Homeschool and Life: Oct. 22-28, 2012

Well, we made it through another week. We are still trying to find our groove around here lately. Everything seems "off" right now. I pray that it will pass soon. Also, we would love your prayers. We are still adjusting to what it means to be a special needs family. Sometimes it's hard, and this past week was difficult for our entire family. It just seemed like every day brought one kind of struggle or another in this area. We press on, though, knowing that God has a plan for us and will give us strength for this journey. Even though it's hard, we will find joy. In that spirit, I'd now like to share our highlights from this week:

Treat of the Week

Baby Girl loves to open & close the entertainment center cabinet & stick her head in the empty space. So funny!

Gotta love a kiss from big sis!

Doodles' sketch of ocean zones

Doodles' North Korea vs. South Korea worksheet

Bug's sketching of a yew tree for his Narnia unit study

Doodles did some painting for a craft idea from her latest issue of American Girl magazine




 



Homeschooling & Life: Oct. 15-19, 2012

Well, full disclosure here: we made it through the week-enough said. With preteen attitude, some meltdowns from Baby Girl, doctors' appointments, and some other matters, I'm just glad to see the weekend. Now, here are some good things from our week that I'd like to recall. Everything else I'd like to just forget!

We took a much needed one-day break.

"If you're happy and you know it...."
When this little girl is happy, it lights up my world!

Bug hams it up a little to have some fun.

My preteen, Doodles, during a good attitude moment.

Baby Girl is already ready for Christmas. She fell in love with this toy at the store-it plays "Low Rider." I couldn't resist buying it for her. She also happens to be wearing last year's Christmas pajamas, too!

Bug's writing and sketching for his Narnia unit study

Thrush drawn by Bug as part of his Narnia unit study

Kingfisher drawn by Bug, also for his Narnia unit study

Doodles' report on explorers who went to Japan

A reason to celebrate: Doodles failed this Latin test a couple of weeks ago, but she worked very hard & studied & retook it...and made an A!

Doodles' science work












 

Homeschooling: Week of Oct. 8-12, 2012

We had a really good week. There was more cooking, and that's usually lots of fun! We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the cooler weather. Doodles continued her study of Japan, while Bug is currently reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for his Narnia unit study. Baby Girl is steadily learning basic concepts and also learning how to communicate her needs. I finished reading Mockingjay, which is the final book in The Hunger Games series. Now I'm looking for the next good book to read. I'd love some suggestions, so feel free to comment.  Here are some of our highlights:

Treat of the week

Bug enjoys his treat of the week.

Baby Girl uses her seesaw to learn about the opposited "up" and "down."

Bug is "turned into stone" by the White Witch (Narnia unit study.)

Bug did some writing assignments for "Narnia" this week.

The giant, turned into stone by the witch; sculpted by Bug.

Illustration of The Armor of God by Bug (Narnia unit study)

Flower sketchings by Bug (Narnia)

More flower sketches by Bug

Additional flower sketches by Bug

Final sketches by Bug

Meal prepared by Bug: fish, bread, potatoes, marmalade roll (Narnia)

Doodles' research sheet for Japan

Doodles drew a puppet to illustrate a scene from our current read-aloud: The Master Puppeteer

Doodles' nature study assignment #1: birds

Doodles' nature study assignment #2: squirrels

Ha, ha!!! I had a little fun with the pizza, Jack-o-Lantern style!





































 

Homeschool Happenings: End Sept.-Begin. Oct. 2012

Here are a few snapshots of the past two weeks. Busy, busy, busy!

Treat of the Week

Doodles made a "pitfall" trap to catch insects as part of her science/nature study work.

Food chain drawn by Doodles

Doodles is currently studying Japan in Sonlight Core F, and she made a Japanese style meal. Here she is chopping mushrooms.

Preparing to eat our Japanese meal according to their traditions

Yummy! Doodles made sukiyaki (meat & vegetable dish), yakinegi (leeks), and daigakuimo (candied sweet potatoes.) We ate with chopsticks, while sitting on the floor at a low table. We had so much fun, and we also learned a lot. The food is wonderful!

Bug made Turkish Delight as part of his Narnia study. Here he is pouring the gelatin into the boiling water.

After cooling the mixture and cutting it into squares, Bug rolls the Turkish Delight in powdered sugar

Homemade Turkish Delight by Bug

A book Bug and I read and a paper he wrote as part of studying bird migration in his Narnia unit study

Bug studies logic as part of his Narnia study.

Bug plays this logic game. It was hard! It took me a while to solve it.

Doodles watches a Japanese puppet show on Youtube.























 

Homeschooling Week: Sept. 17-21, 2012

We had another good week. The children were a bit silly at times (fall fever?), but we managed to stay on task-most of the time-and complete our work. Here's a peek into our week:

"Treat of the Week"

Baby Girl's beeswax crayons-they came with her Oak Meadow Preschool package.

Baby Girl drew "green grass" with her crayons. We've been spending more time outside since the weather is cooler, and she LOVES lying down in the grass and picking it & playing with it.

Doodles watches a video about carnivorous plants as part of science.

The tree Doodles chose to watch throughout the year (for seasonal changes, signs of animals, etc.) as part of her nature study.

Doodles uses the dictionary for a language lessons assignment

Two of Bug's vocabulary words from his Further Up and Further In unit study

Bug watches a video about why we have seasons (also part of his Further Up & Further In study)

Bug and I also read online about different tea times (I was much more interested in this than he was....LOL.)

Not exactly homescool-related, except for the fact that I want to let you know:
Homeschooling moms need...and deserve...breaks! Hubby and I had a date night (kiddos stayed with grandparents) & I bought these thing for myself. I am injecting more FUN into my life, and I'm a better wife & mom because of it.