tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59252394007843780252024-02-18T21:06:52.712-08:00My 5 Wolf Cubsmy5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-58653659435834325722008-11-25T07:14:00.000-08:002008-11-25T07:22:46.219-08:00Sketch Tuesday: Arms!<a href="http://harmonyartmom.blogspot.com/">Sketch Tuesday's</a> assignment: Draw something with arms. We're getting into this now...I just wish my iPhone took better pictures!<br /><br />I loved watching this picture of Ginger's develop. The sketching, the inking, the colored pencil...the text was added via Photoshop Elements.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwKxeQ7_-D0bXUsr21m0Uug8pKGEDzbICO404q7fe0ZJlNOsdkYh7lrnkn61UDJc1Fv4JZVbFbVyQ_HUpQPq8JqArPLsKGeOrjmRbiY-40sHAMHG4v1klGyjxOO2exAo_wcWV2qZTuUc/s1600-h/Bear+Arms++copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwKxeQ7_-D0bXUsr21m0Uug8pKGEDzbICO404q7fe0ZJlNOsdkYh7lrnkn61UDJc1Fv4JZVbFbVyQ_HUpQPq8JqArPLsKGeOrjmRbiY-40sHAMHG4v1klGyjxOO2exAo_wcWV2qZTuUc/s400/Bear+Arms++copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272614146076364946" /></a><br /><br />Momo decided last minute to draw something. I was expecting something cuter. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSxJ8nktCRxczPVwhj91NGKAyiZw-mGitscU2ErtPt_wqA-SrkaC48pX9GJU8LbXRFFfsJM8bdvgf7bsw8oEEembSeLmFNnM_IiZQ0mDyXy8osbYK-4P5DpuyR9R1uKRLWuci0w4PRzo/s1600-h/Arms+picture+Aria.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSxJ8nktCRxczPVwhj91NGKAyiZw-mGitscU2ErtPt_wqA-SrkaC48pX9GJU8LbXRFFfsJM8bdvgf7bsw8oEEembSeLmFNnM_IiZQ0mDyXy8osbYK-4P5DpuyR9R1uKRLWuci0w4PRzo/s400/Arms+picture+Aria.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272614142553726546" /></a><br /><br />My sketch is a realistic one...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LAjfbgUQd1SO_mwsjWtyNXsg7kT8OSTwsc58eSpv5VlonRixfTltX_IXEzHv7rh8X1GOtGwt9VqC7lEn8uvPzYSfXivXpnLVpH0ecB5T9DIvpxBoGnKPjxb2UcW4OZpoG3OvEBgFN6A/s1600-h/Arm+of+the+couch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LAjfbgUQd1SO_mwsjWtyNXsg7kT8OSTwsc58eSpv5VlonRixfTltX_IXEzHv7rh8X1GOtGwt9VqC7lEn8uvPzYSfXivXpnLVpH0ecB5T9DIvpxBoGnKPjxb2UcW4OZpoG3OvEBgFN6A/s400/Arm+of+the+couch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272614140349499074" /></a><br /><br />Only I participated in last week's Snow Sport sketch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0gS21Av2MfHpRoKxyjWanrUYpzl8xD48relqw1fKzsKH-tzZGji-LEBXUUdZVX8CULneTtQyiUsdYsf-YCQ47ocKFdaHxOEuoox4Ro4_72IFUfs1E2o2p1Hs6etjK4UO1YfbciyvGk4/s1600-h/Ice+Skater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0gS21Av2MfHpRoKxyjWanrUYpzl8xD48relqw1fKzsKH-tzZGji-LEBXUUdZVX8CULneTtQyiUsdYsf-YCQ47ocKFdaHxOEuoox4Ro4_72IFUfs1E2o2p1Hs6etjK4UO1YfbciyvGk4/s400/Ice+Skater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272614139743914578" /></a><br /><br />If your family participates, let me know!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-41691303794601218052008-11-10T12:30:00.000-08:002008-11-10T12:44:49.021-08:00A dragon, an elf and wolvesMy girls and I decided to participate in <a href="http://harmonyartmom.blogspot.com/">Sketch Tuesday's</a> Brr! It's Cold! Assignment this week. <br /><br />Frost Dragon, by Momo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pwVMUg8SzknuLQp91Q0criIvEqBRt-RNx7WMiv8bMPr6woY1zlUy8WCFPX5O7RLuUZLJnFHZXQ2JysmH2-fAbnEvGnZMt8DzxlF8kSuayCqAxrIgO4TO987V2LSL1TWAZ6-X2nzGu8U/s1600-h/Frost+Dragon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 393px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pwVMUg8SzknuLQp91Q0criIvEqBRt-RNx7WMiv8bMPr6woY1zlUy8WCFPX5O7RLuUZLJnFHZXQ2JysmH2-fAbnEvGnZMt8DzxlF8kSuayCqAxrIgO4TO987V2LSL1TWAZ6-X2nzGu8U/s400/Frost+Dragon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267131863005121554" /></a><br /><br />Snow Elf, by Ginger<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTLCpHm0H3_szFcWJoM7DYrvg-XX2sNv85730tbDjanVSvYOKxkqONlNjY0nvZa6Dx3kPcRP9VYBeY9wFWvYqJUC49kYVqukK3CfmVeuMIpCCJ0Mkr_KNoXXe5gsDu2PFmYHKNJl2OZs/s1600-h/Snow+Elf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTLCpHm0H3_szFcWJoM7DYrvg-XX2sNv85730tbDjanVSvYOKxkqONlNjY0nvZa6Dx3kPcRP9VYBeY9wFWvYqJUC49kYVqukK3CfmVeuMIpCCJ0Mkr_KNoXXe5gsDu2PFmYHKNJl2OZs/s400/Snow+Elf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267129221876479762" /></a><br /><br />Timber Wolves, by Lee<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRc_3yVroP2Eptt8158cJg8-u_dsoef9zobIMXaeRv_9HKkYS4eodGhqwzQUd-MTuiBTns5zwELMqPiS_5MB0iixC8gx5xk4Kj7TdfVHYpu0VdEAwtoZFgFlQHBRJ62PNVHw_UFFZlWA/s1600-h/Timber+Wolves.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRc_3yVroP2Eptt8158cJg8-u_dsoef9zobIMXaeRv_9HKkYS4eodGhqwzQUd-MTuiBTns5zwELMqPiS_5MB0iixC8gx5xk4Kj7TdfVHYpu0VdEAwtoZFgFlQHBRJ62PNVHw_UFFZlWA/s400/Timber+Wolves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267129220875511122" /></a>my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-29996904038693298592008-10-06T09:40:00.000-07:002008-10-06T09:51:13.302-07:00Arizona Morning, a poem by me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz1D7FC1aW95MGwBnSsZxjtZMTtGvr77LLdVYWCq7VMTbp1l_qpaqV3CP4toU-G67Q2PXXkszRWAMIsUIQBY_kTiLYoLe4ad7PQr8hRAMYor4_5vJ8DwHmkcw2JBqCdzXYvUTPtk19vc/s1600-h/AZ+Oct+08.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz1D7FC1aW95MGwBnSsZxjtZMTtGvr77LLdVYWCq7VMTbp1l_qpaqV3CP4toU-G67Q2PXXkszRWAMIsUIQBY_kTiLYoLe4ad7PQr8hRAMYor4_5vJ8DwHmkcw2JBqCdzXYvUTPtk19vc/s400/AZ+Oct+08.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254083888987106706" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Arizona Morning<br /><br />The sky is blue, the leaves are green.<br />The air is deliciously cool.<br /><br />Now that it's fall, put on your shoes!<br />Let's go to the park before school.</span><br /><br />While walking at the park this morning, I composed this poem in my head. It isn't easy to write good poetry while aerobic walking to songs like Josh Weldon's "Big Time Rocker" or "Sunny Days" by Jars of Clay. But it sure feels good!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-19960265349585823672008-10-02T11:20:00.001-07:002008-10-02T11:41:02.380-07:00Out of the House Schedule<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kamF6eTAVoJEQAaxyZkEX2E_niP3yS8OOsyBUt9-ftlkVw0SjHVrmEC6Uo498kLbq-j70P7sY0HFy5fzAoyXo6xEKICouFvEOfpqpqZk1fW0WqTmDm6Bfz0YomFBh6NeVq2A3kY_tR0/s1600-h/Weekly+Out+of+the+House.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kamF6eTAVoJEQAaxyZkEX2E_niP3yS8OOsyBUt9-ftlkVw0SjHVrmEC6Uo498kLbq-j70P7sY0HFy5fzAoyXo6xEKICouFvEOfpqpqZk1fW0WqTmDm6Bfz0YomFBh6NeVq2A3kY_tR0/s400/Weekly+Out+of+the+House.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252623148144077810" /></a><br />I like being at home. I'm a home birthing, homeschooling, stay-at-home mom. Still, I seem to be out of the house a lot these days. I was sharing with my mom about what we did last week and it sounded SO busy. I decided to make a little chart. It looks better on paper. <br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Green</span> is morning activities, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">blue</span> is afternoon activities, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red</span> is evening activities. Basically we're on a 2 week rotating schedule. One busy week, one not-so-busy week. I like that. <br /><br />I feel our out-of-the house schedule is full but manageable. We're certainly doing a lot more then last year! <br /><br />To use an analogy, this amount of activity is like a 3/4 full cup of water. Safe enough for a preschooler to carry to the table, but if they drop it -- big mess to clean up!