Friday, December 18, 2015

Weekly Wrap Up: Weeks 13-14 - The One Before Vacation Commences

We're more than half way through our year! How exciting is that? And just in time to take 2 weeks off for Christmas celebrations and ringing in a new year. We'll see you in 2016!

CORE WORK
Cate received a 97% on her Section 4: Sentence Parts with English Grammar 101, and will start Section 5: Modifiers - Adjectives and Adverbs. She started list 12 of her vocab building. Her began writing a creative story based on a show that she enjoys.  She read The Hobbit.

She's completed 75% of pre-algebra on Khan Academy


Sam worked in his Grammar and Writing Handbook, reviewing plural nouns, and researched, wrote and edited his "perfect paragraph" on his favorite video game "Minecraft" and Christmas. He finished up his Handwriting Without Tears Cursive  and began writing his "perfect paragraphs" in cursive. He continued to review Grammar with Grammar Ninja, but I've decided to stop formal spelling instruction at this time. Instead, he will look up misspelled words on my Android Merriam-Webster app and correct them. (It has voice recognition to make it a little easier.) He read Holes.


He's completed 47% of math 4 on Khan Academy.

Both kiddos have stalled out in Math, so we're spending a bit more time on it these days, reviewing concepts with videos and practice problems with hopes of moving forward.

SCIENCE SNIPPETS
Sam and I finished up Earth in Apologia Astronomy, and moved onto the Moon. We've been looking forward to studying the moon since starting Earth. Why? We got to model moon phases with Oreos!




Cate finished Mod 5 on History of Life, Archaeology, Geology and Paleontology in Apologia General Science which was just reading and answering questions. She received a 100% on her final test.


CRAFTY CATE
Cate was not thwarted by my lack of being able to teach her to crochet; she taught herself! Being left-handed (or maybe it's just my spatial skills?), my work tends to be backwards and/or inside out when following patterns. Somehow it works for me, but doesn't work when teaching someone else. She figured out how the chain and do a half double crochet in the front post by trial-and-error. She made her first afghan.


HISTORY
Sam wrapped up "America: Story of Us" videos. It's our 2nd or 3rd time through the videos, and we've loved them each and every time.  We started reading aloud A History of US (Hakim).

Cate finished Ancient Music on Easy Peasy and is about three-quarters through Early American (week 26). She's been studying types of instruments, Native American music, classical music by Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, Mozart, and Vivaldi, reading music (which she's already a pro at), Benjamin Franklin's armonica, and Pioneer and Revolutionary War music.


DAYS COMPLETED: CATE - 92 | SAM - 90

As always, special thanks to these bloggers for their weekly homeschool blog link-ups. Click on over to see what other homeschoolers are doing!

 photo 337a3ef2-b881-48f4-8a2c-9c69e457cb5b_zps8b6152cf.pngHomegrown LearnersWeird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Happy Homeschooling!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Journal of a Mom: December 14, 2015

THE CLOCK READS...
1:49pm

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
It's overcast and drizzly.

IN THE GARDEN
The garden is dormant for the winter months.

LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE
Someone is watching "Good Luck, Charlie". Someone is winding purple yarn for her first afghan. Dogs are dozing. Cat is looking at the Christmas tree. Washer is spinning out.

TO DO LIST
☐ Finish Christmas Shopping
☐ Return Returnable Bottles for Refund
☐ Plan and Shop for Christmas Dinner

FOR DINNER
Something with boneless, skinless chicken breast...if it thaws in time.

WHAT'S ON TV
"The Amazing Race". "Masterchef Junior".

CREATING FROM THE CRAFT BASKET
Frustrated with searching for my Sharpie pen and highlighter for bible study, inspiration struck and I reworked a headband pattern to make a "band" for my bible that'll hold my writing implements as well as a small, thin notebook. Others have asked for their own bands. I've sold my first 6 items!


I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays)Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

I'M READING...

SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME THANKFUL
Comfy, cozy PJs

I'M WONDERING...
...when will our first snow arrive?

NO WORDS NEEDED

DEVOTIONAL
We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope...Romans 5:3-4

HHM

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays. 

Monday, December 7, 2015

Journal of a Mom: December 7, 2015

THE CLOCK READS...
10:00am

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
I'd say, "Where's the snow?", but I'm happy with the extended fall weather. Soon enough the snow will be piled high. For now, it's supposed to get to 50 degrees and mostly sunny today.

IN THE GARDEN
Cate, Sam and I cleaned out the chicken and duck coop. Pooey! We added fresh-smelling, insulating hay, so the ducks are all tucked in snug at night while the hens roost together. We are considering adding some reflecting insulation the to roof to keep them toastier. (Our coop doesn't have heat, but the girls have always weathered our harsh Maine winters.)

LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE
Cati is crocheting a purple and yellow afghan. Sam is cooking sausage and eggs for his breakfast (now that he's finally up). The dogs are snoozing. And I hear "Good Luck, Charlie" playing from someone's Android.

