Home*School*Home
My two youngest kids are at it again. They are playing make-believe something. I went into the living room just now and heard my daughter say "Johnny, do you want to play on the floor?" and my youngest son (who isn't named Johnny, BTW) said "Oh boy, the floor, the floor, I love the floor!"
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Summer Thoughts
Home*School*Home
I've been reading through my KONOS curriculum book (volume 3) to see if what it is like and try to make some more concrete plans about how we will get started in the fall (or later in the summer). I want to start with the unit on Resourcefulness sometime during the summer. Summertime will be a great time to learn about pioneers and how they preserved food and built shelters. I would like to build a log cabin shelter for our dogs and make some blackberry preserves this summer. That seems very homeschooler-ish, doesn't it? This book is full of fun ideas like that. I feel a little overwhelmed about everything, though, today. My job seems to be taking up all of my time lately and I wonder how I'm going to be able to give my kids as much time as they need. I guess I'd better get some more coffee now and just do it.
I've been reading through my KONOS curriculum book (volume 3) to see if what it is like and try to make some more concrete plans about how we will get started in the fall (or later in the summer). I want to start with the unit on Resourcefulness sometime during the summer. Summertime will be a great time to learn about pioneers and how they preserved food and built shelters. I would like to build a log cabin shelter for our dogs and make some blackberry preserves this summer. That seems very homeschooler-ish, doesn't it? This book is full of fun ideas like that. I feel a little overwhelmed about everything, though, today. My job seems to be taking up all of my time lately and I wonder how I'm going to be able to give my kids as much time as they need. I guess I'd better get some more coffee now and just do it.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Working At Home.
Home*School*Home
I have been a medical transcriptionist for 10 years. I started studying through a correspondence course when my oldest son was a baby. I hated to leave him all the time and go to work. I worked in a hospital for a few years and when my youngest was born, I started working at home. I felt like it would be easier to work at home than it would be to work outside the home and not working has never been an option for me. I'd just like to say to all those moms who are thinking about working at home, thinking that you'll get to spend more time with your babies, you will, some, because you won't have to commute but medical transcription is a difficult job to do with young children around. I know the advertisers show a mom typing and her child standing beside her, quietly playing, but that has never been how it has worked for me. I was very fortunate to have my mom as a babysitter when my kids were little. Now that they are middle sized, I still sometimes find it hard to work with them home because of the noise level. It is hard to understand dictation when it is accompanied by very loud, kind of off key, singing of Ned Nostril, Eric the Awful or The Mississippi Squirrel Revival. Trust me. I know.
I have been a medical transcriptionist for 10 years. I started studying through a correspondence course when my oldest son was a baby. I hated to leave him all the time and go to work. I worked in a hospital for a few years and when my youngest was born, I started working at home. I felt like it would be easier to work at home than it would be to work outside the home and not working has never been an option for me. I'd just like to say to all those moms who are thinking about working at home, thinking that you'll get to spend more time with your babies, you will, some, because you won't have to commute but medical transcription is a difficult job to do with young children around. I know the advertisers show a mom typing and her child standing beside her, quietly playing, but that has never been how it has worked for me. I was very fortunate to have my mom as a babysitter when my kids were little. Now that they are middle sized, I still sometimes find it hard to work with them home because of the noise level. It is hard to understand dictation when it is accompanied by very loud, kind of off key, singing of Ned Nostril, Eric the Awful or The Mississippi Squirrel Revival. Trust me. I know.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Nobody Will Play With Me.
Home*School*Home
We need to get another girl to even things up around here. Even though the boys are 6 years apart, they seem to have a lot more in common with each other than with the girl. She isn't into the video games or going outside and playing with sticks, so she gets left out. My friend keeps offering to send me her 6 year old, but I don't think she really means it. :-(
We need to get another girl to even things up around here. Even though the boys are 6 years apart, they seem to have a lot more in common with each other than with the girl. She isn't into the video games or going outside and playing with sticks, so she gets left out. My friend keeps offering to send me her 6 year old, but I don't think she really means it. :-(
Saturday, May 28, 2005
The Actual Summer Media Schedule.
Okay. I admit it. There isn't one. I let the preteen win. Actually, I just said that if my schedule upset him so much that he had to come up with a better one or regulate his own video gaming and tv viewing. So far, he has done well. All of the kids have been outside a lot the past few days, actively playing for hours at a time. The oldest has been encouraging the younger two to go outside with him. This is what I wanted them to do and they are doing it their own way. Maybe the threat of having to go back on mom's schedule is why they are doing it? Maybe just because the weather has been so nice? Maybe my speech on how TV makes people fat?* I don't know, but I'm happy.
*I once read that a person staring at a blank wall burns significantly more calories per hour than a person watching television. Why? Because their brain is working.
*I once read that a person staring at a blank wall burns significantly more calories per hour than a person watching television. Why? Because their brain is working.
Friday, May 27, 2005
We're Free! Kind of.
Home*School*Home
Yesterday, we all had our 6 month dental exams and cleanings. When we started to schedule for next time, the receptionist asked what would be a good time of day and I said that it doesn't matter. We are completely free to schedule appointments when we want. Because of the nature of my work and because the kids are homeschooled, we are now easy patients for our doctor and dentist, scheduling-wise, anyway.
What this means to me, is that our whole lives, my work, the kids school, everything important, is now dependent on me having self discipline. Me. Self-discipline. It is a scary thought. Every day, I have to be disciplined enough to sit down and work at my job even though no one is standing over me and asking me to do it. (I did ask my supervisor to start assigning me work early every morning, so I will get started sooner.) Every day, I also have to oversee the kids education. Most days, I manage to do both. Some days, neither. Hopefully, it works out.
Yesterday, we all had our 6 month dental exams and cleanings. When we started to schedule for next time, the receptionist asked what would be a good time of day and I said that it doesn't matter. We are completely free to schedule appointments when we want. Because of the nature of my work and because the kids are homeschooled, we are now easy patients for our doctor and dentist, scheduling-wise, anyway.
What this means to me, is that our whole lives, my work, the kids school, everything important, is now dependent on me having self discipline. Me. Self-discipline. It is a scary thought. Every day, I have to be disciplined enough to sit down and work at my job even though no one is standing over me and asking me to do it. (I did ask my supervisor to start assigning me work early every morning, so I will get started sooner.) Every day, I also have to oversee the kids education. Most days, I manage to do both. Some days, neither. Hopefully, it works out.
