Expressions from our Youngest

Expressions from our Youngest
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Friday, September 26, 2014

Keeping Track of Schedules


I have decided to record my schedule, diet, and exercise daily since so often I forget what I've done during the day.  When this happens, I feel like I haven't accomplished enough.  It helps me so much when I make a record of what I've done.

We've started Latin today by Memoria Press.  It will really help my son understand his grammar better too.  He enjoys Latin.  I'm a little late starting, but I credit starting today with my ability to keep a daily record of my schedule.  The declensions in Latin bring the reality of grammar to the forefront.

We also enjoy the writing program from Memoria Press.  It takes us through Recognition, Reversal, and Suffering in the fables and provides some Sentence Variations for us.  It also goes through Outlining.

I love the vocabulary we have from Loyola Press.  It contains much more advanced words and great exercises for him to complete.

The English workbook is great from Loyola Press.  It is also preparing him for his Latin by focusing on differences between Subjects, Subject Compliments, Direct Objects, Indirect Objects, and Objects of Prepositions in the beginning of the book.

We are coming to the end of using his third grade Math books from Christian Light Publications and I have to decide whether I want to switch him to Saxon or not yet.  I really liked this series as my son would sing while he did his Math.  He thoroughly enjoyed it.

As one can see, my day is filled with homeschooling my son. I should record a place for cleaning on my form as we also cleaned my son's bedroom a bit today.  Anyway, keeping track of my schedule helps me tremendously and I will try harder to do this daily.



Monday, September 22, 2014

The Simple Woman's Daybook





Outside my window...it is the first day of Autumn here in Maryland with the sun shining and a beautiful breeze in the 70's.

I am thinking...that it really is quiet around here with my four older children in college and high school.

I am thankful...that I still have an elementary child to homeschool.

In the kitchen...we had tacos last night at the request of my daughter and chicken pot pie the day before.  We'll have pork chops tonight.

I am wearing...a black sweat pants with black shirt and green polka dots.

I am creating... trying to record the books, authors, bible/virtue, and artwork my son completed last year for his journal classes.

I am going...to our homeschool coop tomorrow:  Classical Conversations!

I am wondering...when we are going to start Latin.

I am looking forward to...just going on a walk with my husband in this beautiful weather.

I am hearing...the peace and quiet while my son finishes his paragraph from the journal writing class.

Around the house...we have too many books and papers.

I am praying...for the intentions of Mary.

One of my favorite things...was seeing how well my eight year old does vocabulary.

A few plans for the rest of the week...are to go over the plans for my journal writing class and make preparations for it.

Here are some pictures to share:  A picture of our prayer table.  We had vocabulary words: cast lots, diocese, and precepts of the Church.


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Deo Gratias



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It's time to post five things I am thankful for this week to Colleen's blog Deo Gratias.  Just click on this link to participate.

1) I am thankful for a fruitful day at our homeschool coop this week.  I wasn't feeling well and thought we wouldn't be able to go.  My son had tears in his eyes and I pulled myself together and went anyway.  It turned out to be much better than I thought.  I am glad we went.

2)  I am grateful for seeing my children at the University of Maryland football game.  We even met my son's girlfriend's parents.  I am so relieved that my daughter is doing well her first couple weeks of college life.  It is always harder to let your daughter go away to school.  She looks good and is enjoying her freedom I think. Here is a pic of us after the game.


3)  I am thankful that I will be able to join some moms tomorrow night to discuss our coop.  It will be nice to get to know some of them better.  I am also going to invite some of them to my journal writing class.

4)  I am grateful to have seen where my sons are living right off campus.  They have a wonderful little bungalow of a house.  My sons are on the top floor with a window right behind their laptops.

5)  I am thankful that my oldest son seems to be handling his classes well for getting his Ph.D. in engineering.  He spends much time at the 'lab' I guess doing research.

DEO GRATIAS!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up

We started our weekend at my eight year old's soccer game.  He even played goalie for part of the game.  His team won.  Here he is kicking the ball.



