A Bunch of Random Stuff…

You know…I could probably make 4-5 posts out of all of these pictures.  But we all know that I don’t have time for that.  So, this is what you get.  LOL!  It will still serve the purpose!  So, enjoy the randomness…it’s what we’re about these days. 

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Micah loves him some soup.  In fact, the boy is so grown that he will dip his crackers in the soup.  Here he is enjoying some veggie soup!  Look at that face…I don’t think he likes it.  What do you think?

   

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I’ve mentioned before that I’m teaching an Eric Carle Carnival class at co-op.  Well, we’ve been doing lots and lots of crafts.  Here’s a clay pot ladybug that we made the other week after we read The Grouchy Ladybug. 

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The other week we went and visited Lane’s Southern Orchard with the homeschool co-op group.  We were able to enjoy the corn maze and a hayride.  Let me just say…this was my first venture into a corn maze, and I really didn’t care for it.  Let me tell ya why…I was pulling Micah in a wagon, and it well…it was a bit too muddy.  And – I really didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t find my way out fast enough.  So, it was just not fun for me.  Maybe I’m a little claustrophobic…who knows?!!?  Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Micah and Avonlea enjoying some time in the wagon while we wait on the festivities to begin.Caleb just being a boy while we wait for everything to start.

Micah playing with my Blackberry during the informative talk about corn…he had no interest in listening to the lady speak. 

Caleb posing before we entered the corn maze…the sun was in his eyes. Micah is ready to go…he’s got my keys and my Blackberry.  LOL…a boy after my own heart! Caleb holding our flag (we had the flag to wave in case we got lost.  We could also text for help clues  using our cell phones).Micah on the hayride…this was his first ever hayride I think.  He seemed to enjoy it!Caleb on the hayride…he had fun goofing off with his buddies.

Okay, I think that’s all the randomness I have for ya tonight.  I’m sure I’ll find more at a later date, so stay tuned! 

First Grade Week 20 in Review

You’re probably wondering how we did week 20, when we just finished week 19?!!?  Well, it’s a little thing I like to call “doubling up".  We do two day’s assignments in just one day.  And – since this has been a rainy and dreary few days, we’ve been doing just that.  So, here’s how week 20 panned out…

Heritage Studies:  We discussed making towns and cities.

Science:  We finished up our Lizards lapbook.  We discussed the komodo dragon, jaragua lizard, basilisk lizard, lizard senses, where to find lizards, and shedding.  I’ll post pictures as soon as I get it all put together.

Math:  This week we started a subtraction chapter.  We talked about counting back 1 or 2, subtracting 0, subtracting all/nearly all, comparing to subtract, and doubles.

Bible:  We continued to review John 14:21, and our Bible story was on “God Protected Abraham’s Family.”

Vocabulary:  We added “reverse, exhibit, misty, tropical, and surface” to our list of vocabulary terms.

Phonics & English:  This week we added “-oat, –oe, –oast, –ow, and –own” to our list of word families.  We added “front” to our list of service words.  In English skills, we discussed compound words and complete sentences.  Caleb learned more about the naming and telling parts of sentences.

Extra Stuff:  Caleb enjoyed a time of skating with other homeschoolers last Friday.  He always enjoys going skating, and he’s improving his skills each time we go.  I, however, am fine just watching Micah play in the play area. 

As always, thank you for joining us each week to find out what we’ve been learning.  I look forward to sharing more next time.

First Grade Week 19 in Review

Well, another week is complete.  We’re trying to double up on some days, so that’s helping us get caught up just a bit.  Here’s how week 19 went for us.

Heritage Studies:  We discussed foods that the Indians gave us, and then we read about the First Thanksgiving.

Science:  We started a new lapbook on Lizards.  This week we learned some new vocabulary words, about reptiles, relatives of the lizard, methods of defenese, and their classification.  Caleb is just soaking it all up and loving every minute of it.

Math:  We finished up our chapter by discussing fair shares, probability, and tally marks. 

Bible:  Our Bible verse for the week was John 14:21.  Our story was on “God Called Abraham.”

Vocabulary:  We added “meet, cranky, train, injured, and hatch” to our list of vocabulary terms.

Phonics & English:  This week we added “Christ and children” to our list of service words.  We added “-y, –igh, and –ight” to our list of word families.

