Raising Real Men

Being that I am a girl, raised by a single mom with only a sister, I knew nothing about boys.

And I am blessed to be the mother of two of them.

They are loud.

And rowdy. 

And they can't sit still for anything.

And I love it.

Homeschool Mother's Journal 09/30/11

Today is my first entry for the Homeschool Mother's Journal. I hope to go back and add the past few Fridays in so I have a complete record of the year.

In my life this week…
Mimi came to visit. It was a quick visit centered around taekwondo testing.
 
In our homeschool this week…
We've been struggling with structure and getting things done on time. I am still working through our schedule and tweaking it a bit.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
taekwondo testing
orthodontics appointment

My favorite thing this week was…
Watching my mom's reactions to how well my boys are reading now.

What’s working/not working for us…
Farm Boy is doing much better with his independent work. Still tweaking math curriculum and making sure there I'm not over-scheduling the workboxes.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Carlito C. Caterpiller's MathHouse Games

We are always looking for math games around here. I have two very oral kinetic learners who love, love, love to play! So of course I said "yes!" to reviewing a product for math games. And my goodness, isn't he just so cute??

Carlito C. Caterpiller's MathHouse Games is a set of full-color cards of 40 math games. The games introduce math abstractly through fun hands-on activities. In Carlito C. Caterpiller's MathHouse Games, there are three stages to understanding math:

• Stage 1: Quantity
• Stage 2: Numeration
• Stage 3: Operations

TOS Review: Games for Competitors Tri-Cross

Created by a family and based out of Atlanta, Tri-Cross, a Classic Game of Strategy for the 21st Century, is like nothing else (we totally agree there!) It is challenging and gets increasingly harder as desired for more challenging play. The creator describes Tri-Cross as a mix between Stratego, Chess and Checkers.

Because Farm Boy loves chess and checkers so much, I felt he would love Tri-Cross too. It was a bit challenging though as it is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Earning several awards, I think Tri-Cross is destined to a household favorite - it is here!!

REVIEW: Visionary Womanhood Gatherings (and a GIVEAWAY!)

Twenty years ago I didn’t even realize what I didn’t know. Visionary Womanhood Gatherings (p. 22)

When I met my husband I was not even a glimpse of the woman I am today. My life plan had me graduating college (though I had no idea in what), moving to the big city (I thought Atlanta,) becoming an independent employee (again who knows in what kind of job!) and living up the simple life, advancing in my career and not being dependent on a man. I did not have any plans for marriage. Or kids. 


And then I met him. 

Ginny Owens CD Winner

 I am still loving this CD so much! It wakes us up every morning as we have it set for our alarm. What a wonderful way to wake up (instead of loud, laughing DJs!!) 

And the winner is .......

TOS Review: Before Five in a Row

I first became familiar with Five in a Row when my oldest was just a wee one. I was attending a MOPS group and one of my closest friends was planning to homeschool. I was fascinated by the concept of homeschooling but at the time had no idea I could since my oldest had special needs. (But THAT is another story!)

REVIEW: Ginny Owens "Get In, I'm Driving!" (And a Giveaway!)

Ginny Owens has been one of my favorite artists for the last ten years. Her music helped me through the most trying time in my life. One song in particular still wraps God's arms around me whenever I hear it. And now, after five years, she has come out with her ninth album! I was so excited to hear it was being released and that I was going to have a chance to review it!!

TOS Review: Wise Alec Civilize This!

We are total history buffs in this house. We also love a good game. So when I saw Wise Alec™ Civilize This! by Griddly Games in the TOS Homeschool Crew cue, I was totally excited. I headed over to check it out and got even more excited!! I just knew this would make a great Fun Friday activity in our house.

Happy Saturday and Grace Card WINNER!

Happy Saturday Everyone! It is going to be a quiet one around here. Maybe some sewing, more purging and lesson planning for next week.

And the winner is ....

The Grace Card and a GIVEAWAY!!

How do you love someone that you really hate in the depths of your heart? 

That is the theme of this movie. 

Set in Memphis, a city near and dear to my heart, this movie really hit home for me. The main characters deal with the death of a child and the struggle the family ensues as a result of it. I felt it was a true portrayal of how the death of a child affects the whole family and the different ways people react to a loss. Other issues in the movie include race relations, family dynamics and job stress. This movie is Rated PG-13 so if you have younger children, be aware of that!

Our Schoolroom 2011-2012

We are blessed to have a dedicated schoolroom that we can use for most of the regular school year. It does not have air-conditioning but it does have heat. We don't use it from June-September/October though the kids will go in there from time to time to read or play on the floor. I love having a dedicated space and look forward to getting back in there. I am still adding things and the look of it changes here and there, but the feel of the room stays the same.

My Name is NOT Monkey Girl by Miriam Jacobs

I came across My Name is NOT Monkey Girl while searching for a flag bracket for our homeschool.

 

I plan to buy this book for our home library and an additional copy for our local library. I want to encourage you all to do the same. As the mom of a special needs child, it is heartbreaking to see your child ridiculed. This book was written and published by Miriam Jacobs, the grandmother of a little girl named Candace. Proceeds from the book will pay for the continued surgeries she needs to reconstruct her face after the birthmark removal.

