This Page

Labels: Wordless Wednesday

FOR TODAY... from My Daybook

Outside my window... I see stars and a dark night.

I am thinking... over the Winter Training we just finished, thinking about being a laboring priest for the gospel of Christ.

I am thankful for... family and friends

I am wearing... my p.j.'s and fuzzy socks.

I am remembering... the sound of 4,000 brothers and sisters in Christ singing Romans 16:25 & 27 together.

I am going... to go to bed soon, the first time before midnight in a week...yay!

I am reading... the newly released Christian Research Journal magazine.

I am hoping... that my dog's tummy issues are over.

On my mind... I need to call Gracefulmom and arrange to hang out before she flies home.

From the learning rooms...we have the week off, I am hoping to get some pre-planning done and to clean the learning shelves. Teddy will not be with us this week.

Noticing that... the house is getting back to normal now that most of our company is gone.

Pondering these words...

"God is not interested in our victory, success or our spirituality. He is interested in our gaining Him, in His being wrought into our being." -Ed Marks, Message 11, The Gospel of God in Romans

From the kitchen... leftovers, including leftover apple oatmeal, which is very good for dessert with ice cream!

Around the house... the kids are settling into bed, our last two guests are on their laptops.

One of my favorite things~ a newly bathed dog

From my picture journal


*This Daybook is a weekly meme, you can go to The Simple Woman, to join.

Labels: daybook

Season's Greetings from sunny California!


We've been sooooo busy here at Home, ...we kicked off the season's doings with Sky's family on Christmas Eve. Lots of family and friends (did I mention he comes from a large family?) and the highlight is always grandma's homemade tamales. Christmas day found us at home, with the Grandparents on my side of the family stopping by in the morning to exchange gifts.

For us, this season is centered on a yearly Bible Conference of sorts
- called The Winter Training. The best way to describe it is as a Bible conference, but more intense...kind of like a Bible college course stuffed into one week. We have about 4,000 people from all over the world attending. The goal is to host as many as possible in local homes...this year we had 8 people stay with us.

-The picture above is of a sign in the meeting with information on which radio stations to find the live language translations...still haven't figured out why we would need English translation
...maybe for those from England?? (since we butcher the Queen's English...)


We had old friends stay with us this year..they were from Washington state, Oregon, Boston and Texas. The topic this year for the conference was "The Gospel of God in Romans". Romans happens to be my all-time favorite book in the Bible, I was all happiness inside :) We have two meetings a day, about 2 hours long each and then each morning we have a Bible Study to go through all our notes from the previous night.
(you can see in the photo our off-time diversions, fooze-ball and wii!)

Then we eat a lot, too. It's busy, busy, busy.

The meetings ended the day after Christmas. So, things are just starting to wind down here for us, we only have 3 guests at our house still.

Thanks for visiting...

How was your holiday? All smiles, I hope!

It's a Festivus for the rest of us,

Let the airing of grievances begin!


:)

Labels: Wordless Wednesday

In the car on the way to church meeting: (we are listening to a cd)

Demi:

"Mom, why are they singing "no more Lord Jesus? "

Sky: -surprised laugh,

"no Demi, they are singing 'Come, Lord Jesus', but I am really glad that you thought to ask and clear that up!"

Immediately I thought of a hymn that makes me giggle inside every time we sing it.
... or anytime I think of the title, actually.

It's called "Behold how David swore".
A most unfortunate title and first line, don't you think?

Labels: Jen's world

I've got to give a hat-tip to Kimberly at Raising Olives, where I saw this.

Hit play, it will make you smile real big.

These improvs make me wish I lived in New York, just a little...

Here is a new-to-me meme, I haven't done this one before on the blawg...looks like fun, so I thought I join the party...

this meme is hosted by My Little Life


1.Which boygroup did you like most in your teens?
Well, I'm older then the time when New Kids on the block were the big thing...so, I've got nothing, unless Duran Duran counts as a boyband...? Do they? They were kind of grown-up, I think...

