I will survive (the video)

This is a good pick me up! I've seen it several times before, but most recently it was posted Maureen @ Maureen Wittman I hope that you enjoy the video that follows:

Record Keeping

Lesson Plans, Record Keeping, Scheduling, all just a click way, I hope! This as you may know by now is my last week of our first year of homeschooling! We made it through one whole year! 3 cheers for us! Hip, Hip, Hooray; Hip, Hip Hooray; Hip, Hip, Hooray.

Record keeping has not been our strong suit! That if anything is the one thing I need to change for the up coming school year. I'm hoping I can find (very soon) a software program that will make record keeping easier for us. I don't care if it's a program on the PC or if it's web-base. I do have a few things that I have in mind. Perhaps I can get some help from my fellow homeschoolers!!!

There are some basic things that I think would make a program good!

• Allowing easy scheduling. I can pre-enter a schedule with "certain days" for "certain subject", but flexible enough to allow me to edit each individual day schedule as needed.
• Can easily assign "assignments" for each subject as needed.
• Can enter in sick days, vacation days, etc and it will automatically adjust the schedule and assignments
• students' page for the kids to be able to view and check of their assignments for the day, etc
• oh and price, I prefer it to be FREE!
  

I've tried out homeschool-inc web based planner. It did most everything I wanted but the critical flexibility per day scheduling. We are going to working on a 5 day week. However we will have only 4 days of "book work" and allow the 5th day be be open for field-trips, errands, etc. That day will be on Fridays. However I have one week where I want that day to Monday and I can't adjust that week to reflex that....At least I'm not seeing how too!

I've taken a look at homeschool tracker and I've downloaded the FREE basic version, but to be honest it's to confusing and an NOT very user friendly in my opinion. Plus the basic does not have many of the features I want. The plus version may, but I find the basic NOT to be user friendly, so I assume that the plus will be the same. The PLUS, also, comes with a steep price tag $50. I don't want to spend $50 on software. I really don't want to spend anything, but that's besides the point.

However I'm hearing from Sara at A Shower of Roses that the plus is actually user friendly. So I really don't know any more!

So what do you use? (beside the good, ageless, paper and pen method LOL)

5 things I'm thankful for on April 28th, 2009

1. My husband! Tomorrow the 29th will be our 9th wedding anniversary. DH told me today that it will be "weird" come next year because we then will be in double digits. Although tomorrow is our 9th wedding anniversary we have been a couple for almost 11 years! WOW

2. That it is our last week of school this week! (Now perhaps I can tackle the house)

3. That I may have the chance to go and spend the weekend in MI at my BFF house. She moved to from IL to MI in January and well I miss her. I talk to her weekly, but it's not the same. My B-day is in July and DH said that I might be able to spend my B-day weekend in MI with my BFF! What a b-day present!!!

4. My kids! I don't really need to say more do I... (although at times I wish I could give them to the zoo!) LOL

5. All of my cyber friends! Especially Judy, the host of this MEME. Your emails make me smile, even if there are 10,000 of them asking for help! I know there isn't 10,000 of them and I'm just giving you a hard time. You could email me 10,000 times a day if you wanted. It wouldn't bother me any! I always love getting your emails!

LAST Week of School

This is our LAST week of school! WOW. We will be starting school up again on July 6th, 2009! After this week and before our new year starts I think I'll be tackling the HOUSE! There are things that need to be done around here, because well some of the rooms just make me go UGH!

REVIEW: Paul In A Basket

Title: Paul in a Basket Musical Adventure For Kids (CD)

Author: Rob Evans, the Donut Man

Short Description: An audio CD of 10 stories and 10 songs that highlights the the life and teachings of St. Paul in a kid-friendly format.

Review: This is very upbeat, energetic, get-out-your-dance-shoes type of music. The kids and I were up dancing and singing along in a VERY short time. We really enjoy the music and any child from the ages of 3-10 will too.

Even though it is geared for kids, I played it for myself while working on the computer. The music is really good and the message throughout is very uplifting and true to Scripture. Many of the songs and stories quote Scripture so this could be useful for bible lessons in a homeschooling environment. I believe that many Christian-Homeschoolers, regardless of creed or denomination, would find this to be a good way to help teach their kids about the life and teachings of St. Paul.

