Tuesday we went down to the stables to see this little beauty. Brand-new, less then 10hrs. new when we visited! Really, just the sweetest thing ever.

Labels: field-trips

Tomorrow night, May 31st- the western hemisphere will experience a Blue Moon. Check out this article *here* for some interesting facts describing what a blue moon is, and how the name was coined.

Interesting quote from the article:

If you told a person in Shakespeare's day that something happens "once in a Blue Moon" they would attach no astronomical meaning to the statement. Blue moon simply meant rare or absurd, like making a date for "the Twelfth of Never."

But "meaning is a slippery substance," writes Philip Hiscock of the Dept. of Folklore, Memorial University of Newfoundland. "The phrase 'Blue Moon' has been around a long time, well over 400 years, and during that time its meaning has shifted."

Tomorrow night would be an opportunity to make a memory with your kids, according to this NASA article, the next Blue Moon will not happen until December 31, 2009.

We are into all things dragon these days... My 7 year old son is enamored of anything dragon right now. So, what is a homeschool mom to do? Make it a unit study of course!!
(you knew this was coming, didn't you??).

We are currently reading My Father's dragon, and we just finished "Jeremy Thatcher, dragon hatcher". We found "The Irish Cinderlad" at the library- great dragon action here... And purchased this book- "If I had a dragon, si yo tuviera un Dragon" at a book fair.

I found a cute backpack outline *here*, which we used along with "My father's dragon"
- to draw and list 5 things the boy packed in his backpack for his trip.

We added in learning about maps, using The book "Legends & Leagues, or, Mr. Tardy goes from here to there" and the accompanying workbook put out by Veritas press. (the workbook also has several cute projects to do too).

We've done lots of artwork involving our reptilian friends, and wrapped it up with a letter-illustrated of course to Steven Spielberg, suggesting that they get to work on a "Spyro" movie ;because it is Rand's favorite game-cube game, and would, in his opinion, make a great movie. Sypro is a dragon if you didn't guess that already- a small, purple dragon.

Next up on our dragon journey is the book St. George and the dragon, and learning the words to the song, "puff the magic dragon". I'll be sure to let everyone know if Mr. Speilberg writes back.

does anyone know how to find an address to send the letter to Mr. Speilberg? I'm not getting anything on google...

Labels: homeschool, reading basket

The carnival of homeschooling is up at About homeschooling.com.

Go *here* to see some great, diverse posts about homeschooling- all in one place. My post about "a day at our house" is there.
Happy reading.

Labels: homeschool

This is the second part of a day at our house, which occurred on a Thursday. The first half of our day is *here*.

We had lunch around 12:30, and then Demi and Amie went back outside to play. I cleaned up the kitchen and put a load of laundry in the wash.






Meg practiced her violin for about 30 minutes and then she did some free reading.





I sat down and read *this book*
out-loud , while Meg practiced. (we are still deep into dragons around here!)




Josie began practicing her piano, I took Meg to her violin lesson. After she practiced Piano for 30 minutes, Josie played educational games on the computer. Demi and Amie listened to a storybook on tape from the library, and then went outside to work with dad in the backyard, he was now home from work.


After Meg and I returned from her violin lesson, (about 2:45)
I read aloud Gilgamesh the King-retold to all 4 kids. This will be part of our study from
Story of the World vol. 1- reading for tomorrow, and I wanted them to already be familiar with the Gilgamesh story. I plan to read the history chapter tomorrow and do any map or activity coloring pages tomorrow.

We then had a snack/free-reading break for about 15 minutes, and then we read a story from 50 famous stories retold (part of the Ambleside reading schedule) and all 4 kids narrated out loud after the story- beginning with the youngest and working our way up.

After that, the kids kind of scattered, I went outside with Demi and Amie to fill the bird-feeders.

While we were on the porch, Demi discovered a tiny, baby praying mantis. We looked around and found 5 more! We talked about praying mantises and looked for the egg case. Josie came out a took one to the garden. I came inside and went to the enchanted learning website to find a labeled coloring/fact sheet on praying mantises to print out for each kid.
-Instant science lesson!

At this point, were pretty much done with school for the day. The older girls continued reading library books that interested them, and then all 4 kids played outside with the neighbor kids.

I took Josie to her piano lesson which is at 5 p.m. We came home and had dinner.

I finished the night reading a fun book to Demi and Amie, "Detective Larue: letters from the investigation".

