for the past, oh, let's see.....four days, there's been a little tent pitched in the center of our living room. and, tonight, finally yes TONIGHT, the kids get to camp out in it! so far so good..except that there's a little complaining over the other getting on "their" side. s'mores and a ghost story had set the stage, and now the real campout begins...rich really "set" up the whole evening and made them wait to do this over night thing, which i think was really funny of him to do..make them wait. anyways, the waiting is making this extra special i think. here's hoping they sleep well without a peep!
ella and philip had a couple little surprises at their grandparents' house last night. rich's dad had bought one of those baking powder powered submarines that you fill with the powder and then put in water, or in his case, an aquarium. that thing is giving philip HOURS of enjoyment. and for ella, rich's dad had bought her a kaleidoscope kit, which he actually did help her put together last night. i can't tell you how special that all meant to ella and philip...and i bet, for rich's dad as well. as always, whenever we go over to visit with rich's parents' i get to talk with his mom about the things we love and share in common- vintage things, thrifting, antiquing, crafting, creating, and ETSY! i love how God has provided a kindred spirit in her to share those things. i have to say she has indeed been a key part in moving me along with what i do on Etsy, and other things. she is really encouraging...and that encouraging is something that i need for creating, and continuing to create.
last night i also got to see this very interesting plaque that rich's grandfather had receive in 1999. now, to set the stage, his grandfather was somewhat stubborn, and independent, too. he passed away JUST a little over a week ago, and something my sister in law, Valerie, posted on facebook struck me. she had written, "heaven never had strawberries so sweet, until now." see, their grandfather had a strawberry patch. and they're yummy. he passed that strawberry patching and other gardening loves down to rich's dad, thankfully. and a great work ethic that has passed down to rich. anyways, the plaque is not about strawberries but about the World Championship Horseshoe Pitcher of the year 1999. The Senior Division. And guess who won that award that year? Rich's grandfather. At age 83. I really thought that he was pulling my leg somehow, but now, it's true. And then Rich tells me this OTHER story that REALLY made me think he was pulling my leg. he said that his grandfather won against a guy, with his own eyes closed...he had that good of a talent and skill. Now, what do you think of that? do you believe him? i have to admit, i do now, after seeing that plaque.
here's some skills my children are working on....
ella: multiplication. she amazes me with the multiplication. she's actually really good and getting these facts FAST!
philip: reading- he read me a book last week
wd: he can use crayons and pencils to draw and mark his papers and he also has begun to use a spoon and fork somewhat. AND he is starting to share that side of all of us that gets mad when we don't get what we want.
here's some homeschooling things i am debating:
this style of homeschooling intriques me. now, for some, the cover makes this look so univiting, but it actually is laid out nicely. this would be for ella next year.
this is another option for E next year. i really like this one, too!
this style i think i may go for with philip. it would make it an easier transition to cursive. he's working with handwriting now, almost every day, but next year, this kind of book would really benefit him.
also, intriguing. this copy book teaches.
another handwriting option i looked at...
here's a fun book, more for will david though, so he feels included. ;0
this is an art primer that i would love to get soon, for this year, even.
oh sorry for the small image, but this Lyrical Science cd and book is really great! i've listened to samples, and the music is played by someone that does a lot of Ken Burns films. very fitting for this family that hears a lot of banjo and mandolin daily! this is mainly a program that assists soley in memorizing science facts.
this is classical music as backdrop for memorizing math facts. i'm looking into something like this for next year. to help both kids.
geography songs cd (do you see a theme going on? LOL)
and this is a definite, even sooner than later. i also have several other cd's i'm looking into to help with learning and understanding Scripture.
and finally (for i could go on, and on, and on with things i find interesting....) a book that looked neat.
here's something i made recently for Will David. it's a book that you read to him, and i made sure the pages were not too terribly busy. ella read it to him. so did i. and to myself a few times. lol.
will david enjoys it....yay!
a few i never got around to posting, from that last big snow we had.
time to get rested for a day of non stop activites, again!
blessings!
Well, may I sign up for school next year? Looks like some exciting and creative approaches to good learning days...enjoyed the stories throughout the posting...
LTTS
Posted by: LTTS | 03/16/2010 at 03:15 AM