Goodness! Not only have I created a school day schedule.... but I have gone so far as to create a chore chart for us to follow each week. What will be next? (I have no idea).
I wish I could somehow show you this pretty chart, all color coordinated. It's split into 6 days of the week. Each day we work on an area. I kind of came up with this from a conversation I had with my friend Susan. She uses zones... and I like that idea.
Anyway, Monday is all the bedrooms, dusted, vacuumed and straightened. Tuesday is the playroom. Wednesday is the kitchen area... and that includes mopping the floor, and cleaning the fridge. Thursday are all the bathrooms. Friday are the common areas... hallways, wood floors and baseboards.
I will definitely be interested in seeing if this will work for our family. lol! If it does my hubby will be happy as he has turned into a clean freak in the last several years, and he never used to be like that.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Planning the school year
In our area of the country schools start much earlier than up north where we came from. Typically in Pennsylvania schools didn't start until almost after Labor Day. Here some are starting as early as the first week of August.
There is an upcoming curriculum fair this week, and I will be attending just to grab a few items that I did not order yet. Really, I only need a handful of things. I was reading on my friend Kris's blog how she is planning and getting geared up and psyched up to start the school year. I haven't really felt that yet.... I still feel like I am lingering in summer mode. The lazy days of summer, with no commitments or activities running us here and there. I like not being scheduled over the summer, and just hangin' out.
But, with schools starting in 3-4 weeks I felt like I needed to at least start planning our year. I had it generally mapped out in my mind and have already purchased curriculum accordingly. But I needed to take it a step further and see how it might all fit together in a day/week/month/year.
Unlike last year or even the year before, this year I have created a schedule. I tended to be less structured in the past, and the kids grade levels allowed me to do so. But as they advance each year, I am aware that I need make sure we are using all of our time to the best advantage and that all my course objectives are being met. The way I hope to accomplish this is with a finely tailored schedule. As I said, I have never done this, but I think it will work to help us stay on track each day. It's scheduled in time increments and of course subjects. I put it together in a Word Table.
I've also reviewed some curriculum and started my Lesson Plan for the first week. Somewhere I need to include creative writing as we will be using the Olympics as a unit study and one objective will be creative writing.
Here is what we are studying this year:
Bible- Devotions (yet to be determined and incorporated into a quiet time), AWANA verse memorization
Math- Math U See, plus Math Concepts worksheets, plus Math Detective from the Critical Thinking Company
Abeka Language, Spelling, Penmanship
Wordly Wise - vocabulary
Prima Latina- Introduction to Latin with DVD series and workbooks (I watched the DVD and while it can be a little dry, it is fairly short and taught in small increments. The kids should be able to pick this up.)
History- Sonlight World History 2, Story of the World Volume 2
Science- Sonlight
Literature- Sonlight Read Alouds, read over lunch each day..... but if I can find the book on audio CD I am SO using it! (Saving my voice). :-) I highly recommend the book Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes on audio CD. It was awesome and we would listen to it on our long drives and then sprawled out on couches in the afternoon. We ALL loved it!
World Cultures- Konos Russia (For Around the World Day, and Olympics Unit Study)
Critical Thinking- Reading Detective, Building Thinking Skills Level 1, Dr. Funster's Thinks a Minute, Logic Links
Art History- Meet the Masterpieces - This is an OOP book that I got a few years ago. Like the first year I began homeschooling. It takes a famous painting and you learn about the artist, take a walk through the painting, do some fun activities correlating to the painting, and then gives other ideas to dig deeper into the subject matter.
Art/Craft- To go along with our Story of the World History Activities- 2 x a week.
Reading- Abeka and supplementary Sonlight Reading.
Okay, that's where I am right now. I'm praying for some direction with Bible devotion, and the enthusiasm on my part for school to begin. Making a schedule and writing a partial lesson plan definitely helped me to feel more organized. :-)
There is an upcoming curriculum fair this week, and I will be attending just to grab a few items that I did not order yet. Really, I only need a handful of things. I was reading on my friend Kris's blog how she is planning and getting geared up and psyched up to start the school year. I haven't really felt that yet.... I still feel like I am lingering in summer mode. The lazy days of summer, with no commitments or activities running us here and there. I like not being scheduled over the summer, and just hangin' out.
