Expressions from our Youngest

Expressions from our Youngest
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Sunday, December 8, 2013

A Simple Woman's Daybook - December 8, 2013




It is time for a Simple Woman's Daybook for the month of December.

Outside my window...it in the 30's here in Maryland with our first snow of the year.  It is Sunday and the kids are playing in the snow and drinking hot chocolate.

I am thinking...that even though we could not find our Advent Wreath this year, we are making due with just a single candle during our Advent prayers.

I am thankful...that I was able to manage all right when my illness resurfaced this past week.  I have been unable to concentrate fully but was able to manage to get by.

In the kitchen...we ate my hubby's lasagna last night.  It was very good and Patrick had seconds.

I am wearing...black sweat pant, grey tee, and grey and pink hooded jacket.

I am creating...a post for our new Christmas class Journal Writing Class.  The link doesn't appear to work anymore so one has to go to Meetup.com and search Nucleus of Life.  Just join the group and get some ideas if you have young writers.

http://www.meetup.com/nucleusoflife-com/events/154533382/
 We'll be reading a great Christmas story, playing Stay Out of the Thorns, enjoying Christmas cookies, doing a Christmas craft, and making a topic sentence. Come celebrate the season with us. Just join the group if you have a beginning writer.




www.meetup.com
Come to enhance the writing abilities of your young children and learn their Christian faith at the same time. It is a fun 
I am going...to get some advice on how to scrapbook my grandmother's scrapbook she made years ago next week so my mother can journal in it.

I am wondering...how my youngest and second youngest are faring in the snow right now.

I am looking forward to...attending one my two daughters' indoor swim meets soon.

I am hearing... hubby with sports on the t.v. downstairs, someone walking up the steps, and the kids playing outside.

Around the house...we put up the Christmas tree last weekend and this seems to be the only Christmas decoration we have room for in our house this year.

I am praying...for peace in the world.

One of my favorite things...was spending time together as a family today with no where to go and no outside commitments to attend to.  We went to Mass last night and are enjoying the snowy day together here.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to bring my game I invented to Religious Education classes tomorrow night.

Here are some recent pictures to share.




Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A Simple Woman's Daybook - November 20, 2013




It's time for A Simple Woman's Daybook for the month of November.  Just click on this link to participate.

Outside my window...it in the high 40's / low 50's here in the evening in Maryland as the sun is lowering in the sky.  It was a bright and sunny day.  Yesterday it was 70.

I am thinking...that it will be a nice change of pace to start thinking about the holidays.  It is so difficult to hear all the trouble affecting our country and our world all the time.  Furthermore, it will be a nice break from the usual responsibilities.  A time to focus on friends and family and be thankful for the simple things in life.  I can't wait!

I am thankful...that I had good luck in making muscles last year for a science experiment.  I do not have to teach my religious education class this Monday and will be able to get the supplies for this experiment again for our homeschool coop science class.  This is because I do not have to plan for the religious education class.

In the kitchen...we are cooking chicken tonight.  We grilled our chicken in the microwave last week and it was very good.  We will probably do this again tonight unless my husband wants to barbeque.  It is cool but sunny and nice enough for this.  The microwave does not give us the nice grill marks.

I am wearing...black sweat pant, white tee, and blue and grey hooded jacket.

I am creating...a new plan and craft for my journal writing class for Christmas time.  It is a heart warming story called "A Bear's First Christmas." 

I am going...to possibly go to my two daughters' swim meet this weekend.

I am wondering...how my youngest daughter will enjoy her Latin field trip next week.

I am looking forward to...our journal writing class this Thursday.  We will play Stay Out of the Thorns, read a book about giving thanks, complete a craft about the seasons, write our topic sentences, and play pin the pilgrim's hat on the turkey.

I am hearing...nice and quiet - except for hitting the keys on the keyboard.

Around the house...we cleaned up a bit this morning and I'm hoping my cleaning lady can come before Thursday.

I am praying...for my therapists' family.  I really enjoyed talking with her today.

One of my favorite things...was playing the game I made up at religious education class.  I think it ignited a desire to study in the children.  I plan on helping them with studying by giving them some pointers at our next class.  It is a challenge because they all (except for one other) go to public school and class is in the evening.  They do not have the time homeschoolers have to learn their faith.  I plan on suggesting that they have a prayer table set up in their bedrooms to give them a place to focus on the Lord...even if it is for just 15 minutes.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to make something yummy for journal writing class for the moms.

