66983989988239756102011-11-20T14:43:00.001-08:002011-11-20T14:43:37.992-08:00Mommy Duties<p>This last week I had to do perform a mommy duty. Well, I had to perform more than one, but this was one I always put off.  </p> <p>Ironing.</p> <p>Usually I wait until I have a pile of items and then turn on a show I enjoy and iron away. </p> <p>But not last week. My children had a special ironing request that had to be done. </p> <p>Immediately.</p> <p>These are what were so important:</p> <p align="center"><strong>A horse….</strong></p> <p>                        <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sl2Kh8vFEls/TsmCZxiNxBI/AAAAAAAABgY/-qxdt8EcsyU/s1600-h/100_4723%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_4723" border="0" alt="100_4723" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UmS0IPmYGAs/TsmCab51msI/AAAAAAAABgg/TJHoXvwTyF4/100_4723_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="299" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Red Skull from Captain America….</strong></p> <p>                                          <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-17eDk9n8WxI/TsmCa4DV-aI/AAAAAAAABgo/gGv0kw5xHnA/s1600-h/100_4724%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_4724" border="0" alt="100_4724" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UTH4LWHrhes/TsmCbdb2opI/AAAAAAAABgw/3UUIG00RGAg/100_4724_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="287" height="384" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>and Captain America himself.</strong></p> <p>                                          <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eDwmQo6KZ54/TsmCb0KwyKI/AAAAAAAABg4/sC2mQC4upOY/s1600-h/100_4726%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_4726" border="0" alt="100_4726" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uEFU2lwqVw8/TsmCcG8aB1I/AAAAAAAABhA/Ex33JjQpAVI/100_4726_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="392" /></a></p> <p>Melty beads or fusion beads, as they could be known. My talented little boys like to create <em>all kinds</em> of creatures with these and then wait patiently for me to iron them. (Just a little sarcasm inserted there.)  But once they’re completed, they have oh-so-much-fun with them. And it was certainly worth pulling the iron out for.</p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-scMUgRkAYkg/TsmCcgUltqI/AAAAAAAABhI/Tu2wk29p4S4/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6jk8WbFqy3Q/TsmCc6G9Q-I/AAAAAAAABhQ/tGo2_osxwW8/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-1076429232123918742011-11-13T13:45:00.001-08:002011-11-13T13:45:23.622-08:00Is That a Bookworm?<p>Connor recently found this living in his Language Lessons workbook:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JalH5PU4ZTY/TsA6ZdVSN1I/AAAAAAAABas/5rIpqDEn-jU/s1600-h/100_4413%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_4413" border="0" alt="100_4413" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SIfQT8xDcMc/TsA6Zn158MI/AAAAAAAABa0/02uh94z26uQ/100_4413_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-skfBhktO6j0/TsA6aUpveAI/AAAAAAAABa8/q2mDkOjU5rc/s1600-h/100_4410%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_4410" border="0" alt="100_4410" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N7x7gvMUfkI/TsA6aknJaKI/AAAAAAAABbE/xoy8KS4Fg_4/100_4410_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Yep, Connor opened the book up and this little guy was basically living inside it.  Now, I’m fairly certain that we read last year in his Nature Reader that bookworms don’t actually eat books. However, I’m not so sure that was accurate, as this guy was working his way through the current page, as evidenced in the following photo:  </p> <p>                                          <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CFdz0iuF0cE/TsA6bIUxROI/AAAAAAAABbM/-qkNdbdbkiw/s1600-h/100_4414%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_4414" border="0" alt="100_4414" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TGa67qyEXzw/TsA6bmPSTEI/AAAAAAAABbU/3Qi_jsYSvc4/100_4414_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="255" height="341" /></a></p> <p>And, yes, I do think that’s worm poop</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lpziRBbTF9Q/TsA6b4IGnzI/AAAAAAAABbc/GcQ9b39cxSM/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p86aNyqONp0/TsA6cvM-ifI/AAAAAAAABbk/594HhsJWUWo/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-70475653132391572282011-10-17T12:41:00.001-07:002011-10-17T12:41:21.908-07:00Which Would You Prefer?<p>Last week Connor read about marsupials in his science book. He was especially intrigued by opossums. The author recounted a story of having a opossum as a pet and showed a photo of a baby opossum. </p> <p>It was pretty cute.</p> <p>However, growing up in the country as I did, you learn quickly that opossums are <em>not</em> cute. They are pretty nasty creatures.</p> <p>So, when Connor asked me if he could have a opossum as a pet, you can bet I said, “no way.” He proceeded to explain to me why it would be a good idea. How they were pretty much immune to any diseases, could eat poisonous plants and not get sick, how they played dead and emitted foul smells-pretty cool traits to an eight year old, I’m sure. I still said, “no way.”</p> <p>Fast forward a couple of days. </p> <p>It had finally rained! There were snails all over the front walk. Connor asked for a jar to catch one. Being the good homeschooling mom that I am, I obliged him. Then he asked if he could bring it in the house to watch it. I said, “No way.” He said he wanted to keep it as a pet. I said, “No way.” He said he either wanted an opossum or a snail for a pet.</p> <p>I said, “Bring on the snail.”</p> <p>                           <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Zb1hycH4t4/TpyE3Pr4PbI/AAAAAAAABUE/wDx9sbURbGM/s1600-h/100_4295%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_4295" border="0" alt="100_4295" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3BGxMyLi2XU/TpyE3hf_SXI/AAAAAAAABUM/EZ4sYnJ2_oQ/100_4295_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="266" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GhfnV-56JWs/TpyE30BcaAI/AAAAAAAABUU/rTzAhBGw-Xk/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PNYK4DQCuZo/TpyE4J6mkoI/AAAAAAAABUc/zndAwah0u6Y/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-84637508921411341322011-10-07T16:58:00.001-07:002011-10-07T16:58:53.191-07:00Nature Study News<p>I took the opportunity on Wednesday to snap some pics of the boys at their nature study class. They weren’t exactly thrilled, but I managed to sneak a few in.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C9zvxvHrpJc/To-SFN7H1mI/AAAAAAAABS0/sXUjZAow_do/s1600-h/100_3864%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3864" border="0" alt="100_3864" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GChxkxrFDeM/To-SFmK8tyI/AAAAAAAABS4/JmDARr9d9WM/100_3864_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bXCw8syLqGc/To-SGeB3k9I/AAAAAAAABS8/HuUeUaBB7hU/s1600-h/100_3865%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3865" border="0" alt="100_3865" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jg2T-jbc6lY/To-SG4clYcI/AAAAAAAABTA/JRHVsF7tA9g/100_3865_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I92QpCMo7tg/To-SHyG4hEI/AAAAAAAABTE/VQoc2ap67zE/s1600-h/100_3866%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3866" border="0" alt="100_3866" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ft4I2FhV9oE/To-SIBtLo1I/AAAAAAAABTI/6AYRYGsJ3RY/100_3866_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--YukeRP9T1U/To-SI4zBUBI/AAAAAAAABTM/7HX4OKRs544/s1600-h/100_3867%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3867" border="0" alt="100_3867" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8wLTDRN7dtE/To-SJYnweeI/AAAAAAAABTQ/vUkEdVGe41g/100_3867_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gjda0F_n7XY/To-SKHEc3gI/AAAAAAAABTU/9xD34CgCpFE/s1600-h/100_3868%25255B3%25255D.jpg">     <img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3868" border="0" alt="100_3868" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kvqehSSQ9uY/To-SKXsYeUI/AAAAAAAABTY/7zkDDJKxeko/100_3868_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Connor decided to act just a little goofy for the camera.