Please forgive me for not having this available this week. I am not feeling well enough today. I may get it up this week, or may just wait until next week.
This will not be a regular thing, that I do not have it up.
Thank you for your understanding.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
DISCOVER OKLAHOMA! - Lake Thunderbird
OK, this is not the nicest of lakes here in Oklahoma, but we still had fun.
A little info:
Lake Thunderbird State Park Originally named Little River State Park, this 1834 acre park on the shores of Lake Thunderbird underwent an official name change in 1997 to make identification easier. Once Indian owned land, an old preserved Indian homestead complete with grave sites, chicken coop, and corn cellar remains in the Post Oak campground in the Clear Bay area and can be viewed by visitors. Another distinctive feature of the area is a great concentration of Sand Barite Rose or the Rose Rock, a unique reddish, rose-shaped formation and the official state rock of Oklahoma. These rocks can also be found in Kansas and Egypt, but nowhere is there as great a concentration as in Oklahoma.
You know, I do have to say that while we were there, there were people listening to loud music full of nasty words, people dinking while they were swimming, and cussing coming out of their mouths.
It was very upsetting to me. I mean, so people not care that there are little children around?
We tried to move as far away from them as possible.
We still had fun, but we will have to be more careful if we go back to make sure that it is not too crowded with people.
As i said earlier, this is not the nicest of lakes, but it is free, and if you can go at a time when it is not too crowded, you can have a lot of fun!
Oh, here's another little tidbit of info: This lakes nickname is Lake Dirty Bird. it is pretty dirty looking because of all of the red dirt!!!
A little info:
Lake Thunderbird State Park Originally named Little River State Park, this 1834 acre park on the shores of Lake Thunderbird underwent an official name change in 1997 to make identification easier. Once Indian owned land, an old preserved Indian homestead complete with grave sites, chicken coop, and corn cellar remains in the Post Oak campground in the Clear Bay area and can be viewed by visitors. Another distinctive feature of the area is a great concentration of Sand Barite Rose or the Rose Rock, a unique reddish, rose-shaped formation and the official state rock of Oklahoma. These rocks can also be found in Kansas and Egypt, but nowhere is there as great a concentration as in Oklahoma.
It was very upsetting to me. I mean, so people not care that there are little children around?
We tried to move as far away from them as possible.
We still had fun, but we will have to be more careful if we go back to make sure that it is not too crowded with people.
As i said earlier, this is not the nicest of lakes, but it is free, and if you can go at a time when it is not too crowded, you can have a lot of fun!
Oh, here's another little tidbit of info: This lakes nickname is Lake Dirty Bird. it is pretty dirty looking because of all of the red dirt!!!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Workboxes?
Have you heard of workboxes?
You know, I had not really heard about them before, but have recently heard them mentioned, or ran across them on a blog, several times.
I was thinking, OK, so you get your kids a box to hold all of their daily school stuff. Right?
So, that's what I did!
Then, I decided, to go back to some of those blogs and see exactly how others put together their workboxes.
What I found was that you use many workboxes, not just one. HMMM...
So, what to do???
I actually decided to stick with what I have, at least for now.
So, while what I am doing may not be considered a true workbox, I think it will work for me.
What I did was to get each kid their own different colored box, that was big enough to hold all of their daily work.
I was so tired of always having to find their work, or some of it being missing, that we couldn't even do it!
And pencils, my nemesis, where do they all keep going? Seriously, I probably have thousands of pencils "somewhere". And when we do find a pencil, there is no eraser, even though I have bought many extra pencil erasers.
Anyhow, I decided that their own box with their own bag of pencils, glue, scissors, etc., contained in the box would work well.
I really do like the idea though of the many boxes, because you wouldn't have to search through the box for each subject, but since we are to be moving soon, I will stick with this, but I may switch after we move.
What do I keep in their boxes? It is different for each child, but it is their daily stuff. Stuff that they will repeatedly use.
In My 5 year old son's box, he has:
Handwriting Without Tears
A Math Workbook ( He LOVES math)
A Bible
A Phonics Workbook
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
A Phonics CD and the accompanying chart
A bag with his own scissors, glue, glue stick, star stickers, etc..