2. Do you do Christmas cards, letters, photos, nuthin', all of the above?
We do nuthn' and I have to tell you all, it is very freeing! I do enjoy getting Christmas letters from other families, and I love those photo cards, too.

3. If you could meet one celebrity who would it be and why?
The first person that popped into my head is Condalisa Rice..I guess homeschool mom-nerd coming out in me...she speaks several languages and is an accomplished pianist, she played with Yo-Yo Ma!

4. Favorite thing to cook with (i.e. stainless, non-stick, Dutch oven, microwave, debit card...or, perhaps, a cauldron, etc.)?
I'd have to say my cauldron pans, which were given to me when my BFF, Graceful Mom moved to Singapore. I didn't have any 'real' pans before these, and I can see the difference, and I love using them!

5. What is the one thing you wear the most, besides your unmentionables?
my brown Mary Jane shoes, they are real comfortable and have replaced
my chicken wife shoes... next would have to be my long-sleeved p.j.'s and fuzzy socks, because I'm always cold.

If you'd like to play along, go over to My Little Life and sign her mclinky...if you don't have a blog, feel free to answer the questions in my comment section! :)

Labels: memes

Answers for the Show Your Stuff Quiz, Sea World edition:

1. Which scientific order do seals and sea lions belong to?



1. Answer: Pinnipedia
Seals and sea lions both belong to the scientific order Pinnipedia. The name literally means “fin-footed.”


3. why are flamingos pink?

3.Answer: Because of their diet-
A flamingo's pink or reddish feather color comes from its diet, which is high in alpha and beta-carotene. People eat beta-carotene when they eat carrots.


2. Penguins live only on Antarctica, True or False?

2 Answer: False
-some penguin species live as far north as the Galapagos Islands. There are penguins off the coast of Australia, South Africa, South America, New Zealand and the Phillips Island, as well.


4. What non-sea animal has an exhibit at Sea World, San Diego?

4. Answer: Clydesdale horses (answer I was looking for, but I will take others, also...Sky pointed out that Flamingos aren't sea type animals, either...

The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales....To qualify for one of the traveling hitches, an Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale must be a gelding (neutered male) at least four years of age. He must be 18 hands (6 ft. or 1.8 m); weigh between 1,800 to 2,000 lb. (817 - 907 kg); be bay in color; and have four white stocking feet, a blaze of white on the face and a black mane and tail.

Thank you for playing! The winner, chosen by random generator is:

Michelle, who was number 3 (counting out my reply and a double post)
congratulations Michelle, I will contact you to get your info!

Labels: contests, field-trips

The Carnival Of Homeschool is up this week at The Common Room.

What is a carnival?

Well, it is a blog event that moves each week. Different bloggers take turns hosting it. Bloggers submit posts pertaining to the subject, and the host arranges the posts in a pleasing or interesting order, with links and usually a small explanation...you can then click through and read about Homeschooling at all of these amazing blogs. Fun! Click on over, many interesting articles.

Labels: homeschool, memes

Labels: Wordless Wednesday

you can read the first half of this trip *here.

So, a good time was had by all during our Sea World educational-day field trip.
The kids loved, loved the dolphin pool. They have a really nice set-up at Sea World, you can touch the dolphins in this pool, and they have two underwater windows for better viewing.
Aww, aren't they cute? Too cute to be legal, don't you think? Cute like lots of sugar....

