Wordless Wednesday

Ping Pong ball eyes, followed by Inspirational Hammer Crafts (made with their own handprint!)  and homeschool baseball.  It was a fun day yesterday!  :-)

Monday Musings

Another fun and busy weekend has come and gone.   Both Friday and Saturday night found us at church, but for different reasons.  And, of course, we were there on Sunday.  :-) Friday night was a rehearsal with other children whose families will be attending our family retreat.  We went over some of the lyrics and motions to songs that we are going to be singing.  The children really enjoy learning the motions to the songs.  It brings the songs to life and the kids get so enthusiastic when they can participate like that.  Saturday night was "Italian Night," another evening full of food, friends and fellowship.  My poor husband missed another night with friends and family at church due to his military duty, but he was asked for and missed by many.  :-)  Sunday's Mass was wonderful.  I just loved the music and the sermon;  I was so privileged to be a lector and get to read God's Word from both the Old and New Testaments to the entire congregation.

And thus it is Monday again.....  How did this happen already?  :-)  I think that I used to be among those who would laugh at the "older" generations when they would comment on how time was passing so quickly.

Today we learned about the eye.  I even found out some things I didn't know before.  Amazing.  The more I learn, the more I am in awe of all of God's creation.  It is nothing short of miraculous. 

(the kids are going to be making these ping pong ball eyes on Tuesday!  :-)  This is hubby's sample for us to use.  I will post pics on how ours turn out)

The rest of our day was filled with music lessons-- guitar for the oldest and piano for the other 3.  It is wonderful to hear the sounds of music being practiced in the house everyday.  Now I know how my parents must have felt when I was younger and would play the piano.  I so enjoy hearing my children play.  It is so worthwhile when they really enjoy it and take pride in their accomplishments.

Homeschool Mother's Journal- October 14th

Wow, has another week really gone by?  It seems like I was just summing up last week! 

In our homeschool this week:  Since Monday was Columbus Day and my husband was off from work, we took a visit as a family to visit the Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia.  What a peaceful, rewarding and spiritual experience.  How blessed we were that our son was able to be prayed over.  He is receiving his Confirmation in a few weeks.  St. John Neumann was an amazing man and an amazing Christian.  He was always thinking of others and wanting to bring them to God.  He taught himself 8 languages to better serve the growing immigrant population in Philadelphia.  When he died, in his pocket was found a worn rosary, less than a dollar in change, and candy that he gave out to children.  That speaks volumes of a man whose life was full of prayer and service.

Monday was only peaceful for that short time, as once afternoon came, the normal "craziness" set in with everyone's music lessons and the older boys' biweekly Biology lab.  Dinnertime conversation was interesting, lol, after they learned about the various ways that animals (including cows and rabbits) digest their food and how certain plant materials are difficult for us to digest, as well, thus "seeing" them again.  You get the picture!  :-)))

On Tuesday, we continued reading a biography of George Washington that we are really enjoying.  It is called "George Washington: Man of Prayer and Courage."  It brings to life a man who was not only devout, but of such good character.  Homeschool baseball was after lunch and I was really pleased to see everyone get on base at least once.  But, more importantly, is the fun and fellowship that is taking place, not only on the field between the children, but off the field with all of the moms.

Wednesday is usually YMCA day, but we took a break from it this week and went to AC Moore to pick up some much needed crafts and supplies.  It was a fun change.  One of the greatest benefits I have seen from homeschooling is how much we actually enjoy each other!  We made our great Christopher Columbus craft/project today, which you could see in my last post.

Thursday had some schoolwork in the morning, followed by a treat out to lunch at McDonald's and Church for classes at 4:30.  I am helping to teach the 1st graders.  They are so precious!  :-)  Since Kiddo #1 has finished his studies there, I am very proud that he is now volunteering and helping out each week in many different capacities.

Friday was a fun, geography day!  First, the children did a project regarding the Holy Land.  They had to figure out distances between cities that were important in Jesus' ministry.  For example, did you know that from Caesarea Philippi (where Christ told His disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world), he traveled 102 miles to Jerusalem to die on the cross?  Or that the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem was 70 miles?  Amazing when you think it was all on foot or on donkey.  We also did some geography studies of Pennsylvania.  We looked at where Christ lived and where we live.  :-)

 

Things I'm working on:  Regarding school work, just working on our rhythm, which is getting better each week and trying to fit in everything I would like to get done.  I also want it to be fun and hands-on.

I'm reading: I'm still working on the Good Morning Girls Bible Study on 1 John and was wondering if the George Washington book with the kids counts?  Just haven't had the time for recreational reading, unfortunately. 

I'm cooking:  I've cooked some new recipes this week and some old favorites, as well.  I SO need to work on a menu plan.  This deciding each day and at the last minute is too difficult!  :-)

I'm grateful for: my "3 Fs"-- Faith, Family and Friends.  :-)

I'm praying for: many people have asked for prayers this week and I have humbly asked for theirs, as well.

A photo, video or quote to share:

Since we are reading about George Washington, I thought I would share a few of his quotes:

"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."

"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

There are so many more, but as a homeschooling mom, I just to include this one, which was a tribute to his homeschooling mom:

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

I can only hope and pray that our children will one day give us such a tribute, by not only their words, but by their lives and example to others!  :-)



Remembering Christopher Columbus

We made a pretty neat craft today commemorating the voyages of Christopher Columbus.  We used a blue posterboard, drew the continents and colored them green, and made 3 ships that we could "sail" back and forth.  It was hands-on and a lot of fun.  It was on October 12th that his crew finally spotted land, thus us doing the project today instead of the observed holiday on Monday.   :-)

Wordless Wednesday-- some photos from Bethany Beach

Homeschool Mother's Journal-- October 7th

In my life this week:  We returned Monday from a wonderful long weekend in Bethany Beach, Delaware (will be in a separate post).  We had so much fun and enjoyed being at the beach off-season and took advantage of much of what the area had to offer.  We got right back into the swing of things on Tuesday.

In our homeschool this week:  Since we stayed in the Delaware Bay area and actually got to see (and swim) with horseshoe crabs, on Tuesday, we made our own and decided to learn all about them. I had no idea myself that their blood contains a protein that is used in hospitals world wide for detecting and destroying bacteria in vaccines and heart valves.  Their shell contains a compound that has been reproduced to make non-allergenic bandages.  We also learned that they are gentle and not aggressive.  In Bethany Beach, coming across them in the lake was a bit scary, so I was very glad to take the opportunity when we got home to study them and realize that there is nothing scary about them!

On Thursday, we took a field trip to the zoo.  We could not have asked for better weather.  So many of the animals were awake and alert.  The kiddos loved every minute.  We were blessed to go with another homeschooling family with whom we have become dear friends, so it made it an all-around wonderful day.

Things I'm working on: trying to fit it "all" in, tweaking the schedule so it is actually feasible and doable.  :-)  I'm also doing the 1John Bible study with the Good Morning Girls.  What a wonderful experience that is turning out to be.

I'm reading: I haven't done a whole lot of reading this week outside of the the Bible study.  Just didn't have the time.  :-)

I'm cooking: Now that Autumn is here, I am looking forward to using the crockpot more.  I will be also doing more baking.

I'm grateful for: my husband's sense of humor and fun-loving attitude, my children's creativity and excitement, meeting like-minded and valued moms and their children, the beautiful colors in the changing leaves, and, a Lord who loves and forgives us over and over again!

I'm praying for: many, many intentions, both mine and others

A photo, video or quote to share:

This was taken at the Nature Center in Bethany Beach.  The foliage was just stunning.