As I contemplate why I chose the curriculum that I did...

So ends the our homeschool year. The kids worked so hard this year, it is crazy how fast it went. Only a couple of months until it all starts again, and we all know how fast that will go. So as I was looking forward to next year and contemplating last I thought I would write out what I liked and disliked about each of the curriculums that I chose to use this year. There is some things that I found that can be helpful to those of you who do not homeschool, but are looking for something to supplement your kids learning at their school. So below has something for everyone.

History - Story of the World - I have loved it because I love how it really tells a story and makes it fit together like it should instead of different pieces. I also like it because of the different ideas and books it has to get more out of it. If I can just find time to actually do more of the projects then that would be great. We will continue with this next year heading into the Medevial times. The only thing I wish is that it had more bible history thrown into it, it has some, but not as much as I would have liked.

Science - Abeka - I am glad that I chose this curriculum. It was just the right amount of information to put in and it also connected everything back to God and how God made it, etc. I enjoyed using it this year.

Math - Saxon - I have always loved Saxon just because how it is written made me fall in love with math. So, it will be hard to break me of this curriculum.

Reading - Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading (supplimented with Abeka readers) - I have really enjoyed this guide and the kids have read harder words a lot soon than when I was using Abeka...I think it gives a great progression to the reader. I have enjoyed it. I would strongly suggest this to anyone who is homeschooling or just looking to suppliment what their kids are being taught at school.

Grammer - First Language Lessons by Jessie Wise - This is by the same author as the Ordinary Parents Guide. It is great and I have loved every lesson of it. It repeats enough and moves on just at the right places. So we will be sticking with this for a while as well.

Spelling - Abeka (and used www.spellingcity.com) - Last year I had used another spelling curriculum for John and found there was no reason for the list that the kids were given. I really like the Abeka Spelling curriculum because it gives the spelling rule and then the words that follow it. So it makes sense. Won't be changing for a while. Also, really check out the above website, it is also found on the sidebar too. It has helped John with his spelling so much, it makes it really fun. Again, something you can use with your kids to supplement their spelling in school.

Bible - Using various books to learn definitions of values and verses to go along with them. We also are apart of Community Bible Study which has homework for the kids so we have also used that as well as part of our study. It has been a perfect fit.

Music - Piano lessons- That is enough! 8-)

Spanish and Art was suppose to be done this year, but was not able to bring that in. Although John, and Emily and Kiley will join him next year, has been attending a school for homeschoolers on Fridays. They have been covering Art (Sculpture, Journalism, Drawing, and Art History to name a few) so I am not too worried about that but have found a great book to teach kids how to draw so I will be doing that this summer. Also, we have a Spanish curriculum that we are going to try out this summer as well. It is put together to work with the whole family so we are going to try and do it all together. So I will have to keep you updated on that. Look more later in the year.

So that sums up our year. I am looking forward to getting new books and seeing what the kids do this year! It should be exciting. And to answer the question that everyone asks me, how long am I going to do this? Until God tells me otherwise. Until then they get me all the time, they are stuck with me. Oh well! I am glad for it, I enjoy it, most days! 8-)

Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

It has been a few weeks since I have had a chance to write. The end of the school year with great weather makes for not too much time inside! Here is a picture of my girls from their birthday party earlier this month. I still can't believe that they are 6! It feels like just yesterday when Jason and I were videotaping their syncranized crying because there

was nothing left for us to do! We tried to make the best out of those experiences and TRY to find the humor. The girls in the picture are wearing I think almost everything that people had gotten them for their birthdays. 8-) They had a Hannah Montana gymnastics party at a local gym. Happy Birthday Kiley and Emily!

The best job on earth!

I know that it has been a week already since Mother's Day, but since it has been crazy, too crazy...I have an excuse. I was just sitting here thinking about different jobs and wondering what my kids will be when they grow up. What will they choose? It will be exciting to find out. Then I think to my job. A mom. It can be exhausting some days, but when you look at these awesome faces, how in the world could one not know that I have the best job on earth! Do you see the poster boards??? Those were my favorite gifts. They each made their own games for me, just for me. Now, how many of you have had four games made just for you? Yep, I think that answers my previous question, who has the best job on earth?? Sorry, everyone it is me! (and I even have a wonderful, good looking, admirable, honest man of integrity to go along with it...I am seriously not trying to brag, but if you say so...)

