Autumn Favorites

Well, I know for most people it is already officially Autumn.  Our family tries to gradually allow Autumn to arrive.  We are Summer people!  But, this year we will try to embrace Washington Autumn.  We will try to patiently put up with her mood swings and warm teases.  We will laugh when we live the grocery store and get soaked to our bones.





Here is our nature table or rather shelf.  It gradually gathers things until we realize it is ready for a change.  I thought if we are going to say good bye to Summer we should clean it up a bit.  I spent some time on a chalkboard "drawing".  Well, rather it is just a poem. A drawing will wait.



The poem I am using was a direct inspiration from Magic Onions.  I loved her nature table.  I really should think a bit more about ours.

A very sweet rhyme for circle time from Seasons of Joy.

Gluten Free Mommy's Pumpkin Enchiladas which I always remember come Autumn. My youngest son loves these.  He requested them for his birthday last year.  They are wonderful with black beans for the vegetarians

.

I have been desperately praying and seeking new Rhythm.  Every-time I think I have it down something happens and blows it all up.  I was all prepared for this new school year and I found out I was pregnant.  I am not as sick as last time.  But, I am just so tired.  Smoosh that together with the crazy destruction of a one year old and well our year is not off to the start I had hoped for.  

Monday

Monday
Originally uploaded by OakBlossoms

From top to bottom. A Journey to Waldorf Homeschooling Grade 1.  This is just the outline for the first month.  We are just going to start at the beginning of the curriculum.  I figure some of it will be review even if it's in a different form.  It shouldn't last us a year, but I didn't want to jump up to Grade 2 yet.  A few books to read aloud including Gail Gibbons From Seed to Plant.  We love Gail Gibbons!  Spelling Power book for Spelling Tests.  Math U See for the two older boys.

When citing accomplishments...

let me preface that I don't share book like accomplishments often. Mostly that is because of my thoughts on education. My thoughts are clouded by John Holt and that guy who writes for Home Education magazine...ya know David Albert, and the ever so lovely Charlotte Mason (with the help of Leslie).



But, the Peacemaker finally finished Explode the Code Book 1!!! I'm so darn proud of him, too. I don't care that he is 8 years old either. He isn't behind his schedule because he is homeschooled.

Making Schedules

Leslie has fabulous schedules for her children.

I have a spiral bound notebook. It's for thinking. See I've spent the years since I could first write scribbling on pieces of paper and then leaving those pieces of papers everywhere.

So, I've gotten better at wasting paper. I just write in this notebook. It's mostly useless. It's not a diary. It's not full of good stuff. It's just that my brain only works well if I'm writing with my hand. So, I get it all out and eventually I write something that makes sense.

Right now it's thoughts and schedules. This year I learned a lot about my oldest and how to help him work and stay on track. He likes to be given a plan. He doesn't do well if let to his own all day. But, he doesn't like to be told what to do. Just give him a list and let him disappear.

Last year I got so overwhelmed with day to day living. I could never keep up with his lists. I don't want to worry about it every week, but I don't know if I spend a bunch of time creating something and it fails if I will then feel like a failure.

Contest at Heart of the Matter

Heart of the Matter is having a contest to give away Biology 101 DVDs

Here is a description from the HOM blog:

Biology 101: Biology According To The Days of Creation is a video series that gives an overview of Biology from the Biblical perspective. It comprises four DVDs covering Plants, Aquatics Creatures, Avian Creatures, Land Animals, Mankind and Genetics. All based on the days of creation. The total length of the series is 4 1/2 hours and a guidebook which includes quizzes accompanies the series also. The creator of this wonderful series has geared it toward 15 year olds and higher but my science loving 3rd and 4th graders loved it! Wes Olson, a Bible college graduate and homeschooling father, developed and hosted this great series. He is very knowledgeable of Biology and we absolutely loved his sense of humor.

Here is my reply for my entry:

I don't know about my favorite. We really love animals around here. But, I do have to say that I have really enjoyed learning to love the scaly creatures. I used to abhor reptiles and things similar. But, a few years back a relative brought over a friends iguana. He was almost dead and the rescue suggested putting him to sleep because they could not find a home for him. But, I couldn't help myself. I fed him, bathed him, and loved him.

He now loves me dearly. He listens to my voice. He loves to be pet on the head, just like any dog or cat. His little eyes roll back and his eyelids shut.

I've learned to love a scaly little creature. He isn't beautiful because of the harm his previous owners did, do to poor nutrition and lack of proper lighting.

But, he is our little iguana. A beautiful and remarkable creature.

Getting Ready for a New Year

Yes, here I am. I found an awesome new background at SuckMyLolly.com. This will be the first year I'm "teaching"...leading...marching on together...with all three boys this year. We actually made it through a whole year last year. No one decided to go back to public school & the Warrior (our youngest) is not going to Kindergarten!!!!!

I think I'll keep this blog just for learning adventures this year. I still have my wordpress blog...so perhaps I'll keep that for my own personal opinions.