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-30960284682379299012008-09-30T07:46:00.000-07:002008-09-30T07:55:23.597-07:00Five in a Row Art: How to Make an Apple Pie...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQxLppS8cXpBZlWGErNER2WuGDtulG5QyjRG7dQON-gKc2cO4W0K2HTBUgzoTJX7aAkrFFH3rqIKZhXuuY5vjfFI5tSS8N-flg4iE2DxUAemznrPk7Lwywa3EHqtbpufdbANUFDdBRI4/s1600-h/Painting+Apples.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQxLppS8cXpBZlWGErNER2WuGDtulG5QyjRG7dQON-gKc2cO4W0K2HTBUgzoTJX7aAkrFFH3rqIKZhXuuY5vjfFI5tSS8N-flg4iE2DxUAemznrPk7Lwywa3EHqtbpufdbANUFDdBRI4/s400/Painting+Apples.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251825923954227666" /></a><br />This weeks Five in a Row book is <span style="font-style:italic;">How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World.</span> Instead of writing reports, we're all going to do apple art in different media each day! We started with painting. I said "We're going to paint apples!" And Beanie age 3 took me literally. The apples go in age order from the left Lee (that's me!), Ginger 13, Momo 11, ds 8, ds 6, and Beanie 3.<br /><br />Last week it was history reports...my 13 stayed up until after midnight on Friday night doing hers. Not making it perfect or beautiful but just getting the words on paper. Not worth taking a picture of, that's for sure! And how like her mother all through school! On a positive note, she did not hesitate to stand up in front of the family to read it (like last week)!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-56210846250811556422008-09-23T13:09:00.000-07:002008-09-23T14:33:43.128-07:00Reports: Five in a Row, Papa PiccoloWe just finished our 4th Five in a Row book, <span style="font-style:italic;">Papa Piccolo</span>! Dad sat in on the first reading of the book and decided all the children should write a report on something about cats or Venice. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAelMKFAn72WoV7P9Nfyk1IaqmxYUCj4qPYHKB0h-c9Fw7cXLC_KZ0FZV8PoVu8ShO4omKC5JlsmUstUn5PZm8bvizUTAyeICsnH73DjP4w-HQG8Tp9jbsA8PKIueC2ULw-gYA0Ij-WJg/s1600-h/Papa+Piccolo+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAelMKFAn72WoV7P9Nfyk1IaqmxYUCj4qPYHKB0h-c9Fw7cXLC_KZ0FZV8PoVu8ShO4omKC5JlsmUstUn5PZm8bvizUTAyeICsnH73DjP4w-HQG8Tp9jbsA8PKIueC2ULw-gYA0Ij-WJg/s400/Papa+Piccolo+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249311637435432066" /></a> Ginger (13) wrote about Siamese cats and Momo (11) wrote about the Egyptian Mau. Momo drew a picture on the back of her report (see below). <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBinTA-HLAMNtCzOCtsy-vip0psEog41tYFzs68yScZAb_SvZJfLkifM3vfi_uC_SBuv4UvvFltE78wa3aUfFcgqjsioVOBrrc6NWwMQMwMNwYC3qFgKxatxeRkkLt6Mkw4Q9GpKyoCQ4/s1600-h/Papa+Piccolo+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBinTA-HLAMNtCzOCtsy-vip0psEog41tYFzs68yScZAb_SvZJfLkifM3vfi_uC_SBuv4UvvFltE78wa3aUfFcgqjsioVOBrrc6NWwMQMwMNwYC3qFgKxatxeRkkLt6Mkw4Q9GpKyoCQ4/s400/Papa+Piccolo+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249311643158307650" /></a>My 8yo ds (current nickname Honda) did his on gondoliers. I did assist him in arranging his sentences into 2 focused paragraphs. My 6yo ds (current nickname Bakura) copied a sentence I typed out. I drew the cat picture and he & Momo colored it together.<br /><br />This week Dad assigned a report on anything we've covered in Story of the World 2 (we're on Chapter 11). No one has picked a topic yet...but it is only Tuesday.my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-86611875568287495302008-08-19T14:10:00.000-07:002008-08-19T14:36:56.334-07:00The Study (before pictures)Since I last posted, I have <br /><br />1. Been washing my hair with baking soda. I love it! No conditioner needed and my hair is so soft!<br />2. Lost 12 lbs through SparkPeople. If you're a member, let me know! I'm 5wolfcubs there also.<br />3. Had a large portion of the interior of my house painted a light, neutral color. It turned out beautiful. Plus I love how I've rearrange the furniture. <br /><br />However, emptying several rooms into one while painting has left a serious problem in The Study.<br /><br />Care for the tour?<br /><br />Standing in the doorway -- the closet is blocked by boxes of new blinds waiting to be installed (on Friday). The futon is covered in boxes, the floor is covered in boxes... Boxes of what? Stuff. Stuff with a capital S.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF2Vk-OgFc-gxPh5n3bZuriXknUqBsIfnFhM9p_Y0uCbd7DqeB2lexhpXtlXRJjT5BkRork5fxDuaBGAUHg6CLY42x1Z5T8Z1yukVb2PLyNjRJmsTwLM1XWkor11_UqXqBkoithaOK6o/s1600-h/IMG_0630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF2Vk-OgFc-gxPh5n3bZuriXknUqBsIfnFhM9p_Y0uCbd7DqeB2lexhpXtlXRJjT5BkRork5fxDuaBGAUHg6CLY42x1Z5T8Z1yukVb2PLyNjRJmsTwLM1XWkor11_UqXqBkoithaOK6o/s400/IMG_0630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236340965348986674" /></a><br /><br />Looking to the left we see the rest of the futon, but not the rest of the Stuff. Oh, no, there is more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL9gA_x7EGuApoo3npEwwrKYskwxm0qEUjErIiGx6zITdX4iQzUOT-tmKZ0hnRkHMN_ufU6eKBnJNgcXJna3qhMhImljmoTEH5cYHBkb7prBqv-9sU90_6oWB1USx6cQEVIoH0SXETCw/s1600-h/IMG_0631.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL9gA_x7EGuApoo3npEwwrKYskwxm0qEUjErIiGx6zITdX4iQzUOT-tmKZ0hnRkHMN_ufU6eKBnJNgcXJna3qhMhImljmoTEH5cYHBkb7prBqv-9sU90_6oWB1USx6cQEVIoH0SXETCw/s400/IMG_0631.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236341783649662642" /></a><br /><br />In front of my lovely IKEA cabinet is more Stuff. The cabinet is fairly full also, but it all neat & orderly inside.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGtwZSp0YowQqfVrkmmtsyMc0qCF0wXyr9ZNHXz0aO3-5X8Hah961PCLHUcc4MW2GhMzoNxqPK9ki1IPHV1r0xGdeh8aiPBF7jNZ_-GoDHfY_7lT9egAiMct2AHgYdPPHp1uVvOtU31k/s1600-h/IMG_0633.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGtwZSp0YowQqfVrkmmtsyMc0qCF0wXyr9ZNHXz0aO3-5X8Hah961PCLHUcc4MW2GhMzoNxqPK9ki1IPHV1r0xGdeh8aiPBF7jNZ_-GoDHfY_7lT9egAiMct2AHgYdPPHp1uVvOtU31k/s400/IMG_0633.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236342288314165282" /></a><br /><br />And last we come to the desk of Momo (age 11, 6th grade). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ54EbZZGRy_bjXht3VZGeTKXJ_bJoMC62gi5ToqByRvbSBn8MT55xD8NLmK1FyR73WI8mF1CONyAen7Y9PRGlLwmg0RYbCMImY_sbyFQWXNXoEQXL2IVzlxemXIAMMJmZKBQgaOk15Q/s1600-h/IMG_0634.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ54EbZZGRy_bjXht3VZGeTKXJ_bJoMC62gi5ToqByRvbSBn8MT55xD8NLmK1FyR73WI8mF1CONyAen7Y9PRGlLwmg0RYbCMImY_sbyFQWXNXoEQXL2IVzlxemXIAMMJmZKBQgaOk15Q/s400/IMG_0634.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236342291430989586" /></a><br />Where are the rest of her books? Why they are on the kitchen table waiting to be checked by the teacher...who is apparently on a blogging break.<br /><br />So, what am I going to do with all the Stuff? And where did it all come from?!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-13109550070666766322008-07-21T18:33:00.000-07:002008-07-21T18:41:51.031-07:00Sometimes I even impress myself!<center><table width="300px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px #000000 solid; color: #000000;background-color: #ffffff;"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/wife.jpg" width="72" height="72" /></td><td><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:+3;">98</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">As a 1930s wife, I am<br /><strong><span style="font-size:+2;">Very Superior</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/">Take the test!