Crayons, Colored Pencils, Pencils.
In my 13 year old daughter's box she has:
Her math books
History Book (one that we are currently using. Will usually be a living book for history)
Daily Grams
A Bible
A Notebook
A Book that she is using or Copy Work
A Geography Book
A bag with pencils, glue, glue sticks, scissors, calculator, etc..
Crayons, Colored Pencils, A Ruler
Her Timeline Figures
Her Drawing basics Book
This is all I can think of right now, but you get the idea!
I am also going to tape their schedules to the undersides of their lids! I think this is a good idea, so that they can know what to do!
Of Course, my 5 year old's schedule would be more for me. HA
I even made a box for myself for my Teachers Guides!
Here are some pics of what I have done.
I hope this helps those of you that either don't want to, or can't use the typical work
box system.
This is also great for on the go! You can just pick up your box and take it with you!
For those of you that are interested in the typical workbox system, this is a great blog to explain it.
This is where I first saw the workbox system.
http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2009/11/workbox-system.html
have FUN organizing YOUR homeschool!
.
You know, I had not really heard about them before, but have recently heard them mentioned, or ran across them on a blog, several times.
I was thinking, OK, so you get your kids a box to hold all of their daily school stuff. Right?
So, that's what I did!
Then, I decided, to go back to some of those blogs and see exactly how others put together their workboxes.
What I found was that you use many workboxes, not just one. HMMM...
So, what to do???
I actually decided to stick with what I have, at least for now.
So, while what I am doing may not be considered a true workbox, I think it will work for me.
What I did was to get each kid their own different colored box, that was big enough to hold all of their daily work.
I was so tired of always having to find their work, or some of it being missing, that we couldn't even do it!
And pencils, my nemesis, where do they all keep going? Seriously, I probably have thousands of pencils "somewhere". And when we do find a pencil, there is no eraser, even though I have bought many extra pencil erasers.
Anyhow, I decided that their own box with their own bag of pencils, glue, scissors, etc., contained in the box would work well.
I really do like the idea though of the many boxes, because you wouldn't have to search through the box for each subject, but since we are to be moving soon, I will stick with this, but I may switch after we move.
What do I keep in their boxes? It is different for each child, but it is their daily stuff. Stuff that they will repeatedly use.
In My 5 year old son's box, he has:
Handwriting Without Tears
A Math Workbook ( He LOVES math)
A Bible
A Phonics Workbook
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
A Phonics CD and the accompanying chart
A bag with his own scissors, glue, glue stick, star stickers, etc..
Crayons, Colored Pencils, Pencils.
In my 13 year old daughter's box she has:
Her math books
History Book (one that we are currently using. Will usually be a living book for history)
Daily Grams
A Bible
A Notebook
A Book that she is using or Copy Work
A Geography Book
A bag with pencils, glue, glue sticks, scissors, calculator, etc..
Crayons, Colored Pencils, A Ruler
Her Timeline Figures
Her Drawing basics Book
This is all I can think of right now, but you get the idea!
I am also going to tape their schedules to the undersides of their lids! I think this is a good idea, so that they can know what to do!
Of Course, my 5 year old's schedule would be more for me. HA
I even made a box for myself for my Teachers Guides!
Here are some pics of what I have done.
I hope this helps those of you that either don't want to, or can't use the typical work
box system.
This is also great for on the go! You can just pick up your box and take it with you!
For those of you that are interested in the typical workbox system, this is a great blog to explain it.
This is where I first saw the workbox system.
http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2009/11/workbox-system.html
have FUN organizing YOUR homeschool!
.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Homeschooling FREEBIES!
I just received this email from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and, WOW!, I just had to share all of these freebies with you! I will also put these freebies on my sidebars, so that you can come back anytime and get them, but I wanted to put them all in one post also!
Enjoy!
Are you considering homeschooling, or are you curious and simply want to know more? What if you were offered a commendable, complimentary class on homeschooling taught by experienced educators that included hands-on tools for your personal use? The course is called Homeschool 101 . . . Would you like a front-row seat?