The differences between the children's CD and the director's CD is that the director's version comes with instrumental tracks and other resources that you would need to put on a musical.

I've reviewed the director's notes for the hour long musical. At first I found the director's notes to be a little confusing. However, once I became familiar with the CD and the songs the director's notes started to make sense to me. So in order to make the most out of the director's notes I highly suggest listening to the songs BEFORE reviewing the director's notes. Once you are familiar with the songs you'll find the director's notes easier to follow.

According to the director's notes this hour long musical would work best with 15-30 children on stage. I think any homeschooling, church, or youth group that has that many kids could easily put on this one hour long musical if they were inclined to do so. The props for the musical are very simple and can be done inexpensively which is a MAJOR plus for homeschooling groups (and church groups) that are often on a tight budget.

Regarding the age range for the production: I would say kids ages 6-10 would enjoy putting on this musical. Children 10-12 may enjoy it too, but that really would depend on the individual child. I find it hard to picture a child older then 12 being on stage, but I'm sure that they would enjoy watching along with any parent, grandparent, or beloved adult.

If your child is familiar with Rob Evans' past work, then they may be disappointed that he does not use his Donut Man persona in this work. Also Duncan, the talking donut, is not present. However, the music is so great that it would not matter in the long run!!

If you are interested in learning more about Paul In A Basket then be sure to check out the Catholic Company. For more reviews on this and other products from other bloggers then please click here.

Disclosure: I was given a free coy of Paul In A Basket by the Catholic Company in order write to my honest opinion of this product for this review.

Culture: Shockers!

With abortions, Plan B over the counter, and other things in this world, I shouldn't be surprised or shocked by this iphone app. It's called 'Baby Shaker'. The app has been pulled because social workers have complained about it. (Rightly So).

I really shouldn't be shocked by this app, but when DH shared the news with me I was just left speechless. What is this world coming to?

UPDATE: Read More

In my last post I talked about how I was editing the HTML so my post will have a read more feature. In that post I mention that I still needed to tweak the HTML, so that the read more feature would only show up on the post I wanted it to show up on. I also mention that I wasn't sure what it would do to my feed, after all I wanted my feed to stay full text.

Well I got code tweaked the best way that I can! NOW the read more link will only show up on the POST that I want it too. I thought that it would only show up on a post only if there was more then one post on the page, but that's not the cast. It shows up anytime I'm NOT on the post permalink, and only if I want that post to have the read more option. That's fine with me. It, also, DOES NOT effect the feed, so that's good!

In case you are wondering how I did this and how you can do the same then check out: Selective Expandable Post Summaries

Crazy Eights: I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Tabatha @ Carmelite Mommy

8 things I am looking forward to:

1. Watching our planted socks grow.
2. Summer Vacation.
3. Mass on Sunday Mornings.
4. Celebrating my 9th Wedding Anniversary in a few days.
5. Celebrating the kid's B-days in a few weeks at the children's museum.
6. The start of next school year.
7. The Play (Peggy the Pint Size Pirate) that my kids are going to be in a few weeks.
   
8. The kid's bedtime! LOL
   

8 things I did yesterday:

1. Dishes
   
2. Laundry
   
3. Clean the fridge
   
4. Grocery shopping
   
5. Paid the bills
   
6. wrote a blog post
   
7. Hung out at The Homeschool Lounge
   
8. Taught the kids
   

8 things I wish I could do:

1. Make more time.
   
2. Gardening! LOL
   
3. Spent more time in prayer and reading the Bible
   
4. Sleep better
   
5. Cleaned better
   
6. Paint the house
   
7. Fix the things that NEED to be fixed around here.
   
8. Not worry as much
   

8 shows I watch:

1. Dirty Jobs
   
2. Mythbusters
   
3. Table for 12
   
4. 18 kids and counting
   
5. Heroes (sometimes)
   
6. Throwdown
   
7. Iron Chef
   
8. Little People Big World
   

8 Tags:

1. Judy @ BENMAKESTEN
   
2. Haley @ My Mommy Kisses The Principal
3. Shawntele @ Saved By Grace
4. Kela @ Pursuing What Is Excellent
   
5. Lerin @ Beautiful Chaos
6. Katie @ Just Another Catholic Mom
7. Dawn @ A Helping Hand LOL (Although, Dawn has decided to tag me too)
   