</a></small></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Thanks, <a href="http://koinoniaacademy.blogspot.com/">Lisa</a>, for sharing this! </center>my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-64896197247080459522008-07-08T15:26:00.000-07:002008-07-08T15:44:25.937-07:00Poems for the broken heartedI came across some Psalms and poems I had copied during a time of great grief years ago. I'm putting my 3 favorite here. Maybe you know someone who needs to hear one today.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">My life is but a weaving<br />Between the Lord and me<br />I do not choose the colors<br />He worketh steadily.<br /><br />Oftimes he weaveth sorrow<br />And I in foolish pride<br />Forget he sees the upper<br />And I the underside.<br /><br />Not till the loom is silent<br />And the shuttles cease to fly<br />Will God unroll the canvas<br />And explain the reason why.<br /><br />The dark threads are as needful<br />In the Weaver’s skillful hand<br />As the threads of gold and silver<br />In the pattern He has planned.<br /><br />- Author Unknown</span><br /></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I walked a mile with Pleasure,<br />She chattered all the way;<br />But left me none the wiser,<br />For all she had to say.<br />I walked a mile with Sorrow<br />And ne'er a word said she;<br />But, oh, the things I learned from her<br />When Sorrow walked with me! </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br />-- Robert Browning Hamilton</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">A Confederate Soldier's Prayer</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.<br />I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.<br />I asked for health, that I might do greater things.<br />I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.<br />I asked for riches, that I might be happy.<br />I was given poverty, that I might be wise.<br />I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.<br />I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.<br />I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.<br />I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.<br />I got nothing that I asked for but got everything I had hoped for.<br />Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.<br />I am, among all people, most richly blessed.</span></span><br /></div>my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-25999816382576314872008-06-21T07:56:00.000-07:002008-06-21T08:19:40.243-07:00You get what you ask forOkay, you don't <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">always</span></span> get what you ask for...but if you don't ask, it is certainly less likely that you'll get what you want.<div><br /></div><div>The other night my husband told me I'd spent two times as much as he did last month on the credit card. And if he hadn't bought a piece of software, his only charges would have been gas. So I asked to see what I'd spent (I normally don't do this...I don't like seeing all those charges). In looking over the list and at the history, I discovered that I had 3 <a href="http://www.aleks.com/">ALEKS</a> (online math) charges, even though we'd only used it one month. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'd thought that signing up monthly billing meant that I'd pay by the month, not I'd be automatically billed every month. Apparently, I didn't read the fine print. I had chosen not to cancel the account because when you do, all records are wiped...and I'd been hoping we might use ALEKS over the summer, picking up where we left off, since my dd enjoyed it as review. But yesterday, I cancelled the account and complained by in my "exit survey" and in an email to customer support that it wasn't clear that monthly billing and automatic billing were the same thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>And, this is the important part of this post, I requested a refund. I didn't just complain (as I so often due when dealing with a company). <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> I stated exactly what outcome I wanted.</span></span> And guess what? I'm getting a refund for those two months! I did have to call customer support, explaining my situation and my request again. But I'm getting a refund for the months we didn't use. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm impressed, both with myself for actually doing this, and with ALEKS for giving me the refund. My husband is also impressed with me for making the phone call...he knows how much I dislike do that sort of thing. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So remember, don't just complain...tell the other party what you want. They can say no, they can counter offer, or they can say yes! </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-78032991785086628612008-06-20T09:51:00.000-07:002008-06-20T10:48:30.531-07:00Week 1: 2008-9<a href="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/triviumacademy/WeeklyReportBanner.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/triviumacademy/WeeklyReportBanner.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>We started our new school year this week! My plan is to have 10 months of school to go with the 10 Christian Light Education (CLE) LightUnit workbooks.<div>The first 5 month semester of 2008 is as follows:</div><div>1. June/July</div><div>2. August</div><div>3. September</div><div>4. October</div><div>5. November/December</div><div><br /></div><div>The second 5 month semester in 2oo9 will simply be January - May.</div><div><br /></div><div>I printed out a monthly assignment sheet for each child, 2 weeks on the front & 2 on the back. That way, when the assignment sheet is complete, the month is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">done</span> and you're on vacation.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">8th Grade</span></span></div><div>Amazingly, Ginger was done with everything from "Week 1" by Wednesday and has done some of next week's work already! Apparently an independent workbook approach is what she needs <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">now</span>...this was not the case for her in 1st grade and I've been trying to stay away from workbooks ever since.</div><div><br /></div><div>She is using CLE for Language Arts, Reading, Math & Social Studies. In math she has passed 6 pre-tests (meaning she doesn't have to do the lesson). At some point she'll get to new material but this is encouraging for both of us! And yesterday I gave her the first section spelling test in Language Arts -- she got them <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">all</span> right. That has never, ever happened before. </div><div><br /></div><div>For science she is using Total Health and for writing, Wordsmith. So far, so good on both of those! In fact, she stayed up until 11pm last night working on this coming Monday's Wordsmith assignment with Momo!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">6th Grade</span></span></div><div>Momo only has 4 subjects right now as I haven't been able to order the rest (waiting for the next billing cycle!). She is using CLE for Language Arts, Reading and Science. Yesterday as a part of the science lesson she had to make 10 observations about a tree using as many senses as she could. I never thought that kind of lesson would be in a workbook. I'm learning new stuff this week myself! :) </div><div>Momo is also using Famous Men of the Middle Ages with the excellent Student Book and reading Story of the World 2. I still have to order Lively Latin 2, Sentence Composing for Middle School and a few other things to complete her year.