This is a typical, un-typical day at our house. Not all subjects were covered today, Thursday is actually our "lite" day, because of music lessons. I could have picked a busier day to wow you all, but I decided to be real with you all, my bloggy friends.

Labels: homeschool

It started out very innocently this time... I was over on this homeschool forum, and really- I have a legit reason to be there, since I have recently read *this book*, and I am using *this* history curriculum right now. How do these things really start? One cannot really pin-point the main reason why, or follow the sorry rabbit trail of homeschool forums, catalogs, and forum discussions in the wee hours of the night.

And so, I have ended up at this website. Go on over to tapestry of grace, homeschool friends, and take their new online tour following a few weeks of their classical, literary and history-based curriculum.

Gracefulmom, you've gotta talk me down here. I still have to finish my sonlight core before husband even lets me order something else! I think I need an intervention here...

...hello, my name is Jenny, and I am a curriculum junkie.

...there's a homeschool convention coming up, right???

Labels: homeschool

I know I have some non-homeschool readers, and occasionally people do a google search and end up here..so I thought I would share another typical, un-typical homeschool day.

We started the morning before breakfast, in our p.j.'s, playing with Meg's new birthday present- a squirrel call. We were very surprised to find out that it worked very well. We could only guess what the conversation involved, but on the squirrel's side, it sounded something like this.... *&##!$*&^^!!!!! (the squirrel is about 1 O'clock from Meg's head in the photo, hard to see.






Next, I went out to take photo's of Sky's garden, while Josie watered and fed the hens.















Here is the fort Demi and Amie built in our living room after breakfast, while I checked emails and got dressed. You know it's not good when they are too quiet...


After breakfast, getting dressed, and a few chores- such as straightening their rooms, making their beds, straightening up the bathroom, putting away the p.j.'s.... The two older girls sat down for 15 minutes of Bible devotional time. Then, we sat down for our "table time".

This is when we tackle the basics. My three students, ages 7, 10 and 12 work on handwriting, math, phonics (for the 7 year old) -these are all individual levels for each using Abeka curriculum. Today, Meg also worked on her grammar (abeka) -her work involved using an encyclopedia, and Josie worked in a writing skills workbook by Harcourt press.

Once Demi was done with his work, he grabbed a snack and went outside to play. Demi is finishing up Abeka K phonics, math and handwriting- we worked gently with him and took both his K and 1st grade year to go through this curriculum.

I then worked with Amie, who is 5 and does not officially start schooling until next fall. While Meg and Josie finish up their work, with occasional help and explanations from me, I do two pages with Amie from Developing the early learner vol. 1 workbook- a book that is part of Sonlight's preschool curriculum. After she is done, Amie goes out back to play with Demi.

Meg and Josie continue to work through their assignments for the day, I remain at the table helping. Once they are finished we have lunch, It is now about 12:30.
the rest of our day in the next post *Here*

Labels: homeschool

Meg was baptized this Lord's day. I was privileged to pray with her when she was six years old, to ask the Lord Jesus to come into her heart and forgive her of her sins. Her daddy was privileged to baptize her this past Lord's day. She is such a blessing to us.

Labels: devotional, family

Had to share a photo of Sky with the first-fruits of his garden.







sing along...

*miren al pepino
(watch the cucumber)
*Los vegetales
(all the vegetables)
*enviden a su amigo
(envy their friend)

*como el quieren bailar
(wishing to dance as he)

*pepino bailarin
(dancing cucumber)
*pepino bailarin
(dancing cucumber)
*pepino bailarin
(dancing cucumber)

*baila baila ya!
(dance dance ya!)

actually, it's a zucchini...but I don't know any songs about dancing zucchini.
This particular zucchini, we chopped up, dipped in batter and fried. Y'all, it's a good thing.

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side, or something like that... we love living in Orange County, and we love our house and neighborhood. But, deep down- Sky and I flirt with the idea of farming. We are farmer wanna-bes. Besides the hens, the ever growing and perfecting garden, and the worm farm...Sky has wanted to add apiarist to his list of farm-man skills. I persuaded him to put the brakes on that particular dream (the neighbors really would not have understood!), but not before he had done considerable research and had talked to a few members of a local apiarist club. Your eyebrows are probably climbing northward right now..but really, it's not such a way- out- there idea. Check out this recent article in the Orange County register by Cindy McNatt:

The secret lives of beekeepers

Backyard apiarists tend to not want any buzz about their hobby.

go *here* to read the article

a really interesting, well-done article. And yes, they really don't want any "buzz" about the hobby...they kind of meet in secret, and keep their hives under the radar. Most of us here in Orange county aren't exactly zoned for bees.

we still flirt with the idea, once in awhile of moving to Washington State and making a killing in the honey business. Who knows?

