The Tuesday that is Monday

We just got back from a long weekend in Kentucky. Since we traveled on Monday, Tuesday now seems like Monday. I will be off all week now. It won't help that next weekend is a 3 day weekend as well.

We went to Kentucky to celebrate my Mom's 90th birthday. She is still driving, tending a huge garden and mowing her own lawn.

We arrived on Friday, which was her actual birthday. We took her out for dinner at Tumbleweed. Katie and Amanda gave her a box of candy, and flowers that Amanda picked out.

The actual party was Sunday night at a local Chinese buffet restaurant. It was nice to see old friends, and relatives we see rarely. Everyone had a nice time.

On Saturday, we took the girls to the Kentucky State Fair. It was a fun time. I loved looking at all the quilts. John liked seeing all the cakes - I think he watches too much Cake Boss.

The girls liked watching the baby ducks walk up the ramp to get food and slide back down into the water. They were not as enamored with the cows.

Of course, we hit the midway. Saturday was the only day they did not sell wristbands for the rides. That put a damper on what the girls rode, but probably saved us time standing in the sun waiting for them.

We tried "the" fair food of the year - the Donut Burger. Two Krispy Kreme donuts with a cheeseburger in the middle. It had tomato and lettuce too. Since one burger cost $7, we got one and each tasted it. It was interesting, and not nearly as gross as it sounds.

All in all it was a nice trip. Now back to reality.

First Day of School

Today our school year begins. I am glad for the return to routine, but am sad at the symbolic end of summer.

This year we are going to do a few things differently. Katie will be using Switched on Schoolhouse this year. I am hoping that the computer component will make this more interesting for her. We also have joined a local co-op. She will be taking Art, Spanish and P.E..

I have put together several different things for Amanda's curriculum, but we are working from textbooks and workbooks instead of the computer. Amanda likes to be able to see how much she has left in a book. She will also be taking classes at the co-op - Nuts & Bolts (building), sewing, and Spanish.

Both girls are also joining the homeschool swim team. They meet 2 times a week. We also will be participating in the Morning Grace Bible Study at our church. This term I am teaching Amanda's class. We are studying the Fruit of the Spirit.

We had the option to do an additional art class in exchange for watching the teacher's child during the class. I decided that it was just too much. We are going to be busy this year!

Since the local public school does not start back for 2 more days, we didn't do our usual "waving at the school bus in our pajamas" ritual. I did get them each their favorite thing for lunch today - Amanda gets a lunchable and Katie shells and cheese.

We might have to go out for breakfast at McDonald's on Thursday for our "not back to school" celebration.

I am excited and apprehensive about our 3rd year of homeschooling. I feel a bit more prepared curriculum wise, and feel like we have a good balance of academics and electives. As always, I question my ability to teach the girls.

Guess that is where I lean on God.

Friday Frustrations

I am stressed today for multiple reasons.

First of all, I KNOW I ordered the Math U See workbook. It showed up as a debit on our checking account and then disappeared. There is no way on the MUS site to see if your order is pending, shipping, whatever. I emailed MUS and asked them to let me know if my order had gone through or not. No response yet.

We are beginning our school year Monday. I know we can use the DVDs and manipulatives to work, but I just like having everything in place.

The Science book I ordered from a private seller on Amazon, which was supposed to be delivered between 7/16 & 8/2. I emailed the seller a couple of weeks ago. After a few days, she finally responded and told me she had been on vacation, and had just mailed the book the day before.

Since I cannot wait any longer, I just ordered another copy, this time from Christian Book Distributors. I am getting ready to file a claim at Amazon, and leave feedback that is not good.

Katie's Switched on Schoolhouse arrived today. I spent the afternoon installing it and trying to set it up. It took me forever to figure out how to get Katie's birthday off the calendar as a holiday EVERY day of the school year. Although I know she would like that, I don't think that is going to work.

I also figured out how to see the assignments and what was due. Now if we can keep Katie from losing the CD-ROMs we'll be good.

And, my final frustration has to do with Amanda. She has been friends with a girl in our neighborhood ever since they moved here. They have had their spats, but have always made up.

For the past 2 weeks, this girl has been putting Amanda off. Whenever Amanda has gone over to ask her to play she is "too tired" or "can't play". She hasn't started school yet, so there is something else going on there.

Yesterday, Amanda went over to play, and came home about 15 minutes later. I asked her if they had a fight, and she said no. She said they were trying to decide what to do, and her friend told her to wait a minute and went downstairs.

She came back up, and a few minutes later the friend's Dad came up and told Amanda it was time to go home.

The friend has a school friend spending the night tonight. Amanda has been chomping at the bit to go over all day. I have been trying to get her to let this thing lie for a few days, and wait for the friend to come ask her to play.

But, she can't let it go. It just makes my heart hurt to see her rejected and trying so hard to make it work. I know Amanda can be bossy, but she is not mean, or vengeful. I am just ready for our homeschool groups to begin so we can connect her with some of her homeschool friends.

