Great Geography Game!

This morning we rapped up our study of Canada.  I fortuitously stumbled upon this great interactive game!  The kids really enjoyed playing it and even my 5 yo caught on shouting "Northwest Territories!" when he knew the answer.  The site has an interactive game for every continent on the globe.
Enjoy ;)

Monday...again!

I don't know about you, but I always feel that hour we LOSE more than I feel the hour we GAIN!

Here we are at the start of another work week and we have plenty of work to do!  Tomorrow the kids are participating in a book report with our homeschool group.  It's a great opportunity for them to practice public speaking and it's fun for us as their parents to see them share their thoughts on the books they've read.

So my motivation today is to have them finish up those books and write or type their reports...pics to follow!

Happy Monday!

Update:  The kids did a great job at their Book Report night.  Attendance was a little slim, but it was still a great experience for everyone.  J-saurus did his report on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

M.J. did Lainie from the American Girl book series.

Buster Brown didn't do a report, but made a bookmark at the craft table.

Wait...what day is it?

Oh, that's right it's Tuesday.  Does that ever happen to you?  Sure it has.  Anyway, I was hoping to show our finished craft that I mentioned last week.  Alas, it is UNfinished...sigh. 

So here's why the fall craft (along with a list of other things) didn't get done...

We started out the week with dh getting food poisoning (tip: If the grilled chicken sandwich you order looks questionable, DON'T EAT IT! No matter how hungry you are!)

Then MJ was struggling to breathe which led to a dr. appt. and asthma medication :(

We did accomplish some schoolwork, too...

Studying Mexico in MFW:  Yarn Art

 J-Saurus did a dragon...big surprise!



What's a fiesta without a pinata?

And then there were costumes to make for "Free Candy Day" :)

So I missed "Motivated Monday" this week, but hopefully I'll get back on track this week.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Motivated Monday?

Sigh...it seemed like a good idea: Pick a goal for the week with a few ideas on how to accomplish it and call it "Motivated Monday."  Well, I'm not so motivated today.  My dear hubby called off sick after throwing up half the night :(   My youngest was a bit under the weather yesterday with stomach issues and I'm not feelin' too hot myself.  Oh well.  Life goes on.  I'm on my second cup of coffee and we're wrapping up our a.m. schoolwork.

Things don't have to be in perfect order ( what's that!?) to proceed with my blogging.  I have PLENTY of goals and aspirations to be a better me, soo....

This week I am motivated to tackle this adorable craft from Family Fun magazine.  Fall is without a doubt my favorite season and this creation beautifully captures why I love it.  We're past "peak week" for ooh-ing and aah-ing over the brilliant colors, but there's plenty of fall left and I want to soak up every second!

Have a Great Week Everyone!

Birthday Girl

When you're a kid the entire year revolves around two events: Christmas and your birthday.  There was plenty of excitement in our house last week as our only girl turned 8.  Her birthday was on a Thursday, so we had the grandparents over for cake and ice cream.  Of course she wanted a "friends party," too.  We don't usually do this sort of thing, but we had her party at an indoor bounce center.  It was really a "2 for 1" as we celebrated our oldest son's birthday, too.  He'll be 10  in just a few days.  Anyway, leave it to MiMi to get THE gift...

MiMi is my mom by the way.  She couldn't wait to give M.J. her American Girl doll.  These two have been inseparable... so cute!

Incidentally, the matching jammies came from K-Mart!  I know! K-Mart, right.  Who'd a thunk?

Crossing the Border

We're heading south of the border this week to study Mexico!   Don't worry.  We are merely traveling in our imagination.  Our neighbor to the south hasn't sounded very hospitable lately.  So, we'll stay safe in our Ohio home and open our atlas.

This is our first year using MFW and so far I'm loving it!  We're beginning with Exploring Countries and Cultures (ECC) which provides a strong foundation in geography.

These passports created a ton of excitement for the kids!  They couldn't wait to add their photo and have their pages stamped. You can see them proudly posing in front of our map.