Here are some recent pictures to share.  My daughters and husband are ushers at Mass.


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Deos Gratias





It is time for Deos Gratias on Colleen's blog where we list five things we are thankful for during our past weeks.  Just click on this link to participate.


1.)  I am so thankful for these three simple books I am reading to my second grader now.  One is about the true story of Fatima, another about two boys who travel back in time in a time machine to the middle ages, and the other has wonderful questions to ask your children.



2)  I am grateful for the little homeschool coop we are in once a week.  I help teach a science class and my plan worked out good.  Here are our students holding up the solar system.



3)  I am thankful that I went to visit my mother as she is not feeling well.  I have my grandmother's photo album that I'm going to prepare for my mother to label all the people in it.  My hubby and I are also going to be visiting her on this Monday to get her will straightened out and speak to a lawyer.  It is the only day my hubby has off from work to go.

4)  I am grateful that I have a good partner to teach my religious education class on Monday when we have to drive to West Virginia to see my mother.

5)  I am thankful for the dog my son can cuddle and play with during the day in between our homeschool classes.  All his siblings are older.  The closest one to his age is 7 years older.



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

A Simple Woman's Daybook - October 2013






I would like to post to A Simple Woman's Daybook today.

Outside my window...it has been beautiful weather here in Maryland for the month of October.  Now it is dusk and some clouds rolled in with the temperature in the 50's.

I am thinking...that it has been great to be part of a small Catholic home school co-op once a week this year.  The moms are great and it is so much fun helping all the children in their classes.  My second grader is taking a literature, religion, and science course at this co-op.

I am thankful...that the science class has been productive in the co-op.  We were concerned with the book we have to use but we have come up with some good ideas for astronomy for the first and second graders.

In the kitchen...my husband has been helping out so much with the dinners.  He has been barbequing and cooking delicious meat while I make side dishes like rice, potatoes, and vegetables.

I am wearing...black sweat pant, grey tee, and grey hooded jacket.

I am creating...a treasure box with laminated bible verses of the Kingdom parables from the bible for our prayer table in the religious education class I teach at a local parish.

I am going...to another Maryland home football game this Saturday to tailgate with my five beautiful children.  I hope the weather is good.

I am wondering...when my friend and I can get together before the co-op and test out our science experiment together.  We may be measuring on a string how far away each of the planets are away from the sun and recording our data on a form.

I am looking forward to...our third class for journal writing in November will be on giving thanks.  The children have such a good time and we will be playing pin the pilgrim's hat on the turkey.

I am hearing...The Five on the t.v. and my son playing with the dog.

Around the house...we cleaned up the downstairs but still need to hang my white board.  My daughter made her school project in the basement this past week and it needs to be cleaned up a bit again.

I am praying...for our military.

One of my favorite things...was attending a woman's empowering group with my friend for six weeks.

A few plans for the rest of the week...are to visit my daughters' school for parent-teacher-advisor conferences.

Here are some recent pictures to share.





Saturday, September 7, 2013

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - September 6, 2013




It's time for the Weekly Wrap Up for my homeschool week.

In my life this week...My son's new sling shot came in the mail.  I showed him how to use it by shooting a grape across the kitchen.  He found some crab apples from a tree in the middle of our court.  Boy, does it shoot far.  We went for a long walk with the dog and he brought his sling shot with crab apples in his pocket.  We've had beautiful weather this week in Maryland.

Now that the private school my daughters attend have a bus service, I get home thirty minutes earlier than last year when I had to drive them all the way into Virginia.  It is nice not having to drive the beltway.  When the weather is cold or rainy though, I know they will want to wait in the car until the bus comes.  Therefore, we may only save fifteen minutes or so.  

On Labor day, my husband took the kids to the pool before it closed for the summer.  The kids played so well together that day.  The girls got all their homework done for the return to school on Tuesday.  It was a very relaxing day for all of us.

In our homeschool week...

Religion:  Devotion, Bible and Prayers everyday.

Math:  Word problems, patterns, addition, equal groups, fractions, time, money, line segments, regrouping, subtraction, hundreds, liquid measures, shapes, dates, hundreds, speed drills, greater than and less than, expanded numbers, place value, fact families, length

Latin:  Started Lesson 2 - Learned six Latin words, some consonants, diphthongs, and watched instructional CD, and I bought some index cards for studying the vocabulary words.

NOL Journaling:  Wrote draft on My Cool Sling Shot.  Drew and colored picture and neatly wrote the final.


