The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

It has been a very emotional week. . .
I will explain more in another post.

We spent some time with friends. . .
went to a few appts. . .
spent time together. . .

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

Our first week back to school. . .
The Monkey’s are doing really good.
We have a pretty busy schedule.

 

Monkey Man went hiking with Scouts. . .

Little Monkey did a bug program at a local
museum. . .

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don’t give up, even when things get a bit hard.
I tend to struggle with this sometimes.

 

 

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

This week
voice lessons,
Appts,
Co-op,
4H,

and then a birthday party for my Middle Monkey this weekend!

 

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Cuddling with my monkey’s!
They keep me strong.

 

 

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

Spending time with friends.

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

A birthday party for Middle Monkey

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Beef Stew

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

Amazing friends in my time of need.

 

 

 

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

Taking them to lunch..

 

 

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

Nothing at the moment.

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
  Two of my monkey’s!            

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

It was a bit crazy. . .
I have a lot of personal things going on. . .
I’ll tell you more about that, at another time.

This week we worked on some projects around the house.
We did some cooking. . .

Went apple picking. . .

 

Spent time with friends

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

This week was our last week of vacation.
I decided to make this last one 3 weeks long,
since we had a so much going on. Which has us
ending the week before Thanksgiving.

So I have been busy getting our new lesson
plans together and ready.

Lots of good reviews from the end of our year
coming up too.

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

If you need an extra week take it. . .  This time around it
was the best decision for us.

 

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

This week, we have
quite a few appts,
Co-op, 4H, Library, and
of course visiting with friends!

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Going apple picking with my Best friend and her
family for her birthday!

 

 

 

 

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

Spending time with Auntie!

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

I am finishing up lesson plans, and getting ready to start
our new 6 weeks of school.

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Pizza!
Oh, how I love pizza. I really could eat it all the time!

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

Amazing friends, that are getting me through
what was not the easiest decision of my life to make.

 

 

• I’m praying for…

Peace, and my mind to be free of clutter!

 

 

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

A movie night

 

 

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

Surprisingly nothing right now. . .

 

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
  
  
  A beautiful Sunset this week…

Making the most of your opportunities. . .

 

 

As a parent you always want what is best for your child. However, has homeschoolers, sometimes I think people question that.

 

Last fall Monkey Man was asked to do a assignment for creative writing. He was suppose to interview someone that worked in the field of study that he may want to do as an adult. Since he wants to be an archeologist, or a museum curator, and there are not really a lot of people in this area that do this, he chose to interview a local worker at a local museum.

She was absolutely amazing, and really helped him a lot! He really enjoyed this opportunity so much. This assignment really helped him to grow a bit. Therefore, he decided to volunteer with the museum on a regular basis.

This has been a wonderful opportunity for us as a whole. Every week, Monkey Man, Little Monkey, and I go in to volunteer. We help get kits together for programs they are putting on. We have made scavenger hunts for different areas of the museum, for the kids to do. They are also trying to teach him to handle artifacts, do research on artifacts, and eventually how to give tours of the museum.

 

 

 

 

We are so blessed with this opportunity. I’m so happy that he has a way to try out the things he loves so much. This will give him a good taste for the future. While this is not really something that I have a ton of time for on my schedule, I feel this is a thing I am willing to over book my schedule a tad, to give him such a great opportunity.

 

Have you been able harness and use any great opportunities that have come your way? If so, how?

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

We were right out straight again! PHEW!

Lots of appointments. . .
School
Activities
took a day trip with a few stops. . .

 

 

 

and organizing more around the house.

 

• In our homeschool this week…

Finished our 18th week of school
enjoyed Co-op
Volunteered at the museum
and are working on a few projects!

 

 

 

 

Now we have a couple weeks off!

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don’t be afraid to take time off.
After a year of schooling, we figured out
what worked best for us.
Now we are doing 6 weeks on, and
two weeks off. That works the best
for us.

