More than I Thought

This past week or so has been so busy. There were times when I wasn't sure if we were coming or going! Last Tuesday (Sept. 14) Mark and Austin went with Mark's dad and brother to the Astros game. They had a lot of fun on their guy night; Austin was given a foul ball by an Astros staff member, which made his day. He also got his baseball glove autographed by one of the pitchers.

My oh-so-handsome-boys!!!!

While the boys enjoyed their guys night, Abi and I enjoyed some much needed bonding time! Girls night started at gymnastics practice, then to dinner for two at Texas Roadhouse Grill, then we went to Bath and Bodyworks for some smelly treats, then to Target and Famous footwear- Abi tried on all kinds of shoes- we just went from store to store in the shopping center!!! She talked about it for days afterwards!

 Abi touching a cactus at dinner to show that it was fake!

Me and Abi at Bath and Body, after treating ourselves!

Some of the crazy shoes Abi tried on!

 Gymnastics week 2, in the special leotard we be-dazzled together!

Austin also started his Anatomy and Physiology class last Thursday (Sept. 16). He came home super excited about the things he learned and about what he was going to be learning. This was the product of his first lesson:  a CAKE, decorated and labeled like a cell. The family sure enjoyed his lesson also!  Even better, he remembered all of the parts of the cell. 

Austin's cell

This past Monday (Sept 20) the kids and I decided we were in the mood for some pumpkin cheesecake. So, I brought out my recipe and let the kids go through the ingredients to see what we had and what we needed to get from the store. Austin was in charge of wet ingredients and Abi was in charge of dry ingredients. Each made a shopping list, and were responsible for making sure we got the items at the grocery store. Both Austin and Abi each made their own:

DOUBLE LAYERED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

1 8oz fat free cream cheese

1 8oz regular cream cheese

1/2 cup splenda

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch cloves

pinch nutmeg

frozen or homemade pie crust

fat free whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350. Mix cream cheese, splenda, and vanilla until creamed evenly together. Add eggs one at a time. Scoop out a cup of mixture and spread in the bottom of pie crust. Mix pumpkin and spices into remaining mixture in the bowl with spatula. Spread pumpkin mixture evenly on the first mixture. Bake for 30-40 minutes (cover pie crust edges with foil for first 25 minutes to prevent burning). Cool to room temp, then refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Add whipped cream before serving.

Austin and Abi with their game faces

This past Thursday Austin had his second A&P class, they started the skeletal system. His teacher brought a plastic skeleton named Fred. Austin and Cameron made their very own Fred Jr. Another successful class!!!

Austin and Fred Jr.

We also made blue goo for our science experiment.

Today, Friday (Sept 24) was our first Co-op experience. The kids and I were both nervous about the whole adventure, but we registered and put our best attitude forward. We were all glad that we did. Each of us had a great time. Austin is taking 3 classes: Little House in the Big Woods unit study, US Geography, and Elementary Science Experiments. Abi is also taking 3 classes: Hands-on math, Little House in the Big Woods unit study, and Children's choir. I am assisting in two classes: US Geography and Creative Crafts. Austin actually woke up very grumpy because he didn't even want to go. At the end of the day, Austin was running down the hall in excitement to tell me about all the cool things he did. They made butter in the LHitBW unit study and blew up balloon by mixing ingredients and making a gas in the science experiment class. Needless to say, we will be returning next week. We certainly enjoyed it a lot more that we thought we would.

Science on Tap

Well, don't be too disappointed, but this post isn't entirely about our science projects. But we have done one more experiment that we wanted to share with everyone. This, in my opinion, has been the coolest one so far. Supplies needed:

wide dish or sink (must be clean, soap and dirt free- we used an 9 x 13 baking dish)

dish liquid

index card

scissors

Cut the index card into the shape of a boat, pointed tip with a flat bottom. Cut a 1 inch square in the center of the flat bottom. The following video shows the whole experiment:

Pretty neat, huh?

Also on tap for school today was a craft for our maple syrup study. We have been learning some pretty neat things about how maple syrup is made and even more about where maple syrup is made. Austin and I have decided that we really want to visit Vermont in the spring when they have their maple syrup festival! We made 3D maple trees.

our supplies: maple leaf confetti and brown pipe cleaners

twist 8 pipe cleaners together, and then spread the ends like branches

we used hot glue to attach the leaves

the finished product, cute, right?

We must have felt crafty today. After finishing our maple trees, we made 'Halloween cards' for our pen pals Jonah and Jillian. I cut all of the card stock paper but the kids did everything else.