TO DO LIST
☐ Bring Bags of Bedroom Trash and Broken Stuff to Transfer Station
☐ Return Returnable Bottles for Refund

FOR DINNER
Cheese Ravioli with Spaghetti Sauce and Tossed Salad

WHAT'S ON TV
Anyone watching "The Amazing Race"? What do you think of the green team?

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET
My thoughtful daughter is putting together Christmas baskets for family, and asked me to crochet ornaments to add to her other goodies. I made snowflakes from The Crochet Crowd and baubles from Stitch | Craft Create Ideas. Aren't they sweet?


I'm also excited to share with you my crochet and craft Facebook page. I hope to create a virtual space to sell some of my creations, but also to share links to fabulous free patterns and funny memes that celebrate our art. I invite you to click over and like In Stitches!

Linking up my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays)Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

I'M READING...


SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME THANKFUL
1001 daily blessings, the big, the little, the wished for, the surprises

I'M WONDERING...
...how long my van will go before needing another repair? :sigh: Perhaps I should encourage my youngest son, who loves to tinker, to become a mechanic SOONER-RATHER-THAN-LATER to help me out. Does it matter he's only 10?

NO WORDS NEEDED

DEVOTIONAL
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...Colossians 3:15)

HHM

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays. 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Weekly Wrap-up: Weeks 11 & 12 - The One With Earthly Information

Am I the only one that thinks November flew by? We are closing in on having half our days completed for the year! We usually put in extra days every year anyway, but it's exciting to know that we've accomplished so much already.

CORE WORK
Cate finished up Section 3: Verbs and finished half of Section 4: Sentence Parts with English Grammar 101.  She's on list 9 of her vocab building. Her focus for essay writing this week was .  She's reading Little Women (Alcott).

She's completed 73% of pre-algebra on Khan Academy


Sam worked on in his Grammar and Writing Handbook, reviewing plural nouns, and researched, wrote and edited his "perfect paragraph" on Newton for Astronomy. His writing skills are improving. He continues to review Grammar with Grammar Ninja, but I switched him over to Spelling Power for Spelling. He tested in at Grade 3.3. (which is no surprise as Spelling is a struggle for him.) He's reading Holes.


He's completed 44% of math 4 on Khan Academy.

Both kiddos have stalled out in Math, so we're spending a bit more time on it these days, reviewing concepts with videos and practice problems with hopes of moving forward.

SCIENCE SNIPPETS
Earth continues to be Sam's focus for Astronomy. We're going to be "camped out" here for a while as there is so much to learn about our planet.


Cate had a difficult time with Mod 4 in General Science on Simple Machines, so she spent last week reviewing her textbook as well as her notes and study questions. She received an 89% on her 2nd attempt at the exam. This week she started Mod 5 on History of Life, Archaeology, Geology and Paleontology. 

PREPARING FOR SNOW
With snow "just around the corner", the boys headed out to chop up and stack wood. We don't have a fireplace, but there's something awesome about a fire in the firepit, roasting marshmallows, to break up the long winter months.


DAYS COMPLETED: CATE - 83 | SAM - 80

As always, special thanks to these bloggers for their weekly homeschool blog link-ups. Click on over to see what other homeschoolers are doing!

 photo 337a3ef2-b881-48f4-8a2c-9c69e457cb5b_zps8b6152cf.pngHomegrown LearnersWeird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Happy Homeschooling!

Monday, November 30, 2015

Journal of a Mom: November 30, 2015

THE CLOCK READS...
1:00pm

WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
Bright sun, cloudless blue skies, mild temperatures for almost December.

IN THE GARDEN

LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE
The kids put up our Christmas tree. It's a good thing that I'm not one of those Moms who needs the tree decorated just so...I'm content knowing how happy THEY are to decorate.

TO DO LIST
☐ Keep Up With Dishes and Laundry ::sigh::

FOR DINNER
Polka Kielbasa with Garlic Breadsticks and Tossed Salad.

WHAT'S ON TV
"The Amazing Race", "Master Chef Junior", "Grandfathered", "The Voice".

FROM THE CRAFT BASKET
I finished my 3rd afghan! Inspired by the simplicity and "clean lines" of  DC blankets at Something Peculiar and Kristine Inbetween, I created a striped blanket in Red Heart Super Saver Amethyst and Glowworm Green for my 10-year-old step-son. 


I love having an afghan WIP while creating smaller, quicker projects. I'll be ordering special orange and black Red Heart Team Spirit yarn next to make another simple blanket for my step-daughter. In the meantime, I'm working on cute Christmas crafts.

I'm sharing my crocheting creations over at Lucy Blossom Crafts (Mondays)Frontier Dreams (Tuesdays), Small Things (Wednesdays), Oombawka Design (Wednesdays), and Lunamon Design (Wednesdays).

I'M READING...


SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME THANKFUL
Time. Time for my husband and I. Time for my kids. Time for family and friends. Time for...crocheting.

I'M WONDERING...
...how will things go at the garage tomorrow morning? And yes, the van is headed BACK to the garage again. It's leaking antifreeze now.

NO WORDS NEEDED

DEVOTIONAL
Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

HHM

I'm linking up to The Simple Woman's Daybook and Happy Homemaker are Mondays. 