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">3rd Grade</span></span></div><div>My 8yo (he needs a new "name") started Minimus for Latin and is loving that. His CLE subjects are Language Arts & Reading -- I'm making him (and his older sisters) write everything in the workbooks in cursive. I can't believe the improvement in all of their cursive in a few short days! He's done a review pages from each MUS Delta chapter he did last year and will start Lesson 5 on Monday. For SOTW we only read, no projects. I still need to buy his My Pals are Here 3 for science and Writing Tales 1.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our afternoons have been take up with a daily 2 hour chess class! 8yo & Momo both want to join the chess club in the fall. Ginger is enjoying the class but isn't interested in the club. I told her we'd find her something else that involves people. Our family has a serious lack of social interaction and I'm looking to change that in a positive way. We do volunteer weekly at a local dairy. Ginger with the petting zoo animals and I in the organic garden, with the other kids helping us both as we're able. But often it is just our family working alone...which, while pleasant & easy, doesn't develop the ability to interact with others!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Kindergarten</span></span></div><div>My 5yo (who also needs a new "name") is using The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and doing excellently. We've just gotten to blending 2 - 3 letter words and he has to work at it. But work he is and I am being 100% positive. No tears over learning to read allowed in this house ever again! Still, it is hard not to compare him to my 8yo who taught himself to read at 4. 5yo is also using Earlybird Math 2A (he did 1A/1B last year) and HWT My Printing Book. His printing is actually quite nice, even though he isn't able to read anything he writes! In August we'll start Five in a Row with 3 other families. I'm very pleased with what I've chosen for his school year. Technically, he would be eligible for 1st grade (late July birthday) this fall but I know I've got great materials for right where he is developmentally!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">3 year old</span></span></div><div>Beanie is just kind of hanging out, nothing formal scheduled for him...yet! He is a talker & a drawer though...he likes to do his "homework" and "reads" to his stuffed animals. This week he and 5yo played a lot of Playmobil together.</div><div><br /></div><div>He also likes to "play" chess. The other day we had the board set up and were playing...well, I was reading something and occasionally moving one of my pieces. At one point I looked up and all my pawns were lying down on the board. I asked him what happened. He said, "Your pawns got offended and they all died. I win!" </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm mentally gearing up to potty train him, but keep saying "I'll do it next week." </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it was a relaxed, great start to the new year. And we still have 5 more weeks to complete month 1! Now, I've just got to order the rest of the schoolbooks...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-86618380391062402492008-06-03T09:51:00.000-07:002008-06-03T10:58:51.970-07:00Daily Schedule 2008-9, First Idealist attempt!Click on the pictures to see them clearly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93v2AOesa8u2npPQKmo5K9owUYIwao4tzgkrkNCmlDSLnqfZPksHOM0nlHjrf3UvJaS9GFHANTyEN0imePHumFlQGpVuRulZ5nI28SrT0hOZ_2CedgeYhCllXdzyH1jVeNh6Ycw5D_Bk/s1600-h/Daily+Sched+2008-9+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93v2AOesa8u2npPQKmo5K9owUYIwao4tzgkrkNCmlDSLnqfZPksHOM0nlHjrf3UvJaS9GFHANTyEN0imePHumFlQGpVuRulZ5nI28SrT0hOZ_2CedgeYhCllXdzyH1jVeNh6Ycw5D_Bk/s400/Daily+Sched+2008-9+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207698972983503090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptQ6R6xErJI_lrIavO-cXEhOPc-TOFRF6_hkwbM1zMlqA3A1grPE6KhQDhU9CiIBFVGJWEVO0nDv20FT5ibs8qfY3y20s07_ZeJ7LhPv2IZqWPcdO7XHYeRqsKCww1elPFUEKttxeq-Q/s1600-h/Daily+Sched+2008-9+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptQ6R6xErJI_lrIavO-cXEhOPc-TOFRF6_hkwbM1zMlqA3A1grPE6KhQDhU9CiIBFVGJWEVO0nDv20FT5ibs8qfY3y20s07_ZeJ7LhPv2IZqWPcdO7XHYeRqsKCww1elPFUEKttxeq-Q/s400/Daily+Sched+2008-9+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207698968688535778" /></a><br />This is my plan...the first of many idealistic attempts at corralling the students into a structured learning routine.<br /><br />My new & improved scheduling idea for the coming year involves actual <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">time slots</span> (something I've tried to avoid in the past). Although I wish it was more, each child will get 2 individual half hours slots with me in the following order:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">K'er</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">3rd grader</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">3 yo</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">6th grader</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">8th grader</span></span><br /><br />Then we'll all break for a snack. This will be repeated, then we'll break for lunch. The idea is that each child will work on their independent stuff until finished or they reach a point of not understanding/frustration. Then that work will be set aside and the next subject picked up. When they meet with me, I will help them through the trouble spot and give assignments as necessary. <div><br /></div><div>After lunch will be two group times -- one for the K & 3rd grader for history & literature reading. And one will be for the 6th & 8th grader for a discussion of their literature reading. <br /><div><br /></div><div>I think this will accomplish several positive things in our homeschool: </div><div><br /></div><div>1. allow independence without frustration (or simply lack of working because "I didn't know how to do it")</div><div>2. insure dedicated time with mom (something the easy-going students get short changed on)</div><div>3. create time off at the end of the week/month because of finishing early!</div><div><br /></div><div>What this schedule doesn't account for is what exactly the 3yo & K'er are going to be doing for those blank hours each day! </div><div><br /></div><div>I do plan to do a test run in June, which will help work out some kinks and bring realism, I'm sure!</div></div>my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-36441010529298619752008-06-02T15:13:00.001-07:002008-06-02T15:32:41.540-07:00Chocolate Deluxe Zucchini CakeOn Friday, we harvest a lot of zucchini from the little organic garden we've been volunteering at lately. Every meal (save breakfasts) has included zucchini -- and I haven't served the same thing twice yet! The favorite so far has been the Chocolate Deluxe Zucchini Cake that my 8yo ds found. I told him to find a recipe for zucchini bread and this is what he came up with!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chocolate Deluxe Zucchini Cake</span><br /><br />9 TBSP unsweetened cocoa<br />3 cups flour<br />1 1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />1 1/2 tsp. baking powder<br />1 tsp. salt<br />1/4 tsp. cinnamon<br />4 eggs<br />3 cups sugar<br />3 TBSP melted butter<br />1 1/2 cups cooking oil<br />1 1/2 tsp. vanilla<br />3 cups grated zucchini<br /><br />In a large bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Gradually beat in sugar. Add, oil, melted butter and vanilla. Mix.