The Old Schoolhouse® is thrilled to share this FREE resource with you--a digital supplement to the Schoolhouse Expo . . . The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine's Homeschool 101 Supplement.
Have you struggled to find quality curriculum for your homeschool? With thousands of choices available to you, how do you find the perfect resources that fit your particular family? Is it even possible?
The TOS Product Review Team works hard to check out a variety of products in their own homeschools, and then they report on them with extensive written reviews of each product. The team is delighted to share this FREE resource with you--another quality digital supplement to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine . . . TOS Lab Presents: Your Guide to Examining Curriculum.
Are you looking for something shorter and convenient to hand out to curious friends and family? Our newest brochure examines public schooling vs. homeschooling.
What About Public Schools? is ideal. Print it out and pass it around at your next group meeting or share it electronically among your members. Help fellow members better understand the advantages of homeschooling!
We also have our fantastic "Escape the Homeschool Matrix" article available, which has been most popular!
Could you or those you know use a little more confidence? Our Homeschooling With Confidence brochure answers ten of the most commonly asked homeschool-related questions. We trust it will be a blessing to the families in your area. Share it freely. It would be perfect as a handout at an
orientation meeting!
Free E-Books
What about a dose of E-couragement? Have you jumped into the E-Book craze? Electronic information is increasingly popular. In addition to the list above, three of our most popular E-Books are available to download for free--no strings attached.
You read correctly--free E-Books for you, your friends, your family, your readers, and anyone else you can spread the word to!
Get ready to plan a year of enthusiastic homeschool learning with consistent input from the Lord! Take the guesswork out of your planning, systematically organizing your homeschool this year with the E-Book, The New School Year: Planning Your Course and Letting the Lord Determine Your Steps. Written by homeschoolers from a Biblical foundation and using plenty of personal experience, this book will help take your homeschool to a whole new level. From curriculum to field trips, and from co-ops to homeschooling with the heart in mind, God is by your side. Let Him be your guide!
If you are still wondering about E-books, the
Learn about how the public school system began and who started it in our E-Book Are Public Schools an Option for Christian Kids? What was the original intent of this system? As a Christian parent, can you confidently make the decision to place your child in the public school environment day after day, year after year?
What is being taught there? What is the national drop-out rate? Is God being honored, respected, and lifted up? This E-Book is perfect for providing a little education for adults!
TOS Freebie Directory
The Old Schoolhouse® would also like to help others receive free items for use in their homeschools. Our amazing Freebie Directory is a wonderful list that offers 40 free items from vendors within our homeschool community. These are free to pass on, and there is no need to buy anything.
Summer months are a great time to encourage families and bring refreshing encouragement to blog readers, a little excitement to your web page, or just spread the word about the blessings of homeschool-
ing. Our desire is to encourage you as a homeschooler,
as well as to equip you with tools and resources.
We wish all of you a blessed start to the new homeschool year!
Enjoy!
Are you considering homeschooling, or are you curious and simply want to know more? What if you were offered a commendable, complimentary class on homeschooling taught by experienced educators that included hands-on tools for your personal use? The course is called Homeschool 101 . . . Would you like a front-row seat?The Old Schoolhouse® is thrilled to share this FREE resource with you--a digital supplement to the Schoolhouse Expo . . . The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine's Homeschool 101 Supplement.
Have you struggled to find quality curriculum for your homeschool? With thousands of choices available to you, how do you find the perfect resources that fit your particular family? Is it even possible?The TOS Product Review Team works hard to check out a variety of products in their own homeschools, and then they report on them with extensive written reviews of each product. The team is delighted to share this FREE resource with you--another quality digital supplement to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine . . . TOS Lab Presents: Your Guide to Examining Curriculum.
Are you looking for something shorter and convenient to hand out to curious friends and family? Our newest brochure examines public schooling vs. homeschooling.What About Public Schools? is ideal. Print it out and pass it around at your next group meeting or share it electronically among your members. Help fellow members better understand the advantages of homeschooling!
We also have our fantastic "Escape the Homeschool Matrix" article available, which has been most popular!Could you or those you know use a little more confidence? Our Homeschooling With Confidence brochure answers ten of the most commonly asked homeschool-related questions. We trust it will be a blessing to the families in your area. Share it freely. It would be perfect as a handout at an orientation meeting!