But, with schools starting in 3-4 weeks I felt like I needed to at least start planning our year. I had it generally mapped out in my mind and have already purchased curriculum accordingly. But I needed to take it a step further and see how it might all fit together in a day/week/month/year.
Unlike last year or even the year before, this year I have created a schedule. I tended to be less structured in the past, and the kids grade levels allowed me to do so. But as they advance each year, I am aware that I need make sure we are using all of our time to the best advantage and that all my course objectives are being met. The way I hope to accomplish this is with a finely tailored schedule. As I said, I have never done this, but I think it will work to help us stay on track each day. It's scheduled in time increments and of course subjects. I put it together in a Word Table.
I've also reviewed some curriculum and started my Lesson Plan for the first week. Somewhere I need to include creative writing as we will be using the Olympics as a unit study and one objective will be creative writing.
Here is what we are studying this year:
Bible- Devotions (yet to be determined and incorporated into a quiet time), AWANA verse memorization
Math- Math U See, plus Math Concepts worksheets, plus Math Detective from the Critical Thinking Company
Abeka Language, Spelling, Penmanship
Wordly Wise - vocabulary
Prima Latina- Introduction to Latin with DVD series and workbooks (I watched the DVD and while it can be a little dry, it is fairly short and taught in small increments. The kids should be able to pick this up.)
History- Sonlight World History 2, Story of the World Volume 2
Science- Sonlight
Literature- Sonlight Read Alouds, read over lunch each day..... but if I can find the book on audio CD I am SO using it! (Saving my voice). :-) I highly recommend the book Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes on audio CD. It was awesome and we would listen to it on our long drives and then sprawled out on couches in the afternoon. We ALL loved it!
World Cultures- Konos Russia (For Around the World Day, and Olympics Unit Study)
Critical Thinking- Reading Detective, Building Thinking Skills Level 1, Dr. Funster's Thinks a Minute, Logic Links
Art History- Meet the Masterpieces - This is an OOP book that I got a few years ago. Like the first year I began homeschooling. It takes a famous painting and you learn about the artist, take a walk through the painting, do some fun activities correlating to the painting, and then gives other ideas to dig deeper into the subject matter.
Art/Craft- To go along with our Story of the World History Activities- 2 x a week.
Reading- Abeka and supplementary Sonlight Reading.
Okay, that's where I am right now. I'm praying for some direction with Bible devotion, and the enthusiasm on my part for school to begin. Making a schedule and writing a partial lesson plan definitely helped me to feel more organized. :-)
Playing Around
My friend Becky is in Russia right now and I have been really impressed with her ability to create slideshows set to music, and video.... and well just slide shows in general. So, I am playing around with that so I will know how to do it all when we get to Russia.
I just made a slideshow of my cards, but I want to make one of our recent trip to an amusement park. I got some great photos there.... First I have to figure out how to set it to music. Any insight would be very appreciated. :-)
I just made a slideshow of my cards, but I want to make one of our recent trip to an amusement park. I got some great photos there.... First I have to figure out how to set it to music. Any insight would be very appreciated. :-)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Best Birthday Ever!
Yesterday I truly had the best birthday in my adult life. My husband is awesome! So, thank you, thank you, thank you honey! I am so grateful for you and feel so blessed that you care for me as you do. Have I mentioned that I am the luckiest gal in the world? You'll find out below just how thoughtful and carefully planned out my day was! (And to my many friends who called me, that was so wonderful and unexpected! And yes, I know, as you reminded me, that I am very lucky to be married to Chris). LOL!
The day started with me dreading my birthday. Yes, it was a big one, and NO I'm not going to say what one. You can figure that one out yourselves. :-) Anyway, I was really dreading the day, and wanted nothing more than to hide under my covers and come out on the other side of the day. My boys and hubby brought me breakfast in bed, along with my laptop for some leisurely surfing. I DID smile and said thank you, but when they left I was back to my grumpy self, pondering age in general, and time.... and how it goes by so quickly.