<br />Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt & cinnamon into the wet ingredients. Mix.<br />Squeeze moisture from zucchini. Add zucchini to batter and mix well. <br />Pour into 2 greased round 9" pans or a greased 10" tube pan.<br />Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Cake will be moist. Let stand 20 minutes before removing from pans.<br />Frost when cool if desired!<br /><br />We frosted it with chocolate frosting. It turned out moist, rich and chocolaty, way better then a box mix! And there was no trace of zucchini in color, texture or taste. I'm not sure why it disappeared completely, perhaps because of the cocoa. <br /><br />Now, I must go find a new zucchini recipe to serve tonight! Any suggestions?my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-39108382901068425082008-05-21T16:58:00.000-07:002008-05-21T17:55:18.983-07:002008-2009 PlanI've been away longer then I intended -- real life and all, you know: the school year ended, curriculum was ordered, several out-of-state family members visited, children lost teeth, more curriculum was ordered, we hit 100 degrees F here in AZ, my "baby" turned 3, more curriculum was ordered... <br /><br />I have a plan for the new year. A great plan. A mostly-purchased-for plan... And yet, my copy of<a href="http://memoriapress.com/descriptions/Latin-Centered.html"> The Latin-Centered Curriculum</a> is on it's way and just last week I brought up to my husband the possibility of putting at least one of our children into a local prep school. So many avenues, so many options, so many choices! A blessing to be sure, but a weighty one, indeed.<br /><br />As of today the plan for 2008-2009 is as follows:<br /><font face="comic sans ms"><br /><font color="purple"><span style="font-weight:bold;">8th grade</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">M-F</span><br />Math: CLE<br />English: CLE<br />Reading: CLE<br />Social Studies: CLE<br />Literature: Logic Stage Middle Ages WTM list<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">M-Th</span><br />Writing: Wordsmith<br />Science: Total Health (Middle School)<br /></font><br /><font color="red">6th grade<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">M-F</span><br />Math: MUS Pre-Alg<br />English: CLE<br />Reading: CLE<br />Latin: Lively Latin 2<br />Science: CLE<br />Literature: Logic Stage Middle Ages WTM list<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">M-Th</span><br />Writing: Sentence Composing for Middle School<br />History: Famous Men of the Middle Ages & SOTW 2<br /></font><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="blue">3rd grade</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">M-F</span><br />Math: MUS Delta & CWP 3<br />English: CLE<br />Reading: CLE<br />Latin: Minimus<br />Writing: Happy Scribe and narrations from history OR WT 1<br />Logic: Building Thinking Skills 1<br />Literature: Middle Ages (SOTW AG) and FIAR Vol 1 go-alongs<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">M-Th</span><br />Science: Science Through Children's Literature & My Pals are Here 3<br />History: SOTW 2 & AG<br /></font><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="orange">1st grade</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">M-F</span><br />Phonics: OPGTR<br />Handwriting: HWT<br />Math: Earlybird 2a & b<br /><a href="http://www.fiarhq.com/">Five in a Row</a>, Vol 1<br /></font><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="green">3yo</span><br />Tagging along & nipping at everyone's heels<br />Listening to lots of stories<br /></font></font><br /><br />As a family:<br />Daily: <a href="http://www.annesschoolplace.com/productsPE.htm">Homeschool PE</a><br />Friday: Artists and Composers from Middle Ages (WTM lists)<br />Saturday: Phonics of Drawing CD from <a href="http://teachartathome.com/">Masterpiece Art Instruction</a><br />One or two weeknights: Mind Benders & Fallacy Detective<br /><br />I have been refining a list for Artist & Composers -- trying to choose 8 of each from about 400-1600 AD. I might just buy <a href="http://harmonyfinearts.com/">Harmony Fine Arts</a> 5th grade.<br />My 1st & 3rd graders will do a FIAR co-op with 3 other families every other Monday. I have been looking through the manual and deciding what we'll cover. I used FIAR Vol 1 when my girls were little and am so glad to be able to do it with my boys now! The off Mondays are going to be for library/nature walks (the library backs up to a Riparian Preserve). I signed the 3 older kids up for a 2 week chess class in June and hope to have them all enjoy it so much that they'll continue w/ the homeschool club in the fall. Also my oldest is volunteering at a nearby organic dairy farm one morning a week.<br /><br />Oh, and when do I plan to start all this? Maybe all the CLE subjects in June and everything else in July...my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-91896266071382778192008-03-20T21:30:00.000-07:002008-03-20T23:15:34.887-07:00A Poem for the Spring: God Help the BoyMy 8 year old is reading to me from <span style="font-style:italic;">The Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1</span>. He reads aloud a section, I narrate. My narrations are getting better -- I no longer say "um, and, um, and..." quite so much. And I'm appreciating insects a wee bit more.<br /><br />This evening I flipped through the book and came across a poem in the back entitled "The Boy the Never Sees" listed as Author Unknown. I did a Google Book Search and found the poem in a book called <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=W_0AAAAAYAAJ">Public School Methods</a>, orginially published in 1918 with the title as "God Help the Boy" by Nixon Waterman. <br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><font color="blue">GOD HELP THE BOY<br /><br />God help the boy who never sees <br />The butterflies, the birds, the bees, <br />Nor hears the music of the breeze <br />When zephyrs soft are blowing. <br /><br />Who can not in sweet comfort lie <br />Where clover blooms are thick and high, <br />And hear the gentle murmur nigh <br />Of brooklets softly flowing. <br /><br />God help the boy who does not know <br />Where all the woodland berries grow, <br />Who never sees the forests glow <br />When leaves are red and yellow. <br /><br />Whose childish feet can never stray <br />When nature does her charms display-- <br />For such a hapless boy, I say <br />God help the little fellow. <br /><br />Nixon Waterman. </font><br /><br />I really need a message board/blog break (not that I've been posting or commenting much lately, but I need an actual, physical break). Leave a comment if you like and I'll come visit you in a month or so!