Free E-Books
What about a dose of E-couragement? Have you jumped into the E-Book craze? Electronic information is increasingly popular. In addition to the list above, three of our most popular E-Books are available to download for free--no strings attached.
You read correctly--free E-Books for you, your friends, your family, your readers, and anyone else you can spread the word to!
Get ready to plan a year of enthusiastic homeschool learning with consistent input from the Lord! Take the guesswork out of your planning, systematically organizing your homeschool this year with the E-Book, The New School Year: Planning Your Course and Letting the Lord Determine Your Steps. Written by homeschoolers from a Biblical foundation and using plenty of personal experience, this book will help take your homeschool to a whole new level. From curriculum to field trips, and from co-ops to homeschooling with the heart in mind, God is by your side. Let Him be your guide!If you are still wondering about E-books, the
E-Book is also completely free to download!
Discover all you ever wanted to know about E-Books, their use in homeschooling, and even how to publish your own! Gain a better understanding of the many ways E-Books can improve your homeschooling by quickly and resourcefully linking you with the latest information on a seemingly endless supply of lessons, encouragement, support materials, and more! E-Homeschooling is hyperlinked to additional reference material, purchasing sources, and free E-Book websites to sample and enjoy.
Discover all you ever wanted to know about E-Books, their use in homeschooling, and even how to publish your own! Gain a better understanding of the many ways E-Books can improve your homeschooling by quickly and resourcefully linking you with the latest information on a seemingly endless supply of lessons, encouragement, support materials, and more! E-Homeschooling is hyperlinked to additional reference material, purchasing sources, and free E-Book websites to sample and enjoy.
What is being taught there? What is the national drop-out rate? Is God being honored, respected, and lifted up? This E-Book is perfect for providing a little education for adults!
TOS Freebie Directory
Summer months are a great time to encourage families and bring refreshing encouragement to blog readers, a little excitement to your web page, or just spread the word about the blessings of homeschool-
ing. Our desire is to encourage you as a homeschooler,
as well as to equip you with tools and resources.
We wish all of you a blessed start to the new homeschool year!
Thank you,
Paul and Gena Suarez
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Learning to Cook.
I must admit that I do not know much about cooking.
I can make very few things, and I really want to not only be able to cook for my family, but to be able to teach my daughter how to cook.
I was never taught how to cook, or clean or parent, for that matter.
It has been hard, I admit, to learn these things on your own, but with help from friends and the internet, lol, I have learned a lot. I still need to learn so much more.
I am thinking about making a commitment to learn how to do one new thing in the kitchen each week.
I don't even know the basics, really. It is a little embarrassing to admit that I am very inept in the kitchen.
But I want to learn more, so instead of teaching my daughter, we will have to learn together, but that's OK! It will be fun!
So, I am going to go ahead and say that I am going to try to learn how to cook something new every week!
I don't know if anyone else is in the same boat, but if you are, maybe we can do this together!
I will let you know how it goes!
I can make very few things, and I really want to not only be able to cook for my family, but to be able to teach my daughter how to cook.
I was never taught how to cook, or clean or parent, for that matter.
It has been hard, I admit, to learn these things on your own, but with help from friends and the internet, lol, I have learned a lot. I still need to learn so much more.
I am thinking about making a commitment to learn how to do one new thing in the kitchen each week.
I don't even know the basics, really. It is a little embarrassing to admit that I am very inept in the kitchen.
But I want to learn more, so instead of teaching my daughter, we will have to learn together, but that's OK! It will be fun!
So, I am going to go ahead and say that I am going to try to learn how to cook something new every week!
I don't know if anyone else is in the same boat, but if you are, maybe we can do this together!
I will let you know how it goes!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Working Willingly Wednesdays 6/23/2010
I am !
This week we are going to clean out our TRUNKS!
Yes, most of the things we do here together will be in the home, but if your like me, you do a lot more driving/traveling during the summer.
My husband is always spontaneously taking us on little outings on the weekends.
