We have started!

So we started our new curriculum 'My Father's World: Exploring Countries and Cultures' this week. On Day 3 of week one and loving it so far! The picture to the left is the our table all set up to start school today. I know it looks light, and we love that! The only thing missing from the table is the math workbooks (we use Math U See).

The girls loved filling out the passports yesterday and pretending to 'mail' them to Daddy (who is president of the Passport Office). They should get them back in 2 weeks after we have finished studying North America. Today we will be exploring the backyard for science and going on a nature walk.

The other picture is the John 3:16 poster we made for week 1. It reminds us that God loves the WHOLE world and to pray for the people in other countries who don't know Him, or are not yet saved. The girls had fun with that one. Here's to another great day of home schooling!

Chore Charts

Wow, sorry, I didnt realize how small these would turn out! Unless you've gotten vision comparable to that of an eagle, you'll just have to use your imagination! =) I made these chore charts last week for all 4 girls and it has been going SO well. They have chores they need to do certain days of the week and this gives them a little accountability. Plus, giving them more, frees me up to do what *I* need to do. The girls have surprised me by really stepping up to the plate with this and not complaining and going so far as to help each other out. When Josh is ready for a chore chart, I have a feeling his will start out with 'chore 1: clean up your mess', 'chore 2: clean up what you broke', 'chore 2: wipe around the toilet' =)

Future chefs!

Last month my girls REALLY got into the 'Taste of Home' and 'Quick cooking' magazines that I had picked up for free at various yard sales. They were busy clipping and cutting, cutting and clipping, ooooing and ahhhing, hemming and hawing and trying to find tastier recipes than their sister.

They each now have a stack of recipes that look good to them and I told them that once a week, each girl and myself will go thru her stack and she can pick out a recipe for us to try as a family. Savannah is on deck first and has chosen a banana muffin recipe w/ chunks of chocolate pressed in the top. We plan to make them tomorrow or Wednesday . They look tasty AND I can make them dairy free so Jaidyn can eat them.

If they turn out nice, I'll post a picture. If not, then you'll just have to imagine how awful they looked =)

Horse lapbooks

The girls had a blast making these. Time cosuming for me since I had to to piece it all together. You can go to homeschoolshare.com to find the items needed for free lapbooks. Lots of fun!

Crochet

Here is Savannah learning to crochet from my mom. I am embarrassed to say that my mom taught me about 5 years ago (maybe 6 or 9) but I have completely forgotten how to do it. Savannah LOVES it. After my mom originally showed her, she was off and running. However, my mom apparently only showed her the 'basics' as Savannah ended up making a running 'crochet line' that had to be near 100 feet long, maybe longer.

I kid you not. She is now asking Grandma to show her how to make potholders, purses, cell phone holders.... She must be gearing up for her own business =)

Starting a new curriculum this fall

I am SO excited to be starting a new curriculum this fall called 'My Father's World'. Until last fall, I thought this curriculum was only for K, 1st and 2nd grade so I never really gave it another thought. But at our local homeschool conference last fall, I got to talkin to a wonderful gal (who I now consider to be a great friend!) who also uses My Father's World and told me that it goes up through highschool. STILL I didnt really give it too much thought.

About 2 months ago. I started to think about it more seriously. I really wanted a curriculum that felt more tied together and had a strong biblical worldview. I wanted something that could be done on more than one level. AND I wanted something that wouldnt cause me to have to serve pb and j's for a year to afford it.

I kept coming back to My Father's World and started to research it more in depth. I went to someones home to look over it and get a feel for how it is laid out and I was THRILLED.

My Father's World is written by a homeschooling mom (and dad!) who are busy schooling their own large family. I say they wrote it exactly me in mind =)

EVERYTHING is so laid out for you.

We will be starting the level called 'Exploring Countries and Cultures' this coming fall. This curriculum includes science, history, bible, art, music, reading and geography. Savannah-age 9, Ariel-age 8, and Skylar-age 6 will all be doing this level, while seperating to do their own level of Language Arts and Math. Jaidyn will be able to participate in activites and read alouds where appropriate.

I am so excited to start this this fall. Plus, I got a KILLER deal on the deluxe set. Who doesnt love a good deal? =)

Spring!!

Sorry for the prolonged absence. A little thing called life (and homeschooling, and housework, and mothering and and and) sort of got in the way of my bloggerhood.

Isn't this a wonderful time of year?! I think Spring might be my favorite season of the year. Such a sense of anticipation and newness to it. I think the kids feel it too. They have LOVED going outside more and seeing the trees bud and the grass start to turn green. Well, at least in other peoples yards. Our zoysia is still hibernating.

We took a mini Spring Break last week and the girls got to enjoy some quality playtime with 2 other homeschool families. They love making new friends and becoming pen pals with the kids. And forming clubs. And making secret handshakes....=)

It is quite enjoyable to look at childhood from this side of the fence. Life is so carefree and fun for them.

Mothers are so blessed!