*****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.*****

Saturday, September 3, 2016

2016-17 School Year Update 2

We just finished up week 5 of the school year, and yep...I've already made curriculum changes.  Funny thing is...these changes came about after the 2nd week of school.  That's one of the biggest perks of homeschooling...if it's not working, you can change direction, curriculum, approach, etc.  You are not confined and stuck to keep trudging through the dreaded choice all school year long.

WHY the change?  Well, after an almost solid two weeks of frustration, from both Micah and myself, I knew something had to give.  School was just not going well, and we had to sit and have several heart-to-hearts.  He shared his thoughts, I shared mine, and together we came up with a solution.

Bible -- instead of using the chosen Bible curriculum I purchased, he expressed that he'd just rather sit and read/listen to the Bible each day.  So, we now use the YouVersion app on his iPad and sit and listen to several chapters each day.  He wanted to start in Genesis and read from the beginning.  ***Caleb soon chose this same approach; however, he is spending 15 minutes reading his Bible daily.***

Math -- this was a tough one.  While he loves math, it wasn't going so well using Time 4 Learning since he was still having to use paper/pencil to solve some of the problems.  After looking at options, I decided to go with Horizons.  Because I want to be sure he's on track and not going to struggle, we went back to the 2nd grade math...yes, it's super easy for him, but I don't think a solid review will hurt him at all.  He'll catch up and be on track soon enough.  I also think, and I've heard from others, that Horizons can be a bit more advanced, so I don't see the issue with him doing 2nd grade math in 3rd grade.  I had to do the same thing with Caleb, and he's better off because of it.

History -- again, this one was going 'ok' with Time 4 Learning, but it just wasn't catching Micah's attention.  I really wasn't sure which approach to take or what to try.  After some careful thought and discussion with other homeschool friends, I ordered Beautiful Feet Early American Primer.  This is a new approach for him and myself as we use real living books to learn about history.  He's also completing a notebook to go along with his studies.

Now that we've implemented these changes, school is going so much better.  Micah has a much better and more compliant attitude, and I'm not ending the day with headaches.  So, it's a win-win for both of us.

Here's a compilation of some of both boys' work over the past three weeks.

Caleb's writing assignments...






Micah's chapter books that he read...


Micah's writing assignment...he had to come up with a funny story...

Micah's history assignments...











Sunday, August 14, 2016

Menu Plan August 14-20, 2016

I have to admit...I did a horrible job with the menu last week.  So many things came up and happened that it got tossed completely out the window.  I think I only cooked one night, and that's just embarrassing.  I'm really hoping that this week will be better.

Here's what's cooking at our house this week...

Sunday -- YOYO
Monday -- Portabello Mushroom Pork Tenderloin, Pasta, Veggies
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Dinner at Church
Thursday -- Frikadellen, Pasta, Veggies
Friday -- Grilled Chicken Sausage, Salad
Saturday -- Chicken Alfredo Skillet, Steamed Broccoli

What's on your menu this week?  How did you fair sticking to your plan last week?

Saturday, August 13, 2016

2016-17 School Year Update 1

We began the 2016-17 school year two weeks ago.  The boys are both doing well, considering.  Caleb's attitude towards his work has greatly improved this year, and he doesn't give me too many problems.  Micah still requires a bit of coercing and convincing, but I'm praying he'll come around soon.  It's neat to hear Caleb encourage him to 'just get the work done'.  LOL!  I guess the past 8 years have made a mark on Caleb, and he's approaching his 9th year of homeschool with an improved attitude and work ethic.

Here are a few pictures of the past two weeks...


Micah on the first day of school, 3rd grade

Caleb on the first day of school, 8th grade

Caleb's writing assignment

Another writing assignment for Caleb

Assignment #3 in writing for Caleb

Micah's creative story for the week

Caleb's 4th writing assignment

Micah read his first chapter book, mostly independently and silently.  


Sunday, August 7, 2016

Menu Plan August 7-13, 2016

Well, there were just a few hiccups to the menu plan last week.  Nothing major, but a few items got pushed down a few weeks due to some last minute plan changes.

Here's what's cooking this week...