Break time is over...back to work!

~Adios!

Motivated Monday!

If there's anyone actually reading this, it's clear to you that I'm a casual blogger.  I don't post consistently and I don't have a single theme to my blog.  We'll, I'm working on changing that and I've been extremely motivated to start today!  I'm not quite sure what's gotten into me...I'm envisioning redecorating projects, cleaning out closets, lesson planning, and making lists.  I may even plan out the menu for the week! 

Maybe "Motivated Monday" is a good place to start!  I see a theme emerging...

What goal are you motivated to accomplish this week?  What task would you love to check off your "to-do" list? 

I think I'll start with that one thing that should be my top priority.  That thing that isn't really a thing at all.  This Monday I'm Motivated to start each day on my knees...in the Word...at His feet.  How else can I even begin to tackle the mountain of tasks that fill my day?  Before I pour that first cup of coffee or take one bite of breakfast, I need to "sink my teeth" into my "daily bread."

Incidentally, our memory verse from My Father's World ( our homeschool curriculum ) is Matthew 4:4 ~Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Have a Great Week!

THE Fair

I've gone as a baby in a stroller, a toddler in a wagon, an excited child, an awkward teen, a girl on her boyfriend's arm, a newlywed, an expecting mom, a nursing mom, a mom with a one-year-old strapped to her back, and a reflecting mom soaking in every minute of her children enjoying the fair that ended all my summers and signaled the start of each fall. It may look like some photos from some 'ole fair, but it's much more precious than that to me.

Latest Artwork

Today I did a painting job for an old high school friend.  We connected through facebook, she saw some work I had done, and hired me for her son's bedroom.  He loves planes and wanted an AC-130 to span the entire wall of the room.  The actual size is much longer than my "wingspan" from fingertip to fingertip.  I wasn't there to get their reaction, but she sent me an email and the room is a hit.  Her son loves the plane and said, "I can't believe this is my room!"  How cute is that!

Planning for the Schoolyear

We are thoroughly enjoying summer here!  My parents blessed us with a swimming pool for the kids and we've spent every hot day cooling off in it.  The backyard has taken the place of the kitchen and family room.  Dinner is cooked on the grill, we dine at the patio table, play beach volleyball, card games - you name it!  ALL outside!  Yes, we're soaking up every bit of summer.

BUT, planning for the 2010-2011 schoolyear is a priority.  After attending the CHEO (Christian Home Educators of Ohio) Convention last week, I feel refreshed, edified, and excited about the school year ahead! I listened to encouraging speakers and shopped the exhibition hall for curriculum.  Materials have been purchased and we're ready to go!  So, here's what the materials for 3 kiddos looks like...

Actually this is just SOME of what I purchased for the school year.  Most of it I bought at the CHEO Conference and I'm sharing with you even though I agree with Rev.Voddie that it doesn't matter much to you what I use because I'm not teaching your kids!  There is so much curriculum out there and you have to choose what works for YOU.  Still...I'm a curious person and like to know what other moms are using, too!

So, for the curious mom's- here's what I'll be using this year:

J-Saurus, age 9:
Math U See (finish Beta, start Gamma)
Switched On Schoolhouse Grade 4 Language Arts
Any Child Can Write
Sequential Spelling

M.J., age 7:
Math U See (finish Alpha, start Beta)
A Beka Letters & Sounds 2
A Beka Handbook for Reading
A Beka Language 2
A Beka Writing With Phonics 2
A Beka Spelling 2

Buster Brown, age 5:
Math U See Primer
A Beka Letters and Sounds K
Handwriting Without Tears

J-Saurus & M.J. will also begin "My Father's World."  This curriculum is multi-level teaching that helps parents instill a Christian Worldview in the next generation.  I'm really excited about starting Exploring Countries and Cultures - the first volume in the 5 year cycle of teaching.  Click on the link to learn more!

To all you Mommies (and Daddies) teaching at home, teaching for Him...have a refreshing summer and a great time planning for the year ahead ;)