</p> <p>Their subject this week was a Burr Oak Acorn. Their teacher, who is a friend of mine, also, has a backyard full of them, so she brought a few in for an up close and personal study.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F6Fg4-F9smU/To-SLKyGRrI/AAAAAAAABTc/yHXNXUSNrvg/s1600-h/100_3869%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3869" border="0" alt="100_3869" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7aVayAzZs30/To-SLq_N-CI/AAAAAAAABTg/UcIcDNHEuKY/100_3869_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Focauu3dz_w/To-SMRTTi1I/AAAAAAAABTk/bEfHeWUzdJQ/s1600-h/100_3870%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3870" border="0" alt="100_3870" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aSispwN4bn4/To-SM81Q8BI/AAAAAAAABTo/7Arv2IssHoY/100_3870_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We have found these on our walks around the neighborhood, but never knew what they were. They kind of look like regular acorns on steroids.</p> <p>Here are their sketches.</p> <blockquote> <p>Connor                                         Blake</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0ElQb40i51s/To-SNYpdZZI/AAAAAAAABTs/UqWaByQ0rHc/s1600-h/100_3876%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3876" border="0" alt="100_3876" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q-CTnDoHNco/To-SNgkeP9I/AAAAAAAABTw/nhkeXPT25u0/100_3876_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RkK6gdPk1M4/To-SOIv4zEI/AAAAAAAABT0/f_7Z8IPrT0U/s1600-h/100_3878%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3878" border="0" alt="100_3878" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ymiE2fK0faY/To-SOUbz5rI/AAAAAAAABT4/Pt4KokJpXBQ/100_3878_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Next week is the final week of class. The co-op is considering either a leather working class or a writing class using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Starters-Helping-Children-Written/dp/188920904X" target="_blank">Story Starters</a> by Karen Andreola. Either one would suit us just fine!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3osm3kPizYs/To-SOggG8gI/AAAAAAAABT8/b2trQX1WgaI/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q3l8pus_nuI/To-SPEBP7DI/AAAAAAAABUA/V3gUpSapLuc/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-62249104042184547842011-09-21T09:19:00.001-07:002011-09-21T09:19:23.820-07:00Is That Where Bigfoot Came From?<p>                                         <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tzB4ArV2uCo/TnoOhVbv7vI/AAAAAAAABSk/vzflVWxqR80/s1600-h/bigfoot%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="bigfoot" border="0" alt="bigfoot" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KTmb4JtlKj0/TnoOhzwp5FI/AAAAAAAABSo/tiTHWky9Klg/bigfoot_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="244" /></a></p> <p>My boys (mainly Blake) are fascinated with the idea of Bigfoot. They like to watch Monsterquest and Destination Truth and debate the idea of the existence of such a creature.</p> <p>So, today during Bible time, I asked them if they remembered who Esau was. Laina jokingly said, “The big, hairy guy.”  Blake followed up with, “Hey, maybe that’s where Bigfoot came from!”</p> <p>Not exactly biblical, but worth a smile.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xr40HC5ZuDM/TnoOiIZwOwI/AAAAAAAABSs/qQVT__XFqIk/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j8ChPYCa_6g/TnoOirUSjWI/AAAAAAAABSw/krrhtyInIwA/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-85500574881639237452011-09-19T12:13:00.001-07:002011-09-19T12:13:28.554-07:00Apologia Science<p>The boys are enjoying their Apologia science books. Blake has been working through the <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_61&products_id=2">Apologia Botany</a> book by setting his own pace. This works well with him as he tends to want to read ahead. Last week he learned about classifying plants by sorting shoes from our closets. This was a great hands on project since he could visually see how the shoes ended up grouped when he was finished.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gOv8BwqWUtw/TneUTLh8qZI/AAAAAAAABSI/jFwvdvGSei8/s1600-h/100_3584%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#cc6600">                                                </font>   <img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3584" border="0" alt="100_3584" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RS-KqhxBkbM/TneUTsVHlEI/AAAAAAAABSM/ORo3gN-CnBw/100_3584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Connor is doing well on his <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_64&products_id=104">Apologia Land Animals</a> book. He’s working more on his own this year. It still takes some prompting to keep him on track, but once he gets going he’s very diligent in his work. Last week his notebooking instructions were to create a newsletter about dogs. Instead of handwriting it, he asked if he could type it. So we opened up a template in Microsoft Publisher and he went to town! I was really impressed, especially since I’ve never typed anything in Publisher! Here’s the final product. Punctuation and spelling still needs to be worked on.<img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8pAb7vDZIrg/TneUUAnHHLI/AAAAAAAABSQ/ANuyShTr-3g/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>                                                    <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kh3Z4EDF2m8/TneUUswhgFI/AAAAAAAABSU/Q7nyLGeqvRY/s1600-h/Dog%252520League%252520Newsletter%252520Connor%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Dog League Newsletter Connor" border="0" alt="Dog League Newsletter Connor" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZjSLwStDfUs/TneUUwlvQzI/AAAAAAAABSY/vOw44HXwfJA/Dog%252520League%252520Newsletter%252520Connor_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="189" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Laina is finishing up her first module in <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=61">Apologia Biology</a>. She’ll take her test in a couple of days, so hopefully she’ll do well. I’ve decided only to grade on the tests this year and not on the study guide questions. This will simplify things quite a bit on my end, and hopefully enable her to have better information for studying. I also am not requiring the labs, unless it is one that she absolutely wants to do. </p> <p>That’s all for now~</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0YRQBXSBDY0/TneUVY4SgMI/AAAAAAAABSc/8GY4pX_5SVs/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lzvAoghfbb8/TneUVw8-kPI/AAAAAAAABSg/IVZlceeL_Tk/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-86931171044643223832011-09-12T20:14:00.001-07:002011-09-12T20:14:27.895-07:00Photo Updates-Finally!<p>The kiddos pics on my sidebar are now updated for their current school years! Yay!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RXzmpMOgo1U/Tm7KkdwpzZI/AAAAAAAABSA/DloRZvbh9Xo/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o1_QzpWJJF4/Tm7Kk2mXthI/AAAAAAAABSE/QvnAFn0yOHk/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-16843135390620920142011-09-06T11:47:00.001-07:002011-09-06T11:47:08.421-07:00Back to School<p>It seems I’ve stretched summer out as long as I could, and so today it was time to embark on a new school year adventure. I can’t honestly say I’ll be more faithful in blogging this year than last, but I’ll do my best to keep updating.</p> <p>How is it going so far? A bit stressful. Right now is the kids quiet reading time, so I had a minute before laundry and errands to catch up. Settling in after having an unstructured summer will take a little while. But, I’ll tweak it as we go, and all should fall into place.