Friday, April 29, 2011

Weekly Update April 25-29, 2010

This week was a lovely take it slow kind of week.  My kids had standardized testing this week.  During testing week I don't plan any else besides testing.   We worked on some art and completed a science project that we hadn't gotten to early in the year.  A field trip and dentist appointment also fit into the week. 

Monday we meet with our Education specialist to turn in work samples for portfolios and to look ahead to next year.   In the afternoon the kids each made a catapult from these kits. 




Parts were counted and sorted. 


 Directions were read and reread. A few ah hah moments occurred as things didn't work out quite as expected.


Completed catapult.

I had planned to take the kids to the park to complete some experiments with our catapults, but we didn't feel like going anywhere, so that didn't happen.   The kids did play with them both inside and outside. 

Tuesday we completed an art lesson which covered the feelings that different colors evoke in artwork.  Each of the kids were excited to paint.  So on Thursday I actually found some paint kits at a discount store and the kids have been painting ever since.   Tuesday afternoon was orthodontic appts.  I-E was thrilled to get a large amount appliances taken out.  

Wednesday we visited the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.   It was a lovely museum--one which we need to visit lots more.   Our visit was primarily to learn about the Chumash Indians, but I-E and E-R were thrilled with all of the animal exhibits.  Next year we are going to focus on nature studies for our science studies and I think this museum will be wonderful to visit.  I-E took a few notes to add to her blog

Thursday was testing for all the kids.   They felt good about their test and we went out to eat after they were done. 

Friday only E had testing which he finished up with-in a few hours.   The rest of us worked in the garden while he tested, After testing he and N helped to make some more garden beds for our garden.   I-E attended her improv class also.

It was quite nice to have a relaxed week with time to just lounge and enjoy some projects. 

Be sure to check out what others have done this week in the






Thursday, April 28, 2011

Curriculum Clean Out Give Away #6

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Do you have something that has been gathering dust that another homeschooler would love to have?

Now's the time to Spring Clean

And

Click on over to Homeschool Creations to see what others are offering.

I will have at least one new give away each day, so be sure to check back often.

To enter leave a comment below making sure I have a way to contact you.

I can ship to US addresses only.

Additional Entries

Follow Me on Google Friend Connect.

Fellow Me through Networked Blogs

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry.

Contest closes May 2 , 2011 at Noon

Todays Give Away:  

From Eden to Armageddon

I don't have a picture of this book, but feel free to check it out here

This is an art book depicting a Biblical history of the world in classic art and illustration.  

It is a beautiful large book with full color art and scripture. 

Good Luck!









Curriculum Clean Out Give Away #5




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Do you have something that has been gathering dust that another homeschooler would love to have?

Now's the time to Spring Clean

And

Click on over to Homeschool Creations to see what others are offering.

I will have at least one new give away each day, so be sure to check back often.

To enter leave a comment below making sure I have a way to contact you.

I can ship to US addresses only.

Additional Entries

Follow Me on Google Friend Connect.

Fellow Me through Networked Blogs

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry.

Contest closes May 2 , 2011 at Noon

Todays Give Away:

Draw Write Now Set of Four Books
 
These are wonderful books that teach drawing step by step as well as handwriting.  
 
Book Two
Christopher Columbus Autumn Harvest The Weather
 
 Book 4
The Polar Regions The Arctic The Antarctic

Book 5
The United States From Sea to Sea Moving Forward

 Book 6
Animals and Habitats---On Land Ponds and Rivers Oceans

Good Luck!  I'm sure the winner will enjoy these for many years.

Gardening Challenge April 27, 2011




The Homeschool Villge is sponsoring this awesome garden challenge. Even though I missed out on the first part of the challenge, I am thrilled to join in this month.


I am a gardener. I grew up on a small farm with a large garden and learned my love of gardening on a large scale. I haven't really lived anywhere with the possibility of a large garden before now. In the past, I have gardened in flower beds, alleys, and pots. Now that we have downsized I finally have the space to garden on a large scale! The local community gardens is the home of my present garden.


The last few years have been a crash course in gardening in the wilds of my little town. Squirrels stealing a tomato or two, a rabbit nibbling on my flowers, a bug here or there---that's nothing! Of course, it seemed like something in my past gardening lives! At my current location gophers dig up EVERYWHERE. Ground squirrels run rampant. Birds think they own the place. Possums are out at full force every night. Raccoons trash the place as soon as things get locked up at night! We decided as a family that if we were going to continue to pay to garden, we needed to step up security. So my kids all built these beauties!  They have heavy duty mesh screen on the bottoms to keep out gophers.  They will be covered in chicken wire or bed netting after they get planted.  

We have planted our seeds on our back patio.  And have babies popping up every day. 




