This and That
April 21, 2008
Written by: Katie
I don’t have any pictures to share with you tonight and for that I am deeply sorry. Instead we had an impromptu jump rope contest. I lost. I did take pictures of the children jumping but none of me. And I am not deeply sorry about that. It seems that with the fabulous weather we have had no one can bare to stay still. The kids were Feisty with a capital F. They tried to wrangle Jeff into a wrestling match but the last time Jeff succumbed to their wiley wiles he had trouble breathing for 3 days. Oh did I tell you that Jeff had miserable miserable seasonal allergies this year? He could hardly get out of bed and I’m NOT exaggerating. You can email him if you want to confirm my story with him. You know what that brilliant man did? He took bee pollen, local honey and lots of vitamin C. He is practically sneeze free now.
We are switching things up a bit here for school. Remember I bought my Sonlight curriculum last year right before we moved. I thought it was what I wanted but now I see it isn’t. What I have really wanted to do for quite some time and now am capable of is teaching by timeline. I bought THESE long ago and never used them because life was so so hectic. It seems that now, with several bigger kids, I have more options and I do so enjoy having options. We have begun and I look forward to sharing with you all what we are doing and what resources we are using to make this work.
Another thing I am really interested in is Nature Study ala Charlotte Mason. So today we are trekking to the park to draw something from nature. We will then identify what plant or animal it is when we get home. I’m thinking this sounds really nifty.
The cook along for today is another liver dish. The reviews say it is really good. No, really.
The weather has been amazing and I intend to spend as much time outside as possible. I will be coming in only to blog. Lucky you.
Jeff is off to register the vehicles. I forgot to mention in my recap post that I was stopped by a policeman on Thursday night for taking a left turn too slow. Jodi had just been admitted to the PICU, all the kids were there so what was supposed to be a 15 minute visit turned into a 3 hour ordeal and we were all starving. So at 8pm the kids and I left to run through Wendy’s. We ate in the van and took food back to Jeff. On our way back to the hospital I was stopped and kind of given a hard time by a police officer. He reminded me that we need to register our vehicles and get Missouri licenses. Ya, it’s on our list of things to do. Doncha know yesterday Jeff was caught at a speed trap at the bottom of a hill. I laughed and laughed. I’m so glad he was driving. Jeff’s last ticket was 9 years ago. The policeman took forever to come back to the van so I started asking the kids what type of fun things we should plan to do while Dad was spending time in jail. Is that awful? Will my kids be warped? Are they warped already? As it turns out Jeff did not have the silver bracelets slapped on him. He just got a $200 ticket for not having current registration. But wait, before you sigh, the police man was very nice and it turns out that Jeff has a court date in 30 days in which he can go in with proof of registration and grovel and lick someone’s boots and the judge will likely dismiss the ticket. Isn’t that keen? I thought so.
Library day has been moved to Tuesday to accommodate the Farmer’s Market. I’m so excited to buy local food!!
April 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am
Taking a left turn too slowly? How would one judge what is too slow for a left turn? I’m confused at that one.
Hooray for local foods!!!!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:09 am
If you are interested in Charlotte Mason nature study you should check out the great ‘Green Hour Challenge’ that is on over at Harmony Arts Mom’s blog!! We have been doing it for several weeks now and it is FAB!! She provides a PDF file of the activity too. We are hopelessly behind in our house with it, but I’ve just printed them all off to get up to date - best of all - it’s free!!!!!!!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:47 am
We are using My Father’s World curriculum. It incorporates all that you spoke of. And for the most part, all the kids would be doing the same thing (at there own level). The execption being HS level where the child pretty much self teaches. You might want to give it a look. On the other hand, you might enjoy putting lessons together yourself. I haven’t been comfortable with that, but maybe I’ll get there.
Just a suggestion.
Shannon
April 21st, 2008 at 11:25 am
“The cook along for today is another liver dish. The reviews say it is really good. No, really.”
They lie. There is NO good liver dish, unless it’s for a cat or dog. Really, they lie. Oh and if you touch the stuff, it takes forever for the stench to leave your skin, yeah, really.
Why must you abuse your dc with this food, really. There MUST be other things you can feed them, please!
LOL!
April 21st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Norma, Take heart. I wasn’t going to torture my children until I tortured myself and enjoyed it. ;)
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:18 am
Have fun with all that! I’m not creative enough on my own … perhaps it comes with more kids? LOL!
Your longies are almost done, btw!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
That is so funny - I just bought those exact same timeline figures this week!
I don’t have a clue what we are going to do with them yet ( wall timeline, notebooking, etc.) but I thought they looked great, too!
We are also going with something different next year.
The kids and I have had enough of workbooks, so we are also switching to My Father’s World. I think it will fit our learning style’ so much better. I hope you find what works for you!
Blessings,
Michelle
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Dearest Katie…
I’m sorry to hear of your crazy week. My computer has been down, so I haven’t been able to keep up with your blog. Call me so we can catch up.
Blessings,
Diane
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
I haven’t been checking your blog lately, so I was shocked at all the stuff going on in your “boonies” and even your van!! I’m so sorry that you’ve met with that kind of “welcome?” in Missouri!! Hopefully things will start looking up when your neighbors realize you really ARE nice people!
I have the timeline figures too. :) Have you ever looked at Mystery of History? You would probably like it and it goes right along with the timeline figures and it’s multi-level. Simple lessons to read and then good hands-on projects to go along with the lessons.
Whatever happened with Jodi and her weekly tests she was supposed to do? Did they ever even find anything?
Are you guys interested in a house church? I have a contact number for you if you are. Just let me know. : ) I never hear from you if I email, so you’re either too busy, don’t like me or aren’t getting the email’s. :) Have a blessed day and enjoy this gorgeous weather we’re having!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:17 am
Katie, I just sent an email after I got yours, let me know if it doesn’t get to you.