I am never prepared, and never have any room in the trunk to bring our stuff.
You do not have to do the whole car. I want this to be EASY. I don't want you to feel overwhelmed, and I want you to come back and do this with me! I don't want to do it alone! HA
I am going to post my before and after photos, and if you want me to post yours too, just email them to me with your info! I would love to post some of your pics as well. You can send first name only or, even just the picture, if you want to.
You can find my email address in the About Me/ Contact Me tab at the top of my blog.
OK guys, I am excited about doing this together!
Remember, you have all week. This does not have to be done today! Good luck!
OK, so here it is AFTER I cleaned it out! Still has some stuff in it for the kids, but is all organized now!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
HUGE Seventh Generation Products Giveaway!
Wow! I almost don't want to advertise this more; it lessons my chances of winning! HA HA (J/K)
If you are interested in reading a review of their products, and would like a chance to win them as well, check it out here.
www.teachthemhisways.blogspot.com/2010/06/review-and-huge-giveaway-seventh.html
While your there, take a little while to look around!!!
If you are interested in reading a review of their products, and would like a chance to win them as well, check it out here.
www.teachthemhisways.blogspot.com/2010/06/review-and-huge-giveaway-seventh.html
While your there, take a little while to look around!!!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Freezing Hamburger Meat
Are you always forgetting to set out hamburger meat like I am? LOL
Well, I am notorious for doing this, and it frustrates my husband when I don't have anything to make, because it is all frozen.
So, I came up with this idea! You guys may already do this, but it is new to me!
What I do: Take some of the hamburger meat and place it in a big baggie.
Then flatten it out real thin, and then seal it up.
This way, it will thaw really fast in the fridge, or even in just a few minutes in warm water!
And it will stack really well, and take up less space.
Here are some pictures. I hope this helps you like it did me!
This makes it so much easier!!! I hope you find it easier too!
Well, I am notorious for doing this, and it frustrates my husband when I don't have anything to make, because it is all frozen.
So, I came up with this idea! You guys may already do this, but it is new to me!
What I do: Take some of the hamburger meat and place it in a big baggie.
Then flatten it out real thin, and then seal it up.
This way, it will thaw really fast in the fridge, or even in just a few minutes in warm water!
And it will stack really well, and take up less space.
Here are some pictures. I hope this helps you like it did me!
This makes it so much easier!!! I hope you find it easier too!
My Baby turned 5!
This is a little late, but here are some pictures of my baby!
He is 5 now! Such a big boy! He wants to be so big. He does everything just like his dad! He won't even eat things that his dad doesn't like, even though he likes them. We have gotten him to compromise, and at least eat those things when his dad isn't around! HA
Here is my baby on his birthday!
The Birthday Cake!!!
Happy Birthday!!!!
He is 5 now! Such a big boy! He wants to be so big. He does everything just like his dad! He won't even eat things that his dad doesn't like, even though he likes them. We have gotten him to compromise, and at least eat those things when his dad isn't around! HA
Here is my baby on his birthday!
Underwear Sling! HA
OK, so, one day, my son came into the kitchen, and said he made a sling to carry around baby Jesus!
He had taken a pair of underwear and put it around him to make a sling, and had put his little baby Jesus he had made in it!
Hilarious!!!
He had taken a pair of underwear and put it around him to make a sling, and had put his little baby Jesus he had made in it!
Hilarious!!!
13!!!
WOW! I can't believe my daughter is 13! Where does the time go? And we have been homeschooling for over 8 years now. WOW! I can't believe it.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
TOS Blog Walk Week 2
Get to know the members of the TOS Homeschool Review Crew!
1. Second Star to the Right and Straight On Till Morning
2. Surviving The Testosterone
3. Family Style School
4. School Around The Bible
5. 1628 The Story of The Goebels 5
6. Morris Family Madness
7. Homeschool Musings
8. Homeschooling (and then some!)
9. Heartfelt Homeschooling
10. following Him home
1. Second Star to the Right and Straight On Till Morning
2. Surviving The Testosterone
3. Family Style School
4. School Around The Bible
5. 1628 The Story of The Goebels 5
6. Morris Family Madness
7. Homeschool Musings
8. Homeschooling (and then some!)
9. Heartfelt Homeschooling
10. following Him home
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Get to know the TOS Homeschool Review Crew!