8. Karinann @ Daughter Of The King
   

READ MORE

I have added a READ MORE link to my post. This is so I can give previews on my homepage. However, right now it needs more tweaking. That's because this feature is showing up on ALL my post. Even those post that I do not want it to. I like having this feature because it will allow me I think to have more post on my home page which is cool! You should only see this read more feature where there is more then ONE post per page. I'm hoping I can get the html code tweak to fix it. If not then I will removed the read more feature all together. So please bare with me while I tweak things.

I'm also not sure what this will do to the feed. If it turns it into a preview as well then I will remove this feature. Seeing you all voted saying you wanted the feeds to be FULL text.

Earth: The Movie

We were blessed to go the movies this last Tuesday, on Earth Day, to see Earth, by DisneyNature. One of the very first things we learned from viewing the movie that there will be a sequel Ocean that will be released on Earth Day 2010. We also learned that DisneyNature in a way developed out of True Life Adventures and Walt's love of nature.

We were highly interested in seeing the movie: Earth, because of the preview:



Some of the preview scenes looked a LOT LIKE the video clips from the DVD: Planet Earth Game that we had bought and have been playing with recently. During the movie and after the movie the kids kept saying mom that looks like the game, or that's in the game. They wanted to know if the movie was based on the game. (seeing the game came first). However, I explained to them that it was the other way around.

We were at the movie theaters for nearly 2 hours, and even though the movie was GREAT, it's NOT something that I would pay full movie price for again. It was one of those things I wished I could just reclined, pull up my pillow, and watch from the comforts from home.

After all, at home, we could pause the movie, answer questions, and hear comments the kids had to share. Normally both have good movie manors, but watching Earth was a little different. They weren't bad, but they weren't good either, they just were a little bit more chatty then normal.

It shouldn't have been a surprise that the movie talked about Global Warming, and the damage that it's causing to Polar Bears. In the back of my mind I kept thinking about Grolar Bears.

So my final opinion is that I'm glad that I went, but come next year we will be staying home and wait for the movie: OCEAN to be released onto DVD!

The ABC of SAHMinIL

I've been tagged, thanks to Mary @ Mum2Best7!

Instructions: You are supposed to write a note with the ABC's of you. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. You have to tag me so really you just need 25 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way.

1. A - Age: almost 30
   
2. B - Bed size: Queen
   
3. C - Chore you hate: laundry
   
4. D - Dog's name: Gravy (A picture here)
   
5. E - Essential start your day item: Coffee
   
6. F - Favorite color: green
   
7. G - Gold or Silver: gold
   
8. H - Height: 5'7"
   
9. I - I am: alive
   
10. J - Job: mother, wife, homeschool teacher
    
11. K - Kids: DS (almost 8) and DD (7) (a picture here)
    
12. L - Living arrangements: House
    
13. M - Mom's name: Mom! LOL (a picture here)
    
14. N - Nicknames: Honey, Hun, Mommy, Hey You! LOL
    
15. O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None
    
16. P - Pet Peeve: It's a mess and I JUST cleaned it!
    
17. Q - Quote from a movie: I don't have one. Bummer!
    
18. R - Right or left handed: LEFT!!!
    
19. S - Siblings: 1 older sister, 3 younger brothers, 3, younger sisters, and 2 BIL. (plus my DH's siblings LOL)
    
20. T - Time you wake up: 6:30-7:00 AM
    
21. U- Underwear: what about it?
    
22. V - Vegetable you dislike: nothing comes to mind.
    
23. W - Ways you run late: traffic and not leaving in time.
    
24. X - X-rays you've had: dental
25. Y - Yummy food you make: taco salad.
    
26. Z - Zoo favorite: My children??? Okay, Elephants!
    

For my Blogspot Followers, Subscribers, and Lurkers--Tag!