1 week and 2 days until the day before vacation.
Home*School*Home
My daughter keeps walking around the house announcing to anyone who will listen that it is 1 week and 2 days until the day before vacation. I'm not sure why we are counting to the day before vacation, but we are. I've mentioned before that we don't have a lot of spare cash and vacations are our one little splurge. We are going about an hour away from home to stay in a hotel that I got a great deal on through hotwire, swim in the pool and visit the children's museum. Simple, easy, inexpensive, but the kids are so excited, you'd think we were going to the moon. There are already 2 children's suitcases packed. I hope the little trip is as fun as they anticipate it will be. Or even half as fun!
My daughter keeps walking around the house announcing to anyone who will listen that it is 1 week and 2 days until the day before vacation. I'm not sure why we are counting to the day before vacation, but we are. I've mentioned before that we don't have a lot of spare cash and vacations are our one little splurge. We are going about an hour away from home to stay in a hotel that I got a great deal on through hotwire, swim in the pool and visit the children's museum. Simple, easy, inexpensive, but the kids are so excited, you'd think we were going to the moon. There are already 2 children's suitcases packed. I hope the little trip is as fun as they anticipate it will be. Or even half as fun!
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Links.
Home*School*Home
While my brain is on holiday, I will share some of the links I've collected. Here are a couple for math worksheets.
Superkids.
Math Problems
Here is a fun geography game (thanks Lisa)!
Geosense
Here are some great graphic organizers from EdHelper.
EdHelper
While my brain is on holiday, I will share some of the links I've collected. Here are a couple for math worksheets.
Superkids.
Math Problems
Here is a fun geography game (thanks Lisa)!
Geosense
Here are some great graphic organizers from EdHelper.
EdHelper
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Brain Holiday.
Home*School*Home
I think my brain checked out and went on a little holiday today. I mean, there is just not a lot going on in my head today. I did a little school work, one on one, with each child this morning and did a little work for my job this afternoon, but in between times, there has been a lot of sitting, kind of staring into space, daydreaming. I'm not sure where I've gone, but I can tell I'm not all here.
I think my brain checked out and went on a little holiday today. I mean, there is just not a lot going on in my head today. I did a little school work, one on one, with each child this morning and did a little work for my job this afternoon, but in between times, there has been a lot of sitting, kind of staring into space, daydreaming. I'm not sure where I've gone, but I can tell I'm not all here.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Changing the consonants
Home*School*Home
My 2 younger kids like to change the consonants at the beginnings of words, just for the fun of it. Earlier today, they were going through the months of the year but changing the initial sound of each word to a letter of the alphabet, as in Manuary, Mebruary, March, Mapril, May, Mune. Apparently this is a lot of fun. Earlier this week, they dug out an old Ray Stevens tape and were listening to a song called (I'm not kidding) Ned Nostril and His South Seas Paradise, Put Your Blues on Ice, Cheap at Twice the Price Band, icky-icky, ucky-ucky. Now, after several hours of singing this song over and over, the youngest has decided to change out the consonants, and is now saying Ped Postril and his Pouth Peast Paradise .... you get the picture. Maybe it's just me, but this is getting to be a leeettle annoying.
My 2 younger kids like to change the consonants at the beginnings of words, just for the fun of it. Earlier today, they were going through the months of the year but changing the initial sound of each word to a letter of the alphabet, as in Manuary, Mebruary, March, Mapril, May, Mune. Apparently this is a lot of fun. Earlier this week, they dug out an old Ray Stevens tape and were listening to a song called (I'm not kidding) Ned Nostril and His South Seas Paradise, Put Your Blues on Ice, Cheap at Twice the Price Band, icky-icky, ucky-ucky. Now, after several hours of singing this song over and over, the youngest has decided to change out the consonants, and is now saying Ped Postril and his Pouth Peast Paradise .... you get the picture. Maybe it's just me, but this is getting to be a leeettle annoying.
TV/ Video Game Limits.
Home*School*Home
I want the kids to play outside more this summer. I want them to get more exercise. That is my goal for them. Possibly I went about it the wrong way, but I announced the new summer schedule today. We have a few hours of homeschooling to finish, so my plan is to do about 1/2 an hour every day, one on one with each child, so that they will not forget over the summer and to strictly limit TV and video game time so that they will be forced to be more creative about what to do. My preteen now thinks that he is going to die, that this is going to be the most boring, awful summer that anyone ever had to endure, that his mom has got to be the worst mom in the world ... (okay, he didn't say that, but it was implied). Sigh.
I want the kids to play outside more this summer. I want them to get more exercise. That is my goal for them. Possibly I went about it the wrong way, but I announced the new summer schedule today. We have a few hours of homeschooling to finish, so my plan is to do about 1/2 an hour every day, one on one with each child, so that they will not forget over the summer and to strictly limit TV and video game time so that they will be forced to be more creative about what to do. My preteen now thinks that he is going to die, that this is going to be the most boring, awful summer that anyone ever had to endure, that his mom has got to be the worst mom in the world ... (okay, he didn't say that, but it was implied). Sigh.
Monday, May 23, 2005
More on Clutter.
Home*School*Home
I brought home a book from the library about clutter called "Cut the Clutter and Stow the Stuff". It is very interesting. I found out some things about my clutter style. I even found out that my mom is a vicarious clutterer since she buys things at yard sales that end up cluttering my house. Now I know why I can never leave her house unless my arms are full of stuff. I found out that I am a tosser. I'm married to an accumulator and we have 3 little accumulators who live with us. I have learned a lot, however, so far, the book itself has not gotten up off my desk and cleared out any of the clutter, organized or cleaned anything. I think that is kind of what I hoped it would do when I brought it home. :-)
I brought home a book from the library about clutter called "Cut the Clutter and Stow the Stuff". It is very interesting. I found out some things about my clutter style. I even found out that my mom is a vicarious clutterer since she buys things at yard sales that end up cluttering my house. Now I know why I can never leave her house unless my arms are full of stuff. I found out that I am a tosser. I'm married to an accumulator and we have 3 little accumulators who live with us. I have learned a lot, however, so far, the book itself has not gotten up off my desk and cleared out any of the clutter, organized or cleaned anything. I think that is kind of what I hoped it would do when I brought it home. :-)
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Poffs?
