Homeschool Moon Unit

This week we are studying the Moon! (Last week was the Sun) To explain the Sun reflecting light off the Moon to Earth we did a little experiment with a colored and cut out paper Moon, a mirror, and a flashlight. (From MFW curriculum)

Flashlight = Sun, Mirror = Moon, Earth = Earth (ha ha)

We found that the Moon doesn't shine on it's own. It needs the Sun's light to reflect to the Earth
(As we are also God's reflection to the world)

Did I say how much I love homeschool? :)

Virginia playing

I need to put up some pics and videos that show the kids playing and how much they have grown. It is a little long, but here is Ginnie, after she caught me trying to record her behind the table. (the weird buzzing goes away)

Ahhhh, I'm THAT word!

If you know me, you know I hate the word...... crafty. EW. I do art, not crafts. I don't mind the use of the word when you group functional art such as pottery, metal-smithing, and the like under the name of craft. That said, I despise raffia, popsicle sticks, pictures made with hand-prints and those cookie cutter projects for kids and grown ups.

Then comes life with pre-schoolers. Sunday school projects, pre-school projects and Moppets projects have eased me into the "I am glad the kids are learning fine motor skills like using scissors" frame of mind. Maybe a craft {shudder} or two {double shudder} will be ok. After all, I will teach them about REAL art because I am homeschooling. So HA world of crafts!

And.... then comes the reminder of my Mom saying I should paint bricks. Her love of Baltimore got her so excited about the idea to paint rowhomes on bricks. So, a year after she died, I did a few. It is really not that bad, even though it is too close to the line dividing art and craft. I still know that is takes skill to render an actual house on a brick, especially a custom replica of a real home.

And.... then comes the popularity of those darn baby sock bouquets. They are so easy to make, and add a lot to my baby shower gift (and poor wrapping skills). Plus, I like all the attention. Ladies love to ohhh and ahh over baby socks, so make them into little flowers and I am a rockstar. I just can't help myself.

So, today my little sock flowers were not sticking to the plastic stems. I had to pull out a brand-new, still in the box, hot glue gun! *gasp* I can't deny the word craft any longer. I feel like I surrendered to the enemy. I am trying to make the most of this downfall and also used it to fix Wedding day Ken's tie and a bow that had fallen off a headband. But I know I have crossed that line.

I think I need to get out my paints and make some real art. Someone help please!!

First Homeschool Fail (one of many, I'm sure!)

This week was learning about the sun. One of our projects was to make raisins by leaving grapes in the sun. On day 2 I forgot to bring them inside for the night and it rained. Any little wrinkles that began to show got all plumped up again by sitting in a plate of rainwater! So, we talked about the raisins she ate in her oatmeal and found a video online instead. Sigh.

First homeschooled week (update)

So, I don't know if I was too embarassed to admit this, or I just forgot. But I'm admitting it now. Livia had me stumped on day 5. Each day we are covering a day of Creation. (Day 1- light, Day 2- water, Day 3-land to separate the water, Day 4- the sun and moon, Day 5-birds and sea animals) She knows what is left for Day 6, land animals and Adam and Eve. After thinking on that, she asks me:

Since penguins and ostriches don't fly, did God make them on Day 5 or Day 6?

What? I have no idea. I went with the old stand by and said, I guess we will have to ask God when we get to heaven. This is Kindergarten! I should know these answers!!!

Some Vacation highlights

Every other year we have a baby, and every other year we go on vacation. :) Since this was a "no baby" year, we accepted the invitation to spend a week with the Krawczyk's in Lake Placid. They graciously open their mountain home to us and other families for an incredible experience. This year Kim and Brandt went too. It was amazing!

Mt. Joe

I think Ginnie wanted FULL control of the boat.

No one will ever convince Marcy that Duncan is a dog and not a baby. I think he likes it anyway.

Brandt was a fishing fool! Every time he dropped the line, he caught one immediately.

Cool and refreshing swim in Lake Saranac

Peaceful exhaustion.

Beach time at Lake Clear

An afternoon of shopping/napping in downtown LP

We caught a red salamander!

We made and followed a treasure map. Found the treasure- sparkly green rocks!

Brisk mornings and evenings!

Cheese'n

The last family picture (that was not professional) was taken last summer at our church picnic. It is becoming a nice tradition.

Big George

George's first day of Pre-School!!!

I love HOME SCHOOL!!!

I don't know why I was so worried. I LOVE this! Now, granted we are only 3 days into it, but we are having a blast! It is way easier to fill up the plan book than I thought. I am having to think more for Social Studies though. We are just playing with Map puzzles right now. What does a Kindergartner need to know about Social Studies?

Since we are using the Laura Ingalls Wilder series as a part of our history lesson, we made fried bread today! My Mom called it Indian bread or Cowboy bread when we made it when I was little. Liv and I used brown sugar and white sugar and talked about how Laura didn't have much white sugar because it was harder to come by and more expensive. Ma used it to make special cakes for Christmas and the playdate with Nellie Olsen, but not for every day use. We also had fun making different shapes with the dough and watching it bubble and wiggle as it fried.

P.F. Janie's

I was giving Liv some options for lunch, and she picked soup. "But not just any kind of soup Momma, I want my birthday soup!" It took me a minute but I realized she meant what she had at P.F. Chang's, egg drop soup. I did a quick swagbuck search for the recipe and realized how simple it is to make! Just chicken broth with beaten egg poured in a thin ribbon while it boils. Threw in some sliced scallions to make it look authentic and that is it! I also made some rice with the seaweed seasoning my friend made me get at the Korean Market last year. :)

Gearing up for a New Season

I'm back from Vacation. Not only do I mean the lovely days in Lake Placid with the greatest friends ever, but my last month of real summer. This morning is COLD (meaning below 65 degrees for me) and I'm starting to face up to the responsilbilities on this new Season. Homeschool, new morning routines, Lots and LOTS of documentation, and (hopefully) more consistant blogging. I don't feel bad taking Aug off though!

Now to upload a ton of pictures!