Home School Mother's Journal

In our homeschool this week… We talked about Brazil and The Rainforest (In science class they are studying animal  habitats), I learned some interesting things, lily pads in the Amazon Rainforest can grow to be 6ft in diameter!  That's some crazy big lily pads!  Apparently everything there grows larger than average due to the climate and lush vegetation.  Another reason I love home schooling because I am learning too! (Check out my little passports - Brazil post!)  We made a Rain forest Diorama too, it was lots of fun!

I am inspired by…So many of you, I love going through all the blogs of my fellow home schooling moms and gathering ideas!  Technology is great, isn't it?  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… we actually have a pretty empty schedule next week.  We have a co-op planning meeting on Tuesday(let me tell you this co-op planning is stressful, some days I wonder if it's worth it; I've rescheduled this meeting numerous times b/c no one can ever make it).  Science class on Thursday.  C and Q are both testing for karate on Saturday.  C for his yellow and Q for his orange.  I tested for my Orange this past week, I did horrible...but I passed (humiliated myself, but passed) and that's it!  

My favorite thing this week was… My massage!  For my birthday this month, I asked Q if I could start using my groupons (and other of the like) that I have been acquiring, so I got a massage this week, next week I'm getting my hair cut (FINALLY!) and the next week is a mani & pedi!  I still have 2 more massages on hold!  

Questions/thoughts I have…How do you find balance??  Since I am new to full-time homeschooling, I'm having trouble juggling it all...I know I just need to get more organized...what are your tips?

Things I’m working on…My craft to do list is growing longer and longer, but I find that most of my spare time (what little I have) is spent on prepping for school and working on building my blog and businesses.  I really need to get caught up on some scrapbooking and sewing!

I’m reading…I don't think I've picked up the book I was reading in well over a week, may be time to just move on to a new one. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… ‎"If we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth."

--Jean A. Stevens, "Become as a Little Child", April 2011 General Conference

Home School Mother's Journal

In my life this week… PMS has been killer!   I think I need to rework our off weeks to coincide with PMS!  I haven't had it this bad in a while, and I seriously had no patience.  And add that to my once every 2wk allergy attack (I have no idea why this happens).  So since it was a short week anyway, we did a normal day on Tuesday, Wednesday wasn't going so good, so we ended early before we all ended up in tears, Thursday was science class and Costco, and Friday was a field trip.  Since we actually do some learning on our off weeks, I don't feel so guilty about missing a few extra days here and there.  It was for the better...believe me! 

In our homeschool this week…we didn't accomplish much, the days we did have were mostly review, but, we did have a really fun field trip today...stay tuned to next weeks Field Trip Friday Blog Hop!  (Though I forgot my camera, luckily we went with a group and they took some pics for me!)  But with 3 kids, I figure I'm bound to forget something, better the camera then a kid! 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Z has speech on Tuesday, we have to hit up the library (we couldn't go this week b/c we were carless the days we didn't have stuff planned already), and we are going to 'art in the park' on Friday...will be our first time, but sounds fun!  One of my meetup groups is putting it on, and it's suppose to be a monthly thing, and of course science class (animal habitats this month).  We may also hit up CEC, didn't go as planned before, and were invited by a friend.

My favorite thing this week was… our field trip!  It was fun, and informative, and I managed it with 3 kids! 

What’s working/not working for us… lack of sleep all around, and getting off routine during our off week, I think that was part of the problem as well.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have… isn't the flexibility of homeschooling the best!! :D


A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Educational Freebies: Camping and Dinosaur Preschool Packs

http://www.2teachingmommies.com/

Home School Mother's Journal #5 (Summer Edition)

In my life this week…I have decided I have the worst memory in the world!  I forgot last week about a Saturday night women's church meeting and I forgot this week about a Wednesday night meeting.  I think I have no brain cells left!  I did talk to my BFF from High School this week, it's been way to long!  I miss having that closeness that she and I have had in the past, but life and 6,000miles are in the way!  