Spelling:  homophones and test

Reader:  Finished work on the book Keep the Lights Burning Abbie and wrote the draft paragraph on My Happiest Moment.  Also read Never Ask a Bear by Louise Bonnet-Rampersaud and related following the Ten Commandments to the story because it was about following rules.

History:  Did notebooking about the Celts and Anglo-Saxons of Britain.  We also learned about Beowulf.  Did map work, test, and oral questions.  Learned about St. Augustine of Canterberry and great monasteries.




Helpful homeschool tips...I use my journal idea every week.  Here is a link on my website for some of the most recent stories we drew and wrote about:  http://www.nucleusoflife.com/apps/blog/show/32669614-nol-sample-stories-group-4

Places and People...My friend and I went to a meeting to empower women.  It is almost like a prayer meeting but the women are so nice and it felt good to get out and have some time for ourselves.  I love meeting new women.

My favorite thing...was spending time with my friend and letting our sons play together.  Also attending our first home Maryland football game together.






Things I'm working on...I'm still working on getting a learning center for homeschooling in our basement.

I'm cooking... I made chicken in the crock pot one night.

I'm grateful for...being able to homeschool.

I'm praying for...The country of Syria

I rewarded my kids by...buying the sling shot for my son.

Something I have my eye on...A day to put up my white board (still).

A photo...Here is Bella sleeping on the couch while we homeschool.



Monday, September 2, 2013

Labor Day: The Value of Work


We are so blessed as a family to be able to work at homeschooling our children, finding productive jobs for our teens, and take advantage of some very beneficial volunteer endeavors.  We've always taught our children to help out whenever they can.  Being able to homeschool has helped us display and dialogue about a hard work ethic.  Whenever we observed someone with a lazy attitude, we knew that this was not the way Christ has taught us to serve others.  You can see it in people all around you when your out and about.  One can easily tell if a person enjoys their job or not.

In Maryland, I've noticed that the employees who work at Chic-Fil-A in our area are much more pleasant, confident, and timely than other drive through windows we've visited.  Have you noticed anything similar in your area of the woods?  It is a stark contrast between the two.  It is very interesting.

We also have a local gas station with an anniversary date of their start up this month in our town.  They still come out and put the gas in your car for you.  There is no self serve.  It is just a small no-frills gas station and they are so friendly and quick.  I want to bring them a birthday cake this month because I'm so grateful for their old fashioned service.

Some of the volunteer work and teen jobs my children were able to participate in are listed below.  Maybe you can get some ideas for your own kids.  Let's honor the jobs we've held in the past and value the work we are able to participate in on this labor day.  Here is my list:

1)  My daughters assisted me teaching a dance class for pre-schoolers at a local dance studio.

2)  My husband worked with my sons in boy scouts and worked hard every year with them to sell Christmas trees and wreaths.  Two of them received their Eagles and for their Eagle project were able to build a Stations of the Cross with a nice brick path up at our Church.  It was hard work.

3)  When the kids were young, I was a Pastoral Visitor at my Church.  We were able to bring weekly communion to the frail and elderly.  We would pray over them and get to know them.

4)  My daughter was able to help at our local American Legion serving food to customers on bingo night.  Veterans are wonderfully hard workers and so friendly.

5)  My husband was a swimmer growing up and our three oldest children were all able to be life guards for their first job at our local swimming pool.

6)  My daughter has been a coach-in-training with the swim team teaching little ones how to swim.

7)  My daughter was able to volunteer one day a week at a local hospital.  She wants to go into nursing.

8)  My two daughters help my husband usher at Mass every week.

These jobs were a great benefit to our family.  As you can see, some of the jobs are a family affair.  In other words, mom or dad worked with the kids.  The older the kids became...the more independent they were in the jobs they held.  Let's honor the work we've been able to participate in on this labor day.  The value of work is very important.


10 Things that Make this Summer Memorable



I'm hooking up with Monday Listicles and listing 10 things that made my summer memorable:

1)  Being on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland with the family in the cool of the evening observing the beautiful sky and ocean, watching the kids play volleyball and skin board.

2)  My seven year old's first time on swim team and his first lap across the entire pool

3)  Swim Team's Ice Cream Social

4)  Swim Team's Potluck Breakfast

5)  The Swim Team Bonfire and Dive-in Movie

6)  4th of July at Baker Park and dancing in the parking lot

7)  Driving my daughter to and from her life guarding, coach-in-training, and volunteer jobs

8)  My son's breakup with his girlfriend

9)  Tailgating at University of Maryland football games

10)  Watching Duck Dynasty with the family and having dinner on the back deck on nice evenings

Friday, August 30, 2013

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - August 30, 2013


The Homeschool Mother's Journal

I would like to post to The Homeschool Mother's Journal this week and Weekly Wrap-Up.  This was our first week back to homeschooling this year.