Afterwards, we attended the University of Maryland (Go Terps!) and West Virginia football game.  It was rainy but we had a good time as it was a very close game.  I saw my three college children and met my son's girlfriend's parents.  They are very nice people.  Here is a picture of a group of us at the game and the half time show.



We finished the weekend attending the Star Spangled Event in Baltimore and we ate at Sip and Bite's restaurant that was on the food channel network.  Here is a picture of their great crab cakes.  We saw the Blue Angels at Baltimore Inner Harbor.  Here are four of them off in the distant sky over the harbor.






Tuesday, September 2, 2014

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - September 2, 2014


Managing Your Blessings


I am sharing the beginning of our homeschool journey this year 2014 and posting to The Homeschool Mother's Journal. and Weekly Wrap-Up.

In my life this week...We moved my daughter into her college dorm as a freshman at University of Maryland.  It was good to see her roommate and meet her parents.  My daughter and her roommate knew each other from the youth group at our church and decided to room together at college.  My two sons attending the same university came to help my daughter move in to her dorm.  The entire family was there wishing my daughter the best of luck at college.  She is majoring in nursing.  Her roommate is majoring in journalism.  I am so excited for her.  She seems to be adjusting well.





We also attended the first University of Maryland home football game.  All three of our college children came to our tailgate to visit us.  It was so good to see them again.  I finally saw where my two sons live.  I call there room a little bungalow.  It is a house off campus with eight young men sharing the space.  My two sons have a nice quiet room on the top floor.  There laptops are on a table facing a nice window.

In our homeschool week...we were able to make a cell for science with jello which is the cytoplasm. The malted milk ball is the cell's nucleus, raisins represent mitochondria, and colored candies are vacuoles.  Then for plant cells we added green olives for chloroplasts.




 We also started our writing for the fable stage where my son wrote a paragraph on The Ant and the Chrysalis.  He is in third grade this year and is doing very well.



Places and People...We started our Classical Conversations Homeschool Coop and it went very well.  There are five girls and four boys in Patrick's class. They studied/memorized part of a historical timeline, geography of five states and capitals, science for four types of tissue, a historical fact about Christopher Columbus, times tables for math, four Latin prepositions, Infinitives for English, drawing using shapes and lines for art, and a bible verse.  They also each did a short presentation in front of the class.

My favorite thing...Was definitely tailgating with my children at the Maryland football game.  Unfortunately, I could not stay for the game because I did have a headache and had to come home after tailgating.  At least I was there for the fun part...even though I didn't feel quite up to par.  I just thought the loud game would make my headache worse.

A photo...Here my daughters and I are at the end of swim team season this summer.







Monday, June 30, 2014

Deo Gratias




I'd like to post to Deo Gratias where we list five things we are thankful for this week.

1)  I'm thankful that my eight year old son was moved up to eight and unders on the swim team.  He advanced from a 30 minute practice to a 45 minute practice and now is able to swim in some meets.  His first eight and under practice he couldn't do the whole duration of the practice.  He almost quit.  I went up to him and told him to stretch and take some breaths and afterwards, he jumped right back in.  Now he practices the whole 45 minutes with no problem.  He has been in three swim meets and is doing great.  I'm so glad I was able to talk some sense into him at his first practice.  I knew he could do it.

2)  I'm grateful for coming up with a plan for my next journal writing class.  I found some fun animal crafts off the internet.  My daughter gave me the idea for the bible verse we will discuss.  We will be reading from one of Aesop's Fables.

3)  I'm grateful that my oldest son, Colin, came to eat dinner with us and visit with us when he attended a party near our house.  I was able to go to Mass with him the next morning.  It is always a warm feeling when my sons visit us from college.  They have kept the Faith!

4)  I'm thankful that we had nice weather for the parish picnic, bonfire, and dive in movie.  Here are some pics:






5)  I am grateful that my daughter won $200.00 from the Men's Club at our parish.  They award prizes to seniors for their service in the parish.  This will help pay for her books at college.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

A Simple Woman's Daybook



Outside my window...it has been overcast here in Maryland today for my son's eighth birthday: June 21, 2014.  There is just some sprinkles but no heavy rain and we were able to attend the first A meet for swim team.  Patrick swam in his very first A meet for his birthday.  Afterwards, we had pizza with the team at the pool.