Do, Re, Me, Fa: Sound of Music

First I have to thank Judy @ Benmakesten and Karinann @ Daughter of the King for bringing this video to my attention. Karinann assured me that I would know the words to the song and I did! Judy said that it was a FUN way to start the day and I have to agree with that!



As always ladies thank-you for making my day a little brighter.

Dissection: frogs, cow eyes, squids, oh my!

Granted my kids are still a little young for those dissection labs, or are they?? Hmm, after becoming aware of this VIRTUAL dissection tool, I'm starting to wonder. I came across Froguts yesterday, during my internet surfing.

Froguts states that their home program ($30 per year) can be used as a stand alone instructional tool, it can be used as a cost effective alternative to dissection materials and specimens, and can be repeated as necessary. However, as a supplement to actual dissection, our service helps students make the most of their limited laboratory time and improves their level of comprehension.

I've done their demo. At first I was a little lost, but very soon I got it! Of course the demo was very limited and I wasn't able to get the whole perspective of what the product has to offer. However, based on what I was able to do with the demo I think it can be very helpful and a good tool for those homeschoolers that are need of labs! Or for those homeschoolers that are wanting to dissect things.

I don't think there is much difference between the home version or school version other then cost. Clearly a home subscriber isn't going to need the product loaded a bunch of computers. The fact that they give the home subscriber the ability to load the program on not 1 but 3 computers is a good deal for me. Not to mention that you can use the program for a whole year and do each dissection as often as you like during that year. So if you have multiple kids no big deal, they each can take the time to do their own dissection! That's a big benefit too!

The fact that you are allowed to do a dissection multiple times to me seems like a good deal. Each kid can do their own virtual dissection, or the child can do it over again and again and again. Some kids get more out of something if they can do it again and again and again.

The only downside I see is the fact it's virtual. Can't touch the item, no funny smells, no messy clean ups, not worrying about the 2 year old getting a hold of the specimen. Well, maybe they aren't downsides unless you really WANT those things! So check froguts out!

5 things I'm thankful for on Apirl 21, 2009

1. My DD today, April 21, 2009 is her 7th Birthday

2. My husband's job, we have seen so many loose their jobs and homes the last few months that I'm thankful that DH still has a job and we still have a home.

3. Food to eat

4. I'm also thankful for my DS. Together he and my DD light up my days when the world outside it wet and gloomy.

5. The wonderful friends I have here in IL and those that I have only met via blogs, social networks, and emails. Someday we will be able to meet in person!

For more thankful Woman's book of blessings please visit "A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings"

Pro-Life Video could equal $1,000 scholarship!

Do your children like making videos? Are they pro-lifers? If so they could enter a video/movie in the Susan B. Anthony List current contest and could WIN a $1,000 scholarship. Complete rules and guidelines can be found here. Good Luck!

Top 100 Blogs on Christian Families

So, I was checking my yahoo account today sahminil(at)yahoo.com. It is my public email account, and is only something I check about once a week to once every 2 weeks. However, after the email I found in the inbox today I might be checking it more often.

I got a very nice email from a fellow blogger at "Becoming A Radiologist Technician" letting me know that they had complied a list of what THEY feel to be the top 100 Blogs on Christian Families, and "My Adventures into Christian Homeschooling" made the cut. This blog is number 76 on the list!

It's very humbling to know that a fellow blogger consider my blog to be among the top 100 blogs on Christian Families. Please check out the list, and check out the other 99 blogs on the list!

I just wanted to say, publicly, thank-you to the blogger at Becoming A Radiologist Technician for adding my blog to your top 100 list.

God Bless
SAHMinIL

Does education kill creativity?

This is well worth the 20 minutes of your time!

Rian, Seeds, Dirt and Socks?

The nice weather outside yesterday reminded me of a science project I blogged about back in January: "Plant A Sock". We are going to do this on Monday!

Custumes?

Are you creative? Can you help? My kids are in the play: Peggy the pint size pirate. It is being put on by my homeschooling group. They have been cast as the whale and the barnacle. I've been looking at pictures and trying to come up with ideas of how to make the costumes. Sessilia are the type of barnacles that are found on the Baleen Whale. I'm sure that I don' have to be "exact" but I feel the costumes should at least make it "clear" that the this is a whale and a barnacle.