Art:  This week Caleb painted a picture of various fruits and vegetables.  He continues to do a great job.  I, however, have no clue what to do with all these paintings.  ?????

Extra Stuff:  We enjoyed a visit to Lane’s Southern Orchard to visit their corn maze and have a hayride.  I’ll post pictures on a separate post.  Caleb had fun at co-op.  I, however, had to miss due to a fever.  I’m not sure why I had a fever, but I did nonetheless, so I had to be absent.  I missed being able to teach the little ones and interact with everyone.  But – here’s hoping this week is a different story.

As always, thanks for following our adventures in first grade!  We look forward to sharing more next time.  So, tune in!

Trick-or-Treat 2009

As I think I’ve mentioned before, we never really have celebrated Halloween here at the Childress house.  Yes, we would let Caleb participate in the trick-or-treating at his preschool when he attended, but that was it.  It was just a personal conviction that Brian had, and we agreed to just do our best to ignore the holiday. 

Well, Caleb started asking lots of questions, and Brian had to do some explaining.  We then decided that we would only partake in the trick-or-treat aspect of the holiday.  So, that’s what we did this year.

Let me just tell you…trying to get a 6-year-old to decide on a costume was quite the feat.  We went to all the stores and perused all the different choices.  Well, Caleb thought they were all super cool, and he just couldn’t decide.  So, I went on the Family Fun website and browsed the homemade costumes.

He narrowed it down to two, and he finally decided to be a bug catcher.  Once that decision was made, we then tried to find Micah a coordinating bug costume.  Well, the gender neutral bee costumes just weren’t cute.  So, I ventured to Toys ‘R Us and found an inchworm.  There…a bug catcher and his catch, the inchworm.

We met up with some friends last night and went around their neighborhood for the kiddos to have fun.  There were 4 older children and 3 toddlers.  The toddlers had the best deal because they were pulled in wagons.  Brian and I stayed behind with the little guy, so I don’t have any pictures of Caleb going from door-to-door.  But – he had a BLAST!  He really enjoyed being with his friends, explaining his costume, and getting lots of candy.  Micah just enjoyed riding, waving bye, and blowing kisses. 

Overall, it was a great experience, and Caleb has already decided to be a fisherman next year.  Now, it’s time for me to start figuring out THAT costume!  Enjoy the pictures!

       

First Grade Week 18 in Review

Well, another week is complete at Childress Academy.  The schedule of subjects that Caleb picked seems to be working really well.  Everything is flowing smoothly, and we’re getting all of the work done without too much fussing.  Here’s how this week went…

Heritage Studies:  We continued talking about the Separatists by studying the Mayflower Compact, William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, family trees, Plymouth Rock, Samoset, and Squanto.  Caleb is just soaking it all up, and he’s loving this subject.

Science:  We continued to talk about heat by describing temperature changes in words and numbers.  We finished up by taking a chapter test.

Math:  We moved into a new chapter on fractions.  We discussed equal parts, halves, thirds, fourths, and parts of a set.

Bible:  Our Bible story this week was on “God Saved Noah and His Family.”  We reviewed all the Bible verses we’ve learned in this session.

Vocabulary:  We added “design, stormy, batteries, section, and raise” to our vocabulary terms.

Phonics & English:  We added “don’t, warm, heart, Christmas, and thought” to our list of service words.  We discussed the “y” as long “e” and “-ie” as long “i”.

Art:  Caleb drew a picture of a stuffed bunny this week.  He continues to do well, and he loves the time he gets to work on art.

Extra Stuff:  Co-op went well this week, and Caleb had a blast as always.  Tonight we’re gearing up for our first trick-or-treat adventure with the boys.  Caleb would go at his preschool, but we’ve never gone as a family.  So, tonight we will join some friends and go for the first time.  Caleb is going to be a Busy, Busy Bug Catcher, and Micah will be an Inchworm.  Pictures will follow later…

As always, thanks for following our fun times in first grade.

