I'm just keeping things simple like I've done for the last couple of years (just what Stephanie said). Then why was I considering that website? Kyle will be 14 this summer and I'm not sure if he will want to go to college or not, so I'm thinking he should have good transcripts. I would NOT show these to the school district. Yesterday, I found out that HSI doesn't really work for me. Blech! Maybe he'll just take some college courses online and then transfer the credits. Then again I don't know that he'll even want to go to college.
So what's your suggestions for the high school years as an unschooler? Should I just "wing it" if he ends up needing a transcript?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Paperwork
Its time again to put together all the paperwork for our homeschooling year. I detest this but think that Home Scool, Inc will make it much faster than in years past. I also like the fact that the kids "transcripts" will be kept somewhere other than my computer ;)
It would be wonderful if I kept up with the paperwork throughout the year but we're too busy living our lives. I'll do this as quickly as possible so I can get back to life. Its a rainy day today, so why not?
It would be wonderful if I kept up with the paperwork throughout the year but we're too busy living our lives. I'll do this as quickly as possible so I can get back to life. Its a rainy day today, so why not?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Another Dream shattered!
Finally, someone managed to photograph the pot at the end of the rainbow!!!
Wouldn't you know it !!!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wildflowers
We had fun identifying these today.
Periwinkle (Myrtle) Vinca Minor
Common Blue Violet Viola Papilionacea
Corn Speedwell Veronica arvensis
Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea
Common Dandelion Taraxacum officinale
Periwinkle (Myrtle) Vinca Minor
Common Blue Violet Viola Papilionacea
Corn Speedwell Veronica arvensis
Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea
Common Dandelion Taraxacum officinale
Pick a Name Card
Noelle brings me a deck of cards she's created and asks me to pick a card, any card. I choose one and she tells me to unscramble the letters to find out my new name.
drumroll please........................
Velma!
Hhmmm, could be my new alias [bg]
drumroll please........................
Velma!
Hhmmm, could be my new alias [bg]
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sigh
I'm feeling rather overwhelmed with life right now. I have so much to do and some things are overdue. When I'm overwhelmed I zone out and get nothing accomplished. Might as well go to bed..........
Digital Manipulation
The kids can never seem to get enough of trying different things with my camera. They produced these ones with the color swap feature.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Some Perspective
We are all shaped by our own history. What do I mean? Well, my parents weren't perfect and did the best they could raising me. Did they make mistakes? Yes. Do they love me? Yes. Do I have to parent the exact same way? No. Do I find myself doing things the way they did them? Yes. Even the wrong things? Yes.
I am constantly learning and re-adjusting my ways of parenting. Most of the time I reflect on the situation, pray, discuss it with Kirk, and then we deal with it in the way that seems best. Wouldn't life be great if we did that every time? Yes, it would, but we're not perfect. When we realize we've made a mistake, we apologize, we move on and do our best to do it the right way next time.
I am constantly learning and re-adjusting my ways of parenting. Most of the time I reflect on the situation, pray, discuss it with Kirk, and then we deal with it in the way that seems best. Wouldn't life be great if we did that every time? Yes, it would, but we're not perfect. When we realize we've made a mistake, we apologize, we move on and do our best to do it the right way next time.
The Goods
Thought I'd share my treasures of the day =D
Yeah me!
- marble cheese slicer for $.50
- apple slicer corer for $.25
- 3 - 8"x10" Self Stick Mounting Foam Boards at $.25
- 1 - 11"x14" one for $.75
- 1 - 5"x7" one for $.10
- 375 piece bag of multi-colored tri-beads for $.25
- 2 small magentic notepads for $.25
- Cotton Courture hoody for $2
Yeah me!
Yard Sales
The weather has been so nice this week and apparently the yard sale season has begun. With the cost of gas being what it is, its a good thing we live in a town that is relatively flat so we can ride our bikes. If we find something too big to carry in a backpack we can always come back for it in the van later. Riding our bikes is also great exercise so that's another bonus.
Why do I like yard sales? Well one person's junk is another's treasure! Its treasure hunting in modern days, lol. Its also a great way to get rid of the stuff you've accumulated that you no longer want or need. Our family had one last year and even hauled our stuff to another town that had community yard sales to make even more money. Community yard sales are a little bit of heaven for us die hard yard salers. Yard sales on every street!
Thrift stores are good as well but usually cost more than yard sales, not to mention that they are in another town and gas is too expensive. Definitely not cost effective, so I'll continue to treasure hunt in my own town.
Why do I like yard sales? Well one person's junk is another's treasure! Its treasure hunting in modern days, lol. Its also a great way to get rid of the stuff you've accumulated that you no longer want or need. Our family had one last year and even hauled our stuff to another town that had community yard sales to make even more money. Community yard sales are a little bit of heaven for us die hard yard salers. Yard sales on every street!
Thrift stores are good as well but usually cost more than yard sales, not to mention that they are in another town and gas is too expensive. Definitely not cost effective, so I'll continue to treasure hunt in my own town.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Our Library
is finally online!!!!!!
