Working on Next years schedule

Sometimes working things in can be a challenge.    Since they go to UBC Academy for several classes, we will probably be at the church M-Th this next school year.    They only have few classes there but in effort to keep from rushing out the door we will just school at the church this year.    It will work but figuring out the logistics can be daunting.    I am excited at the prospect of having a chance to work with the boys individually a couple times per week, that should be good for all of us.    And if it works out I might have a few hours to work in a exercise time for me too.    That excites me too.    I have struggled this week getting a regular routine going and look forward to the possibility of doing Kickboxing three times a week then supplementing other stuff for the weights part.    Here are my photos of my boys working on their History projects.    Mainly we have Joel working on it and hope to get more tomorrow when we focus lots of time on it.

Sean working on his walls of Jericho and Joel making his Ark of the Covenant

Making the banks of the River Jordan and the water that is split.

Joel gluing some pieces on his ark.

The painting of the scene with Sandpaper for the dry ground and the ark sitting in the middle.

History Project Week

We are finishing up our unit on Joshua to the Divided Kingdom in History.    The boys are supposed to make a model of something we did.   Joel wants to make the crossing of the Jordan river.   So far we made his river banks and the water that is up on either side of where they cross.   Then he built with craft stick, the Ark of the Covenant and painted it gold.   WE put sand paper on the base of the foam board for the ground they walked on.    The paster paper needs to dry before he can paint it.    IT is looking good.  Can't wait to see the finished project.   I will upload photos of it later.    Sean is in flux right now.  lol   He wanted to do the Jericho walls but is having a hard time imaging what it should look like so we have a bit of a temper tantrum.    But we will figure it out.    I will post photos later of it all.  

Wow, I am on a scrapping role!!

I have done another layout with Robin Sampson's Meadow Lane kit.    You can find it here.   We were camping with my In laws last summer with my husband's brothers and families too.   There were also one of his aunts and uncles too.    We had a great time even though I am not a huge camper.   We floated down the river a couple of times and saw this huge lady the second time we went down.

using Meadow Lane by Robin Sampson, Heart of Wisdom, using fonts: Shark in the Water & Brushed

Homeschool Mother's Journal

  


In my life this week...


This week, I have been working on getting my workout schedule figured out.    Since this is my first year homeschooling and was used to at least a few hours by myself before, it has been a challenge to say the least.    For me, it is essential for me to balance my needs with my families.   They often win out.   But I am getting it worked through.   
In our homeschool this week...
We had a good week.   My boys and I got most of the scheduled things done with very few tears.    My older one and I have struggled a lot with the balance of work and relationship.    Since he has been in public school for three years, it has been interesting to figure it all out.    We are getting there and I am loving homeschooling.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...


This winter was the year we taught the boys to ski.   Not my favorite sport and they have already far surpassed my speed and abilities.   I am there because it is a good family outing and I do enjoy it to a point.    I am getting more confident but I do recall the same thing happened with mountain biking.   That ended up with a concussion and a severely broken collarbone.    So cautious I am. . .
My favorite thing this week was...


My favorite thing . . . hummm probably is just the time I get so spend with the boys.   Also learning what helps them and what works for me too.    Learning new things in their history is always fun.   We are using Diana Waring's, History Revealed and it has been fun.   I love to watch the boys tell me the Bible stories since they have been listening nightly to their Mp3 players with the Bible on it.
What's working/not working for us...


I would have to say, there are many things that seem to not be working for us but not in a bad sense.    As I learn more about Charlotte Mason and my boys, I am finding what worked for me will not work for them.   I love to learn and sit and study but they don't.    They love the hands on things and I am not so strong in those areas.    
Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...


I am glad God gave us such an important directive in Deut. 6.    Why because I found that through it I have so much to learn (not that I thought I knew it all) but that there is so much more to teaching and raising your kids.    Not sure why it took me so long to really realize it but hey, no body is perfect.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share...


The boys had their Cub Scouts' Pinewood Derby this week.    It was lots of fun.   The boys both did extremely well.    Sean got 3rd over all in the Pack and Joel was in 4th over all and 1st in this Den.    It was fun to watch their excitement as their cars raced and won.    I was pleased at the fact that the boys were supportive of the others in the pack.   

Can never get them looking at the camera at the same time.  lol

Well, I forgot how much I love to digiscrap

I have been playing with a new kit by Robin Sampson or at least it is new to me.  :)   I am not at home so I didn't have any photos I wanted to use with it so I just made it a memory verse page.    I have enjoyed Robin's lapbooks and booklets I am excited to be working with her.    It was through her that I discovered Charlotte Mason and have been working to instill some Charlotte's methods at home with my boys.   Some work better than others but lapbooks are  HUGE hit.    You should check out her website Heart of Wisdom.   She has lesson plans and all kinds of free resources.    Here is my latest layout.

The verses were from my Wed night kids class I am doing.   We are going through Firm Foundations for children.  I need to remember to start with 8.5x11 instead of 12x12.   But I prefer this size but can't print it as easily.

I am going to try this once again

I am scrapping for Robin Sampson now. She runs the site, Heart of Wisdom - a Charlotte Mason style of teaching. She has some great freebies and wonderful Homeschool helps and lessons.   Here are my first two layouts.   I used Desert Sunset paper pack.   You can get it here

We started Nature Walks a few months ago.   We are excited to check them out now that Spring has sprung.

Poor kid - He has had sinus and ear issues since he was 5 months old.   So far we have been free of both since the end of the year.