***I’m now down to less than 100 posts to read in order to catch up on the blogs I follow.  So, I’m slowly getting all caught up.  You bloggers have been very busy.***

First Grade Week 17 in Review

Well, I thought I’d get Caleb’s input on homeschooling this week by letting him choose the order of subjects taught.  So, he gave it some thought, and this is what he chose – Heritage Studies, Science, Math, Bible, Reading, Spelling, Vocabulary, Handwriting, and Phonics & English.  I’m hoping this new schedule will work out, and so far it seems to be.  We’ll keep you posted.  Here’s how this past went:

Heritage Studies:  We continued to talk about the Separatists, and how they obeyed God.  We discussed that they sailed to the New World on the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth Plantation.  Caleb really seems to be enjoying this study.  It makes me happy because I am NOT a history lover myself.  So, I’m glad to see he is not taking after me in that aspect. 

Science:  We started talking about changing forms this week.  We discussed melting/freezing and vaporizing/condensing.  We’ve been able to get into the kitchen and do some experiments, and Caleb LOVES it.  Whenever we go to the kitchen to do the experiments, he says “I LOVE doing science in the kitchen.”  LOL!  That’s my boy…I, too, LOVE science!

Math:  We finished up our time chapter by discussing the calendar and then had a chapter test. 

Bible:  Our Bible story was about “We Need God’s Forgiveness.”  Our Bible verse for the week was Romans 5:8.

Vocabulary:  Our new vocabulary words for the week were “sway, property, arrange, rusty, and attach.”

Phonics & English:  We discussed the use of the comma and adding “-ing and –ed” to long and short vowel words.  We added “learn, friend, buy, and again” to our list of service words.  “-eat, –eam, –eet, –eep, and –ee” were added to our list of word families.

Art:  Caleb is still enjoying art.  This week he painted a picture of a bird flying in the air with the help of his art teacher. 

Extra Stuff:  We’re still busy with co-op, and Caleb is still loving every second of it!  I’m happy he’s having fun, and I’m happy for the opportunity we have to participate in such a wonderful program.

As always, thanks for following our first grade adventures at Childress Academy. 

***On a side note, I do apologize for not checking in on all of my favorite blogs.  I checked Google Reader this morning, and I’ve got over 360 new posts to read from all of you.  WOW!  It will take me some time, but I promise to pay you all a quick visit soon!***

Picture Overload (of Micah anyway)…

Well, being as it’s been a while since I really posted anything other than homeschool stuff, I’ve got a ton of pictures to share with you all.  They’re all of Micah, but that’s okay.  He’s cute as ever and developing quite the personality.  I tell you…it’s amazing how different two children can be.    Anyway, enjoy all the pictures…I’m sure you’ll get a few laughs when I explain some of them. 

Opa and Micah sound asleep (this was taken during Opa’s recent visit). 

Micah playing with the toy kitchen (this was at the local skating rink.  It’s so nice that Caleb can skate, and Micah can play).

Micah says, “Peek-a-boo.” 

This was not a sight I wanted to see…Micah figured out how to climb onto the kitchen table.  We have since discouraged such acts of bravery. 

He has a fascination with the salt grinder…maybe I should buy him his own.

Where’s Micah????

There he is…playing in the cabinet in daddy’s desk. 

This is the only decent picture I got at the fair.

Micah has watched big brother get his step stool to assist at the stove.  So, Micah invented his own stool so he could help mommy cook.  LOL!  Such creativity I tell ya.

Micah loves going to the pantry to get his own snack.  He can’t open it, but as soon as we open it for him…well, he pushes us out of the way so he can do it all himself.  He’s so grown!

Nope…still hasn’t decided what he wants.  Too many choices, so little time.

This is just another daring feat of bravery that Micah decided to prove.  I tell ya…we’re in for it at some point.

This is a preview of Halloween.  I picked up this “Inchworm” costume today.  This will be the first year that we’ll enjoy Halloween festivities (Brian has always been opposed), so Caleb decided to be a bug catcher (homemade costume I’ve yet to make), and Micah is his “catch.”

First Grade Week 16 in Review

So sorry it’s been a while since I’ve last posted.  I promise to play catch-up soon.  We’ve just been busy with all kinds of stuff, and we’ve had a bit of sickness in the family, too.  So, that’s always a set back.  Hopefully we’ll be back on track soon.  With that said, here’s how week 16 went for us…

Bible:  Our Bible story this week was on “Sin Spoiled God’s Creation”, and our Bible verse was Romans 5:8.