Any Ideas? Anyone here creative? Do you have any ideas that you can share with me? The play is only a few weeks a way so I really need to get moving on the costumes!

The Catholic Company

I'm currently a product reviewer for the Catholic Company. This is something NEW for me! I'm very excited to be able to do this. I will be writing reviews for the Catholic Company and they will be posted here on "Catholic Christian Homeschooling" blog. My FIRST review will be posted in June 2009.

Give Them A Box!

They even at 7 and 8 still enjoy playing with a box. I even got into it! LOL (note to self don't let DH know where the camera is LOL). At what age do they find a box not so entertaining? Any ideas?

School Room! I wish!

Several of the (homeschooling) blogs I follow have been showing of their homeschooling rooms! Oh how lovely, clean, and organized they are! It is a real blessing to have a space for ONLY homeschooling. Then there are homeschooler like me! Not so well organized, cluttered, and cramped for space! (Please see pass the clutter and dirty counters. Thank-you)

This is my living room that holds most of our homeschooling materials: The only thing really missing from these 2 pictures is the wall where our front door and couch are on and part of the wall that has our fireplace (that would be the wall with the wood paneling). In the one picture where the desk chair is right next to me is where the front door is...

This is the kitchen that has the table that the kids work at time to time, and that little corner I call "my office":There really isn't much more to the kitchen other then the counter, sink, and stove. They are all on the 2 walls that are not shown.

Both rooms are about 14x13. So there you have it. As you can see we don't have a "school room", but we are still able to homeschool the children. Please see pass the clutter! I'm trying to find a system/way of decluttering! I'm not every good at "housework" if anything that would be my real weakness when it comes to homeschooling and being a housewife. When I try things are great! When I don't try it gets overwhelming! There really isn't much more to the house other then a cluttered laundry room, if you can even call it a "room", it's more like a closet. An average size bathroom and 3 average size bedrooms. Then again with 950 sq. feet, there isn't going to be much more.

What I lack in "housing" space I make up for "yard" space! All of the back yard pictures where taken from my back door (the kitchen door). The red line that I "drew" into each picture is to help show where the property line is.

Looking to the rightLooking straight outLooking to the leftThat big old dog in the one picture is our dog Gravy! Yes his name is Gravy. When he was a puppy he looked more like a pile of mash potatoes with brown gravy on him. Thus we named him Gravy! He is 6 year-old! Here is one more picture of the Gravy.Gravy is a lab and collie mix and weighs nearly 90 lbs! He thinks he's some kind of "lap dog" and is always trying to sit in our laps! LOL

One last note regarding the yard: I WISH I knew how to garden! I have more then enough space for a garden (as you can see). I just don't know HOW!! LOL That would be the other department that I lack in! At least my kiddos (including the dog) have room to RUN; even with a large garden there would be room to RUN! LOL Perhaps some day I will learn how to garden.

Kids Bowl Free Every Day All Summer!

WOW!!! Your kids can bowl free, every day, all summer long! Check Out: kidsbowlfree.com We are blessed to have a bowling center near us that is a part of this program. I hope that you have the same! Let's go bowling!!!

Macaroni noodles

Okay so what’s wrong with Macaroni noodles? My DH won’t eat them! He’ll eat ANY noodle there is BUT macaroni! You would think that after cooking for him for the last 10 years I would understand, but I don’t!! I mean after all are they all made with the same ingredients the just are shaped different. Right?? Please tell me that’s right! LOL

We’ve been married for almost 9 years (it will be 9 years later this month). We DID NOT live together prior to marriage. I just was over at his house every day and would cook us dinner, eat, visit and would leave for the night. I couldn’t stand the knowledge that for dinner he had a box of stove top stuffing! Yep, before I was in the picture dinner consist of a whole box of stuffing. Nothing else, but stuffing! Ironically if I don’t cook dinner to this day, he will revert to his “bachelor” days and will serve the kids a box of stuffing for dinner! Or any other side things like that and just that!