Hallelujah!
I no longer have to keep record of the many, many, many books my kids check out all year long. You see, the library being online now does it for me!!
Can you tell I'm excited?!
Want to know what would make me out of this world happy though? Not having to keep records at all.
Well, in the meantime, I'll just praise God that keeping records has become easier ;)
Hallelujah!
I no longer have to keep record of the many, many, many books my kids check out all year long. You see, the library being online now does it for me!!
Can you tell I'm excited?!
Want to know what would make me out of this world happy though? Not having to keep records at all.
Well, in the meantime, I'll just praise God that keeping records has become easier ;)
Exercise
It was a nice sunny spring day today and I've been walking all over.
To the library, to piano lessons, back home to get money to pay water bill, to city hall, to piano lessons, to library, to used book store, to dollar store, to home, to store for dinner, and to home again.
Whew! No wonder I'm tired!
To the library, to piano lessons, back home to get money to pay water bill, to city hall, to piano lessons, to library, to used book store, to dollar store, to home, to store for dinner, and to home again.
Whew! No wonder I'm tired!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Festivities
It was a really good party and everyone enjoyed themselves in spite of the cool weather and few sprinkles that fell.
Everyone roasted their own hot dogs over the fire and added their own toppings (chili, cheese, sauerkraut, onions, relish, ketchup, mustard, etc.).
Noelle then opened her gifts (we crammed into our small house to watch) and received many very nice things.
The biggest wrinkle in all of our preparing and partying has been our dog chasing his tail non-stop because it is also flea season and he is allergic to them, a trait of labs that is quite annoying. We are doing our best to keep him doped up on benadryl to make it more bearable for him. First nice day, temperature wise, he's getting a bath and flea treatment!
Everyone roasted their own hot dogs over the fire and added their own toppings (chili, cheese, sauerkraut, onions, relish, ketchup, mustard, etc.).
Noelle then opened her gifts (we crammed into our small house to watch) and received many very nice things.
The biggest wrinkle in all of our preparing and partying has been our dog chasing his tail non-stop because it is also flea season and he is allergic to them, a trait of labs that is quite annoying. We are doing our best to keep him doped up on benadryl to make it more bearable for him. First nice day, temperature wise, he's getting a bath and flea treatment!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
My Day So Far
I am exhausted from getting ready for this birthday party. Kyle helped me clear the deck off and then I swept it clean. Some things are put back but I need to hose down our lawn furniture and scrub it. I decided to do some raking before that and my arms are going to be sore tomorrow but at least I didn't get any blisters ;) It actually feels good to be moving and doing so much outside after being cooped up all winter. They're calling for thunderstorms tomorrow and rain on Saturday. I say its going to be nice. How's that for positive thinking? Well, I got my break, back to work........
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Kyle
He's reading a comic right now waiting for me to get off the computer so he can play Mech Quest, his new fave game. He's the reason we really need another computer. He wants to look into designing video games and check out other things computer related.
He's also very interested in dagorhir but has to wait until he is 16 to join. In the meantime, he has assembled quite a collection of weapons, made with sticks/sans the padding, and practices with some of the neighbor kids. They will go at this for hours and have flocked to our end of the street when they're not in school.
He still loves Legos and is currently working on adding to his Bionicle and Star Wars collections and his bedroom floor is also awash in different battle scenes. Did I mention he loves history on any war ever fought? I found Atlas of the Civil War for him at the library, actually his dad will enjoy it as well. They watch war movies and documentaries together every chance they get (love Netflix and the library for those).
He spends as much time as he can with some great adults in his life: Grampa Gillie, Mr. G, Mr. A, and Cindy. They enjoy him for who he is, something a lot of kids seem to have a hard time with. Our homeschool co-op can be very cliquey and he stands on the sidelines watching a lot (his best friends don't come much anymore) but as he gets older that seems to happen less and less.
He loves sports but can't stand being in the organized stuff, its all about winning and all the fun gets ruined in his opinion, and I have to agree with him. Whatever happened to kids getting together on their own to play? Organized + some parents = yuck!
Anyway, his dad and I think he's a great kid and a joy to be around!
He's also very interested in dagorhir but has to wait until he is 16 to join. In the meantime, he has assembled quite a collection of weapons, made with sticks/sans the padding, and practices with some of the neighbor kids. They will go at this for hours and have flocked to our end of the street when they're not in school.
He still loves Legos and is currently working on adding to his Bionicle and Star Wars collections and his bedroom floor is also awash in different battle scenes. Did I mention he loves history on any war ever fought? I found Atlas of the Civil War for him at the library, actually his dad will enjoy it as well. They watch war movies and documentaries together every chance they get (love Netflix and the library for those).
He spends as much time as he can with some great adults in his life: Grampa Gillie, Mr. G, Mr. A, and Cindy. They enjoy him for who he is, something a lot of kids seem to have a hard time with. Our homeschool co-op can be very cliquey and he stands on the sidelines watching a lot (his best friends don't come much anymore) but as he gets older that seems to happen less and less.
