Well, it's back to BASICS for me! A Thank You!

I just wanted to say thank you to Homeschool Dawn for helping me(and my children) out last week. I had posted about getting back to basics with discipline with my 4 young children but I was, I guess looking for some(or any) suggestions really and she had one that was an instant light bulb moment for me. It was so easy and simple and it seemed(in her blog post) that it may actually work. All it has to do with is a mason jar and some marbles. If you are interested follow this link http://homeschooldawn.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-think-ive-lost-my-marbles.html

We've been using this method for a little over a week and it has helped so much for our children. They all managed to get to their first mini-treat(all in the same day-today), which was as simple as 2 pieces of bubble gum. Bubbalicious bubble gum I have you know.  Their second mini-treat is a McDonald's Ice Cream dipped in chocolate. And, the mega-treat is Chuck-E Cheese. All of these used to be the "norm" for our children. However, I am now making them put effort into earning these particular items. Even though it's as simple as pieces of bubble gum, they now know they have to work up to these"privileges". What I was doing was basically spoiling them. I am not going to have spoiled little brats who are going to walk all over me. Grant it, that this is still a work in progress, especially for my 6 year old son, it still is working. But, what I do want is obedient followers of Christ and this seems to be a great start for us( it also helps a great deal that VBS is this week too). So, that is why I wanted to take the time and say a BIG, HUGE, THANK YOU!

Follow Daddy USA- Wisconsin

Well, this is coming in a little late. Last week was just a great big blur(remember it was back to basic week for me-more on that topic later)and I don't really remember much. However, we did manage to follow Daddy to Wisconsin. Daddy did go to Alabama but only for the day on Monday, so we decided  just go with his long run. We did post the city he visited along with the other previously visited cities. Kayte had so much fun with this one. Especially, after she found out what Wisconsin is really famous for, for being called Cheese Heads.  She also enjoyed the part about learning how to recognize the state on a map. All you do is make a right-handed fist and turn it toward you...it sort of resembles it. You try it.

 Wisconsin

  

 State of Wisconsin

 Wisconsin Flag

(This flag was very hard for the kids to copy. They did try but all they accomplished was the blue part.)

Here are some fun facts about Wisconsin. Wisconsin's nickname is The Badger State. It's origin of name is a French corruption of an Indian word whose meaning is disputed. The states motto: forward. And of course the present constitution was adopted in 1848-it's on the flag. The Capital is Madison.

State Symbols Include:

Flower: wood violet

Tree: Sugar Maple

Grain: Corn

Bird: Robin

Animal: Badger(I am guessing that's how it got it's nickname)

Wildlife Animal: White-tailed deer

Domestic Animal: Dairy( Wisconsin is the leading state in milk and cheese production-Cheese Heads)

Insect: Honey Bee

Song: "On Wisconsin"

Symbol of peace: Mourning dove

Dog: American Water Spaniel

Beverage: None other than: Milk

Dance: Polka

If you are interested more facts about Wisconsin can be foundhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108291.html

Follow Daddy: Where Daddy's Been

The Cities Daddy Has Visited:

• Shelby, N.Carolina
• Conroe, Texas
• Gadsden, Alabama
• Tomah, Wisconsin
• Bay Town, Texas

This week is our Churches' Vacation Bible School program so no homeschooling this week. And, Daddy is going back to Texas. So, it all worked out. I do think that the next state that we should appropriately work on is Tennessee. I know we should have started with this one but I kinda jumped in to following Daddy because the kids thought it was the coolest idea ever. Who wouldn't? We will also be learning about Maryland sometime in the near future since this is the state in which both Daddy and I were born and raised, and where our two eldest children were born.We are really enjoying this and are along for an awesome ride. I hope you are riding too! Although, ours is slightly less bumpy-that's for you Daddy!

More for our upcoming adventure...

Yesterday I went to my very first "used" curriculum book fair. And I LOVED it! I got so much stuff for all 4. Yes, even my 1 yr old I found stuff for. This was great for us because we were able to make this trip into a wonderful family event. As a trucker's family we rarely find these moments. But they are great when GOD has a way of making things work out...for the BEST! We have spent the WHOLE day together learning about our upcoming adventure.  I definitely think I got more than I needed. Wait, scratch that! I got wwwwaaaayyyy  too much stuff. Nah, there is never too much of a good thing.  I think that what I did purchase was at a wonderful deal. I only spent about $70.  I also got to go to the used book store where we live http://mckaybooks.com/information/hours/. There I found even more great deals. I now feel a little at ease with teaching my children. I only need a little bit more information about choosing the right umbrella school for my family. I also am planning to attend the "regular" curriculum fair but only to try out the seminars. Like I said I picked up plenty of "stuff" already. Things seem to be working out just the way I envisioned them. I know that this is just the beginning, but I am finding my persistence is definitely paying off. 

Well, it's back to BASICS for me!

This first week of Homeschooling(review) has taught me so much about each one of my children. But mostly it has taught me that my lack of discipline is showing it's ugly head. Well, not the lack of it but the lack of consistency. And, my children have developed so many bad habits due to it. So, for this coming week we will go full force on being consistent with my discipline. I have been using the encouragement  from what is called "Tomato Staking". For more information on this you can head over here:http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/. It really has helped me become more disciplined myself. I definitely take her advice on working on this while the child is still young because it is much harder to get the older ones(the ones that have developed the bad habits) to comply and to be obedient. Lillian has really been easy, Jessica is in between and Mimi and Kayte are my most stubborn.