Falling into Place

I was skeptical before beginning this journey into homeschooling. Mostly because there are people in my life that rain on my parade from time to time (and sometimes even daily) by stating their disagreement with my decision to HS; which, in turn makes me question my ability to do so. I have learned to take each statement of criticism in stride as I press on with my plan to teach my children to be contributing and morally graceful members of society. It comes in baby steps though. Each new day there is a new challenge. Lately, Austin has doubted his intellegence. He even said one day, "I am not as smart as I thought. My brain is already full, I don't think I can fit anymore stuff in it." That was followed by a melt down and complaining that his math assignment was too hard. I let him take a break to go play with his legos for a while. I talked to him while he played and told him that his attitude about the work will make all of the difference. If he begins the lesson thinking that it will be too hard, then it will be. However, if he goes into the assignment thinking, 'I got this' then he would be surprised by what he would find. Today I saw I think a little glimpse of what God means when He says, 'the Faith of a child'. Austin is wearing his shirt that says the verse Phillipians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'. He began his day saying that today his work was going to be easy because God is where his strength comes from. Amazing.

I make it a goal each week to do at least one science project. This week our project is 'String of Spikes', taken from our $1 book that I purchased at Target. This experiment references the 'Grow a Gummy Bear' experiment while discussing osmosis. Items needed are:

• two plastic cups
• water
• baking soda (2 tablespoons)
• 1 12inch piece of cotton string

Fill each plastic cup with water and then add a a tablespoon of baking soda to each cup.

 Then dip each end of the string into each cup. The string is supposed to grow spikes after two days.

We are still waiting to see what is going to happen. This worksheet has a spot for the child to draw a before and after picture.

Tuesday was Abi's first gymnastics practice. Her first response once running off the mats was, "Mommy, I had so much fun, do I get to come back tomorrow?!" She did a really good job focusing on her coaches instructions. She looked so cute out there, attempting to do jump-n-jacks alongside the other equally uncoordinated girls! Even though her practice wasn't until the afternoon, she had her leotard on 3 hours before we even needed to think about leaving!

me and Abi before practice

Abi outside the gymnastics place

Abi waiting to start her practice

stretching

Abi about to start the bars

All in all, it seems as though our schedule is working out and starting to fall into place.

Growing Gummy Bears

It's only Tuesday, and this week has been nuts! We are adding a new activity into the rotation this week, we've been adding things one at a time since we started school. Our regular library day is on Wednesday mornings and we have small group on Thursday evenings. Last week we added AWANA back into the mix of things on Wednesday nights. This week we will be adding a Bible Study for me/childcare for the AJB's on Wednesday mornings. Next week I anticipate adding Gymnastics for Abi on Tuesday evenings, and then the following week adding a Co-Op class (Anatomy and Physiology- includes 7 dissections) for Austin on Thursday mornings. Sometime in October, both Austin and Abi will be taking Co-Op classes (not sure what subject yet) on Friday mornings. Not to mention that Austin will be playing baseball this fall as well! So, to sum up...we're gettin' real busy around here! I have to admit it though, I like being busy! I HATE being idle, that's when too much negative stuff gets in my brain and everything goes south!

This week our science project was to 'Grow a Gummy Bear'! The kids were so stoked about this one because they got to eat the rest of the bag of gummy bears. I guess it's the little things in life, right?! This was the experiment:

Items needed: glass of water, 1 gummy bear, ruler

getting started!

Measure the gummy bear's length and width, then trace it. Drop it into a glass of water overnight. Then measure the gummy bear again.

Austin tracing his gummy bear

Drop the gummy bear into the glass of water and let it sit over night. (Austin and Abi frequently checked on their bear to see what was happening)

Wonder what's gonna happen?

After letting them sit over night, pull them out of the water and measure them again. Guess what happens! They grow! Austin's gummy bear started off being 1 cm x 2 cm and grew to be 1.25 cm x 2.5 cm. Very cute experiment...the kids even thought so too!

Right now we are briefly going over the states and their capitols. Each week we have a new state and check out a couple of books about that state at the library. We locate it on our map:

World and US maps

We learn each state's nickname, state flower, and state bird. We are also practicing labeling a blank map of the US and then making a map key for each individual state map.

The states we have tackled so far are: Texas (OF COURSE!), New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Other than Texas, all of the states will fit nicely into the unit study about maple syrup. I have reserved several books from the library that will also fit into the unit study, just waiting on them to come it.

Abi is going to be an entertainer, I just know it. She does some of the the goofiest things just because...well...she's Abi! At the beginning of the year, I put together a pencil bag for both her and Austin. I put pencils, pens, crayons, highlighters, and erasers into their bags and then placed them in the front of their binders.

Well, I guess that just wasn't working for Abi. I noticed that she has personalized her area of the table:

All of her items that were once in her bag are now in a PINK tin pail!

I mentioned last week that Abi also found a solution to her dislike of reading, she has been acting her stories out. This week she found new entertainment...a purple pointer finger.

