Kids of Steel Triathlon

Joshua participated in a triathlon this weekend. He had a great time and is looking forward to next year. Asher is excited to take part in next years event as well. Here are some pictures of my little triathlete :)

Joshua waiting for the triathlon to begin. Can you tell he is excited?

Joshua swimming 50 meters.

On his way to the transition area to prepare for the bike portion. He is still excited!

Transition from swim to bike.

Taking off on the 2 mile bike.

Coming back in from the 1/2 mile run.

It was a great morning!

Homeschool Kids and Socialization

If you wanted your child to learn how to bowl would you send them to a group of kids their age, or would you seek a mentor who knew how to bowl? The skill of socialization is the same as any skill. They stand to learn a skill quicker and more complete when mentored by a few that are more mature in that skill. Kids learn more how to "survive" than how to properly socialize in a public school setting. They are more likely to get more loving, supportive attention at home than in a public setting. If you communicate with your kids in a truthful mature manner they will learn to get and receive attention the same way.

Written by: Randall & Karen Webster have been enjoying the advantages of Homeschooling their 5 kids for over 10 years. For a FREE 5-part mini-course visit http://www.frustrationfreehomeschool.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randall_Webster

Art Class, Geography, Cultures and Books :)

This year we started using the art program entitled "ARTistic Pursuits." The kids have really enjoyed learning about art and making art themselves. This week their assignment was to go outside and draw nature. Here are some pictures from our art class.

Last year we started having an art wall. Every week or so I put up a new artist with samples of their work. I am continuing that practice this year. Today I decided to make a Geography area as well. We will be starting the book "Secret of the Andes" this week, which fit in perfectly with my plan.

I went online and tracked down a bunch of pictures that related to the topics in our book. For example, I found a map of the Andes Mountains, musical instruments, pottery, children, buildings, and a bunch of really neat animals. I cropped them, put them up and it looks so neat :)

Every weekend I spend a couple of hours planning for the week ahead. Part of my planning consists of compiling a list of topics that will relate to our studies. I take these topics to the library and come back with a large number of books :) We have a huge basket in the living room where we keep our library books. During our reading time I pull out books for all three kids. Some books are school related and others are just for fun.

Homeschooling moment...

I have been reading the book Walk the Worlds Rim to Joshua for several weeks. I won't go into the entire plot line because it is pretty complex. But in general we are following a boy and a slave as they travel through several Native American Indian tribes on their way to Mexico.

When they arrive in Mexico they are sent to scout out a Native American tribe that is said to have lots of gold and precious stones. When they reach this tribe the slave is captured. The next day he is released but as he runs away the Indians (who captured him) take out their bow-and-arrows and shoot him and he dies.

The boy who had been traveling with this slave runs up to him mourning the loss of his friend. As he grieves he too is shot in the side with an arrow. We leave this chapter not knowing if he survives. I was talking to Joshua about what he thought was going on and about his feelings about what we read. His response "I feel like I got shot in the side with an arrow too."

Jesus, Take the Wheel...

I heard this song this morning on the way home from the gym. It was playing on a secular radio station. I was in tears by the middle of the song. How often do we say this to ourselves. It is so easy to try and accomplish everything on our own. But we need Him to take the wheel.

Deals!!!! Oh How I LOVE Deals !!

Kmart is doubling coupons this week :) You can use 10 coupons per transaction per day. So with 10 coupons I was able to get the following...

My total out of pocket expense was $27.42. I saved a grand total of $33.46 !!!

:)

This morning, as a majority of families in our area are sending their kids off to school, we are in the midst of week 3. I am content in knowing that my kids are safe at home in a warm and loving learning environment. They have the freedom to sneak off and find a quiet reading spot that is all their own. To spend extra time on a subject that is a little too taxing for them. To enjoy a home cooked lunch and hugs from their baby sister. Life is good :)
Our school!





Elliana coloring and painting :) She loves school too!

What Do I Know of Holy..Addison Road

I LOVE this song!! Enjoy!!

Week 2

We are half way through our second week of school. Things are going great :) Those of us who homeschool know that it is more than just "school" it is really a way of life. A majority of our schooling occurs during the day. But there are some subjects that Aaron loves and enjoys teaching the kids. So in the evening he tackles bible and history. Homeschooling truly is a family affair :)

Happy 1st Birthday Essie!!!

Aaron flew to Texas on Friday and did not return until this afternoon. When he leaves on a trip I need a project to keep my mind off of my sadness (I miss Aaron terribly when he is gone, picture a grown women crying, blubbering....). I decided to make my adorable niece Essie a quilt for her 1st birthday. I started on Friday at around 7 pm and finished it 5 hours later :) I hope you like it Molly!!!

An Atheist's Perspective on the Value of Religion

This is a great interview with an atheist who wants to defend religion (as good for society and individuals). I was moved by his honesty from being nervous to talk on the show and admitting he is not a “happy atheist”. I was most deeply moved by his saying he finds Christ to be beautiful. Todd Wilken put it well at the end. If there is a God and Christ is not real his first question will be “why not? He is so beautiful”. Great job by the host at being a witness and giving testimony to the person of Jesus Christ rather then getting side tracked with fundamentalist dogma. Give it a listen and see what you think.

First Days of School...

Our school year officially started on Monday. It has been a great week and I am very excited about the coming year.

We start school at 8 am and finish at about 3 pm. The kids eat a snack at 9:15 (while they work) and they get an hour for lunch (11 -12). All of my attention and time from 8am until 3 pm is given completely to school (no laundry, dusting, emails, phone calls...). It is a lot of work. I really do have a full time job. But I LOVE it and my coworkers are so adorable :) And I find that by giving all of myself to the task at hand the kids respond by giving all of themselves to their work. It has been wonderful.

I have taken some pictures throughout the week. Enjoy a glimpse into our first week of school :)

Lots of people have asked me how I keep Elliana busy while we do school. Well, I don't keep her busy. She is a part of this family and she does what we do. I don't push her away during school time. She might sit on my lap or play with her kitchen. Whatever she wants to do works fine by me.

Lunch time :)

Elliana loves eating with her brothers!

During our lunch break the kids played outside. Elliana wanted to swing:)

Joshua is learning about taxonomy. We have been discussing kingdoms, phylum's, class, order, genus and species. To make it interesting I had him pick some of his favorite animals and I looked up their taxonomy. He then made a chart of their taxonomy so that he could see how they all fit together. It was neat to watch him get so engrossed in this science project :)

Spaghetti & Meatballs!

I found a great recipe for Spaghetti &Meatballs on Allrecipes. I tweaked it a bit and it turned out great. I can always tell I have cooked something good when Aaron's plate looks like it has been licked clean :)

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Ingredients
MEATBALLS
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten

SAUCE
3/4 cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
Several fresh tomatoes, diced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add fresh tomatoes, allow them to cook down. Stir in canned tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.

Joshua is now officially 8 years old....

Time is going by way too fast. I can honestly say that I remember vividly the day we brought him home from the hospital. Now he keeps telling me that he is half way to driving (mom disagrees on this matter...). Here are some pictures of his special day...

Opening presents in the morning

Guns are always a good gift

Joshua decided that morning that he wanted a pinata

A great water balloon fight