*****Please note that there are days where I will post more than once. So, to find out all the latest happenings and "goings-on" in our family (or my random thoughts), be sure to scroll down.*****

Monday, December 24, 2012

From Our Family To Yours…

IMG_9983Merry Christmas
I didn’t get around to sending out Christmas cards this year (the first year in a VERY long time), so this will have to do.  Our family wishes all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  May 2013 bring you lots of love, peace, happiness, and good health!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Fourth Grade Weeks 23 and 24

I decided to combine my review for the past two weeks because there wasn’t a whole lot on the agenda in the area of school.  We focused on Spelling, English, and Math.  Here’s how the two weeks went for us…
English – Caleb worked on plural nouns, irregular plural nouns, singular possessive nouns, plural possessive nouns, nouns of direct address, noun suffixes, and dictionary skills.  He says that he still enjoys this English curriculum, so that’s a plus for me.
Math – Caleb worked on two ways to write a division problem; quotients; room and body temperatures; dividing by 5; multiplying by 8; dividing by 1; dividing 0; reading a line graph; making a pictograph; looking for addends that equal 10; multiplying three-digit numbers; and multiplying money.  He’s continuing to do better and better in math, and I think it’s because the information is finally settling in.  Smile
We’re breaking for two weeks in order to enjoy the holidays.  School and Classical Conversations will kick back into full gear when January rolls in.  Until then, we’re going to enjoy the break!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

What’s Cooking Week of December 9-15, 2012?

We did really well with sticking to the menu last week.  Supper time prep is so much easier when I have a game plan.  I’m hoping that I’ll eventually be able to spend some time stocking the freezer, too, so that should help even more. 
Here’s what’s on our menu this week…
Sunday – Frikadellen, Roasted Cauliflower, Noodles
Monday – Brown Sugar Chicken, Coleslaw, Baked Beans
Tuesday – Grilled Steak, Salad
Wednesday – No Peek Chicken, Steamed Veggies
Thursday – YOYO (we’re picking Omi up at the airport that evening, so we’ll grab a bite on the way up to Atlanta)
Friday – Stuffed Shells, Salad, Bread
Saturday – Tacos, Mexican Rice
Sunday – Pepperoni Pizza Rolls, Salad
What’s on your menu this week?  How many nights a week do you cook?  I’m wondering if cooking every night is a good idea because we sometimes have leftovers, and well…they aren’t always eaten.  Sad smile  So, I need to find a balance.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Fourth Grade Week 22

We continue to stay on schedule with our schooling, and that’s always a good thing.  Smile  Here’s how week 22 went for us…
Bible – Our question this week was ‘Did God use the same design for humans as for monkeys?’  We read Psalm 104, Genesis 1:26, I John 3:1, and John 1:12 to find the answer.
English – This week Caleb worked on common nouns and proper nouns; concrete and abstract nouns; compound nouns; and plural nouns.  He’s still doing really well with the Growing with Grammar.
Math – Caleb worked on intersections; leap years; weeks in a year; dividing by 2; and rounding to the nearest ten or hundred.  He still doesn’t love math, but I think the Christian Light Education is the best fit for him.  Smile 
We still haven’t had much time to add in a lot of fun things.  We did end our week with 3 parties…one Christmas and two birthday.  It was a crazy end to the week, but we’re thankful for a peaceful, and obligation-free (other than tennis this afternoon) weekend.  Smile
Omi is coming to visit this upcoming Thursday, so we have to stay on track in order to be school-free during her visit.  Here’s to Caleb being willing to do a little more than usual…Smile

Monday, December 3, 2012

What’s Cooking Week of December 2-8, 2012

Okay, so it’s no secret…if I don’t menu plan, I have no clue what I’m cooking each night for supper.  Sure, I can throw things together, but it’s much easier when it’s all planned out.  And – it also saves money…it keeps us from eating out and helps keep the focus at the grocery store.  With that said, I’m really hoping to stick with it this time.  I sat down yesterday and wrote the names of all of our family favorite meals.  These are things that I know my family will eat, including my two boys (sometimes begrudgingly).  I’m also going to include a few new or unfamiliar choices every once in a while.  So far, I have 35+ ideas to choose from, so I’m hoping that gives me a good start.  Here’s this week’s menu plan…
Sunday – YOYO (I needed to go to the grocery store, and the menu hadn’t been planned yet).
Monday – Family Size Baked Burrito, Salad
Tuesday – YOYO (You’re On Your Own)
Wednesday – Pepperoni, Mushroom, and Pineapple Stuffed Calzone, Salad
Thursday – Meatloaf, Rice, and Steamed Broccoli
Friday – YOYO
Saturday – Creamy Baked Chicken, Steamed Carrots, and Salad
What’s cooking at YOUR house this week?  Do you menu plan?  If not, how do you manage to wing it and not be tempted to eat out?  Smile
***Oh, and if you want any of the recipes, please shoot me an email or post a comment.  I’m always willing to share.***

