homeschooling log 2010: chapter four.

With not feeling well for the past week, I did not do much with my little ones. We had Master's yesterday, and Ian spent time in the car ride home telling me all about Beethoven Bear and Mozart mouse. He's already familiar with a lot of Mozart's music as well as the music of a few other composers, due to all of the music that I like to play and the fact that many of the toys that I have gotten for them play classical music.

Well, with the inspiration of his commentary from the day, we spent the rest of the car ride home singing lots of songs. Ian and Natalie had me singing the same tunes over and over and over again, and I was happy to oblige. I know I probably did about ten renditions each of the continents song, the states song, the Spanish alphabet song, and the regular alphabet song. I also went over the phonetic sounds with them. A lot of singing.

This is my first time teaching one of my children to read. I didn't have to teach Bobby. Somehow, he already knew how to read by the time he was two and a half. To this day, I still don't know how that happened. But it happened, and schooling him was pretty much a breeze because of it. Ian is my first child that I am actually having to teach "from scratch," and while he has been doing well, today was a weird day. We had to go over the same set of words four or five times until he got it. I am going to re-do the lesson tomorrow. One practice that I got into when Bobby was small and I want to continue with Ian is never to move on to the next lesson until the one we're on can be done without difficulty. I'm in no rush. I want to see him "get it."

I put the lesson away and we got through the other activities that we normally do before moving on to picture study. Ian and Natalie both ask for that just about every day, along with reading. I love this gentle approach to learning how to make observations and articulate what one is observing.

I keep a little planner so that I can write down what we do every day. That way if there is a lesson that needs to be repeated, I can make a note of it, otherwise I will probably forget. It's part of the OCD planning side of me (and yes, that really is a side of me). I can really go overboard when it comes to planning my curriculum each year. I reminded myself before I even started this year that my kids are FOUR and TWO. Like, really. It's not like they need much. I've kept my sanity as a result.

But anyway, back to the planner. I used the "Homeschooling Journal" when Bobby was small but there really is just no need to use anything fancy. A regular old planner from Office Depot suffices just fine. Knowing little things like that would have saved me some money years ago.

Maybe in a later post I will share some about my homeschooling philosophy and style. I know I also still need to share more music resources. I have been remiss in putting all of that together. We have a school break next week, so I'll be able to concentrate on it more fully then. I'll still be doing school, but we will have a break from Master's so we'll be relaxing in Ohio with Daddy. We are all looking super-forward to being with him again. We miss him so much.

I apologize for this post being somewhat all over the place and rambly. That's not even a word. I apologize for that too. It's late. My night-owl nature seems to be morphing into something else since the new school year started. I am tired earlier. Wanna go to bed earlier. Am going to bed in the next five minutes. Because when I am tired like this I cease to make much sense. Chapter Five of the Homeschooling Log will be much more fasifsticated and edumacated sounding. I promise.

day 350: thoughtful replies.

So, we were heading home and a cop whizzes past us.

"Wow. That cop was going really fast," Bobby observed.

He then continued, "Why do we have to follow the law if the cops don't?"

There was a pause, then from the back seat, my little Ian replied,

"Because they're crooked cops."

I thought that was funny.

Laughter really is the best medicine.

Digital Field Guide: page 103

Images: The Life of Ty on Flickr. My my my these young whippersnappers.

day 349: frida.

Frida.

Well, praise the Lord! I don't feel 100% again yet, but today has been waaaaay better than Wednesday and yesterday. Which is good, since I needed to take my son to the mall and buy him a couple of items of clothing.

No, I do not do a whole lot of clothes shopping at the mall, because of the prices. But it's been a while since I got him ANYTHING, and I wanted to treat him since he has done so well these first couple of weeks of school. Year Four at Classical is no joke, so we've heard. He has met the challenge so far.

So, I took him to Heritage 1981 and Hot Topic and Aeropostale and got some things. His style is very cool-nerdy, so we ended up with stuff that definitely made him look the part. Actually, he looked very much the DJ. Very Kid Cudi. We like Kid Cudi.