My only instruction for the day was to be ready to leave by about 9:30am. At that time I was ready and waiting and was blindfolded so I couldn't see where we were going. I just was told it was about 15 minutes away. It was while I was driving in the car that I realized, I really don't like surprises! At all! Well especially ones were I am not in control... and with surprises, you are never really in control...right? When we arrived at our destination, I was escorted in (still blindfolded) to what I discovered was a day spa. I was so surprised and a little mortified by the people staring at the blindfolded woman. Dh is so funny and I have to love his huge heart.... he gets so excited and speaks in such a loud voice! He practically announced to the entire salon, "That since you take such good care of us, it's your turn on your___ ___ birthday to be taken care of!" lol! I laugh about it now, and find him endearing, but at the time I would have liked a hole to swallow me up. (Did I mention I didn't like this birthday milestone?) grin Dh and the boys left, and I began my morning. A Swedish massage (never had one before), a manicure and a pedicure. (Never had a pedicure either). Most of my friends could not believe that....but it's true! I definitely want another one though! lol! It was the most relaxing way to wake up, and I found that by the end of my time at the spa, my mood had lifted completely! I mean who can stay grumpy after all of that? LOL!
The family picked me up around 1pm and we headed home, where I found the dining room decorated with balloons and streamers and 3 small presents. I usually plan and decorate for all our birthdays and I never get myself streamers or balloons, because... well I'm not decorating on my own birthday. I had mentioned that to dh one year, and he remembered.... how thoughtful! Also on the table were a plethora of birthday cards! Tons of them, spread out everywhere!
While the kids were playing in the playroom, and dh was preparing lunch, I got to leisurely open all of those cards. Some made me cry and some made me crack up! We had our lunch and a birthday cake......and then the phone calls started! I found out that dh had written a letter to all my family and friends to send cards for this birthday. (Remember it was a special one). He also told them to call me between 3 and 5pm on three separate phones. He wanted to bombard me with well wishes on my birthday! :-) It was awesome because several of these folks I hadn't spoken to in years! We had just lost touch.... some 3 years, and some 5 years! Just thinking about those conversations brings such a smile to my face.
My boys did awesome keeping the secret, and it must have been sooo hard for them. You'll know why next. At about 5:30ish our doorbell rings and our good friends from church are outside. I look at Chris like your kidding me, and before he answers the door I mutter something like, "my house is a wreck". But no... I found out that my children were leaving for the entire evening! They had packed their backpacks themselves and were off to a sleepover and we were off to dinner by ourselves. (I really don't think it could get any better...)
I was informed by Chris that reservations had been made at a nice restaurant close to home. Afterward we would be seeing the movie "Get Smart". My face just lit up! I wanted to say, "For Real?" This past Christmas a client had given Chris a gift card to the restaurant, so dinner was free. We sat in a lovely booth, definitely one that they must save for folks with reservations. It was like a semi-circle couples booth and dh and I sat side by side talking to each other about anything and everything. No interruptions, no rock, paper scissors to occupy the time, no tic tac toe or Word Find on a children's menu... just the two of us enjoying our adult selves. lol! The waiter was great and the food was awesome! Afterward we ran home and changed into some jeans and headed off to the movie. Very funny movie, but I dislike the movie theater. Next time we'll go a little further out of our way to the better one!
We drove home from the movie theater and as we pulled onto our street the clock struck 12:01am. My birthday was over.... and I asked if I could hit the "Replay" button. It truly was the best birthday ever!
The day started with me dreading my birthday. Yes, it was a big one, and NO I'm not going to say what one. You can figure that one out yourselves. :-) Anyway, I was really dreading the day, and wanted nothing more than to hide under my covers and come out on the other side of the day. My boys and hubby brought me breakfast in bed, along with my laptop for some leisurely surfing. I DID smile and said thank you, but when they left I was back to my grumpy self, pondering age in general, and time.... and how it goes by so quickly.
My only instruction for the day was to be ready to leave by about 9:30am. At that time I was ready and waiting and was blindfolded so I couldn't see where we were going. I just was told it was about 15 minutes away. It was while I was driving in the car that I realized, I really don't like surprises! At all! Well especially ones were I am not in control... and with surprises, you are never really in control...right? When we arrived at our destination, I was escorted in (still blindfolded) to what I discovered was a day spa. I was so surprised and a little mortified by the people staring at the blindfolded woman. Dh is so funny and I have to love his huge heart.... he gets so excited and speaks in such a loud voice! He practically announced to the entire salon, "That since you take such good care of us, it's your turn on your___ ___ birthday to be taken care of!" lol! I laugh about it now, and find him endearing, but at the time I would have liked a hole to swallow me up. (Did I mention I didn't like this birthday milestone?) grin Dh and the boys left, and I began my morning. A Swedish massage (never had one before), a manicure and a pedicure. (Never had a pedicure either). Most of my friends could not believe that....but it's true! I definitely want another one though! lol! It was the most relaxing way to wake up, and I found that by the end of my time at the spa, my mood had lifted completely! I mean who can stay grumpy after all of that? LOL!