</p> <p>Laina is in 9th grade this year! A freshman! Does having/teaching a high schooler scare me? Not really. It’s more the life lessons she needs to learn that I’m worried about. I’m willing to teach, but she also has to be willing to learn. She is enjoying the SPCA still and has started taking piano lessons from a neighbor across the street. She absolutely loves that and acquired a keyboard from some friends to practice on. This year she is working on completing her Math-U-See Algebra, and then will move on to the Stewardship program. On Wednesdays, we have the opportunity to join a homeschool co-op, where she will be working on a financial class. She’s also doing Apologia Biology, Practical Proverbs Bible Study, Simply Charlotte Mason Spelling Wisdom, Epikardia Essays for High School, Spanish and a whole slew of reading. Whew! </p> <p> I’m still taking the Charlotte Mason  approach, but am throwing in a bit of the Robinson Method in providing the kids with a booklist for history, geography, literature, additional science, economics, and character building and sending them on their way!</p> <p>As a family we’ll be doing scripture memorization, bible study, poetry, hymn study, map study and current events, along with a read aloud.</p> <p>Blake is officially a junior high kid now. He’s in 6th grade. He loves military and hunting stuff. Guy stuff. He’s already said he will probably go into the military after  high school. He chose this year to start Motherboard Books, Computer Science, Plain & Simple. He’s also working on Math-U-See Zeta, Apologia Botany, Simply Charlotte Mason Spelling Wisdom, a personal Bible study, and writing which I will assign. His choices off the reading lists to begin with today were: Narnia-which he’d already been reading, an autobiography by a former prisoner from Alcatraz who is now a Christian, The Hole in Our Gospel-by the CEO of World Vision, and Squirrels and Other Fur Bearers. Quite an eclectic choice.</p> <p>Connor is now 4th grade and that just doesn’t seem possible. He asked to do an art class this year, so he’ll be starting How Great Thou Art. He’s also working on Math-U-See Delta, Apologia Land Animals, Cursive Copywork, Queen’s Language Lessons,  and a personal Bible Study. Both the boys will be attending a nature study class through the co-op for the next six weeks.</p> <p>As I type it out, it sounds like a lot, but a lot of it is reading and if it needs to be pared down, I’m not afraid to do it. I really want my kids to understand that this is about teaching yourself to learn, not just cramming a bunch of facts into their heads. I want to build their character and life skills, and have them love God. It can be as simple as that. I wrote more about Homeschooling Their Hearts in this <a href="http://homeschoolingtheirhearts.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-exactly-do-i-homeschool-their.html">post</a>.</p> <p>I apologize for not including links to products/websites/pictures today-I’m out of time! I’ll update my sidebar with the kids school pics that I took this morning real soon!</p> <p>Thanks for visiting with me!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uiZuDLcDinU/TmZqqMmrDGI/AAAAAAAABRY/agXlsxutvzU/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IHydSPV34fM/TmZqqqHChKI/AAAAAAAABRc/0hvG6Gn-bHY/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-32176357873033150722011-08-01T20:26:00.001-07:002011-08-01T20:26:11.033-07:00Time for Planning<p>I started reorganizing my school/office supply cupboard today in preparation for our new school year. I should have taken before and after pictures, but I wasn’t thinking that clearly. I actually have a whole row of cupboards in the schoolroom that I want to go through, but the main one I tackled today was the one that I had been chucking all our new curriculum in! I had also been using it to hold the supplies & photos for a scrapbooking project I<em> really</em> want to work on. It also was housing some mailing and packaging supplies for some items I’m planning to list on EBay.  Each time I opened one door to shove something in, things would fall out the other door!</p> <p>Now, I have a current list of all my supplies and they are neatly organized, including the mailing materials. The kid’s new schoolbooks are in three separate piles on my table, just waiting for me to go through for planning, and the scrapbooking is settled in another area where I have some other crafty projects waiting on me.</p> <p>I feel so much better! Tomorrow I’ll be moving down the line of cupboards and drawers, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll take a look at one stack of the curriculum!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q6kORyoLVBI/TjduUKFwQYI/AAAAAAAABRQ/-44sLJe5xcE/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v2oEmUhGyvE/TjduUVezKWI/AAAAAAAABRU/mfuTWGpcuao/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-82536136432524661192011-07-24T20:48:00.001-07:002011-07-24T20:48:21.454-07:00Time for a New Room & Some Cheap Finds<p>My first post in quite a few months, and it’s not even going to be about homeschooling! </p> <p>We’re on summer break right now, and my daughter just spent two weeks back in California with her Grandma. While she was gone, I decided to surprise her and redo her room. We had talked about what she had in mind when the time came to redecorate, and so on that note, I went full force on her bedroom with a vintage/shabby chic/French-type theme. </p> <p>Something I did not expect to get lucky on was the wallpaper. It was a heavy, cream, pin-striped paper with a geometric border. I decided to just strip off the border to see if that made a difference and found a pale yellow painted wall beneath it. Bingo!! So down came the wallpaper without the messy sheetrock to redo. My husband painted a black border around the top of the wall. It’s not perfect, because ideally we’d like to patch, retexture & repaint, but it looks 100 times better than it did.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cac936oI5g0/TiznVL3XK1I/AAAAAAAABP0/ZlABvII9lJg/s1600-h/100_3269%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3269" border="0" alt="100_3269" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s4XGt_Inzag/TiznVmS5G3I/AAAAAAAABP4/xwe3q6Gq59o/100_3269_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j2WFsNYxlNk/TiznW1MlRXI/AAAAAAAABP8/xl5kXgdYbcY/s1600-h/100_3271%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3271" border="0" alt="100_3271" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jz70Oqi2yK0/TiznXYnzARI/AAAAAAAABQA/r13Ghtpn5-c/100_3271_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>The quilt came from a local shop on Main Street, <a href="http://www.linens-n-more.com/">Linens & More</a>, and is what Laina had picked out. The “Love” pillowcases are from <a href="http://redinfred.com/">Red</a>, another neat store in town. The Eiffel Tower pillows I picked up at <a href="http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/indexCatalogOff.asp">Tuesday Morning</a>, while the small rectangle pillow, the red sheets & black pillowcases came from Wal-Mart! Now, for some of my cheap finds! The black bed skirt was a $3.00 thrift store find and the small monogrammed pillow in the front is not a pillow at all, but a $3.50 wine bottle bag that I stuffed with some quilt batting. Pretty clever, huh? The picture over the bed came from an antique/consignment store and is a poster for a French veterinarian’s office. I loved the animals in it and the color really ties that area together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WWSRkJhdk54/TiznYGJJbGI/AAAAAAAABQE/2FNrZ9hafRA/s1600-h/100_3272%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3272" border="0" alt="100_3272" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OiWZ4bwoQoo/TiznYb88acI/AAAAAAAABQI/RHtKknADZi8/100_3272_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--1-CO4D0fYA/TiznY_RsjjI/AAAAAAAABQM/KlMcGBQvbD0/s1600-h/100_3273%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3273" border="0" alt="100_3273" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KXkcQdjAYhk/TiznZeTB7hI/AAAAAAAABQQ/dPsm50wMMsg/100_3273_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Laina already had the Eiffel Tower lamp, the white vase & the white nightstand, so I added some thrift store fabric for a runner, along with the butterfly picture ($3.50) and the stack of books. One is an old art book ($1.00), one is a French/English Dictionary ($3.00), and one is a Spanish/English Dictionary ($1.00). The had the correct colors & I liked the look of them, plus Laina could use them to study up on some foreign languages!