In my life this week...My girls started back to their wonderful Catholic high school.  Therefore, it was prime time to start homeschooling my second grader.  It is always so much easier to homeschool him when everyone else is at school or work.  The week didn't finish off as I had planned because my girls had off on Friday and I had to bring them for their physicals so they could participate on the swim team this year.  Plus, hubby had off on Friday.  So we didn't do any homeschooling on Friday.  It was a shame because I was going to begin note booking with him for his history.  The beginning of the week was also a little rough because I had to not only drive the girls to school on Monday...but also pick them up.  Usually my hubby picks them up.  This took away from our homeschooling day.  Wednesday my husband also stayed home to work to stay out of the traffic from the Martin Luther King celebration in WDC.  This also cut into our homeschooling day.  Nevertheless, we accomplished some important things in our week.

In our homeschool week...

Religion:  Devotion, Bible and Prayers everyday.  We discussed the importance of prayer and vocations.  One of our favorite verses was: "For the virtuous his paths are level, to the haughty they are steep..." Sirach 39:24.  We say the five daily mysteries and a decade of the rosary with a morning offering.

Math:  Word problems, patterns, addition, equal groups, fractions, time, money, line segments, regrouping, subtraction, hundreds, liquid measures, shapes, dates

Latin:  Completed Lesson 1 - Learned seven Latin words, vowel sounds, and watched instructional CD

English:  Alphabetical Order and Sentence Types - Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, and Exclamatory

NOL Journaling:  Wrote draft on Three Cajun Pigs. The virtue was diligence and the bible verse was Proverbs 13:4. Drew and colored picture and neatly wrote the final.  We orally discussed his edits.  I will have to work harder on having him be more serious about the edits next week.  I think I'll be using our new white board for this.

Spelling:  Survey Test and Placement Test

History:  The Glory that was Rome, map work and test. Learned about the Celts of Britain and the story of Craith and his companions.  We will be learning about Beowulf next week and I can post our note booking pages on this.

Helpful homeschool tips...I use my journal idea every week.  Here is a link on my website for some of the most recent stories we drew and wrote about:  http://www.nucleusoflife.com/apps/blog/show/32669614-nol-sample-stories-group-4

Places and People...We went to Cold Stone for ice cream after the physicals on Friday.  Have you ever had their smoothies?  Best smoothie I've ever had and only 110 calories.

My favorite thing...There is something so heart warming to observe puppies and children together.  I'm so grateful to have rescued our puppy, Bella, from the shelter back in February of this year.

Whenever we begin our homeschool day, we cuddle on the couch together with our Bible, devotional, and rosary.  Bella comes right over and lays between us.

My son is seven and his four older siblings are either in private high school or college.  Therefore, he is our last child being homeschooled and Bella is a welcome friend to him.  It is such a joy to see him interact and play with Bella between subjects while we homeschool.

On Wednesday, my son hurt his knee when he fell on the hard floor in our basement.  My husband and I both heard his cries and ran to see what happened.  Of course, Bella ran right up to him and started wagging her tail and licking him all over.  His cries immediately turned to laughter.  Bella is a great comfort to us while we homeschool.  No wonder they call them man's best friend.

My kids favorite thing...My second grader is excited because I ordered him a nice sling shot this week that will be coming in the mail.

Things I'm working on...I'm still working on getting a learning center for homeschooling in our basement.

I'm cooking... Oven roaster, potatoes, and peas

I'm grateful for...My oldest college son who was here on Monday and took my second grader to the pool.

I'm praying for...The country of Syria

I rewarded my kids by...I let my girls get pedicures before school started.

Something I have my eye on...A day to put up my white board.

A photo...Here is my son and our puppy Bella in between subjects as we homeschool.



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Simple Woman's Daybook





It is time for a Simple Woman's Daybook for this Monday, August 27th, 2013.

Outside my window...it is sunny and warm here in Maryland and I just returned from bringing my daughters' to their first day of school.  My son fell asleep on the way home.  I  think he got up too early.

I am thinking...that it been awfully nice being able to take hour long walks with my hubby lately.  We have a good conversation as we escape the house and the kids and get good exercise at the same time.  It is also such a joy to be out in nature.  Sometimes...less is more!

