Astronomy Day 1 and Other Stuff

We started school today. Just science...Astronomy. It was quick and easy and the boys enjoyed it. This text book is designed fo reach lesson to be stretched over a 2 week period doing doing science only twice a week. I am certain after today that we will do 1 lesson a week and then start on the next text as soon as we're done. I really liked how well the boys paid attention and absorbed the info with me reading aloud to them. Honestly i was surprised...pleasantly surprised. I honestly expected teaching Nelson to be difficult because A. He is very smart. B. He's at that age where he "knows everything" and can have a smart mouth at times. And C. He thinks he is a comedian and has been driving me batty. Or maybe I'm just hormonal. ;) but there were no problems. It was our first day so maybe God planned that out so I wouldn't get disouraged right away! Sometime between now and August 1st we will add in Math. I looked at it breifly this week but got scared! Math is my strongest subject and I understand it but have no idea how to explain it to a 2nd and 5 th grader. My book has it all laid out there butI need to actually read it in advance and can't jua tpick it up and go like we did the Astronomy. I mean I glanced through that but I don't need to do amy prep except for the last day in each lesson which is a project. Anyway, after that... either when all the public schools start or after Labor Day we will add the rest of the work in which is history, language arts, Bible which are all kind of tied together (for Nelson). Henry's language arts isnt tied in with the history like Nelsons but his Bible is part of hi slanguage arts. Oh, and we'll ad handwriting in then, too. They are going to hate that. If my boys wind up doctors they are going to be doctors with nice handwriting! ;) So that's are homeschool plan for now. I'd love any input. And prayers... I am not good with patience a lot of the time so that is something I really need to work on. Especially with Nelson. He is almost as tall as me, he's the oldest, and I have a hard time remembering he's still just a boy and I expect too much from him...typical for first borns from what I've heard...

Oldest and Youngest

Nelson and Kash enjoying some time outside on our front porch.  I will miss this porch if we ever move.  I can't believe my oldest is 10.... and I can't believe my baby is walking.

Sneaky, Dirty Boys

Jack and Kash were playing in their bedroom (which is near the back door) while I folded laundry.  I kept hearing these strange sounds coming from outside the kitchen window and when I finally looked I caught Jack and Kash playing outside! 

They were so filthy and tried to wash themselves off in the outdoor faucet but ended up needing a good bath...

I've never seen such dirty bath water!

Fresh Veggies

We don't have a garden of our own this year (thanks to the dog).  James is planning on building a cross fence in the backyard so we can have at least one area the dog doesn't destroy and that will be where our garden will go this fall hopefully!  We joined a community supported agriculture program (CSA) through a farm an hour or so from us that delivers to a drop point near by.  We have really enjoyed all the fresh vegetables and tasting things we normally wouldn't grow (like eggplant...)  The kids aren't on board with the eggplant but James and I loved it roasted.  They also include fresh herbs in our box which is great.  Last night we had roasted zuchinni and new potatoes with fresh rosemary (all from the farm) seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil.  It was delicious and made the kitchen smell amazing!  It's really helped on our grocery budget too.  I've been able to freeze some things for later (like the bushel of peas we shelled).

TAY goo

Tegu blocks caught my eye while Jack was a baby.  I couldn't justify the purchase at the time especially since I wasn't sure Nelson and Henry would be in to them.  I've looked at them online and watched for sales since then.  FINALLY Ecobabybuy had them on sale for almost half off a couple weeks ago.  I ordered a 52 piece set in Jungle.  So the day they arrived we opened them up and got busy.  I am wishing I had purchased more!  These blocks are awesome. They provide a great outlet for imagination and creativity.  Nelson, Henry, & Jack love them.  (kash loves to put them in his mouth).  I even had fun playing!  Now that I know how cool they are I would totally recommend purchasing them even at full price.  Besides being a really cool toy, Tegu is a great company.  The factory is in Honduras where 50% of the population live below poverty level.  They are providing jobs with good pay.  When you buy blocks, they plant trees to restore the forestry in Honduras that was destroyed in the 90's.  They also contribute to the education of many of the kids in Honduras.

Hello? Hello? Anybody there?

I have falling off the blog our life wagon... it has been crazy busy around here with baseball season, VBS, and just life in general.  But it's leveling out again and I'm about to bombard you with adorable pictures of my kids so be ready!  Pics are uploading to another post as I type this. :)

We will begin science school work today so I'll be updating you all on that at the end of the week.  Instead of doing a general science we are studying Astronomy and the kids are excited.  We aren't starting the full school load because A.) It IS still summer and we want to be free to go and do.  B.) I don't want to be overwhelmed.  Starting with one subject and adding in as we go will allow me to better gage how things are going to go and what I need to adjust in regards to my expectations of homeschooling two kids with a toddler and preschool underfoot.  :)  Wish us luck!

Sonlight Box Fun

Our Sonlight box had the outline of a castle on the inside so we took it apart, colored it, and made a castle.  Jack and Henry had a ton of fun with it!  Nelson was enjoying some time at the lake with friends so he didn't get to do the cardboard castle fun... I'm sure he is really dissapointed! (not)