He can't wear his Deadmau5 t-shirt to Master's or Classical because of uniforms, but that's okay. Everything else will do fine for school.

Speaking of school, this is Frida.

She was my little ladybug's present, among a couple of other things, her first Christmas.

Frida has sat on the shelf, but lately she has seen much playtime with Natalie. I think, however, that I may need to shelve Frida once more so that Natalie does not tear her up!

But what I really wanted was for Frida to be Natalie's doll buddy during school time.

Digital Field Guide: page 103

Images: pretty life photography on Flickr

day 348.

The last couple of days I have felt absolutely miserable.

As a result, I've been completely unmotivated to do much.

I realized I would have to make a quick run to the grocery store at some point, and I was NOT happy about that. I'm really praying I will feel better tomorrow.

Digital Field Guide: page 102

Images: Explore on Flickr

day 347.

This is one of those days.

I woke up this morning feeling lousy, and this afternoon isn't much better. I drudged a bit through the day and it was all I could do to make it home. I think I am going to get pizza for dinner and crawl into bed. Ugggghhhh.

Digital Field Guide: didn't make it.

Images: likewise.

homeschooling log 2010: chapter three.

My little ones had a wonderful first day at Master's Academy.

My son is in the Jasper class this year, and his teachers are all wonderful. They have a history class, an art class, a drama class, and a music class. Of course, with little four and five year-olds, the classes are definitely more activities than anything else. But Ian had a fun time and I am so glad we have a program like this to be a part of. This is my ninth year teaching there (we started when Bobby was five) and it has been a real blessing.

A real blessing, and a long day. But Master's days are always long. We know that going into it. Good days, but long days. I've decided that on those days (two each week) we'll get take out for one of the days and have crock pot meals or sandwiches the other days.

We went out for dinner tonight. Longhorn's. Yes, "Longhorn's." (See this post.) We don't usually do something that fancy. We hadn't eaten there in over a year. But it was the first day and I just wanted to do something a little special for the kids.

Now, when we normally go to a restaurant, it's all of us. Meaning, my husband is there too.

I should have remembered that, I think, and opted to get takeout pizza or something.

Mind you, my kids are not rambunctious or troublemakers or anything like that. But I did have to keep them constantly occupied with their toys and the little booklets they give you at the restaurant and things like that, so that they would stay seated and not keep trying to stand up in the booth and turn around and have conversations with the other patrons. I succeeded, but it was still a lot of work. And I was already tired after a long day.

But the food was good. And the kids ate their broccoli. (Natalie does anyway; Ian is my finicky eater but he ate well too and I was glad.)

And. Ian started writing his letters. In his little booklet. Without my prompting him to do so.

He's reading his letter sounds well (Natalie is too, and that's exciting). But he hasn't wanted to try to write them without my help. Ian is my perfectionist and does not like to attempt something if he cannot do it perfectly. Even despite my encouragement, if he feels he hasn't done something well he gets dejected very easily.

Well, this evening he totally took the initiative and wrote all of his letters himself! I was so proud of him. Bobby gave him a high-five, and Natalie did too and even told him "Good job, Ian!" That totally made my day. And it had already been a great day.

day 346.

Not much to tell here. Vehicles get followed on the road. Sometimes large vehicles. Sometimes large flatbed trucks carrying very large tires. Tractor tires probably.

And gaaaahhhh. I have NOT been feeling well today. At ALL.

It seems all of us (the kids and I) have had bouts of nasty stomach perturbation the last few days. Ick.

That was a random aside. Don't worry. I won't be sharing too much. 

Digital Field Guide: didn't happen. Gaaaahhh.

Images: caught up with some of the photography blogs in my Google Reader.

day 345: writing on the night.

I like to experiment.

I have so many ideas in my head that I have to make a list of them. Or a couple of lists.