I am thankful...that my oldest son came home from college and got the best hair cut I've ever seen on him.  He is so handsome with this new layered hair cut.  I am also thankful that my two college sons were home yesterday evening for dinner and rosary together.

In the kitchen...we had pork chops and mashed potatoes last night.

I am wearing...a grey tee with blue and yellow shorts with flip flops.

I am creating...We are attempting to create a learning center for homeschooling.  Hubby cleared out most of the clutter downstairs and now we have to hang the white board.  I am also creating one of the crafts for my journal writing class.  I was able to work on it yesterday while I waited for my daughters at a half day high school orientation and senior picture day.  I did get a lot done.

I am going...to bring my two daughters to their first day of school today.  We are using the school's bus service to bring them from Maryland into Virginia this year.  I used to have to drive all the way which took about 40-45 minutes one way.  It will cut about 20 minutes off our traveling time and we will be able to get home earlier to begin home schooling. (So much for starting early...my son is tired!)

I am wondering...how the co-op is going to work out as we do not have normal class rooms with desks, tables, or a black board.  The students will be sitting on coaches and plush seats.

I am looking forward to...our first class for journal writing in September.  The children have such a good time.

I am hearing...I put Fox and Friends on in the morning.

Around the house...my oldest is getting ready to return to college and my second grader fell asleep on the couch. 

I am praying...for all my kids in their educational growth and making good social decisions.

One of my favorite things...was attending the co-op gathering the other night where I was able to meet so many nice moms.

A few plans for the rest of the week...are to begin homeschooling and finish making our learning center.

Here are some pictures to share when we visited my mom a couple weeks ago.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Seven Quick Takes


It's time for 7 Quick Takes over at Conversion Diary.  If you would like to participate, just click on this link.

1)  Today we are going to visit grandma in West Virginia.  My mom is the sweetest person I've ever known.  I rarely get to see her and I worry about her.  She fell and hit her arm on the coffee table and had to where a cast for a little while.  She is eighty years old and it is getting harder for her to get around.  My brother lives with her and tries to take care of her but he is sometimes not too dependable.  If we do not head over to see her today, I'm afraid that we will not have time once the school year starts.  I haven't seen her since last spring at my daughters Confirmation.  I wish I could spend more time with her.  Our family gets so busy and my mom no longer likes to drive much as she has some difficulty with her vision.  I am looking forward to spending some time with her and the kids today.

2)  My daughter is going to be a senior this year and it's that time to start preparing things for colleges.  I can't believe my baby girl is growing up.  I am so proud of her.  She is more than I ever was or could be in life.  She volunteers at a local hospital, helps coach children on the swim team, life guards as her summer job, ushers at Sunday Masses, , enjoys membership in the National Honor Society, and chooses swim team as an activity year round.  When I was her age, I was working full time and going to a local community college part time.  I was not involved in my community and helping families the way my daughter is today.  She is doing the right things and has a commitment to customer service that is heart warming to see.  Just the other night, I went to pick my daughter up from work at the pool.  There were two groups having parties and they were taking their time packing up their items to leave the pool because it was closing.  All those life guards rallied together to clean up and help the families out of the pool to leave at a reasonable time.  It was great to see her work hard with others to achieve a common goal.  She continues to amaze me.  I am so proud of her.

3)  My children are my life.  That is why I talk about them so much.  My oldest son recently broke up with his girlfriend of two years.  I know it was difficult for him.  It is very interesting though as he is more approachable and friendly now without her.  She was a very nice person but there was something in their relationship that was blocking him from being the person he is today.  He does not talk about the situation and is very private and respectful toward others.  Therefore, I often ponder about this.  It is so hard to grow up sometimes as my other son was the one who got dumped by his girlfriend and he is heart broken.  He knows she needs more space and independence and it is hard to see him struggle with honoring her with this request.  He has come a long way and is doing much better now.  I wish there was a way to help them avoid becoming too serious with someone while they are away at college.  They are both at a very challenging and important time in their lives.  I am always praying for them...please offer a prayer for my two oldest sons with me!

4)  It is so important to be clean and sanitary.  For the second time in our 26 years of marriage, yesterday I hired a sweet couple to come clean my kitchen and bathrooms.  I am so glad I took the plunge to do this.  To be honest, I get so busy picking up clutter, washing dishes, and homeschooling that I have no time and energy to do it right.  It is so hard to get those stains out of the toilets.  It so cute the way this husband and wife team work together to help families clean.  Some people have a talent for this.  They are so much better and quicker at it than I am.  I am so appreciative of their work and efforts.

