Learning Year beginnings :: Part I

The new learning year is upon on, yet again!  How does that happen?  One minute I'm finishing up the folders, gathering grades, cleaning out the books, looking forward to camping, fun, and relaxation then...

BAM

it's

home school conferences

daily scans through CathSwap,

new files,

new books,

anticipated visits from the brown truck,

new lessons being planned;

it's

September

and

the first day of school is just around the corner....

again!

But I love it.

I love new notebooks and the ideas of a fresh start.

This year I have 4 kiddos getting into the 'learning' thing.

A freshman in high school

(did you hear me gulp?)

A 5th grader

A 2nd grader

and the

kindergartner

It's a lovely year planned for us

(we hope)

yet we expect the unexpected, the forks in the road, the hills and mountains that will undoubtedly need to be climbed.

And here it is.

Our 2011-2012 year at a glance.

Did I mention there is a 9th grader lurking in my house?  I've been reading and searching the many ways I can make high school work for Lucy. From the organized and packaged plans of Seton or MODG, CHC's version of a High School of Your Dreams, running with a state run program or the on your own paths of the many unschoolers; the list is endless. 

But, after weeks of this, our plan developed. It's a mix bag of stuff really.  A bit from Seton, tips from 4real learning forums, points from CHC's high school and Charlotte Mason's philosophy of what learning should look like.

Anyhow, Lucy took full part in this too. Adding her input and suggestions for readings.  She wants to consider her options after high school and her terms plans will reflect that.  She also has a love for the viola and is currently playing and mastering the instrument with an orchestra.  Thus, she added this 'extra focus' in her planning. 

She is going to be one busy girl.

But isn't this what high school should be like?  A period of time to test the waters.  Where will her interest finally lead her too?  Only God knows, and I bet He's nudging her bit by bit here.

~ For Lucy:: The Beginning ~

Grammar: 

Winston Grammar (1 year)

Readings from Eats, Shoots & Leaves

Copy work:

Calligraphy

Poetry selections

Composition:

Jensen's Format Writing

Entries into her own journal

Credit for projects she has set up for journalism

Literature (for the year):

Emma

Jane Eyre

The Rose Round by Merioil Trevor

The Screwtape Letters

To Kill a Mockingbird

Shakespeare Studies:

I. Romeo & Juliet

II. Gentleman of Vienna

III. Julius Cesar

Math

Algebra I

(2 days a week class taken outside of the home for this one)

Assorted reading: Algebra Unplugged by Jim Loats.  This looks interesting so we'll see how it goes. 

History

RC History Vol 2

Text: Land to the Nations

Assorted Readings, though not all books will be assigned to be read in full:  Famous Men of Rome, Ides of April, For the Temple, The Silver Branch, The Eagle of the Ninth, The Lantern Bearers, Word to Caesar, The King's Thane, Beowulf the Warrior, King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table,

Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

Geography

Ultimate Geography And Timeline Guide

loosely following MODG syllabus for 9th grade

assorted reading:: Why Greenland Is An Island, Australia Is Not-And Japan Is Up for Grabs: A Simple Primer For Becoming A Geographical Know-It-All

Science

Exploring Creation with Physical Science

Assorted readings: 

The mysteries of the periodic table by Benjamin Wiker

Mad About Physics: Brain twisters, Paradoxes, and Curiosities by Christopher Jargodzki

The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick

Journalism

Currclick online class (newsletter)

I.  Our Community report

Fine Arts & Logic

Viola with Kadima Conservatory

Art:: Home School in the wood's Studying the greats

I. Iconography, Monet, Raphael, Renoir

Music Study:: The Great Composers

I. Georgian Chants, Guido of Arezzo, Hildegard of Bingen

Logic::

The Art of Argument

Whatever Happened to Justice? (An Uncle Eric Book)

Foreign Language

Rosetta Stone's Spanish level 1

practice and speaking with me

Religion

- The Sacrament of Confirmation

(either CHC's or Seton's...haven't decided yet)

- Baltimore Catechism No. 3

- weekly formation classes with our parish followed by benediction

- Bi-weekly CAST meetings

(a friend host these apologetics classes for the youth of our community...very well done)

I. Book of Virtues

II. How to Become a Saint

At a glance this looks like a lot.  But Lucy is a strong reader and can handle this load.  Keeping that in mind, this is set up to fit her and the year at a glance we hope to complete.

