Hmmmmm...this week really didn't go as planned.....

This week didn't go as planned, but oh well...Monday is a new week!!!

Homeschool:

Not as much as I had hoped...here are a few things that were accomplished.

Alisha worked in here State Notebook--

We also got the microscope out to look at moss under it.  Well, we ended up looking at moss, sea monkeys, and every slide I had in the box!

I also worked and worked and worked on figuring out what I wanted in a planner.  I worked on the Homeschool Tracker and remembered why I haven't used it in years.  It really just isn't what I wanted.  So I went back to pen and paper.

Personal Life:

My Daughter turned 21 this week..I cannot believe I have a 21 year old.  Where have the years went?

Whitney's Birthday at the Casa de Ora

I'm so thankful for my family, our health, and all of the love in our home!  Thank you, Lord for being so good to me.

Another blessing was that I was able to get my Ipad.  It is a funny story.  The internet in our home was pathetic and we wanted to change it.  So, I called the company that I have the phone and DISH through.  Not knowing that if I bundled three items I got a $450 Apple gift card until the rep told me!!!!  YAHH!!!  It took about 3 months to finally get the gift card.  I purchased an Ipad Mini.  I'm trying to get use to it.

I'm praying hard that next week will be a more productive school week.!

Goals for 4/6/13-4/12/13

My Personal Goals:

• Walk 2 miles at least 5 times
• Read Bible Daily
• Do menu plan
• Do daily cleaning
• Pay bills

Homeschool Goals:

Alisha:

• Trail Guide--Do Week 1  (Columbus unit)
• Teaching Textbooks--Do lessons 40-42 & Quiz 6 (Sheppard Software/Learning Games for Kids for Multiplication Review)
• Essentials in Writing--Lesson 1, Lesson 2A&B
• Spelling--Rod & Staff Lesson 1 plus Spelling City
• Exploring God's Creation with Botany--Parts 2, 3, 4 ( I numbered the outline in the Notebook so I would not have to rewrite everything)
• Learn to Draw with Zooki (Notgrass) Lesson 1 (I've had this book so long I don't even know if it is still in print)
• Idaho State Notebook--Where's ID/Capital
• Abeka Health (4th grade book)--pp. 4-11 & Skeleton worksheet off of Enchanted Learning/pp. 12-21

Ryan:

• Essentials in Writing--Lesson 1
• Teaching Textbooks--Lesson 1-5
• Biology 101--Part 1--Introduction
• History--2 Just the Facts Movies this week
• Finish Fossils Book & Guide

Some stuff accomplished...

In my homeschool this week...

I decided to let Alisha have "Spring Break" and I'm glad I did.  I was able to get all my lesson plans planned out for the last jaunt of the journey for this year.   I also was able to completely put Ryan's graduation plan written down so I would have a guide to go by.

At the first of the week, Alisha did work a little on her Botany.  She went outside and explored moss.  Monday she is going to look at it under the microscope.  

I'm so happy about....

One thing that I'm happy that I began again is utilizing things I already have.  I have Homeschool Tracker and  have probably since it first came out.  I thought it was time to get lesson plans entered into it again.  Also, I saw on a blog this week about Spelling City.  Well, I have been a member there for years and years and had totally forgotten about it.  So, I praise the Lord that I'm finally feel like I'm getting my homeschool and life back on track!

~~Happy Homeschooling~~

Was able to get a few things done...

I decided to let Alisha have "Spring Break" for the rest of the week.  So, I took advantage of today and entered a lot of lesson plans into my Homeschool Tracker.

Then the little brown truck pulled up with some goodies... (it feels like Christmas!)

The boxes!

The goodies

I saw the Desktop Appentice on another blog and fell in love with it.  It was actually bigger than I thought it  would be, so I'm super excited.  Plus, I used my Staples Rewards and got this stuff almost free!  :D

Homeschool Training Tool...yucky dissection stuff.  LOL

Alisha really wanted this one...I can't wait to watch the caterpillars become butterflies.

Curriculum I'm pondering for next year....

I'm deciding on next year's curriculum.  Here is what I'm pretty sure I will be using.

Alisha (6th grade)

• Trail Guides to Learning Series--Paths to Exploration

• Rod and Staff Spelling--Grade 6

• Teaching Textbooks Math 6

• Exploring Creation Elementary Science (Zoology I & Zoology II, maybe Human Anatomy--if the other two go fast--because Alisha LOVES science :) )

• Abeka Health

• WordSmith Apprentice (still debating)--I know that the Trail Guide has writing in it but we may use something to do more targeted writing
• Decided on Essentials in Writing...really excited to get this and get started!

• Winston Grammar--finishing it up from 5th grade

Ryan (12 grade--WOW! My baby boy is a senior!)--Due to some personal situations, Ryan will be working super hard the rest of this year, all summer and next year to graduate.  But, I know he will do it! :D This is Ryan's complete plan to Graduate:

• Teaching Textbooks

• Biology 101 with workbook, plus Lab Book, Dissections & The Ocean Book with Guide (Wonders of Creation Series)

• The Weather Book/Guide
• The Fossils Book/Guide
• The Astronomy Book/Guide

• Chemistry 101 with workbook, plus Lab Book or Friendly Chemistry

• Jensen's Writing Format

• Winston Grammar Advanced

• History--will be lots of DVD's plus writing projects and whatever else I feel he needs!  lol

• Governement--Just the Facts DVD's plus projects & Am I Liberal, Conservative, or Just Confused & What Ever Happened to Justice

• Economics--I'm thinking about What ever Happened to Penny Candy

I'm sure Ryan's list will be "tweeked" (added to ;) )over the next 14 months, but this is the tentative plan as of now!

Oh, I think I'm in love......

I have been struggling to get settled on a curriculum.  I want to get settled for this upcoming school year.  Plus, I want to finish this year with a bang. :)  Through the years, there have been times that I've jumped ship on a curriculum just because I got bored.  I have tried many different styles of curriculum.  There have been times that I would go back to some curriculum that maybe I had started at the first of the year.  Anyway, I want to start and finish with the same thing this coming school year.  I feel that I've made some good choices for this upcoming year.  However, I feel strongly to start with this last quarter with some changes.

I found Trail Guides to Learning Series--Paths to Exploration  I'm actually excited.  YAH (Happy Dance).  I purchased the Columbus unit and going to use it  finish this school year with Alisha.  So, here is my plan for the last quarter of the year.

Our Current Curriculum

Ah, I'm planning out the last 9 weeks of this school year!  I'm so ready for summer.  Also, I start thinking about next year and planning/buying curriculum.  

Alisha (5th Grade)

**MoH 1--finishing it up Trail Guide to Learning Series--Paths of Exploration (see post here )

**Teaching Textbooks Math 5

**KJV Bible  for Bible Study

**Idaho State Notebook

**Elementary Apologia Botany

**Abeka Health (YAH!  I found a 3 years set for $3.00 :) )

Ryan (11th Grade)

**Teaching Textbooks Math 
**Biology 101 DVD/with Lab book from Homeschool Science Press
**US History
**Wonders in Creation:  Fossils & Ocean Book
**Jensen's Wordsmith
**Winston Grammar Advanced

Our Homeschooling Journey Began.....

14 years ago.  It began with a 2nd grader and a Pre-K.  Now, fast forward 14 years later and one child has graduated, one child is in the 11th grade and another child is in the 5th grade.  This has been a journey that has had it ups and downs, but I praise the Lord, He has guided me every step of the way.