 

 

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

This week, we are going to be taking it easy.

We have a few Co-op projects to finish, and
4H binders to finish this week.

Couple appointments, girl scout trip, and hopefully
some fun!

 

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Our day trip to the Orthodontist
We stopped to see Eartha at Delorme,
and LL Bean.

It was a fun day with my two older Monkeys.

 

 

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

They enjoyed our trip to the LC Bates Museum to use the
telescope.

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

Now I have to start working on our next
6 weeks of classes plans.

Plus I’m still trying to organize my living room, and
will need to stack wood soon.

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Tonight is leftover night

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

A very supportive husband, even though I
might not always think so.

 

 

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

A movie and treats

 

 

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

Nothing this week. . .

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
  
  My silly monkey’s!
  Love this picture!
  

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

• In my life this week…

It has been CRAZY!!!!
There was lots of appointments,
activities and life happening!

We made it through it though..

• In our homeschool this week…

Subjects are going good,
we are getting work done without
complaint…
We started our Co-op this week,
and we took our first field trip with other
homeschoolers for this year.

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

If you have a network of Homeschoolers
in your area. . .
try to get in with some of their field trips, it’s a great
opportunity for your kids.

Teaser Picture… Post to come Monday!

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

This upcoming week, we have another busy schedule on tap. . .

Appointments, PTF meetings, Girl Scout Meetings, Boy Scouts,
Co-op, Library, and much more.

• My favorite thing this week was…

Going on a field trip with two of my monkey’s,
and our family reunion.

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

Going Kayaking again!

• Things I’m working on…

Blog Posts, Schedules, School work…

• I’m cooking…

Nothing, we will have plenty of stuff to choose from at our Reunion.

• I’m grateful for…

Fall, I truly love this season!

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

Kayak rides, and dessert!

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

Nothing much at the moment really. . .
Maybe a new spelling curriculum for my kiddo’s.

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

It always amazes me how good my camera pic’s are!  

Book Review: Eye-Dancers

 

We read through books super fast in this house. We are always looking for something new to read, which isn’t always an easy task. Recently, I was offered the chance to review The Eye-Dancers by Michael S. Fedison.

 

About the Book:

 

 

 

 

Synopsis- Four seventh-graders are transported to a strange world, and the only one who can help them find their way back home is the mysterious little girl with the swirling, hypnotic blue eyes. Along the way, they must confront their insecurities and fears, learn to believe in themselves, and accept themselves for who they are.

This book is geared towards young adults. My 11 yr old loved it!

 

 

Our Review:

My 6th grade boy, and I read this book. I read it first, and then he did. I’m not usually much of a sci-fi fan, where he is. However, I really enjoyed this book! Michael Fedison is a really great Author. Both my son and I commented on the fact that he is a great writer, gave the book an interesting plot, and he really got the characters true to their age!

 

We really liked that each boy had to over come a problem and learn how to handle it. Mitchell struggles with lying, and a speech impediment. Ryan was a follower, so he didn’t make his own decisions. Marc always thought he was right, and didn’t allow others to suggest ideas or solutions. Joe was very selfish.

I especially liked that the ghost girl’s name was Monica (the same as mine). We loved to see how the boys worked together to find her, and had to learn to control their flaws to accomplish that.

 

Monkey Man really enjoyed that the story took place in another dimension with a different timeline. He loved how the boys changed throughout the story. He said he was really impressed with how well the characters were on target with their age group. That is sometimes hard to accomplish. Another big hit with him was the book cover art work! That really caught his attention.

 

We don’t want to tell you to much about the story!

 

Price:

Be sure to check out this 290 pg book!

Right now it can only be purchased as an E-book. You can get it for $2.99 thru Amazon.

 

We really think this would be a great addition to any middle school child’s reading library!

 

 

 

 

*We were given a free copy of this book by Michael Fedison in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkey’s.