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Wednesday Hodgepodge: The Wonder of it ALL


1.What's something you wish you knew how to do, but feel like it's too late to learn?

I've always wanted to play the piano. I took a semester of piano in high school, and still couldn't play "Chopsticks". I don't have a musical "bone" in my body unfortunately. 

2. Your least favorite thing to shop for? Why?

Shopping is NOT my favorite thing. Thankfully there's on-line shopping now...But if I had to choose something, I would chose clothing. Finding and trying on clothing is exhausting and frustrating, and I find nothing enjoyable about it.

3. How has the celebration of Thanksgiving today changed from when you were growing up?

I have to cook it! I'm not too fond of cooking, but I LOVE a Thanksgiving dinner!  But the biggest change is that I can't always trek to the island to be with my Mom and Dad and my sisters. It's still a special family meal, but the family has changed over the years.

4. What's something that when other people see it, reminds them of you? Explain.

I'm sure most of my friends would say CHICKENS. I have 8 hens, 5 of which were incubated from eggs over 4 years ago. Chickens are amusing pets. Really. Doesn't everyone share photos and videos of their flocks?

Sadly, our white chicken, Ava, passed away soon after this photo was taken.

5. If you could guest star in a TV show, what would it be and why?

I would love to travel the world on "Amazing Race". The culture they experience while running race is awesome. I just wouldn't want to do any of the stunts that involve heights or, er, unique foods.

6. Have you ever farmed or spent any time on a farm? Are there farm stands in your little corner of the world and do you make it a point to shop there? If so, what item do you particularly like to buy from a roadside stand or farm shop?

I have what I call a "hobby farm". I have a flock of hens for eggs. (See above.) I grow a small vegetable garden in the warmer months. We have a apple tree (that sometimes gives us a few apples). We have farmer's markets all around us. I don't shop at them often, but my 2 favorite veggies to buy are peas and corn on the cob.

7. What's something you've experienced recently that made you feel a sense of awe or wonder?

I have gone to 4 different garages to determine what repairs I need on my van. I'm in awe that NONE of the garages have agreed on the repairs except for a blown headlight and a rusted brake line. (My son and I replaced the headlight and the brake line is repaired.) I have been told everything from, "It's time to retire her" to "She's in great shape for an almost 11 year old vehicle, but needs a few things repaired." Who am I to believe? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Join Joyce from From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Share in the randomness!

Happy Hodgepodging!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Tuesday Coffee Chat: This or That

Time out for Mom

I'm joining Leslie this week for Tuesday Coffee Chat. Thankfully, her prompt is THIS OR THAT, I don't have to think too awfully hard. :: achoo :: :: cough :: My "thinker" wants to snuggle in warm covers and hope this cold passes. Click on over and read all about it!

THIS OR THAT

Heels or Sneakers?

What would Crocs be? Sneakers! There is no way I'm going to torture my toes in heels. And if I do need to wear something fancier than my New Balances then I'll slip on some sandals.

Coke or Pepsi?

Neither. I don't care for soda. If I've got a headache that won't quit, I will sometimes grab a Coke to see if the caffeine will help (as I don't drink coffee either). And sometimes I'll sip a ginger ale.


Instagram or Flickr?

Neither. I don't use either. I've heard of them though...

Tomboy or Girlie Girl?

Well, I don't like to wear much makeup. My nails are jagged and unpainted. Dresses? No way! See the heels answer above. I like to fish. I just taught my son to put a headlight into a vehicle. Yeah, Tomboy!

Nap or Read?

Oh, it depends on the day. I'm edging towards an early evening bedtime right now. But, then again, I'm battling a cold bug...I do spend quite a bit of time reading each day, bringing my bible, a book for pleasure and my WIP (crochet project) everywhere I go.

Karaoke or Bowling?

No one wants to hear me sing. Trust me. They might not want to see me bowl either, but at least that's not usually painful...

Pizza or Sushi?


Rain or Shine?

There is something special about a rainy day, a day to snuggle down under blankets to read and watch Hulu, but sunshine (although not too warm) is awesome for kayaking and fishing and hiking and picnics and camping and...

Single or Taken?


Dress or Jeans?

JEANS! (PJs would be better...)

Winter or Summer?

Summer! I may complain about how hot and humid it gets sometimes, but Maine summers are fleeting. Winter sticks around FOREVER (it seems).

Exercise or Couch?

Are we talking the gym? exercise videos? Those are so boring! If I'm going to exercise then I want more out of it than good health; I want an experience! I'll take exercise if it can be kayaking or gardening or hiking or swimming. Otherwise, my couch is comfy!

Library or Cafe?

Our little library is such a special place with many nooks and crannies and soft, cushy chairs. Sometimes a quiet spot is just what is needed during a stressful day (or week or month).

Jocks or Nerds?

I know it comes as a surprise, but I'm a nerd, and I'll still with my "flock".

Piano or Guitar?

I've always wanted to play the piano. I took lessons for 5 months once in high school. I still can't play "Chopsticks". I don't have a musical "bone" in my body.

Marvel or DC?

What are these? Oh, DC - DOUBLE CROCHET! I'll take DC! :: wink :: (Can I link up again, Leslie? LOL)