Sunday -- Parmesan chicken strips, pasta, veggies
Monday -- Portabello mushroom pork tenderloin, pasta, veggies
Tuesday -- YOYO
Wednesday -- Dinner at church
Thursday -- Frikadellen, pasta, veggies
Friday -- YOYO
Saturday -- Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos, corn, salad

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?  Were you able to stick to your plan last week?

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Menu Plan July 31-August 6, 2016

I have so neglected this blog lately.  Just when I think I've found my blogging groove, I seem to lose it again.  I don't know why...just not feeling it.  Maybe I feel no one reads it anyway, so why bother?!!?  LOL!  Prove me wrong...comment to let me know you're still reading and following along...

With that said, with the start of school next week it's time to get back into a routine.  So, I'm going to try my hand at menu planning again.  We joined Costco last week, and my freezer is stock full of yummy meat choices.  So, I have no excuse not to get my act together, plan a menu, and put a nice, warm meal on the table each night well almost every night.  A mom deserves a few breaks here and there, right?!!?

Here's what's cooking at our house this week...

Sunday -- YOYO
Monday -- grilled pork medallions, pasta, veggies
Tuesday -- grilled filet mignon, salad
Wednesday -- dinner at church
Thursday -- spaghetti, biscuits, salad
Friday -- homemade pizza
Saturday --  parmesan chicken strips, pasta, veggies

What's cooking at YOUR house this week?  What do you do to try to stick to your menu planning?  Any tips you'd like to share?

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear what you've got on your menu this week...so share!


Monday, June 6, 2016

2016-17 Homeschool Curriculum Choices

Even though we have two months off for summer vacation, no time was wasted in making plans for our next homeschool year.  Caleb will be entering 8th grade, and Micah will be entering 3rd grade.  Here are the curriculum choices for the upcoming school year.

Caleb, Eighth Grade
Bible --
Wise Up!  Wisdom in Proverbs
Grammar -- Easy Grammar Ultimate Grade 8
Writing -- Write with the Best; Writing Frames
Literature -- Abeka Grade 8
Math -- Math U See Pre-algebra
History -- Notgrass America the Beautiful
Science -- Master Books Intro to Oceanography and Ecology
Vocabulary -- Vocabulary Cartoons

Micah, Third GradeBible -- Growing with God
English -- Time4Learning
Math -- Time4Learning
Science -- Time4Learning
Social Studies -- Time4Learning
Spelling -- Spelling Classroom Grade 3
Writing -- WriteShop Primary Books B and C
Handwriting -- BJU Grade 3
Reading --reading books of different genres and completing quizzes on Book Adventure

Caleb's new materials will be Bible (which I'm super excited about...using the book of Proverbs to gain wisdom for everyday life), Grammar, Writing, Literature, Math (familiar but we stepped away from MUS a few years back), and Science.  He used the same History and Vocabulary last year.  I'm trying to prep him for high school, so he knows what to expect and isn't shocked or taken aback by the work load he'll be responsible for as he goes up in grade.

Micah is using all familiar curriculum next year.  We are playing math by ear because he doesn't enjoy the animated, cartoonish aspect of Time4Learning; however, I like that it's thorough and easy to navigate for both of us.  I've looked into other computer math programs, which is his preferred style of learning, but none really struck my fancy.  I've assured him that should T4L become 'too babyish', that we'll try to find something comparable.  So, if any of you homeschool moms out there reading this have any suggestions, please send them my way.  It would be greatly appreciated!





Saturday, June 4, 2016

Fun with Friends and Family...

March, April, and May were spent enjoying time with friends, hanging out as a family, and just enjoying life.  Here are some snapshots of all the fun...


Caleb skating with his friend, Wyatt


Fun at the beach with friends after homeschool co-op












Caleb receiving his Presidential Fitness certificate at SAINTS PE




Fun at the dinosaur exhibit at the botanical gardens with homeschool friends




Enjoying Brian's day off...bowling and gun range




Caleb after getting his locks cut


Fishing in the pond in the backyard


Skating with the homeschool Teen Club






Caleb after getting his hair cut just a tad bit shorter

 
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