Do you think they are $6 a tray of fish cute? They have a few special feeding times where you can purchase a tray of food for $6 and feed your new friends. I tried to economize and purchased just 2 trays to share among my 4 kids. Do the math, this was $12
There were 3 small sardine fish in each tray, which worked out to $2 a fish. I warned the kids to be very careful and not let the sea gulls steal one...because it's like, $2 for each little fish....
So, do the dolphins look cute and happy? Yes they are happy, because they get expensive fish...!
(ranting aside, I get it...if they were reasonably priced then everyone and their grandma would feed the dolphins many trays of fish and we'd have fat dolphins..I do get it. It's just, yikes!)
We had beautiful, beautiful weather on this day...which was the day after a big rain-storm in So. California. A bit chilly, but beautiful!
We purchased the half day tickets so I could beat traffic home (it's about a 2 hour trip) and so we could stop for McDonald's happy meals on the way home...instead of buying lunch in the park. And the children were all rendered HAPPY! :) and mom was happy because it was not...all together now,...$2 a fish!

Labels: field-trips, homeschool, homeschool California

We were fortunate to attend a Sea World 'education day' last week. It is an opportunity for schools to visit the park and attend special educational exhibits for a discounted rate..and if you sign up for only a half-day, it's a very discounted rate.
(the kind of rate that makes me smile real, real big)

We opted for the half-day; the big draw for me is the thought of beating traffic home, and not having to buy lunch for 5 of us at the park...it's McD's on the way home (and all the kids cheer!)

My favorite moment of the day was seeing the flamingos on parade! They were on their way to their exhibit spot. I know I am a bird person, always and forever because of the draw this event has on me. My favorite part of the day, hands-down.

There is something other-word-ly about seeing tall, colorful birds with their spindle-ly legs cruising down the pathway. I kind of felt like Richard Dryfus in that scene from Close Encounters of the third kind...the part where he walks up the ramp of the spaceship and all the aliens walk around him. Kind of. Is that a weird thought?? Don't answer that...

Amie's favorite spot was the stingray pool. You can feed them here for only $6 a tray...only..
But, secret is, they will love on you even if you don't have any food! They are very optimistic and will come visit in the hopes of getting food. Can you see how soaked Amie's shirt is here?

The stingray pool always puts a smile on my face because they act like a pool full of excited puppies. Puppies that are in the water, have no legs and are covered with a layer of slime...yes, just like puppies...kind of. They made me think of puppies the way they would rush up to you and pop out of the water, trying to get your attention. Very cute. In a fishy way.

Okay, time for a "Show Your Stuff" Quiz!
Answer the quiz questions correctly in the comment section and
1 random correct commenter will win a $20 Target card. I hope you will spend it on yourself, after all this holiday rush is over!

1. Which scientific order do seals and sea lions belong to?

2. Penguins live only on Antarctica, True or False?

3. why are flamingos pink?

4. What non-sea animal has an exhibit at Sea World, San Diego?

good luck!

*contest ends Wednesday, December 16th at 9 p.m. pacific time

p.s. you are welcome to use internet 'help', but if you can do this with no help, mention it in the post and we will cheer for your smartness!! ;)

*special note: if you are not linked thru a blog, please leave an email address I can reach you at if you win.

**new note: Contest is over, Michelle won!!

Labels: field-trips, homeschool

The carnival of homeschool is up over at The Homeschool post, click on over to find some interesting posts about homeschooling- you might find a new favorite blog to visit! What is a blog 'carnival', you ask? Well, click on over, the concept is explained over at The Homeschool Post.

Labels: homeschool, Jen's world

I am not a great cook. I do have a few favorites I do well, though. I've noticed that they are all recipes that are, um, -forgiving. I do best with a recipe for the more 'subjective' cook, -a recipe I can add or take away from and it will still turn out. I've discovered lately that I also like uncomplicated recipes, ones without too many ingredients and/or too many steps.

I found this blueberry corn muffin recipe in a magazine, sorry- I don't remember which one. It's very easy, short list of ingredients, and a surprising mix of flavors.
I am reveling in its awesomeness this week...!