In our homeschool this week…This was our first week off (we do about 3wks on, 1 wk off), we did a Popcorn Unit to keep learning, but be a bit more relaxed.  (though I have found not  using work boxes is actually more stressful in the long run, next off week I will need to be more prepared and set up work boxes for my own sanity!).  

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Relax (HA!  I need to take my own advice!)

I am inspired by…So many of the blogs I have been reading lately, particularly the Montessori ones.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We are still undecided as to what our 4th of July plans are, but Saturday we are going on a small hike to a waterfall, then I'm car-less Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday is Science Class and Friday we are taking a field trip to the Ancient Hawaiian Fish Pond with one of the local mom's groups!  DH is taking the two older boys camping this upcoming weekend too...so I'm having a MNI for crafting!  yeah!

My favorite thing this week was…The sea life park, it was nice to have Q off to come with us, and the kids just loved watching the dolphins!  We hit up a roach coach on the way home for Linner, and that was soo good!

Things I’m working on…Planning, Planning and Planning! Blogging! Blogging!  Blogging!  Networking! Networking! Networking!  And I'm working on a new giveaway for next week ;)  And week #2 for my Field Trip Friday Blog Hop!  Come link up with me!!

I’m reading…The Golden Spiral #2 in a trilogy and I think it's been too long since I read #1 because I'm LOST!

I’m cooking…didn't have to cook last night, and tonight we are going to a BBQ...so NOTHING!!  yeah!  For 4th of July (if we are home), I think I'm gonna sloppy joe it!  Nothing else more classic AMERICAN!

I’m grateful for…so many, many things!  With it being Independence Day, I am so thankful for this country, for those that have sacrificed to make it the country it is, and for our freedoms!!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

The most important of the Lord’s work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes.”
-Harold B. Lee, Former LDS Church President

Home School Mother's Journal - 4

In my life this week… weeks just seem to fly by!  Last weekend hubby and I got two date nights, which was great!  I need to balance business, home school and house work a little better......My couch is overflowing with clean laundry!  

In our homeschool this week… we wrapped up our 3rd week of school, and now for a vacation week!  I was much more organized and together this week for my 2yo, and am anxiously awaiting the work boxes that my sent to get here.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Next week is our vacation week!  We will be doing a unit study on Popcorn for some fun (my kids LOVE popcorn), C will still have science class on Thursday (finishing up reptiles and amphibians), and we are headed to the Sea Life Park with some friends!  We also have a doctor's appt for my littlest one, a co-op planning meeting and may hit up CEC and the library!

My favorite thing this week was…Friday!  We went to the zoo, and to the state fair (busy day!).  I also started up a Field Trip Friday Blog Hop (check it out and link up with us!)

What’s working/not working for us… things are really just going good all around!  I can't complain!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have… this article was featured at hip home school moms and I linked it up in a short blog post, but wanted to share here as well...great read IMO, you've probably already read it, but if not...I highly suggest it!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

we went to the Hawaii State Fair this past Friday night and got to witness Ostrich racing, it was a site!

Home School Mother's Journal - 3

In my life this week…I was not feeling well on Thursday, horrible allergy issues, which put me in a horrible mood, and got me way behind on everything.  So Friday morning started off slowly, but I got things in order eventually and we had a great day!  I spent Friday night with hubby at the temple and then we went out to eat, double date night this weekend, as we had a groupon to use up and headed out for Thai on Saturday evening and then got a blockbuster express video (we had a free rental coupon).  What a great way to end the week!

In our homeschool this week…We had a great week.  I can't rave enough about the work boxes!  They really are a miracle tool.  In the past school was a constant battle most days, but school runs so smoothly, no battles (hardly) at all.  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We went to the water park and science class last week, this week we plan to visit the library on Monday, Science class on Thursday and the zoo on Friday.  Z has his 2nd speech therapy session on Monday afternoon, and I have plans to attend a used curriculum sale on Saturday!  (like a kid in the candy store...should be fun!)