He loves sports but can't stand being in the organized stuff, its all about winning and all the fun gets ruined in his opinion, and I have to agree with him. Whatever happened to kids getting together on their own to play? Organized + some parents = yuck!
Anyway, his dad and I think he's a great kid and a joy to be around!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Spring Weather
Well I didn't get any yarn but it didn't rain either, beautiful sunshine and 69 degrees. I don't have any summer clothes right now so it better not get any hotter, lol. Back outside to enjoy it.
Errands
Piano lessons, library, post office, bank, grocery store, health food store, and Wal-mart (ugh) for a birthday present. Well, it looks like rain and I have the van today, praise one. Praise two, maybe some new yarn for crocheting? Have a good day!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Yard Work
There is a lot to be done in the spring to get things in order outside. Raking rocks back into the driveway, they were shoveled into the grass with the snow, and raking the dogs "litter" over the creek bank. As if you needed to know this ;)
Well, we are preparing for Noelle's birthday party, wiener roast with all the fixings, this Saturday. The whole family is looking forward to it. Nothing like hot dogs roasted over an open fire. Our number one prayer request is for no rain and temperatures in the high 50s or low 60s.
The nicer weather also brings the neighborhood kids around our house. Yard work is a good excuse for keeping an eye on things though.
Well, we are preparing for Noelle's birthday party, wiener roast with all the fixings, this Saturday. The whole family is looking forward to it. Nothing like hot dogs roasted over an open fire. Our number one prayer request is for no rain and temperatures in the high 50s or low 60s.
The nicer weather also brings the neighborhood kids around our house. Yard work is a good excuse for keeping an eye on things though.
For Noelle
She has me crocheting clothes for her My Little Ponies. They're cute, check them out!
I keep waiting for her to come ask how to crochet beyond a simple chain stitch...... until then I am more than happy to make them for her :)
I keep waiting for her to come ask how to crochet beyond a simple chain stitch...... until then I am more than happy to make them for her :)
A Rant
I have such different ideas and feelings than most people and I have found it easier to just keep my mouth shut. Why? I'm tired of hearing how wrong I am, sigh.
I keep asking the Lord why I'm so different. I feel caught in a world all my own with God as my only friend. He and I talk constantly and His guidance keeps me going. I can talk all I want and let it all out, I feel so secure in knowing He is big enough to handle it all. When I am spent or have let it all out, there is sweet contentment and I feel His presence so fully. He never yells at me, puts me down, or criticizes me. If there is something I am not seeing or understanding we talk about it. There are many conversations that happen over and over again. He is still patient with me and doesn't beat me over the head. I am human and there are consequences that I have to accept sometimes. Sometimes God shows mercy. I want to parent my kids the same way.
I want them to look to God for their life's plan. He created them for a purpose. We as parents are to help them find that purpose but not through force. I keep having certain people tell me that I have to force my kids to do certain things. If I don't, then I am teaching them to be lazy and quitters. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE!!!! There will be consequences to all of life's decisions and my kids will learn from them just like I have. Just like we all do. We, as adults, can talk with our kids about our life's experiences. Yes, adults have wisdom to share but we certainly don't know it all.
Note: This is a rant, it may or not make sense to you but I feel better ;)
I keep asking the Lord why I'm so different. I feel caught in a world all my own with God as my only friend. He and I talk constantly and His guidance keeps me going. I can talk all I want and let it all out, I feel so secure in knowing He is big enough to handle it all. When I am spent or have let it all out, there is sweet contentment and I feel His presence so fully. He never yells at me, puts me down, or criticizes me. If there is something I am not seeing or understanding we talk about it. There are many conversations that happen over and over again. He is still patient with me and doesn't beat me over the head. I am human and there are consequences that I have to accept sometimes. Sometimes God shows mercy. I want to parent my kids the same way.
I want them to look to God for their life's plan. He created them for a purpose. We as parents are to help them find that purpose but not through force. I keep having certain people tell me that I have to force my kids to do certain things. If I don't, then I am teaching them to be lazy and quitters. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE!!!! There will be consequences to all of life's decisions and my kids will learn from them just like I have. Just like we all do. We, as adults, can talk with our kids about our life's experiences. Yes, adults have wisdom to share but we certainly don't know it all.
Note: This is a rant, it may or not make sense to you but I feel better ;)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Crochet on the Net
I love the internet! With a few clicks I can find great crochet patterns. For free! How great it that? Crochet Pattern Central is my new favorite site! I also like to recycle whenever I can and found out about My Recycled Bags. I also found video tutorials for crochet on NexStitch if you want to learn how. Three jems that I thought I'd share just in case you didn't already know about them ;)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Crochet Tote
I really like the way it turned out. All my other totes always fell over when I was trying to crochet or knit and working out of a gift bag wasn't very lasting.
The pattern is from the book Crochet with Bits and Pieces that I found at our library. I also made Noelle a drawstring purse for Easter out of this book.
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