</p> <p>The black table was given to me by a friend. It was cream & I painted it black with some leftover house paint my husband had. The lamp came from Target. The silver cat ($3.00), small flower bowl (.50) and marble flower coaster (.50) came from a thrift store, while the bird vase was an antique store find ($5.00). I filled it with carnations from the Dollar Tree.</p> <p>I had bought this desk a couple months ago at a thrift store & decided it needed to be more exciting, so I gathered up an old letter writing book (free), and some vintage looking scrapbook paper and proceeded to decoupage the desk. I had never attempted this before, but it was a lot of fun and I am really pleased with the results! I painted the backboard and knobs black and my husband attached a small bulletin board ($1.00) to the left side as a door. </p> <p>Laina likes the look of the jars filled with common items, so that is what I topped the desk with. To the left of the desk is a vintage looking wire shelf ($10 from an antique store) that holds some of her personal collectibles. Underneath that is a cool key rack that has “Paris” stamped in it. I hung some music notes that I found at a teacher supply store on the hooks. On the wall directly above the desk is her baptismal certificate, of which I just repainted the frame. In the right side cubby is a wood artist’s mannequin that I found at Wal-Mart. The cupboard house her art supplies, which I reorganized in a small box found at Tuesday Morning; a tin pail holds her pastels & chalk, a small glass jar corrals her crayons & a large glass jar holds her brushes and sketch pencils. Below that are six little jars that I picked up months ago at a garage sale for $1.00. I put her paper clips, rubber bands, etc. in these. A little silver cup ($2) holds her school pens & pencils and a restaurant jelly holder is a good spot for her calculator, glue & time. (I should have taken closer pictures!)</p> <p> Since taking the photo, we have added a couple candlesticks to the top shelf, a cool little black beaded lamp shade ($3 Ross) to the lamp ($2.50 thrift store-looks like hob-nail), and a antique-looking mirror to the back of it ($4.50 thrift store). I also found a wooden, white chair to use as a desk chair.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R1YXCiZbMlQ/TiznaC6jszI/AAAAAAAABQU/bPe5VlMgEwA/s1600-h/100_3268%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3268" border="0" alt="100_3268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5k49QX0UBHg/Tiznaov9DxI/AAAAAAAABQY/M35oS62xyOA/100_3268_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cTyWr0P6Yz8/TiznbNZm-VI/AAAAAAAABQc/X3s8_purNFM/s1600-h/100_3280%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3280" border="0" alt="100_3280" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iGXdcbEUchI/TiznbhQ9ABI/AAAAAAAABQg/YcAI_NgtWWU/100_3280_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Here’s a close up of the desk top. The typewrite fonts I found in a bag of things at a thrift store ($2) along with the little dish (.75).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_GRAaOjxqys/TizncSZD5vI/AAAAAAAABQo/3jo74VNh0qk/s1600-h/100_3277%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3277" border="0" alt="100_3277" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hJdJZFbUrw8/Tizncs61UEI/AAAAAAAABQs/xC5oC9NhWjc/100_3277_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-whqOMym0jC4/Tizndm4VAMI/AAAAAAAABQw/tAM_cFT8mTA/s1600-h/100_3279%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3279" border="0" alt="100_3279" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lVI1rrrIGUc/Tiznd_4j4dI/AAAAAAAABQ0/FOflicTKlVo/100_3279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Some more of my cheap finds make for a great vignette on the hutch. The numbered bricks came directly from our backyard. We inherited them when we purchased the house. The checkerboard was $1.00 and the wooden checkers that came with it are perched in a little ice cream bowl ($2) on a lower shelf. The wire jug ($1.50) and the garden rake (.75) were thrift store finds. I had the decorative balls left over from another display, so they worked perfectly. The potting dish came from my outdoor shed and works wonderfully to hold the black globe ($5- Tuesday Morning). I just painted it cream & sanded it a little.</p> <p>The other side of the hutch is home to an old Scrabble Board; the letters are in one of the jars. It was a $2 find. The three middle jars were all from the thrift store and I believe the cost $1 each. The one with the bow now holds some dominoes, and the one with the crown is home for some safety pins. That bottle came from Tuesday Morning and cost a little more, but I couldn’t resist. The one with the handle is a measuring cup that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. The buttons in the milk jug I dug out of my scrapbooking supplies & added to them with a .50 bag of red, black & white ones from a thrift store.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zqs7w2TjYKY/Tizne_5EZhI/AAAAAAAABQ4/bDj4x6_7bnk/s1600-h/100_3276%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3276" border="0" alt="100_3276" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bcCHb-uxNFE/TiznfGfhoHI/AAAAAAAABQ8/CwixpUatZn4/100_3276_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kcURzDO-wbs/Tiznf6N3LvI/AAAAAAAABRA/MfoCmHdyXBk/s1600-h/100_3275%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_3275" border="0" alt="100_3275" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qrMKPNWrLcA/TizngXa5g-I/AAAAAAAABRE/UErCz4X8iME/100_3275_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>There are a few more little items that I added to the room, such as another wall hanging & a couple little knick-knacks on the dresser. I ordered some black ticking-striped valances today, and will hopefully have them up by next week. I would love to find an old iron headboard to add to her bed, and a tray for the top of her dresser. </p> <p>Needless to say, Laina was absolutely surprised and pleased when she arrived home. She loves her room, and I have to admit, I do, too! It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to redecorate anything, and I think I have the bug now! I always try to find good deals, and it’s been a lot of fun redecorating on a budget!  I’ll have to see what else I can get into before it’s time to head back to school.</p> <p>I’ll keep you posted.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2jmgGzcaqwM/TizngvjTVrI/AAAAAAAABRI/TlMsLcsGx9E/s1600-h/my%252520signature%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JLgueySnY1A/TiznhAEDVjI/AAAAAAAABRM/Urpvy7ga0lk/my%252520signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-41907808151015680552011-02-09T09:36:00.001-08:002011-02-09T09:36:09.663-08:00Snow Day<p>We woke up to snow this morning. Not a lot of snow, but enough to see it blow through the air and settle on the ground.</p> <p>                                       <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TVLQhTBpNgI/AAAAAAAABO4/PZKVx1g1-g4/s1600-h/100_2722%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2722" border="0" alt="100_2722" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TVLQhn3asWI/AAAAAAAABO8/iGvpNa9XA2Y/100_2722_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="210" /></a></p> <p>The kids were excited. They’ve never been to the snow, so even the smallest of flurries is amazing to them. </p> <p>It’s amazing to me.</p> <p>I walked outside to take out the trash and was covered in little flakes. I’ve never walked through snowflakes before. </p> <p>If you looked closely, you could see the patterns of them as they landed on the bricks.  God’s beautiful, intricate works of art.</p> <p>I hope your day holds something amazing that makes you smile.