The Homeschooling Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

August 24, 2013

 

• In my life this week…
  
  Wow, where to even begin!
  It was crazy!
  Lots of doctor appts,
  shopping, time at the lake,
  
  
  kayaking,
  
  
  birthday party,
  parade, and fireworks!
  
   
• In our homeschool this week…
  
  The kids are doing really well.
  We have finished our 8th week, and
  really not much complaining at all.
  I’m shocked!
  
  Monkey Man has been working hard on his
  subjects, and looking forward to Co-op starting
  in another week.
  
  Little Monkey is doing great, although
  we haven’t added all of her subjects in yet.
  I’m still working on history for her, and she is
  waiting for Co-op to start as well.
  She is really enjoying Time4Learning
  (Look for a review on that this week)!
  
  
• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, or help.
This week I reached out to the lady who does
our Portfolio Reviews, and she gave me some
great ideas!

 

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

This next week, we have a few more doctor appts. . .
Middle Monkey has Voice Lessons . . .
Middle Monkey starts back to Public School . . .
Hope to do a “Not back to school “ day with my kids!

• My favorite thing this week was…

Kayaking with the family! We had a blast! So much fun!

 

 

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

A combination of parade, birthday party, and Fireworks I believe!

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

paperwork, plans for Girl Scouts, and reorganizing!

 

• I’m cooking…

We are having a BBQ at a friends house tonight!

 

• I’m grateful for…

A wonderful summer, but sad to see it come to an end.
Fall is my favorite season, so I look forward to that now!

 

 

 

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

Ice Cream, and Fireworks!

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…
  
  I want to get one of these but in a less girly color
  for my Monkey Man.

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
  
  The bear we saw at the fair!         

2013–2014 Curriculum

 

 

If you homeschool, you know one of the hardest parts of homeschooling is picking the curriculum!

 

If you read our blog often you know that we are already in our 8th week of school in our new year. However, I wanted to share what we choose for curriculum for this year!

It’s hard to believe that Monkey Man is in 6th grade this year!

Here is what I chose for him this year:

• Daily Language 6th grade
• Growing with Grammar 5th grade (he is a bit behind in grammar)
• Life Pac 9th grade Algebra (but ahead in math)
• America the  Beautiful History
• KidCoder
• World Geography (@ Co-op)
• Poetry
• Creative Writing (@ Co-op)
• Food Science Nutrition (@ Co-op)

Extras:

• Piano Lessons
• Boy Scouts
• 4H

 

Little Monkey is in the 3rd grade this year. Man time is flying!!!

Here are the choices we picked for her:

• Daily Language 3rd grade
• Daily Grammar 3rd grade
• TouchMath 2nd grade (she is almost finished)
• Logic of English Cursive
• Handwriting Without Tears
• Time4Learning
• US Geography (@ Co-op)
• Creative Writing (@ Co-op)
• Art (@ Co-op)

Extras:

• Piano Lessons
• Girl Scouts
• 4H
• Taekwondo

 

Together we do a Life Science. We will also be finishing up Apologia Human Anatomy!

There is what our year looks like!

When do you start? What is your favorite curriculum to use?

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 9th, 2013

 

 

• In my life this week…

It has been a rough week
I have been not feeling well
We have had a lot of appointments this week

We prepped for the fair that started yesterday!
Set up 4H displays, and prepped junior division art work.

Spent some quality time with my Middle Monkey

Enjoyed time with my family!

 

• In our homeschool this week…

This was our last week before we start up our next
6 weeks of school this next week.

I finished up curriculum plans, and we just tried to relax.

Have you started yet?

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Enjoy the small things.. Don’t let them pass you by!

 

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

This next week we will be back on our school schedule,
and getting middle monkey back on her school schedule,
(her public school starts Aug 28th)

We will be going to the Fair tomorrow to see how we did on
our projects. And enjoy sometime as a family.

