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at Governor Palin and the McCain-Palin campaign. It's a blog written by McCain's 24-year-old daughter and is aimed at the younger voter. I think you'll like it - it's at least a fresh look at things compared to many of the other news media outlets.
And my other favorite thing of her blog? Her song of the day is by none other than Superchick (you know, my favorite band!).
Go here to read more. Though I doubt her homeschool will look quite like mine! :) Her kids could certainly learn geography, economics and government faster than mine, though! I'm a news and politics junkie - her selection has certainly made this a more interesting campaign! I like what I've learned about her so far: reduce government spending, hold government more accountable, encourage personal responsibility, pro-life, & pro-one-man-one-woman-marriage. Fiscally and socially conservative. About time.
My home looks like a homeschooler lives in it tonight. :) I've got apple seeds soaking in my kitchen, celery stalks missing their xylem (and some still with their xylem!) sitting in cups and two cakes frosted to look like planet earth on my counter. Another typical week!
I'm enjoying a quiet evening of working and watching the DNC (ugh!) after a GREAT day with my kids (school, a long walk, storytime at the library, watching a cool movie (People - great for families!), and a yummy, low-key dinner at Fazoli's. I only wish the Steelers game would have been on TV here live tonight...that would have capped off a perfect day! (P.S. They won! Go Steelers!!)
This week's Homeschool Memoirs theme is "school year agendas," including our plans for the year and curriculum used. And we were also asked to share a verse. This is one that sustains me on the harder days:
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
We are primarily using My Father's World for most of our subjects; it makes up the 'core' for our year. Our theme is Exploring Countries & Cultures, so we are spending the first few weeks learning about general geography, maps, charts, legends, continents, etc. Then we will move into studying many different countries for anywhere from 1-4 weeks for each one. We will learn about the geography, culture, food, art, music, etc. from each country.
For science, we will be studying various habitats based on the country's climate and environment. We are also taking weekly nature walks and keeping nature journals. In addition, we will be learning about missionaries and loving people all over the world, no matter their color or religion. I *love* our curriculum (maybe because I love geography), but more importantly, the kids enjoy it as well! Here are some more details from a recent post:
Math:Math-U-See
Reading: My Father's World missionary stories and LOTS of library books (and two book clubs)
Science: My Father's World habitat study, plus science fair (and science co-op)
History: MFW cultures (and Indiana state history through co-op)
Geography: MFW
Language Arts: BJUPress for Riley, Explode the Code/Language Lessons for the Very Young for Quinn
Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting (cursive for Riley, printing for Quinn)
Spelling: The Natural Speller
Music/Art: MFW (and music/art appreciation in co-op)
I totally caved. I'm such a bad mom. At approximately 8:30pm last night, I ran to the nearby grocery store and bought two new binkies. After which, I came home and joyfully plopped one in my sweet son's mouth. (Yes, I did take time to wash it first!) We'll tackle getting rid of the binky at a later date....
And on a completely unrelated note, can I just say that I wish women were measured for clothes the way men are?? I mean, seriously....my husband just got some new clothes and they measured his neck and arm length. His neck and arm length!! I think a lot more women would have less self-esteem issues if we simply had our arms measured! I'll take that over bust/waist/hips any day!!
We are having a good start to the week at our house! School is still going well - Owen's our only trouble....little stinker! Maybe I shouldn't have tried to get him to give up his pacifier the same week we started school! Crazy!! And yes, he IS holding two more "binkies" in this picture!
I found this little mom meme at Tina's blog....feel free to use it on your own blog if you'd like!
Name: Amy
Age: 32
Location: Indiana
Occupation:Homemaker, Wife, Homeschool teacher
Family Members: Husband Brad (33), Riley (8), Quinn (5), and Owen (1).
The most fun thing about being a mom: I get to snuggle with my kids and love on them all day long. We get to do fun family things together and create memories all the time. And I can take naps occasionally!
The hardest thing about being a mom:Wondering if we are making the correct parenting choices and parenting them as best we can.
I realized I had turned into my mother when: I said, “If you need an answer now, the answer is 'no'."
The last time my children made me laugh: When Owen was imitating everything we said in his own cute way!
When I have 30 minutes to myself: I check email, straighten up or play cards with my husband.
The website I go to for parenting advice, tips, and dish: Not a specific web site, but other 'mommy' blogs just to know I'm not the only one. :)
The last book I read to my children: Somewhere in the World Right Now
My favorite outdoor activity to do with my children: Take walks in our neighborhood, play stomp rockets, blow bubbles.
The last temper tantrum occurred because: Riley had to go back to bed and couldn't stay up late.
The noticeable way parenting has changed me: I'm flexible with them and our parenting style. I can change my approach depending which child I'm dealing with. I pay more attention to education.
The thing that surprises me most about being a parent: How fun it is!!
When I was a kid, I said, “When I’m a parent, I will never…”: Make my kids do work!! Uh....yeah.....our kids do chores!!
I hope my kids inherit: My optimism and Brad's humor. And our love for each other and God.
The one thing I wish I had known about parenting before I became a parent: That some decisions are really tough.
The invention I wish I could create to make my life easier: A cleaning lady for my home. (Oh wait - those already exist! I just don't have one!!) :)
I get my children to eat fruits and vegetables by: Just asking them. They love fruit and will eat most veggies I offer them.
I have joined a blogging group (HSBA)that will be posting weekly "homeschool memoirs." This week's theme is "All About You." So if you don't already know me....here is just a bit more about me!
I'm Amy....32 years old and wife to Brad. We have been married for 10 years and have three great kids. We are starting our fifth (wow - time flies!) year of homeschooling this week and use a mix of curriculum, but mostly My Father's World. We started homeschooling for a variety of reasons, but are continuing to homeschool because we don't yet feel that God is leading us to enroll them in public school. We enjoy the flexibility and learning opportunities that homeschooling provides, as well as the family time and academic focus that we can vary depending on each child's needs.
I love God, reading, playing cards/games/poker with family & friends, and organizing and planning events. I love watching football with my husband, talking with my daughter, reading with my son, and snuggling with my baby son. :) (Well, snuggling with all of them, really!) I'm an optimistic person and enjoy getting to know new people. I used to enjoy scrapbooking - but am finding little time for it anymore! I like the thought of getting my photos organized, though! It was suggested we also add a family photo - here's a recent family pic, and you can find lots more throughout my site! :) Here's to a great homeschooling year!
Are you watching the Olympics? Don't you wish you were there? Wow - China is a beautiful land and their Olympic facilities are gorgeous!
We are taking this opportunity to study the Olympics and China with the kids and a friend and her daughters. We have already met once and will meet a few more times - and each child is making a lapbook about what they have learned. We plan to end the study with a "mini-Olympics" of our own - even letting the dads join in! Here are some photos from the first session:
Locating countries and following the path of the torch
Working on coloring the flag and studying verses
Look out, Tiger; here comes Q! Quinn decided this summer that he wanted to try golf so he has been practicing with his own left-handed club! He has been to the driving range twice in the past week (thanks to his sweet daddy!), and out practicing in the backyard almost every day. Unfortunately, it's too late to sign up for any of the kids' golf clinics or tournaments this summer, but he will have to give it a shot in the spring! And judging from that swing, he's got great follow-through!
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