Library Day

This was part of a stack of books that we checked out from the library a few weeks ago. Every Friday, we head over to our local library. We go right when it opens and we are sometimes the only people there. We love the librarians. The kids love looking at all the books.

I love the online system. I also love the interlibrary loan. I ALSO love the state-wide library loan system. If our county doesn't have the book I want, I can check the state wide database. If participating libraries have that book I need, I can request it. It gets shipped to my library and waits for me on the hold shelf. HOW GREAT! It does have a hefty $1/day late fee. If you LOSE the book?? It costs $115. Yes. So these books are placed in a SPECIAL spot in our home! The kids know that if there is the "special tag" on it, to be VERY VERY CAREFUL! ;)

Maybe I should post a weekly library day pic.

Compromise

We've been struck with a virus in our home. Last week, Half-Pint & Little Brown Braid were hit. Fever then cough. We had to take the week off from doing any work so they could get better.

This week, as I was planning out our week I was all set to get caught up and stay on schedule.

Then, last night, Farmer Boy was hit with the fever. Ugh. And this morning, Half-Pint decided to have a bad attitude for a couple of hours. Let's just say that I was ready to throw in the towel. I've already been discouraged about our weeks, thinking that we're not getting enough done. This is what happens when I start comparing. I am realizing everyday that my kids' needs are not the same as other kids'. I also need to realize that life JUST HAPPENS and I need to go with it, otherwise, I'll just keep fighting and things will seem to take forever.

When I found HP reading to FB today, I thought, "Ok. This is good. This is better than school." Then, HP decided to draw a picture of a Dorking Chicken. Isn't it great?

In other news, for the past few months, I've been re-thinking our Math curriculum. sheesh. I've been researching on and off. We'll see where this takes us.

Home Economics and Math: Valentine's Day Brownies

Half-Pint asked to make the Valentine's Day dessert yesterday. I agreed and she used a recipe that I have used before. The recipe is from Heavenly Homemakers. I love that blog and you can click here for the RECIPE.

I helped her a little, but for the most part, she was in charge. Once they cooled, she use heart shaped cookie cutters to cut out the brownies. These were served with strawberres and vanilla ice cream. We were all very impressed with her delicious dessert!

We learned about fractions along the way....

Spell to Write and Read

Half-Pint enjoys her spelling and phonogram exercises.

I don't keep up with it as much as I should. We're supposed to complete a 20-word spelling list per week. OOPS. We haven't done that each week. I need to be better at that.

I am very pleased with this program. There is still some confusion on my part with organizing it all, but I am doing my best.

Happy New Year! We're still going strong...

We're still here.

Half-Pint is still plugging away at her studies and I just feel so blessed to be able to be here at home with her and teach her.

We took a long break- 3 weeks- from formal school.  We still read a lot, wrote, and baked together.  It was SO GOOD to take a break, but it's been even better to get back into a routine.

We also had Pa's mother visit us from back East for Christmas.  It was a nice visit and a great chance for the kids to interact with her since they don't get to see her but once a year.

I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas Season!

Do you have goals for this new year?  Any school goals?

Mine?  READ ALOUD EVEN MORE.  wheew!

Our Jesse Tree

Please excuse the distractions on the wall behind it.

This is our first year doing the Jesse Tree and we are using the FREE eBook from Holy Experience, called Jesse Tree Journey. This is a beautiful ebook for the Christmas season. Written to show God's love for His creation and His desire to send a rescuer fron their sin... His own Son, Jesus.

We've actually been re-reading some of the Jesus Storybook Bible, just the stories that pertain to the particular day's devotional. It still has the same effect:

God loves us.

He created us.

He longs for us.

He Sent His SON for us.

It's this longing that should cause a longing in our own hearts.

To wait for the coming Messiah.

What a beautiful truth to be teaching our children.

It's not too late to start the Jesse Tree Journey. QUICK! Download it, print it out, print out the beautiful ornaments on some nice cardstock. Find a simple tree, tree branch, or even a silouette of a tree on a wall. You will not regret adding this to your school day!

Ones, Tens, Hundreds

Look! She found the 5 Tens!