I don't know how to link to my pdf file....something else to learn.

5th grade is next

Prayer Request

Dear friends,

We belong to a wonderful community of thoughtful, faith filled families.  On Friday one member of this extended family was seriously injured. 

David Santos was in a motorcycle accident Friday, July 29th. He is in ICU with a broken collar bone in 4 places and they are monitoring blood on the brain with ct scans. Surgery is planned for Monday, as long as he is stable, to mend the broken collar bone.  Dave has a preexisting condition that has greatly compromised his immune system thus, the concern for his well being is great.

 

Dave is a lovely, GIVING, father and husband. 

Personally, I can't speak enough of this family; their gentle (yet lively) spirit is addictive.

 

Our group is assembling a spiritual bouquet

and

I'm posting this request here.

If you are so able to offer some of your prayers for

Dave's healing and quick recovery

we would all be greatly appreciative.

 

Please either email me your offers or place them in the comment section

Many thanks!

 

"as you help us with prayers so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gift granted us through the prayers of many."

2 Corinthians 1:11

UPDATE:
The bleeding on the brain has stopped.   Praise be to God!  Surgery is scheduled for this very evening, Tuesday @ 6pm, to repair the broken collarbone. He is in pain but in great spirits.  His immunity system is hanging in there and all looks very good right now.
Thank you for the prayers that have come in.  Your names were included with the bouquet this morning.
The family was very touched!

Our family is offering a rosary for all the famiies and their intentions.  A returned gift of prayer for your kindness.

God bless and thanks again!

Dear little blog,

I haven't meant to neglect this space. 

But as always this time of year is just so super busy!

There are a few post in the making,

mostly about where I've been keeping myself.

But

I promise to be back soon.

I'll spend some time

putting several events

into words.

Blog about

planning the school year for my first 9th grader

and her siblings

planning for that major trip Hubby and I are taking

the growing of our summer crop

the down time forced upon us that started as a sad thing

and

quickly became a blessing

Oh, I have lots to say

:-)

My thoughts do wander off to think of how life is going for the many bloggers I've grown to admire and love

the yummy post

the soon arrival of a new babe

are there spots yet?

always a joy to visit

A need to visit often lately!

Until the time allows for me to return,

May God fill your days with Peace!

Overheard

Right after our bedtime prayers:

Rose:  "Dear God, please give our family another baby.  We really would like a baby brother.  Okay God?  I'll give you ten minutes to think about it."

According to Grandpa, God really listens to our Rose.  She's been asking Him to take care of her Grandpa since he became sick.  And with the great news on Monday...Grandpa has already called his 9th grandchild to thank her for her conversations with God. 

She's told me several times, "Momma, did you know that if you stay really quiet you can hear God?"  This is a friendship and love, that I pray, she'll nurture forever.

My Daybook:: July 11th

Outside my window...there's a bit of cloud cover.  And luckily for me (and Hubby) it's supposed to be a nice 85 degrees today.  Kids are already outside, sitting around the table chatting it up.

I am listening too...some conservative radio talk show...it's all about budget, debt, budget and debts...I think I'll be hitting the mute button soon.  I can only bare to hear the woes of the government for so long.  Mute is ON and now I can hear my kids praying the Hail Mary outside...I wonder why but how cool! 

I am wearing...blue workout pants, a green t-shirt and by trusty chanclas (flip flops).

I am thinking...about so so many things. 

~ Worrying over Princess's rash that has turned out to be a contagious virus.  She's been around lots and lots of children lately :-( and I'm thinking about how many children could have been infected.

~ About Lucy at camp.  This is our yearly Big Bear week along with many great families.  Our girls have attended a "Girls Camp" with the Sacred Heart Sisters in Big Bear for several years now.  The rest of the families take the opportunity of being up in BB to stay the week and hang out.  It's a period of time that we all look forward to.  But because of the previous comment we had to cancel. 

~ Thinking that I really need to get to that garage!