The family picked me up around 1pm and we headed home, where I found the dining room decorated with balloons and streamers and 3 small presents. I usually plan and decorate for all our birthdays and I never get myself streamers or balloons, because... well I'm not decorating on my own birthday. I had mentioned that to dh one year, and he remembered.... how thoughtful! Also on the table were a plethora of birthday cards! Tons of them, spread out everywhere!
While the kids were playing in the playroom, and dh was preparing lunch, I got to leisurely open all of those cards. Some made me cry and some made me crack up! We had our lunch and a birthday cake......and then the phone calls started! I found out that dh had written a letter to all my family and friends to send cards for this birthday. (Remember it was a special one). He also told them to call me between 3 and 5pm on three separate phones. He wanted to bombard me with well wishes on my birthday! :-) It was awesome because several of these folks I hadn't spoken to in years! We had just lost touch.... some 3 years, and some 5 years! Just thinking about those conversations brings such a smile to my face.
My boys did awesome keeping the secret, and it must have been sooo hard for them. You'll know why next. At about 5:30ish our doorbell rings and our good friends from church are outside. I look at Chris like your kidding me, and before he answers the door I mutter something like, "my house is a wreck". But no... I found out that my children were leaving for the entire evening! They had packed their backpacks themselves and were off to a sleepover and we were off to dinner by ourselves. (I really don't think it could get any better...)
I was informed by Chris that reservations had been made at a nice restaurant close to home. Afterward we would be seeing the movie "Get Smart". My face just lit up! I wanted to say, "For Real?" This past Christmas a client had given Chris a gift card to the restaurant, so dinner was free. We sat in a lovely booth, definitely one that they must save for folks with reservations. It was like a semi-circle couples booth and dh and I sat side by side talking to each other about anything and everything. No interruptions, no rock, paper scissors to occupy the time, no tic tac toe or Word Find on a children's menu... just the two of us enjoying our adult selves. lol! The waiter was great and the food was awesome! Afterward we ran home and changed into some jeans and headed off to the movie. Very funny movie, but I dislike the movie theater. Next time we'll go a little further out of our way to the better one!
We drove home from the movie theater and as we pulled onto our street the clock struck 12:01am. My birthday was over.... and I asked if I could hit the "Replay" button. It truly was the best birthday ever!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Me! lol! I'm not sure what dh has up his sleeve, but I know he has plans all day. :-)
I'll be taking a break from the blogosphere for the weekend (or at least today).
Whatever your doing today, I hope you have fun!
Friday, July 11, 2008
So pretty!
I created two more cards if you can stand it... I had to take the whimsical blue green off the sidebar as I ran out of material. It seems to be a popular card.
I promised my sister that I would design some brighter more colorful cards. She likes cards that are simple yet colorful. My son made a card that she loved, so maybe I should put him to work. lol!
Here are two cards that are more my style. The first is made with two different ribbons, one ribbed and one satin. The second is so pretty in an understated way. I want to keep a sample of both of these for my card collection. lol!
Newest Card
You may remember this cards from an earlier post.... It was I think my first creation, but after the subsequent cards....it looked kind of plain.
So, I tore it apart and redesigned it. I like it much better....
Yep, that thread is hand stitched by me. I think I need to take up sewing, or embroidery, as that was actually quite therapeutic!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Gotcha Day for Becky and Keith!
I have to link this, as I am thrilled for my friend Becky and her husband Keith! They just adopted their little son from Russia. On their blog is the sweetest slide show of their time in Russia with their newest addition. I love the music she set it too.... this is what it's all about folks!
Little Russian Peanut
Little Russian Peanut
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Notecard Fundraising!!
Well, I think I am finally ready to sell at least the first three sets of cards I made. I would like to eventually sell my cards on Etsy, as Jeannie and Karen recommended, but for now I am going to start here on my blog.
The dimensions of each card is 4 1/4" by 5 1/2". The envelope size is A2 for those interested. You'll find each design available on the sidebar of my blog. If you are interested in purchasing a set of note cards to help fund our adoption, please email me at the address listed on my blog. You can let me know which set you would like and the initial you would like stamped on the cards.