So, John is supposed to take my out to dinner tonight. I need it. This stuff has made me crazy!

Rainy Thursday

It is raining here today. We have had thunderstorms on and off and it is overcast. It is actually quite nice. This might be a day for lazing about in pjs and reading.

I have been eagerly tracking the progress of Katie's Switched On Schoolhouse curriculum online.It started it's journey from Sioux City, IA. From there it went to Des Moines, then Davenport. It arrived in Hodgkins, IL yesterday, then traveled through Indianapolis, and spent the night in Lexington, KY. It left Lexington about 15 minutes ago.

Maybe I need to get a life....

Monday...again.

It is Monday...again. Funny how that happens every week.

I see that lots of my homeschooling Mom friends are starting their school year today. So, now I am feeling guilty that we are not starting until 9/7. I have this thing about school starting while it is still "technically" summer. For that matter, I hate school continuing into the unofficial start of summer, after Memorial day.

That being said, Katie is ready to start this week. A lot of her public school friends are starting back this week, and she just figures she might as well start too. I am hoping her SOS will arrive this week so I can get it all set up and she can start.

I went through Amanda's books last night. I am going to work on her first week's lesson plan today. Hopefully the rest of her school items will get here this week as well. In the meantime, we are reading and working in a Summer Bridge workbook.

The perfect planner search has had a interesting twist. I found a tolerable planner at Walmart - spiral bound, reasonable size, monthly grid, weekly schedule. I figured it was a good as I was going to find under $10.

Then, I received a message on facebook from a friend from high school. We had recently reconnected at our 35th high school reunion. She told me had a planner she had used and loved, but no longer needed as she has entered the digital age. She asked if I would like to have it, and I of course said yes!

This is right up my alley, because I am all about frugal. And it will make it even cooler that it came from someone who I went to school with, way back when. Thanks Jen, you are a jewel!

I am now waiting for my children to get out of bed. They spent the day (ALL day) yesterday at Carowinds with friends. When they came dragging in the door last night, they looked totally worn out. It was Amanda's first time there, and Katie's first time since she was about 6.


They had a ball, rode all the rollercoasters and rides, and went to the water park. Amanda had a bit of trouble getting out of the wave pool. Apparently, she was at the ladder in the five foot, and had trouble hanging onto the ladder to get out. The lifeguard tried to pull her out, but her hand kept slipping. They had to turn the waves off so she could climb out.


She told me she wasn't scared, and that she never went underwater. But my heart just clutches to think that this could have possibly had a different result had it not been for a diligent lifeguard. Amanda said they checked her over, and she scraped her knee, but she was fine. Thank you God!


John and I spent our kidless Sunday going to church, and then to Home Depot for some new door knobs and locks. We have the most exciting dates.

Well, onward into the week. May yours be blessed!

Friday the 13th

The date, not the movie, although my husband loves those horrible things.

I am not particularly superstitious, but apparently there are those who stay under the covers on Friday the 13th. For your education and enlightenment, they are called Paraskevidekatriaphobics. Paraskevi means Friday, dekatria means thirteen, and phobia, is of course fear.

And, if you win one million dollars on Who Wants to be a Millionaire because of this information, I want a cut!

Apparently the origins of the superstition about Friday the 13th is a bit vague. Some seem to think it is connected with the crucifixion of Christ occurring on Friday. Others think the number 13 comes from there being 13 people at the table during the last supper, the 13th being Judas Iscariot.

Maritime legend states it is bad luck to set off on a voyage on a Friday. Lloyd's of London, at one time, refused to insure ocean voyages set to begin on a Friday. Lots of interesting facts and quotes on the subject at Snopes.com http://www.snopes.com/luck/friday13.asp.

Well, enough enlightenment for today! I guess it is the peril in being a homeschooling mom.

Popeye the Sailor: I Don't Scare (1956)

I Need a Cow

I need a milk cow. We go through so much milk, it would have to be cheaper to feed the cow. However, I don't think my neighborhood Homeowner's Association would look kindly upon a cow in my back yard.

It is times like this I wish we could move out somewhere and have a bit of land. Not a big 'ole farm or anything. Just a few acres, a few chickens, a nice garden, and a outside dog. Oh, and the peace that comes from not having neighbors within spitting distance.


Don't get me wrong. I love our neighborhood, and we have awesome neighbors. They are friendly, and always willing to help. But, I hate the restrictions of a neighborhood association. Our neighborhood is small, I can't imagine what it's like in the big subdivisions.

I understand why they are there. You don't want people painting their houses day glo orange and having six cars on blocks in the front yard. But somehow the "rules" seem to take away from having your own home. I mean, it is your land. Shouldn't you be able to do with it what you want?

