Jungle Book

Friday night we went to the opening of Jungle Book. This is the first time Anastasia has ever been in a big production play. There were 160 kids in it!!!! They all did awesome and she is having a great time. Anastasia was a Mahi Villager. They get to perform it 5 times.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU ANASTASIA!!!!

They were so excited to watch their big sis!

"Mogli"

Jungle Animals

Anastasia's friend, Rachel was a 60's elephant

Homeschool Memoirs #13: “Mom” Help!

Homeschool Mothers do a lot in a day…. I’d say they do more than the working mom because they have to care for the kids, the house, the meals, and much more. They are constantly on the go and with the kids! Sometimes you just need a break. You need to sit down and have a break. While I’m not a mom - YET - I know there I are times I need to sit down for a breather.

THEME:

This week I’d like to invite you to share what YOUR “Mom” help is. Some drink coffee, soda, or chia-tea. Others check email or read their favourite blogs. Some talk a walk…. what do you do when you need to clear your head and take a breather?

Scripture Share:

Please share a Scripture that gives you a “mom” help when you’re spirit is feeling overwhelemed.

For me to take a breather I love my coffee or should I say a little coffee with my creamer.  I like to drink it while checking email and working on my blog.  I also like to go to the grocery store by myself and take my time!

The easiest verse I quote is : Philippians 4:13-  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Blogger Friend School Assignment #109

Intro: We Bring Good Things To Life. (Marketing credit: GE)

The passion to sing, the passion to draw, the passion to build, the passion to ride, the passion for reading, the passion for nature… the list is endless. Some children exhibit their passion from day one, others need an experience to spark that passion

Assignment: Share a field trip/lifestyle learning experience where you really felt you were bringing good things to life for your children, where something came alive for them, or ignited a passion.

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:8

In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy

As a homeschooling mom this is an area I try to be conscience of with my children to make sure they are exposed to a variety of things so that they can find their passion. Four of my children are young yet and their passions vary from day to day with whatever new thing they are exposed to (paint, playdough, markers etc.) However with Anastasia there have been two things come to life this past year.  The first was from an art class she took over the summer.  She is a perfectionist and would not draw anything because it was "wrong".  Well she wanted to take this class and wow what a difference it made and not that it was anything spectacular but it sure changed her attitude about drawing and painting.  Now she is willing to try.  The other thing that was neat with our Co-op the first month they did a unit on Shakespeare and I had never done this with her before and she loved it.  This coming from a girl who has struggled with reading off and on!  She asked if we could learn and read more.  I am so glad she had this opportunity because it is not my passion and I was in no hurry to teach it but seeing her excitement, excited me about it.

Here are two of her pictures:

Co-op school- This Month

It is hard to belive that there is only one more week and we will have completed 3 months in our Co-op already.  The kids and I have really enjoyed it.  This month Anastasia's class has been reading "A Wrinkle in Time".  They have had to read 4 chapters each week before class and then have been having discussions and activities realting to the book.  They even learned a new craft and have been making some Christmas gifts.  Joshua's class has been doing activities with Junior Acheivemnt  (http://www.ja.org).   They have been learing about families and communities and the differences between needs and want.  This coming Monday they will be hosting a store for other students to come and buy snacks for different amounts of change so they can practice dealing with money.  Joshua will get to dress as a shopkeeper.  Savannah's class has been doing Thanksgiving activities and learning all about seeds.  Mrs. Claudia brought in all sorts of fruits and vegetables for the kids to get seeds from and to fill their cornucopia's.

This week was also the annual Thanksgiving lunch with familes and friends.  It was a feast for all to enjoy.

Savannah examining the squash

What a spread!

 Yummy!

 

 

 

 

After lunch we were treated to a performance by the girls. They performed a worshop lyrical dance to the song "Breathe".  They did a beautiful job.

The Long Awaited Sleepover

Saturday night was the big night!!! The kids and I slept over at their cousins house. Thurs night-Sunday night, Jay was working security out at PIR with my brother-in-law. The worked from 6PM-6am and then slept during the day. Jay slept over there since they live much closer. So my sister and I planned a sleep over with all the kids (9 of them!!!!). All week my kids were counting down the days. They were so excited and we had a great time!!! We got over there late Saturday afternoon and the playing began. We made homemade pizza for dinner and had rootbeer floats for dessert. The kids played Wii, made a movie, played outside, girls put on makeup and dressed up and much more. I think what was really nice is that they are old enough and all played so well together that Brandy and I were able to just sit and talk and hang out with the baby. The kids all kept one another entertained. I just couldn't get over the fact that we have 9 kids between the two of us!!!

Girls making pizza

Joshua couldn't wait for the rootbeer floats!!

The girls got theirs in princess cups.

The boys playing Wii

Mikaela put make-up on Alexa and Savannah and they wanted to return the favor! LOL

Beautiful!!!

Settling down watching a movie

Zach sleeping the night away

Library Grand Opening

The long awaited grand opening of our local library branch was Saturday. The kids and I had a great time walking around looking at all the booths seeing performers and looking inside the new library. We are anxious to go back next week when it won't be so crowded.

The local firemen were there with their truck.

Along one wall inside the library is decorated as the beach and also a winter scene. The kids really liked this.

The highlight for the kids was that we can check out 10 DVD's a week instead of only 5 from the other library. Do we really need 10 DVD's in one week??

Homeschool Memoirs #12

Homeschoolers are very resourceful people. They use what they have and use them to their best ability. I know in our home many times people ask us how we use this or that for learning, and we are happy to explain it’s value. I think the main thing that a lot of people miss is that life is learning, and you must use everything in your home for learning otherwise you won’t fully be prepared.

THEME

This week I want to invite you to share what different games you use for learning in your homeschool. Outside games, board games, or card games, and what purpose or subject you use them for.

I love playing games and so do my kids.  We play board games, card games computer games, file folder games you name it!  We have a whole game closet

Having lots of little ones we play:

Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders and Hi Ho Cherry-O for colors, counting, taking turns, sharing

They like to play hopscotch- numbers, large motor skills

I have to share two favorites though that we just got this year from Aunt Teri and Uncle Brett (thank you)

The first one is Journey Through Bible Land it is for ages 3-6 and no reading required.  It is similar to Candy Land but Bible based.

The other one is Armor of God board game for ages 5 and up.  You have to go around the Board and be the first to collect the Armor of God pieces (cards).