I am thinking...that it will be nice on Monday when I get to help my son write his paragraph for journal class.  Then I can send it to all the children that participated in the class.

I am thankful...that we had good weather yesterday for our journal writing class.  Afterwards, my son and his friend played in the yard catching baby frogs.  We have a pond behind our yard and we get tons of these baby frogs.  The class went well and it was so good to see our friends from our old coops.

In the kitchen...we are having fried chicken from Safeway.

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

I am creating... trying to figure out my smart phone.

I am going... no where...only 11:00 am Mass tomorrow.

I am wondering...when my other college son will arrive home with his girlfriend to celebrate my eight year olds birthday.  My oldest college son has already arrived home.  I just finished making his birthday cake.

I am looking forward to...just getting through the swim team season so that we can go on vacation in August.

I am hearing...the t.v. sports channel on and typing on the keyboard.

Around the house...we have to get a new porch put in outside our basement.

I am praying...for my children.

One of my favorite things...was watching Patrick swim in his first meet on Wednesday.

A few plans for the rest of the week...are to just enjoy swim team and summer homeschooling.

Here are some pictures to share:

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Deo Gratias





It is time to list five things we are thankful for over at Deo Gratias.

1)  I am thankful for the part time job my 22 year old son has at a Maryland hospital in Baltimore while he is getting his nursing degree.  He just started and came home yesterday in his scrubs.  I know he will make a good health care provider.

2)  I am grateful for our local pool where my daughter had swim practice.  She has not been feeling well lately and I think getting outdoors and exercising has helped her feel better.  I also went in the pool with my 8 year old and he met a new friend there.  It is such good exercise and a chance to break away from the technology in the home.  There are some wonderful families to meet at our pool.

3)  I am grateful for the successful graduation and commencement ceremonies for my graduating college son and high school daughter.

4)  I am thankful for the peaceful and relaxing time we now have after all the celebrations that were taking place.  It has given me time to say the rosary every morning as our country needs these prayers badly.

5)  I am grateful for the time my daughter can spend with her friend in California for a week.  They've been very busy and now they are on a much needed vacation.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

A Simple Woman's Daybook




It is time for a Simple Woman's Daybook for this Sunday, June 8, 2014.

Outside my window...it has been sunny and warm here in Maryland for the past 4 or so days.

I am thinking...that it will be nice for my daughter to go to California with her friend after they've been so busy with graduating from high school.  My daughter's good friend has relatives there they can stay with and enjoy the beach.  Her grandmother lives in Carmel and it is beautiful there.

I am thankful...that my two oldest sons were able to attend my daughter's graduation commencement ceremony with us.  We had a wonderful day together.

In the kitchen...we had cheese burgers and salad

I am wearing...a grey tee with pink and blue shorts

I am creating... A craft for the journal writing class and a new album for my grandmother's pictures that my mother could label.

I am going...to be seeing someone who will help me design my grandmother's album for my mother.

I am wondering...how my daughter has done packing for her trip to California.  She has been so busy lately that I wonder if she has had adequate time.  I need to make sure she doesn't forget anything.

I am looking forward to...our summer class for journal writing next week.  The book and bible verses focus on beauty.

I am hearing... my husband cutting the grass and my two youngest watching Despicable Me.

Around the house...we have too many books and papers piling up and need to declutter and clean.

I am praying...for my health as I haven't been feeling up to par lately.

One of my favorite things...was attending my daughter's graduation ceremonies this past week.

A few plans for the rest of the week...are to send in my homeschooling review and renewal plans to homeschool my son next year for third grade.

Here are some pictures to share when my daughter graduated:




Tuesday, May 20, 2014

A Simple Woman




I would like to join A Simple Woman's Daybook Post for the month of May.