Home*School*Home
This morning my son youngest son asked for cereal for breakfast. His usual favorite cereal is Kelloggs Corn Pops, which have been known around our household for the past few years as "Poffs." As of this morning, he started calling them "Pops." My baby is growing up. :-/
This morning my son youngest son asked for cereal for breakfast. His usual favorite cereal is Kelloggs Corn Pops, which have been known around our household for the past few years as "Poffs." As of this morning, he started calling them "Pops." My baby is growing up. :-/
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Conversation Last Night.
Home*School*Home
Last night we were talking about getting a lamp onto the bunk bed, second level, so that he wouldn't be scared and my youngest said "we'll need an extinction cord." My daughter corrected him and said "you mean an instention cord." When my oldest and I finished laughing, we told them it was pronouced "extension cord." Then my older son wisecracked about how, if you plugged a lamp into an extinction cord, you wouldn't have the lamp for too long, because soon, it would be extinct. LoL.
Last night we were talking about getting a lamp onto the bunk bed, second level, so that he wouldn't be scared and my youngest said "we'll need an extinction cord." My daughter corrected him and said "you mean an instention cord." When my oldest and I finished laughing, we told them it was pronouced "extension cord." Then my older son wisecracked about how, if you plugged a lamp into an extinction cord, you wouldn't have the lamp for too long, because soon, it would be extinct. LoL.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Fruit Salad
Home*School*Home
Tonight on television they were advertising McDonald's new fruit and walnut salad. My youngest misheard it and said "Fruit and vomit salad???"
Tonight on television they were advertising McDonald's new fruit and walnut salad. My youngest misheard it and said "Fruit and vomit salad???"
Strawberry Patch.
Home*School*Home
We have a tiny little strawberry patch, about 3 feet x 2 1/2 feet. This is the second year we had it. My daughter absolutely loves strawberries. Last year, we grew enough so that she could eat 1 or 2 each day. They never even made it into the house. :-) This year, it looks like we may have more. She may even get to eat 3 a day! Yes, we still buy them at the store, but this is just more fun! Tonight, she got to pick the first one and she yelled "We have Strawberries!!!!" It was worth every minute, my DH and I put into making the garden.
We have a tiny little strawberry patch, about 3 feet x 2 1/2 feet. This is the second year we had it. My daughter absolutely loves strawberries. Last year, we grew enough so that she could eat 1 or 2 each day. They never even made it into the house. :-) This year, it looks like we may have more. She may even get to eat 3 a day! Yes, we still buy them at the store, but this is just more fun! Tonight, she got to pick the first one and she yelled "We have Strawberries!!!!" It was worth every minute, my DH and I put into making the garden.
Electricity.
Home*School*Home
Last night our electricity blinked off about 3 times because we were having a thunderstorm. In the rural area where we live, we are low priority for getting the electricity to be turned back on if it ever goes off. (It is usually off for about 4 days!). My youngest son was making plans to move last night "right next to where they make our electricity" I said, "so, you want to live next to the power plant?" and he said "I don't think it really is a plant, mommy."
Last night our electricity blinked off about 3 times because we were having a thunderstorm. In the rural area where we live, we are low priority for getting the electricity to be turned back on if it ever goes off. (It is usually off for about 4 days!). My youngest son was making plans to move last night "right next to where they make our electricity" I said, "so, you want to live next to the power plant?" and he said "I don't think it really is a plant, mommy."
Thursday, May 19, 2005
This boy is going to make a great DH someday ...
Please read my friend Dini's blog post about her tactful, sweet son. Dini's Blog
Curriculum Excitement.
Home*School*Home
I got my next years curriculum book in the mail. I decided to go with the KONOS curriculum of unit studies because it seemed more like what I naturally do anyway, it includes all 3 kids and each book lasts for 2 years. I've been reading through it and am on page 35 and so far, it looks great! I absolutely cannot believe how many ideas are in there. For example, when studying the heart, there are 46 enrichment/learning activities to do. Of the 46, there are only about 3 that I wouldn't want to do, that seem too much trouble, or just something I'm not interested in. That leaves 43 activities that sound really fun and cool and I can't wait to do, and that is just about the heart - one tiny section of this book! Can you tell I'm excited?
I got my next years curriculum book in the mail. I decided to go with the KONOS curriculum of unit studies because it seemed more like what I naturally do anyway, it includes all 3 kids and each book lasts for 2 years. I've been reading through it and am on page 35 and so far, it looks great! I absolutely cannot believe how many ideas are in there. For example, when studying the heart, there are 46 enrichment/learning activities to do. Of the 46, there are only about 3 that I wouldn't want to do, that seem too much trouble, or just something I'm not interested in. That leaves 43 activities that sound really fun and cool and I can't wait to do, and that is just about the heart - one tiny section of this book! Can you tell I'm excited?
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Our Advertising Unit
Home*School*Home
Yesterday I read and discussed with the kids some of the advertising tricks that are used to make us want to buy things. We compared boxes of cereal marketed to kids and those marketed to adults and then each child designed his or her own cereal box and designed a new kind of cereal. It was fun to see what they came up with. The youngest one's cereal was "Bug Cereal" and he tried to copy a cereal box that we had here that said "20% more free" but then he decided to make it 80%, but he left out the 0 so it now says proudly "8% more free!"
The older two kids went with the marketing technique of using a sweepstakes and their boxes said things like "you may win $50,000". Other than this very small study of advertising we are doing in the morning, we are just working on finishing our workbooks. I'm ready for formal school to be over this year and we will unschool all summer, I think.
Yesterday I read and discussed with the kids some of the advertising tricks that are used to make us want to buy things. We compared boxes of cereal marketed to kids and those marketed to adults and then each child designed his or her own cereal box and designed a new kind of cereal. It was fun to see what they came up with. The youngest one's cereal was "Bug Cereal" and he tried to copy a cereal box that we had here that said "20% more free" but then he decided to make it 80%, but he left out the 0 so it now says proudly "8% more free!"