Phonics & English:  We added “pull, their, son, war, and been” to our list of service words.  We added “-ain, –ail, and –ay” to our list of word families.  In English we discussed capitalization of the days of the week.

Heritage Studies:  We tested over the chapter covering Jamestown, John Smith, and Sir Walter Raleigh.  Then we started a new chapter, and Caleb was introduced to the Separatists.

Math:  We worked on writing time to the hour, digital time, hours passed, time to the half-hour, and half hour time passed.

Vocabulary:  We added “close, flaky, shape, boil, and sprinkle” to our list of vocabulary terms.

Science:  We discussed tame animals, tame animals in the home, what livestock do for people, and what people do for livestock.

Art:  Caleb is still loving art.  This week he worked on a bird painting.  He did a really good job.  I don’t know what I’m going to do with all of his creations.  We’ve got art pictures coming out of everywhere. 

Extra Stuff:  We went and visited a local fire department with the Littles’ Club (Little Contenders for the Faith).  Caleb had a really good time.  He’s also still super busy with all of the co-op activities each Thursday.  He’s been learning a lot of information, and I think he’s enjoying himself.  The Georgia National Fair was also in town this past week, so we went and checked it out.  This is a really nice fair, and we try to go every year.  Caleb and I were able to ride some rides, and Micah strolled around with Brian.  We got some supper, and then it poured down rain on us.  So, we had to cut our trip short.  But – it’ll be back next year, so it’s no big deal.  And no…no pictures.  I only took two (silly me), and I’ll post the one decent one later in another post.

As always, thanks for following our first grade journey.  I’m going to leave you with some pictures of the Rodney Rockhound’s Rocks & Minerals lapbook that we finished up a few weeks ago and some pictures of the fire department field trip.

First Grade Week 15 in Review

Another week has come and gone at Childress Academy.  Caleb continues to do well in all areas, and here’s how this week panned out.

Bible:  Our Bible story this week focused on “God Created People.”  Our Bible verse was Psalm 100:3a.

Phonics & English:  We added “-one, –ole, –oke, –ule, –ute, and –une” to our list of word families.  We added “family and pull” to our list of service words.  In English we worked on adding “-ing and –ed” to words ending with “e.”

Heritage Studies:  We continued to talk about John Smith and Jamestown.  We also discussed growing crops.

Math:  We finished up our addition chapter with a test, and then we moved on to a chapter on time.  We worked on ordering events.

Vocabulary:  We added “thick, utensils, solid, separate, and uneven” to our list of vocabulary words.

Science:  We finished up our rocks & minerals lapbook by talking about all the different types of rock (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic).  We also categorized rocks according to their type.  I’ll get pictures posted as soon as I get it all put together.

Art:  Caleb worked on a fish painting this week.  He wasn’t quite done with it, so he left it at class so he can work on it again this week.

Extra Stuff:  We’ve been very busy with co-op.  Caleb is taking an Eric Carle Carnival class (I’m teaching), a Time & Money class, and a Wonderful World of Animals class.  He’s been busy learning lots of exciting things and having a blast with his fellow homeschoolers.  We’ve also enjoyed some skating and some playdates. 

As always, thanks for following our first grade adventures.  Check back next week to see what we’ve accomplished. 

Garden Goodies…

I haven’t updated on our garden in quite some time.  The main reason is because Brian and I didn’t think it amounted to a bunch of anything after the long drought and hot period we had over the summer.  Most of the stuff started showing signs of death, and so we counted it a loss.  Well, later on it all started blooming.  Brian decided that the produce wouldn’t be any good, so we didn’t bother to pick it or do anything with it.  We had basically just resorted to tilling it all up once the weather got cooler.

Well, Opa, Granddaddy, and Caleb went out there this week and picked all of the veggies that were ready.  They came in with a bunch of tomatoes, carrots, peppers, and a few onions (I thought I had pulled all those once I decided they were just too small and not growing right for my liking…lol). 

So, I’m guessing it’s time for me to start thinking of some ways to use up all these garden goodies.  I’m thinking fajitas will be a good way to use up the bell and sweet peppers.  The carrots will probably be steamed.  And I, for one, could care less how the tomatoes are used because I don’t do tomatoes…YUCK!

Here are some pictures of the fruits veggies of our labor.