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TVLQh_3uXBI/AAAAAAAABPA/Zro9oTIewFA/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TVLQiAkRiiI/AAAAAAAABPE/cMe6HJvaFhc/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-90199325787620830912011-01-30T17:46:00.001-08:002011-01-30T17:46:05.834-08:00A Beautiful Day<p>The weatherman was calling for rain today. It didn’t rain. It ended up being a springy-feeling 77 degrees. Not a single cloud in the sky.</p> <p>                                           <img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2714" border="0" alt="100_2714" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUL8brgPI/AAAAAAAABNo/yr-Kh08gE8o/100_2714_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p>We took advantage of the sunshine and spent some time on the playground at the local elementary school.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUM9CVA0I/AAAAAAAABNs/IYtNOPpl4Fk/s1600-h/100_2706%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2706" border="0" alt="100_2706" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUNe3sUWI/AAAAAAAABNw/5PZ2YOnryE0/100_2706_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUOU02D0I/AAAAAAAABN0/_eI2EiPH4zI/s1600-h/100_2707%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2707" border="0" alt="100_2707" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUOttBEII/AAAAAAAABN4/IMuRFFY1Qqw/100_2707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUP1TAseI/AAAAAAAABN8/Hb8c1Ihw3Ls/s1600-h/100_2710%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2710" border="0" alt="100_2710" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUQRrHxII/AAAAAAAABOA/E93fkQVwsBw/100_2710_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYURtH70gI/AAAAAAAABOE/K30AkRciXfc/s1600-h/100_2713%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2713" border="0" alt="100_2713" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUSJEVcGI/AAAAAAAABOM/zeN35AJRG7E/100_2713_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>The cutie on the spinner with Laina is a friend of ours.</p> <p>Blake played some soccer and frisbee with his dad.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUTYsXvRI/AAAAAAAABOQ/zhytdLxIiTU/s1600-h/100_2708%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2708" border="0" alt="100_2708" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUToxVGsI/AAAAAAAABOU/BHnxDFinWLE/100_2708_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUU0tTirI/AAAAAAAABOY/XKFAllwbIq4/s1600-h/100_2709%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2709" border="0" alt="100_2709" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUVPx3VsI/AAAAAAAABOc/B2Gn2ZQhBAI/100_2709_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Connor got some pointers on the basketball court from one of our friends. He actually shot his first basket today!</p> <p>                                        <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUWECpiaI/AAAAAAAABOg/jD6eAg3iQcw/s1600-h/100_2715%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2715" border="0" alt="100_2715" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUWdhYjkI/AAAAAAAABOk/CIkhKP21ffs/100_2715_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>How was your day of rest?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUWrHOObI/AAAAAAAABOo/vc7gIRNXwRY/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUYUXG6_ojI/AAAAAAAABOs/3sly6jmtUSg/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-91507410158024466352011-01-28T19:22:00.001-08:002011-01-28T19:22:24.996-08:00Weekly Wrap-Up: January 28, 2011<p>                        <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH0XFT5ZI/AAAAAAAABM4/-07qZFbnQJU/s1600-h/weekly_wrap-up%5B4%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="weekly_wrap-up" border="0" alt="weekly_wrap-up" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH0o6ShDI/AAAAAAAABM8/Im3Tw5aNbXM/weekly_wrap-up_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="374" height="70" /></a></p> <p>It’s been a while since I’ve updated, so I thought a good way to do so would be by participating in Kris’ <a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/2011/01/weekly-wrap-up-one-with-ups-and-downs.html">Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers Weekly Wrap-Up.</a></p> <p>We officially started back from our Christmas break on January 18th.  Unfortunately, I’ve been struggling a bit with some anxiety, so we’ve just been plugging along trying to get the scheduled items completed. So far, so good.</p> <p>We have been cooped up a bit inside, due to the weather and my issues (Yes, I have some issues. I can share more later.), but this week was much better so we managed to spend some time out of doors.</p> <p>We decided to explore <a href="http://www.fbgtx.org/departments/ladybirdpark.htm">Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park</a> that lies just on the outskirts of town. We found it has a couple small play structures, suitable more for toddler age, and a larger, wooden playground set that the boys loved. Even more exciting was the fact that the park houses two baseball diamonds, a basketball court and a nature trail.  There is plenty of room for the kids to run around and even to ride bikes if we choose to take them out there.</p> <p>On Wednesday they spent some time on the playground and on Thursday we loaded up some bats, gloves and a ball and the kiddos took some time for P.E.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH193TiJI/AAAAAAAABNA/vyf8_UAO8u8/s1600-h/100_2701%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2701" border="0" alt="100_2701" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH2UDAYfI/AAAAAAAABNE/F58v7fcX0qM/100_2701_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH3uqnH6I/AAAAAAAABNI/Qu8_ZW5MhhE/s1600-h/100_2703%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2703" border="0" alt="100_2703" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH4LlbBOI/AAAAAAAABNM/svL1lBy9KVc/100_2703_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH5nQZt7I/AAAAAAAABNQ/9p252QKXr-w/s1600-h/100_2704%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2704" border="0" alt="100_2704" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH6LugV2I/AAAAAAAABNU/Sr4rsBGYGBY/100_2704_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH7B_vFsI/AAAAAAAABNY/1O6fBqPtwdE/s1600-h/100_2702%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2702" border="0" alt="100_2702" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH7f4LZQI/AAAAAAAABNc/H30SU-7JIkM/100_2702_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>My husband found a snakeskin in a shed while he was working, so I took the boys to see it. Blake, of course, started to touch it and examine it, while Connor yelled at him, “Don’t touch it! Don’t touch it!” They are two totally different little boys! Blake then informed me that it was an old snakeskin because when snakes shed their skin, their eyelids come off with it and the eyelids were no longer visible on this one. Just in case I was concerned they weren’t learning anything being homeschooled!</p> <p>Inside the schoolroom, we’re continuing our Ancient Egypt study and have begun reading Exodus. Just for fun, they watched <u>The Prince of Egypt</u> yesterday afternoon.  I’ve also decided to start with some early American history, mainly for Connor’s benefit, so we’ve started reading the Landmark book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0394848853?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0394848853">The Vikings</a> and will continue on from there. </p> <p>That will do it for this week. I’m hoping to get back into some sort of regular blogging again soon!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH7_WsRMI/AAAAAAAABNg/RdNKsSjBMXI/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TUOH8PYMfpI/AAAAAAAABNk/GCoODunox-s/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-72679623472367752602010-11-29T11:09:00.000-08:002010-11-29T11:10:58.159-08:00Lost Maples State Park<p>Hi, everyone! I am still around…..just not enough time in the day to keep up with everything it seems! I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I last posted. I’ve changed Connor’s age on the sidebar-he’s had a birthday and is a whole 8 years old now!