The kids have piano and voice lessons.

Doctor appts, library, and more play dates before the summer is over!

YOU?

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

A stress free day with my kids, after a morning of OT with Middle Monkey
She really is making good progress!

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

Playing at the playground!

 

• Things I’m working on…

Finishing up some copying for school,
Doing some paperwork,
and cleaning up.

Instead of spring cleaning this year, I’m doing fall cleaning!

 

• I’m cooking…

We are having Cabbage Rolls (for some of us)
and pizza casserole for the rest of us! 

 

• I’m grateful for…

The progress my family has made this last week.
We still have so much more to overcome, but we can do it!

 

 

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

We took them to lunch after setting up the 4H displays at the fair.
They deserved it after having to rewrite fair cards, after mom forgot the
the others at home.

Plus they were being rewarded for doing so good this year at the other fair!
Monkey Man got 6 first place ribbons,
Middle Monkey got 8 first place, and 1 second place,
and Little Monkey is still a cloverbud so she doesn’t place, but still did awesome!

 

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

Some new bookcases, and paint colors!

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
  
  A sneak peak at one of Middle Monkey’s watercolors.

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

This week has been crazy. . .

We went for a Hike,

Tubed down the river for the afternoon with friends. . .

Then we had 3 days of Girl Scout Day Camp (that I helped run) . . .

A day of appointments, and trip to the park. . .

So we are relaxing for a couple days now, before another

busy week ahead.

 

 

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

This was our first week of vacation from our new year.
Other than Monkey Man making up a few grammar
sheets, we did nothing that pertained to school.

Have you started yet?

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Plan out your sessions, or year… Either way
it is when easier, than winging it.

I love my planner, keeps me so much more relaxed
when things get crazy!

 

 

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

This week, we are going to be wicked busy again.

A couple days of set up for the fair, for 4H!

A doctors appt for me,
Dentist, maybe a day trip,
OT for Middle Monkey, and
an eye appt for Little Monkey,
a couple meetings,
and hopefully some fun!

You?

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Tubing down the river with friends . . .

 

 

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

Girl Scout camp for the girls, and for Middle Monkey
spending time with Grammie.

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

I am working on our new curriculum plan for the
the next six weeks.

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Pizza is what is for dinner tonight!
Yum!!

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

the amazing opportunities to do things with our friends.
We have had a very fun summer!

 

 

• I’m praying for…

My best friends family this week

 

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

with a picnic and a trip to the playground!

 

 

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

A trip to somewhere . . . but it ain’t happening anytime soon.

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
  

Playing with my camera again…

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

July 27, 2013

 

 

• In my life this week…

it has been challenging
we had to prepare for a funeral

Say goodbye to a special man . .
My stepfather and my kids grandfather

They did so well, Monkey Man was a Pall Bearer
then the three of them put a rose on the casket.

Our spirits have been kind of low this week. . .
so we are trying to find things to bring us back up.

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

Can you believe that we are on our 6th week of school
already? Wow!!!

We didn’t stay on task this week, due to all that was going on
but the kids are almost done with the week, probably a few things
to make up over the weekend and we are good.

We are working hard on our regular, Math, English, Science,
Poetry, and Handwriting. Then Monkey man has been really enjoying the
new History that you will see a review for shortly!

On vacation for 2 weeks after today!

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Schedule really is key…
If we get off our schedule, everything goes downhill.

 

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

Next week, the girls and I are going to be doing a 3 day
Day Camp that me and a Co-leader are putting on for them.

We have library, book club, piano,
a couple appts, maybe a movie, and playground time.

Hoping to either get a game night in, or a play date.

YOU?

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Seeing all my family

 

 

• My kiddos favorite thing this week was…

Having a movie night, and tenting out in the living room!

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

Plans for our next 6 weeks of school…

And purging some of our stuff… I’m organizing and cleaning.
It is getting scary in here!

