Monday, November 15, 2010

Gratitude Challenge: Day 14 and 15

Today on day 15 and day 14, because I had to work all weekend and just couldn't work up the energy to post yesterday, I am grateful for a couple of gifts my husband got me.  I am typing this post on a laptop, that while it has seen better days, is all mine.  The kids and hubby have their own computers, but this one is all mine.  It was a gift from my husband a few years ago and I couldn't have been more grateful, computer time is hard to come by in this house, even with several computers.
 
The other thing that I am grateful for today is my camera, a Panasonic Lumix, a gift from my husband right before our California vacation a couple of years ago.  I love it!!  I love to take pics, but honestly don't have the steadiest hands or the best eye.  Thankfully this camera has flashes of brilliance and every once in a while I get the most awesome pic.
No, it's not me.  Definitely the camera was having a good day, I may have pushed the button with a certain panache; but I'm pretty sure the camera is the reason behind the beauty.  
 Oh well, I'm fully capable of giving credit where it is due.  I love my camera, it's the best!!!  It let's me take pictures of my favorite things.  Nature!
 And my family!
Head on over to Garden of Learning to see what Brenda and the others are grateful for today.  Thanks for stopping by and I pray you have a blessed day!

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Saturday, November 13, 2010

Gratitude Challenge: Day 13 (lots of pics)


Today I am grateful for my youngest son.  Ry was born red-headed, blue-eyed and dimpled.  I could see his dimples from across the room, when he was on the warmer and they were cleaning him up.  He was so beautiful.

Rylan was a wonderful, cheerful baby.  He was round and happy, he was a daddy's boy at heart.  He is sweet spirited and loving.

My blue eyed boy is ornery, demanding, sweet, generous, rugged and just plain fun.  He still has those gorgeous dimples and his hair has softened to a strawberry blond.  I hope y'all enjoy the pics of this sweetheart, I don't know what we would do without his sweet spirit in our home.






He is very goofy and loves to be silly.  He also has his serious moments, the silly thing is is that these pics were taken within moments of each other.



We all had a great time on our trip to California.  We loved playing on the beach at La Jolla.

That's about it, head on over to Garden of Learning to see what others are grateful for today.




Isn't he gorgeous?!?

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Friday, November 12, 2010

Gratitude Challenge: Day 12





Today, on Day 12 of the Gratitude Challenge issued by Brenda over at Garden of Learning, I am grateful for the simple things.

I am grateful for a lazy, rainy day.  We haven't had rain in a couple of weeks, so it's nice to lay and listen to rain on the window.

I am grateful for a car that has heat.  For the last few years I have driven a car without heat or defrost, so it's a nice change.

I am grateful for the public library.  It saves me a fortune on books and gives us something to do on these rainy days.

Head on over here to see what others are grateful for today.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Write Foundation-TOS Review

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As a member of the TOS Homeschool Review Crew, I received a writing program from The Write Foundation to review.  We were able to choose what level of writing we were interested in using.  I chose for Koty, Level 2 Paragraph writing.

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The Write Foundation, was created by Rebecca Celsor, who frustrated with writing curriculums available on the market chose to create her own.  The right foundation is literally what is taught, it takes writing and breaks it down to the basics and then piece by piece builds on those foundational pieces.  There are 3 levels to teach from:
  1)Sentence Writing (suggested ages 11-13)
2)Paragraph Writing (suggested ages 12-15)
3)Essay Writing (suggested ages 14-17)

We chose Paragraph writing for 13 year old Koty, he's ok at his beginning writing skills, so we decided to build on that with Paragraph writing.  We received Lessons 1-15 loose leaf, the spiral bound teacher guide and Additional resources; which we received by e-mail, but if purchased would come on CD.
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From the website:
  • Lesson plans formatted in an easy-to-follow system
  • Begins with steps to writing the basic paragraph
  • Improves sentence structure with basic grammar and figures of speech
  • Teaches different styles and techniques each week
  • Teaches the organizational process of  brainstorming, outlining, rough draft and editing.
  • Progresses to writing two-, three-, and four-paragraph papers
  • Introduces the five-paragraph formal essay
  • Creative poetry writing
  • Guidelines, checklists and correct structure
  • 30 lessons with lesson plans for either a one- or two-year format
The entire year, all 30 lessons, costs $100+tax/shipping.  It is also suggested that you get several additional items.  Binders, tabs, highlighters are necessary and Mindbenders by Critical Thinking Co. are considered vital to this course(not included, must be purchased separately).  You can order just the first 15 lessons like I received for $65+tax/shipping.

Now on to what we thought about the product.  Honestly, to start out, I was sure I would hate it.  The introduction was like reading another language and I like writing!  I forced myself to sit in a quiet room and just read through it, once I did that and laid everything out, it all started to make sense.  I think that as we work through more of it in the coming weeks, we'll really like it.  I'll definitely be utilizing it to guide Koty through the writing process and look forward to graduating him to the Essay level.  The curriculum can be used in 1 year or stretched out over 2, this is what we'll be doing for Koty.  Allowing him to be doing the Essay level over his 10th and 11th grade years.

Head on over to the TOS Review Crew to see what others experienced with this product.

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 {This product was provided to me free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.  All thoughts and opinions are my own and that of my children.}

Gratitude Challenge: Day 11



November 11, Veterans Day, is day 11 of the gratitude challenge issued by Brenda over at Garden of learning.  Of course, on this day I am going to take the opportunity to thank the following 2 men and countless other men and women who have sacrificed for their country.  As I mentioned yesterday, my Grandfather was a proud Marine and I believe that Chris' Grandfather served in the Marines also.  Both of these awesome men served their country with Honor and Pride.
I can't thank these men enough for the sacrifices that they made for both family and country.  We as a family are so thankful for the rights that the Armed Forces of America have fought and died for.  Thankfully, my family members made it back home alive; but countless others gave their lives in defense of country.
We must never forget to honor their memory and to thank those living for their selfless service.  Head on over here to see what others are grateful for on this November 11th; Armistice Day, Remembrance Day or Veterans Day.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Gratitude Challenge: Day 10


Today, day 10, I am grateful for living in a place that has all 4 seasons.  I love one most of all, Autumn.  I absolutely adore the changing leaves, being able to layer my clothes, silly I know but I love a good sweatshirt.  My parents have a great hill on their property, that the kids like to roll down through the leaves.
This is one of my faves of Sissy.
Yes, we do have a beautiful Autumn in the Midwest.  The trees are glorious this year.
Head on over to Garden of Learning to see what others are grateful today.  Thanks for stopping by!


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