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-76723949014506764182008-03-04T12:31:00.001-08:002008-03-04T14:18:06.556-08:00Charlotte Mason & the Well-Trained Mind: elementary hours compared<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRgE69jWedNCgfUVUaCmYKdf9LN8fNqkuJn9YhmvfgeUMio2EHhm6lCTqRi5IaQJpZl3WHYj8HmepjErVa_-ceCKRSBxxBaruAqKz25NaYWDBKRDaXi-azZgYSnLCPDshyphenhyphene_1374VhhI/s1600-h/wtm+cm+1-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRgE69jWedNCgfUVUaCmYKdf9LN8fNqkuJn9YhmvfgeUMio2EHhm6lCTqRi5IaQJpZl3WHYj8HmepjErVa_-ceCKRSBxxBaruAqKz25NaYWDBKRDaXi-azZgYSnLCPDshyphenhyphene_1374VhhI/s400/wtm+cm+1-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173995461737105842" /></a><br /><br />This is a comparison of <a href="http://www.welltrainedmind.com/index.php">The Well Trained Mind's</a> recommend weekly hours for 1-3 grade (averaged) and Charlotte Mason's <a href="http://amblesideonline.org/PR/PR19p899Timetables.shtml">Parents' Union School schedules</a> for the same. It was more difficult then the comparison I did for <a href="http://my5wolfcubs.blogspot.com/2008/02/charlotte-mason-well-trained-mind-hours.html">eighth grade</a>. <br /><br />I had to make some judgements in order to compare and even then, they just don't line up neatly. Which is, of course, okay, because they are different methods/theories -- but I'm interested in both! <br /><br />Charlotte Mason advocated hours of outdoor nature study, which is science not shown on the school schedule. Also, the Parents Union School students studied French from the beginning, whereas the WTM starts Latin in 3rd grade. Oh, another thing -- Language Arts for the WTM is comprised of grammar, spelling, penmanship, structured reading, and writing. Language Arts for the Parents Union School schedule were called only reading and writing.<br /><br />As with my previous comparison, I very well may have a miscalculation in my addition. Adding hours is tricky!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-56109915599817976242008-03-02T07:10:00.000-08:002008-03-02T07:33:07.395-08:00Project 2008 March: The Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii94fR6ptfqXUzrP0RNp7p_ay5ZxjsNkxqtJs7zEUSV9ZH5QHqWervbaM3J9J1G_1TkiBnKjNigmg9KEHMzFlrG_hrfEwxRnk7rTa_jHfwHxMx_2zAzVT_C3W7R-ebe6oDIr2a-GxLdB8/s1600-h/garden+feb+08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii94fR6ptfqXUzrP0RNp7p_ay5ZxjsNkxqtJs7zEUSV9ZH5QHqWervbaM3J9J1G_1TkiBnKjNigmg9KEHMzFlrG_hrfEwxRnk7rTa_jHfwHxMx_2zAzVT_C3W7R-ebe6oDIr2a-GxLdB8/s400/garden+feb+08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173163000161656994" /></a><br />The first couple years we lived in this house, I tried to "grow a garden." We did harvest a few things, but then I had a baby (who is now 2 1/2) and gardening fell by the wayside. It is a place for the the children to dig. To get muddy. To create elaborate tunnels and houses for their little Scupley creations. And, on the day I took this photo, to store their not-in-use toys. <br /><br />My goal for March is get all the stuff out of the garden and work on the soil. To make it look like it <span style="font-weight:bold;">could<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> be a garden...even if I don't plant anything this year!<br /><br />If you want to join in, go to <a href="http://newmercieseverday.blogspot.com/">New Mercies Every Day</a> and sign up!<br />And, if you want to see my previous months projects: <br /><a href="http://my5wolfcubs.blogspot.com/2008/01/project-2008-january-sewing-room.html">January: Sewing Room</a><br /><a href="http://my5wolfcubs.blogspot.com/2008/02/project-2008-february-master-bedoom.html">February: Master Bedroom</a>my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-15869123520980540932008-02-26T15:59:00.000-08:002008-02-26T21:32:50.003-08:00What's on your desk?Audrey @ <a href="http://opusdeiacademy.blogspot.com/">Opus Dei Academy</a> tagged me with <br /><br /><font style="font-size:16px"><tt><font color="indigo">"What's on your desk? <br /><br />You can tell a lot about a person by the state of their desk and what they keep on it. So, share what's on your desk. You can take pictures, take an inventory, or do both. Don't have a desk? That's okay, just give us a glimpse into the space where you pay bills, write letters, grade papers, study, or work on the computer.<br /><br />When you've finished your photos or inventory, post it on your blog and tag five more people to do the same. Don't forget to share the rules with those you tag and ask them to share their posts with you when they are done."</font></tt></font><br /><br />Well, my desk is remarkable tidy! I cleaned it about 2 weeks ago and have been keeping it that way. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife_5qX8C9m_aLrb0Ah4a67x4w9pdPC2jdBmaxKM5yEkc28SdGtSC0idfreRBlmFxog14zW1CCzy0FsrsNi4vzj91iSctr3hFUR8WFEnWC7kIkM1y6vFBFdvmr_L-oq99YiclUCkUTBiw/s1600-h/Desk.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife_5qX8C9m_aLrb0Ah4a67x4w9pdPC2jdBmaxKM5yEkc28SdGtSC0idfreRBlmFxog14zW1CCzy0FsrsNi4vzj91iSctr3hFUR8WFEnWC7kIkM1y6vFBFdvmr_L-oq99YiclUCkUTBiw/s400/Desk.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171447116359794866" /></a><br />I have a tissue box, my beloved eMac, a router, a new Apple modem, a watering can pen cup, an ink drinking printer, my iPhone, a paper on Greek columns, and the following books: <span style="font-style:italic;">The Well-Trained Mind</span> (revised edition from the library),<span style="font-style:italic;"> A Charlotte Mason Education</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Chemy Called Al</span>. That is it! <br /><br />Oh, what is that box under the desk? Well, that is where I put everything that was "homeless" from my desk when I cleaned it. I've gotten exactly ONE thing out of the box since I cleaned off my desk. Which means, I really don't need all that stuff. I just can't part with it...yet. So if I was to take the box and dump it on the desk, you'd have a pretty good idea of what my desk would look like normally.<br /><br />Hmm, whose desk do I want to see a picture of??<br /><br />Sugar at <a href="http://ilikepi-ga.blogspot.com/">I Like Pi</a><br />Michelle at <a href="http://trio-of-children.blogspot.com/">Our Trio of Children</a><br />Jean at <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Quiver0f10/">Quiver's House</a><br />Kel at <a href="http://voyagerlc.blogspot.com/">Voyager Learning Center</a><br />Mama Peep at <a href="http://">Classical Education Our Way</a><br /><br />Come on, girls, let's see those desks!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-82279835454977481122008-02-25T18:31:00.002-08:002008-02-25T18:58:54.635-08:00Got Chemistry?We're using <a href="http://ellenjmchenry.com/id98.html">The Elements: Ingredients of the Universe</a> by Ellen McHenry and loving it! This is a one semester course designed for grades 4-8, but my 2nd grader is tagging along with ease.<br />As a read aloud, we have <span style="font-style:italic;">The Chemy Called Al</span> by Wendy Isdell. Not especially well written, this book does have an interesting premise: the Land of Science is inhabited by the "former periodics" such as Aurum (Gold) and Kalium (Potassium) in the form of horses. <br />Here are some websites we've come across:<br /><a href="http://www.chem4kids.com/">Chem 4 Kids</a><br /><a href="http://elements.wlonk.com/">Periodic Table in Pictures & Words</a><br /><a href="http://www.chemicalelements.com/">Interactive Chemical Elements</a><br /><a href="http://www.theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/">The Wooden Periodic Table</a><br /><a href="http://www.uky.edu/Projects/Chemcomics/">Period Table of Comic Books</a><br /><a href="http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/applets/a2.html">Wizzy Periodic Table</a><br /><a href="http://www.funbrain.com/periodic/index.html">Fun Brain Period Table</a><br /><a href="http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/scifun.html">Science is Fun</a><br /><a href="http://web.buddyproject.org/web017/web017/">Periodic Table ADventure</a><br /><a href="http://www.chemsoc.org/viselements/pages/page3.html">Visual Interpretation of the Elements</a><br /><br />I'm going to try to post a little about each of our curriculum choices this year. This will serve as both records for myself (I'm a terrible record keeper!) and as a mini-reviews. I need a review-system. How about paw prints? <br /><a