I am hoping...that we hear some good news today.  That Lucy is having a wonderful time among the pines and friends.  That a sweet little girl didn't catch my Princess's bumps.

UPDATE:::
By the grace of God the cancer has reduced enough to allow my FIL time to recover from the chemo AND do some traveling.  Something he has wanted to do since before his dx.  His numbers are all way down and the tumors have reduced significantly!!  We are all very grateful that his time with us has been extended.  And pray that God will continue to heal him and that we all continue to accept His will.
I am praying...for my FIL.  He is getting his test results from last week's CAT Scan.  Please God shrink those tumors and give us strength to accept your will.

For many babies that will be making their grand 'entrance' very soon.

For Lucy and her cousins at camp.

For healing of families and hearts.

For two very special people that are always in my prayers and daily thoughts!

I am grateful...for the sweet smiles of a little red head and her huggy nature!  For my husband who risks his life everyday at work to keep me home with our babies.  For friends and their kindness.

From the kitchen...it's ground beef and spaghetti tonight.  My mom's recipe.  Simple and good.

From the school room...the new veggies sprouting up and the worm box are keeping Max quite busy.  He's constantly outside looking under leaves and rocks. 

The home school conferences are over, our school room is a wreck and my email inbox comprises mostly of CathSwap updates.  Since I'm home this week, my goal is to organize that area and get a clearer view of what our next school year is going to look like.

Presently the ideas are still in my head.  I have science, math, and history down.  I just need to put some order into it.

Can you believe I have a 9th grader now!!! YIKES!!!!

Living the Liturgical Year at Home... we've done a poor job of keeping up with most of the liturgical learning moments lately.  I had wanted to run a small group of Little Flowers for the summer but it just hasn't been possible.  Perhaps I can find some time to work out a mini version of it this week.

In the garden... lots of goodies are beginning to pop out of the blossoms.  We have tomatoes, watermelon, pumpkins (from the seeds of last years crop), butternut squash, eggplants, lettuce, onions, chilies...yum yum.

I am creating... reading lists, landscaping plans for a new sitting area, and an itinerary for a BIG trip that hubby and I are taking in September.

Around the house... the proof of decluttering and it's NOT pretty.  But my kitchen cupboards are happy.

I am reading... A Wind in the Door (Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet) and books on organizing, decorating for less and CHC's High School of Your Dreams.

I am pondering the words... from this post and Fr. S homily from this past Sunday.

Plans for this week...

• a few doctor appointments for 3 kids
• new washer and dryer are being delivered on Tuesday...thus the cleaning out of the garage.  No more Laundromats for me...Yippee.
• talking to my London bro about our trip
• music camp for two kids
• our parish's Dinner-Dance gala on Saturday with some friends

Now I'm off to the garage!!!

Let Freedom Ring!

Happy 4th 5th of July!

Were there sparklers being waved about by your little ones?

Hubby had a vision of how he wanted his 4th of July to be.  It involved a lot of work... I mean the kind of work that involved sweat, muscles, lots of patience and a beer or two to make it bearable ;-).

    It took two weeks of tree removal (along with the root ball-picture to come soon), shoveling, pulling out weeds, getting the rocks; then getting the ground to be leveled, for us to come to the stage of setting up the pool.  Oh yes, hubby got his our pool.  I'll have to write down the construction experience of this massive rubber square. 

 It was classic.

But SO SO SO worth it....

Just to see this face.

Once the pool was up, it was time for the clean up.  The Fourth of July was only 2 days away!

It wasn't pretty. 

Triple digit temperatures.

One set back or another.

 But Hubby and I did our best to get the backyard, in some what of a, ready condition for guests. 

 Then, the family was called. 

Bring your towels. 

 Bring your appetites.

And come on over!

Hubby was pooped out though LOL!

Look at my FIL!  Still doing well.  He came early so that he could leave b4 he got too tired.  He has to be careful with crowds you see.

Then the party animal came out of him

and since he was having so much fun with the grandkids...my FIL and MIL stayed until 10!

Mr. A and his wifey (carrying their son) came to celebrate too.

  Mr. A helped Hubby and I with that pool set up. 

I We are very grateful for that.

Kids enjoying the pool.

Families enjoying the fireworks

Family enjoying the show of the 'big' ones

while on the roof.