The older two kids went with the marketing technique of using a sweepstakes and their boxes said things like "you may win $50,000". Other than this very small study of advertising we are doing in the morning, we are just working on finishing our workbooks. I'm ready for formal school to be over this year and we will unschool all summer, I think.
Another Barney Quote (Sorry!)
Home*School*Home
Tonight my youngest son was talking about the Barney show again. He was puzzled. He said "The kids on that show are like, 6 years old, but they don't know anything. Barney has to teach them everything."
Tonight my youngest son was talking about the Barney show again. He was puzzled. He said "The kids on that show are like, 6 years old, but they don't know anything. Barney has to teach them everything."
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Never Home.
Home*School*Home
My best friend was trying to get in touch with me over the weekend and couldn't catch me at home and couldn't get me to answer my cell phone (I kept leaving it in the van.) One of her voice mail messages to me said "If you work and home and school at home, why are you never home?"
My best friend was trying to get in touch with me over the weekend and couldn't catch me at home and couldn't get me to answer my cell phone (I kept leaving it in the van.) One of her voice mail messages to me said "If you work and home and school at home, why are you never home?"
Monday, May 16, 2005
Physicals
Home*School*Home
My 2 younger kids had their annual physicals today. Truth be told, it has been a couple of years since they had one. My son had to have a fingerstick at the office to check for anemia. He tried to hide from the nurse under the examination table. My daughter had to go to the local hospital lab for a complete blood count. She said " I hope there are better places to hide at the hospital."
My 2 younger kids had their annual physicals today. Truth be told, it has been a couple of years since they had one. My son had to have a fingerstick at the office to check for anemia. He tried to hide from the nurse under the examination table. My daughter had to go to the local hospital lab for a complete blood count. She said " I hope there are better places to hide at the hospital."
Sunday, May 15, 2005
What is that?
Home*School*Home
One night, riding in the car, I heard this conversation from the backseat. My daughter said "Dan, why do you have a lump on the side of your head? Oh. It's your ear."
One night, riding in the car, I heard this conversation from the backseat. My daughter said "Dan, why do you have a lump on the side of your head? Oh. It's your ear."
I love you, you love me.
Home*School*Home
One time when my youngest was little, he came up to me and said "Barney loves me, but I don't love him. I like his show though."
One time when my youngest was little, he came up to me and said "Barney loves me, but I don't love him. I like his show though."
Great Strides.
Home*School*Home
My daughter, who has only read 1 very small chapter book in her life is now on chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I guess she was waiting for a book she was actually interested in? I'm so proud I could pop! My youngest son who has insisted all year that he "can't read" picked up a tube of anti-itch cream yesterday and read the label. Not exactly the great American novel, but I'm thrilled. He's been able to read but it has been like "pulling teeth" all year to get him to read anything, until just recently. I feel like we have all made great strides this year. I'm thinking of not totally taking the summer off, but at doing one subject each day and then kind of unschooling the rest of the time. This probably will not make me popular with the kids, but we had such a hard time getting back after spring break, that I am afraid to take a complete break!
This week, we are going to study consumerism, money management and advertising. My youngest son is absolutely facinated with infomercials and will come telling me, "come see, come see, it's something you just have to buy!" whenever they are on, so he definitely needs a little consumer education. I'm going to use some of the stuff from this site. PBS GO
My daughter, who has only read 1 very small chapter book in her life is now on chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I guess she was waiting for a book she was actually interested in? I'm so proud I could pop! My youngest son who has insisted all year that he "can't read" picked up a tube of anti-itch cream yesterday and read the label. Not exactly the great American novel, but I'm thrilled. He's been able to read but it has been like "pulling teeth" all year to get him to read anything, until just recently. I feel like we have all made great strides this year. I'm thinking of not totally taking the summer off, but at doing one subject each day and then kind of unschooling the rest of the time. This probably will not make me popular with the kids, but we had such a hard time getting back after spring break, that I am afraid to take a complete break!
This week, we are going to study consumerism, money management and advertising. My youngest son is absolutely facinated with infomercials and will come telling me, "come see, come see, it's something you just have to buy!" whenever they are on, so he definitely needs a little consumer education. I'm going to use some of the stuff from this site. PBS GO
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Bad Words.
Home*School*Home
Around our house we use substitute bad words. Probably we shouldn't use any at all, I know. Instead of really bad words we use words like "poop." Of course the kids have picked up these words and added them to their vocabularies too. I'm not proud of it but it does make for some interesting conversations. One day, when my youngest was about 3 1/2, my oldest son was eating one of those chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies. He dropped it on the floor and said "Poop!" and my youngest bent over and looked intently at the cookie and said "That's not poop! It's a cookie!"
Around our house we use substitute bad words. Probably we shouldn't use any at all, I know. Instead of really bad words we use words like "poop." Of course the kids have picked up these words and added them to their vocabularies too. I'm not proud of it but it does make for some interesting conversations. One day, when my youngest was about 3 1/2, my oldest son was eating one of those chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies. He dropped it on the floor and said "Poop!" and my youngest bent over and looked intently at the cookie and said "That's not poop! It's a cookie!"
Friday, May 13, 2005
Mini-Vans
Home*School*Home
What would a homeschooling mom be without a mini-van? I have been without mine for a few weeks while it has been in the shop. We got it back today and hopefully it is repaired for good this time. I think it is mad at me though. This morning my husband was driving it and I was sitting in one of the back seats (usually I am the one to drive it) and it was systematically trying to kill me by cutting off my head, slowly, with the seatbelt. Ha! Just kidding! I love my van and I'm glad to have it back. One reason is, in the car I was driving, the kids could roll the windows down in the back and they were constantly putting them up and down. Now, thankfully, they can't do that and we have room for all the balls, bikes and huge sticks that we have to carry everywhere we go.
What would a homeschooling mom be without a mini-van? I have been without mine for a few weeks while it has been in the shop. We got it back today and hopefully it is repaired for good this time. I think it is mad at me though. This morning my husband was driving it and I was sitting in one of the back seats (usually I am the one to drive it) and it was systematically trying to kill me by cutting off my head, slowly, with the seatbelt. Ha! Just kidding! I love my van and I'm glad to have it back. One reason is, in the car I was driving, the kids could roll the windows down in the back and they were constantly putting them up and down. Now, thankfully, they can't do that and we have room for all the balls, bikes and huge sticks that we have to carry everywhere we go.