I grew up in a nice little neighborhood in Louisville, KY. No homeowner's association. People kept their houses (and still do) nice because they had pride in their homes. Nobody got bent out of shape if someone wanted to put a shed in the backyard that didn't exactly match the house. As long as it wasn't falling down, no one complained.

Maybe that is why the thought of a bit of land out somewhere is so appealing. My own little patch of God's earth that I can do with as I see fit. Of course, now a days it is hard to say how long the piece of land "out somewhere" will actually be out somewhere. Seems that everything is being developed.

That is another rant for another day...

Why Are They Called Sleepovers Again?

My oldest decided to have a sleepover last night with 2 of her teen/almost teen friends. Apparently one stayed up until 3:00 and Katie and Brittany were still awake when I came downstairs at 9:30. They both crashed shortly thereafter.

So I have been in the family room, reading and surfing trying to find a planner that has everything I want. I want one that looks nice. I want one that isn't too big, but not a pocket planner. I want a monthly calendar and a weekly grid. I need to be able to log homeschool work, and other appointments etc., as well as birthdays, vacations etc.

Why is it so hard to find what I want? Well, I found what I wanted, but $75 is not in my budget! Last year I used a teacher planner from the Dollar Tree for logging our home school work. I made a home notebook from a 3 ring binder, but never got that really going.

The three ring binder is just too big to carry everywhere. I tried using a pocket planner too, but never remembered to transfer those things to my bigger notebook. Ugh. The search continues.

Beginnings

I have started and stopped various blogs over the years, so here we go again! I have blogged on life, crocheting and homeschooling. I had a great blog before titled "June Cleaver in a Brittney Spears World". (Well, I thought the title was great, not so sure about the blog!) But, alas, I cannot remember my id or password, so here I am.


We will soon begin our 3rd year of homeschooling. I have a philosophical issue with school beginning before Labor Day and ending after Memorial Day, so we "do school" between those dates. Katie prefers to start when her friends do, so I give her some work until the official start date. She does not mind, however, ending before her friends!

I have settled on our curriculum and am working on getting it all in the next couple of weeks. Here is what we are using this year:

For Katie:

I decided to go with Switched on Schoolhouse 7th grade, for several reasons. One is Katie loves using the computer. I like the completeness of this curriculum, including Bible and additional reading. I like having the ability to set up her assignments and let her work at her own pace. I am hoping this will be a better fit this year.

I am anxious to get this so I can start looking through it and see where we are going. I think that since Katie was in PS for 5 years, she needs a more "school like" curriculum. We tried Rod & Staff last year, but it didn't work very well.We had WAY too many fights over math!

For Amanda:

Our biggest challenge is working on reading and working with her visual disability. We'll be spending a lot of time at the library picking out books and reading them with a patch on one eye.

I chose a more eclectic approach to Amanda's curriculum. Since I want to work on Language Arts, I chose AOP LifePac 3rd grade. Amanda likes workbooks, and likes to gauge how much she has left in a book. It gives her incentive to work through her assignments when she sees less pages left to do.

We are also doing Handwriting Without Tears. I saw this at the NC Homeschool Convention book fair and really liked it. Amanda is chomping at the bit to learn cursive, and this takes a step by step approach.

We are using Christian Liberty Press for Bible and for science. If I ever receive the copy of Exploring God's Creation that I ordered from a private seller on Amazon, I'll quit stressing. I hate to reorder if it was sent media mail and it just taking the scenic route to get here. At least it is not expensive!

I chose BJU Press Heritage Studies for History. I am just not up to tackling world history at this stage of the game. I also feel like, given the current state of our nation, that learning about our founding fathers and their belief in God is timely. I was blessed to find the student book and teacher book for sale on a message board for $15!

We are trying Math-U-See for math this year. Everyone I have talked to who has/is using this really likes it. Amanda is struggling to grasp the fact families, and I think having the manipulatives will help. Tactile and visual together might be the ticket.

For Me!

I still need to get my teacher planner and a regular daily planner so I can keep things straight this year and not pull my hair out!

Katie will be participating in the NCHE Middle School girls basketball league. We will have 2 practices a week - in Denver! (not CO) - and games on Sat. The season runs Nov. through Feb. We have travel games to Thomasville, Asheville, Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point.

I would like for Amanda to have an opportunity to take gymnastics, but I have to see when Katie's practices are first. Amanda wants to take an archery class offered by the local Parks & Rec, we'll see how that works.

There is also a homeschool swim team. While Amanda swims like a fish, she swims underwater and really needs to learn proper strokes.

We will also participate in Morning Grace at Grace Covenant again this year. This time I will be teaching Amanda's class - Fruit of the Spirit. Katie will once again work on apologetics. I am waiting for info on an art class that will be offered as well.

We also are going to be part of a weekly co-op group. There are some fun things offered, and I think it will give the girls a chance to make more homeschool friends.

The biggest thing is having John's support and prayers, and seeking God's direction.