Major Homeschool Project: #2

A long time ago, like back at the beginning of the year, I started a journey of doing "fun things" that tied in to our lessons... remember the archaeological dig?  Back in August?  Well, we kind of got side tracked when we really got into the swing... and then there was the baby that I had in October - which really threw me off.  I seemed to get into the "check it off the list" mode, instead of the - this is really fun to do and they are still learning mode.

BUT now we are back!  Last week while learning about Crete we also learned about an island that was inhabited called Thera.  Thera was a volcanic island... obviously, the people had to leave when the volcano began to erupt.  The people living on Crete left also because the two were so close together.  Crete was covered in ash, and the crops had all died. So the inhabitants left also.

So as a project we created a volcano.  A little plaster of paris, a little paint, a little water, some baking soda, food coloring, vinegar, and dish soap - and of course, two VERY EAGER BOYS to get into all of it and viola!  Instant volcano!

Here are photos of the lastest project!!! Hooray for homeschooling!

Here's the decorating/painting part!  Both boys got to take turns painting the volcano... all we had was brown... so that's what we used... good thing the only color we had wasn't blue or purple... that would have been odd.

And here is the FUN part... the EXPLOSION!!!!!!

Worth It!

The past several weeks we have been thrown into a new life station... now we have three boys instead of just two.  Some might not think that that is a big deal... I would definitely argue said point.  I only have two hands instead of three, and although the baby doesn't really need to be corralled at this point... my other two require my two hands and four or five others at times... making for an interesting trip to the grocery store - or anywhere else we may go.  


Speaking of the grocery store... it was today's adventure.  Sometimes after I go places with my guys I wonder what I was thinking after the fact.  Today was one such day.  I prayed on the way to the store - out loud for the boys to hear - for God's favor, for a calm trip, for sanity.  We were good until about half way through.  

My boys were permitted to push the little carts - first mistake.  I was trying to be accommodating for them... not a wise choice. I was initially hoping my oldest would want to push his baby brother in the big cart - to no avail.   I'm sure several customers got a chuckle of the cart parade winding up and down the aisles of Kroger - like a momma duck with her ducklings... however,  my ducks kept running into me and each other. Half way through the trip I ditched both little carts because it was getting ugly.  This brought about fall out number one.  


Fall out number one subsided rather quickly for my oldest - although he made it clear in no uncertain terms that his heart was NOT happy anymore and that his attitude was having a hard time adjusting.  BUT there wasn't falling on the floor accompanied by a heaping helping of screaming and crying for which I was so thankful. BECAUSE fall out number one which DID include a heaping helping of crying and screaming continued with my now middle child through the rest of the trip (about 20 more minutes of shopping) until we reach the check out.


Commence fall out number two:  middle child screaming because he wants gum instead of the M&Ms I promised for good behavior (only because I had a coupon for free M&Ms :) ).  Laid out completely on the floor in line at checkout.  Screaming.  Wailing.  Like I'm the worst mother in the world.  All I could say was "Jesus!"  "Jesus!" - not in an expletive manner, mind you.  But calling out for help - because at this point - He is the ONLY ONE that could help.  The cashier actually asked me how I was doing.  I looked at her and asked in complete honesty (not sarcastically or rudely)- "Do you really want to ask me that question now?"  Reassuringly, she encouraged me by telling me we have all been there - I smiled weakly , picked my child up off the floor, and paid for my groceries.


While we are driving home - at this point middle child has calmed down - (praise the Lord Jesus!) my oldest says to calm middle child - "Isn't it so cool that God knew us before He created the world!"  Middle son said, "Yeah! Before He created me."  Then I jumped in and added, "He knew us AND HE LOVED US!"  


My children ministered to me in the midst of my crazy afternoon.  I was brought to tears, not because of behavior that was uncontrollable, but because my children are getting it.  They can be challenging sometimes.  BUT they are getting it.  The realization that my LORD not only knew me before the dawn of time, BUT He also LOVED me.  He knew my issues!  He knew my inadequacies!  He knew my sin - and LOVED me.  It brought me to tears because my kids are getting it AND because of such huge shortcomings I have to hurdle as a parent.  I wonder why God thought that I was enough to parent these young men.  How He saw that I was the best choice - I'll never know.  But I will press on... the race isn't over.  I may struggle sometimes - many times... but my goal is to raise Godly men who love their LORD.  And after the struggles of today (and yesterday - but we're not going there) I'm pressing on with enough encouragement - just those few words spoken by my boys.  

It's all WORTH IT!

Homeschooling: Our first project for 2010

This year we are starting to use a new curriculum. At the advice of a few friends who also really have enjoyed these treasures - we are using Story of the World - the Ancients - for History and much of our literature this year.  School is still only Monday through Thursday which leaves Friday open for field trips, adventures, and extra fun stuff not normally done throughout the week.


Today included our first fun extra thing that was an idea in the planning guide.  Since we are studying the Ancients, along with the Bible (being our most important resource), we had a "dirty dig" today.  Earlier in the week we learned about nomads and how they became farmers.  We also learned about archaeologists and what they study.  So my boys went treasure hunting in the sandbox out back, just like archaeologists,  to find various things that would be considered important in our culture that were buried there by years upon years of time - sands covering these items due fierce weather and harsh conditions... maybe even a volcano or two... okay - I just covered them up in the sandbox... but the kids had a ball.  They found coins, play tools, a play cell phone -( in a plastic baggie - so it would still work later),  pictures of an ipod, a tv, a computer, a few pencils, a few cars, a radio, and a few other things.  