If you haven't heard of the TOS Homeschool Review Crew yet, you are missing out!
What the crew does, is to review homeschool curriculum and products, and put all of the reviews in one spot, so that you can easily find multiple reviews on one particular item that you may be interested in purchasing.
Of course, members of the crew also post their personal reviews on their blogs as well.
This is a great service to the homeschool community, and I am sure you will enjoy it very much.
Each week I will post 10 members of the crews blogs, so that you can get to know the crew this year.
Other members are also doing this, so be sure to go and check them out.
I will list this each week under the heading TOS Blog Walk.
HAVE FUN!
1. Reaping a Harvest
2. Pink & Orange Coffee
3. Live, Laugh, Learn!
4. Mrs. Mandy's Musings
5. The Fantastic Five
6. Refined Metals Academy
7. Just A Moment in Time
8. Providence Farm
9. My Journey
10. Petra School
What the crew does, is to review homeschool curriculum and products, and put all of the reviews in one spot, so that you can easily find multiple reviews on one particular item that you may be interested in purchasing.
Of course, members of the crew also post their personal reviews on their blogs as well.
This is a great service to the homeschool community, and I am sure you will enjoy it very much.
Each week I will post 10 members of the crews blogs, so that you can get to know the crew this year.
Other members are also doing this, so be sure to go and check them out.
I will list this each week under the heading TOS Blog Walk.
HAVE FUN!
1. Reaping a Harvest
2. Pink & Orange Coffee
3. Live, Laugh, Learn!
4. Mrs. Mandy's Musings
5. The Fantastic Five
6. Refined Metals Academy
7. Just A Moment in Time
8. Providence Farm
9. My Journey
10. Petra School
Friday, June 18, 2010
Passionate Housewives Desperate for God Giveaway!!
If you would like a chance to win a free copy of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God, visit Betty's website at
http://peacecreekontheprairie.com/2010/06/passionate-housewives-desperate-god-giveaway.html/comment-page-1#comment-520
to enter to win!
While you are there, take a little time to look around the rest of her blog. She has some really great stuff there!
http://peacecreekontheprairie.com/2010/06/passionate-housewives-desperate-god-giveaway.html/comment-page-1#comment-520
to enter to win!
While you are there, take a little time to look around the rest of her blog. She has some really great stuff there!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Working Willingly Wednesdays
I have always had trouble keeping things up, and I think this will help motivate me, and I am hoping it will motivate others to as well.
I got the name form this verse:
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.Proverbs 31:13
What I thought we could do was to tackle those little things that need to be done, but never seem to get done.
Each Wednesday I will post one or maybe two things to tackle during the week. It does not have to be done on Wed., just before the next Wed.
I want to post before and after pictures, and if you want me to post yours too, just email them to me, and I will put them on here too! Oh, and if you have ideas for things to get done, just let me know.
I really hope this helps us to get those little things done, and that we will be more like the Proverbs 31 woman, and work more willingly, instead of grudgingly.
I hope to see some of you doing this with me. It will make it more exciting!
See you soon.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
DISCOVER OKLAHOMA!
My husband loves to spontaneously take us on little mini-trips.
Last weekend we went down to Sulpher Springs, and the weekend before last we went to Turner Falls.
They were both a blast. We will be going back to both very soon. They are tons of fun!
So, we decided that this summer we would try to "Discover Oklahoma"
We are going to try to visit the state parks, and some of the more fun things to do here.
I am going to try to bring my camera and get pics of what I can. My camera is too big to take with me everywhere, so unfortunately, I won't be able to get as many as I want to until I get a smaller, more portable
one.
And, of course, as a homeschooling mother, I am thinking of ways to incorporate this into our homeschool.
I thought it would be so much fun to do research on the history of all of the places we visit, and maybe even scrapbook/journal the pics and info.
Here is a picture of Little Niagra in Sulpher
Here is one from Turner Falls:
I took these from their sites, but when we go back I will take more of my own and share them with you all!
