Halloween 2009

With the addition of our new little ones, nicknamed "Jabber Jaw" and "Big Boy" for Internet purposes, many of our daily interactions take on the perspective of young ones again...especially holidays like Halloween. This has been really good for my teens, helping them to learn more about caring for little children, sharing their lives with them and sacrificing a few things in service of others.

Here are some pics from our ward's Halloween Party...we have some good lookin' kids around here!

Secret Agent Man and the Good Witch


Jabber Jaw as a Fairy Princess

Big Boy as Tigger

October '09 - Week 5

:: Daily Lessons ::

• Devotional: "Let Him Ask of God" daily inspirational readings.
• Read A-Loud Book: "By the Shores of Silver Lake" book 4 of Little House on the Prairie series.
• Core Phase "Littles": Right and Wrong, Good and Bad, and True and False. - We are working on learning our colors, counting to 5, shapes, and learning the "ABC song" and "Wheels on the Bus".
  
• Math: Chris - Math-U-See: Delta - Marly - Math-U-See: Zeta - Celeste - Math-U-See: Algebra (review for mom...again!)
• Daily Journal Writing
• Daily Guitar Practice
  

:: Weekly Lessons ::

• Monday: Grammar Lesson - "Winston Grammar" - Chris: Interrogative sentences - Marly: Prepositions.
• Tuesday: Guitar Lessons and Government Lesson - "The 5,000 Year Leap" - Principle 4 (part 2) - The role of Religion.
  
• Wednesday: Mutual/Scouts and History Lesson - "Story of the World", Vol. 2 - Chris: "Monks in Caves" - Marly: "Elizabethan Times"
  
• Thursday: Homeschool Friend Outing - it's getting too chilly for Park Day anymore so we meet at a home to enjoy each other's company for a few hours.
  
• Friday: Science Lesson - "Concepts and Challenges in Physical Science" Chapter 2.7 "Pressure" - "Usborne Science Encyclopedia" Pages 123-133 - Chemistry for Every Kid - Experiment 10
  

:: Individual Readings ::

• Chris (Love of Learner) - "Robin Hood"
  
• Marly (Project Scholar) - "Erec Rex: The Dragon's Eye", "The Wolves of Aam"
  
• Celeste (Mentored Scholar) - "Jo's Boys", "Catching Fire"
  

:: Projects ::

• Chris - Making a wooden bow and arrows set from oak.
  
• Marly - Working on her Young Women's goals - Crocheting - Practicing better note taking skills - Writing a book
  
• Celeste - Learning Fedora (Linux), Lesson Plans for the rest of this semester, Reorganizing the kids rooms, super cleaning the house after everyone being sick for SOOOO long.
  

My Baby Turns 13!

I'm sure Chris will not like being referred to as "my baby", but he is my youngest and is now a teen! All my kids are teens, and Sam is now officially an adult. For his birthday, he begged for an Airsoft Sniper Rifle...

Well, he got one!

While Chris was out trying out his new sniper rifle, our neighbor came out and stood staring at him for some time. I'm sure she was trying to figure out if the gun was real or not. It does look real...except that little orange plastic piece at the end. I wondered if the Sheriff would be coming by and talking to us. It is all legal, even if he had a real rifle we would still be legal since we live in the County.

For each person's birthday we have a tradition of allowing that person to choose their favorite meal for dinner. Chris told me early that week that he wanted Spaghetti and Meatballs. However, Mike brought home a ton of Schwan's food a couple days before and Chris changed to a smörgåsbord of Schwan's foods for dinner. So we had Chicken Nuggets, Pot Stickers, Sausage, Eggs (of course since we have dozens!), Rocky Road Ice Cream, and Lemon Cake.

Out with Windows Vista - Hello Fedora!

I'm messing around with my computer again. Yes - I fully admit to being a complete computer nerd. It calms me and makes me feel productive in one of my passions.So, if you are not a techie-wanna-be like me, then you might want to skip this post.