One of my ideas was to see if I could make the night landscape look like a blackboard with the lights of cars "writing" on it.

Digital Field Guide: page 103

Images: the Shutter Sisters 365 group on Flickr

day 344.

So, I spend a lot of time in my car.

A lot.

Not just because I'm a road trip girl and I enjoy driving (it's relaxing to me), but because on most days I HAVE to be somewhere. My schedule and obligations dictate it.

And that means that sometimes I am driving home in the evenings after being gone all day.

It's not all that bad. We do have days when we can just stay at home and do nothing if we wish. This was one of those days. But we were out anyway.

I am looking forward to the days this coming week when we can just stay home and be lazy. I need some lazy time.

Digital Field Guide: page 102

Images: my LIFE Magazine app

fracture.

I joined TwitterMoms soon after joining Twitter way back in February of '09. I thought it was a good way to get connected quickly with others, and it has been. They always have a wide array of things going on and products available for review. Today they have introduced a new product called Fracture. It looks really interesting.

You upload your photo to their site and they print it out on glass. Then they mail it to you, with instructions for hanging it on your wall. Instant decoration.

I am quite interested in trying this out, as I have YET to put any of my old photos on my wall, much less new ones! Difficult to believe, I know. I want to remedy this quickly.

And if I am one of the 100 participants to receive a Fracture to review, I will be psyched. I will also write a follow-up post about Fracture with my feedback after I've tried it.

Disclaimer: I wrote this blog post in response to a TwitterMoms RAMBO alert, making me eligible to get a Fracture picture frame for review. You can learn more about Fracture at http://www.fractureme.com .

gifts and surprises, and a winner.

In the midst of making sure all my stuff is ready for school tomorrow, I am participating in a Twitter party hosted by Bree Bees and Parker PR Online. There are several folks participating, and there will be lots of interesting and useful prizes given away, from mom business owners. I hope I can win something. I got really spoiled last year, winning so many giveaways. I've won some this year, but nothing to rival last year. The year's not over, though!

Speaking of winners...

The winner of my Blogiversary Giveaway is the lovely A. Jarrett, amazing photographer and owner of Gabrielle Kai Photography!  I am HONORED to send one of my prints to you. I will be contacting you shortly.

revisiting...revisited.

Another revisiting a page out of this past year's Project 365 book.

I wonder if I will make a photo book out of my 365 photos. Or at least some of my favorites. I know a lot of people do that upon completing their project, or they do something like that.

I might just do that. Go to Shutterfly and make a book. I've never used them before for photo books, but I have heard good reviews. I've only used Photoworks, and while I was pleased with their work, they did not seem to have many layout and design options.

Maybe I'll just get several prints and make my own book.

day 343: getting over a hump soon?

Okay. Second default day again.

It's supposed to storm on and off today. Hopefully I can get a shot of some lightning when it does. I've been trying for weeks!

And hopefully I'll be motivated to clean my house.

Digital Field Guide: read a page in Niki's manual.

Images: Buckaroo Mama

day 342: defaults.

So, as I am nearing the end of this project, it appears that I am running into one of those photography blocks again?? Like what I experienced back in January? 

There's just not much of anything I want to shoot.

Yes, I always want to shoot my children. But I am reeeeeeally trying to spare you guys photos of my kids every. single. day.

One thing that I have noticed I am absolutely loving right now (besides the mainstay of my kids) is the sky.

Yes. Again.

I think that whenever I feel uncertain of what to shoot, from now on I will just make my kids the default and the sky my second default. It's always so nice.

Here's a second default picture today.

Digital Field Guide: read a page in Niki's manual.

Images: Communal Global

day 341.

So, this week has left me a little bit tired. I'm looking forward to a day where I can get a bit of rest. I'm going to wait until evening time to do school with the kids. 

I'm pretty sure that one thing that is contributing to my tiredness is all of this dastardly heat at home. August is just as bad as June and July. And it's bad. And not bad meaning good.

I just don't do well in extreme heat. I know I've said that before. It bears repeating.