Making Math Fun

I’m always trying to find things to make school fun.  Well, I’m sure you all remember that sometimes there’s a lot of writing, and Caleb is always fussing if he has to write a lot.  So, I was looking for something that we could use in math to help with the writing.  I stumbled upon these, and I was tickled pink because I knew Caleb would LOVE them.  Well, boy was I saddened when I saw that they were out of stock.  There was an option to have them notify me when the item became available again, so that’s what I did.

A few weeks ago, I got the email notification that these little helpers were in stock again.  I immediately went to the website and ordered them.  Caleb has had such a fun time using them, and they’ve helped with some of the writing in math.  And – best of all…it makes it fun!  Now, I don’t let him use them for all of his assignments, but when it only requires a simple # answer, then he’s free to use them.  Here he is having fun with his number stamps…

Share what YOU do to make math (or school in general) fun.  I’d love to see what other homeschoolers have found that works. 

Homeschooling With a Toddler…

I’ll be the first to admit…this has been a hard year for us when it comes to homeschooling.  I have had a hard time figuring out how to manage homeschooling with a rambunctious toddler under my feet.  It’s been a hard task, but luckily, we’ve hopefully figured out a way to cope with the extra set of little hands that are into everything. 

I’ve basically come to the conclusion that we have to include Micah in our schooling.  No, I’m not teaching him anything major yet, but I basically let him make the biggest mess have a go with all of the manipulatives.  He gets to play with the musical instruments, dominoes, counters of many sorts, unifix cubes, and spelling letters.  You see…we just have to let him think he’s part of the learning, and he’s good to go.  Granted, he’s mainly just tossing the stuff all over the school area, but maybe there’s something deeper going on in that brain of his.  Time will only tell…

But – we’re managing and school is getting done.  So, I think that’s all that counts.  I’m hoping it will all get a bit easier as he gets older.  But I’m sure the messes will only get bigger.

Here are some pictures for your viewing enjoyment:

Micah taking a break from his “schooling” to enjoy some juice.

Look at the mess learning that is going on here…wow, lots to learn. Spelling tiles on the floor…Micah put his hat on and decided to go for a trip…he said, “Bye” and off he went.

If you have any other tips for homeschooling with a toddler, PLEASE SHARE them.  I’m open for any suggestions to continue to make this an enjoyable time for all of us. 

First Grade Week 14 in Review

Well, we are done with another week here at Childress Academy.  It’s been a busy time of year for us, but I guess that’s a good thing.  Anyway, here’s how this week panned out:

Bible:  Our Bible story this week focused on “God Made a Wonderful Home”.  The Bible verse this week was Psalm 104:24.

Phonics & English:  This week we talked about action words (verbs).  The service words were “every, everybody, work, and done.”  We started back with word families and added the following to our list:  “-ane, –ate, –ape, –ame, –ake, –ale, –ade, –ave, –ike, –ile, –ine, –ime, –ive, –ide, –ire, and –ite.” 

Heritage Studies:  This week we continued to talk about new settlements.  We learned about Sir Walter Raleigh, Jamestown, and John Smith.  I truly hope that we are able to make a trip to Jamestown the next time we go up to visit Omi and Opa in Virginia.  I think Caleb would love seeing it and exploring all of the sites.

Math:  We continued our chapter on addition by discussing 3 addends, adding on the # line, double facts, adding with 5 (ten-frame), and names for 10.  Caleb really seems to excel in math, and he tickles me figuring out the answers to his math problems.  He doesn’t use his fingers or counters…just does it in his little head.  I think we’ve found his strong point. 

Vocabulary:  We added “enormous, decay, volcano, skeleton, and prehistoric” to our list of vocabulary words. 

Science:  We’re taking a little break from our science book with another lapbook.  This time we’re doing Rodney Rockhound’s Rocks & Minerals.  Ever since Caleb got a collection of rocks & minerals from Grandma (it was a collection that my two brothers and nephew had when they were younger), he has been all about rocks & minerals.  This week we talked about the different vocabulary terms, safety precautions, colors of rocks/minerals, where to find them, and why people collect them.  I really think we’ve sparked a new interest for sweet Caleb.

Art:  Caleb finished up his art lessons today, but since he expressed such an interest we went ahead and signed him up for 8 more weeks.  So, he’ll start a new session next week, and I think he’s happy about that.  Today he painted a house. 

