Homeschool Mother's Journal 3

The Homeschool Mother's Journal is a linkup via www.TheHomeschoolChick.com.

In my life this week…

We kept busy as usual, this week, although I'm always busier than everyone else, it seems, since not all of our activities involve all of our children. My husband does his fair share, too! We skipped a field trip because my plantar fasciitis was really acting up. I went to the podiatrist Thursday for a shot and am vowing to keep up with all the things that I am supposed to do to help it heal. I really hate not being able to walk. I let this go on too long before the initial treatment, and now, I'm afraid I psychologically associate so many activities with pain (walking, the grocery store, basically anything that involves standing around or walking for more than a few minutes). It's something that I'll have to deal with for sure.


In our homeschool this week…

My husband officially started the Oak Meadow 5 History and English curriculum with DS (10) this week. As I sort of expected, there was much gnashing of teeth, after which lessons were done. I am hoping this smoothes itself out soon. They are both much too independent (and maybe just a bit stubborn ;)) to do what the other wants, and it can be stressful on those of us who just want everyone to get along!


My favorite thing this week was…

Okay, three favorite things: (1) seeing DS take a real interest in Scratch and start to do some work with it independently, (2) milk painting together, an idea that I got from the web and pinned on Pinterest (see below for picture), and (3) taking DS out to the Japanese steakhouse to eat at the Hibachi and celebrate his 11th birthday a little early.

What’s working/not working for us…

Not working: My feet, obviously. :) Also, my four-year-old seems to be having some self-confidence issues, at least when it comes to guided art. Whenever we try to draw a certain picture, she seems to think that if it doesn't look like mine or even a simple line drawing, it's not good enouogh, and she wants me to "help" (aka draw it for her). I try to be encouraging but so far, no dice. I'm seeking advice and may just stick to free drawing or even "why don't we draw a picture that reminds us of what we read about." With free drawing, she's happy and imaginative. I'm not sure why she compares herself to me or others so much, as I have tried not to do that. Maybe just natural human behavior. One step at a time, I guess.


Things I’m working on…

There is not much time beyond work, but I just bought UDraw game tablet for the Wii, and I hope to play around with it a little this week. DS's birthday is Monday, so it's gonna be a busy one!

I’m reading…


I haven't started anything new yet, but I just finished reading Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden book 1) by Charlaine Harris. It was my first e-book checkout from the library. I have a ton of both paper and e-books in my stack to read, so I'm sure I'll find something new.


I’m cooking…

Plenty this week! DS and I cooked American apple pie for World Cooking. The girls and I made homemade whole grain crescent rolls during school time. The girls also helped me with some baked apples, which I burned by leaving them in the crock pot too long (who knew you could do that?).


I’m grateful for…

A couple of weeks where we've gotten most of our lessons done (thanks to handing over history and English to DH) so that I can at least see how Oak Meadow really works for our kids and how we work together. I already know I need to schedule in a little more free time (for myself as much as anyone), even if it means other busier days.


A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

One of our milk painting examples. They changed constantly. You get the most color when you put all the drops of color in that you want before you stick in the soap-covered toothpick.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal 2

The Homeschool Mother's Journal is a linkup via www.TheHomeschoolChick.com.

Whoo boy, what a busy couple of weeks. I'm glad for these writing prompts to give me a starting place and a good prompt to write a blog post.

In my life this week…


We have been superbusy the last couple of weeks (I didn't post last week) with a trip out of town, neurofeedback appointments for DS, trying to schedule and fit in a little school, ballet starting up, karate continuing for DS, our first field trip of fall, work, and just life. You know you're busy/overwhelmed when you have to look back at your calendar just to see what you did the past few days ;)

In our homeschool this week…


We didn't do a whole lot of "lesson time." I did do circle time with the girls and start on the letter B with them on Monday, and DS did his second math lesson, but we did more eclectic type stuff. First, my girls, 3 and 4, started ballet on Monday for the fall. DD4 (almost 5) has been with this teacher the past 2 years. I considered moving her up to the next class, but she is kind of attached to her teacher, and I thought it would also help her younger sister (who has a short attention span) transition if they were in the same class. We also had a field trip, right here in our own town at The Art Warehouse, completely devoted to art. We did pottery with the Pottery Lady and explored colors with paint and other materials with Nancy from S&N School of Music & Art (I'll try to post pictures when the pottery is finished).


There was something for all three of my kids, and they also got to visit with friends, as the trip was organized through Raw Learning, a regional free school. I was amazed at how interested my youngest was in all of the artwork in the gallery, especially the sculptures and a little house and yard made entirely of sticks and twigs and other natural things. 

My favorite thing this week was…


Getting paid! LOL. I've been working consistently as a freelancer, but as things are bound to go sometimes, the checks don't always arrive on a consistent basis. We were kind of in a rough spot anyway, and then, it was almost 6 weeks without a check. I was very happy to receive 5 checks all at once this week. It will be helpful for both home and homeschool. DS and I can finally get to work on that Pan Bagna recipe this week!

What’s working/not working for us…


Organizing our schedule is still a work in progress. As my friend Steph over at Confessions of an Erratic Homeschooling Mom expressed in a recent post, every time I try to get "school" started, life gets in the way. But that's okay. I believe that life as plenty to teach me and my children as well. It's no less valuable than school time.

