2010-2011 Curriculum

I went to the Midwest Homeschool Convention (awesome by the way) in April with three wonderful friends.  I purchased all of my curriculum for next year.  It feels really good to know that everything is sitting in the school room just waiting to be explored.

Lulu and Monkey will be doing Exploring Countries and Cultures from My Father's World.  I am very excited to be making this switch.  I love Charlotte Mason's philosophies and unit studies to teach every level together.  I just struggle with finding the time to put it all together myself.  MFW will do this for me.  Bible, Geography, Science, Art, and Music are all taken care of with Exploring Countries and Cultures.   For English we are moving to Rod and Staff.  Lulu will be doing Following the Plan.  Monkey will be doing Beginning Wisely.  Lulu will do Saxon 6/5 for math.  Monkey will switch to Saxon and do Saxon 5/4.  Another new choice for us next year will be All About Spelling.  I've heard so many great things about this program over the past several months.  I started reading up on it.  I looked over everything at the convention and bought the first two levels.  We are going to start this program in a few weeks.  I hope to get my struggling speller on track over the summer.

Lil will be in Kindergarten next year.  She will be doing My Father's World from A to Z.  This is a complete package for kindergarten.  I may add RightStart Mathematics and All About Spelling to her schedule after we get into the year. 

I also am excited to introduce Workboxes next year.  The organization of our day is a constant struggle.  I really hope this system gives our day a boost as it seems to have done for so many other families.  I know that I will not implement the system exactly the way Sue Patrick suggests.  I just don't have the space.  Once I have all the details fixed I will blog about how we plan to implement the boxes in our day.

EXPO 2010

Tonight was our annual EXPO at co-op.  There are several categories in which the students can enter to compete in their age group.  Lulu entered photography, spelling bee, crochet, and Legos.  Monkey entered photography, casseroles, sewing, and painting.  Lil entered photography, printing, and Legos.  The girls did a great job working on their projects.  

Lulu built a farmhouse with Legos.  She had a trundle bed under the big bed.  Her horses had their own barn.

Lulu took this picture at the zoo.  I would love to have it blown up.  It's beautiful.

Monkey did a great job on her painting.  She found a picture from a book of scenes at Red River Gorge.  

Monkey also took her picture at the zoo.  We happened to be in the reptile house during feeding time.  We were able to watch this snake begin to eat the rat.  Rather gross, but rather intriguing.  Her picture was a hit tonight...especially with the boys.

Lil used potatoes to do her printing.  I cut the shapes out for her and she went to town.  I have to admit she gets her systematic side from me.  I probably would have done everything in rows when I was 5 too.

One of Lil's most favorite things is Monster Jam.  She has gotten to go on two dates with her Daddy to see them live.  She was building a garden with her Legos for EXPO.  The older girls and I were in the school room doing our work.  She came into the room to ask for help finding a special Lego piece.  When I went into the living room her garden was gone and she was building trucks.  Too funny!  

Lil took a picture of Daddy's bass guitar for her photography entry.  Last year her picture was of a monster truck.

I am very proud of the hard work the girls put into their projects.  They had a blast.

Homemaker in Training

James had a jacket that needed some mending.  He asked Monkey if she thought she could take care of that for him.  Her face beamed as she went and got my sewing basket.  She was proud to be able to help her Daddy.  

My New Home

I finally decided to make the switch.  I am in the process of moving my blog material over from Homeschool Blogger.  The past several months I have neglected my blog all together.  I hope to start updating on a regular basis again.  Here is the link to my old blog until I can get all my posts moved: In The Potter's Hand.

Excitement Around Here

The past two months we have been working on remodeling our kitchen.  It is looking so great.  I can't wait for it to be completely finished.  Here is a before shot of the cabinets, counter top and appliances.

Now here is a pic of my new counter top and cabinets.

 

It is so much prettier.  I love it!  We still have to replace the floor and get a new table set. 

James and I like to include the girls in what we do when that is possible.  They obviously could not help put in the cabinets and appliances, even though they wanted too.  So to let them be involved we purchased three canvases and paint.  Here is my artwork for the kitchen.

Lulu's is first, then Monkey's, and then James/Lil's.  They did a great job.

And here are my girls for their first day of co-op.  We are having a great year so far!

Need More Hours in a Day

Life has been moving full speed ahead for us the past few months.  I am wondering when it will slow down a little.  I have all these great intentions of posting about our school days, special events we are participating in, and all the funnies that occur each day.  Then I look up and it is time to go to bed.

Our plate is overflowing as a family right now.  Back in August our church launched a new Saturday night service.  James and I both joined the ministry team.  He is on the worship team and I am directing the children's ministry for Saturday night.  We both also teach class on Wednesday night at church.  James started a Bible study for the men back in the summer.  They meet twice a month.  The ladies started meeting twice a month also.  The girls and I have really enjoyed this.  We all, minus Lil, know how to knit and crochet now.  Co-op started back in September.  I am on the board this year and coordinating the Teacher's Lounge each week.  Add school each day, chores, work... the plate is overflowing!

So that is why the blog is suffering.  I do intend to get back at it though.  Lulu wants to get her blog going again too.  We changed the background and some other things a few weeks ago.  She posted a story she wrote for her writing curriculum.  She has another story ready to post when we get a chance.  You can read her story here.

Lulu and Monkey have their first JBQ match of the season tomorrow morning.  They are excited about quizzing.  Lulu is in A league this year.  That means her age group will quiz on 10 point, 20 point, and 30 point questions.  Monkey is still in B league.  They quiz on 10 point and 20 point questions.  Lil spectates :)  I was asked if Lil would want to quiz on C league, even though she is four.  I just don't think she is ready to sit quietly at the table and only buzz when she knows the answer.  Too much energy still bottled up inside her.

Our plate is full, but we would not have it any other way.  We stay busy, but it is all things we do together as a family (for the most part).  James is not off doing his own thing, me off doing mine, and the girls in different directions.  We are together.  And what God has called us to do, He will give us the grace we need to accomplish it.

My Future Worship Leader

Lil's most favorite thing to do is sing and play church.  I hope you enjoy this "Lil Original".