So I try hard to cook even when I feeling under the weather, cause I can’t stand the knowledge that my kids at stuffing for dinner and only stuffing! LOL I can’t handle that! The kids are healthy as pictures of them can clearly show, so one meal of stuffing shouldn’t be an issue. I just feel bad!

Luckily I haven’t been under the weather lately, but seeing Easter just passed all of these memories are flooding my mind. Even though our Anniversary isn’t until the end of the month Easter always bring back those memories pre-marriage, etc. This is because we got married the Saturday after Easter. (Easter was “late” that year LOL)

TEST: All 3 blogs

Please bear with me. I’m trying to see if I can send “email” post to all 3 of my blogs at the same time. This will be the last test for now LOL!

Testing Email

This is just a test really! I set up the blog to be able to post “emails”. I don’t really have anything to say nor do I have any real content right now. I just wanted to test this email thing out and see how it works. I wonder how I can set up labels and keywords with emails? Hmmm…

 

If I can’t figure that out I may not use this feature that much, but it could come in handy if I get an email or find something of interest. I don’t know just something more to monkey with I guess! LOL

Tiny URL

I came across what I feel is a cool feature! It allows you to shorten LONG URLS! Not only do they become shorten but they are still usable! Try it out!

Enter a long URL to make tiny:

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. See our full disclosure policy for more details.

Colbert: Jesus Is Divine (God)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bart Ehrman
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

UPDATE: To Nest Or Not To Nest!

When I made the post here I was certain that I was on the loosing side of my battle with these determine parents. They tried all day Thursday and were at it again on Friday Morning when I took the pictures.

However after the pictures I let it go: mainly because I was certain that I was on the loosing end and after a while I started to think what harm could come of it? Other then my fears of being attacked. After I took the pictures, on Friday, they hung out in the tree in the front yard. When we got up Saturday the birds were gone and there was no new signs of them trying to build the nest in the light fixture.

So I'm not sure what happened. They were determined on Thursday no matter what I did. They were here Friday Morning and determined until I stopped to take pictures of them in the tree, the light fixture, and the doorway. After the pictures, on Friday, they they stopped what they were doing and hung out in the tree in the front yard for the rest of the day. Then by Saturday they were gone.

Believe it or not, despite how I was feeling on Thursday and Friday Morning, I'm sad that they disappeared. I wonder other then be a little annoyed with me what made them disappear? Perhaps they didn't like the paparazzi (me taking pictures)? They were completely determined and still at it until I took pictures.

Birds: To Nest Or Not To Nest!

That is the question of the day! We got a pair of sparrows (not sure what kind of sparrows)that have decided to try to nest in our light fixture.I'm not sure if I should let them nest there or not. I asked the ladies at THL what they thought. Many of them said I should let them be! That I should raise the white flag and let them nest there. However, how do I let them just do that? Can you see how close that light fixture is to my front door?Not only is it close to my front door, but as you can see from the picture below I don't have front porch. I just have a stoop (step):My biggest issue with is location that they have picked is how close it is to the front door! What if Mama decided to attack (once there are babies/eggs)? Seriously I don't want to be barred from using my own front door!

If this was your house would you let them stay? Would you raise the white flag and let it be? Would you use this as a teaching lesson? How would you make this "work"?

Reading The Bible

Over the last year (or two) I have loosely followed a 365 day reading guide. I haven't done as well as I would like, but perhaps I should take notes from my son!

Followers to my blog know that over the weekend my DS received his first communion. He, not only received communion, but he received several gifts from relatives and friends. One of these special gifts included a Bible. The Bible he received, according to my mom, is the same Bible that is used by the students at our local Catholic-High School. (My mom used to work at the one and only local Catholic book store that parents, school staff, and local Catholics shop at: so she would know what is used at the local Catholic School~ LOL~)


Well he received this Bible and has decided on HIS OWN that he will read a chapter a night. He made this decision on Sunday Night. So as of last night, Wednesday Night, DS has read Genesis Chapters 1-4 and has plans to continue reading until he's done with the WHOLE bible. (The Catholic-Christian Canon)

Does anybody know exactly how many days that will take? Remember he's just reading 1 chapter per night.