Most Amazing Homeschool Links Page
Home*School*Home
A person named Deb Evans of the Texas Homeschoolers has put together a homeschool links page that is absolutely incredible. There are hundreds of links here. I haven't had time to check them all out, but I have used a lot of them. I'm going to try to actually link it. (Fingers crossed.)
Texas Homeschool Page
A person named Deb Evans of the Texas Homeschoolers has put together a homeschool links page that is absolutely incredible. There are hundreds of links here. I haven't had time to check them all out, but I have used a lot of them. I'm going to try to actually link it. (Fingers crossed.)
Texas Homeschool Page
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Multitasking revisited.
Home*School*Home
Today, while I was tweezing my eyebrows in the McDonald's drive-thru (just a little shape up), I reflected on my daughter recently multitasking by eating taco salad in the bathtub. It really is no wonder she does this. I mean she's seen me juggling a couple of things at once her entire life. Still, I hope she notices that sometimes I only do one thing at once, for example, give her a hug. Somethings are worth concentrating on, enjoying and only doing one thing at a time.
Today, while I was tweezing my eyebrows in the McDonald's drive-thru (just a little shape up), I reflected on my daughter recently multitasking by eating taco salad in the bathtub. It really is no wonder she does this. I mean she's seen me juggling a couple of things at once her entire life. Still, I hope she notices that sometimes I only do one thing at once, for example, give her a hug. Somethings are worth concentrating on, enjoying and only doing one thing at a time.
Caterkiller
Home*School*Home
Today, we went to homeschool day at the park and my youngest son made a caterpiller out of an egg carton, except he called it a 'caterkiller'. According to him, a caterpiller turns into a butterfly but a caterkiller turns into a tarantula.
Today, we went to homeschool day at the park and my youngest son made a caterpiller out of an egg carton, except he called it a 'caterkiller'. According to him, a caterpiller turns into a butterfly but a caterkiller turns into a tarantula.
Nutrition
Home*School*Home
I once saw a list of the top 10 superfoods that you should eat every day. It included oranges, spinach, blueberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli and some others. That doesn't sound all that bad to me, provided I can eat them in the forms I like, orange juice, spinach dip, blueberry muffins, chocolate dipped strawberries, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole ... one other food on the list was cantaloupe, but I just can't go there. Seriously, I do need to do a better job with nutrition for myself and for the kids. We did a unit on nutrition a while back, but probably it needs to be a part of the everyday plan, maybe a food diary?
I once saw a list of the top 10 superfoods that you should eat every day. It included oranges, spinach, blueberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli and some others. That doesn't sound all that bad to me, provided I can eat them in the forms I like, orange juice, spinach dip, blueberry muffins, chocolate dipped strawberries, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole ... one other food on the list was cantaloupe, but I just can't go there. Seriously, I do need to do a better job with nutrition for myself and for the kids. We did a unit on nutrition a while back, but probably it needs to be a part of the everyday plan, maybe a food diary?
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Notes To Self.
Home*School*Home
Since I've been blogging, I've been scribbling notes to myself everywhere. I once even took the notebook in the bathroom when I was taking a shower then, when I got out of the shower, I wrote in almost unreadable script "park day". Now I have no idea what I was going to put on my blog about park day. No clue. Sometimes my notes to myself are completely unreadable, sometimes only mostly so. Even if I can read them, sometimes I can't remember what I meant. My note to self for today is 'write better notes to yourself!"
Today's homeschooling is going okay. The kids are having a reading period right now and I am working on my job. Hopefully, they will have actually read something when I get back. It is quiet in there. :-)
Since I've been blogging, I've been scribbling notes to myself everywhere. I once even took the notebook in the bathroom when I was taking a shower then, when I got out of the shower, I wrote in almost unreadable script "park day". Now I have no idea what I was going to put on my blog about park day. No clue. Sometimes my notes to myself are completely unreadable, sometimes only mostly so. Even if I can read them, sometimes I can't remember what I meant. My note to self for today is 'write better notes to yourself!"
Today's homeschooling is going okay. The kids are having a reading period right now and I am working on my job. Hopefully, they will have actually read something when I get back. It is quiet in there. :-)
I need a better plan.
Home*School*Home
We have about 20 days left that we need to do school this year. I need to get out the World Book course of study for each child and see what needs to be covered and come up with a plan. I also need to get the house cleaned up and get a lot of production at work this week, because I need the money. I wonder if I could get myself cloned?
We have about 20 days left that we need to do school this year. I need to get out the World Book course of study for each child and see what needs to be covered and come up with a plan. I also need to get the house cleaned up and get a lot of production at work this week, because I need the money. I wonder if I could get myself cloned?
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
One of Everything.
Home*School*Home
I was getting ready to call my husband to ask him to get one item when he was going to Wal-Mart. My youngest son said "Tell him we need everything, so get one of everything. And if it is on sale, buy two!"
I was getting ready to call my husband to ask him to get one item when he was going to Wal-Mart. My youngest son said "Tell him we need everything, so get one of everything. And if it is on sale, buy two!"
Recipe for One Crazy Mama
Home*School*Home
1 rather normal woman.
3 loud children, extra hyper.
1 sleeping husband who works at night.
1 part time job that requires solitude and quiet with biweekly work deadlines and constant requests to "help out more".
Add in homeschooling and housework, liberal amounts.
Put all ingredients in a small, messy house and wait a couple of hours. If the woman screams when you ring the doorbell, she's done.
1 rather normal woman.
3 loud children, extra hyper.
1 sleeping husband who works at night.
1 part time job that requires solitude and quiet with biweekly work deadlines and constant requests to "help out more".
Add in homeschooling and housework, liberal amounts.
Put all ingredients in a small, messy house and wait a couple of hours. If the woman screams when you ring the doorbell, she's done.
Scootering.
Home*School*Home
Last night we were discussing the annual family vacation that we take with various aunts, uncles and cousins every summer. It is always cheap and local, more like a family reunion than a family vacation, really, except we stay overnight. Last year, we went to a campground. This year, someone mentioned going to a cabin on a lake. My youngest is scared to swim in a lake, I guess maybe a fish phobia? I don't know. Anyway, he said last night "if you take vacation to a lake, I'm going to get on my scooter and go scootering to a hotel!"