</p> <p>Well, we have been exploring around our area quite a bit and I wanted to share some of our goings and doings with you all.</p> <p>I’ve become friends with another homeschooling mom in the area that has 2 boys close in age to mine, so we get together every couple of weeks and do something fun. These photos are from our day at <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lost_maples/">Lost Maples State Park</a>.</p> <p>The drive to the park was beautiful in itself. It took a little over an hour and part way we drove alongside the <a href="http://guadaluperiver.com/site/">Guadalupe River</a>, which snakes back and forth in this area.</p> <p>The trees in the park usually turn colors mid-October to early November, depending on how cold it has been. On the day we visited, we hadn’t had a real cold spell yet, so they were just starting to change colors.</p> <p>Here is a shot of a large limestone rock the rises above the river on one side.</p> <p>                                          <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6ad-dvwI/AAAAAAAABLQ/GKMFS3CfnUk/s1600-h/100_2504%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2504" border="0" alt="100_2504" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6a7StAnI/AAAAAAAABLU/d2xsJCTbHSI/100_2504_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>As we hiked through the park, we stopped to observe some minnows in the creek.</p> <p>                                                                                          <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6coIjruI/AAAAAAAABLY/f0dm9m2iExA/s1600-h/100_2510%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2510" border="0" alt="100_2510" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6dReZzvI/AAAAAAAABLc/RKvf6Ft6qPw/100_2510_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6fNtMCxI/AAAAAAAABLg/sf75KHOEkHI/s1600-h/100_2508%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2508" border="0" alt="100_2508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6fzhpyqI/AAAAAAAABLk/ED1iPojkU0g/100_2508_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Here is a shot of one of the trees that had started to change colors already.</p> <p>                                             <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6hgGThuI/AAAAAAAABLo/YQN_YJ0v8uI/s1600-h/100_2511%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2511" border="0" alt="100_2511" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6h5v4oRI/AAAAAAAABLw/Mp9EA3hV2x8/100_2511_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We stopped to rest and play on a large limestone rock that had a shelf to climb and walk on and an outcropping over it. In the pictures it looks like we standing in an ice cave!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6jNjSWeI/AAAAAAAABL0/Qi_Q9AARUbo/s1600-h/100_2517%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2517" border="0" alt="100_2517" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6jvy0GRI/AAAAAAAABL4/uBpumTCCKBE/100_2517_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6kfOeaWI/AAAAAAAABL8/4djgrF6pP6M/s1600-h/100_2515%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2515" border="0" alt="100_2515" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6kwCI2dI/AAAAAAAABMA/PLNue2eis-w/100_2515_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>                                               <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6l8vW-qI/AAAAAAAABME/GC-2sTdKwxo/s1600-h/100_2514%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2514" border="0" alt="100_2514" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6mwbgeCI/AAAAAAAABMI/GS1-KTI5EP0/100_2514_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>A view back up the creek on our hike back.</p> <p>                                                         <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6nwVVGII/AAAAAAAABMM/DcdLGU3r2Es/s1600-h/100_2519%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2519" border="0" alt="100_2519" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6oRM4xkI/AAAAAAAABMQ/Hn2UH0Uds-E/100_2519_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>The boys discovered if they moved a few rocks, the water was running directly under us. They liked the idea that we were “walking on water.”</p> <p>                                                  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6pkoxzzI/AAAAAAAABMU/cJbxy1Hu520/s1600-h/100_2520%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2520" border="0" alt="100_2520" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6p9lxb9I/AAAAAAAABMY/wQ8bhqUyyjo/100_2520_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>This little guy dropped out a tree, almost directly onto the boys. We had never seen anything like him, but I’ve been unable to identify him. If any readers out there know what he’s called-please let me know!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6rkfbzYI/AAAAAAAABMc/KeaBNxQCxNg/s1600-h/100_2521%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2521" border="0" alt="100_2521" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6tSCn17I/AAAAAAAABMg/_9JnY28HYgA/100_2521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6u4vDMxI/AAAAAAAABMk/Kch3t7Ich3w/s1600-h/100_2522%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_2522" border="0" alt="100_2522" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6vT2tXKI/AAAAAAAABMo/jvIeN0l184o/100_2522_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>I’m going to try to post some more of our adventures and stay caught up!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6v0rg2SI/AAAAAAAABMs/4jByPLk2bn4/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TPP6wGa37FI/AAAAAAAABMw/l1HIytXLFyE/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-64224547729183424702010-10-15T18:43:00.001-07:002010-10-15T18:43:14.001-07:00Our Trek Up Cross Mountain<p> I know I’ve been missing in action for a while now, but I don’t want to totally ignore my blogging friends! It seems like my life has been much busier now that we’ve moved, than it was back in California! We’ve become involved with a home group at church and the kids are in AWANA and youth group, so along with still discovering things in our town, we’re running to and from these activities, also. But it is definitely a satisfying busy; not a crazy busy.</p> <p>One thing we did today was take a walk up to the top of Cross Mountain. These links offer a little bit of information about the history of Cross Mountain:</p> <p><a href="http://fredericskburgtexas.blogspot.com/2006/07/cross-mountain.html">Cross Mountain Blog Post</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.npsot.org/Fredericksburg/crossmountain.html">Native Plant Society of Texas</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fbgtx.org/other/history.htm">City of Fredericksburg</a></p> <p>One thing we did notice was the abundance of poison oak on the mountain.</p> <p>Here’s some photos from our trip to the top:</p> <p>The Cross and the kiddos in front of it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDIq6QOmI/AAAAAAAABKo/EiWIbjATFYc/s1600-h/100_2480%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_2480" border="0" alt="100_2480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDIyE0hwI/AAAAAAAABKs/tqWhfq1m1os/100_2480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDJLN0BiI/AAAAAAAABKw/pnpyksK36nI/s1600-h/100_2481%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_2481" border="0" alt="100_2481" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDJjgOaNI/AAAAAAAABK0/sAgglRo7i9I/100_2481_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Laina took a minute to sketch the cross. Blake did a sketch of it, also.