I purchased a laptop with Windows Vista installed about a year ago. I have struggled, like many others, with Windows Vista crashing and having problems. One of the major problems is the networking problems and difficulty printing.My network will go down, making it impossible to keep connected to the Internet and stops my ability to print anything.My printer is not compatible with Vista...big shocker! I think Microsoft and HP are in cahoots making sure everyone has to spend money every year or two to buy new software and hardware for their stupid programs.

Several months ago I messed around with making my laptop a dual boot system - which allows me to either boot into Windows Vista or Fedora 10 (Linux). I like many features of Fedora 10 and was able to get my wireless card to work with Fedora (Woot! Woot!). The only thing holding me back is that sometimes the printer works and sometimes it doesn't. Also, my dear hubby, Mike, is not exactly computer savvy or I would ditch using Windows altogether. I have my settings so that I can access ALL my Windows documents, music, and pictures while using Fedora, so I can still do all of the work I need to do except PRINT! Of course, I can't print from Windows Vista either! What to do!

I have to say that the fact Fedora is FREE and everything that goes with it is FREE is a huge plus in my book, so I'm still searching out a solution to my printing issues. The fact that it happens with BOTH Windows Vista and Fedora makes me think it just might be the stupid printer!

I took a class last year where the professor sparked my interest in using a Linux OS. i researched it and have found that while it is NOT for the average user (difficult to install without help), the computer nerd, like msyelf, can benefit from trying it out.And wow is it cool!

More coming soon...I am making a video of my super-fast Fedora set-up.(It really is sweet!)

October '09 - Week 4

:: Daily Lessons ::

• Devotional: "Let Him Ask of God" daily inspirational readings.
• Read A-Loud Book: "By the Shores of Silver Lake" book 4 of Little House on the Prairie series.
• Core Phase "Littles": Right and Wrong, Good and Bad, and True and False. - We are working on learning our colors and counting to 5.
  
• Math: Chris - Math-U-See: Delta - Marly - Math-U-See: Zeta - Celeste - Math-U-See: Algebra (review for mom...again!)
• Daily Journal Writing
• Daily Guitar Practice
  

:: Weekly Lessons ::

• Monday: Grammar Lesson - "Winston Grammar" - Chris: Contractions - Marly: Modification by Adverbs and Adjectives.
• Tuesday: Guitar Lessons and Government Lesson - "The 5,000 Year Leap" - Principle 4 (part 1) - The role of Religion, Morality, and Knowledge.
  
• Wednesday: Mutual/Scouts and History Lesson - "Story of the World", Vol. 2 - Chris: - Marly:
• Thursday: Homeschool Friend Outing - it's getting too chilly for Park Day anymore so we meet at a home to enjoy each other's company for a few hours.
  
• Friday: Science Lesson - "Concepts and Challenges in Physical Science" Chapter 2.7 - "Usborne Science Encyclopedia" Pages - Chemistry for Every Kid - Experiment 11
  

:: Individual Readings ::

• Chris (Love of Learner) - "Robin Hood"
  
• Marly (Project Scholar) - "
• Celeste (Mentored Scholar) - "Jo's Boys"

:: Projects ::

• Chris - Airsoft rifle shooting
  
• Marly - Working on her Young Women's goals - Crocheting
  
• Celeste - Finding balance in our lives - Scheduling tons of meetings, therapy, visits, and fitting in lessons, Mutual, and other church responsibilities.
  

October '09 - Week 3

Switching it UP! - I have a new plan of together lessons during our "littles" nap time. The "bigs" get to have all my attention during nap time.

