I've Been Tagged: Homeschooling Game

My dear friend, Judy, tagged me for the following game, sharing some of my homeschooling thoughts. Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE games & memes? I REALLY do!

1) One homeschooling book you enjoyed: Boy, is this a toughy! I've read so many books on homeschooling over the years...mostly borrowed from the library due to our limited funds. It even got to the point where I actually got tired of some because they seemed to say the same things, just different authors. I think the one I've gotten the most use of has been The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise. Originally, I planned on using their ideas only, but over the years I've branched out on my own, but still refer to the book occasionally.

2) One resource you wouldn't be without: My first thought was the computer/internet. I find so much information & support here. However, I think I will have to steal Judy's answer & say the library. That way, I'm covered w/ books, DVDs, CDs, computers, various programs, & more. I LOVE our local library!

3) One resource you wish you had never bought: Math-U-See...I saw a DVD presentation & thought switching from Saxon to MUS would be a good fit for The Prophet's first grade math. He did well for the first month or so & enjoyed the lessons. We were even able to forgo some of the worksheets because he understood the concepts. However, one day we got to a lesson which was taught in a very strange way. I can't remember what it was now...I just knew I didn't like it & he was having trouble understanding it. One thing I did like, though, was the clean pages. There were no extra graphics or colors...just the explanations & the problems.

4) One resource you enjoyed last year: WOW! There are so many GREAT resources out there. I won't say this is at the very top of my list, but we did make use of several art project selections through Art Project for Kids.

5) One resource you will be using next year: I'm taking this question to be for this year, now that we have started school. I really think the munchkins need to have some keyboarding skills, so I'm going to work FreeTypingGame.net into their school schedules, mostly the boys, but The Princess too, if she wants.

6) One resource you would like to buy: This is a no-brainer...I've been wanting the purchase A Year With God from Catholic Heritage Curricula for a LONG time! Each year I hope we can fit it into our school budget, but each year it doesn't happen. Hopefully soon!

7) One resource you wish existed: An "Easy" button for homeschooling! You know that red button on the Staples commercials? I'd love to have our own go-to button for when the days are tough...not so much to make the lessons easier, but to help us refocus & maintain a peaceful learning environment. Oh wait...nevermind! I already have one of those buttons. It's called "Prayer!"

8) One homeschool catalog you enjoy reading: Catholic Heritage Curricula - I think one of the reasons I love CHC so much is that they were the answer to a prayer a couple years ago. We had been w/ an online school for a year & the boys just were not enjoying it. Getting through the day was such a struggle. On one of our worst afternoons, the munchkins brought in the mail & there was the newest catalog for CHC. Immediately, I felt this tremendous weight lifted from my shoulders. There is so much available on their website, too.

9) One homeschooling website you use regularly: I would have to say that Facebook would cover this answer for me. There are numerous websites that I love to visit & they all have FB pages. I can follow Judy's Homeschool Faith & Family Life, Catholic Icing, CHC, & many more! Plus, I can get information from others who post on those walls. So, it's one stop shopping of homeschool advice, tips, & support!

10) Tag six other homeschoolers: I'm gonna cheat a bit on this one...I'm going to link this post to my FB page & tag a few homeschooling friends there. But, if you're reading this & would like to participate, by all means...please do! Just remember to leave me a comment so I can read yours.

Small Successes

Sherry at her blog, Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) I finally scheduled a bulk pick-up through our trash company. Then, the day before the pick-up, we hauled the following out to the curb: a torn up old chair from the 1950s (not in good enough shape to fix up), a computer monitor from 1998 (boy, was that thing HUGE!), a broken stereo system, & a crib (a drop side one that can no longer be used or sold).

2) I took The Prophet out on a mother/son date Sunday afternoon. We went to Wendy's for lunch, Goodwill for some great deals, Target so he could look at toys, & a quick stop at Aldi for some groceries. We had a great time together & I'm looking forward to taking the others out one at a time, too.

3) I caught up w/ a longtime friend whom I haven't seen in over a year. We went to Starbucks & sat there talking for over three hours.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for dear college friends & the closeness we still share over 15 years later. We three couples try to get together at least 3 times a year (Memorial Day, Labor Day, & New Year's Eve), alternating homes each time. We'd love to get together more often, but two of the guys are band directors & VERY busy during the last half of summer & all of fall. It's always fun to catch up & enjoy each other's company. Plus, all of our kids are around the same ages & they LOVE to play together!

2) I'm thankful for this wonderful, crisp weather we've had lately. I just love having the house opened up & inhaling the freshness of fall. (Not too fond of all the allergies, though!)

3) I'm thankful for Goodwill stores! I took The Prophet on Sun. afternoon because he really needs some pants for fall & winter. I spent $19.04 total for the following items: 3 pairs of pants for him, 2 shirts (one for each of the other boys), a top & dress for The Princess, two tops for me, a darling skirt for me, a veggie peeler, & three books (Animal Farm, Cyrano de Bergerac, & a book on visitations from Mary). Plus, The Prophet found a large plastic tub of mostly Legos for $1.29, which would probably retail for at least $50. How awesome is all that?

4) I'm VERY thankful for all the help from HelpfulGrammy lately. She is definitely living up to her name here on my blog.