The dimensions of each card is 4 1/4" by 5 1/2". The envelope size is A2 for those interested. You'll find each design available on the sidebar of my blog. If you are interested in purchasing a set of note cards to help fund our adoption, please email me at the address listed on my blog. You can let me know which set you would like and the initial you would like stamped on the cards.
The price will be listed with the set on the sidebar. For those that live nearby, we can arrange a time to pick them up, and for those further away, there will be a $2.99 shipping cost. All the note cards come with envelopes and each card/envelope will have a clear protective sleeve.
Please note that each of these cards is unique, and no two will match perfectly. The buttons may be different on one than another.... but that is the beauty of handmade! :-)
Thanks in advance for supporting our adoption!!
Jackie
Monday, July 7, 2008
People Pleaser/Peace Keeper
Hi, I'm Jackie, and I think I'm a people pleaser. I don't think all women are like I am, and men are even less. You see, I care too much about what people think, and how they feel. I like when everyone is "getting along" and "playing nicely". I dislike confrontation of any kind, and really have to pray when I need to confront someone. It's difficult, and I have to remember to do so in love. (And not fear) :-) Maybe I'm a peace keeper. I do like that word so much better than people pleaser. The bible talks about a blessing for the peace keepers... I like that too! lol!
So, today my dear husband called our new agency rep to introduce himself. I had already done this, but he wanted to do so as well. Plus, are you ready for this?,.....after this week we are on our 4th Russian program director. Yes, that is correct FOURTH. Too much turnover in my opinion, I don't care if it is non-profit social work.
So, Chris called our rep to introduce himself, give him some background information on our adoption process, and express his concerns. As I listened to him relate the conversation, I kept thinking... "Gee, I hope you didn't use that tone of voice in the conversation". At one point he said, things got a little heated. I just cringed. Ugh. Dh did say the conversation ended congenially, with each having a better understanding of each other.
Why does that stuff stress me out? I know it was a conversation that needed to happen. I know that dh needed to voice his concerns, as they are also my concerns. I respect that.... and support that. It's just my peace keeping nature that gets all stressed out about it. How come most men can have this conversation and just let it go, while I think/dwell on it for days? I wish I had the ability to just let things roll off my back. My sister is sooo good at doing this, much better than I ever remember her being. I've noticed it recently and I am impressed. I need lessons! LOL!
Anyone else feel this way at times?
Oh, and from that conversation we learned that we are indeed supposedly 1st on the list for a sibling group of 2 boys or 2 girls. I wonder when the call comes, if I'll be ready? You'd think I would be with as long as we have waited.... but I guess you're never really ready.
So, today my dear husband called our new agency rep to introduce himself. I had already done this, but he wanted to do so as well. Plus, are you ready for this?,.....after this week we are on our 4th Russian program director. Yes, that is correct FOURTH. Too much turnover in my opinion, I don't care if it is non-profit social work.
So, Chris called our rep to introduce himself, give him some background information on our adoption process, and express his concerns. As I listened to him relate the conversation, I kept thinking... "Gee, I hope you didn't use that tone of voice in the conversation". At one point he said, things got a little heated. I just cringed. Ugh. Dh did say the conversation ended congenially, with each having a better understanding of each other.
Why does that stuff stress me out? I know it was a conversation that needed to happen. I know that dh needed to voice his concerns, as they are also my concerns. I respect that.... and support that. It's just my peace keeping nature that gets all stressed out about it. How come most men can have this conversation and just let it go, while I think/dwell on it for days? I wish I had the ability to just let things roll off my back. My sister is sooo good at doing this, much better than I ever remember her being. I've noticed it recently and I am impressed. I need lessons! LOL!
Anyone else feel this way at times?
Oh, and from that conversation we learned that we are indeed supposedly 1st on the list for a sibling group of 2 boys or 2 girls. I wonder when the call comes, if I'll be ready? You'd think I would be with as long as we have waited.... but I guess you're never really ready.
Friday, July 4, 2008
One more card
Well, if you can stand it here is another card I made. This one is soooo sweet. It looks like a pretty vintage style card. The ribbed texture ribbon adds great visual depth. I originally left off the buttons, but they lend themselves well to this one!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Polished Paisley
Here is the latest card that I made.... I think it is the prettiest so far! I'm going to try to create about two a night, so that when I get ready to sell them, I have a stockpile, and all I'll need to do is add the letter.
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