One bad thing about feeling like this is I feel unmotivated and uninspired to do anything creative. Well, not entirely unmotivated and uninspired, but enough to feel like doing anything is just too much work.

What's good though is, Fall is almost here.

Ahhhh. Fall.

And THAT gets me mega-inspired.

It's like my Spring.

I start feeling like I want to wax poetic on all things on Autumn. But I will spare you.

For now.

Digital Field Guide: read a page in Niki's manual.

Images: added new Flickr favorites.

my blogiversary.

On 18 August 2006, I started this blog.

I wrote mostly about random things my kids were doing, funny things my oldest one would say, what I was cooking in the kitchen, and sermons from church that I wanted to remember. That was pretty much it. Here is my first post, entitled 'My Son's Firsts.'

I also wrote a special post every Tuesday and would include an old photo from my life or, eventually, a list of songs from different years in my life that were popular and brought back memories for me. I made it into a series called "Nostalgia Tuesday." (I know everyone else does something that alliterates, like "Freaky Friday" or "Thanksgiving Thursday" or something like that. I didn't. Because a.) none of the days of the week start with the letter 'N' and b.) I'm different like that.)

Life got a little more wild and I eventually got tired of blogging. So I stopped. I'm pretty sure no one was reading it on the regular anyway, so I didn't feel like I was flaking out on anyone.

Then, on 18 August 2009, I started blogging again. I felt inspired to pick up the task of journaling my life again so I could go back and remember moments that had passed. Fall does that to me every year, and the beauty of the season hit me HARD last year.

I may have possibly gotten blogger burnout again and stopped a few months or a year later, had I not happened upon Tasra Dawson and decided to do a 365 project.

This project really has changed my life.

I am twenty-four days away from the end of my year-long project, and I am amazed at what has transpired. I'm also amazed that my humble little blog looks much different than it did when it first started.

I called it "The Living Well" after thinking about how I wanted to become someone that younger women could come to for wisdom and advice, like what is described in Titus 2. I envisioned myself as this deep well of wisdom from which anyone could come and draw when they were in need. I've also taught hundreds of students over the years and am always mindful of being an example and a sound influence on them.

In honor of my precious blogiversary, I am doing a giveaway! My first.

I will be giving away a photographic print of the winner's choice.

If you would like to win a print, go to the Rosebud Photography Fan Page on Facebook and take a look at the still life art wall photos. Then come back and leave a comment saying which one you would like. That's it. No more steps. I will not be pimping out this giveaway or my blog. That's not to say I wouldn't do that in the future. I just won't be doing it now.  :)

I will randomly select a winner on Sunday, 22 August, so please leave your comment by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday the 21st.

Good luck!

day 340: all hail...

King Ian.

I think I'm gonna give it a few more months, and then maybe at the beginning of the new year we'll get his hair cut.

I think.

Maybe.

Digital Field Guide: page 102

Images: Daily Dose of Imagery

homeschooling log 2010: chapter two. music resources.

My friend Candra is starting to do research on homeschooling and asked me if I had a few recommendations for music resources. I felt I was more than qualified to answer this because I

a. love music,
b. have a rich and diverse musical heritage, courtesy of my parents,
c. am a music teacher,
d. have been homeschooling for nine years and as a result have tried/used a lot of stuff,
e. have worked tediously to cultivate an appreciation for music in my children and in others' children,
f. am just cool like that.

I could probably come up with more lettered reasons, but you get the point.

So, I prepared a list on my Amazon profile highlighting some of the resources that have been hits with me and my children. Three things about this list...