I wonder if this is safe to breath in...?

Deep in thought, memorized.

A full day of sun, fun and fireworks...

...it wasn't too much of a surprise to have had at least one child

end her day like this.

God bless you all!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

sidenote:

We are in full construction mode of our backyard, giving me almost NO time for picture taking.

I can hear my hubby yelling from across the yard, "Why do you have a camera in your hand instead of a shovel."  Of course it's with a smile and wink ;-)

But this is our week and it has been:

{pretty}

Rose has flowers in her hair through the day.  It's one of her favorite things.  Cute really beacuse she, along with Princess, is super-duper girly.

Feeling pretty is important, even in the midst of dirt and sweat.

{happy}

Max looks happy enough...right?

{real}

The reality of work. 

There use to be a lovely-very shady tree here.  It's gone now, to make room for the pool my hubby bought for himself the kids.  He says it's all for the kids but, secretly I know he dreams of jumping in straight from work.  He works in the sun ALL DAY LONG.  Usually having spent his day climbing 60+ feet of wood.  So I can imagine, and simplize, with the desire of jumping into a pool of cool/refreshing water.

Where's the {funny}?

Well there isn't a picture of it.  But Princess loves to wear her brother's Superman bath robe around the house.  Proclaiming herself

"Karate Girl"

She jumps out at us in the hallway yelling "Aaa-ha" and "Ka-ya" with an extended leg and karate chop to boot.  It's a pretty funny scene.

Pay a visit to Like Mother, Like Daughter and chime in to the

{pretty, happy, funny, real] moments of others too

:-)

baby showers....

... and blankets

not only are the blogs blessed with many new babies and lots of preggie mommas,

but within my own cicle of close family and friends this is going to be a summer of baby showers.  I think I've been to 4 in the last 3 weeks.

For two new mommies I opted to bring out the sewing machine for some blankets and burp clothes.

Lucy is holding one of the completed ones. 

I chose a jungle theme for one special friend.  This will be her first child and I can tell you both daddy and momma are SO excited to meet their baby boy.

The blankets ends up being much larger than what you would find in the retail stores.  Which is why I like to make them.  The burp cloth pictured to the right is double sided; using the same giraffe print as the blanket but he back side is this wonderfully soft brown fabric.  It'll be prefect for the spills and such that come along with a new babe.

The next blanket is in this cute elephant print, and that blue fabric I chose for the other side complements the printed piece beautifully.

The choo-choo train burp cloth is for a cousin's baby shower this Saturday...her blanket is also very cute, though not pictured.

Little owls and sweet peas were my 'inspiration' for her.

Okay now I'm off to do some much needed cleaning and prepping for tomorrow Catholic Homeschool Conference

and more sewing!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

These most beautiful sunflowers found a home in our garden.  We've planted the huge variety kind of sunflowers last year but, these beauties came from some other source.  Perhaps a sweet gift from a saint above =)

{happy}

Yes, our Princess is most definitely happy!!!

{funny}

We went to the Leonardo De Vinci exhibit in Hollywood this past week.

What was funny?

1.  The observers perspective of the large amount of Catholic home schooled children being herded by their protective mommas as we maneuvered ourselves among the many Spidermans, Darth Vaders and Elvises running around.

2.  This lovely momma pictured here, my friend M, who had the very patience needed to assemble the bridge made of sticks and then had the courage to test it out herself .

{real}

This is grandpa with Max.

Grandpa is battling colon cancer

...this is very real for us

and him.

But moments like this one are truly treasured!

Will you please pray for him?

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter

every Thursday

Overheard

Max loves anything Star Wars, roman, knights and castles....

So it was a natural progression to have witnessed this interaction:

The scene:
The roman playmobils are out as are the knights...they are deep in battle...it's gruesome...plastic bodies everywhere....war is NOT pretty.

Max is narrating the battle (he's alone in the room and thinks no one is watching...hee hee hee)

His voice is low, battle sounds spilling out of his lips.  He has to play both the offense and defense.  One of his knights comes to a stand off with the roman.
He says,

"Come to the dark side...we have cookies!"

(Papi and I couldn't hold the laugh that followed, this was so classic Max...God love him)