Labels: family

Bloggy-friends, I do not know where my comment button went! Thanks Chickadee for pointing that out, and how clever of you to figure out a way to get a comment to me! I noticed this morning when I posted that the page looked different, like something was missing...but I couldn't put my finger on it. I really don't know how to fix this, I see a mention of a similiar problem in the blogger status page...but I can't find a way to email and ask for help either. Kind of frustrating!

I really do want to talk to you all...really.

Helloooo...it's kind of lonely in here...

helloo? anyone...anyone?


update- o.k. I think they are back. I hope so. Talk to me, really...get creative or something,...'kay?

This is really cute, had to share...
...because "we'll have to do this all again tomorrow...and because I said so!"

I received my Family Fun magazine for June, and I just had to mention this, since we are immersed in all things dragon right now...page 93 has a medieval birthday party theme, and...the best part, directions on how to make a dragon cake. Really, really cute party idea, games and crafts directions. You can go *here* to see part of the article online.
I know what we will be doing this fall for Demi's birthday...

More on the dragon front, I just picked up My Father's dragon on audio at the library, so far it is really cute- Demi and Amie are enjoying it. Now I have to think of some kind of learning activity to go with it, just cuz that's how my brain works...not that I don't have enough to do already!....

And last, my Veritas Press catalog just arrived. O. The. Learning. Possibilities!
O. The. Learning. Bliss!! Even if you have a curriculum or a course of study already lined out, Veritas press has great books that will enhance any history period study -and just good, clean, thoughtful book fun, too.

That's all. I actually have lots of record keeping work I need to be doing...see you round the internet...

Labels: family, homeschool

My original post on the spring reading challenge is *here*, you can go there to see my complete list with links.

Just a quick update here:

Finished!!
Real Learning: Education in the heart of the home by Elizabeth Foss

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The Novelist by Angela Hunt

Miss Julia speaks her mind by Anne Ross

also read, not on my list...
Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau, Lion Boy , the Cuckoo Child, (these for the reason of approving them for dd10 and dd12 to read)
and 2 Grace Livingston Hill novels (because I love those..).

With the kids:
How is was with Dooms by Xan Hopcraft

had to add Jeremy Hatcher, dragon hatcher...for Rand

I did a book review on Duma and The city of ember, I hope to get a few other reviews out soon. Everything I have read has been good.

Happy reading!

Labels: reading basket

I cannot say that we homeschool for any one reason, but the socialization aspect of schooling is very big on our reasons why we choose to home educate our kids.

Socialization: (′sō·shə·lə′zā·shən) (psychology) The process whereby a child learns to get along with and to behave similarly to other people in the group, largely through imitation as well as group pressure.

I think that the above definition is the one people have in mind when they ask homeschool families about socialization. Since the majority of the people asking this question spent their childhood in a school environment, I really cannot blame them for their difficulty in grasping the concept of socialization occurring outside of a school.

I attended public school, my husband attended private Christian school. We had some good experiences, some very good, dedicated teachers, some bad teachers and some bad experiences. Looking back, I would have to say that the bad outweighed the good- and that we wanted something better for our children. Frankly, the thought of 30 or so kids teaching my kids to behave similarly through imitation as well as group pressure, and even- I have to add- through intimidation, shaming and physical violence...doesn't sit so well with me. Children are immature, foolish, childish and even cruel sometimes.

The idea of sending my foolish/childish offspring to spend 6 or so hours 5 days a week with minimum supervision to learn social skills from 30 other foolish/childish kids of the same age, confined to a room...does not appeal to me.

John Taylor Gatto had this to say about...

"major assumptions about the importance of government schooling that need to be seen as false... The socialization of children in age-graded groups monitored by state agents is essential to learn to get along with others in a pluralistic society. The actual truth is that the rigid compartmentalizations of schooling teach a crippling form of social relation: wait passively until you are told what to do, never judge your own work or confer with associates, have contempt for those younger than yourself and fear of those older. Behave according to the meaning assigned to your class label"...
-The underground history of American Education by John Taylor Gatto page385

We homeschoolers often launch into a recitation listing all the social opportunities we give our children to insure their healthy social development, in defense of the implied lack of such development we sense in the question. I'm not going to do that here, but I did want to share a recent decision we made in light of the whole socialization 'thing'.