1. There are many other things that I have used that I do not recommend, because they're lame. Like some of those Baby Einstein-ish CDs and stuff like that. ( I don't mean to offend you if you like that stuff. I'm sure it's not ALL lame; it just has not been of much benefit over the years at my house, for several reasons.) So those things are not on the list.
2. There is no Classical music or Opera on this list. Because I need to make a separate list just for that. I am, after all, an opera singer. I had way too much to add to the list, so I figured that genre should just have a list of its own. (And yes, children can learn to like this type of music if introduced to it early and with enthusiasm.)
3. There are lots of great "...for Kids" compilations out there. Motown for Kids, 80's for Kids, Hip-Hop for Kids, Broadway for Kids, Beatles for Kids, et cetera. And you could certainly buy those. But why? If I have Stevie Wonder's and The Jackson 5's greatest hits (which my little ones LOVE), all I need to do is go and add more favorites from similar artists off of iTunes. You don't necessarily have to find something geared specifically toward children. A lot of the stuff that you enjoyed as a youth may be what your kids end up loving too; the songs don't have to be re-sung by kids' voices or anything like that. Just play good music for them. (And PLEASE, stay away from that KidzBop crap. Yes, I said it. It's crap. Don't get me started.)

So here's the list.
My kidlets loved this. Loved it. We wore it out last year when we were on the road a lot. They still enjoy it when I play it, even though we don't play it as often.

This one was a big hit too. The entire CD is excellent, but the second half are mostly slow songs so by the time they rolled around my kids would be asleep. Still a great CD though.

Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Prima, Lionel Hampton, Carmen McRae, Blossom Dearie, Louis Armstrong. I really don't need to go on. You get the picture. It's good stuff.

Sweet, mellow music. Great lullabies.

Hip, upbeat, dance-worthy tunes.

I was hoping this CD had a particular song with Alicia Keys on it, but it didn't. No matter. It's still a great CD, and one that my kids enjoyed a lot last year.

I remember watching those Schoolhouse Rock shorts on Saturday mornings in between the cartoons. Good times. And great educational material.

My oldest loved this one when he was little, and learned a lot from it.

This was what my oldest listened to a lot when he was in first grade. He liked it. I had the Subtraction one too, but can't seem to find it on Amazon. It's not as good as the Addition one anyway.

Fun, cute songs that my oldest never forgot. And he's almost fourteen.

Several classics as well as songs that will teach your child the books of the Bible. Also something my oldest has never forgotten.

Such a great worship CD.

"Hey, hey, HEYYYYY!" You should watch it.

One of my kidlets' favorite tunes, "Mahna Mahna," is on this collection. It's also on the For the Kids CD.

Be sure to check out my Listmania list for slightly more detailed descriptions of these items. I say slightly because I had to keep editing them down; they only allow 400 characters max per description. I was getting a little too verbose.

(Aaaannnd I apologize for the small text. I notice when I preview this post that I am somehow writing in Lilliputian font. I can't seem to fix it.)

revisiting...

Looking through some more of my posts from the past year, my mind is spinning at the thought of how many photos I have taken. It is in the thousands. Multiple thousands. Yikes.

That's a good yikes.

It is not uncommon for me to take over a hundred photos every day. And I've learned a lot doing so.

I also love seeing how my children have grown and remembering so many little things about them upon viewing a photo.

Here is one such photo and post which made me smile.

(And if someone out there would share how I can repost the entire thing here without sharing just the link, please do tell. I admit I'm clueless.)

day 339.

This is how my son feels about visiting Guitar Center.

So, at the other mall in Dayton, we thought we'd have better luck.

Meh. Not much better.

The Dayton Mall is bigger, but the smaller mall down the street from our apartment is slightly nicer.

And, I'm noticing some alarming things.

No Anthropologie.

No Urban Outfitters.

No J. Crew.

No upscale department store besides Macy's.

No nice kitchen store (Sur la Table, Williams Sonoma). Al-though, I did notice a Le Creuset outlet closer to Cincinnati. So that's happy.

At least there is Guitar Center.

And at least there's a Sephora and a few other things at the open-air mall. Relief.

Man, when it comes to mall shopping, I really am spoiled.

I don't care.

Digital Field Guide: page 101

Images: the Photofocus group on Flickr. Yes, I am part of many groups on Flickr.