They had a blast!  They loved finding hidden things.  They had so much fun that they stayed out for about an hour in the middle of the noonday heat just to bury and dig again!  Thankfully, our sandbox came equipped with an umbrella! 

So school is off to a tremendous start.  I can't wait to see what else we'll learn this year!

Our Summer Adventure Continues-With Video!!!

What could be more exciting than winning the lottery?  Yep, you guessed it... watching my Olympic hopeful for the 2020 games swim and IMPROVE in his meets.  We had another meet last Saturday, July 3rd, and then our first home meet last night.  Yes, our meet started at 5pm... which was a great time to start yesterday... seeing as it was 99 degrees here with climbing humidity.  So by 5 pm a breeze was at least blowing, and we were off to our pool.  

So rather than go through every detail I will leave you with some pictures and time results. :)  Let's get right to the nitty gritty.  At last Saturday's meet the Monkster improved his time for freestyle by 10 seconds... however his backstroke suffered and his final time was 8 seconds more than his seed time.  Well Wednesday, my boy came. to. swim.  He came in first in his heat for 25M freestyle (fourth overall) , and first in his heat in 25 M backstroke (unsure of the final) .  He also came in fourth in the 100M 6 and under mixed relay (boys and girls) , and also swam the boys 100 M 10 and under relay.  He ROCKED!  Okay, I'm a little biased being his mom... but oh how he has improved in the short time that he has been doing this.  

Here are times - just in case you are interested. :)  Of course, you are interested... who wouldn't be?  Hee Hee.  

25M Free                                                  Seed time 39.46      Final  33.94

100M Mixed 6 and Under                                          3:28.54              3:21.65

the other two events weren't posted by the time we left... so these were the only ones that are accurately written down.   His backstroke went from 49.45 sec (seed time)  to 41. something (final).    I can't wait to see what next Wednesday brings.  It's our last meet for the season before divisionals... and it's at home again.  

 team cheers!

Pull for my Monkey -  I'm going to have to change his nickname from Monkey to something aquatic.... we'll have to think on that one. :)

And one last thing... video... enjoy!!!! And pardon the screaming momma in the background... someone needs to put a leash on that woman.

A New Adventure

This summer we started a new adventure - swim team.  We have several friends whose kids do swim team.  Of course, two years ago we were glued to the tv watching Michael Phelps take home the record medals in all of his events.  And the Monkster has always loved the water.  When he was four years old he jumped off of the diving board (both low and high dives), and at 6 he swims like a fish.

So we decided to dive in (pardon the pun) and try it out for ourselves.  We started with practices in May and had our first experience with a meet this past Saturday.  It was totally chaotic, but fun.  I had no idea what I was doing in helping him check in for races, of which he was scheduled for 3 but ended up swimming 4!  We met some great new folks whose kids are also pretty new to swim team that we "tagged" along with.  Pretty soon I was in the flow of what to do and where to go.

Monkey swam the 25m free, 25m back, (both 6 and under) , then swam the 8 and under 100m relay, and the 10 and under 100m relay - both relays didn't go so well for our team.  Of the four who swam in the 10 and under relay - 3 were 6 years old and 1 was 5 years old.  Needless to say, they didn't win the race - but they swam against the big dogs, and they finished with HEART!

The highlight of Monkey's day was coming from behind to win his heat in the 25 M backstroke!  Way to go!  He earned a point for his team by coming in fourth overall.  I was so proud I was tingling - or maybe it was the heat - probably both!  As a matter of fact, it was so hot that I almost past out... not good for an expectant momma - but I drank tons of water, tried to stay in the shade, and only came out when the Monkeyman had a race.  Whew!  By 12:30 pm we were in the AC in the van and headed home to tell Dad and Chopsy all about our day.  

So expect to see many more swimming pictures for the next few weeks.

(our races)

(relaxing before the meet starts)

25m freestyle

(coming from behind in the 25 m backstroke to win the heat!)

(100m relay)

(kinda fuzzy - but the stamp he got for taking first in his heat for the 25 m back)

My New Adventure

For the past few months I've been hinting toward a new journey in life. So as not to upset a certain someone, you know who you are - Mother - I kept it under wraps until the decision was firm. The Lord led us to homeschool my kiddos. A definite adventure to say the least. For a teacher you'd think that this would come easily. However, concerns mounted left and right. What curriculum do I use? How long should we have school? What will I do with Chops while I'm teaching Monkey? How are we going to do this financially?

Well, the first day of school has come and gone. School started Monday. Monkey seems to be loving it. I'm enjoying it too. For right now things have fallen into place. The curriculum I'm using now will probably not be the same next year, but for Kindergarten it's good enough until I'm more familiar with homeschooling curricula. Chops sits and colors and does school with his older brother. He wants to be involved. Monkey is eager to do his Bible learning, math, reading, and science. I have even been touched by the history lessons about the sacrifices of a missionary woman whose desire was to serve the Lord by serving others in China - a woman who heard the Lord in her heart urging her to do things that didn't seem doable to others.

Today, because of my new shopping hobby, (couponing) I had to go to the grocery store to take part in the double dollar coupon Wednesday at our local grocery store. (brief aside - bought $75 worth of groceries for $28.74 with tax - hooray!) I changed up our school schedule to take the kids to the store early, came home, made lunch, put Chops down for his nap and had school with Monkey. It worked beautifully! Flexibility! Learning! Real life lessons! I think I could get used to this new adventure!