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Tonight we are having spaghetti
salad, and garlic bread

 

• I’m grateful for…

My amazing friends that listened when I needed to just vent,
and my kids.

 

• I rewarded my kids this week by…

I haven’t had a chance to reward them yet this week..
So we are going to have to make it up next week.

Maybe a movie. . . They want to see Turbo, and Despicable Me 2

 

• Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

Nothing right now…

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
  
  Playing with the camera again!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

July 20, 2013

In my life this week...

We were super busy! 

Today was the wedding of my best friend . . . we helped get things prepped, and ready, and I was the photographer! 

In our homeschool this week...

We did our normal studies, of Math, Science, English, Poetry, and Grammar! 

This week we watched a few documentaries to go along with our History. 

Piano lessons, and 4H! 

One more week and we are on our first 2 week break for the new year! 

 Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...

Have you checked out the Old Schoolhouse Teachers Planners? I have been using it for two years! I love them! I print them out to keep track of both monkeys, and keep me sane! Having the right planner really does make a huge difference. 

Do you use a planner? If so, which one? 

Places we are going or people we are seeing..... 

This next week is going to be nuts, 

We have our normal Book Club, Summer Library,  

Boy Scout Hike, Appts, 4H, and a family reunion. 

My favorite thing thing this week...

Being part of my best friends wedding, and her asking me to be her photographer ( I just hope that I did a good enough job, I was super nervous). 

My kids favorite thing this week...

The Wedding! 

Things I'm working on...

I think we are taking this next week off, as we have a busy week coming up the week after next. Phew, does summer ever slow down? 

I'm cooking...

No cooking tonight, we ate at the wedding! 

I'm grateful for....

being part of a very special day! 

I rewarded my kids with...

a movie night with popcorn and goodies! 

A photo to share...

I don't have one this week...cause they are all on my computer. Hopefully next week, keep your fingers crossed for me!  ::Sigh:: 

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

July 13 , 2013

In my life this week...

It has been interesting . . . 

We were all recuperating after the holiday week . . . 

It was really busy . . . 

Everyone seemed to have a rough week . . . do you ever find that happens to you after a holiday or long weekend? (Maybe its just us) 

In our homeschool this week...

We got right back into the swing of things, and got to work. We are on our 4th week of school already, which means that we will be on our 2 week break the first of August. Wow, where does the time go? Seems to fly by! 

Monkey Man is doing great with his book club. They finished the first book, Liar and Spy which I am intrigued to read myself. It sounded cute! Now they are starting their second book. I think that Monkey Man is really enjoying this time to get with kids his age and discuss the book. Which I'm really happy about. 

The kids are still taking Piano lessons through the summer. Plus we still have a month or so of 4H left before we break for a month or so. Getting our stuff ready to enter in the local fairs. Sometimes it seems like a lot of work . . . Ha-ha! 

Otherwise we are still putting away at our normal studies, Math, Science, English, and Grammar. 

 Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...

Remember you don't have to go super school in the summer. We choose to stay on task all summer, but you could just do light school. Where they just work on their English, Math, and Reading for the summer. Don't try to be a super mom! 

Places we are going or people we are seeing..... 

Oh lets see . . . 

We have book club, library, 

movies, a Co-op planning meeting,

and prepping for a special friends wedding on Saturday! 

My favorite thing thing this week...

Game night at our house this week! 

My mom taught us a new game Hand & Foot . . . 

Oh my! Was that just crazy, but we had a blast! 

My kids favorite thing this week...

Chasing Frogs!!!

Things I'm working on...

More blog posts, planning for Girl Scout events, wedding planning . . . 

I'm cooking...

Kielbasa, grilled potatoes, and corn on the cob, yum! 

I'm grateful for....

Friends far away! We may not be close by, but it is nice to know that we are always there for each other no matter what!  

I rewarded my kids with...

A  trip to the lake! 

A photo to share...

Flowers!!!