Austin has been reading a book series called, "Dragon Slayers Academy". He came downstairs last night and said, "On the bright side of things, mommy, I just learned how to speak pig latin from my book." So, apparently, he has been working on a second language and I didn't even know it!

Other funny stories that happened this week:

* I woke up this morning to Austin and Abi playing hockey in the kitchen. They were using their house slippers as skates (gliding across the floor), stacked paper towel rolls for sticks, and an empty tissue box for a puck!

* On Saturday, a conversation between Mark, Austin, and Abi went like this-

Austin: "Abi why did you eat my jello?"

 Mark: "Yeah Abi, why did you steal his jello?"

Abi: "I didn't steal his jello, I simply took it."

And that pretty much wraps up this blog. Stay tuned for more crazy things my kids do!

Week 2 is DONE!

Week 2 of homeschooling is done. We started the week off with sitting at the bus stop to see all of the neighbor kids off to school. Austin also went out every morning to play soccer with his buddies.

Austin, his best bud, Alex, and Abi

What a recess! Monday afternoon was beautiful. After all our school work was done, we headed out and the kids played in the sprinkler with the neighbors that live across the street, that are also home schooled.  

Abi, Austin and Blake

This week was a lot tougher for Abi than last week. She has been getting bored when it comes to reading. She managed to solve the problem on her own by reading her stories aloud while acting them out.

Abi doing her work

Or, she doodles and decorates the pictures.

She decorated the bat with a flower instead of writing the word

Austin pretty much breezes through everything with no problems. One morning, I wanted to shower before we got started; Austin not only finished his grammar on his own, he read Abi's directions to her for her math, and began his math. Austin has mentioned that he misses 'the easy' work from school. That means that I am challenging him, right? Well, he has managed just fine...so, no worries about it just yet.

Austin with his gangster look!

Austin has the same ability as Mark to make me laugh. He is always being silly! This time he found Mark's basketball pants...

Austin with style!!!

What a Week!!

What a week, and I mean that in the best way possible! It has only been a week and I can see a difference in Austin's and Abi's attitudes, mainly in Abi's attitude. While this week has been getting the kids back in the swing of reading and writing, they have learned a few new things too. In our study to learn about maple syrup, we started with learning about the state of New Hampshire. We checked out a few books on the state during our trip to the library on Wednesday (our official library day). 

Austin, at the library, waiting patiently for his turn at a computer

Abi, at the library, waiting patiently for Austin to finish his turn at the computer so we could go home and eat lunch!!!!

Each morning the kids wake up with excitement to see what progress their celery has made. When they notice a difference, they literally jump for joy!

Abi's celery stalk

LOOK!!! IT WORKED, IT WORKED!!!

I picked this workbook up from Target in their $1 bin

We even braved the outdoors this week. It helps that it rained the day before, so the heat and humidity were not as bad as usual. In the shade it was quite nice, and there was even a tiny breeze at time!

Abi laying "like a tiger" in the grass

Austin telling me he wanted to take a picture with me, not by himself

Me and my pumpkin!!!

I Survived Day 1

That is right ladies and gentlemen, I survived day one of homeschooling! I admit it, last night I was overcome with anxiety just thinking of Abi asking me, "why do I have to read, I don't like to read!" It didn't end up being as difficult as I anticipated at all. Both Austin and Abi have several subjects that we will be covering each day. I will be making an excel spreadsheet on Sundays with what they are to do for each subject each day. I don't care what order they do it in, as long as they get it all done.

Austin is old enough that for reading he can just sit in his room and read alone, but Abi and I are working on reading aloud and comprehension. She read a story that I found at this awesome website!!!  Both kids have grammar worksheets, Austin is learning about prepositions and Abi is learning about nouns. Abi also has phonics that she works on through a workbook called 'Explode the Code'. She said it was easy and breezed right through it!

Both Austin and Abi have math workbooks (Austin is using Bob Jones and Abi is using Saxon) which was their subjects that both chose to start with this morning.

We are doing a unit study about maple syrup that is more geared towards science and social studies, but encompasses all subjects at one point. I found the study on another helpful website. Our science project this week (since we are learning about how a maple tree uses its sap to feed the tree) is the classic celery and food coloring project. Austin and Abi chose the colors they wanted to use, and will be observing their celery for the next week. We are going to be focusing on the area where maple sap is used to make maple sugar, the New England area; so, we began a map of the US that we will add to throughout the year and one specifically of New Hampshire. We listed facts of New Hampshire, and then we looked at pics of the state bird and flower. We also practiced our writing by writing a card to our pen pals, the Northerns. We decorated them ourselves! It was a really an awesome first day!!

 I was also able to show Austin a little about Microsoft Word and how to type/print...we will build on that!

getting started

Our first science project

Me and Austin attempting to put together a shelf...we will be letting daddy do that!

Abi's card to Jillian

Austin's card to Jonah