As for the actual reading, DS is doing every well. There are a few words he does not know especially the larger words. He has taken turns to actually read the passages to either myself or my DH. So he's really reading it! The first night he read to my DH and DH started to correct him on the words he was getting wrong, those larger words that are harder for him to read.

This correcting really bugged my DS so much so that he said "Dad just let me read! I don't need you to correct me! I just want to read". DH decided to back off and let it go and I have taken my DH's lead on this one and I just let it go myself. I'm puzzled and amused on how DS can read and pronounces words like "garment", "cherubim", and "desirable" correctly, but misreads and mispronounces words like "serpent", "garden", and "childbearing".

Why is that? Is it wrong to just let him read and NOT correct his errors?

I'm just so glad that he has decided on his own to read the Word of God, that I don't want to spoil it for him, because he knows how special these Words are.

So tell me what do you think?

Homeschoolers and Uniforms

I was wondering if any of my readers, who are homeschoolers, have their children wear "uniforms". I have been toying with the idea of having my kids wear one. I'm just thinking of a pair of kaki in a tan color and a polo type shirt in a dark blue, gray, or white.

I'm just thinking that perhaps having "school cloths" would help us get more prepared for the day and perhaps motivate us to "do" school. We are doing well and are almost done with our school year as I have stated before, but I also know that we don't do as much as we can. Sometimes it's because of lack of motivation. Don't get me wrong, we do our work and the kids are doing well! It's just I would like to see our day be a little bit more focused, having little bit more pep, and a change in over all "attitude".

I've talked to my DH about all of this and he's on board with me. We talked to the kids about it and DD was on board, but DS was a not liking the idea. However his attitude changed when he actually seen what I had in mind. Once we seen that, the idea was good.

The other side effect of "uniforms" would be less laundry for me to do!! I don't know what it, but lately I wash 2-3 loads a day and I still have mount washmore! UGH! I'm thinking I still have mount washmore because we have TOO MANY cloths!! So I'm thinking if we had uniforms I would have less laundry to do? Would that really be true?

Okay so give me your input? Uniforms a good thing? A bad thing? How do I get rid of mount washmore? Give me your thoughts and input!

Planet Earth: The interactive DVD game

At our house Sunday Night is family game night. We sit down and play some kind of board game together as a family. Sunday Night we went to play a game and realized that we didn't have anything that any of us, especially the game picker, wanted to play. Let's just say we got tired of our game selection.

I'm always on the look out for games at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. However it at times can be slim pickings, because the game pieces maybe missing. So last Sunday Night instead of giving up our game night we made a quick run to the store to get some new games. Everyone got to pick-out a new game. We got Operation, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Clue, and Planet Earth: The interactive DVD game. (The rules for choosing games was that each game had to be at least a 4 player game.)

Planet Earth is 2-6 player game and the box states that it's for ages 6+. (** see bottom of post) The purpose of the game is to test your knowledge of the natural world by answering questions about Planet Earth. Some questions if answered correctly will allow you to go again others if answered correctly will earn you puzzles pieces. As you earn the puzzle pieces you put the puzzle together. Everyone is working "together" to put the puzzle together, however the person that earns the last puzzle piece wins the game.

We, the kids and I, decided to play Planet Earth yesterday (Monday), as our science for the day. It was a good game and we got to learn a lot about Planet Earth. However, DD (she's going to be 7 this month) didn't have much fun with the game. I think she found the questions be too "stressful". She didn't like the fact that she didn't know most of the stuff and just had to guess. That's what my DS and I were doing to: guessing answers. There was something we knew, most we didn't not, but others if you really paid attention to the clip you might be able to give an educated guess.

The DVD is what gives you the questions, answers, tells you if you get to go again, or have earn puzzle pieces, and if so how many pieces. All of the questions were multiple choice and there was no time limit so you were free to think about it. I just think it was overwhelming for my 6 almost 7 year old.

If your child is anything like my DD and can get frustrated about not knowing the answers, then I don't think this would be a good game for your family/children. However if you as a family (or your children) wouldn't mind learning some interesting facts about Plant Earth and the animals and plants that live here, then I say this is the game for you. For example one of the things we learned from this game is that Antarctica is about the same size as the USA. Oh and the video scenes are just breath taking. They are from the TV series Planet Earth.

