27 August 2009
Homeschool: Part 1
Monday was our first day back at the books. The girls were fighting incessantly, being way too tired from vacation and the Astronomy event on Sunday night. So I broke up the fight, and yelled "Get out your math books girls! Its time to start school!" in my best stadium announcer voice. To which they shouted "YEAH!!!". There is something deluded about that.
Claire
-Finish Saxon 2/ start Saxon 3
-Shurley 1
-Apologia Astronomy
-Reading Club with cousin Michaela--where the moms have control over the literature (read: NO more stupid Magic Fairy books!!!) and the girls swap book projects in the mail
-American History based on Story of Us, supplemented with historical fiction, non-fiction and map work
-one artist every month, supplemental projects
-one composer every month, lots of You Tube videos of various symphonies
Lily
-Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
-handwriting
-Saxon 1
-actively participate in Shurley 1
-listen in on American History readings and participate in the projects
-listen in on Astronomy
-artist and composer study
Isabel
-keep busy by whatever means possible
***Stay tuned for the highly requested part two of this series, entitled "Why I Homeschool".
Claire
-Finish Saxon 2/ start Saxon 3
-Shurley 1
-Apologia Astronomy
-Reading Club with cousin Michaela--where the moms have control over the literature (read: NO more stupid Magic Fairy books!!!) and the girls swap book projects in the mail
-American History based on Story of Us, supplemented with historical fiction, non-fiction and map work
-one artist every month, supplemental projects
-one composer every month, lots of You Tube videos of various symphonies
Lily
-Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
-handwriting
-Saxon 1
-actively participate in Shurley 1
-listen in on American History readings and participate in the projects
-listen in on Astronomy
-artist and composer study
Isabel
-keep busy by whatever means possible
***Stay tuned for the highly requested part two of this series, entitled "Why I Homeschool".
Frankenmuth
We visited Frankenmuth, Michigan on our way to Chris's parents house. We only stayed an hour or two, mostly on the St. Lorenz Lutheran Church campus. I am looking forward to going back and meandering a bit more, especially in their museum!
St. Lorenz Lutheran Church has an amazing history.
Picnicking in the cemetery by the original church bells brought from Germany.
St. Lorenz had beautiful stained glass windows installed in the 1960's when they expanded the church. I think that my husband would like a Wilhelm Loehe window in his church too.
St. Lorenz Lutheran Church has an amazing history.
Picnicking in the cemetery by the original church bells brought from Germany.
St. Lorenz had beautiful stained glass windows installed in the 1960's when they expanded the church. I think that my husband would like a Wilhelm Loehe window in his church too.
Hartwick Pines
Jeannette suggested that our families take a day trip to Hartwick Pines State Park. We arrived at 10:45 just in time to go on a tour of the old-growth pine forest that was scheduled for 11:00. Wow! It was great! The tour guide was amazing--great with our kids and so informative!
We saw the remains of the 300 year old Monarch Pine, which used to be over 12 feet in diameter and the largest pine in the park, before it fell in 1992. It died as a result of soil compaction--too many tree huggers walking on top of the root system to get their picture taken with the giant tree. The stump that is left is not remarkable. It has shrunk considerably due to water evaporation.
This is a picture of a Native American directional tree pointing the way to the nearby Au Sable River. The Indians shaped young tree branches to help them find certain landmarks, like water. The tour guide said that these trees were especially important on cloudy days under the canopy of leaves. One could easily get lost without the direction of the sun to guide them. Isn't that amazing?
We ate a picnic lunch and visited the Logging Museum located inside the park. What a treasure! It is a wealth of information and historical artifacts. Did you know that the logging of Michigan's trees in the mid to late 1800's proved four times more profitable than the Gold Rush of California? The kids...
and the adults had a great time!
Everyone was tired on the way back to the campground. All four of my kids took a nap!
We saw the remains of the 300 year old Monarch Pine, which used to be over 12 feet in diameter and the largest pine in the park, before it fell in 1992. It died as a result of soil compaction--too many tree huggers walking on top of the root system to get their picture taken with the giant tree. The stump that is left is not remarkable. It has shrunk considerably due to water evaporation.
This is a picture of a Native American directional tree pointing the way to the nearby Au Sable River. The Indians shaped young tree branches to help them find certain landmarks, like water. The tour guide said that these trees were especially important on cloudy days under the canopy of leaves. One could easily get lost without the direction of the sun to guide them. Isn't that amazing?
We ate a picnic lunch and visited the Logging Museum located inside the park. What a treasure! It is a wealth of information and historical artifacts. Did you know that the logging of Michigan's trees in the mid to late 1800's proved four times more profitable than the Gold Rush of California? The kids...
and the adults had a great time!