5) I'm thankful for a peaceful Sunday this past weekend. As much as I hate to admit it, Sundays for some reason tend to be quite stressful, esp. in the mornings before church. That is usually the day the munchkins sleep in (even though they're up way too early the rest of the week), so we end up rushing around to get to Mass on time & everyone is stressed & arguing w/ each other. This past Sunday was great...everyone was up on time, they got ready when asked, & everyone was happy. And a big plus...both older boys told me at Mass that they felt God calling them during the first reading (Ezekiel 33:7-9) to share God w/ their friends. That afternoon, The Prophet even went to talk to one of the neighbor boys.

"Tuesday's Ten" - Picture Books

10 Good Picture Books I've Read
Some of these are ones I remember (& still have) from my childhood. Others are ones I come across since having children. When I was little, my parents enrolled me in the Weekly Reader monthly book club. I still have some of those books today!

(NOTE: Again, no author has been listed more than once...I could list 10 alone of Tomie de Paola's books!)

1) Tuscaninni by Jim Propp (An opera loving elephant saves the day when robbers break into the zoo to steal two new pandas. You'll have to read to see what his reward is!)

2) Chalk by Bill Thomson (This photos only book is very creative...what the children draw w/ chalk they found comes to life. What happens when a boy draws a T-Rex? - The munchkins really loved this & I had "Now you know my name is Simon" from Captain Kangaroo going through my head!)

3) The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (A classic about the relationship between a boy, his favorite tree, & all the things the tree is able to provide throughout his life.)

4) The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (A classic about a little house & the changes that take place as the city moves closer over the years.)

5) You Are Special by Max Lucado (Eli the woodmaker helps Punchinello discover how special he is, despite what others think.)

6) The Clown of God by Tomie de Paola (A juggler offers the Christ child the only gift he is able to provide. Typical of Tomie de Paola's books, the story & illustrations are magnificent!)

7) Angel in the Waters by Regina Doman (A wonderful pro-life book about a baby's growth in the womb & being comforted by an angel.)

8) Wild About Books by Judy Sierra (A library bus crashes in the local zoo & the animals discover the joys of reading.)

9) Grandpa's Soup by Eiko Kadono (Grandpa tries to make soup like Grandma used to make when she was alive. What is the ingredient he keeps missing?)

10) The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord (A fun rhyming book about a town that comes up w/ a great way to get rid of a HUGE swarm of wasps.)

The Catholic Company Book Review - Listening to God with Padre Pio

This little book, Listening to God with Padre Pio compiled by Eileen Dunn Bertanzetti, includes 100 of St. Padre Pio's lesser known quotes. Each is followed by a scripture passage related to the quote. Many of his sayings focus on suffering because of his feelings for everyone. "...he felt everyone's pain, whether moral, physical, or mental." (pages 9 & 10)

I found this treasure of a book to be quite comforting at times, the quotes coming at the exact time I needed to read them. Each time I picked it up, God spoke to whatever I needed at that moment.

This is a book for people of all ages. It can be read at any time & for any length of time. Read from beginning to end, pick a page or two when you have a spare moment, read one quote per day for deeper reflection...the possibilities are endless. I even re-read some of the quotes & got something totally different the second time.

Whether you know a lot about St. Padre Pio or only a little, I'm sure you'll find comfort, love, & understanding in his words.

"Rely on Jesus for everything and all will work out well." (page 101)

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. I have received no monetary compensation for this review...only a copy of the book for my honest opinion. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Listening to God with Padre Pio . They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church, a Catholic Bible, & much more!

A Quick Look Back - August 2011

smkelly8 at Ruined for Life: Phoenix Edition has started a new meme to be done at the end of each month. It is called A Quick Look Back. I love this idea & am happy to be sharing my reflections w/ you each month.

In whatever form you'd like (photos, writing, etc.) share what are some of the most memorable things you've

• Seen
• Heard
• Tasted
• Touched
• Smelled
• Learned
• Accomplished

this month?

So, here is my Quick Look Back at July 2011:

• Seen: cicada shells all over the trees & fences around our yard
  
• Heard: The Saint as he sings to himself while building w/ his Duplos; nature's musical performance - cicadas, blue jays, rumbling thunder & much more
  
• Tasted: homemade salsa using tomatoes & a pepper from our garden
  
• Touched: lots of weeds as I pulled them from the ground; The Saint when I lay on the floor next to his bed at night & hold his hand
  
• Smelled: the scent of a fresh rainfall on a Sunday afternoon when it was cool enough to keep the windows open; a new type of coffee I purchased on sale - organic Seattle's Best (very earthy smelling, not the most pleasant but it has a good flavor)
  
• Learned: the reason for all my lower back pain (after about 3 yrs. of pain & almost of year of trying to figure it out)
  
• Accomplished: replaced two bathroom faucets (w/ Casinodad's help)
  

Go to A Quick Look Back on smkelly8's blog to share your reflections of last month.

Small Successes

Sherry at her blog, Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) I started going through the boys' clothes to see what they've got for fall & winter. The Archangel will be all set w/ hand-me-downs, but The Prophet will definitely need a shopping trip. He will be eleven in November, but already the size 12 Husky dress pants I bought in the winter are too tight on him. He's not overweight, he's just getting very tall! Goodwill...here we come!

2) With the exception of the days when I go to physical therapy & exercise there for about an hour, I've been keeping up w/ my at home exercises every day.

3) We started school.