Friday, July 22, 2011

The Homeschool Mother's Journal: July 16 - 22

The Homeschool Mother's Journal
In My Life This Week
Clunk! Ssssss! Did you hear that? It's the sound of my tire going flat after running over a rock in the road. Fortunately it happened just 300 feet from the driveway. C and I were just coming back from town with a load of groceries. Phew! Guess who has new tires? Me!

Oh, and since my sinus and ear infection woes didn't go away, I'm on a stronger, longer antibiotic. Let's hope this does the trick!

The high, humid temperatures this week have been hard for me to handle all congested, so we did our swimming after dinner! Not only was the lake less crowded, but the water still felt GREAT!
In Our Homeschool This Week
S and I continue to work on his Hooked on Phonics: Learn to Read program. My goal is still to finish Level 1 this summer, and he has 6 more readers and about 12 pages to go in the worktext. It doesn't sound like much, but it can take him 3-5 days to finish a reader or a few pages of worktext. He's discovered that he can read words in other places now and is QUITE excited to show me! We'll review all his readers from the past year when we're done with Level 1. (And perhaps we'll have a new story video to share with you!)

I switched to Spelling Power with C, taking a break from All About Spelling. We're reviewing words and rules in Levels 1-2 to reinforce her learning. I decided to have her copy misspelled words on index cards and tape them to the edge of the TV so while she's "glued to the tube" those words will be there too! LOL She's not a natural speller so repeated review is needed. She'll get there though!
2nd Flower from C's Flower Bed
 And J just reads, read, reads...with some breaks for the History Channel, friends at the Rec Center and gardening! We're enjoying his peas and beans!
Peas and Beans from the Garden
An Insect on a Cucumber Blossum
Winter Squash is Growing
 I pulled out the Learn to Tie Your Shoe box and S worked on tying shoelaces. He needs some more practice, but he's getting it!


Here are the kids' favorite library books this week:

And don't forget to check out my post about our 2011-2012 curriculum! Click here!

 Places We're Going and People We're Seeing
  • Rec Center for Kids Free Lunch, gym games and friends
  • Multicultural Immersion Workshops at the library
  • Swimming in the lake
  • J hung out with  friends at an amusement park
My Favorite Things This Week
I ordered the rest of our curriculum for next year! I'm more enthusiastic than the kids and I can't wait for Box Day! (The kids aren't thinking beyond summer! LOL) 

And guess what? We found it! Our chicken coop! It's a DIY kit and will hold ALL our hens! Stay tuned for our chicks' "housewarming party"! (No more BARN SMELL in the house!)

Here's a new video of the chicks. Cheeper is 8 1/2 weeks old and the others are 4 1/2. They REALLY enjoy being outside! (You can hear the neighbor's dog barking in the background and her yelling at it! LOL)

Photo, Video, Link, or Quote to Share
 I did it! I figured out how to make a blog button. I think!  I'm not completely satisfied with it as I'd like something more whimsy with a mountain AND kids, but for my first try I'm happy.  Does anyone want to give it a try?
I'm linking up to The Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers, Fun Tuesday Hop, No Ordinary Blog Hop, and Hip Homeschool Hop. Head over to read more homeschool happenings!

10 comments:

  1. Water looks refreshing!

    Where did you get the shoelace thing? I want one! LOL My children all avoid tying shoes like the plague. My 9yo boy and 7yo girl both know how yet aren't very good at it b/c they just "slip" on (force on?) their shoes so they don't have to tie them. Sigh.

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  2. Sorry to hear about your tire, but thank God it happened so close to your house!

    I love the pics of the kids in the lake. What a fun afternoon that must have been. ;)

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  3. OH that Lake looks might good right now!!!!
    I am your new follower from Lucas's Journey

    Michele aka MikiHope
    www.mikishope.com

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  4. I homeschool my children as well. The lake looks fun. I am following you from the hop. http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com
    www.reneeahand.com
    Thanks
    Renee

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  5. Dropping by and following via the Super Mega Weekend Hop! I would love a return visit! http://thriftyninja.net

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  6. Thanks for linking up with us! :D You guys were certainly busy last week :D

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  7. New visitor from THMJ! Loved reading about your week! Must be wonderful to have a lake nearby - my husband would be quite envious! The vegetables look delicious; I am praying that we too have success with our peas. I have the first level of All About Spelling and was curious why you chose to take a break from it? I may dive into it again with my two younger ones. Nice to meet you!

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  8. Looks like they enjoyed the water and your garden looks great! I am your newest follower!

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  9. The lake looks awesome! I am so sorry about your tires, but am grateful that it happened close to home. I pray that the antibiotics start to kick in soon and that you get some well-deserved relief! Your photos are beautiful!!!
    Have a blessed day,
    Lisa
    http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com

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  10. I love the photos.
    New follower from Tiggerific Tuesday. Hope You follow back.
    http://grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com/

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