Last night we were discussing the annual family vacation that we take with various aunts, uncles and cousins every summer. It is always cheap and local, more like a family reunion than a family vacation, really, except we stay overnight. Last year, we went to a campground. This year, someone mentioned going to a cabin on a lake. My youngest is scared to swim in a lake, I guess maybe a fish phobia? I don't know. Anyway, he said last night "if you take vacation to a lake, I'm going to get on my scooter and go scootering to a hotel!"
Waking Up.
Home*School*Home
It is funny how different people are about waking up. Just in my family, we have a lot of differences. I am easily awakened and can usually carry on a conversation and make sense, (as much as I ever do, anyway) the second I wake up. My husband is not easy to wake up. It is funny, because his alarm clock can buzz and buzz and buzz for a long time, but if I quietly say his name, he wakes up. I'll tell him "turn off your alarm". Why he can hear me from across the room, but not hear that incredibly loud alarm buzzing right in his ear, I don't know. As for the kids, at this point, both of the boys are easier to wake up than our girl. I think she is sleeping soundly now, because when she has kids, she won't be able to, lol.
It is funny how different people are about waking up. Just in my family, we have a lot of differences. I am easily awakened and can usually carry on a conversation and make sense, (as much as I ever do, anyway) the second I wake up. My husband is not easy to wake up. It is funny, because his alarm clock can buzz and buzz and buzz for a long time, but if I quietly say his name, he wakes up. I'll tell him "turn off your alarm". Why he can hear me from across the room, but not hear that incredibly loud alarm buzzing right in his ear, I don't know. As for the kids, at this point, both of the boys are easier to wake up than our girl. I think she is sleeping soundly now, because when she has kids, she won't be able to, lol.
Monday, May 09, 2005
One Of Those Days
It hasn't been a bad day, it has just been one of those days when nobody wants to do anything, including me. Spring fever? I'm not sure, but I do know that it is 4:00 p.m. here and the schoolwork isn't done. What should I do, make them work Saturday?
Of course I didn't do the stay-in-the-kitchen thing today. That's where I went wrong. The older two kids want to have friends over Saturday, so I had them do more cleaning and less schoolwork today, but they did very little. The youngest did quite a bit of work on his solar system mobile but very little else.
On the bright side, I'm going to a homeschool book sale tonight and that seems like it will be fun and interesting.
Of course I didn't do the stay-in-the-kitchen thing today. That's where I went wrong. The older two kids want to have friends over Saturday, so I had them do more cleaning and less schoolwork today, but they did very little. The youngest did quite a bit of work on his solar system mobile but very little else.
On the bright side, I'm going to a homeschool book sale tonight and that seems like it will be fun and interesting.
Our own language.
Home*School*Home
For the past 12 years, we've been working on inventing our own language. We say that things that are not straight are "crookedy", those little chewy pieces of fruit in little shapes are "nute naks" and when we don't feel good, sometimes we feel "throw-uppy". I'm pretty sure these words won't be on any spelling tests though.
For the past 12 years, we've been working on inventing our own language. We say that things that are not straight are "crookedy", those little chewy pieces of fruit in little shapes are "nute naks" and when we don't feel good, sometimes we feel "throw-uppy". I'm pretty sure these words won't be on any spelling tests though.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
I was right!
Home*School*Home
We were reading about and discussing Galileo this week, and how he knew that the universe did not rotate around the earth, as was commonly believed at that time, but he was made to renounce his theory by the church. Today, we were talking about it again and my 6-year-old said "His grave stone should have said 'I was right!'"
We were reading about and discussing Galileo this week, and how he knew that the universe did not rotate around the earth, as was commonly believed at that time, but he was made to renounce his theory by the church. Today, we were talking about it again and my 6-year-old said "His grave stone should have said 'I was right!'"
Happy Mother's Day
Home*School*Home
First of all, happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. I hope it is a good one! I also hope everyone had a fun Derby day yesterday. We sure did! Is that just a Kentucky thing?
We looked last night for the space station again, and again, no luck. We saw about 5 jets go by, but the area where the space shuttle was supposed to be was pretty much blocked by trees. I guess next time it is coming to our area, we need to go somewhere else to look for it. :-/
We're off today to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom and my husband's mom so I probably won't be around a lot today. Have a good mom's day everyone!
First of all, happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. I hope it is a good one! I also hope everyone had a fun Derby day yesterday. We sure did! Is that just a Kentucky thing?
We looked last night for the space station again, and again, no luck. We saw about 5 jets go by, but the area where the space shuttle was supposed to be was pretty much blocked by trees. I guess next time it is coming to our area, we need to go somewhere else to look for it. :-/
We're off today to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom and my husband's mom so I probably won't be around a lot today. Have a good mom's day everyone!
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Clutter.
My house is cluttered. Also, my car, my purse, my brain and my computer. My computer is kind of running slow and choppy and I know how it feels. It is trying to negotiate its file clutter and I am trying to negotiate my life clutter, house clutter and car clutter with all this brain clutter up here getting in the way. (I wonder what my ads are going to say after this post?) I think it is time for a spring cleaning. Actually, I've been decluttering a bit here and there. The car is looking a little better since yesterday. The purse has been cleaned out relatively recently. We took a bunch of the house clutter to a consignment store a couple of weeks ago. Now I just need to organize the things I want to keep. The things we have the most of in this house are toys and books. I've been looking for quite some time for a huge, maybe 7 ft tall by 7 ft wide bookshelf for my room, that is under $20.00 but so far, no luck. :-)
Friday, May 06, 2005
We didn't see it.
Home*School*Home
We went outside to look for the space station but we didn't see it. We'll try again tomorrow night if we think about it. Maybe this will be a good lesson for the kids on how life just doesn't go according to plan most of the time. At least, mine doesn't.
We went outside to look for the space station but we didn't see it. We'll try again tomorrow night if we think about it. Maybe this will be a good lesson for the kids on how life just doesn't go according to plan most of the time. At least, mine doesn't.
View the International Space Station!