href="http://ellenjmchenry.com/id98.html">The Elements: Ingredients of the Universe</a> gets 5 out of 5 paw prints! I just need a little picture now...my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-60957776020354259572008-02-24T07:03:00.000-08:002008-02-24T16:51:53.051-08:00Project 2008 February: The Master Bedroom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bxbFTOgFplh8TKiz8GCch6SrAxsD9XI_xVoOa5CTM25HtiSgAuKaDHYB7AJ87k6pvqsAgWHvQSTt05yxC6JxubrOhE5wZMnE_fCWzPXhj8i_9_iEV0-y7nO8gRVEyWB7BZi5Uq0wKDQ/s1600-h/Project+2008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bxbFTOgFplh8TKiz8GCch6SrAxsD9XI_xVoOa5CTM25HtiSgAuKaDHYB7AJ87k6pvqsAgWHvQSTt05yxC6JxubrOhE5wZMnE_fCWzPXhj8i_9_iEV0-y7nO8gRVEyWB7BZi5Uq0wKDQ/s320/Project+2008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170669130278764706" /></a><br />At then end of January, when I took these photos, my bedroom was Playmobil Central. What you see below on the dresser was the Playmobil Knights Advent Calendar (open a little box a day). The rest of the Playmobil was in a large plastic tub under my dresser. It has all since been moved to the clean sewing room, where there is space to spread out and set up and mom doesn't make you put it away before bed. <br /><br />This first picture is standing in the doorway, looking straight into the room. Notice no curtains on the window, no pictures on the wall, and laundry in the foreground. That is where the clean laundry goes until it is folded. This is Ginger & Momo's job, which they can't seem to do every single day. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBm0B6pGAZXXxwRCG7vsneSaVSEu4YJWc5Aw0Ednjd2fxRtjcknWcTg937BBL5Kveh-wYUcmoLlpWIKmoeDuUjVaeOgGRvHDKKEVGAEegN701wPx6UiYP6ieswZCOeinTkteJgLmJIjc/s1600-h/master+bedroom+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBm0B6pGAZXXxwRCG7vsneSaVSEu4YJWc5Aw0Ednjd2fxRtjcknWcTg937BBL5Kveh-wYUcmoLlpWIKmoeDuUjVaeOgGRvHDKKEVGAEegN701wPx6UiYP6ieswZCOeinTkteJgLmJIjc/s400/master+bedroom+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170572519284408434" /></a><br />This is standing in the doorway, looking to the right across the room. No curtains, no picture...pile of computer related books on my husband's nightstand, and my ironing board. Usually the ironing board has a pile of clean dress shirts on the end. See that yellow thing on the tree? It's a sunflake! We like the poem "Sunflakes" by Frank Ashe.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T5AHFUKFg0QCq1rk4WOLTQlQHP04wwjN6CjDsi69lQ0Z1xu84KBNe0kjXdyyyst8okAqUF-dzP5x1X19AI6W790hVclAeNV9Gvh39omZv61ZH7TDivt-CXphWu3hhdJKkKW5zQDDUXY/s1600-h/Master+Bedroom+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T5AHFUKFg0QCq1rk4WOLTQlQHP04wwjN6CjDsi69lQ0Z1xu84KBNe0kjXdyyyst8okAqUF-dzP5x1X19AI6W790hVclAeNV9Gvh39omZv61ZH7TDivt-CXphWu3hhdJKkKW5zQDDUXY/s400/Master+Bedroom+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170569431202922578" /></a><br /><br />This final picture is looking into the master bathroom/closet, with a good view of the TV and its paraphernalia. Oh, and there is some baby stuff there on the floor -- car seat, walker, etc. Stuff that I'm planning to give away. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEEsDq9VihDHIxBhAS966WEuEBXLf02v-BjSAX8S9pnld3MzozO1SdS3cCP7h7iBbm42WVHbfvUJOiOj5DEyo94jFDNERr4vBXJpa8j-Sq9eJJ7FLLJcHth1iiQNnpDx6yDF27HecaGU/s1600-h/master+bedroom+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEEsDq9VihDHIxBhAS966WEuEBXLf02v-BjSAX8S9pnld3MzozO1SdS3cCP7h7iBbm42WVHbfvUJOiOj5DEyo94jFDNERr4vBXJpa8j-Sq9eJJ7FLLJcHth1iiQNnpDx6yDF27HecaGU/s400/master+bedroom+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170667764479164562" /></a><br /><br />I'd like to say that by the end of February, the room will be painted, curtains hung, pictures mounted, an entertainment center purchased. But no, I know those things won't be done. I am going to try to get back to ironing all my husband's shirts once a week and then putting the ironing board in the closet. I think I'm ready to move on to March!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-33845161288426934452008-02-21T21:55:00.000-08:002008-02-23T06:54:08.339-08:00Charlotte Mason & the Well-Trained Mind: hours comparedTonight, I decided to do a little chart to compare the hourly recommendations for <span style="font-weight:bold;">8th grade age</span> in Susan Wise Bauer's <span style="font-style:italic;">The Well-Trained Mind's</span> to those in <span style="font-style:italic;">A Charlotte Mason Education</span> by Catherine Levison. This little chart doesn't include Logic (only mentioned in the WTM), music, art, or nature study. I found it interesting that at this level, the time involved was almost identical. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFjI4uKFw3v1RnUelyV6Z5aYRJ0ZN-U3h8MO3ZytA7c4-L6Hw6OMnMHnzjsHaPC3tWs0XllCokdeTNiLYabASTk38FGMwQS_6IP3DyMvCU-1pTWJu3NALlJdvksbVmlEXdP2eyL0zm80/s1600-h/wtm+cm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFjI4uKFw3v1RnUelyV6Z5aYRJ0ZN-U3h8MO3ZytA7c4-L6Hw6OMnMHnzjsHaPC3tWs0XllCokdeTNiLYabASTk38FGMwQS_6IP3DyMvCU-1pTWJu3NALlJdvksbVmlEXdP2eyL0zm80/s400/wtm+cm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169697136230006850" /></a><br />It is possible that my figures are slightly off -- adding such <span style="font-weight:bold;">big</span> numbers in my head is <span style="font-style:italic;">challenging.</span><br /><br />EDITED TO ADD: Thank you, <a href="http://amblesideclassical.blogspot.com/">Tami</a>, for supplying me with an online version of Charlotte Mason's <a href="http://amblesideonline.org/PR/PR19p899Timetables.shtml">Parents Union School schedules</a> located on the Ambleside Online site! These are identical to the schedules in the back of Levison's book. Although she calls Class III 7th-9th grades, I believe (the book is upstairs). When I was making my calculations, I eliminated the "10.20 - 10.50" period, which seems to serve as a break period and didn't fit neatly in my chart. I put Euclid as math and Old & New Testament as history. Another side note is CM's schools met Monday through Saturday...oh, yes, and the hours listed on my chart are weekly totals!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-66589040702185162342008-02-20T14:26:00.000-08:002008-02-20T14:32:27.948-08:00Break for (Neopian) Poetry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk_6ZpGMGLaiCmMqiXmSN1XXQjI-sXagjgOd7sYXvgd4PAXmcshC2_0CambL8USSC5BJjYa7ixT-YOtoxVx-HYfI5ewwxkkX6SGm0lN6kHTq7zeb4qfUrRVxuimT6jDtbieLC1F0MVac/s1600-h/King+Skarl+Pizza+Poem.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk_6ZpGMGLaiCmMqiXmSN1XXQjI-sXagjgOd7sYXvgd4PAXmcshC2_0CambL8USSC5BJjYa7ixT-YOtoxVx-HYfI5ewwxkkX6SGm0lN6kHTq7zeb4qfUrRVxuimT6jDtbieLC1F0MVac/s400/King+Skarl+Pizza+Poem.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169193899206901810" /></a><br /><br />I left Momo & Ginger at home this morning to do their schoolwork while I took Tullius to his Charlotte's Web play rehearsal (he's a sheep). Not only did Momo get her book learning done, she had time to write poetry.my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-73242217593909831652008-02-19T08:00:00.001-08:002008-02-19T08:26:34.862-08:00Peaceful, pajama morning in our homeschool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Kktg2LcuTF0/R7r957lYABI/AAAAAAAAAUE/HsnzVbJ9sqA/s1600-h/homescool+morning.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Kktg2LcuTF0/R7r957lYABI/AAAAAAAAAUE/HsnzVbJ9sqA/s400/homescool+morning.