One Mother's Homeschool Days and so much more

January-March 2014

Where has the time gone.  I cannot believe how little time I have to blog.  I enjoy blogging but only when it's convenient rather than MAKE time for it in the past.  Plus I love looking back and be able to see where we were and how my family has grown and changed over the months and years.  The year 2014 has been full of life and I, along with my family are trying to enjoy each and every moment!

Our academic journey

2014 brings a new year for our homeschool.  This year I am schooling 7 children.  Our son will graduate this year and we have been blessed to add our niece Mauriela to our home, family, and our homeschool.  She fits in perfectly with my 5 girls.  And she is moving along very well with her cousins. And I'm sure that when the school year is over we will be sad to see her go.  However, there is a very big possibility of her return for her next year.  Back to academics.  We are keeping quite busy with 3 of the girls doing Sonlight, and 3 of the girls doing a more eclectic version of learning which includes ambleside online and memoria press! and LOTS of books from the library.  But neither is without our favorite tool for learning - our learning journals or common place books.  Here I am sharing some photos from some of their work.

My younger girls mapped out a route for a 'mock' trip.  We printed a road map of the state of Wisconsin and they located our city, then they chose a city they'd like to 'visit' and mapped out the closest route. They said though that the coolest thing about learning map work is learning that from East to West all major highways are an even number and all major highways from North to South are even numbers.  Fun little tidbits to know!

Here are a few from my older girls.  I love seeing the creativity that comes from each of them through their journals.  They are all so different and yet the same.  Full of fun and interesting learning.

Janai preparing a keyed map of earthquake zones.

I really enjoyed our study of the Netherlands.  The internet and the library are full of wonderful information.  Youtube has an incredible amount of videos on HOW the dikes work and how they are made.  Not to mention how windmills used to be used to divert the water and how they pulled it off. Very cool stuff. 

Here are some examples of my youngest girls' entries into their journals.

Mary's earthquake zones map.  We found a really neat printable online and they choose the colors of their choice to key in geographical areas.

Goals and or Ideas...With the addition of our niece coming in our home we have enjoyed redoing the girls' room.  We found really cool bunk beds online and they work perfectly for all 6 of the girls.  We ended up purchasing a full on full and one twin over twin.  The girls love them and are always switching up their sleeping areas with each other.  One would think having 6 girls in one room would be crazy but with ALL clothing downstairs in the laundry room and a walk in closet for all their "junk" it only leaves the beds and a table in their room with plenty of space left over.

I really enjoyed…Our small taste of spring.  Next week we are expecting cold weather again.  It's been a reeeeeally long winter.

Activities...I wrote a while ago that we were hoping to join the YMCA.  Well we did and we are really enjoying our visits there.  It's about 20 miles away so our days there are limited to only two or three times a week!  With such a long winter this year the swimming pool has been a huge hit to give the kids something to do.

What mother is wondering/thinking about...

 My favorite "Kids Talk Moment" When my daughter asked me if her puppy Saphira will go to heaven and will she see her ever again!  I love the sweet faith of a child.

What's cooking...Bread!!!  Every single night I begin soaking my whole grain flour in apple cider vinegar, butter, and milk and the next morning I add the remaining ingredients.  It's not unusual for me to make our own bread but these days I have an "extra fun" toy to make it even more enjoyable.  Last month I was very blessed to be able to purchase a Nutrimill grinder.  It is fabulous.  So much quieter and more efficient than my older one.  It's definitely one of the best ones on the market.

The simple life…Fresh whole grain flour, reading, writing, & arithmetic! I love the basics! Quite often, less simply is more.

Living with gratitude...As the photos clearly show we will be adding two babies into our family this year.  We are so very excited for Robyn and Luke, and Christie and Jeff as they each bring their first babies into the world.  Such huge blessings to say the least.

Robyn and Luke are expecting a girl in April

Jeff and Christie are expecting a boy in July

Favorite "Life with Kids Moment"

Walking through the room to go to the kitchen I said to Kaydee, "Good job Kaydee, you are really flexible."  Upon entering the kitchen I saw Kaydee stirring the oatmeal on the stove!  I stopped in my tracks, turned around and said, "Oh, Emma that was you.  Great job on your flexibility."  I love having TWINS!!!