**When I was looking for the game makers site to hyper-link, I found that on their, the game makers, web-site they state the game is for 8+. However the box I have here states ages 6+. So I don't know what exactly that means? Weird! I think a 6-7 year old can play if they don't get too upset about not knowing the answers.

One More First Communion Picture

I just wanted to share one more picture with all of you. My DS was blessed with being able to say the prayers of the faithful during the Mass. Of course I did NOT take this picture during the Mass itself. However, I did take a moment before Mass to having my DS "pose" for the camera, as if He was saying the prayers....

First Communion

It was a LONG and busy day, clothing to get dress in, meals to be made, arriving on time, and just enjoying the moment. I was busy directing the kids when to go up that I actually missed the moment my DS received Holy Communion for the first time. However, I was beaming ear to ear when my DS answered Father's question. Father during his homily (sermon) today talked about the Last Supper and had asked the children a few questions. DS rose his hand with such confidence that Father couldn't help but call on him. :) DS had the "correct" answer! I was a little nervous about it, but that's okay, I think as mothers we get nervous for our children.

After Mass we took some pictures of the whole family:I can't believe that she, my mom, wore the same shirt:She's lucky that it was my DS big day! Gosh, the nerve of some people! When we realized we were wearing the same shirt, just different colors, Mom went on and on how she must be "hip" because she can dress "young". I just turned to her and said "Or my style is just OLD!" Oh, I had to run and hide after a remark like that, because I got that Mom stare, oh you know what that Mom Stare is! I don't have to tell you what that means! (It's all good now we laughed about it; and was laughing then)

At the end of the day DS is happy! And that is all that matters. Thank-You to everyone that kept him and our family in their prayers today.

First Communion: Tomorrow

Tomorrow is my DS's "big day". It is the day that he can join our Lord at the Eucharistic Table. Please keep him in your prayers today and tomorrow.

Thank-You,
SAHMinIL

Kids Love To Play!

Earlier this week we had a very short lived hail storm. It started out of nowhere and ended just as quick. The kids afterwords had fun checking out the hail! They not only liked checking out, but making it, the hail, jump up and down on our trampoline!
Oh what fun!

New Links In Sidebar

Hi everyone

I just wanted everyone to know that I have added a few new links in my LEFT side bar. Right under by profile you will find links to my website, lesson plans, favorite music, pictures and a link to various articles, and blog posts from the WWW that I found interesting and/or useful.

If you have any issues with trying to view any of these items please let me know.

Sincerely,
SAHMinIL

Teacher MAKES students buy condoms!

WTF? That Ladies (and perhaps Gentlemen) was my response to a post that I read from a middle school teacher. This teacher in her post this morning, described how she took her students to a local walgreens and MADE them buy condoms. She posted how several of the students did NOT want to do this and that the parents knew what her attent was for this "field trip".

What kind of world do we live in that a field trip would be to a local walgreens to buy condoms? What kind of world do we live in that the parents would agree to this type of education for their middle schoolers?

My stomach is still upset over this story.... NOW MORE THEN EVER I am gald that I homeschool!!

Glad To Be In America

I know that as a nation we have our troubles and I pray every day that we will CONTINUE to have our freedoms! Of course in order to continue to have our freedoms we have to speak-up and fight when government wants to or over steps it's ground!

My last post already touched on what type of government our founding fathers gave us and what kind of government we must fight to maintain. I before seeing that video never gave much thought about what type of government our founding fathers gave us. I like so many thought it was a democracy. After all that's all I really remember from high school government class. (Oh that's another story all together)

Since seeing that video I have given the topic, what kind of government America is, some more thought. The one thing that strikes me is our own pledge of allegiance:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."

To the Republic?? I never thought about that!! So much is given to to the phrase "under God" which is good, but what about the phrase "to the Republic"?

I'm glad that America was founded with a Republic for a government, because it is this type of government that has allowed all of us to homeschool our children and it is this type of government that has driven others, from Germany, to come to America so that they can homeschool their children as well.