We have a really good, well-known performing arts charter high school within walking distance of our house. We know a family whose children have attended this school (their daughters have all babysat for us) and have had very good experiences there and have received a really good education there. We thought seriously this year of preparing our oldest daughter to audition for this school. She is a very social person, she loves to be with people- and she plays the violin in an orchestra and is gifted artistically in drawing and painting. Ultimately we decide against auditioning and the big reason was the social aspect. She would be at this school from 7 am to 5pm - 5 days a week, the impact this would have on her and on our family would be huge. Yes, we shelter our kids- and yes we protect them, and yes-we filter much of what they come into contact with. We see this as an imperative responsibility on our parts as parents. Sometimes this sheltering is spoken to us as a negative...but when reflecting on this, I have to ask about the antithesis of sheltering...what would those words be? ...instead of shelter, protect, nurture- the words would be exposure, neglect, displace, unsafe. So, yes, we do choose to shelter our children right now. And no, I do not think that parents choosing the opposite of our choice are wrong...I am only voicing our thoughts concerning the decision we made for our family. The above mentioned family whose children attend this school we considered- have turned out wonderful kids, we were wowed with them the first time we met them. I know that there is the danger of sounding like I am making a blanket judgment of all schooling choices other than homeschooling..I hope no one reading this walks away with that feeling. I did want to share our thoughts on why we choose to keep our kids home.

I think it has been a good choice for us, I love the closeness we see between our children, the close fellowship we have with each child and the opportunity we have to enjoy each other daily in large amounts of time. I don't think these fruits are only the results of the homeschool lifestyle, but for our family- they have been hugely impacted by our homeschooling.

file this all under a homeschool mom's ramblings and thinking outloud...

Labels: homeschool

this was fun and cute and of course, Jane Austen-ish..

You scored as Edward Ferrars. Your husband/boyfriend is like Edward Ferrars of Sense & Sensibility. He is quietly impulsive, with an understated hint of romance. But once you get to know him, he's very affectionate, caring, and faithful. The two of you enjoy a calm, joyful life.

Who is Your Jane Austen Boyfriend/Husband?
created with QuizFarm.com

Teachers in Tennessee staged a mock gunman attack on 6th graders during a week long trip. After the 69 children crawled, cowered and hid on the floor crying...the teachers turned on the lights and laughed, revealing it was just a joke. Go to MSNBC Here* to read the article.

I don't know, but maybe a month after the Virginia Tech massacre- maybe this was a bad idea??
Maybe at anytime this would be emotional abuse?? Can we say the words child abuse?? or how about abuse under the color of authority??

Well, now the spin and justifying will begin..and I really have no words for this. I hope the parents of the kids in this school district realize that they are the parents and that they do not have to put up with this kind of abusive meanness. In my mind, it comes down to an underlying presumption by some educational professionals that the kids really do belong to them, and that they hold some kind of superior knowledge and expertise that justifies what they do..because they know best.

I'm wondering about a double standard here too, if a few students had staged this, I am guessing they would be expelled and even arrested.

I really have no words...but I guess I found a few...

Labels: homeschool

Photos from Meg's riding lesson this week. She was so supremely happy with the horses. I wish she could do this more often.

Pictures:
*One should always be well-heeled









*getting to know you
















* a girl and a horse

Labels: family

um, just not much to say! That, and I was planning on posting some photos to write about and hubby has the laptop...Also, I've been getting to bed early-and late at night it the only quiet time I have to blog deep thoughts, hence-no deep thoughts here...

Yesterday I took Meg to a horse riding lesson. Our eldest daughter's big dream in life is to first, own a horse of her own, and second, to barrel race horses in competition, and third, to show horses in competitions. Her dreams hit a little snag in the family she was born into. We live in a city, so even riding lessons are expensive. We try to patch together some riding experiences for her. It has been a year since we were last at the stables for a lesson, it was neat to see Meg so happy. I have pictures! I 'll post them later.

Today, Thursday- I like quadruple- booked my evening. This evening I am either: a) attending a once a month Charlotte Mason homeschool mom's meeting b) going out to dinner with hubby and friends who are moving to Washington soon c) going to Starbucks with our charter school teacher (gracefulmom often mentioned on my blog) to go over our learning record for the month or d) staying home with the two littles while hubby takes the two olders to Barnes & Nobles.

last night talking with DH, I realized out loud that I had double-booked..from there I kept remembering out-loud the other things I had committed to. It was such a Jenny conversation.