Did you know you can view the International Space Station from your home with the naked eye? I found this bit of information on the back of one of the Usborne Books on outer space that we have out of the library right now. We're going to try and get a glimpse of it tonight. Here's the link.
http://esa.heavens-above.com/esa/iss_step1.asp?nored=1
You just put in your home town and it tells you where to look, at what time to look and you can print out a star chart that will help you tell the path it is taking. I'm all excited about this, can you tell? This is something we probably never would have known if we hadn't decided to start on homeschooling and do a unit on space.
http://esa.heavens-above.com/esa/iss_step1.asp?nored=1
You just put in your home town and it tells you where to look, at what time to look and you can print out a star chart that will help you tell the path it is taking. I'm all excited about this, can you tell? This is something we probably never would have known if we hadn't decided to start on homeschooling and do a unit on space.
Money
My hand is itching this morning. I've heard that it is a superstition that if your hand itches, someone is going to give you money. But my son says that if you scratch the itch, you don't get any money. This is apparently where I've gone wrong in my financial life. :-)
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Conversations in the Car.
Home*School*Home
On the way home from the park, my 6-year-old and my 8-year-old were sitting in the back seat. We had stopped to buy ice cream on the way home. My 8-year-old daughter remarked that she was full of ice cream, but empty of pizza. While we thought this over and wondered how it could be possible, my 6-year-old started making barfy noises because of the kind of pizza she wanted, plain cheese with a cheese filled crust. She said "he's stupid." I said "don't call someone stupid because they hold a different opinion than you do, even if they are not expressing it in a nice way." At that he stopped expressing it so loudly and she said very quietly "he's weird though."
On the way home from the park, my 6-year-old and my 8-year-old were sitting in the back seat. We had stopped to buy ice cream on the way home. My 8-year-old daughter remarked that she was full of ice cream, but empty of pizza. While we thought this over and wondered how it could be possible, my 6-year-old started making barfy noises because of the kind of pizza she wanted, plain cheese with a cheese filled crust. She said "he's stupid." I said "don't call someone stupid because they hold a different opinion than you do, even if they are not expressing it in a nice way." At that he stopped expressing it so loudly and she said very quietly "he's weird though."
Even the best laid plans ...
Home*School*Home
Well, nevermind the stay at home day, one of our homeschool groups is doing a park day this afternoon. It is our first one and we want to go, so we're off to the park this afternoon. Consequently, I have to work this morning before we go and this evening, when we get back. I'm glad my job is flexible. Can you see why I don't get my housework done?
Well, nevermind the stay at home day, one of our homeschool groups is doing a park day this afternoon. It is our first one and we want to go, so we're off to the park this afternoon. Consequently, I have to work this morning before we go and this evening, when we get back. I'm glad my job is flexible. Can you see why I don't get my housework done?
Home. Home. Home.
Home*School*Home
Thursday is the day of the week we try to stay home all day long (just to see if it is possible, I guess.) Every other day of the week, we have something to do out in the real world, but today we don't. I do have a library movie due back today, but I'll probably keep it the extra day and pay the fine, just to stay home.
We'll spend the morning on school and I'll spend the afternoon working and the later, I'll sit down and watch The Apprentice tonight. Hopefully, a no-stress, laid-back kind of day.
Thursday is the day of the week we try to stay home all day long (just to see if it is possible, I guess.) Every other day of the week, we have something to do out in the real world, but today we don't. I do have a library movie due back today, but I'll probably keep it the extra day and pay the fine, just to stay home.
We'll spend the morning on school and I'll spend the afternoon working and the later, I'll sit down and watch The Apprentice tonight. Hopefully, a no-stress, laid-back kind of day.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Be careful what you wish for ...
Home*School*Home
Yesterday, I was thinking how I'd like to get out of the house more, dress up, go to an office etc. Well, I got a taste of it today. I had a doctor's appointment in a city about an hour away from here. I got to dress a little nice (nicer than my home stuff anyway), take the kids to grandma's, get in the car and drive for an hour, circle the block 4 times looking for this address (which was in not the usual building), park in a parking garage, walk half a block, take the elevator, then walk another half a block indoors, sit in a waiting room for an hour and a half, see the doctor for 5 minutes, then reverse the process until I was home again. I think it will be a while before I get the urge to work in an office again. I like earning my living barefoot, in the comfort of my own home.
Yesterday, I was thinking how I'd like to get out of the house more, dress up, go to an office etc. Well, I got a taste of it today. I had a doctor's appointment in a city about an hour away from here. I got to dress a little nice (nicer than my home stuff anyway), take the kids to grandma's, get in the car and drive for an hour, circle the block 4 times looking for this address (which was in not the usual building), park in a parking garage, walk half a block, take the elevator, then walk another half a block indoors, sit in a waiting room for an hour and a half, see the doctor for 5 minutes, then reverse the process until I was home again. I think it will be a while before I get the urge to work in an office again. I like earning my living barefoot, in the comfort of my own home.
Cool Site.
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/
I still don't know why I can't link it, but this is a great solar system educational site.
I still don't know why I can't link it, but this is a great solar system educational site.
Home.
Home*School*Home
As I've stated here before, I work at home and we do school at home. I don't have to get up early. I don't have to commute. It's nice, most days. But sometimes, I just want to go someplace. I actually sometimes miss getting up, getting dressed in something relatively nice and going to an office. I miss working without interuption. Of course, if I were there, I'd miss my 3 distractions terribly.
Probably. :-)
As I've stated here before, I work at home and we do school at home. I don't have to get up early. I don't have to commute. It's nice, most days. But sometimes, I just want to go someplace. I actually sometimes miss getting up, getting dressed in something relatively nice and going to an office. I miss working without interuption. Of course, if I were there, I'd miss my 3 distractions terribly.
Probably. :-)
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Off in another direction ....
