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We took the kids out Tuesday night to Disney Walk to celebrate the first week of homeschool.
(That's Disney Walk, as in not DisneyLand...as in free) We packed some home-made cookies and drinks and enjoyed the fireworks show and assorted candy (Larissa is holding cotton candy in the 2nd photo).


It was a nice way to spend the evening, the weather was unbelievable at 80 degrees, and we enjoyed the live music and window shopped. The fire works are always great.

It's official, we are *Not* back-to-school, 2007

Labels: homeschool

Here is what the kid's bathroom looked like before the remodel began. Four kids, two sinks...it's a good thing- we will for sure put two sinks back in. Four would be optimal, but wouldn't fit.









And this is how the room looks like today. Hubby also took out the ceiling, he's going to make it a vaulted ceiling...something our little old vintage house never dreamed of. Hubby is not just handy, he is a visionary too.



Well, the whirlpool tub has been ordered, the two sinks and vanities are in the garage..we are at a standstill until the tub gets here and the tile is chosen.

Labels: home design

I've been a little scarce lately with the blogging, I was trying really, really hard to be prepared for this week and our start back at homeschooling. I really have to say that this was one of my best days homeschooling, and probably our most satisfactory first day of school.

I'll try to post later more in detail about why this day was different, and what our day looked like; but I will sum it up for you as I did today -reviewing it with hubby. I think our day was so right on for a few reasons-

1) I ditched the Abeka , 2) I finally learned through trial and error what material works best with my teaching style and more important-with the way my brain works 3) using what I have learned I also realized that picking the simplest and easier way to teach something is spot-on for me (keeping in mind #2-workbooks being maybe easier don't necessarily fit...it depends) 4) plan ahead and conquer the dreaded and hated (for me) schedule...print your plan for the day, and follow it. 5) realize that I am easily distracted and that I finally had to focus on my job for the day as teacher and not try to do laundry, clean, relax, just go walk-about..etc. my day said- start at this time, and I followed through till done. 6) I don't have babies and toddlers to keep busy, all 4 children are now students.

we really had a good day. I will post more tomorrow, for any new homeschool moms out there surfing for looks at what a typical day homeschooling might look like.

I hope everyone else had a great back to school too!

Labels: homeschool

Two weeks ago we indulged in a day in the sun with the OC Sitcom crew. I keep dropping names, but again, I have no photographic proof. You all are thinking they are my imaginary friends, aren't you? I do, however, have lots of pictures of my kids!
*Here we have a view of Corona Del Mar beach,



*The boy, busy in the sand- he spends the bulk of our time at the beach digging in the sand...







*fun in the surf












* mugging for the camera











The beach isn't a far drive for us, and yet- we don't visit often. I think this summer we went 3 or 4 times. I do have to say that it is a much easier trek now that my kids are getting older.
It was way crowded...we are planning to go back once school is back and session and we can have the beach more to ourselves.

Labels: family

Dawn, over at By Sun and Candlelight wrote up this book recommend on a Cynthia Rylant book. We really loved Cynthia Rylant's "Mr Putty and Tabby" series- really a sweet read for beginner readers. Anyways, this new book is about a red squirrel- and we like squirrels. -at least so far, they just moved onto our street about a year ago, so for now they are still a new treat! Dawn gives some good links on squirrels and even one with photos of a drey. If you don't know what that is, go on over and see... I have Dawn on my bloglines list, she is very crafty and very into nature, she inspires me to get outside and do more.

Labels: nature, reading basket

Labels: hens, memes, Wordless Wednesday

Memo to self: not a good idea to start Harry Potter #7 a week before the start date of homeschool. when.I.should.be.planning/organizing. Just saying...

I have to mention that this afternoon was the perfect storm; bibliophile-wise.

Picture it:

• Me
• a glass of chilled diet coke with a slice of lemon
• a tin of Natural Cougar Gold Cheddar Cheese- aged 2 yrs
• a box of ritz crackers
• a box of water crackers..just cuz I can go back and forth between crackers...
• HP #7, about 2/3 way through...

sometimes your week just can't get any better.

Labels: Jen's world, reading basket

This video had us all rolling in laughter, check it out: Man vs. kids



Found this very cute, imaginative and educational site for exploring art,
*here*. Famous paintings your child can investigate and click, move objects around. I really can see the possibilities if you are doing artist studies or art genres. Amie had a blast playing with the "Dutch dollhouse".

Lakeshore learning is having a good back to school sale, go *here* to look.

Finally, to see part 2 of the above you tube movie, go *here*. And remember, "Fighting is bad.."

My biggest pet peeve as a homeschool mom? -the constant request for snacks. It happens all day, times 4 kids- and exponentially intensified by the the boy. The boy who has been dubbed "snack-man" by family friends, complete with his own theme song. (think 'batman' song...) So what does a homeschool mom do? Well, she can lay down a hard and fast rule of snacks at certain times only- but that easily crumbles when the little smarties realize that to divide and conquer wears the busy mom down, distracts her, and ultimately gives up the goal.

In the past, I attempted to follow a Montessori approach to snacktime- I set out two snack 'stations', one on the counter containing snacks such as fruit, crackers, bagged cookies, graham crackers... and one in the fridge containing cold snacks such as cheese sticks, yogurt, fruit... I then attempted to regulate these snack times to two times (and there was the hill I died on...) giving the kids a choice from one basket that they could help themselves to. It worked as long as I planned ahead and stocked the containers, and as long as I stuck to the times. -not long, really.