Things I’m working on…


How about things I'd like to work on if only I could squeeze out the time? Learn more about wirework jewelry, do more drawing and photography, play more Diablo II with my son. I do actually need to organize my kids' birthday party (my two older ones are having a combo party) and buy presents for my son, who celebrating 11 years in early October. I'm also researching the idea of hiring a mother's helper (perhaps a homeschooling teen) that could help me out on field trips with the kids. I have a foot issue (plantar fasciitis) that makes long periods on my feet extremely difficult.

I’m reading…


The Freedom Writers' Diary by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers. Wow. I was inspired to read this book after watching the movie, and I'm being well rewarded.

I’m cooking…


We made No-Bake Energy Bites for a playdate this week. They were a hit, both at home and the playdate. Easy, healthy, and superyummy.

I’m grateful for…


My family, both immediate and extended. My mother turned 70 this week, and I'm so glad that she's a part of my life, even though she lives 700 miles away now. She's an awesome lady.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

My favorite photo this week: my youngest, asleep in her favorite place, the dining room table.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal 1

This is my first go at an entry for The Homeschool Mother's Journal, a linkup through www.TheHomeschoolChick.com, but I'd thought I'd give it a try. It seems like a great way to stay connected with other mothers on the homeschooling journey.


In my life this week…


It's been busy, getting started with our new curriculum (Oak Meadow with some modifications) and running around a lot, to appointments and even a Mom's Night Out, followed by lots of work. Sometimes, it feels like I never stop going. My Aspie continues to present challenges, of the good and not-so-good kind, but I try to take it one day at a time.

In our homeschool this week…


We jumped in on Tuesday and did some work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday was full of driving and appointments and work, so that was kind of an off day, although I did do circle time with my younger ones before I left and gave dad a project to do with them while my son and I were gone (making "bodies" out of modeling clay). I am not holding much hope for next week as it's a short week followed by a trip out of town for the weekend.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…


I've started using the basic/free version of Homeschool Tracker software. I was using some online software, but it was getting rather cumbersome. Although it would be ideal to have almost everything put in ahead of time, I can put in assignments after they're done, which is helpful, and it also has a handy "daily journal" section that I can use for short notes. I can also post a copy of my blog (sans pictures) there. I'm not sure yet what the full version entails, but the basic version is pretty handy on its own.

I am inspired by…


Why can't I think of anything/anyone? Guess I'm not feeling that inspired lately. I am just really focused on getting by and finding something that works on a more long-term basis for our family. I guess I admire those that have found the balance, or at least some semblance of it.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…


My oldest goes to karate twice a week. Other than that and doctors/therapist appointments, we haven't been "going" that much this summer, partially because of work and also for me to heal my plantar fasciitis up somewhat. However, next week, a two-hour drive to Boxerwood Gardens in Lexington, Virginia, is on the calendar, as well as a drive to New Jersey to visit my in-laws, where I will be taking my oldest to Six Flags Great Adventure. He has recently developed a real interest in roller coasters. Now, if only my nerves can take them!

My favorite thing this week was…


Gathering leaves and flowers with the kids to press and Mom's Night Out. Nothing like an evening out with the girls to perk you up. :)

What’s working/not working for us…


Cooking breakfasts ahead of time lately (pancakes and/or egg casseroles) has really helped get my mornings off a little faster so that I can get my "me" time (to work out and shower) and still get homeschooling done before work in the afternoon.


The scheduling is still a challenge, though, and I continue to wish that I could afford and have a trusted child care provider for just a little time each week so that my life had a few breaks and wasn't just a schedule of work-sleep-kids-work-sleep kids. The pockets of "family time" or just "relax time" have to be stolen from one of those items, and it never works out well.

I’m reading…


Just finished some of my happy fluff reading (Nora Roberts, Happy Ever After) and am reading the current edition of Voice (the magazine of VaHomeschoolers), in which I have an article, and Freezer Pleasers, which I picked up at the Green Valley Book Fair.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…


My son and I really enjoyed this video of the rarely seen African Golden Cat, not much bigger than a house cat:


National Geographic: African Golden Cat

Fine Tuning: Cooking Class

DS10 and I had to do a bit of driving for an appointment yesterday and had a really nice time together. After the appointment, we had dinner together, and we talked a lot about different things, including what he's interested in learning this year.

If you're keeping up, you'll know that we're doing cooking once a week. I was imagining him or me looking up recipes every week and just cooking. However, he came up with a brilliant idea: foods from around the world! He decided to use a book he already owns: There's a Chef in My World by Emeril Lagasse. Funny thing is, he loves Emeril's cooking books for kids so much that this one is falling apart (we might get another when time allows, but for now, we're scanning and printing the pages so they don't get more damaged). He has two more of Emeril's books as well, There's a Chef in My Soup and There's a Chef in My Family, and we've used them quite a bit, but there are still many, many to try out.

We're going to cook a recipe from a different country every week. To flesh out the class, we also plan on reading just a little about the culture and watching a short video on technique related to the recipe (probably from YouTube or a site like Kids Cooking Activities).

DS has already picked out his first three recipes: Mango Lassi from India, Pan Banga from France, and Beef Stroganoff from Russia. I'm really looking forward to this! It sounds like fun.