Outside my window...it has been beautiful here in Maryland for the past couple days.  The sky has been blue with white puffy clouds.  It has been in the 60's or 70's.  Today we have a bit of an overcast but it is still pleasant.

I am thinking...that I've got to get cracking on my business and marketing plans for Nucleus of Life.  Some friends and I are trying to hold each other accountable for reaching some goals.  I've never done a business plan.  I've been brainstorming and have a great idea to start for this.

I am thankful...that my daughter's boyfriend's prom turned out so well.  We met at his house to take pictures beforehand and Laura Ingraham came to visit.  She looks much better in person than she does on t.v.  I felt honored to meet her.  My daughter's boyfriend's father is her Godfather.

In the kitchen...we had leftovers of roast, rice, and carrots.

I am wearing...black sweats and pink and black top

I am creating...a plan for the last day of our homeschool coop.  We are studying birds.

I am going...to my son's college graduation and his Baccalaureate Mass.  I am so excited for him.  He majored in psychology but will be taking classes to get a nursing degree after he graduates.

I am wondering...how the homeless man is faring that a bought soup and crackers for the other day.  He was sitting outside of Safeway.  I usually don't engage in this activity if I'm alone due to safety reasons but there were enough people around and all he wanted was food.

I am looking forward to... The graduation of my son and my daughter's second prom festivities this week.

I am hearing...Peace and Quiet!

Around the house... I just finished cleaning the kitchen.  I love my cleaning products as they smell so good and they don't have all the toxins most cleaning products have in them.

I am praying...for the leaders of homeschool coops.

One of my favorite things...was having someone new interested in my journal writing classes.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is find something descent to wear to my sons activities we are going to this week.

Here are some recent pictures to share.  Here is one of my daughter's prom pictures.



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Answer Me This




1. What's for dinner?

I think today is one of the hottest summer days to arrive in Maryland as it may get up into the 90's for one of the first times this year.  Therefore, we cooked a roast and carrots in the crock pot on Sunday and all we need to do is warm it up in the microwave without turning on the stove.  I'll fix some mashed potatoes and gravy with this.

2. What's the last thing you borrowed from someone?

A vacuum.  I hate vacuum problems when my rugs are messy.  My good friend let me use her vacuum once and she said I could have it as she had two and didn't need both.  She is a life saver!  My hubby is slow at spending money on new vacuum cleaners.  The rugs are clean now thanks to my friend.  We have a gorgeous dog but she sheds and I badly need to vacuum often.

3. What is your favorite prayer?

The Memorare - These are the most words spoken by Mary in the bible.  They tell all.  Notice how she gives glory to God:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;
behold, from now all ages will call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

4. What is the oldest thing in your house?

Either the antique chairs from my grandmother or her dessert dishes from the depression era.  Both of my daughters want to inherit these items.  When my mom passes (far from now...God willing), I will receive a china set from Germany and china cabinet along with Hummel figurines from Germany.

5. What's the best concert you ever attended?

It might have been Jimmy Buffet during an outdoor concert.  We were on picnic blankets on the lawn.  Otherwise, I usually dislike concerts.  They are too loud for me.  I guess I'm getting older.

6. Do you have a nickname?

They used to call me Eileen the String bean when I was younger.  They would shorten the version and call me Beener or Beenie.  I even remember writing a story about it in fourth grade.  My paper was the one picked by the teacher to read to the class.  I'm not called by this nickname anymore...I guess it just wore off or never caught on to anyone else except my family and neighbors when I was a little girl.

Friday, May 9, 2014

5 Minute Fridays




I'm participating in 5 Minute Fridays where you just write for 5 minutes about something you are grateful for in life.  I will include with my post some pictures.

So often, my illness surfaces and I have to go up on my medicine.  Usually, it occurs when my house is messy.  Therefore, the Lord lead me to clean some areas in my home.  I am so grateful that He lead me in this direction as my brain was getting too cluttered.  I had to do something.  Unfortunately, I had to get rid of some of the size 8's that are too small for me as now I wear an 11 (boo hoo).  I'm still grateful that I have enough items for size 11 so I don't have to go shopping.  Here are my before and after pictures:







Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Deo Gratias




I am participating in Deo Gratias today.  Just click on the link to participate and list five things you are thankful for this week.