:: Daily Lessons ::

• Devotional: "Let Him Ask of God" daily inspirational readings.
• Read A-Loud Book: "On the Shores of Silver Lake" book 4 of Little House on the Prairie series.
• Core Phase "Littles": Sharing, learning the rules, waiting patiently for food, Right and Wrong, Good and Bad, and True and False. We also weened the "littles" from their bottles. I don't know why people think bottles are good for a 3 year old child. Not to mention rotting their teeth.
• Math: Chris - Math-U-See: Delta - Marly - Math-U-See: Zeta - Celeste - Math-U-See: Algebra (review for mom...again!)
• Daily Journal Writing
• Daily Guitar Practice
  

:: Weekly Lessons ::

• Monday: Grammar Lesson - "Winston Grammar" - Chris: Reviewed Helping Verbs - Marly: Modification by Adverbs and Adjectives.
• Tuesday: Guitar Lessons and Government Lesson - "The 5,000 Year Leap" - Principle 3 (part 2) - Virtuous and Moral Leaders.
  
• Wednesday: Mutual/Scouts and History Lesson - "Story of the World", Vol. 2 - Chris: - Marly:
• Thursday: PE at the Park
• Friday: Science Lesson - "Concepts and Challenges in Physical Science" Chapter 2.6 - "Usborne Science Encyclopedia" Pages
  

:: Individual Readings ::

• Chris (Love of Learner) - "Book of Mormon Stories", "Midnight in Sanctaphrax"
• Marly (Project Scholar) - "Bloodhound", "The Picture of Dorian Grey"
• Celeste (Mentored Scholar) - "Jo's Boys"

:: Projects ::

• Chris - Finished several merit badges over the past few months - First Aide, Emergency Preparedness, Citizenship in the Community, - Also worked more on splitting fire wood.
  
• Marly - Working on her Young Women's goals -
  
• Celeste - Still has an injured finger and did not get all of the apples canned or any of her Halloween sewing done yet. Bummer!
  

Monster Mash

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Lumberjacks

With my recent accident in log splitting, I was very skeptical about Christian chopping wood. He convinced me that he had sufficient knowledge of safety precautions and that he would be careful. He also pointed out that Almonso in "Farmer Boy" was allowed to do a lot of things that are considered dangerous as part of his regular chores. (So much for using classic books as examples...he had me there!)


Of course, I was being careful too when I fell onto the log splitter and injured my hand! But, a mother has to put some trust in her children and allow them to learn and grow at some point. He is a careful boy and so I felt the need to cut him some slack and not smother him in his desire to WORK for the family.

He did a great job getting the wood started on Friday! Over the weekend Mike and Christian chopped a lot of wood. Our garage is extended by 6 feet and has an area for storing wood. They filled that area and we still have more to split. Too bad the rest of us are too sick to help right now. We could at least stack for them. Maybe next weekend.

October '09 - Week 2

Schedule Changes

With the addition of foster children, our lives have changed quite a bit. Our current extra kiddos are both toddlers and we found it necessary to move some of our Scholar Phase lessons to be in the afternoon during quiet time (which is not so quiet). Our Core Phase lessons of Right and Wrong, True and False, and Good and Bad are taking precedence in the mornings in addition to our family readings. These core phasers need a LOT of teaching in these lessons.

Together Lessons

Devotional - "Let Him Ask of God" daily inspirational readings.

Government/History - "The 5,000 Year Leap" by Cleon Skousen :: Principle #3 - "Story of the World" -Volume 2

Science - Friction - Usborne Science Encyclopedia - pages 124-125 - Concepts and Challenges in Physical Science - Chapter 2.5

Family Projects -

• Reading: "On the Shores of Silver Lake"
• Watching: "Little House on the Prairie" TV series
• Log Splitting: We are using an axe or wedge and hammer now to split wood.
  

Individual Phases and Studies

Marlayna (Project Scholar) - Projects: Guitar practice, loom knitting. - Reading: "Bloodhound" - Math: Math-U-See: Zeta.