Everyone was tired on the way back to the campground. All four of my kids took a nap!
Micha-Lu-Ca...
...is the Indian word for Michigan Lutheran Campground (duh) and the campground that my in-laws have vacationed at every summer for three decades. Why try anyplace new? It can't get any better!
Here are some pictures from our trip last week. We had a nice time--sort of. It is always nice to see everyone, laugh and eat good food, but it rained a lot. I was crabby. We packed up early and went to my in-law's house for a few days. That was nice. Dry beds beat wet tents every time.
Everyone at Micha-lu-ca. My sister-in-law and her newest baby stayed at home. Chris's younger brother Josh was also unable to come.
The boys have to stick together.
Our "nine person" tent should be commended. We stayed remarkably dry during the nightly rainstorms.
For the record: I touched my first fish. It was gross. I don't plan on doing it again any time soon.
Here are some pictures from our trip last week. We had a nice time--sort of. It is always nice to see everyone, laugh and eat good food, but it rained a lot. I was crabby. We packed up early and went to my in-law's house for a few days. That was nice. Dry beds beat wet tents every time.
Everyone at Micha-lu-ca. My sister-in-law and her newest baby stayed at home. Chris's younger brother Josh was also unable to come.
The boys have to stick together.
Our "nine person" tent should be commended. We stayed remarkably dry during the nightly rainstorms.
For the record: I touched my first fish. It was gross. I don't plan on doing it again any time soon.
26 August 2009
Happy Birthday Claire!
She's seven!!!
I really need to flip through the camera instruction book. That flash is horrible.
Why are my kids sitting on top of the table?
A two dollar bill and a Rainbow Magic Fairy Book!
Baby Claire in one of the earliest digital photos we have. Can you imagine Claire telling her grandkids, "When I was born your great-grandparents did not own a digital camera!"?
The Birthday Interview
Favorites
Food: Lentil soup (I didn't see that one coming.)
Color: Pink
Stuffed Animal: Orange Kitty
Book: Rainbow Magic Fairy books
Fairy: Tooth Fairy or Tinkerbell
Teacher: "Mom!"
School activity: Reading or journal
Dress: Blue sleeveless dress (the UGLIEST one in her closet!!!!)
Hymn: Isaiah Mighty Seer
Bible Story: Achan Stole the Bacon
Best things about the past year being six:
-Blue Harbor Waterpark
-Micha-Lu-Ca
-Not having many responsibilities (What???)
Some things you want to do when you are seven:
-go back to Blue Harbor
-go horseback riding
-loose more teeth
14 August 2009
Fun Outside
It was so hot today. It was 89 degrees at midday. I was practically melting. The kids put on their swimsuits and we filled up the kiddie pool. Gus loved the water--and all the attention!
Toothbrushes
"Girls! Thanks for tidying up the bathroom! I'm so impressed! Wait...where are your toothbrushes? What? You put them on the ceiling? How did you even get them up there?"
Brewers Game
Chris took Claire to a Brewers game yesterday for her (early) birthday gift. Our almost seven year old had a great time, despite a belly ache from too many treats.
12 August 2009
Pickles
Lily helped me make pickled beans the other night.
They got a little shrively. Too much salt, right?
10 August 2009
Engaged!
Kyle and Grace, first let me say CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy and so excited! And second, that is a way weird engagement photo--Baywatch meets Polo.
End of the Day
After she is shampooed and her teeth are brushed, I tuck Isabel into her covers. She is always accompanied by one or many of her fleece tied blankies as well as a couple stuffed animals, and then we read a few books. Her favorites are anything Maisy,
Snowy Day,
and most recently, Peter Rabbit.
After we read, we say the Lord's Prayer and I ask her what hymn she would like to sing even though she always picks the same one. It is her favorite, and is now one of mine too.
Me: What hymn would you like to sing?
Izzy (in her cute two year old voice): Joyous Light
Snowy Day,
and most recently, Peter Rabbit.
After we read, we say the Lord's Prayer and I ask her what hymn she would like to sing even though she always picks the same one. It is her favorite, and is now one of mine too.
Me: What hymn would you like to sing?
Izzy (in her cute two year old voice): Joyous Light
Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father,
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
We have come to the setting of the Sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of Light,
The universe proclaims your glory.
LSB, Evening Prayer
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
We have come to the setting of the Sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of Light,
The universe proclaims your glory.
LSB, Evening Prayer
07 August 2009
Jason and Lauren
Jason and Lauren let us descend upon their (cute) house Thursday afternoon and treated us to a delicious dinner. It was nice to see their family...baby Jonathan is so cute. I forgot to snap a picture.
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