</p> <p>                                        <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDKcG5frI/AAAAAAAABK4/x2xDao0JK7c/s1600-h/100_2483%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_2483" border="0" alt="100_2483" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDKlPKH7I/AAAAAAAABK8/34S6XbszKrY/100_2483_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Here is the view from the top. It was absolutely magnificent. There was also several different types of butterflies playing around in the flowers. </p> <p>                                         <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDLKQJqZI/AAAAAAAABLA/5cYV_wVXBls/s1600-h/100_2482%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_2482" border="0" alt="100_2482" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDLm5qenI/AAAAAAAABLE/QFKcYfFMuo8/100_2482_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>I have several other trips I’d like to share with all of you! Please be patient, I may get to them yet!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDL51wA1I/AAAAAAAABLI/lfuMje0L_Dc/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TLkDMYeG5FI/AAAAAAAABLM/UZYQzxGqhw8/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-44551911759606309502010-10-03T06:54:00.001-07:002010-10-03T06:54:05.634-07:00Day Out at Oktoberfest<p>We spent yesterday enjoying the activities at our town’s <a href="http://oktoberfestinfbg.com/">Oktoberfest celebration</a>. This is a big deal here, and people come from all over the country to visit it.</p> <p>Oktoberfest originally began in Munich in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding. It has continued through the years and has turned into an event celebrated by people everywhere.</p> <p>We started the day off in the kid’s section. We bought some game tickets and the boys jumped around in the bounce house, played wheel of fortune, fished a duck out of the tub for tokens, swung the sledge hammer and rang the bell for strength and flung a chicken into a bucket.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK5xE8-1I/AAAAAAAABJ4/ajpCWcOtg6M/s1600-h/100_1927%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_1927" border="0" alt="100_1927" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK6XuzWcI/AAAAAAAABJ8/7kGRO4jftt8/100_1927_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK6-3dL1I/AAAAAAAABKA/gFkwloTOQXc/s1600-h/100_1928%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_1928" border="0" alt="100_1928" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK7RGm5AI/AAAAAAAABKE/zb6BviJV01g/100_1928_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>They traded their tickets in for silly bands, shutter shades and an inflatable sword.  Great choices.</p> <p>Then we headed over to the food area and dined on German potato pancakes, sausages and applesauce, while listening to the band.</p> <p>There were several vendors set up with homemade wares, including jewelry, pottery, quilts, wood carvings and more. I brought home a soap dispenser painted with cactus and windmills for the kids bathroom.</p> <p>We were able to tour the <a href="http://pioneermuseum.net/vereins-kirche.htm">Vereins Kirche</a> Museum and read about Fredericksburg history. We have a <a href="http://pioneermuseum.net/default.htm">Pioneer Museum</a> membership and can take advantage of this museum with it, also. That is it in the background of our picture in front of the gigantic beer keg!</p> <p>                                        <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK8INszxI/AAAAAAAABKI/2L1yk-kw39I/s1600-h/100_1929%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_1929" border="0" alt="100_1929" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK8shm4-I/AAAAAAAABKM/ZQRCysCSnMY/100_1929_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>We snuck away for naps in the middle of day, after grabbing a bag of roasted pecans to snack on.</p> <p>We returned at night for more food and entertainment. Dinner consisted of “Texas taters,” which are potatoes cut into long, curled slices and deep-fried, popcorn chicken, curly fries and a kraut dog. I know, not healthy, but definitely delicious!</p> <p>Here the boys show off their German side. (They do have a little German blood in them.)</p> <p>                                               <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK9FnUc0I/AAAAAAAABKQ/Y8udWSJnnb8/s1600-h/100_1926%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_1926" border="0" alt="100_1926" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK9XjJhUI/AAAAAAAABKU/w7ZpMHmmxsI/100_1926_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p></p> <p>The weather was beautiful, the food was great and the music was lively. A great day!</p> <p>                                    <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK-EbN8RI/AAAAAAAABKY/sa7kICULkRc/s1600-h/100_1966%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_1966" border="0" alt="100_1966" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK-gnj4BI/AAAAAAAABKc/FKgkfVPOZiA/100_1966_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Have a lovely Sunday!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK-y9wLLI/AAAAAAAABKg/4Lt9AGuD2ek/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKiK_Ke2h0I/AAAAAAAABKk/OtfBDknS568/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-30275863153698602012010-09-29T12:16:00.001-07:002010-09-29T12:16:53.799-07:00Hysterically Funny!<p>I just have to share this <a href="http://sizzlebopblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/never-thought-id-say-that/#comment-310">link</a> to Carol Barnier’s post on her <a href="http://sizzlebopblog.wordpress.com/">Sizzlebop</a> blog. These are some entries in her “I’d Never Thought I’d Say That” contest. If you want a good laugh, hop on over and read this post!</p> <p>If you are not familiar with Carol, just let me say, you should be! She is the hilarious author of <a href="http://westfieldacademy.org/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3"><em>How To Get Your Child Off The Refrigerator and On To Learning</em></a> and <a href="http://westfieldacademy.org/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=4"><em>If I’m Diapering a Watermelon, Then Where’d I Leave the Baby?</em></a></p> <p>I noticed she has some new books out that I haven’t read yet, but will definitely be ordering. Her refrigerator book was the first one I read about homeschooling a “spirited” child when it was time to start schooling Connor. So, if you have a “sizzler,” as she likes to call these energetic kiddos, I would recommend perusing her <a href="http://www.sizzlebop.com/">website</a>.</p> <p>Enjoy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKOQo_JX-QI/AAAAAAAABJw/IWZHwuGtJmA/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TKOQpEWP7kI/AAAAAAAABJ0/c1RKrZPz5E0/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-26291546582968692592010-09-24T20:02:00.001-07:002010-09-24T20:02:26.603-07:00The Finished Project<p>Some time ago I had shared that Laina was working on a hand-stitched quilt project. She started this with her 4H group last year, but did not complete it with the group. </p> <p>Not long after we moved, I suggested she dig it out and work on it. In a matter of minutes, she finished it up and was ready to move on to something new.</p> <p>Here is the finished project:</p> <p>                                           <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJ1mPDPmdzI/AAAAAAAABJg/DXydOdj8yHE/s1600-h/100_2369%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_2369" border="0" alt="100_2369" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJ1mPsLUFQI/AAAAAAAABJk/_dEUCnLi4B4/100_2369_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>It’s about the size of a doll quilt or small lap blanket.</p> <p>Pretty darn cute.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJ1mQAqEprI/AAAAAAAABJo/6k6r4EzBcCU/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJ1mQTTDBxI/AAAAAAAABJs/nEfRUzm9oSY/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-90452829907180347142010-09-22T13:51:00.001-07:002010-09-22T13:51:45.163-07:00How I Incorporate the “Extras” Part V: Composer Study<p>This is the last in my “extras” series. I’m going to be honest and tell you that of all the  subjects, I have the hardest time with composer study. Our composer for this term is Chopin; however, we have yet to listen to anything by him!