Home*School*Home
I was pretty disappointed about the abridged version of Anne of Green Gables and none of the unit study stuff I found fitting our version of the story. We found it on the map, discussed when in time it happened and quite a bit about the abridged/unabridged issue and then I decided to just go ahead and start the solar system/ universe study my older son has been wanting me to do. I found some solar system mobile kits on clearance at Michael's Crafts for $3.00 and we are going to make those this week. We started out by reading a few little facts from a space book (DK books, which we all LOVE.) and then we went on a solar system hike, which was a lot of fun. We drew the planets on our street (which was pretty much totally deserted this morning) and tried to make the distances to scale, using this web site.
http://www.homeschoolscience.com/
sample_lessons/sample_astro.html
The kids enjoyed putting rocks from the edge of the road in the middle of the road to make the asteroid belt. Anyone walking on our street today will have some new sites to see. We drew all the planets with sidewalk chalk and they are quite good. :-)
I was pretty disappointed about the abridged version of Anne of Green Gables and none of the unit study stuff I found fitting our version of the story. We found it on the map, discussed when in time it happened and quite a bit about the abridged/unabridged issue and then I decided to just go ahead and start the solar system/ universe study my older son has been wanting me to do. I found some solar system mobile kits on clearance at Michael's Crafts for $3.00 and we are going to make those this week. We started out by reading a few little facts from a space book (DK books, which we all LOVE.) and then we went on a solar system hike, which was a lot of fun. We drew the planets on our street (which was pretty much totally deserted this morning) and tried to make the distances to scale, using this web site.
http://www.homeschoolscience.com/
sample_lessons/sample_astro.html
The kids enjoyed putting rocks from the edge of the road in the middle of the road to make the asteroid belt. Anyone walking on our street today will have some new sites to see. We drew all the planets with sidewalk chalk and they are quite good. :-)
Rock. Nose.
When my oldest son was 18 months old, he came into the bathroom where I was and pointed at his nose. He said "rock." "nose." I said "do you have a rock in your nose?" and he said that he did. My husband and I got a flashlight and looked in the tiny little nose and we did see something down in there. I called the doctor's office. They advised going to the ER because they didn't have the itty bitty tool that would be needed to get it out there at the office. My best friend went with me to the ER. (DH was busy because we were having new carpet put in that evening.) We got to the ER and the doctor was very nice and he had an interesting accent that I will always remember. As he was examining my child he said "Eeet eees not a rock. Eees soft" Then he smelled it. Sniff. "Smells like Pimento." It was a piece of a pimento cheese sandwich that my son had been eating. :-)
Monday, May 02, 2005
Abridged/Unabridged.
Home*School*Home
It turns out that the version of Anne of Green Gables that we got from the library is an abridged version. When I went on the web to find questions, worksheets, etc. I found that half of the questions didn't pertain to our version of the story. I hate it when that happens. If they are taking parts out of the story, they ought to announce it in very large letters on the front of the book!
Okay, that's my rant for today. Thanks for listening.
It turns out that the version of Anne of Green Gables that we got from the library is an abridged version. When I went on the web to find questions, worksheets, etc. I found that half of the questions didn't pertain to our version of the story. I hate it when that happens. If they are taking parts out of the story, they ought to announce it in very large letters on the front of the book!
Okay, that's my rant for today. Thanks for listening.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
The Center of a Tootsie Roll Pop.
Home*School*Home
Remember the old advertising campaign for Tootsie Roll Pops, in which some kids take a pop to an owl and ask him how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop and he goes (lick ) "one", (lick) "two", (lick) "three", ((((crunch))))) and then says "three"? Tonight my youngest son decided to find out and according to his experiment, it took 506 licks to get to the center and 1012 licks to the middle of the Tootsie until it completely fell off the stick. I'm amazed he had the patience. I've never gotten past three myself!
Remember the old advertising campaign for Tootsie Roll Pops, in which some kids take a pop to an owl and ask him how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop and he goes (lick ) "one", (lick) "two", (lick) "three", ((((crunch))))) and then says "three"? Tonight my youngest son decided to find out and according to his experiment, it took 506 licks to get to the center and 1012 licks to the middle of the Tootsie until it completely fell off the stick. I'm amazed he had the patience. I've never gotten past three myself!
Technology.
Home*School*Home
A few years ago when cell phones were just starting to get popular, I went into a bathroom stall in a department store and sat down on the toilet, only to hear the lady in the next stall say "what'cha doing?". I about fell off my seat! I just sat there, flabbergasted, for several seconds, trying to think how to answer her, when she went on talking and I realized she must be on a cell phone. LoL. I would have loved to have been able to see my face. :-0
A few years ago when cell phones were just starting to get popular, I went into a bathroom stall in a department store and sat down on the toilet, only to hear the lady in the next stall say "what'cha doing?". I about fell off my seat! I just sat there, flabbergasted, for several seconds, trying to think how to answer her, when she went on talking and I realized she must be on a cell phone. LoL. I would have loved to have been able to see my face. :-0
Cool Noodles.
Home*School*Home
Here in Kentucky, when you make chili, it is expected that you put some kind of pasta in it, usually spaghetti or macaroni. Probably to the rest of the country, that's kind of strange, but that is what we do. Its more of a chili mac, I guess. Last night I got everything ready to make the chili but had no macaroni, no spaghetti, only lasagne noodles. So, being resourceful as I am (because I'm not organized so I have to be resourceful), I broke up the lasagne noodles and put them in the chili mixture. I told the kids not to be alarmed that the noodles were 'funny shaped". The chili was very good and my 6-year-old came to me a few minutes later and said 'These noodles aren't weird, they're cool." I guess it is just a matter of perspective.
One of these days, I really plan to get my grocery shopping organized so that I only buy what I'm planning to cook that week ... I can dream, can't I? While I'm dreaming, maybe my housekeeper will do the shopping and cooking, yeah, that's it. Much better.
Here in Kentucky, when you make chili, it is expected that you put some kind of pasta in it, usually spaghetti or macaroni. Probably to the rest of the country, that's kind of strange, but that is what we do. Its more of a chili mac, I guess. Last night I got everything ready to make the chili but had no macaroni, no spaghetti, only lasagne noodles. So, being resourceful as I am (because I'm not organized so I have to be resourceful), I broke up the lasagne noodles and put them in the chili mixture. I told the kids not to be alarmed that the noodles were 'funny shaped". The chili was very good and my 6-year-old came to me a few minutes later and said 'These noodles aren't weird, they're cool." I guess it is just a matter of perspective.
One of these days, I really plan to get my grocery shopping organized so that I only buy what I'm planning to cook that week ... I can dream, can't I? While I'm dreaming, maybe my housekeeper will do the shopping and cooking, yeah, that's it. Much better.