Musical Monday's

This week we are starting a new series to allow my kids to become familiar with various types of music, instruments and composers. Each week we will focus on one of these to study. This week we're studying Mozart. We began our day by listening to some of his work, watching a concerto performed live on You Tube, and reading a short biography about him. I'm always amazed by how much of the work from these composers is still used today. So many of the pieces are very familiar to us!

Week in Review

What a crazy week! Everyone in our house, with the exception of Haley got sick this week. Just one of those nasty cold viruses that makes you super stopped up, not sleep well, and feel basically yucky. Even the family that I babysit for 3 days a week had it. This did allow us some time off to get well. We had a busy week regardless, with almost 3 inches of snow early in the week, followed by what felt like Spring temps by the end of the week. No wonder everyone is sick! We have lots of activities going on this weekend as well. We have a cookie booth sale with the girlscouts, rain gauge making with cub scouts, a Scout mass at church, and a dinner afterwards. Haley had her weekly drama class where parts were assigned. She is playing the part of the princess' maid in Aladin. We also had play practice for The Hobbit with the entire cast, which was really fun. Its really cool to see the play come together! On Friday morning we went to see The Wizard of Oz at the theater. It was amazing!!

Planning

I know that this year isn't even done, but I tend to do my curriculum planning in late winter/early spring. (This just happens to correspond to when we get our tax refund & I have money to spend.) Next year I'm making some changes...again. For those who know me, you'll know that this is not uncommon. Let's face it, there are just so many awesome products out there, and so many choices! I get bored easily. This is the lineup so far.

The twins - 2nd grade

Saxon Math 2 - No changes here. I knocked around the idea of changing back to Math U See, but finally decided to leave it alone. Saxon just seems more through to me and the boys are doing great with math.

Explode the Code - We will be finishing up Book 2 by the end of this school year, and will continue using this program. Both boys are now reading really well.

Easy Grammar 2 - I purchased this book when Haley was in 2nd grade and it seems to have done the job.

All About Spelling - This will be new for us. We've been using A Reason for Spelling Level A this year, but just haven't enjoyed it. I'm looking for something a bit different this time around, and this one comes highly recommended. I'll post a review once we've used it more.

The Story of the World Book 1 - We will be continuing with this book, and will hopefully finish it by the end of the school year.

I Can Do All Things Art - This was another purchase made when Haley was in 2nd grade. We haven't used it at all really. My plan is to set aside one day each week to do art.

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey, Earth & Space Level 1 - We have been using Living Learning Books and unit studies for science up until now. I'm hoping this program will be a bit more in depth. Also, we haven't studied earth and space extensively yet.

Power Glide Spanish - This is one of the items that tends to get left out each week if we get too busy. I intend to make it a weekly must.

Surprise Snowstorm!

Nothing like snow in the South! Today, we had almost 3 inches of snow fall in a very short period of time. I'm so thankful that my children are homeschooled and were able to enjoy it this morning. By this afternoon when the school kids were finally sent home early, a lot of it had already melted. The kids built their biggest snowman ever, went sledding, and then came inside for some hot chocolate to warm up. Later in the morning we made snow cream for the first time. It was YUMMY and super simple!

Snow Cream recipe according to Paula Dean

8 cups clean, freshly fallen snow
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly and enjoy immediately as it doesn't freeze well.

Organizing your home.

Here's a link to an awesome set of pages created just for moms. I've heard about mom binders/journals, and these pages would be absolutely perfect! Everything you need to create the ultimate organizational binder. Thanks so much to Debra at www.notebookingpages.com for sharing these with us. If you haven't signed up to be on her email list, you really should.

www.notebookingpages.com/index.php?page=nn-ssf-022010

Nature Club

Once again, we had a wonderful hike today for our monthly Nature Club meeting. This time we visited Elsie Holmes Nature Park. This was my first visit, but I can assure you it won't be my last. The park is free, and includes 66 acres of trails of varying lengths and difficulties. There are rock formations, the Chickamauga Creek to explore, and tons of native plants and trees. The paths are well marked and you can pick up a map at the start of the trail. The park also includes a covered, screened in pavilion, restrooms, picnic tables, and some play equipment for the kids.



It was cold, but warmed up quickly once we reached the creek. The only wildlife we saw was one brave hawk, and our respective children. I say the hawk was brave, because it takes a lot of gumption to go anywhere near that number of children howling like coyotes at the top of their lungs! My kids and I came home with tons of cool rocks, fungus, and nuts to further study. We did all bring our nature journals, but the kids never stop long enough to get anything done. They seem to simply enjoy being together in the great outdoors.

Manic Mondays!

I find it so strange after hating Monday's for so many of my working out of the home years, that I now rather enjoy Monday after a busy weekend. We had so much to do this past weekend that I feel like we never got a moment to relax. My Sunday school class had their First Reconciliation on Saturday, then we had a shopping spree at Sam's Club for groceries, then home for chores, washing cars, and an evening spent with the kids. Sunday is always a blur of Sunday school, Mass, lunch at my husband's grandmother's house, visiting with her and doing some light housework there, and then finally home late in the day. We did install some really neat bookshelves for the twins, made from vinyl rain gutters. I got the idea from another blog and thought it would be perfect for their room. They turned out great, and the twins have been reading non stop since. Its amazing how much more interested they are in their books now that they can see them! You can get directions and see pictures of them here.