My favorite thing this week was…Spelling Cookies, see my blog post

What’s working/not working for us…I finally got my act together and did a bit more planning for my 2yo to put a little more organized learning into his work boxes.  It went pretty well.  I need to get him more boxes, but thanks to my dear mother...they are on there way (I needed to get them from IKEA and there isn't one here, so she is mailing me some!).  

We also started using Education Cubes this week and thought they were really fun, we are looking forward to using them more often!  

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…I really need to plan better for Z, I'm trying to get more organized with activities for him, and need to come up with some goals for him as well.  I need C to be a bit more independent so I can do more one-on-one with Z. 

Would love to hear ideas from others that have Kinder and Preschool age kids...how do you do it??


AND


I seem to be up late each night preparing for the next day's work boxes, how can I get it done without burning the midnight oil?  I need my sleep!  (which is scarce with a 7mo and a 2yo).

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Picking turnips from the garden

Home School Mother's Journal - 2

In my life this week…we had our first week of school, and it went great!  I'm really excited about how well it went. We did have a short week b/c we left Thursday to go to the beach, but I got a good taste of how flexible homeschooling can be as we did our music and chinese in the car on the way, and our read aloud after we got there (can't read in the car, makes me car sick! ).  

In our homeschool this week…we accomplished a lot! The work boxes are working really well for us, C has been mostly co-operative, and I was blessed with patience this week as well.  I found that if he was struggling to complete a task (such as reading or phonics)...we just put it aside and moved on to the next box, when we came back to it later, it was all good!  We also decided on a science fair project, C will be doing a project on birds...he has collected a few things already...the starts of a bird nest, a birds egg, a bird bone and some feathers.  He and hubby are going to go bird hunting to take photos and then look up the names of the birds!  Will be lots of fun (and adventurous!).  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…This is a busy week!  This week we have a meeting with some local homeschoolers for a co-op I am starting up, then heading to Costco.  Water Park on Wednesday afternoon, Science class on Thursday, Hubby and I are headed to the temple on Friday night...we bring the kids since our babysitter from back home is at BYU Hawaii...she babysits them for us, then Saturday night hubby and I are having a date night out to eat!  (Have a groupon to use!)  

My favorite thing this week was…Family time at the beach!  

What’s working/not working for us…Right now everything seems to be working well, I'm so excited about it.  So glad I discovered work boxes before we ventured into the school year!  They are a god send!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…It's so great to homeschool, the flexibility is just AWESOME!!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

C finally taking a liking to the boogie board

*On a sad note, the baby bird died.  He was doing so well, we don't know what happened.  He started acting funny, stopped using his legs (almost as if he was paralyzed, and then stopped eating).  :(  It was really sad.  We haven't told C yet.  

Home School Mother's Journal - 1

In my life this week…Just another week really, I am starting to feel a little nervous about entering the 'real' realm of homeschooling, but I had some reassurance when I found out I don't have to report homeschooling until 1st grade, so even though it's 'real', it's more of a practice run this year.

In our homeschool this week…we've been gearing up getting ready for the new school year and the adventure we are about to take into Kindergarten

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We will be going beach camping this week (for 3 days).  The boys always love to camp, and beach camping just combines their two favorite things.  We are going with a large group from church and we are all really excited about it.

My favorite thing this week was…Donut Day!  Friday was Donut Day and we made our own donuts, it was a lot of fun!

What’s working/not working for us…I started my oldest on a picture checklist/schedule so he knows how the mornings will run and what he needs to do, when school starts, etc.. and it's been working really well!  Now if I could get him to just wake up at least 30min later!  haha

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…I've decided to implement a hands on spelling program this school year, I had reservations about it b/c even though my son can read, he does not write but a few letters at this point.  But after researching different ways to learn spelling words we'll be doing lots of fun stuff to learn to spell, and I'll be able to implement some of the tactics to teaching how to write letters too!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

My 2yo (Z) caught his first fish, this is him putting it back in the lake.