What I was not planning on doing today!

Totally, did not have in my plans to spend four hours calling all the different credit card companies, police department, social security department and driver license facility. Jason's wallet was stolen last night and the offender has been charging all morning. I think we have it under control. Sadly, his SScard was in his wallet. Not good. I am resting in the fact that God knows all things and will help us through this. I am so tired. It has been a crazy couple of days. This was the (fake) cherry on top!

Thoughtful Thursday

This year I joined a bible study, Community Bible Study, at a church near our house. This year we have gone through a lot of books, but one verse has hit me more than all the others (although there has been a lot more I have gotten out of it). James 1:19, "everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry." It has really hit home with me. As many of you know I LOVE to talk. Yes, I know it is a shock, but a lot of times I really don't listen very well. Recently, I have not been listening very well to my kids. Instead of taking the time to really hear them out, I jump down their throat...quick to become angry. So, this verse has really taken on a huge meaning to me. So much that I have laminated it and put it on my mirror in the morning (beside my "don't forget to swish and swipe" sign...makes sense for those of you who love Flylady). The first thing I see when I am brushing my teeth is this verse. The days I am in a hurry and forget to glance at it...yep...I don't like myself. It is a good thing that the Lord forgives us over and over again, because I surely need it. But, since I have been meditating on this verse in the morning, my attitude toward my kids has gotten so much better. I praise God for this and thank Him for helping. Another reminder that if we focus on the words of the Lord and the guidance of Bible that life is just so much better! So my aim this year is to listen to my kids, really listen, to understand what they are trying to say and not always react. My aim is to love God more and more so that His love will overflow from my mouth and I will not respond in anger so quickly (yes, I understand there are times to be angry, Jesus himself even got angry himself...at the right things!). I want to listen more to anyone who is sharing their heart with me. May at the end of this year I be a better mom, wife and friend to those around me. Do you have any favorite verses that inspire you to be a better person? I would love to hear them.

Cougars and Reading..oh my!

Through our homeschool group, TEACH, we were able to go as a group to the Kane County Cougars Game. This was a pat on the back for the kids doing great reading during the year. They got special shirts and then we got to line up on the field before the game. We paraded around the field and then got to get autographs by all the players. Since John has been playing baseball he was really excited to meet some of the players. It was a great game, until the ninth inning. The Cougars were winning 3 to 1. With two outs and two strikes somehow the pitcher got the bases loaded and then a guy on the Silverhawks hit a GRAND SLAM! Then the pitcher loaded the bases again...remember there were two outs already....needless to say our team did not recover from the Grand Slam. Oh, well, maybe next time. After all the games they let the fans on the field to run the bases. John couldn't wait to get out there. Dad, John, Karli and I were the ones to run the bases, Emily and Kiley decided that they were awesome cheerleaders. It was a really fun, but exhausting, evening. The kids loved that they didn't get into bed until 11:00 PM. I am really proud of the kids and all the hard work they have put in this year. It was a great way to celebrate!

Jason "catching" a great play in center field.
Our oldest being goofy with one of his friends at the game.

#7 signed their shirts we could have gotten the rest of the team, but ran out of time. Oh, well, next year.

Emily enjoying the game, it was such a great night! And look how close we are!

I love this shot of Kiley and Dad. Priceless!

Can a black thumb turn green?

That is the question that my husband asked someone the other day, referencing me, of course! If anyone knows me, they know that I can't keep living objects alive...with the exception of my kids, of course! I have a black thumb, I even killed the flowers I bought on Good Friday, for Easter...Easter morning they were dead. I had dead flowers for my arrangment. I could go on. Anyway, the kids wanted to have a garden, a vegatable garden. It sounded fun, so here we go! I am trying with everything in me not to kill my kids first garden. So here are some pictures of what our garden is starting out as. Then hopefully, it will be full of lots of green things...hopefully, not weeds!



We decided to grow strawberries, tomatoes (which John pointed out the label said vegatable and they are a fruit...good observation John), lettuce, carrots, broccoli, watermelon, corn, cucumbers and potatoes. I think it will be fun and full!