September 27th - Monday

Short but sweet...

Today I'm still getting over being ill so after seen Joe and Jess off to school - I went back to bed for another hour and a half. So we got a late start. Today we finished up the work associated with the book Esio Trot. TJ rated the book 2 stars and it's up on our reading board, then he had a couple different evaluation sheets to fill out about it. We also finally got around to reviewing our Japanese - so hopefully we'll have some questions for TJ's Japanese pen pal (thanks Aunt Holly!). TJ now has an email account (if you want the address just let me know and I'll send it to you - I don't want to put it on the web for EVERYONE - lol). TJ also did multiplication drills, mental math work, geography, social studies (we read about the poem "The New Colossus" that's in the Statue of Liberty), and in science we prepared for the experiments we'll be doing tomorrow with wild mushrooms and toad stools (since many are poisonous - there were a few safety issues to go over). TJ also took a spelling test... he only got 1 wrong! YES!!! And he did some writing with his new words - I think he's finally getting COMPLETE sentences - :)

Anyhow - that's if for now. I'll try to post more tomorrow. Tomorrow we're going to pick some FUNGUS :)
We may also be going to Somero's farm to explore a corn maze and pick out some produce!

September 23rd

Yesterday, TJ and I spent the day at the office. TJ had a busy day covering all the subjects and some extra work as well. He had problems with motivation but he did get stuff done. He even helped with the filing which helps him improve his alphabetizing and organizational skills. He also learned how to use the copier.

Today was kind of an off day. TJ was suppose to go on a hike but the weather up Calumet way was even worse than the weather here. Therefore the hike was canceled. We did multiplication and spelling drills in the van, viewed the fall leaves and TJ read the rest of Esio Trot. Then we came back home and worked on Geography and TJ did math games on the computer. For Geography, TJ's started the Highlights' Which Way USA? program which uses a series of puzzle books and maps to explore each state in our union. The first puzzle book is Alabama. Each booklet should take about 2 weeks to complete.

Tomorrow should be a nice day for TJ with a Sibilius Festival concert at the Calumet Theater. There was suppose to be a science fieldtrip to the woods tomorrow but it's been canceled due to the forecasted bad weather but will be rescheduled for a later date. We've tentatively scheduled a trip to Somero's farm to go through their corn maze (supposed to be a 3 or 4 acre maze/scavenger hunt) for Tuesday with another homeschooling family (Max/Margo) and next Thursday swimming starts at Finlandia.

This week has been crazy. My joints hurt like heck - If they don't improve quickly I'm going to have to go see the doctor about steroids. :( I keep pushing, trying to get over the fatigue and pain but I've been absolutely miserable for the last 4 days or so. Trevor's been really busy and sounds like it will continue for the foreseeable future. Joe's in trouble because his grades are slipping again due to lack of effort/doing homework and Jessica has been a bit of a nuisance of late with getting into things and making messes! But at the same time, homeschooling has went well and my new job seems to be going well even if typing is hurting like heck! I enjoy the articles I'm writing, it's less hassle than my other job was and it pays better... so I can't complain too much.

Anyhow - that's it for now...

Sept 21st

Yesterday we didn't get around to updating our blog as we spent a good portion of the day running errands and another portion doing science experiments. TJ's starting to learn about plant and animal cells and how to classify plants and animals. So we collected plant samples, prepared slides and used the microscope to identify the cell wall and other plant structures. TJ had a lot of fun with it. Math and history were done on the road. Math with flash cards and Mom quizzing, history with Brain Quest cards on America. We also got some math in at the store.

Today we're catching up on "book work". TJ's done math drills, general math, spelling, science and are working on geography and history as I type. We haven't done much with Japanese yesterday or today but tomorrow we'll spend a bit of time on it. Aunt Holly's friend Hiromi has offered to be an online pen pal for TJ to give him someone to ask questions. We haven't gotten to email her yet - just been too crazy.

Later this week - Thur. Park/Hike with homeschool group?
Friday - 9am Sibelius Festival Concert at the Calumet Theater with the homeschool group.
Friday(also) - 1:30pm Science fieldtrip to the Lake Linden School Forest for plant/tree identification with homeschool group (led by a MTU grad-student)

Weekly swimming starts on the 30th of September.

On other news - Jessica seems to be doing well in school. I still think they are working below her level but it is much higher than last year's work was. She also seems to be doing well overall and is happy to go to school each morning. Joe.... is being Joe. His grades would be great but he lost the syllabus that I had to sign for science, starting him out with a zero in that class and is struggling in math. So right now his grades read: A, A, B, D+, D+ (other classes aren't reporting grades yet). We're staying on him about it and those grades will hopefully start coming up.