5)  It is a busy time of year getting the kids ready to go back to school.  There are so many errands to run and books and supplies to buy for the school year.  I often wonder how I am going to fit it all in.  We're making progress though.  We are ordering books, getting hair cuts, getting supplies, attending some pre-school events, and (God Willing) setting up a small learning center in our basement.  I have to order a large dry erase board for the wall.  I remember teaching in classrooms at a local Church and I utilized the blackboard constantly.  It will be a big benefit for our homeschooling endeavors.

6)  Here is a picture of our family on the vacation we just had in Ocean City, Maryland.  It was so nice to get away before the year starts.


7)  I am excited this year to participate in a local homeschool co-op once a week.  I have found in homeschooling both genders that boys need socialization more than girls do.  There is something in the male species that thrives when they can be around friends.  My girls were more content just being.  Boys have to get out and experience life more at an earlier age.  The homeschool group will also be able to attend Mass every week.  This is a great asset...to keep their faith at the center of their educational experiences.

Monday, August 12, 2013

The Simple Woman's Daybook





It is time for a Simple Woman's Daybook for this Monday, August 12th, 2013.

Outside my window...it is evening here in Maryland after a bright sunny beautiful day.  I spent a large part of my day driving my daughter to and from her volunteer job at the hospital and life guarding at the pool.  I enjoyed a glass of Merlot this evening after being out all day.

I am thinking...that it will be a nice change this year to belong to a home school co-op once a week and have my writing class every third Thursday.

I am thankful...that we just got back from the beach and had a great time.  The weather cooperated with us as they were calling for rain in Maryland last week quite often but it always cleared up for us on the beach.

In the kitchen...we had an oven stuffed roaster and rice

I am wearing...a yellow tee with blue and yellow striped shorts with a blue and grey sweat jacket on.

I am creating...We are attempting to create a learning center for homeschooling.  I have to buy a large dry erase board tomorrow to hang on the wall.  We also have to clear out junk.

I am going...to my mother's house in West Virginia Friday.

I am wondering...how my mother is doing as she broke her left wrist when she fell.  She says it feels better and the cast will be removed this week.

I am looking forward to...our finished attempt at creating a learning center.  Also, to have the object they hook on clothes to catch shop lifters from leaving the store to be removed from my new sneakers tomorrow.  They were mailed to me with the object still on the sneaker.  Go figure!!!

I am hearing...my daughter watching Duck Dynasty.

Around the house...my dishwasher needs to be unloaded and I still need to unpack my son's clothes.  My three oldest are either working or at college and my hubby and seven year old are at a scout meeting.  The dog is resting.  It is pretty quite except for the t.v. and my typing.

I am praying...for my oldest son who is moving from one place to a townhouse right off campus at University of Maryland.  He will be in graduate school this year and he left this morning.

One of my favorite things...is the fun we had on our annual vacation to Ocean City.  We went out to dinner two nights.  The rest of the time we ate at the beach house.  It was very relaxing but it feels good to be home and starting to begin the school year.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is getting a pedicure with my two daughters this Wednesday.

Here are some pictures to share from our vacation last week in Ocean City, Maryland...










Saturday, July 27, 2013

Sabbath Moments




It is time for Sabbath Moments over at Colleen's blog.  Just click on the link to participate.

1)  Last night was a Sabbath Moment when my husband and I enjoyed happy hour together on the back deck.  We were listening to the sounds of nature together and looking at the sunset and beautiful sky.  Our sons were coming out to join us periodically.  We noticed that the lightning bugs were not out as much.  We thought it may have been because the temperature was a bit cooler here in Maryland...rather than very hot the last few days.  You could really hear the crickets and cicadas (or whatever it was) in the tree line of our back yard.  My hubby wanted to get his sleeping bag a sleep outside.  I said, "I'm sorry I need my bed."

2)  I really enjoyed the forty minute drive to bring my daughter to her pool party.  We had a nice conversation in the car.  Oftentimes here in Maryland, we drive our daughters to Virginia as many of their friends live there.  We go on the famous beltway circling DC to get to their houses.  I really can't say it's that famous but you get the idea.  It is just the way life is here in the MD/VA/DC corridor.

