Getting on the bandwagons

I've joined the Bare Escentuals bandwagon. I went out and bought the basics kit last night and I'm hooked! I put it on this morning and this evening I don't have an oily forehead! That is a first for me. It feels so light on my skin and I love how I don't look "made up."

I also joined the muffin tin craze. I tried it out on my boys for afternoon snack time and they loved it. I took photos but I'm too lazy to deal with uploading and such.

My son is loving his weekly art class at the community center. This past Saturday he used pastels. How sophisticated! Photos to come.

I have an MRI tomorrow morning for my elbow. I hope that it won't be horribly painful like the last unsuccessful MRI where I had to stick my arm into a machine.Pin It

Fun video to share

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.Pin It

Fun, lightweight movie to recommend

If you'd like a movie with a lot of laughs and isn't crude or trying to make a big point, I recommend Baby Mama starring Tina Fey. I was laughing almost all the way through. Steve Martin's character is so over the top it's great.

I had an MRI done on my elbow this morning. It was super painful since they had me partially straighten it (I can't straighten my right arm) and hold it in an awkward position for 45 minutes. I had tears streaming down my face and I made them stop after about 30 minutes. I hope they got enough of an image. If not, I'll have to go for a full body MRI.Pin It

Book sales!

I love to buy used books from my local library. The discards are especially good quality. I found this great website that helps you find library sales coming up in your area - U.S. and Canada. Book Sale Finder There are a few coming up this month in my area!Pin It

Random ramblings

The boys are loving Sid the Science Kid - a new PBS Kids show. We let them watch it in the mornings. Usually they just watch DVDs and videos at 5 pm which they call "TV time." They did a simple experiment yesterday with freezing and melting water.

I went to a specialist about my tendinitis yesterday. I'm getting an MRI done on Tuesday. He was very concerned when he saw that I can't straighten my right arm. I have a lot of pain and can't lift, turn or squeeze with my right arm/hand. I've had tendinitis in both of my wrists for 5 years and now the problem is centralized in my right elbow. This problem is hard to treat, apparently.

I'm still in the hunting and gathering stage of homeschooling. Saxon Math is going well so far. I'm going to start teaching Explode the Code soon. A reads very well but I want to make sure he gets the phonics rules and principles mastered. One routine that I started and like is writing a different Bible verse (for memorization eventually) on our easel every day. We also say the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, even if we don't do much "school" right now. Both of my boys have colds so I'm letting them rest and play a lot. I started reading aloud from Leading Little Ones to God.

I joined a local homeschool support group - H.O.M.E. and attended a curriculum share meeting. It was great to hear all the good ideas. I'm looking forward to the field trip to the pumpkin patch next month and the art museum in November.Pin It

Freebie to share

Grab this one quick. I don't think it will last long.

A free 2 year subscription to Parents magazine. I just let mine lapse since their editorials annoy me (liberal bias, scaring parents about safety, etc) but I'll renew for free just to get the craft ideas and recipes. :)Pin It

Children's book Monday

Elise is back with the children's book carnival!

My five year old son enjoys beginner chapter books. Books that come in a series are especially fun. Two series that we have recently enjoyed are Mercy Watson and Mr. and Mrs. Green.

Mr. and Mrs. Green is my favourite since it they are a happily married alligator couple. The books in the series are Meet Mr. and Mrs. Green, Lucky Days with Mr. and Mrs. Green and On the Go with Mr. and Mrs. Green and More Mr. and Mrs. Green. How refreshing to see marriage portrayed in such a positive way in a children's book! OK, so maybe my boys aren't getting the subtle message but I think children take in WAY more than we realize (role modeling that is).

The books are a fun read. Lots of silly antics and even a math lesson in the 100 pancakes story.Pin It

The Accidental Homeschooler - Part 2

Thank you to all those who provided input and ideas. I appreciate every single comment. I'm getting ready to start officially on Tuesday, September 9th.

For math, we're doing Saxon Math 1. My hubby will be doing the teaching. A is so eager to get started that they did lesson one today!

For Bible, I'm going to read from Leading Little Ones to God, after saying the Lord's Prayer every day.

For read aloud time, we're going to start with Stuart Little because we own it already. The next one I think we'll read is James Herriot's Treasury for Children.

I'm stuck on what to do about phonics. My son has been reading well for years but without learning phonics, per say. I'm not sure if I should start him on a phonics program or if that would be boring/frustrating for him. Opinions wanted!

For art, A will be taking an art class at the local recreation centre on Saturday mornings for 6 weeks. We'll also have drawing time at home and read some books about art. I have this cool game called Go Fish for Art.

For phys. ed, A will be starting gymnastics class on Monday. I also plan to have my hubby take the boys to a bouncy/inflatable place and the local pool on a regular basis.

Crafts are very important to my son.

The first one we will do will be this robot idea from The Crafty Crow. The wood pieces have been surprisingly hard to find in stores.

I decided against using Five in a Row, for now. I think it requires too much preparation on my part and I want to keep things pretty easy. I will add some of the books to A's reading list.

Handwriting: I haven't picked something yet. I'm leaning toward Handwriting Without Tears. For now, A has a few handwriting workbooks.

Science: We're going to start by reading through Usborne's First Book of Nature. I have The Kids' Science Book and eventually we'll do some activities/experiments.

History: I'll be reading aloud from What Your Preschooler Needs to Know - which has surprisingly good introductory lessons in history. As a side note, I'm Canadian so I will be learning as much as the boys about American history!

For C, who could be a major distraction, I have some books on tape (Curious George and a BOB reading book)for him to listen to, a simple dot to dot book, and some toys that will only be used during school time. He has a very short attention span so that will be a challenge. I might have to set him up on the computer doing StarFall.

Some books that I have found helpful are:
- 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
- Home Learning Year by Year
- The Whole-Hearted Child - The version I read was a bit dated, however.
- What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know

There is a local homeschooling store which I have visited twice so far. What a great resource! I wish that I had discovered it sooner since it has a wonderful (fiction) book section at the back plus lots of used games - resources also useful for non-homeschoolers.

I spent today stocking and decorating our "schoolroom" which is a corner of our playroom. This looks great on the wall. One thing I'm missing is a big comfy chair for reading aloud.Pin It

Backwards Works for Me - Help with homeschooling

Today is a backwards day at Works for Me Wednesday. You ask for advice instead of telling what works for you.

I need help getting started picking books and curriculum for homeschooling my son for kindergarten. Homeschooling isn't my first choice since we applied at a private Christian school and didn't get through the waiting list. I'm scrambling to get ready for school next week since my son is getting restless.

I've picked Saxon Math Level One and *maybe* Five in a Row. My son already reads and has for a few years. What else should I use for Science and Language Arts? Music, Art? I'm interested in curriculum because I'm *not* an organized person. :) My son is self-motivated and loves to learn. He enjoys workbooks but I don't want to rely on them too much. What books do you veterans recommend? I have the book "What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know."

I don't want to join a local homeschooling group since there is a small chance that my son will still get into the school and then I'd have to drop out.

Also, what should I do with my 3 year old? He is very active and I'm worried that he will be a major distraction to homeschooling, especially something formal like math instruction. He isn't potty trained so I couldn't send him to preschool two mornings a week as originally planned. He doesn't nap either so that option is out!

Thanks in advance!Pin It