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168722694049890322" /></a><br />Time: 8:30am<br />Location: Family Room floor<br />Sound: melodious Yanni's <span style="font-style:italic;">Dare to Dream</span><br />Scene: Seated inside the Duplo railroad track he built with his 2yo brother, my dark-haired 8yo works a crossword puzzle in The Elements: Ingredients of the Universe. Already completed in this morning's 2nd grade: an egg-boiling experiment in Singapore Start-up Science, the final page in MUS Gamma, the conjugation of celo (I hide) in the future tense in Lively Latin...and breakfast.<br /><br />Oh, if only the whole day were to be so serene...my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-58104262415638305332008-02-15T07:16:00.000-08:002008-02-15T08:48:01.715-08:00Excellent, Dude!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS21aeaZ57R2kCfOwa-UcCQZ4VxDr3jBhmS6tl4rlnDdaVS_SUKT1GXKRundr4GsYKbo9jkAqHhkDVftF4p8HP8BWKTeNoEmxwbg3h2_gBx0kr355cbATP3-NmGEyGPTn_HLnN5fZqN0/s1600-h/Excellent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS21aeaZ57R2kCfOwa-UcCQZ4VxDr3jBhmS6tl4rlnDdaVS_SUKT1GXKRundr4GsYKbo9jkAqHhkDVftF4p8HP8BWKTeNoEmxwbg3h2_gBx0kr355cbATP3-NmGEyGPTn_HLnN5fZqN0/s400/Excellent.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167227534329774082" /></a><br />Tonia at <a href="http://thesunnypatch.blogspot.com/">The Sunny Patch</a> and Lisa at <a href="http://koinoniaacademy.blogspot.com/">Koinonia Academy</a> think I'm <font face="arial"><font color="DeepSkyBlue"><font style="font-size:20px">excellent</font></font></font>. That makes my day! Thanks, ladies! The feeling is mutual.<br /><br />Now, I'm supposed to pass this award on to 5 bloggers who I think are <font face="comic sans ms"><font color="blue"><font style="font-size:26px">admirable</font></font></font>, <font face="impact"><font color="green"><font style="font-size:22px">distinctive</font></font></font>, <font face="jokerman"><font color="red"><font style="font-size:40px">exceptional</font></font></font>, <font color="gold"><font style="font-size:22px">first-class</font></font>, <tt><font color="orange"><font style="font-size:30px">magnificent</font></font></tt>, <font face="times new roman"><font color="white"><font style="font-size:26px">notable</font></font></font>, <font face="comic sans ms"><font color="pink"><font style="font-size:40px">outstanding</font></font></font>, <font face="verdana"><font color="seagreen"><font style="font-size:30px">priceless</font></font></font>, <font face="impact"><font color="slate"><font style="font-size:26px">sterling</font></font></font>, <font face="comic sans ms"><font color="darkblue"><font style="font-size:26px">wonderful</font></font></font>...you know, <font face="arial"><font color="DeepSkyBlue"><font style="font-size:20px">excellent</font></font></font>!<br /><br />So, to <br />Karen...because I wish to school in a <a href="http://themagicschoolhouse.blogspot.com/">Magic Schoolhouse</a> and<br />Skeller...because I wish I was <a href="http://shortonwords.blogspot.com/">Short on Words</a> and<br />Isabella, Zadok, and Theo...because I wish I my kids had a <a href="http://kidscattle.blogspot.com/">Cattle Blog</a> and<br />Paz...because I wish we were a <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/David/">WoW Academy</a> and<br />Gardenschooler...because I wish I was <a href="http://gardenschooler.blogspot.com/">In the Garden</a>...<br /><br />I want you to know that I think you're <font face="arial"><font color="DeepSkyBlue"><font style="font-size:20px">excellent</font></font></font>! Now, please, pass it on to five more bloggers that you admire!my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925239400784378025.post-72582999417855725022008-02-14T07:18:00.000-08:002008-02-14T08:48:38.767-08:00Homeschooling Only OneYesterday, three of my four school-aged children were sick. Ginger, the oldest, was in day three of the flu, having missed getting it when the rest of us did, the week before. Tullius and Zamakee, in 2nd grade and kindergarten respectively, both had fevers. Not sure if it was a relapse, a repeat or something new... So my 5th grader <font color="red">Momo</font> got to be an only student. <br /><br /><font color="blue">MATH</font> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Math-U-See Zeta, Lesson 21, Practice B</span> Long division with decimals, rounding patterns, remainders as fractions, etc. Boring. Easy. 100% A+.<br /><br /><font color="blue">LATIN</font> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lively Latin, Lesson 11.3 Forming the Future Tense</span> I love Latin, so we did this together. Interesting. Easy. 100% A+. <br /><br /><font color="blue">LOGIC</font> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Building Thinking Skills 2, Chapter 10 Verbal Analogies</span> A page of such things as marble:stone :: diamond:<u>jewel</u>. Not sure if it was easy or not, but she got them all right, as usual. <br /><br /><font color="blue">GRAMMAR</font> S<span style="font-weight:bold;">traight Forward English Series Verbs, p 13, Spelling Rules for Tense.</span> Adding -s or -es to some verbs and then making sentences with them. Here are some of her sentences:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The eyrie <u>tosses</u> the yooyu ball to the jubjub.<br />The hissi drinks the morphing potion and <u>changes</u> into a cybunny.</span><br />Ah, good old Neopia! Easy. All correct...<br /><br /><font color="blue">CHEMISTRY</font> <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Elements: Ingredients of the Universe, Chapter 3 Activity #5 & #6</span> This involved finding the number of protons in 25 or so different elements and looking at a cool website called <a href="http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/applets/a2.html">Dave's Wizzy Periodic Table</a> This takes awhile to load, but is worth it for looking at how many electrons are in which S & P orbitals. I have a slightly difficult time understanding about the orbitals, but she doesn't. Chemistry really is fascinating! Maybe Momo will be a chemist.<br /><br /><font color="blue">HISTORY</font> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tapestry of Grace Year 1, Week 24</span> Sigh. We could be doing SO MUCH...but we're not. Her reading is a 2 page spread in <span style="font-style:italic;">The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of the Ancient World.</span> Called "Battles and Battle Formations," it looks really unmemorable so I suggest we read it together. Everyone else is either sleeping or quietly playing. <br /><br />We read the second page on formations first. Several times she mentions having "read about that" and goes back to find the page. Tomorrow, if everyone is well enough to go outside, we'll model the battle positions. We certainly have enough shields and sticks! Then we look at the list of battles on the first page. We decide to try to find them on our fold-out National Geographic Map of "The Historic Mediterranean 800 BC to AD 1500" that is on the kitchen table under the plastic table cloth. <br /><br />The descriptions are short and not very specific, such as: <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">CHAERONEA A town in Central Greece, the site of Philip II of Macedon's decisive victory over the Greek cities in 338 BC.</span> We struggle with the vagueness, but have fun trying to locate them. Not all are on the map.<br /><br /><br />And that was the school day. Not perfect, but peaceful and productive. I wish I could spend such time with her everyday. I wish I could spend such time with each of my children everyday.my5wolfcubshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18296523746527569586noreply@blogger.com12