Well, we’re going to take a small break this week since Opa is visiting.  We’ll get going again next week.  As always, thanks for following our first grade adventures.

Random Pictures of Micah…

I think I’ve been pretty slack about posting pictures of Micah, so here are a bunch of random shots.  It won’t take long for you to figure out what he’s into these days…EVERYTHING!!!!!

Modeling his bee hatPlaying in his cabinetEnjoying fruit snacks in his cabinet Modeling his new shoe…aka the top to the Playskool Busy Ball PopperSharing his new favorite trick…taking a sip of juice/milk and holding it in his mouth until he’s good and ready to swallow.  Please note – said child may spit the liquid out or spill some of the liquid before actually swallowing.  If I find out who taught him this trick, they’re in for it!   

So, there you have it…this is just a little example of how my days are filled.  It’s no wonder I don’t get much accomplished.  I’m constantly telling a certain someone “get down”, “NO”, “don’t touch that”, etc.  LOL!

Fear

How do you define fear?  What terrifies you?

I had a bit of a fearful experience yesterday.  Let me share what happened…

I was sitting at my laptop doing something, and I smelled an awful smell.  It really scared me and freaked me out.  It was a smell that didn’t settle well, and I had no idea what it was or where it was coming from.  The smell…it’s really hard to describe, but it reminded me a lot of plastic burning on the stove but only a LOT worse. 

Well, I immediately checked to make sure the stove/oven were off and nothing was burning.  I then made sure that the washer/dryer were both off (I was running both at the time).  I still couldn’t figure out what the smell was or where it was coming from.  I couldn’t see anything either…no smoke or anything. 

Since Brian was out working, I didn’t know what to do.  So, when all else fails…CALL MOM!  So, that’s what I did.  I called my mom and asked her what I should do.  We both decided that I should call my youngest brother, Daniel, who works in the city where we live.  He wasn’t due to get off of work for another 30 minutes, but luckily, he said he’d be on his way.  I called my parents back, and talked to my dad.  He told me he was on his way and gave my mom word for the boys and me to get out of the house.  So, I took the boys, the dog, and myself to the car. 

By this point, Caleb was freaked out.  Granted, it’s my fault because I was freaked out, too.  I mean, hello…my husband isn’t home, and I haven’t the foggiest why my house smells like it could burn down or explode any minute.  Wouldn’t you freak out, too?

My brother came over and looked things over.  He thought it had something to do with our a/c unit.  When my dad and other brother (along with my mom) got here, they all confirmed the same thing.  So, I called a family friend who is in the a/c business, and he told me to shut off all the breakers for the a/c.  He told me he’d be over last night or this morning (it was pouring last night, so he wasn’t sure if he’d make it or not).

Well, Mr. Charles came over this morning, and he let us know that our fan motor had blown up.  He also informed us that it should still be covered under the warranty since we bought our house in ‘05.  After he told us what to do, we got on the phone with the company who installed our unit.  They sent someone over later this morning.  The guy told us it wouldn’t be covered under the warranty since the unit was an ‘03.  Ummm…hello, we bought the house in ‘05, it sat on the market for OVER a year…it’s not my fault it’s now 6 years later and your warranty expires after 5. 

Have I mentioned that we are a very hot-natured family, and we keep our air on 72?????  You mean to tell me that I’m going to have to live without a/c over the w-end.  Ummm…I don’t think so JOE!

Brian went over to the power company and got a certified letter stating that we turned on power to the house in Feb. of ‘05, and the guy proceeded to replace the motor.  He informed us that had we followed proper a/c protocol (meaning you really should have the stuff cleaned/checked 2x a year), we wouldn’t have had this issue. 

After all was said and done, we are now out $215 for something that would normally cost $980.  We are sooooo thankful that Mr. Charles told us about the 5 year warranty on most units once they are put into a new home.  Otherwise, some JOE SCHMOE could have come up in here and made some money off of us.  We would have never known otherwise either.

Thank the Lord we have a/c now.  I truly don’t know how people ever lived without it.  My hot-natured self would DIE!  So, there you have it…sorry this turned into such a long post.  Geez, it’s not this long when I tell the story.  LOL!