Last weekend we went down to Sulpher Springs, and the weekend before last we went to Turner Falls.
They were both a blast. We will be going back to both very soon. They are tons of fun!
So, we decided that this summer we would try to "Discover Oklahoma"
We are going to try to visit the state parks, and some of the more fun things to do here.
I am going to try to bring my camera and get pics of what I can. My camera is too big to take with me everywhere, so unfortunately, I won't be able to get as many as I want to until I get a smaller, more portable
one.
And, of course, as a homeschooling mother, I am thinking of ways to incorporate this into our homeschool.
I thought it would be so much fun to do research on the history of all of the places we visit, and maybe even scrapbook/journal the pics and info.
Here is a picture of Little Niagra in Sulpher
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Making others feel welcome!
Have you ever went to an event and felt so left out and uncomfortable that you just wanted to cry?
This has happened to me and the kids a few times. Unfortunately, it is usually the adults that end up being the offenders.
I know it is easy to get wrapped up in your group of friends, and not notice a new person, but it is so devastating to be that new person that no one is talking to.
I have been to several things in the past that has made me feel that way, and it gives an impression of the whole group, even though I am sure that not everyone there is as unfriendly as it may seem.
One good thing that has come from my experiences is that I started my own homeschool group, and it has been great.
I think we need to try to go out of our way to make others feel welcome.
When we see a new person at a function, let's go up to them and introduce ourselves and make them feel welcome. It is such a testimony to the love of Christ, and even as a homeschooler.
People tend to make generalizations, whether fair or not.
If a new homeschooling mother goes to an event, hoping to meet other homeschoolers, and get some good advice on this whole homeschooling thing, and no one speaks to her, how does that look?
She is not going to want to go back to that group, and she may not want to try a different one either.
I know this is how I have felt before.
Now, it has been a while since I have felt this way because I have decided to be more outgoing myself.
Not only to introducing myself to other new mothers, but also to go introduce myself if I am in a situation where I am feeling that way.
Most people don't even know they are doing this, and would never do this intentionally, but it does hurt others none the less.
What brings this up?
Well, today, the kids and I went to a birthday party, and I saw this one lady who I didn't know, and I knew wasn't a family member. She kind of kept to the side, and for a while I didn't even really pay any attention, because I was caught up in talking to my friends.
I was sitting on the couch, when I heard this voice to go and introduce myself to this lady. I felt bad that I didn't even think of it before then.
I went over to talk to her, and she was so glad, because she said she didn't know anyone there, except the mom, and of course she was busy with the party. I was so glad that I was nudged to go over there, because otherwise she would have felt out of place and left out, the entire time.
Anyways, I was thinking about this tonight after we got home, and I remembered how I have felt in the past, and I thought I would approach the subject, so that we can all do our part to keep others from feeling this way.
Just one person, making one simple gesture, can make all the difference in the world.
This has happened to me and the kids a few times. Unfortunately, it is usually the adults that end up being the offenders.
I know it is easy to get wrapped up in your group of friends, and not notice a new person, but it is so devastating to be that new person that no one is talking to.
I have been to several things in the past that has made me feel that way, and it gives an impression of the whole group, even though I am sure that not everyone there is as unfriendly as it may seem.
One good thing that has come from my experiences is that I started my own homeschool group, and it has been great.
I think we need to try to go out of our way to make others feel welcome.
When we see a new person at a function, let's go up to them and introduce ourselves and make them feel welcome. It is such a testimony to the love of Christ, and even as a homeschooler.
People tend to make generalizations, whether fair or not.
If a new homeschooling mother goes to an event, hoping to meet other homeschoolers, and get some good advice on this whole homeschooling thing, and no one speaks to her, how does that look?
She is not going to want to go back to that group, and she may not want to try a different one either.
I know this is how I have felt before.
Now, it has been a while since I have felt this way because I have decided to be more outgoing myself.
Not only to introducing myself to other new mothers, but also to go introduce myself if I am in a situation where I am feeling that way.
Most people don't even know they are doing this, and would never do this intentionally, but it does hurt others none the less.
What brings this up?
