THMJ week of 9/1/2013

    In my life this week…
Today is my birthday.  Micah took the yahoos out shopping for something mysterious.  Perhaps the salad that Malachi is sure I'd love.  Or the bag of pumpkins or doll book Xav is insistent I need.  Whatever it is, I will love it.  Truth be told, I've enjoyed having these hours to myself to get some cleaning done (but not too much!), do a bit of shopping, and prep for some upcoming projects I am committed to make.

    In our homeschool this week…
We got back to work on Monday with a new schedule.  We are also trying a few new classes. We're using Math U See this year and I've added Mike's Inspiration Station for art.  Xav loved having art and wants to do it every day.  It didn't seem to make much of an impression on Mal, but he actually started giving the people in his usual stick figures much more animated faces right away.  He made pirates with angry faces and and other people with surprised faces.  He took note of expressions in other people's art as well.  I think we are going to like Math U See also.  The video lesson isn't all cartoony and flashy, but it seems to be holding their attention and (hopefully) they are getting the concepts.  Maybe I should make a cardboard box hat to wear during school so I look like I'm on television.

    Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Make a cardboard box hat that makes you appear to be on television.

    Things I’m working on…
Today (Saturday) I cut 30 - 7"x7" fabric squares for a project I'm working on for craft fairs this fall.  As I finish some projects, I'll post pictures.  And if anyone wants to donate a nice handmade item for our sale, I'd be happy to accept it.  Christian Friday School, our homeschool co-op, will benefit from the sale.

    Things Dad is working on...
What isn't Micah working on?  He finished a book shelf for himself, of all people!  He has started work on a tree house, made Xav some vehicles out of scrap wood, put a nice foot bridge over the crick, and made a holz hausen (round wood pile).

    I’m cooking…
I made a quiche this week that turned out wonderfully.  Xav helped bake some bread from a bread book I have had forever and *never* used.  Although, Micah did use it last month for bagels.  Anyhoo, we made a  cottage loaf, which was fun, but it sort of fell over.  That was pretty amusing.

    Out of the mouths of babes... 
Another funny one with Xavier.  I think Xav says most of the funny stuff because he does *by far* the most talking. Merrick may give him some competition for most talkative when he knows more words though!
Mal drew me a picture on the bathroom mirror.  He wrote, "I love Mom." and drew an arrow pointing to me.  Xav had to copy, so he drew a picture of him giving me a gift and hearts were coming out of his head (he said it was love from his brain).  I thanked them and loved them up and sent them to bed.  Later, Micah wrote, "I love Mommy most."  He and Xav have this argument often.  Xav gets furious and is always trying to trick Micah, a la Daffy and Bugs, to admit Xav loves me most.  The next day, when Xav saw what Micah wrote, he huffed off with a small smile on his face, shouting, "This means WAR!"

    I’m grateful for…
Another birthday.  Another year to love on my kids and learn to love them more like Jesus does.  I'm realizing the number that labels my years on earth isn't so important.  I may change my mind when I reach the next milestone year, but I'm not concerning myself much right now.

    I’m praying for…
Grace and love to start overflowing out of me.  Not sure what God will do with that request!

    Something I am ogling or have my eye on…
My next curriculum buy is going to be All About Spelling!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

THMJ Month of August!

    In our homeschool this month…
We took off about 2 1/2 weeks of school in August.  First, there was company, then we left for a week, then we had company again.  That was our whopping big summer break. 
We did spend a few nights under the stars watching the Perseid meteor shower.  Daddy came home one night and busted the boys out of bed.
The Fed-Ex guy dropped off our new math books. I said, "It's our math! The boys are going to be so excited!" And he and I laughed and laughed.

    Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
The boys and I headed to NY to visit all the grandparents for a week and then bring Grandma of the Forest back home with us for a few days.  We went to two beaches and a swimming pool, and a playground with the cousins.  Grandma Char kept some combination or other of two boys (God love her!), so I could go help Grandma Jeannie for a few days.

    My favorite thing this month was…
Watching Merrick play with my nephew Jackson's hamster.  Oh goodness! His giggle was delightful! 

    My kiddos favorite thing this month was…
The Arcade and Attica train ride!  Without a doubt.  Mal was excited prior to boarding, but was quiet for most of the trip.  I thought he was disappointed, but he talks about it all the time and looks forward to taking another train ride.

    Things I’m working on…
Grandma of the Forest painted our living room while she was here.  I helped during Merrick's naptime, but mostly my assignment was to keep him out of trouble.  Hoo Boy!  That kid is all GO!  He is exhausting.  I lost my wall vinyl due to the painting, so now I need a new decoration.

    I’m cooking…
Berry butters (not cooking them actually!), cobblers, some freezer meals for my step-mom, s'mores, my favorite tortilla chip dip of chevre and salsa, canned some jam, froze muffins, and pancakes.  Micah made mozzarella, pizza, and bagels this month.  August was a delicious month!

    Out of the mouths of babes... 
Found a small cache of blackberries (my favorite!) in the yard.  When I realized they were ripe, I went on a hunt to a few known bushes around the yard.  All of them were picked clean.  Xavier stood there rubbing his chin.  "Huh.  All gone.  I *wonder* where all those berries went."  Followed by a maniacal cackle.  Yeah, I wonder too.  Punk.

Another good one (this time in Micah's own words and swiped off his FB page:
So the other day we were painting the living room so I had the television and all the associated accoutrement disconnected and in a pile on a chair. I go into the garage a bit to work on something and Xavier comes out and asks if he can play Hank. (This is Mario Cart on the Wii. I have no idea why they think his name is Hank.) I was about to say no because the TV isn't even there when I decide to be a smart ass.

"Sure Xav, you can go in and play as much as you want!"

He run in all excited and I snicker to myself because I'm evil. About a minute later I feel someone looking at me. I look out of the garage door and see Xavier staring at me through slitted eyes. "What?", I say.

"You're deshpicable." and then he stalks away.
 

    Something I want to try...
I want to try this fun archaeology project I saw on Facebook.  I don't know where it comes from originally.

Dinosaur eggs: 1 1/4 cups dirt, 1 1/4 cups flour, 3/4 cups of salt, 1/2 cup if sand. mix dry ingredients start adding water slowly until it holds form, form around critters of your choice let dry in the sun and let the kids enjoy discovering whats inside.

    I rewarded my kids this week by…
Dad set up the tent in the basement and camped out with them down there a couple of nights.

    A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” Billy Graham