1.)  I am thankful for the rain here in Maryland today as my son and I curl up together to finish reading Rush Revere and the First Patriots.  What a wonderful story.  I recommend it for all young people.

2.)  I am grateful for the end of teaching Religious Education classes for the year.  We had a great time together.




3.)  I am grateful that I was able to tell a friend about the toxic free and healthy products I've come across.  We are having a conference call today to tell her more as her daughter has bad allergies.

4.)  I am thankful for the game I created to use in many of my classes.

5.)  I am grateful for the women's group I am involved with who is meeting together tonight.

Wednesday's Hodgepodge - Mother May I?





I'm joining Wednesday's Hodgepodge.  Just click on the link to participate.

Three Generations
1. Share something you appreciate (or something you appreciated as you were growing up) about your mother.

My mother kept a neat house and always made very good dinners.  She was always there for me.  I wish my house and meals were as good as hers.  What is more important though...is the fact that she was always there for me.  I always had a place to go if I had questions or needed help.  This is the example that I've been able to emulate with my own children and because of this my children are all thriving in life.  

I do remember a time when my mother showed me a newspaper article about a local dance studio while she asked me if I would like to take dancing lessons.  I liked the idea and within the next week I was happily taking dancing lessons.  These lessons gave me a passion for something I enjoyed and kept me out of trouble in my teen years as I was heavily involved in cheer leading and gymnastics with friends.  My brothers were less fortunate because they had the wrong friendships.  I'm so appreciative of this endeavor in my life.  If it wasn't for my active life as a young person, I may have ended up with the wrong friendships as my parents were possibly a bit too lenient with us.


2. A quote most commonly ascribed to Plato reads-"Necessity is the mother of invention." When did this last play out in your own experience?

I invented a game that reflects Psalm 23 and I've used it in many of the homeschool and religion classes I've taught for the last five years.  One of them is a journal writing class.  Anyone knows that writing is a challenging subject to teach young ones.  This game made the class so enjoyable for the kids.  I'm so grateful for the Holy Spirit leading me to come up with the idea for my game.



3. Share one of the earliest memories you have from childhood.

My father was in the Navy and we were stationed on a base in Oahu.  I remember going to the Chief's Club with my Dad and all his friends would call me "princess."  Boy did I feel like a princess to have all these awesome military men all around me.  He would order me a Shirley Temple.  I felt like I was in heaven!  I know this isn't about my Mom but I seem to remember more earlier accounts with my Dad.


4. When did you last 'hit the mother lode'? What was it?

When my second oldest son found a new girlfriend.  His breakup with his first girlfriend really hurt him.  I was so happy when he found a smarter girl to date.  He turned to my husband and I to try to get over the hurt.  My own heart was breaking as I saw how much he suffered.  I know it is wrong to get so serious before one is married, but God has turned to him in his hour of need here too.


5. What is/was your favorite dish mom made? Do you make that dish for your family/friends now that you're all grown up?

My favorite dish as a child was spaghetti with my mom's homemade sauce.  Yes, I make it for my own family.  It is very meaty and spicy.  I can not eat pasta like I used to when I was younger.  It puts on the calories for me.


6. Mother May I? was at one time a popular children's game. It required no equipment or parts to play. What was your favorite childhood game to play where you could just turn up and play-no gear needed?

I remember playing hide-and-seek for hours upon end with my neighborhood friends.  Two sisters lived next door to me and we would talk to each other from inside our kitchen windows which faced together.  They actually became like the sisters I never had for myself.


7. Which TV mom (past or present) is your favorite, and why?

I particularly like "I Dream of Jennie."  She didn't have children (I have five) but for some reason I really liked this show.  I think I liked the idea of her lover being so intricately connected to the military as my own father was in his life.  As you can see, my mom cherished my father and let him develop a close relationship with me too.