The snack thing drives me to distraction and to the point of irritability, and I am concerned that my kids 'graze' all day, because it is available. This week I tried again to manage the situation, looking ahead to our starting school in a few weeks- and I decided to tackle the 'grazing' and distracting requests first.

I give to you, my bloggy mom friends, -snack time: at 10 a.m and 3 p.m. each day. It makes things very simple now, when I am peppered with requests- I just say "no"! I posted pictures of what the clocks should look like at snack time for our two youngest students, pictured here-and I made a few flashcards with a clock stamp to be filled in by the same culprits, er...students for extra practice in memory- pictured here on the fridge. So far it is working well, and I am not going to the extra effort to stock snack baskets- I really don't mind thinking up choices to offer only twice a day, it simplifies things beautifully.

I thought I would share this for any new homeschool moms busy planning out their days and plan of attack. A thing of beauty is to be enjoyed forever...or until the snacks run out- something like that.

Labels: homeschool

Thought I would share some of our refrigerator art. Amie graced us with this composition.

Notice the realistic blood covering the cheetah's face after, what I suppose- a good helping of antelope.

Just keeping it real here.

Labels: family

"Finally, in exasperation I asked myself, "What can I do that will really make a difference in society?"

And the answer led me right back to my own home.
Raising my own children with a Christian worldview was the biggest contribution to society that I could possibly make; giving to the world healthy, holy citizens who would spread their influence in an exponential way that I couldn't accomplish with my paltry efforts alone. My work with my children was the very core of societal change. " -Holly Pierlot, A Mother's Rule of life

As Christian mothers, I think we already know this to be true. Sometimes though, I need to be reminded to be mindful of my moments and to be purposeful with my day.
These words remind me to not look so lightly on my life here at home, and cause me to pause and consider the work I do -or do not do- here at home with the missionary field the Lord has sent me to work.

Will my children run whole-heartedly after the Lord? There is a good possibility that they will not, if I do not.

Will my children abide with Christ in a spirit-led life? Do I show them what a spirit-led life is?

mindful living is my goal this week.

Labels: devotional

Demolition began on our 'big' bathroom. This is the bathroom the kids use, and anyone visiting our house. Did I mention it was the 'big' bathroom? We are left with the 'small' bathroom off of the master bedroom. The bathroom we feel very rich indeed to have, because our old house had only one bathroom. But, did I mention it is small? And now 6 people are using it?

Wrecking things, hammers, tools, mess- Amie and Demi were very eager to jump right in and help.

I have to boast and tell all my imaginary friends that I posted these photos from my mac!! Our mac guru taught me how yesterday. I love, love my mac- but I still don't know how to use it. As of yesterday, I now can copy and paste links and post photos...I feel very tech.

Labels: home design

I am giving myself a headache deciding on a new phonics program for our new K student.

It's official, I am finally free-ing myself of the last remnants of my Abeka curriculum habit.

It's official, because I offered my books to my S-I-L to use with her kids.

It's official, because now I have to pick something else to use to teach Amie to read.

It's an official headache, because days after I decided on using Phonics Pathways...(it's simple, it's all contained in one book..what's not to like?...) I went to parkday today and had the chance to look over a Sing, Spell, Read & Write kit. Once I got over my fear of the million pieces, I kind of liked it. And Amie really liked it. (sorry, no links, I am on my mac tonight!...)

Homeschool bloggy friends, any suggestions? Anyone use this? Should I stick with simple?

On the bathroom remodel front-

we went today and ordered a new bathtub. A new, whirlpool bathtub...woo-hoo!!

We live in an old house, a tub such as this has been un-imagined in this sort of house. I am so glad that Sky kept all the measurements and specifications in hand, because I could not keep track of it all.

And the poor guy at the home improvement store..he was very patient and professional, as we gawked/ um, looked through the catalogs and tried to figure out what we want/need.

He wrote us all up, told us what all we needed to add to it like drains, pump package, etc...itemized all the prices like we asked, wrote it all down for us, figured out the tax
- and then sweetly did it all again.
Because, In 2 seconds, I picked up a catalog-looked at the cover, and said "Honey, I really like this here.." and hubby looked and agreed, and we had to change out how many sides it had, what kind of tile lip it had/did not have..etc. We then switched to a different model, discussed sides/lips...then switched back to our original choice without lips.

utsa!! (isn't that" lips" in Polish??) I know he thought we were alittle crazy when we began singing the veggie tales "I love my lips" song...

We did order the tub, hopefully it will arrive with the correct rights and lefts...

Next we have to pick out tile. The home improvement guy is going to cry when he sees us back.

Labels: home design, homeschool, Jen's world

Homeschooling is in the air, the back-to-school sales are beginning...thought I would share some back-to-homeschool-link-love.

It is backpack time at our house, our 3 girls are all in need of new backpacks and lunch totes.

These backpacks and messenger bags were a hit with the older two girls at Limited Too, and Brianna found a matching lunch tote here also.

Really, really cute backpacks at Hanna Andersson..can you guess which one is perfect for our little miss Amie?

Finally, a really cute lunch bag *here* at LL Bean, Meg really liked the gecko bag.

Since we homeschool, we don't need new backpacks every year- they really do not get much wear and tear...so new backpacks this year were a really, really big deal.

Can't wait to see what everyone else is finding for the new school year...please share!

Labels: homeschool