Toilet Seat Two-Fer (Or How to Keep Your Skinny Minnie From Falling In)

Signs You Have a Skinny Minnie

1. Pants and shorts never fit correctly.
2. S/he has long legs that go on for days.
3. Belts are not a fashion accessory, they are a necessity.
4. You adore clothing lines with adjustable waistbands in size slim.
5. Even with size slim adjustable waistbands, the kid may need a belt.

2011-2012 Curriculum

We began homeschooling in June 2009. We had just moved back to GA in January 2009 and the last part of the school year didn't go very well. We dove into homeschool as soon as the regular school year ended and never looked back. Now we take June and July off for summer break, but we start our summer school a few weeks into August.

Dried Onion Soup Mix

I don't use a lot of processed foods. This first came out of necessity and needing to be frugal. Then I bought even less of them when we started the Feingold Diet to combat the symptoms of ADHD. I further scaled down my purchase of processed foods when I began realizing that I wanted the most control I could have over what I was feeding my family.

With our changes in diet, I began trying to new recipes. My family prefers their favorites however and some just aren't very healthy. I attempt to make them as healthy as possible, making changes where I can. One such change is making my own spice mixes. This began with Feingold and continues today.

Dried Onion Soup Mix

8 teaspoons dried onion flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley (I use 2 t since I love parsley!)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper (I use 1/8 t since my kids prefer less spice.)

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and use immediately. Or you can store in an airtight container for up to six months.

The Happy Birthday, Month

I try to make birthdays special for my boys but sometimes fail when it comes to making my husband's birthday special. Today I posted at The Happy Housewife on how I attempted to make his day special this year. This year, instead of a birthday, he had a Happy Birthday, Month!

REVIEW: Robert Pierre's I'm All In (and a Giveaway!!)

Can you imagine recording an album, let along three? Most of us can't.

Could you imagine leading a group or worshipers every Sunday morning? What about 800 worshipers?

Robert Pierre did this while he was just a senior in high school. 

The theme for Robert Pierre's I'm All In, is surrendering to God's will for the next stage of life after high school. With a packed summer of touring before he begins college this fall, I'm All In speaks to the young person struggling with leaving all they have ever known in their lives - the enormous unknown of moving on after graduation and becoming and adult.

Robert Pierre's soothing voice is mesmerizing and brings you into personal worship with the Father wherever you are.

I'm All In, which releases tomorrow, is available on pre-order through iTunes. Check out Robert Pierre on Facebook and hear a sampling of his music through his website.

I cannot wait to see what this young man will do for God with this rest of his life.

Who would like to win a copy of Robert Pierre's I'm All In?? One lucky winner will receive a copy of this CD.

To enter, tell me what you were most concerned about when you were finishing high school. PLEASE be sure to leave me a way to contact you!!

This giveaway closes at 11:59 PM on August 2, 2011.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Menu Plan Monday 7/18/2011

This is my first official Menu Plan Monday post! I do so much better with our meals when I actually have a plan - no more last minute trips to the store or 5 o'clock freak outs because I have forgotten to plan dinner.

So without further adieu ... the menu!

Monday
Marinara and Angelhair, salad

Tuesday
lentil tacos/taco salad

Wednesday
Chicken Bowls

Thursday
Date Night at Home!
grilled salmon, veggie kabobs and baked potato (brown rice for me)

Friday
homemade pizza

Saturday
Family Reunion
Since we are on a special diet, I have to take our meal - BBQ, mac and cheese, salad and green bean casserole or homemade baked beans. I will also take dessert and homemade bread to share with everyone.

Sunday
reunion leftovers

REVIEW: Bright Ideas Press Wondermaps

Farm Boy is a serious geography nut. He started learning the States when he was a wee five years old. He is fascinated with any kind of map and has quite a collection. And he practically started drooling when I showed him Wondermaps from Bright Ideas Press.

Wondermaps is an amazing map program with over 300 ways to completely customize your geography learning experience! Choose a simple, black and white map or a full color map with terrain gradients and geological features!

Wondermaps Screenshot

Farm Boy was able, with very little instruction, to create printable PDF maps with just a few clicks. He is currently learning the European countries and loved looking at all the features he could add to his maps, including rivers, names and borders. The full color gradients are beautiful!


What's it Gonna Cost Me?
$49.95 

This curriculum is a bargain for larger families since it can be used over and over again for elementary through high school!




Wondermaps is available for Windows or Mac. You may order a digital download or CD (or both!) The free Adobe Acrobat is required to use this curriculum.

Check it Out!

Not convinced? Check out the six minute Wondermaps Tutorial (below) and feast your eyes on the many features available! 

Other Products

Bright Ideas Press is well-known for its Christian Kids Explore Science series. They also have the very excellent Illuminations curriculum for upper elementary through high school, All-American History and All-American History, Jr for elementary aged kids! Bright Ideas Press also carries Mystery of History.

Final Word

We absolutely love Wondermaps! This belongs in every homeschool family's permanent curriculum library.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of Wondermaps from Bright Ideas Press for the purpose of review. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and by clicking and purchasing I will receive a small compensation. All opinions expressed are my own and I received no other compensation for my review.