</p> <p>I have this scheduled for Thursdays. Ideally, I would like to introduce the composer, read a short bio on him, put him in our Book of Centuries and listen to pieces by him. Our day tends to get busy and I don’t bother to put on the music, though. So, if you are interested in trying this out, it should only take a few minutes a week. You could play the music while the kids are working or even in the car if you have a cd to listen to. The website <a href="http://www.classical.com">www.classical.com</a> has several pieces you could listen to over the computer also. I used it last year while studying Bach.</p> <p>Happy studying!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJpsXQXbdgI/AAAAAAAABJY/mtDGw8ZLu2I/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJpsX-H4EtI/AAAAAAAABJc/ilRAaWYVDk4/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-56757176842958594532010-09-19T17:16:00.001-07:002010-09-19T17:16:46.546-07:00How I Incorporate the “Extras” Part IV: Hymn Study<p>I don’t know about you all, but there are so many hymns that I am not familiar with, nor are my children. These are songs that are not sung as often in church (at least in mine) as they used to be. I liked the idea of introducing my kids to the old fashioned hymns, while learning some myself.</p> <p>We do hymn study on Wednesdays. It only takes about five minutes. I use the outline provided by <a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/hymn/">SCM</a>. The <a href="http://www.songsandhymns.org/hymns/">Center for Church Music </a>offers a lot of the words, music and history for the hymns Sonya recommends. If I couldn’t find one that was on her list, I just substituted another. The site also offers a devotional you can read if you choose to.</p> <p>I print out the words ahead of time for the entire year-six hymns total. Then the first time I introduce one, I have the kids listen to the short (about 4 minute) history for the hymn on the website. The narration is interspersed with the hymn being sung. So the kids read along with the song and get the history all at once. In the following weeks they listen to the hymn a couple of times through. Usually by the 3rd week they’re singing along; although, sometimes they get a little silly in trying to keep up with the high notes!</p> <p>As a side note, I also do our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885767544?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1885767544">Trial and Triumph</a> reading on Wednesdays, and we come across hymns written by some of the martyrs that we’ve read about. It’s a neat way to tie the history of the songs into the lives of the people we’ve read about.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJan7IM-W_I/AAAAAAAABJQ/jL9lzbNoAjI/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJan7R73MCI/AAAAAAAABJU/jQKB02Z2ii8/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-50405401548529728492010-09-18T07:03:00.001-07:002010-09-18T07:03:51.862-07:00How I Incorporate the “Extras” Part III: Poet Study<p>Along with Shakespeare, we also do poet/poetry study on Tuesdays.</p> <p>Again, I referred to <a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/poetry/" target="_blank">SCM’s poetry study</a> recommendations in choosing our poets for the year. We’ve begun with Robert Frost this year, as last year we studied Robert Louis Stevenson and Lewis Carroll. I’ve chosen to study one poet every six weeks, so my list will be much more extensive than SCM’s over the years.</p> <p>I use <a href="http://www.famouspoetsandpoems.com">www.famouspoetsandpoems.com</a> to choose my poems and obtain a biography if I haven’t picked one up at the library. I choose one poem by the author for each week, six in total. On the first Tuesday, I read about the poet and pass out the poem for the week. Each of the kids take a turn reading it aloud and then we just discuss what it meant to them. This gives them a chance to practice oral speaking, pronunciation of new words, etc.</p> <p>We read poetry from other poets throughout the rest of the week, just so the kiddos can see the different styles of poetry writing.  Some of the poetry books we’ve read from are: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385076967?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0385076967">Favorite Poems, Old and New by Helen Farris</a>;  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0590451359?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0590451359">The Earth is Painted Green;</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159572057X?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=159572057X">A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson</a>; choices from  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684835770?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0684835770">The Book of Virtues</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932236090?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1932236090">Everyday Graces;</a> and we have even enjoyed some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060572345?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0060572345">Shel Silverstein</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060763906?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0060763906">Jack Prelutsky</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0971236801?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0971236801">Goop Poems</a>! </p> <p>There your have it-our poetry study.</p> <p>Enjoy your day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJTGxSOPrNI/AAAAAAAABJI/KEQ0tTGdP6Q/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJTGxxPYDjI/AAAAAAAABJM/MCtRDSyp9Nw/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111231080006910036.post-87090346347050061812010-09-16T19:04:00.001-07:002010-09-16T19:04:51.234-07:00How I Incorporate the “Extras” Part II: Shakespeare<p>We’ve never attempted to study Shakespeare before this year; however, it seemed pretty easy to tackle by following SCM’s <a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/shakespeare/" target="_blank">recommendations</a>. Sonya suggests a play every other year. I’m going to try and tackle a play each year. We’ll see how it goes!</p> <p>I have scheduled our Shakespeare reading for Tuesdays. I’ve broken our study up by six week terms. The first term we’re reading a condensed story version of <u>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</u> from Charles and Mary Lamb’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452848602?ie=UTF8&tag=homestheirhea-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1452848602" target="_blank"><u>Tales From Shakespeare.</u></a> We read half of it last week and we will finish it next week. Because it’s relatively short, I don’t mind drawing it out over a couple of weeks. The kids are actually enjoying this story. Probably because it contains fairies and such. After reading, I just have them narrate back to me. <a href="http://doverpublications.ecomm-search.com/search?keywords=shakespeare%20coloring" target="_blank">Dover publications</a> has some great coloring books, so I may get one for the kids to color. Even Laina enjoys these because of their details.</p> <p>For the next six weeks I plan on reading the full version from a Complete Works of Shakespeare book I have.</p> <p>After that I would like to obtain an audio version and either a play on video or a movie based on the play for them to watch.</p> <p>And that’s it! An easy introduction to Shakespeare.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJLMwOKZo4I/AAAAAAAABJA/CFhhtCD_CLM/s1600-h/my%20signature%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="my signature" border="0" alt="my signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bZJPH2cH3UI/TJLMwg734HI/AAAAAAAABJE/fIrginE6xZw/my%20signature_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="139" height="36" /></a></p> Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08501910491218935307noreply@blogger.com1