Since we do have room for some pots on our small patio E-R and I decided to do an experiment testing out Miracle Grow Potting Soil and our handmixed organic potting soil.    We used the Miracle Grow Organic potting soil in the dark pot;  we used our handmixed recipe in the light colored pot.   The lettuce seedlings were all approximately the same size when we planted them.   They will also be watered the same amount at the same time.  We did add different flowers to the different pots--just because.   We will be taking pictures each week for the next four weeks to see which soil promotes the most growth. 



What's growing in your garden?


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Why I Homeschool April 27, 2011

I homeschool so I can happen upon big sister helping her younger brother with algebra just for the joy of helping. 

Why do you homeschool?   Feel free to share a link to a post on your blog sharing why you homeschool.

Curriculum Clean Out Give Away #4

Homeschool Creations is hosting a Spring 2011 Curriculum Clean Out.





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Do you have something that has been gathering dust that another homeschooler would love to have?

Now's the time to Spring Clean

And

Click on over to Homeschool Creations to see what others are offering.

I will have at least one new give away each day, so be sure to check back often.

To enter leave a comment below making sure I have a way to contact you.

I can ship to US addresses only.

Additional Entries

Follow Me on Google Friend Connect.

Fellow Me through Networked Blogs

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry.

Contest closes April 30, 2011 at Noon

Todays Give Away:



This is an awesome book showing up close views of 94 different insects.   Included in each two page spread is a list of facts including size, range, weapons used by the insects, habits, lifespan, prediators, among other facts.  This book is not for the squemish (which would be why it's available to you and not staying at our home!), but will be perfect for the child who lives for all things bugs!



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Curriculum Clean Out Give Away # 3

Homeschool Creations is hosting a Spring 2011 Curriculum Clean Out.



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Do you have something that has been gathering dust that another homeschooler would love to have?

Now's the time to Spring Clean

And


Click on over to Homeschool Creations to see what others are offering.


I will have at least one new give away each day, so be sure to check back often.


To enter leave a comment below making sure I have a way to contact you.

I can ship to US addresses only.

Additional Entries

Follow Me on Google Friend Connect.

Fellow Me through Networked Blogs

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry.

Contest closes April 30, 2011 at Noon


Today's Give Away
 
Two Copies of
 

That's right --two copies, so I will pick two winners from the comments. 

This is a touching story and a favorite in our home.  I wish everyone could have a copy of this book.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Homeschool Mom Field Trip

What's a homeschool mom to do when she gets a day away from her darling students? 

Hang out at the spa?

Shop at the mall?

Look at men in kilts?




Nope, She visits a museum!

Last week I got to visit the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA. 



With some gal pals---some brand-new and some old and dear.


Your cute baby could one day grow up to be the President of the United States of the America!



I knew I was saving all those swim team ribbons for something!  Perhaps, one day they will be behind glass in a museum.


What ever one thinks about Reagan's politics, one must admit he was a master of rhetoric.




My friend, Polly, fielding some of those hard questions from the press with her usual humor.



Mrs. Reagan's famous red dress.



I thought this picture was just so sweet.   It just speaks volumes of their affection for each other.



Wise words which sat on Ronald Reagan's desk.




One of my favorite pieces of art--composed entirely of jellybellies.






One of the highlights of our visit was a tour of Air Force I.

It was amazing how much was fit inside the plane. 

And Ronald Reagan made sure never to travel without cake--

I think that if I'm ever in charge of Air Force I I'll follow his example.

After touring the musem and enjoying a yummy lunch,

we enjoyed the beautiful grounds.





We were also able to see a portion of the famous Berlin Wall


The East Side


The West Side.

And that my dear readers is what a homeschool mom does on her day off.

Check out what other Hip Homeschool Moms are up to at this week's blog hop.

Hip Homeschool Moms Button  

Also, it's officially spring cleaning time--Curriculum Clean Out Time!

Be sure to check out my Curriculum Give Away
And

I'm spring cleaning and will have new giveaways through out the week.  

And follow the link on my giveaways to see what fab items others are giving away

All in the name of spring cleaning.



Curriculum Clean Out Giveaway!

Homeschool Creations is hosting a Spring 2011 Curriculum Clean Out.


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Do you have something that has been gathering dust that another homeschooler would love to have?


Now's the time to Spring Clean

And

Click on over to Homeschool Creations to see what others are offering.

I will have at least one new give away each day, so be sure to check back often.


To enter leave a comment below making sure I have a way to contact you.


I can ship to US addresses only.


Additional Entries


Follow Me on Google Friend Connect.

Fellow Me through Networked Blogs

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry.

Contest closes April 29, 2011 at Noon

This Evening's Give Away:





A great little set of books to get you started with your Middle Ages study.  

All of these books have been favorites with all five of my children. 

Enjoy! 

And Good Luck!