What Mother is reading

Here is a short description from amazon.  Click on the link below to read more.  It really is an enjoyable read and very informative.

Free Range Learning presents eye-opening data about the meaning and importance of natural learning. This data-from neurologists, child development specialists, anthropologists, educators, historians and business innovators-turns many current assumptions about school-based education upside down. The book's factual approach is balanced by quotes and stories from over 100...to read more about Free Range Learning go HERE

Some photos to share.  I've said it a million times.  I love looking at their faces and seeing the interest they show while reading a good book or having an interesting conservation.  They engage themselves fully and it makes me feel like I'm doing my job.  The job I've assigned to myself years ago -  to give them the gift of loving to learn.  Not just 'doing something' because they have to but because they want to.  And of course it helps a ton when the work they are required to do is interesting and not boring and dry.

Some random pics from our "school days"

Tips or advice.  My kids love the library.  We always have.  But what I love is watching my kids choose what interests them.  Of course they have their "required" assignments of reading and study but seeing them in their element is what brings my joy.  Joy in knowing they are pursuing their loves and interests.  Not just with books.  But life in general.  Then I try to feed that passion if I can.  

While I'm speaking of books!  I love using whole, living books to learn from.  The stories are enjoyed while at the same time facts are learned.  And having them journal their reading and learning is the icing on the cake.  Truly brings home a lesson.

Pictured below are a pile of books belonging to my 13 year old daughter.  She is really, really interested in midwifery!  That's what makes being a parent fun.  Is watching their children grow into themselves through their loves and passions.  And a plus is that through homeschooling they also have the benefit of time on their side.  It's so great that they finish their assignments in good time because then they have the time to pursue their own interests and passions and don't have to worry about keeping up with dead lines and assignments from outside sources. 

Praying for...My kids as they work through our loss.  How do I even express the sorrow and sadness of our last weekend.  Our sweet puppy was caught in a trap near our home.  We were hoping that it was one of those things where the vet would clean her up and send her home but we were sadly mistaken.  The end result was we had to put her down.  My heart was broken for our puppy and especially so for my kids.  They were so attached to Saphira and our weekend was full of more tears, hugs, and cuddles than we've ever had before.

A couple kids got up early the next morning and this photo pretty much shows how our weekend was spent.  The girls especially just wanted/needed to be held.  It's Tuesday and and we are just now starting to see things turn around with them.  It was a very difficult time!  Saphira will be extremely missed.  She was basically our first dog so she was much loved.

We snapped a photo of Saphira on the way to the vet.  She was so calm.  Poor little thing.

One Mother's Homeschool Days

For the months of January/February 2013

What's happening in my life these days...Keeping busy with school, play, home, kids, and husband. Daddy had knee surgery this month and will be out of work for a while and on crutches. He has been jumping in on our daily routine.  Reading to the kids, doing math,  playing games or just whatever they come up with! The kids love having him around sharing in their lessons each day.  

Our academic journey...

We are in our 8th week of Sonlight I can't say it enough how much it has 'saved' me! In regards to time, brain energy, and scheduling.  The kids know full well each day what is required of them. No more waiting on mom to round up each child's schedule or hand out particular assignments.  I wake up, have a green smoothie, exercise, shower, and make breakfast before eyes have popped open.  I sit and read to them while they are having breakfast. Then while the clean up is happening I am able to thumb through their Instructors Guide and see what we have for the day.  So nice.  

Mornings are so much quieter and more productive.

Love it!

Tips or Advice-Don't cry over spilled milk when it comes to our kids.  They grow up way to fast and suddenly there will be no 'milk' to cry over. 

Goals and aspirations-We are setting a financial goal to hopefully join the YMCA this month and take some classes.  Our kids will love it.

Activities-The girls are working on a very special art project.  I will reveal it when they have completed it!

I really enjoyed-Playing with my family in the snow, then coming into a warm home and enjoying hot cocoa with them! With whipped cream of course!

My projects/ideas/goals-I got the wii zumba core for Christmas and my goals are to have all the dances learned by summer.  So far I am enjoying 8 of them by heart.  Love it!