Well, today, the kids and I went to a birthday party, and I saw this one lady who I didn't know, and I knew wasn't a family member. She kind of kept to the side, and for a while I didn't even really pay any attention, because I was caught up in talking to my friends.
I was sitting on the couch, when I heard this voice to go and introduce myself to this lady. I felt bad that I didn't even think of it before then.
I went over to talk to her, and she was so glad, because she said she didn't know anyone there, except the mom, and of course she was busy with the party. I was so glad that I was nudged to go over there, because otherwise she would have felt out of place and left out, the entire time.
Anyways, I was thinking about this tonight after we got home, and I remembered how I have felt in the past, and I thought I would approach the subject, so that we can all do our part to keep others from feeling this way.
Just one person, making one simple gesture, can make all the difference in the world.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Getting Ready for the 2010-2011 Year!
I went and picked it up first thing the next day. When we got home I told the kiddos to go do something fun and educational so that I could read it. LOL
They chose to do Spanish on the computer, so I got into a hot bath and read the handbook!
I am really looking forward to this year.
The handbook has a lot of great ideas, and one of them that I decided to take was to establish a fun weekly post. I have decided to do Weekly Clean up Wednesdays, or something like that. I will think of a clever name this week. If you have any ideas, feel free to share and I may pick one of them! I thought it would be much more fun to do those dreaded household chores together. What do you think? I will post more about this soon, but basically, we will choose one or two chores that need to be done periodically, but necessarily all the time.
During the week we will tackle those together and we can even post our pics if we want to!
I also decided to change the look of my blog to go with the whole Cruise theme. What do you think?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
No Greater Joy
There is (almost) no greater feeling as a mother than to see your kids learning and having fun. It is amazing when your kids have a love for learning, and to know that you helped ( alongside of the Lord) to instill that love is an amazing feeling.
It is amazing to see your children learn to read, master arithmetic, find their passion, and know that you were there alongside of them teaching, and learning yourself.
I will always treasure the moments cuddled up on the couch, teaching my son to read, or the times with Kayleen while we are reading history, and it evolved into a biblical discussion. There are so many moments that I will always treasure, and I am eternally grateful for the great privilege of be able to homeschool my children.
I am truly blessed.
It is amazing to see your children learn to read, master arithmetic, find their passion, and know that you were there alongside of them teaching, and learning yourself.
I will always treasure the moments cuddled up on the couch, teaching my son to read, or the times with Kayleen while we are reading history, and it evolved into a biblical discussion. There are so many moments that I will always treasure, and I am eternally grateful for the great privilege of be able to homeschool my children.
I am truly blessed.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
So Excited!
I am getting so excited about the training coming soon for the TOS Review Crew.
I have been reading through some of last years reviews and the products that were reviewed, and they are great.
They reviewed some amazing products. I am sure I will be reviewing some fabulous products as well.
It will be different this year for sure, doing this, but it will be an exciting adventure.
We are finishing up a few things this month that I want to be done and out of the way before July, when we officially start.
This year we will be doing whatever comes our way. I am sure it will be a huge blessing, as we may find some new products that we love that we may never have tried otherwise.
It will be a trust thing for me too, trusting that the Lord will send our way just what we need.
Well, hopefully soon I will have more to tell about, but for now, I am just full to the brim with anticipation and ready to get going.
I will keep you updated on things as they come.
Thank you for staying with me this year through all of my reviews.
I have been reading through some of last years reviews and the products that were reviewed, and they are great.
They reviewed some amazing products. I am sure I will be reviewing some fabulous products as well.
It will be different this year for sure, doing this, but it will be an exciting adventure.
We are finishing up a few things this month that I want to be done and out of the way before July, when we officially start.
This year we will be doing whatever comes our way. I am sure it will be a huge blessing, as we may find some new products that we love that we may never have tried otherwise.
It will be a trust thing for me too, trusting that the Lord will send our way just what we need.
Well, hopefully soon I will have more to tell about, but for now, I am just full to the brim with anticipation and ready to get going.
I will keep you updated on things as they come.
Thank you for staying with me this year through all of my reviews.
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Beyond the Stick Figure Art School/ TOS Review
Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not requir...