Christian (Love of Learner) - Projects: Guitar practice, Harmonica, Roping. - Reading: "Midnight Over Sanctaphrax" and "Book of Mormon Stories" - Math: Math-U-See: Delta

Mom (Ready to be a Mentored Scholar - but, still looking for a Mentor) - Still Reading: "Jo's Boys" by Louisa May Alcott - Math: Math-U-See: Algebra - Projects: Taking care of a sick family and praying my hand finishes healing soon.

6 Months Since We Moved!

Somehow I thought I could avoid it...but I couldn't. I'm getting sick! What...did I think was special or something? My hand is much better. I'm just a little concerned about not having enough feeling at the tip of my middle finger.

I realized during General Conference that we have been here for 6 months! Where has the time gone? In some ways we still feel new and in others we feel comfortable and like we are "home".

Our lives have become incredibly busier. Having sickness in our house has only postponed a ton of things we need to do. I am having to reschedule two dentist appointments, the repair man for the garage door, the repair man for the chimney, home visits from CPS, home visits from in-home therapists, home visits from our Foster Care Licensing worker, and a dermatologist visit. All this COULD have been accomplished in the last two weeks, but now we have to cram it into the last two weeks of the month since it will most likely take me a week to get better. Add in that we have three kids with birthday's coming up, and my regular life homeschooling, chauffeuring kids to lessons (see the photo here of the kids waiting for guitar lessons) and mutual, teaching in church and visiting teaching...well you get the idea.

I do love my life and enjoy being at home. It just makes me wonder how I accomplished all the things I did when I worked. It seems like such a long time ago, but it really was only 6 months ago.

October '09 - Week 1

Sorry this is so late...we had a bad 1st week of October.

Together Lessons

Devotional - "Let Him Ask of God" daily inspirational readings.

Government/History - "The 5,000 Year Leap" by Cleon Skousen :: Principle #2 - "Story of the World" -Volume 2 - Studying Emporer's of Rome

Family Projects -

• Reading: "On the Shores of Silver Lake"

Individual Phases and Studies

Marlayna (Project Scholar) - Projects: Guitar practice, loom knitting. - Reading: "The Secret Garden", "Predator's Gold", and "Bloodhound" - Math: Math-U-See: Epsilon and Zeta. - WHOO HOO! She finished Epsilon and is moving onto Zeta.

Christian (Love of Learner) - Projects: Guitar practice, Harmonica, Roping. - Reading: "Midnight Over Santaphrax" - Math: Math-U-See: Delta

Marlayna & Christian's Business: Their chickens are laying really great eggs every day and they are working on advertising for selling the extra eggs that we do not eat. We are still working on the advertising. We ran out of paper and ink.

Mom (Ready to be a Mentored Scholar - but, still looking for a Mentor) - Reading: "Jo's Boys" by Louisa May Alcott - Math: Math-U-See: Algebra - Projects: Taking care of a sick family and praying my hand finishes healing soon.

Mom Notes: Don't have anything this week.

Snot, Phlegm, and Fevers

I guess by the title of this post it is kind of obvious what this post is about. We have two new children living with us, "J" is 3 years old and "B" is 1 1/2 years old. They both arrived sick and have had temperatures up to 103.9. Marly and Chris are sick as well with severe colds and chest congestion. Mucinex and Motrin are now the #1 expense in our home this week. We were tested for swine flu but all came back negative. So we just have the regular flu as if it would be much different!

My injured hand is only half operational (thumb and forefinger only-I'm very grateful for thumbs) and the help I was depending on from Marly and Chris flew out the window when they came down sick. I am the ONLY ONE not sick right now....knock on wood! Mike is still hacking up a lung and between his coughing and feverish kids I'm running on very little sleep. Typically I don't get sick until I've run myself down taking care of everyone else. I guess I'm going to look at that as a blessing. At least I'm not sick while having to care for my family.

Sorry this post is such a downer...I know every mom goes through these kinds of weeks. It is nice to know that others go through it too, which is why I decided to post this. Not to mention that I needed to vent my week from heck!