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Fourth Grade Week 21

We finished up week 21 on Friday, and it was a good week.  It was a bit hard to get back into the routine after being off for Thanksgiving, but we managed to make it.
Bible – Our questions this week were ‘What is evolution?’ and ‘Why do evolutionists trust their beliefs and not Christ?’  We read Genesis 1:20-25, Romans 1:22, and Psalm 8:3-9 for the first question.  Then, we read 2 Peter 3:5, Job 42:2, Ephesians 1:11, and Genesis 1:20-25 again for the second question.
English – Caleb had his first test with our new curriculum.  He scored 100% on the first test and 89% on the second test.  I didn’t realize though that the first test should have been given weeks ago…oh well.  Smile
Math – This week Caleb worked on finding half of a larger number; adding and subtracting tenths; mental math trails; checking subtraction; division number sentences; multiplying by 7; perpendicular; and how many days are in each month.
We didn’t get around to anything FUN this week, but that’s okay.  We got all of our work accomplished, but I am hoping to get to some fun things this upcoming week.  We’ll see…

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Thanksgiving and Elves

This past Monday, Caleb participated in an art program at a local coffee shop.  He had fun, and he did a really good job on his project.  I’m thinking about signing him up for regular classes again since he loves it so much.
598519_10151105189702056_893744373_n
While out shopping last night, Brian and I saw the cutest pair of “elf” pajamas at Old Navy.  They just happened to be Micah’s size, so we scooped them up.  He donned them last night, and I must say…he’s a pretty cute elf.
156724_10151110884537056_1657044938_n
Speaking of elves, our “elf on the shelf”, aka Mr. Jingles, arrived Friday morning.  I must say, he’s gotten a lot more mischievous now that he’s comfortable in our home.  He’s been eating snacks and candy that the boys put in front of him.  I’m currently watching Ebay to find another vintage elf.  Mr. Jingles is actually one that my mom had put in my box of  Christmas decorations when I moved out.  Of course, it wasn’t used as “Elf on the Shelf” back when I was growing up, but when the trend started, I knew exactly where to go.  Smile  Hopefully, he’ll have a friend joining him on his mischievous acts soon.  Smile

Friday, November 16, 2012

Fourth Grade Week 20

We finished up week 20 today, and next week is a break week.  I’m looking forward to the break…time will be spent decorating the house for the holidays and spending time with family.
Bible – Our questions this week were ‘When were the other planets created?’ and ‘If God created the world 6,000 years ago or so, why are stars millions of light years away?’  We read Genesis 1:16, 19; Psalm 19:1 and 36:6 to answer the first question.  We read Psalm 19:1, 50:6, and 147:4; and Isaiah 40:26 to answer the second question.
Math – This week Caleb worked on how many days are in a year, multiplying 10s and 100s mentally; fractions that equal 1; and borrowing across two zeros.
English – This week Caleb worked on diagramming commands, direct quotations, and indirect quotations.  He’s still doing really well with this English program.
Classical Conversations Foundations – This was our last week for the 1st semester, and here’s what we learned.

  • English – prepositions ‘with, within, without’
  • Science – some types of plant systems (photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration)
  • History – the Muslim Empire
  • Math – 3 tsp = 1 Tbsp and 2 Tbsp = 1 fl oz
  • Latin – 5th Declension Noun Endings singular and plural
  • Geography – The Muslim Empire…Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, Damascus, Syria, Tours
  • Timeline – Genghis Khan Rules the Mongols, England’s Magna Carta, Ottoman Empire, Marco Polo’s Journey to China, The Hundred Years’ War and Black Death, The Renaissance, China’s Ming Dynasty
  • Science Experiments – This week we headed up to Dauset Trails for a nature walk and to look at the animals. 
  • Fine Arts – Tin Whistle – This week we learned more about dynamics…piano,forte, mezzo piano, and mezzo piano.
IMG_9922
IMG_9923IMG_9924
IMG_9925
IMG_9926
IMG_9927
IMG_9928IMG_9929
***We have thoroughly enjoyed our first semester of CC, but we are looking forward to a little break.  We’ll be ready to start more CC learning in January.***

Monday, November 12, 2012

Fourth Grade Week 19

We’re done with week 19, and we’re close to a week break.  YEAH!  Here’s how our latest week went…
Bible – Our question this week was “How long were Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before they sinned?”  We read Genesis 1:28, Romans 3:23, and Romans 5:12 for the answer.
Math – This week Caleb worked on ordering decimals; millimeters, tenths of centimeters; add, subtract, or multiply; decimals and place values; and multiplying and carrying.
English – This week Caleb worked on statements and questions, diagramming questions, and commands and exclamations.  He’s still doing really with the Growing with Grammar.  I’m crossing my fingers that it continues.
Classical Conversations Foundations – We finished up Week 11, and we have one more week until we break for the semester.  Here’s what we learned this week…