Last night was my turn to go to the Wednesday night bible study. I wouldn't know where to start from to share...but I will leave you with this verse that I loved the speaking on:

I can't really claim anything intellectual or spiritual sounding like a blogging break, the truth of the matter is more like a brain-numb-stupor... I've basically spent the last week announcing that I am going to work on catching up with my homeschool records, then aimlessly sorting and piling papers next to the computer. If I am brave, maybe I will post a picture. Maybe.
I did get my son's work all entered and up to date, but it is a small victory when you consider that out of the 3 students I have, the 1st grader generates the least amount of paperwork.
My goal next month is to have all 3 entered and up to date. I will throw some kind of serious party if I achieve this. Heck, Gracefulmom will probably throw me a party (she is the person who reports on all my ahem..record keeping). Hey Gracefulmom, next month it will be you and me at cheesecake factory to celebrate my end of rambling and disorderly conduct. There is a godiva cheesecake there with our name on it. I will triumph just in time for summer break...

Changing the subject, it's meme time! Joyful days tagged me last week for this meme:
a 7 Things About Me meme. I'm supposed to write seven random facts or habits about myself and then tag 7 other people to do the same, here goes:

Labels: family, homeschool, memes, reading basket

Tricia over at homeschool on the hilltop posted a really thoughtful piece on The perfect mom- and what we are doing or trying to do with our children right now. Go *here* to read it, it is worth going on over to read, and would be worthwhile for non-homeschoolers too.

The homeschool carnival is up this week over at Dewey's treehouse, go *here* for the carnival- if you haven't visited a blog carnival before, it is made up of lots of posts by other bloggers and then hosted in one post at the host site. Lots of links by homeschoolers at this one, if you are interested in homeschooling. This was my first visit to Dewey's treehouse- a really cute blog, I see lots of interesting homeschool info on the sidebars -and you have to check out the "Scary Squirrels" link on the sidebar..a hoot, and informative-very...

You can go to Heather's blog *here* for updates. The last update I read, she was out of surgery and moving her arms and legs, but not awake yet.

We homeschool through a charter school, and the one big hoop we have to jump through to be part of their program is the yearly standardized testing. They try to make it painless and fun, (and quick!)...so here is a photo of the kids swimming at the hotel-test-site, after the test.
Demi is on the left, Meg center, Josie (with goggles) and Amie far right.

This was where you would find us on both Tuesday and Wednesday. It was warm and beautiful, I sat with a book and a diet coke. ....I could really dig this.

Labels: family, homeschool, homeschool California

Saturday was the last performance of the year for the Prelude Strings Orchestra. This was Meg's first year performing in the orchestra, and it was a really good year for her-musically. Pictured are: **Meg before the concert. **Guest conductor Richard Meyer with the orchestra. (Meg is seated bottom right)

Mr. Meyer wrote the piece "Do-Si-Do" performed that day, he was so kind to come to one of the rehearsals and work with the kids to prepare them for the concert, and to conduct the piece on the day of the concert. He was so personable, funny, and it was very interesting to have him explain the music to the audience.

We had a fun time. Sky, I, and the kids attended, along with Sky's mother and grandmother, and my mom, step-dad and grandparents. ( I am a little bit glad I can sleep in on Saturday mornings now!..shh...)

Labels: family

Monday night hubby and I had a date night out. Yeah!! We went to P.F. Chang's china bistro...really good food, we love the orange peel beef there. After, we went home to have some of *this* strawberry dessert with the kids, and watch a few episodes of Yes, Prime Minister on netflix. A very nice, relaxing evening.

The kids and I are listening to The tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo on audio. I have to highly, like 5 star recommend this book on audio. The narrator, Graeme Malcolm is just so talented and funny, and the characters have these killing, great accents. The mom mouse has a French accent, the rats seem to be Russian...alot of English accents..it is just great. We originally started this book over a year ago when we drove to the Oregon coast for vacation, but somehow the last cd wouldn't play. Our library finally got a new cd set (and nothing else but the audio would do, after listening to this...) and the kids voted to start it from the beginning because it had been so long.

You have to listen to this book!! Go check your library now!! Five star review!!

Here is the blurb on the book:

Labels: reading basket

I've posted before that every Sunday night we host 8-10 bible college boys over for dinner, plus a few friends. We are so blessed to do this, and we enjoy the boys so much. I tried this dessert this past Sunday, and oh my goodness-it is a keeper! Sorry, no photos..the kitchen was a madhouse as we were assembling these and passing them out.

Labels: recipes