Happy Birthday Hunter!

I'm so proud of the man you're becoming, I hope you have a great day! Happy Birthday!

Weekly Wrap-up!

I am so thankful that this week is over. We started out on Saturday with a rush to the doctors office for an emergency bead removal. I went to work Saturday morning to finish up a few things when CJ called me to ask me if we needed to go to the ER. Sissy had stuck a bead up her nose and couldn't blow it out, luckily our doctor's office has a walk-in clinic and we were able to rush there. To make a long story short, I met them at the doctor's office and we waited for professional bead removal. I was reading a book to Sissy when I happened to glance up and see the bead, I hadn't even been able to see it up to this point, I told Chris and he immediately told Sissy to blow her nose. Out pops the bead! Sheepishly we call the nurse into the room to let her know that we were no longer in need of a professional bead remover and could we just please, leave. Of course, she had to check with the doctor first, but in the end we left without having ever seen a doctor. Does my insurance still pay for bead removal???? A question for another day.

From the doctor's office we continued onto the planned festivities of the day, Taekwondo tournament. If there was ever designed a more boring way to spend a day, I certainly haven't found it. Everything runs behind and all of the judging seems terribly subjective. It seems like every time we go to one of these only one of our children is allowed to do well. It was obviously Dakota's turn to excel, he took First in weapons and Second in sparring. Hunter had one of the meanest judges I have ever seen. He actually gave a child a 1, the lowest score I had seen up to this point was a 3 when the child was unable to finish his form, but a 1 is just plain mean. Hunter didn't really place in anything, but he had a good time talking to all of the boys he hadn't seen since last tournament. He was a little disappointed because he did the same weapons form that won him first last time, did it just as well, and didn't even place. Oh, well!

We left tournament and went out for the Dakota's b-day dinner. He had a really great time, they put him on this mobile saddle and sang to him. He only blushed a little.Sunday I woke up feeling a little under the weather, so we just did some grocery shopping and basically had a lazy day. By Monday I was full-blown sick and unable to even begin to teach. I had already made the boys schedules for the week, so they were able to work and progress a little. Ry and Sissy basically watched TV and played computer games all week. On top of that we had rain from Sunday-Thursday, so they weren't even allowed to play outside. Thursday afternoon I was still a little feverish but feeling a little better so I made a special dinner for Koty's actual b-day, you only turn 13 once. We made fried rice and Orange chicken, it was really good if I do say so myself.

So basically our wrap-up involves little to no school work, Sad but true. Check over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers to see how other folks spent their week. I bet they got some school work done.

Happy Birthday Koty!

My second oldest baby became a teenager today. Dakota we are so blessed to have you and I hope you know how much your daddy and I love you. I hope you have the best day ever!!!!

Weekly Wrap-up!

Our week was pretty mellow, it was actually very nice. Hunter and Dakota are really working well with the schedules that I create for them. They were just overwhelmed having to order their week themselves, I guess we'll just have to work up to them taking over responsibility for them. But for now, I'll continue writing them because I'm enjoying the peaceful, work-filled days. LOL.

We are still struggling with Algebra, Hunter especially. I now remember why I hated tutoring math in High School, I just don't "get" what it is exactly he doesn't understand. He is able to work his way to the right answer but it in no way resembles the correct way. I think it is really important for him to use the equations and methods, everything builds on these, he thinks if he gets the right answer, all is well. You can bet that I'm going to win this argument. I am requiring him to show his work and demonstrate proper usage of equations and methods.

Dakota on the other hand has had a bit of a breakthrough, in the past when I require a paper or even a paragraph about a topic, I would be lucky to get a few sentences. He finally asked if he could type his work, I couldn't see any reason why not, so I said, "Yes!" What a difference!!! He handed in a two page, well written paper on the advancements of Chinese culture. I couldn't have been more proud of him and he just glowed. I've always thought that he was dysgraphic, he struggles with pencil grip, letter formation, using lowercase and capitals together and he even uses texting shorthand. I saw none of this in his paper, he wasn't frustrated and his hands didn't hurt after only a few lines. I will continue to work with him on his handwriting, but I definitely see potential in him typing his reports. Did I mention he touch types, he never took a class or anything.

I have just finally received all of the materials for the Little Hearts for His Glory and Little Hands to Heaven today, so we'll be getting started with all of that next week. Ry is really excited to have a plan for his school, Mom has been disappointing him to say the least.

One of my favorite things in the world, new books.

Well, that's it for our week. Visit Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers to see how other families spent their week.

Weekly Wrap-up!

We had a pretty good week. Monday I introduced the boys to the schedule. I decided that we would all be better off if I laid out their week for them, they don't do that shoot from the hip thing well.We wrapped up Monday with a pig roast, which you can read all about here.

Tuesday, Hunter went to his gifted program and Koty worked on his science notebooking.


Koty also did some of his Tapestry of Grace readings, he found what he thinks is a bit of a typo. He found the number one thousand million to be odd, I have to agree. This week we also added
in some Mystery of History readings to enrich TOG where I am having trouble finding the books they are supposed to read. It's working out pretty well. All of the kids did some art together and studied some Ancient Egypt statuary. Here is Hunter's drawing.

We are continuing to slog through Algebra, both boys had a much better week. Hunter decided to bet that if he could get 100% this week, I would take them all to ColdStone Creamery. He didn't quite get it done. He missed a few, but it was still a ton better than the last few weeks.

Finally, I've decided that Preschool and Kindergarten are beyond my abilities to "wing-it", I looked to something that I have heard great things about. I purchased both of these and am hoping that the guidance will change our days and make us more productive.

Well, that's it for our week. To see how other families spent their week join Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Wordless Wednesday!!

A slightly barbaric, but very tasty meal!

Last night my brother hosted his annual pig roast, I have to admit it's a little disconcerting to see my meal presented quite so obviously. I kind of prefer my meat to be packaged neatly with Styrofoam and plastic. Despite that, it was wonderful and we all enjoyed the food and the company.The pig roast was also a chance to celebrate a friends' birthday. My sister's boyfriend has always been crazy for bacon, every Sunday at brunch if T worked we all were very careful to never leave him alone with the bacon. My mom made him a bacon cake for his birthday, it fooled me. I had to do a double take, thankfully it's only rolled sugar.
The kids all sat out by the fire and searched the yard for sticks to get the fire bigger, they wore themselves out. A lot of goofing off was done by everyone, especially Uncle Eric.
This is my Sister with the youngest of the boys she is helping to raise. Saevon is an absolute cutie, he absolutely loves our Dad and they spent the evening joking around with one another.
And finally, the carnage is complete. We picked that poor pig apart.


Sorry, if anyone was offended by the barbarity of the pictures. Unfortunately, it is a pretty good representation of our family. We don't hunt or kill our own meat, but there is very little that we won't eat and nothing puts us off our feed. We take food very seriously in this family, probably why we own three restaurants.