  • English – prepositions ‘under, underneath, until, up, upon’
  • Science – some parts of a flower
  • History – the Byzantine Empire
  • Math – Cubes (up to 10)
  • Latin – 5th Declension Noun Endings Singular and Plural
  • Geography – Byzantine Empire…Constantinople/Istanbul, Rome, Athens, Ephesus, Antioch
  • Timeline – Norman Conquest and Feudalism in Europe, The Crusades, Zimbabwe and Early Mali in Africa, Aztecs of Mesoamerica, Francis of Assisi and Thomas Aquinas, Japan’s Shoguns, Incas of South America
  • Science Experiment – This week we started working on an animal classification poster.  We will spend time finishing this up at home over the next few weeks.
  • Fine Arts – Tin Whistle – This week we worked on dynamics, crescendo, legato, staccato, and rests.
IMG_9904IMG_9905
IMG_9907
IMG_9909
IMG_9910
IMG_9911IMG_9912

Monday, November 5, 2012

Fourth Grade Week 18

We finished up another week at Childress Academy for Boys.  I am trying my best to keep us on schedule this year, and it’s been much better than years past.  I think having that week off nearly every month help keeps me motivated.  Here’s how Week 18 went for us…
Bible – Our questions this week were ‘Who was Cain’s wife?  Why doesn’t the Bible mention her birth if she was Eve’s baby?’ and ‘Did bumblebees have stingers before Adam and Eve sinned?’  We read Genesis 5:4, 2:24, 20:12, and Leviticus 18:6 for the first question.  We read Romans 8:22 and Genesis 3:8-19 for the second question.
Math – This week Caleb worked on learning about division; counting by eight; division is the opposite of multiplication; multiplying by six; unnecessary numbers in story problems; and decimals on a number line.
English – This week Caleb worked on diagramming compound predicates; combining sentences; two subjects and two predicates; and run-on sentences.  He is still really enjoying the Growing with Grammar.  I’m really hoping that we’ve finally found our “fit” in English.
Classical Conversations Foundations – This week we finished up Week 10.  Here’s what we studied/learned…

  • English – prepositions ‘through, throughout, to, toward’
  • Science – some kinds of leaves and leaf parts
  • History – the Heian Empire
  • Math – squares (up to 15x15)
  • Latin – 4th Declension Noun Endings singular and plural
  • Geography – Japan…Kyoto, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan
  • Timeline – Japan’s Heian Period, Charlemagne Crowned Emperor of Europe, Alfred the Great of England, Erik the Red and Leif Erikkson, Norse Explorers, Vladimir 1 of Kiev, Byzantine Emperor Basil II, East-West Schism of the Church
  • Science Experiments – this week we headed up to Amerson Water Works park in Macon.  The students had a tree identification class, and they were able to collect all kinds of goodies on a nature walk.  Caleb had a BLAST learning about and gathering up goodies from nature.
  • Fine Arts – Tin Whistle – this week we worked on octave, musical scale, sharp, flat, and tempo.  The students are continuing to learn how to play.
IMG_9895
IMG_9896
IMG_9897
IMG_9901IMG_9903
IMG_9898
IMG_9899IMG_9900

Monday, October 29, 2012

Fourth Grade Week 17

We finished up Week 17 last Friday, but again…time got away from me, so I’m just now posting.  Here’s how it went for us…
Bible – Our question was ‘If all that God created was good, how could Satan be bad?’  We read Genesis 1:31, Isaiah 14:13, and James 1:13-15 to find some answers.
Math – This week Caleb worked on what time will it be; numbers in other problems; and decimals can show mixed numbers.
English – This was our 2nd week with Growing with Grammar, and Caleb is STILL enjoying it and grasping all of the concepts.  That’s a HUGE plus for us at this point, and I couldn’t be happier.  He worked on diagramming simple subjects and predicates; compound subjects and predicates; and diagramming compound subjects. 
Classical Conversations Foundations – We finished up Week 9, and here’s what we learned…

  • English – Prepositions ‘outside, over, past, regarding, since.’
  • Science – some parts of a plant (leaves, stem, roots)
  • History – Confucius and Taoism
  • Math – counting by 15s
  • Latin – 4th Declension Noun Endings singular and plural
  • Geography – Eastern Asia…Mongolia, China, Korea, Japan, Yellow Sea
  • Timeline – Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Benedict and Monasticism, Muhammad Founds Islam, Zanj and Early Ghana in Africa, Franks Defeat Muslims at the Battle of Tours, Golden Age of Islam, Vikings Raid and Trade
  • Science Experiments – Due to some upcoming field trips to complete our science task, we switched up science this week.  We used flowers to identify the parts of a flower…stamen, anther, pistil, sepal, and petal.
  • Fine Arts – Tin Whistle – This week we discussed rhythm, time signature, measure, and bar lines.  Caleb seems to really enjoy playing the tin whistle, and he’s doing a great job with it.
IMG_9857
IMG_9855
IMG_9858IMG_9859
IMG_9860IMG_9861
IMG_9862
IMG_9863IMG_9864
On Friday, we joined up with some fellow homeschoolers for some Spooky Science.  We learned about density, chemical reactions, made some slime, etc.  Caleb had a really good time, and I loved the opportunity for him to do some science experiments since we really don’t get around to those at home.
IMG_9877IMG_9881
IMG_9882IMG_9885
IMG_9889IMG_9890
229921_10152246039905160_1688751580_n

 
Blogging tips