I am still continuing to review but also really work hard on "Tomato Staking" my children along the way. 

Follow Daddy-USA

Today we are starting to "Follow Daddy". Wherever in the USA Daddy goes(over the road Truck Driver) we will be following him. And you can too! We are going to learn as much as we can about the states(age appropriate of course). This way my children can learn their states and things that are associated with each one. Such as the colors red, white & blue (Texas flag colors) I worked with Jessica today(she is the 3 yr old.)

Daddy has been to North Carolina and Texas this week. But because we started this late in the week we are just getting to Texas. I am sure we will get back to N.Carolina because Daddy goes there lots. And since Daddy visits the same states many, many times we will also list the cities/area he goes to.  Although, Daddy may not visit some states at all we will still learn them as we go along. So, when he visits one of the states we have already worked on we will choose one he normally doesn't go to like North Dakota. We may not know right away which state he will be visiting but as soon as I find out I will post that way we can possibly work on it together. Suggestions will be welcomed. I hope you decide to follow Daddy too. We are so excited!

TEXAS

       State of Texas(our puzzle pieces)

                                                                                 Texas Flag

Our Texas Flags

Kayte-7(we measured the lines)

Tommy Jr.-6(we worked on shapes)

Jessica Claire-3(we worked with colors and some shapes)

Here are some fun facts about Texas. Texas' nickname is the Lone Star State

It's Origin of name is from an Indian word meaning "friends". 

State Symbols include:

Flower: Bluebonnet

Tree: Pecan

Bird: mockingbird

Song: Texas, Our Texas"

Fish:Guadalupe Bass

Dish: chili

Folk Dance: Square Dance

Fruit: Texas Red grapefruit

Gem: Texas blue topaz

Plant: Prickly pear cactus

Insect: Monarch Butterfly

Mammal: Longhorn

Small Mammal: armadillo

More facts about Texas can be found http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108277.html


                                    

Follow Daddy:Where Daddy's Been

 

  The cities Daddy has visited:

•  Shelby N.Carolina
• Conroe TX.(just north of Houston) 

Cutting People Off

This could mean many other things. But I am referring to interrupting while someone is talking, well it is RUDE! I am talking mostly about myself on this one. I have come to the conclusion that I am doing this a lot lately and I need to come up with a solution or I will be made into one of those people "who like listening to themselves talk". This is not the case though for me. Let me explain. I have realized that while someone is talking to me my ears are listening but my mind is racing in a hundred directions. Not that I am not listening but normally I initiate the conversation for a solution. While the other person may be helping me I am still coming up with a solution in my brain and my mouth opens up with these ideas. I think its due to the fact that I tend to forget what I wanted to say all together. I don't know if its that I am getting old and really becoming forgetful or I am having a hard time dealing with short term memory loss. I am gonna say it's the "old" person one. So, I(rudely) just start talking over the other person. I am pretty sure the other person is getting upset with me or already is upset  because I know I do this more than a couple times during a conversation like the one I had with Kingdom Arrows yesterday about homeschooling different types of learners. I don't do this on purpose but its a habit, a very rude one and not who I am. I am a good listener! Well, at least I would hope I am. So, my solution is that I am going to start acting as if I am a journalist and while someone is talking I will have a "remembering" notebook to help with the interruptions, or do you think this may be even more rude?  If I have cut you off(in this manner) I am sorry. Especially to my loving husband to whom I know I do this countless of times. I am really trying hard to break this RUDE habit of mine.  I really want to be your good listener! Starting today I AM!!!

My first ever blog!

Okay. Here is my very first blog. I am wanting to keep a blog mostly for the sake of my family's journey through home-school. I have been wanting to home-school even before I ever had children. My husband and I recently made the decision to do so due to some recent information about the progress of them in public school. So, here we are and here we go!!! I have started a trial period of home-school(2 days in) and I have discovered a lot more about my children and their learning skills. I am trying to figure some more things out. I am so thankful I have the summer to work out the "kinks". I want to really go full force come September. This Saturday I will be attending the "used" curriculum fair and honestly I can not wait! But in July the Vendors will be in town and I will be able to see the bigger part of homeschooling materials. I am sure I will be most definitely overwhelmed by the vastness of it.  I will be in desperate need of helpful tips/hints as well as encouragement. I think with my Perfectionism I feel a bit overwhelmed with it all and I really hate to fail at something so important for my children(and for our family). So, please feel free to share any comments you think would be of help.
Another reason for this blog is to share my very own personal journey through learning the ways of a Christian home. I was not raised Christian and I am wanting so much more for me, my husband and my children. I want to be able to share this to others who weren't raised in a Christian home and is feeling unsure about things and taking the necessary steps forward and becoming one of God's children. I am so glad that I had encouragement along the way and want to spread it to others.
And so you have it! Our big adventure has started.Thanks for viewing my first ever blog. I hope you will come back for more and enjoy our wonderful roller coaster...uh I mean journey.
Chrissy