4.2.12

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…


     We have had a lot of rain, so we have spent more time inside the house this week. We resumed music lessons which led to our routine of more visiting with extended family that afternoon. I love that! We also enjoyed a meal out for Pappy's birthday. 
In our homeschool this week… 
     We strayed from our human anatomy course temporarily to study birds and stars. (I blogged about both if you want to read more.)

     One new online program we are currently reviewing included an eye opening placement type test which showed me some specific things to focus on with two of my children.

     Our two year subscription to an online math program ended, and I've been re-evaluating how I teach math. Some things are working well, but I know I need more. I did see improvement in their understanding of fractions after "playing" fractions with the Fractazmic deck with my younger two kids. 
My favorite thing this week was…
     A return to "normal." This morning my husband left for work, the kids are all still sleeping (one climbed up in my bed and is snoring beside me,) and the house is very quiet so I've had more moments for quiet contemplation than has been the norm. Last week I worked every single day. Though the work was rewarding, it confirmed for me that now is not the time for me to be working away from home full time (or more.) This week felt like we were finally getting back on track which included my typical part time work schedule. The normal things have been my favorite: time to sit and discuss a little more about our history cards than I planned, catching up on housework, and little arms hugging me tightly.
Questions/thoughts I have…
     Other thoughts I have are about hard topics. When I went to a Christian school, my classmates and I went with our school several times to the state capital to protest abortion. Until my big sis learned  that my first grade niece had done the same thing many years later, our parents were unaware of those "field trips." I am against abortion. But as I was questioned many years ago, what about the people who have already had one? "Above all else, love."

     Susan Koman's organization has been in the news a lot lately with their changing announcements. Two years ago my girls and I participated in a 5K fundraiser. One friend shared then that she wouldn't sponsor us because "they fund Planned Parenthood." All of my research then led me to believe that all funding was tied into the purpose of breast cancer research and treatment, which was my reason for participating. Now I'm not so sure. Friends have been sharing articles, and what I read now is not agreeing with my previous conclusion. Earlier this week I shared about my son realizing that what he thought was not true. Now I'm in that same position.

     So how does this relate to our homeschooling? Several years ago our family read The Thinking Toolbox out loud together and we led the kids through the logic discussions. When questions revolved around abortion and murder, we skipped them. It is time to discuss topics like these with our kids.


I'm reading...
     I'm catching up with the book of Ephesians with Good Morning Girls. As a family we are enjoying many selections from My Audio School. The girls enjoyed some of the Just So Stories.
I’m cooking…
     What I'm not cooking: "Pizza stuffed inside a turkey, the whole thing deep fried and dipped in chocolate." We watched what my son later called "The Food World Movie" (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs) for the first time this week.

     About once a week one or more of the kids will help make something for dinner. I've started asking them when I shop to come up with something they are interested in preparing and figure out what ingredients we need. Last week Heather made her Semi-Homemade style quiche. This week Em's taco soup was enjoyed on a rainy day. Joseph's request above was emphatically denied, so he went with his second choice and we now have plans and supplies for homemade stuffed crust cheese pizza.


Picture to share…
Homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls, made by Heather. 

     I enjoyed one of these right out of the oven yesterday morning with Heather on our front porch swing before leaving for work. They are delicious!
Jennifer
This post linked to:
The Homeschool Mother's Journal



7 comments:

  1. I had to read that twice- pizza, stuffed in a turkey, deep fried and covered in chocolate??? Oh...All those separately, yum. Not together. Nope.
    You've brought up some interesting things in your post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  2. I usually have my laptop out and don't give full attention to cartoon type movies, but that part caught my attention. The thought of all that together is so far over the top. When I googled to share the link, chocolate covered bacon showed up in many searches. I think it must be similar ;).

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  3. We've been having tons of rain too - we need it, but I dislike the mud that dogs and boys bring inside!

    I have been following the Komen and PP story pretty closely and have had a few "heated" discussions on my FB page over it. I haven't supported SGK because of the PP thing and was glad to support them when I heard the would stop funding PP. However, when they semi caved to pressure from the pro-murder side it sent me once again to the non support camp. I have since found out things about SGK that will continue to keep me from supporting them.

    I even had a friend of 16 years write me off - she said I was "a hateful conservative and what kind of woman was I to disrespect the right to choose?" Wow- 16 years of friendship ended because I wouldn't cave to her pressure to be pro-"choice" Sad.

    Sorry for the novel!!!!

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  4. Sounds like a busy time - but fun - at your home! Enjoy your weekend!

    Julieanne
    http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

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  5. Hi Jennifer,

    This was a good post. . .lots to think about. . .

    I must say that Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is one of my son's all-time favorite movies. Hilarious!

    Take care and may God bless you in your homeschool!

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  6. SGK is huge in our lives because my sis-in-law always does the big 3-day walk. PP connection aside, the percentage of donated funds that goes to research for a cure is so minimal. Why can't she just walk for the American Cancer Society and make my life easier? LOL

    I just donate a small token to her drive and then make a bigger donation to the ACS in her name. Which I know irks her but oh well.

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  7. Definitely leaves you with a lot to contemplate. Sounds like a good week. :)

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