Trevor's been busy with meetings and "Honey Do's". He trimmed up the bushes from in front of the house and is going to be working on painting the trim before winter sets in. I've gotten another online job and it's one that may actually be steady enough for us to start paying down some of our debts and putting some money away... or at least one can dream!

So all in all - it's been a very busy last few days and will likely only get busier as time marches on!

Sept 16th

Today was an excellent day! In the morning we did Language Arts, Reading, Math & Spelling. Then we did Social Studies and multiplication review on the way to Canyon Falls where we went on a couple hour hike with members of the homeschooling group. It was beautiful and TJ had a lot of fun. The kids climbed, ran, jumped, splashed, collected water and plant samples and just really enjoyed the whole outing! I only got one photo with my phone (my camera's dead :( ) and it turned out fuzzy but a couple of the other Moms got some pictures so maybe I'll get copies to post on here.

Today TJ had his pictures taken at Wal-Mart. You can view them here:
http://www.myonlineportraits.com/ViewSharedAlbum.aspx?ShareID=233461a2-f872-47fc-a4b2-23e32052ac60
Then we went on a guided tour of the Quincy mine, steam hoist and shaft house with one of TJ's homeschooling friends - Max and his Mom. They'd never been there and TJ's memory of the last time we were there (several years ago) was a bit foggy. Besides being REALLY cold - it was a lot of fun and very educational. In between the picture taking and the tour, TJ and I reviewed multiplication flash cards and Brain Quest's America cards. So it was a pretty good day!

Info on the mine can be found here:
http://www.quincymine.com/

Yesterday was another busy day but it was one of those days where not much actually was accomplished. TJ spent the day working at a snail's pace as I was being picky about neatness. In math he's learning order of operations. In Social Studies he's reviewing basic geography concepts so I'm counting it in both his Social Studies and Geography classes and in Science we're reviewing the scientific method. He created a poster out of the scientific method yesterday. He also worked on learning crocheting which was an experience! I never realized how hard it can be to teach something that you normally just DO but by the end of it all he was getting the hang of tying on and chaining. For Japanese we're working primarily with the website: http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/language/index.html. We're still on Lesson 1 but TJ seems to be having a lot of fun and has picked up some of the vocabulary easily. He also understands that there are 4 Japanese writing systems and that one is based off of Chinese, one off of Latin (or English) and two are traditional to Japan.

For today, TJ has a lighter/funner load. I got some educational games for the computer that he'll be playing to help review concepts learned last year, he has one math exercise and a Geography/Social Studies worksheet to complete. He will continue to read on his Deltora Quest book for his book report next week. He also has a couple writing exercises, a movie to watch for Japanese and some Japanese culture websites to check out. I, in the mean time, have LOTS of housework to catch up on, stuff to organize for school and an evening out of the house to get ready for - lol!

In other news - Joe starts welding in metal shop. Trevor and I had to go buy him overalls, a work shirt and work boots. It was odd buying that stuff for my son! In fact, it feels odd that he started High School AND Jessica started Middle School this year....

Also, the Drive-In movie theater near where I grew up that the kids (and Trevor) visited whenever we went back to OK burned down... I always thought the screen was a concrete structure (it really looked like it!) but it wasn't. It was kinda one of those moments when you know a part of your childhood is gone for good. *sigh* Well, here's a few pics/info for memorial sake:






This drive-in was even once a scene for a major motion picture: The Outsiders
For those that aren't familiar with it here's a clip:

First Day

Day 1 -
Great day. Mostly review work but TJ fell into the work with enthusiasm. We started a couple new incentive programs and are still working at decorating the classroom - which we'll post pictures of when it's done. TJ really liked the Japanese course and the Social Studies textbook.

Joe went to Houghton Schools and seems happy with his classes; however, he's still looking into the ROTC program and the Swim Team. Jessica had her first day of school and is delighted to have Mrs. Gerard as an instructor.

I'll try to be more descriptive in further updates.

Last Minute Changes

Nothing like last minute changes! Joey will be attending Houghton Schools again. Over the last few weeks he's matured and he came up with compelling reasons why we should send him back. Also, Trevor and I talked about the benefits of him being able to participate in the swim team and TJ being able to participate in activities without me having to figure out what to do with Joe so that he's still learning. TJ really wants to do gymnastics, chess club, drama, swimming and other activities - some of which would not be age appropriate/interest appropriate for Joe. Sooooooo.... provided Joe maintains a C or better average and has no disciplinary issues and tries out for the swim team AND speaks to the school counselor about ROTC.... he'll be in public school.

So - once again - it will be a busy year for our family!