Labels: recipes

Headsprout Phonics Review-

Headsprouts Early reading program is an online phonics program designed to teach your child to read, in a fun-interactive manner without a lot of teacher (mom) input.
Yeah! -A phonics program for the mom who has already taught phonics 3 times now...the slightly overwhelmed mom/the tired mom/the A.D.D. mom/the mom who is tired of tying her boys to the chair to do phonics... or who is teaching 5 kids and is having trouble staying consistent with the whole phonics instruction-thing.

ahem,

My Homeschool Secret-Weapon #2 is:
Delegate what you can. And, electronic/computer delegation counts, too.

Headsprout will take your child from the very beginning of learning-to-read; basic letter sounds,- to reading at a solid 2nd grade level once he has gone through all 80 lessons. Headsprouts is phonics-based, but also has quite a bit of sight-word learning. Each lesson ranges from 15 to 20 minutes long and features great animation and different game type activities as the child progresses. Each lesson has a variety of matching sounds by sight, listening to the sounds said out-loud, point and clicking on the correct answer, and prompts for the child to say the sound. The lessons are individualized for the child and adapt to the child's learning progress during each lesson.

There are times when the child will be prompted to go get an adult for a section so the child can read out loud. (just in case you were in the other room wrangling kidlets, cleaning up after the dog, or telling someone how to find the area of a triangle...)


This program is pricey, but you get discounts for extra kids. I am not saying that you cannot teach phonics with a simple program...just that for kids that can't sit still, or for moms that have done this too many times, Headsprouts could be the answer.

For me, it was sooo worth it.

With your subscription, you get a packet containing a map-poster with stickers to track your child's progress. (Mine loved the map) ..the map also alerts you to days you need to get a booklet out for extra practice - the program will also email you to alert you of this. -A.D.D. mom loved this!
You also get a set of booklets for reading practice and a certificate for when your child finishes the program. Extra reading comes in the form of booklets and flaschcards you print off your computer..again, you will be emailed and prompted at the end of the lesson. These printable booklets are useful for coloring fun, too.

I appreciated the visual and auditory training for blending this program gave. I also liked how the later lessons left the game-style behind, and presented book pages- highlighting the sentences they were working on, and once finishing the passage, asking comprehension questions. The comprehension questions were usually in the form of a picture, read the sentence and choose the right picture to go with it. Once the correct answer was chosen, the child was rewarded with an animated story.

After each lesson, you get an email detailing progress made that day, what booklets the child can read for practice, and very detailed information about which sounds/blends were covered. I found this part very, very helpful for my record-keeping needs for my charter school program.

Cons: * price. Still worth it to me. *student has to start at beginning of program. This could be a problem if your child is reading some, already. When we started, Demi-Sky was already reading at almost a 1st grade level. I decided to go with it, and I could see the need to start at the beginning, because Headsprout teaches sounds with a different sequence then the other programs I have used...many things were too easy for him, but there was also some new sound patterns he didn't know. *The types of games over time would become predictable. The program did a good job of mixing things up, though. Blocks of lessons involved different 'worlds' and different characters, so as things became too repetitive, the 'world' usually changed.
*no teaching of phonics 'rules'. No, 'magic e' or 'when two vowels go walking, the first does the talking' sort of rules to remember. Learning seemed to happen from repetition, sight recognition and practice. I do think to get a good, rounded experience that will produce a great speller, you are going to need to add on a program like Explode the Code or All about Spelling. -Not necessarily at the same time. I took 3 children through this program, 2 landed at a solid 2nd grade reading level- and this with no outside program. (My 3rd student has an auditory processing disorder, so his progress is a whole 'nother playing field)

I whole-heartedly recommend this program. It's very, very well done and can take the pressure off of a struggling student and/or a struggling mom. It's fun, gives a good mix of visual and auditory learning and the animation is top-notch.

Headsprouts has just unveiled a new reading comprehension program for grades 3 through 5, which will be Available Jan. 11, 2009. It looks like another winner, and I am giving it serious consideration.

this is an unsolicited, non-compensated review of a program I purchased myself. :)

Labels: homeschool, reviews, secret weapon, show and tell

Labels: Wordless Wednesday