3)  It was wonderful the other day to be able to sit outside and get some ideas for the class I'm teaching next year.  I brought all my books out and sat at the table on the back deck because it was not so hot.  I really accomplished much.  Oftentimes it is hard for me to concentrate in the house.  It was a benefit to be able to escape the chores of the house and sit outside in peace and quiet.  Sometimes I go to the library or a nearby coffee shop when I can't go on the back deck because of the weather.


Friday, July 26, 2013

Harcourt Science for Second/Third Grade



We finished the first Harcourt Science book in first grade and now we're advancing to the second book in their series.  Kolbe Academy splits the book between third and fourth grades.  Therefore, we will be doing half of the book this year for second grade.  This is because I have my second grader taking on new subjects for Latin and Spelling.  We are also participating in a co-op once a week.  We will not have the time to finish the entire book in one year with these other subjects and activities.  There are 18 chapters in the book and we will be doing 10 of them.  Each chapter comes with a manageable experiment.  Our science will consist as follows:

Life Science

Living Things
-  What Are Cells?
-  What Are Animals?
-  What Are Plants with Seeds?
-  What Are Fungi?

Animal Growth and Adaptations
-  What Are the Basic Needs of Animals?
-  How Do Animals' Body Parts Help Them Meet Their Needs?
-  How Do Animals' Behaviors Help Them Meet Their Needs?

Plant Growth and Adaptations
-  What do Plants Need to Live?
-  How do Leaves, Stems, and Roots Help Plants Live?
-  How do Plants Reproduce?

Human Body Systems (Health)
-  How Do the Skeletal and Muscular Systems Work?
-  How Do the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Work?
-  How Do the Nervous and Digestive Systems Work?

Earth Science

Earthquakes and Volcanoes
-  What Are the Layers of the Earth?
-  What Causes Earthquakes?
-  How Do Volcanoes Form?

Fossils
-  How Do Fossils Form?
-  What Can We Learn from Fossils?
-  How Do Fossil Fuels Form?

Physical Science

Matter and Its Changes
-  What Are Three States of Matter?
-  How Can Matter Be Measured and Compared?
-  What Are Some Useful Properties of Matter?
-  What Are Chemical and Physical Changes?

Heat - Energy On The Move
-  How Does Heat Affect Matter?
-  How Can Thermal Energy Be Transferred?
-  How is Thermal Energy Produced and Used?

Sound
-  What is Sound?
-  Why Do Sounds Differ?
-  How Do Sound Waves Travel?

Light
-  How Does Light Behave?
-  How Are Light and Color Related?

or Nancy Larson at http://www.nancylarson.com/science1.html

Seven Quick Takes Friday


7 quick takes sm1 7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 226)


It is time for Seven Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary. 

1)  Our dog, Bella, sometimes doesn't like to do her business in the brush of our backyard sometimes.  During the school year she will have to because I am in my jammies half the time when I take her out.  Maybe it will be dark enough if she pulls me into the front yard to walk down the street in the winter to go in a public grassy area.  If I'm still in my jammies, I can use a flash light.  I have to drive my girls to school early and the sun will not be up yet.  Oftentimes, she has to be pulled into the back yard to go.  She likes to patrol the neighborhood in the front.  She is like a watch dog for the neighborhood.  She'll just sit or lay in the front yard and look around.  I don't like to leave her off the leash because our neighbor's dog doesn't like her and attacks her.  She is pure joy to have and take care of but she has to remember that it is o.k. sometimes to do her business in the back yard.  Here is are sweet pup:



2)  My daughter has to babysit for an hour early in the morning twice a week for a young mom to go swimming in our local pool.  She forgot one morning and I'm very pleased that she apologized to the parents for over sleeping.  It shows she cares about her responsibilities and the people she helps.

3)  I'll be visiting my friends children today while she takes her husband to have shoulder surgery.  She doesn't even know how long it will take.  Her husband is in the service and the place where they are going said she had to bring her own food while she waited for him to recover.  This is ridiculous.  Too many cuts are being made in our military.  Someone is trying to make it miserable for our service men. 

My children are very good friends with her children and they will be able to hang out together today for a little while.  I am privileged to help a military family out.

4)  The other day I accidently took the keys to the other car with me when my son's car was in the shop.  He was supposed to pick my daughter up from teaching swim lessons to little ones.  I had to pick her up 45 minutes late.  I am so glad she had a good attitude about the whole incidence.  She was not angry at all for my carelessness.

