Homeschool and Life: First half of Dec. 2012

Before I start this blog post, I first want to say that my prayers and my heartfelt sympathy go out to the families and others who lost precious loved ones in Friday's tragedy. May God comfort them and give them peace as only He can.

December is truly a whirlwind month for us! In addition to celebrating Christmas, we also have hubby's and my wedding anniversary, Baby Girl's Forever Family Day, and Doodles' birthday. Here are a few snapshots of our life lately:

Hubby and I...fifteen years ago...on our wedding day

My birthday girl and me...she is growing up too fast!

Treat of the Week

Doodles reads a book about to learn about circumference and pi: Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi

Items to demonstrate that circumference is equal to the diameter multiplied by pi

Measuring diameter, and then....

measuring circumference

Doodles, while reading Mission to Cathay in Sonlight Core F, became interested in learning more about Chinese festivals, so she did some online research.

Huge black wolf spider in our backyard. Doodles found it...nice for nature study!

Our 2012 gingerbread house

Homemade Santa & reindeer truffles

Ornament that Baby Girl and I made at our homeschool co-op's Christmas party

Baby Girl's new favorite spot: Daddy & Mama's bed!

Goodwill finds for *me*

Goodwill finds for *Doodles*

Baby Girl sneaks some sugar cookie dough.

Doodles' completed origami projects, also part of Sonlight Core F

Doodles' nature study entry about two different types of beaks

Bug and I do online research to learn about deserts as part of his Chronicles of Narnia unit study

Bug uses the iPad to research cypress trees to add to his plant journal, also a part of his Narnia unit study.





































 

Homeschooling and Life: Week of Nov. 26-Dec. 1, 2012

We have had another good week. We are transitioning into that busy time of the year, but we will still get some schooling done. We will also take a break for Christmas, but that will be a few weeks away. For now, we are in full school mode! Doodles is still learning about China in Sonlight Core F and enjoying weekly nature studies. Bug is still enjoying his Narnia unit study, which has led us to several great topics this week: the Ottoman Empire, life after death, the seven ancient wonders of the world, and the seven natural wonders of the world...just to name a few. Baby Girl is learning to count and also learning her colors using M&M's, which are her absolute favorite candy!  Also, we have done our Christmas decorating. Baby Girl is having a blast getting into the decorations! And, speaking of Christmas, I've also included a couple of low carb desserts I made for Thanksgiving. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean I will slip in my low carb lifestyle! So, with a little bit of everything, here are some moments from this week:

Treat of the week

Doodles' nature study sheet: picture of the month for November

Baby Girl took some lights off the Christmas tree

Christmas Tree 2012

Nutcracker Collection...hoping to get more this year!

First three presents under the tree...all for hubby! :)

Baby Girl and Daddy...worn out after a long day

This is a delicous low carb dessert I made: French Silk Pie

And this is another low carb dessert I made: pumpkin cheesecake

















































































 

Homeschooling and Life: Nov. 19-24, 2012

We had another good week and a nice Thanksgiving. We just spent a relaxed Thanksgiving day at home with just "us," which was very peaceful. We had a delicious meal, and then we decorated for Christmas. The only thing missing was my oldest son and his wife. They are in Hawaii, where he is currently stationed. This will mark the third year in a row that he hasn't been home for the holidays. It is one of the sacrifices that military families make. I am so proud of him, but sometimes it is so hard to be apart! That being said, however, it is important to focus on our many blessings. Here are just a few:

Treat of the Week

Doodles used this set as part of her Sonlight Core F studies

Doodles wrote these and hung them in her room.

Doodles' nature study page

Bug and I enjoyed several great discussions as part of his Narnia unit study, Further Up and Further In. I am so glad we found this study. It is really wonderful!

Snapped this shot on a nature walk...can you spot the yellow butterfly?

My sweet hubby and Bug, getting in some exercise...I love these guys!

After Thanksgiving meal nap...does it get any sweeter than this? Daddy and Baby Girl :)























 

Homeschool and Life: Nov. 12-17, 2012

We had another good week. Yay!!! Baby Girl is continuing to do much better, which is wonderful. Doodles has had a good attitude (praying that continues), and she is really enjoying learning about China--her little sister's birth country! Bug is still enjoying his school year. I am so glad we chose this Chronicles of Narnia unit study for him. I highly recommend it! We've done some baking this week, too...plus I treated myself to some sugar free goodies. Now we are looking forward to a little Thanksgiving break! Here are some of our moments from the past week:

Treat of the Week

Buttermilk pie that I made for the family...NOT low carb friendly, so I didn't eat it

But I did use these in my coffee...YUMMY!!!

Doodles' new nature study book

Doodles picture of nature: look closely & you can see two squirrels

Doodles second nature pic: bug on the side of our house

Doodles researches Chinese art

One of Doodles' China research pages

Another of Doodle's China research pages (this one is about Confucius)

Bug stayed up late to draw football plays...he is his father's son!

Bug works on area and perfect squares, as well as multiplication facts

Bug studied horses this week as part of his Narnia unit study. We started reading The Horse and His Boy this week.

Bug painted a scence from The Horse and His Boy

And Doodles got an early Christmas present!