What I've been reading-American Sniper by Navy Seal Chris Kyle.  Excellent book by an awesome man.  It was a sad day to hear of his passing earlier this month.

and cooking-Sloppy Joe's.  Something we've not made for a few years.  I don't know why either.  My kids love them!

and wondering/thinking about-Thinking out loud these days is......I need a kids fix.  Meaning, what I wouldn't give for a long road trip to visit my loves in Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho! Sometimes, Skype, texting, phone calls and email just isn't enough! Now I'm wondering how I can pull it all off!

Favorite quote-"Where you have the most armed citizens in America, you have the lowest violent crime rate.  Where you have the worst gun control, you have the highest crime rate."-Ted Nugent

Living with gratitude-I am so thankful for my family.  They mean everything in the world to me.

Praying for-The Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and lead each and every one of my children. I know and believe that as long as we stay close to the Lord He will direct our every footstep and lead us into His will where only true happiness and joy can be found.

Things my kids have said that made me giggle/smile-The girls were asking me if I would let them get married when they are only 15, or 13,or 12 even.  Of  course not I told them; I am not going to let you get married at all.  I've had enough girls get married and now we are all done with weddings!!! (of course we are only kidding, but at the same time we are not ready to lose anymore daughters anytime soon!) Moving on.....I left the room and I heard one of the girls say to the others, "Don't worry everyone, when we are older mom and dad won't want us anymore.  We will get married then!"

Highlights of my month...

Grandbaby number 6 is making him/herself known.  Daughter-in-law Heather showing us a peek at the growing blessing.  Vance and Heather's baby number three will join our family some time in August!

Gregg's book must be quite interesting to Emma because I see her reading as much as he does. Hang on there little lady, only 2 more years and you can have it!

Anytime Mary sees me in the kitchen she runs for her apron and begs to help me. How blessed I am.

When the kids wake up in the night with a bad dream there is only one place they care to be: snuggled up tight right next to mama's arm.

One of my little princess's learned how to curtsey and does it all day long now!

Someone forgot to wipe the excess chocolate from their faces!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

For the week of Feb. 13 - Feb. 17th, 2012

In my life this week....I have had more time to read to the kids than normal and I am really enjoying it. I have been enjoying this even more than reading books I am personally interested in. I sometimes struggle with staying focused and on track with all the things on my plate but as of late I have been praying for more focus and I'm seeing the fruits of those prayers everyday. In the end there is only so much that matters and that is the time I spend with my kids; in reading to them, taking time to train them, instruct them in their homeschool lessons, having quality chat time, and enjoying doing activities together. There can be so many distractions that take us away from our families and I have been determined to fine tune my attention to the best of my ability towards home and hearth.

In our homeschool this week....I'm proud to say that I actually got some handicraft projects incorporated into our days. I should rephrase that - A handicraft project!

We had 5 of them but one must have taken up legs and walked off!

A peek at our classical writing class. The model looks a bit rough around the edges but much work goes into these! We identify all of the parts of speech throughout the week by circling, underlining, checking, etc. Each week we focus on a different Aesop's Fable as our model to analyze. We cover vocabulary, spelling, dictation, copywork, parts of speech, elocution as each child reads aloud their model and we go on to discuss the fable in depth and talk about how we can apply it to our own lives. Each of the children has their own copy to "mess up." On the right Janai colored her picture of Abraham from out lesson in Christian Studies.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice....Here's a 'tip' for a couple of the very best artsy type books I have found. They are full to the brim with awesome ideas.

I am inspired by....My daughter Christie and her resolute faith in the Lord. She prays, she patiently waits and listens, then moves forward with a clear mind resolved to do the will of the Lord in her life! Something I am always foggy on. Waiting, hearing, knowing for sure.........

Places we're going and people we're seeing....This statement gets me every time! I'm sure every time I post my Homeschool Mother's Journal it will always stay the same. - Staying home! (Does the grocery store and church count as places we are going?)!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite thing this week was....Watching 4 of my kids sweating it out with Jillian Michaels. Typically, only the boys workout but since they finished with P90X they've wanted to try something new so they started doing Jillian's workouts. The girls decided they'd jump in just for the fun.

What's working/not working for us....Setting aside ALL movie time until after dinner has been helping us a ton. We only have the abilities to watch movies of our choice which is great but not when one child finishes with their school and decides to watch a movie. That always interferes with the other kids. Just knowing there is a movie on somewhere creates a loss of attention. Even though the movie is on in another room. So now, NO movies until all school and chores are DONE!

Questions/thoughts I have....This one just kills me!! It's a new twist on the same ole story of trying to get a new roll of toilet paper changed out once one is empty. Around here we have a certain someone, or someones, not sure yet on the who is doing it. What happens is that once the roll is empty, the cardboard roll gets taken off and thrown away but then they put the holder back into place before putting another roll on it. And yes, 99% of the time there are fresh rolls on the shelf which sits right next to the holder. Yep, this one has me baffled for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I'm working on....Making sure the motorcycle gets out of my dining room and doesn't return! Our son's new toy just could not possibly spend it's first night outside in the cold! He told me I was a being a good trooper to let him have the opportunity to sit and look at it without freezing his little b*m off outdoors! And of course everyone HAD to sit on it! I would like to add - First there is NO carpet in our house! Second, eons ago when hubby and I were first married and had 2 small children we lived on the bottom floor of a condo in Colorado. He bought a motorcycle and just couldn't bear leaving it outside all winter with no garage or anything and he brought it indoors. (after MUCH discussion, coaxing, and buttering up to me!) We had a second bathroom that was never used since our children were so small and one in diapers as well and I guess I really didn't see what it would hurt. You know what they say?The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

I'm cooking/baking....Need I say more?

I'm grateful for....The latest small snowfall. We've not gotten nearly as much as we have in winters past and I worry about ground water come spring. We've still not had one day of sledding as the shortage of snow has made it impossible.

I'm praying for....Faith

A photo or quote to share - William Penn told the Russian Czar, Peter the Great, that "if thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him." Penn also said that "those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

I've always loved this picture of oldest daughter and baby number 11

One Mother's Homeschool Days

For the week of February 6-10, 2012

In my life this week....I am continuing with a determined focus to wrap up our lessons by April before leaving for CO.

In our homeschool this week....I think our favorite subject has been Classical Studies where we are reading through D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths and using our Memoria Press study guide to further our knowledge on the ways, ideas, and beliefs of the Greek culture. By using it alongside our Memoria Press Christian Studies we are able to contrast reality from myth by paralleling two totally different forms of belief.

Sharing a sampling of our learning journal/commonplace book pages

Five different drawings by five different hands of a Compass Rose complete with definitions!

Above-Kaydee's drawing of the Self Portrait of Henri Matisse

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share....I have found through the years that making a conscious effort to stay home on the weekdays has brought many blessings to our homeschool. Our schedule stays on track, the kids keep focused, and our home just runs better all around when I make it a point to minimize outside activities!

I am inspired by....The strength of a very good friend who just this week began treatment for cancer. She and her husband are amazing examples of faith, patience, endurance, and a deep love for the Lord.

Places we're going and people we're seeing....Taking Robyn to the Milwaukee airport so she can fly to Colorado for a week and have her talented photographer sister take her engagement photos. She'll get to see her Luke after several weeks of being apart and she is extremely excited about it.

My favorite thing this week was....The joy that fills my heart when I see the kids spending "quality" time together!

What's working/not working for us....family lesson times are working great. I love the all the interaction the children get with each other and with me! Running a one room school house is awesome! It is amazing how it builds relationships with one another in a positive way. (most of the time!)

Questions/thoughts I have....Why my boys; when walking with their sisters naturally navigate to the outside of them! They do this all the time but this time I had my phone to capture the sweetness of these self proclaimed body guards!

Things I'm working on....With the help of my girls I am trying to do much better at utilizing coupons!

I'm reading....

I'm cooking/baking....Extremely cheesy, homemade pizza!

I'm grateful for....Grace

Grace - Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from Him. (1828 Dictionary of the English Language)

I'm praying for....My friend K, that the Lord would bless her with ALL the blessings she needs and desires to help her through her trial of sickness.

A video, and quote to share....

"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable" ~ Jillian Michaels

Daddy/daughter sing along!