5)  I've decided to cover half of my son's science book in homeschooling for second grade this year rather than try to finish the whole thing.  This will give us more time for Latin, Spelling, and a co-op group once a week.  He will be studying Harcourt Science and we'll do ten chapters with a simple experiment for each lesson.  The schedule is as follows:

Life Science

Living Things
-  What Are Cells?
-  What Are Animals?
-  What Are Plants with Seeds?
-  What Are Fungi?

Animal Growth and Adaptations
-  What Are the Basic Needs of Animals?
-  How Do Animals' Body Parts Help Them Meet Their Needs?
-  How Do Animals' Behaviors Help Them Meet Their Needs?

Plant Growth and Adaptations
-  What Do Plants Need to Live?
-  How Do Leaves, Stems, and Roots Help Plants Live?
-  How Do Plants Reproduce?

Human Body Systems (Health)
-  How Do the Skeletal and Muscular Systems Work?
-  How Do the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Work?
-  How Do the Nervous and Digestive Systems Work?

Earth Science

Earthquakes and Valcanoes
-  What Are the Layers of the Earth?
-  What Causes Earthquakes?
-  How Do Volcanoes Form?

Fossils
-  How Do Fossils Form?
-  What Can We Learn from Fossils?
-  How Do Fossil Fuels Form?

Physical Science

Matter and Its Changes
-  What Are the Three States of Matter?
-  How Can Matter Be Measured and Compared?
-  What Are Some Useful Properties of Matter?
-  What Are Chemical and Physical Changes?

Heat - Energy On The Move
-  How Does Heat Affect Matter?
-  How Can Thermal Energy Be Transferred?
-  How is Thermal Energy Produced and Used?

Sound
-  What is Sound?
-  How Do Sounds Differ?
-  How Do Sound Waves Travel?

Light
-  How Does Light Behave?
-  How Are Light and Color Related?

or Nancy Larson at http://www.nancylarson.com/science1.html

6)  I am so proud of my youngest daughter too as she is vice president of her class next year.  We were really surprised at this because she is rather quiet sometimes.  It must be her red hair.  The president of the class came over to work with her on ideas for next year.  They were both very diligent in accomplishing and planning good things for their class next year.  I am very proud at how well they worked together.  Here are my two sweet daughters being silly:



7)  I am trying to loose weight by recording the things I eat and the exercise I get.  I keep bouncing back and forth like a yo yo five pounds or so.  Up and back, Up and back, Up and back.  I can't seem to keep loosing.  Therefore, I will have to give up eating my hubby's fattening dinners.  He brought subs home last night and of course I ate mine.  Of course he said, "You didn't have to eat it."  Therefore, I'm going to have a 150 calorie Lean Cuisine for dinner every night.  Hopefully this will help me.  Cutting out this late heavy meal should help me.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Simple Woman's Daybook





It is time for a Simple Woman's Daybook.  Just click on the link to participate.

Outside my window...it cloudy, still, quiet, and warm.  The weather here in Maryland has been very hot recently and today it is a bit cooler.  I just came in from walking our dog.

I am thinking...that I'm glad a brought some extra food from the swim team banquet over my friends house.  We had coffee and conversation that was so enjoyable.  I'm glad she had time to visit with me.  I actually went to high school with her and she was in my class.

I am thankful...the successful swim team banquet that was held this past weekend.  The kids had so much fun and the food was delicious.  Here are some pics:




In the kitchen...we brought home potato salad and macaroni and cheese left over from the banquet.  We just had this with chicken.

I am wearing...a blue danskin warm up.

I am creating...I finished one of the crafts for a Creation book I'm going to read the kids in the journal writing class in the fall.  The pieces are ready for the children to use.  I just have to finalize the example I will show them.

I am going...to bring my daughter to a pool party with her ninth grade friends tomorrow.

I am wondering...when my daughter's summer reading books will be available at the library.  I reserved them for her yesterday with a neighboring county's library.  Our county's library has poor hours.  It is frustrating.

I am looking forward to...I can't get my mind off our vacation to Ocean City, Maryland.  I'm constantly counting down the days.

I am hearing...my daughters talking in the kitchen and our dog chewing on her rope.

Around the house...I need to tidy up a bit and now my daughters are trying to get something away from the dog.

I am praying...for my two college sons.

One of my favorite things...was how well my daughter and her friend worked on plans for the school year yesterday.  Her friend came up to plan activities for their class because she is the president of the class and my daughter is the vice president.  They focused and communicated extremely well and accomplished a lot.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to continue to drive my daughters to the locations they need to be for work and fun.

 Here are some pictures to share from swim team banquet.  I am in the purple: