By henryjn, on August 25th, 2008%
Fay has left us but the rain hasn’t.
Soggy is hardly the word to describe what the ground it like right now.
As we drove up our road last night, after a great thunder and lightening storm, the water was gushing down out of a drain pipe filling the ditch by the main road.
We never had to use our flashlights during Fay, thank goodness. So, I baked ALOT and we all watched LOTS of movies and ATE yummy food. I even sewed some baby things for a friend who had her baby in July; nothing like finally getting around to the baby gift.
Now we have some clean up and some drying up to do around here.
By henryjn, on August 20th, 2008%
Here in Florida, we have to deal with the threat of hurricanes and tropical weather all too often.
So, the drill goes something like this.
- Weathman tells us a storm is brewing.
- We watch the news and check online.
- Slowly we prepare, pick up all the outdoor toys and yard furniture and put it away.
- Check the supply of batteries and canned foods and buy more if needed.
- Make sure there are things to do if the power goes out like a fresh supply of books from the library and games.
- We hunker down with our flashlights ready and wait.
That is just what we are doing now as we await the arrival of Fay.
By henryjn, on August 19th, 2008%
We’ve been reading to the kids from day one and as you’ve seen on the blog we’ve done lots of outdoor and indoor activities that work for their ages. We are now entering a new phase where Ian is old enough to try some sports and music lessons and read on his own.
I’ve been asked by a few of you what we are planning this year, so I’m going to try and attempt to answer that question here.
We are using a mix of things:
- The Bible, we’ve been using “The Picture Children’s Bible” and a devotion book and reading in a totally random way. I am going to try out “Egemeier’s Bible Story Book” that Sonlight recommends and Sing the Word From A to Z cd for scripture memory. Ian and Sean attend Bible Study Fellowship once a week, which gives them another source for bible study and some time for me to make a trip to the grocery store.
- Reading, “Reading Made Easy” by Valerie Bendt, we started this book last year and we’ve gotten to lesson 33 in 100 and Ian is reading. We will continue the book to get him where he will be able to sit and read on his own without me pushing him. I am giong to check out the Kindergarten read aloud book list from Sonlight as well as the Reader 2 list from the library.
- We will mix in some art and nature studies as we feel like it. I just bought 5 of Ed Emberley’s drawing books, all favorites of ours that we’ve checked out from the library many times.
- Math will be casual, so far we just talk about it and use it in the kitchen. Jay loves math, so he plans on working with the kids when they get to the hard stuff.
- Ian is signed up for a PE class at the YMCA which meets twice a week for an hour each time. This time is also good for me to hang out with the other homeschooling moms for some long awaited adult conversation.
- We signed Ian up for Fiddle lessons and he had his first lesson tonight. His favorite cd is Songs from the Mountain and he can be seen dancing around pretending to play the fiddle while the music is playing very loudly throughout the house. Jay plans on learning some bluegrass tunes on his guitar right alongside Ian.
- There will also be field trips and projects that will be inspired by the books we will read this year. Can’t wait for the inspiration to come…..
I will be trying out Sonlight Instructor’s Guide for the weekly lesson plan as a rough guide. I’ll let you know how that goes. So, for now that is our plan. I’m sure it will twist and turn as our days are lived out and we will learn what works and doesn’t work for our family.
We plan on spending a few more weeks easing into a new schedule of PE class and fiddle lessons and then we will start our “school” days after Labor Day.
Thanks to those who asked me what we are doing, it has helped me to write it all out to see that we have plenty to keep us busy.
By henryjn, on August 8th, 2008%
you create a space of their own.
Since Erin started walking around 5 months ago, she started climbing.
Wanting to be right there where the action was. Right there with her brothers and their stuff.
I finally got the point and set her up with her own spot at her level. She loves her watercolors the most and the beans with bowls and fun things to scoop with are a close second. Those came from a sweet friend who has lots of experience with toddlers, she’s had 6 of her own and knows how to keep them busy. For more ideas to keep the little one busy check out stephani’s list.
Ah, now we can sit back and watch the artwork happen, with a little help from me.
By henryjn, on August 7th, 2008%
We’re back into the rhythm of our daily life after a great weekend away, just the two of us. We owe a big thanks to my parents for taking all three little ones. It is so nice to get a break from reality and the day to day, even if it’s short lived. I even convinced Jay to get a pedicure with me, what a man!
We enjoyed the beach, the pool, some tennis, good food and drinks. There was lots of talk about our upcoming school year, about goals and priorities and actual plans for study and activities.
Overall, the time away gave me some new motivation and energy toward my job as a wife, mother, educator, etc. It is a nice feeling indeed!
::Real men get their toes done!
::View from the lounge!
::View from my lounge chair
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