2 Months in 1 Post

Several bouts of illness, traveling, homeschool conference planning, and general life craziness have all conspired to keep me out of the blogging world the past couple of months.  We enjoyed our homeschooling time when we could, and the children learned several life skills in independence while I was laid up for various sicknesses.  Part of my reason for having this blog is to create a scrapbook of sorts for our homeschooling journey together.  So forgive my huge photo dump of the last couple of months; I know the children and I will enjoy having this record to look back on in a few years!

Nature Time

We have enjoyed quite a bit of nature time this spring.  The kids were given a bird feeder, which has proven to be the single best gift they have ever received.  I can't even begin to count the many hours spent staring at the various birds attracted to our little window feeder.  Lots of other fun nature exploration has happened from playing with caterpillars and ladybugs in our backyard to nature hikes with our Charlotte Mason group.

Family Time

The three children have really gotten close these past few months.  Gabrielle is finally old enough to join in imaginative play which has really opened up the play possibilities for the older kiddos.  They all started sharing a room and are as thick as thieves.

Catholic Stuff

We've had lots of opportunity to delve deep into our faith during the rich liturgical seasons of Easter and Lent.  We have tried hard to incorporate major feast days into our life as well.

Homeschool Co-ops

We have continued enjoying the group activities through our various co-ops.  We have been attending wonderful geography playgroups the last several months.  I teach a science class through the same co-op and have truly enjoyed watching my little group of 5 and 6 year olds develop their scientific understanding.  We've also enjoyed P.E., nature walks, and lots more.  Who said homeschoolers are anti-social?!

Sports

Our city offers wonderful, affordable sports classes through our Parks and Rec. department that we try to take advantage of when possible.  Michaela and Rafael took archery earlier this spring together and then Rafael took soccer while Michaela took track.

It's been a fun semester!  Thanks for reading!

Holy Week Printables & Links

I have been busy finding ideas for our family to celebrate Holy Week together.  Here is the plan for our family.

Holy Week Calendar

Here is a blank version if you want to use the template and write in your own plans.

Holy Week Calendar - Blank

I also created a minibook printable version of the Holy Week Calendar Craft from The Domestic Notebook.  I printed these out, folded them according to these directions, and we will draw a related picture in the empty space each day.  I used the readings from Luke as I feel it is the most succinct and small child friendly of the Gospels.

Holy Week Mini Book

Here are a couple of my favorite posts that really did a great job in giving ideas for Holy Week activities!
Two O's + More - Observing Holy Week as a Family
Catholic All Year - The "You Can Still Do This" Guide to All Things Holy Week

Hope you have a prayerful Holy Week!  Thanks for reading!

Week in Review March 9th - Spring Semester Week #8

Hard at work in their uniforms.

In My Life

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed lately.  I recently took on the task of helping set up a Catholic homeschool conference in our town and am not sure that was one of my smartest ideas.  Darn helium hand!  In any case, with singing at two evening Masses this weekend, and a late night meeting for the conference, I am ready to be a hermit this week.  I did get to see some friends Friday evening though, thank goodness.  It is amazing what a little girl time can do for your sanity!

 

In Our Homeschool

WAY too many crazy weeks in a row, but thankfully we have been able to stay on track with our homeschool schedule thanks to my new dirty little secret.  Uniforms!  I bought a few basic uniforms at our local consignment store a couple of weeks ago - nothing special just khaki bottoms and navy tops (or a few navy dresses in Michaela's case).  We were having some issues with getting distracted and off task, so now the children put on their uniforms as soon as they wake up and wear them until they are done with their schoolwork for the day.  They know that even if I let them have a break, when I say it is time to get back on task, no arguing is allowed.  The uniform says so.  They are thrilled to change into play clothes afterwards, and I love how well it is working so far!

Phonics - Rx For Reading - Initial and Final Consonant Blends
Math - MEP Year 1 - Lessons 47-50
Grammar - 1st Language Lessons - 34-38

Handwriting - Catholic Handwriting Skills K - b

Literature - Betsy Tacy and Tib
Rafael Language Arts - Language Lessons for Little Ones - Lessons 60-66
Rafael Math - MEP Reception - Lessons 24-27
Rafael Literature - Wanda Gag books - Millions of Cats, The Funny Thing, The ABC Bunny
Geography - Italy - Count Your Way Through Italy, C is for Ciao
History - Slavery/Beginning of Civil War - Priscilla and the Hollyhocks, Follow the Drinking Gourd
Science - BFSU - A-4 Science Co-op Class - the particulate matter of nature

Around Town

Tuesday - Science Co-op Class
Wednesday - PBS Station Tour
Thursday - Archery Class
Friday - Catholic Co-op

I'm Grateful For

My amazing husband.  After being gone several nights this week, he encouraged me to "linger" during my Sunday afternoon errands so that I could enjoy some child-free time.  What a Saint!  It is our 8 year anniversary today!

What I'm Working On

I am focusing on getting rid of junk as per my 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge.  It is amazing how much stuff I have  - and I have done this challenge the past several years too!

Thanks for reading!

Lent Check-in - Week 1

Bag 1: Old magazines and fabric
Bag 2: Paperwork and trash from my car!

Prayer - HelloMornings Challenge & Daily Family Prayer

Going well.  There are mornings where it is difficult, but it is do nice to be able to wake up and go to sleep every day with God in my heart.

Fasting
1.  No added sugar - hmmm...going ok.  It is extremely difficult at times and it's only been a few days!  I am struggling with using this fasting as a method to bring me closer to God rather than just another diet.  I felt so awful yesterday at my sister's house.  My dad had made breakfast for us and instead of gratefully eating it, I kept fussing over whether the ingredients had added sugar.  Our deacon really hit the nail on the head yesterday in his homily when he reminded us that our fasting shouldn't be so severe that it becomes a penance for others.

2.  40 Bags in 40 Days - It was a bit if a crazy week so I only managed to fill 2 out of 5 trash bags. That is still 2 trash bags of junk gone!

3.  Sacrificing Social Media - struggling with this one too.  Hopefully I can do better this week, because I definitely slipped up quite a bit.

Almsgiving
1.  Patience - Serving my family with patience is not very easy while giving up added sugar!  I perhaps did not think that out very well.  Starting the morning with prayer is very helpful, but this ties in to being able to handle my fasting internally and transform it into a form of prayer through giving to my family.

2.  Tithe - I will finally be setting up EFT this week!

How did your first week of Lent go?

Red Beans & Rice

We enjoyed our Mardi Gras on Tuesday, feasting on lots of yummy treats including some not so beautiful looking beignets and king cake.

For dinner we ate Red Beans & Rice, one of our favorite yearly traditions.  This recipe makes a LOT so I was able to freeze quite a bit.

Red Beans and Rice

1lb red beans
7 cups water
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped and minced
21oz chicken broth
1 1/2lb sausage, chopped
2 T creole seasoning ( I used cajun)

Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 9 hours.  Serve on top of hot cooked rice.

Source: Green with Love

I'm Linking Up!

2014 Lent Plans

Who's ready to Lent it up with me!
Image from Catholic All Year

I think I feel this way every Lent and I always have to take a step back and look at what I have committed myself to!  It is important to strike a balance between true sacrifice for yourself, and doing something that negatively affects the rest of your family and causes a "forced sacrifice" to them as well.

For instance, when I first started planning for Lent this year I thought about joining a weekly bible study, attending Eucharistic Adoration once a week, and offering my time to the pro-life movement.  Um.  Yeah.  I think I temporarily forgot that I have kids and a husband, and oh yeah, homeschool too.  While I MIGHT be able to do all that, my family time would suffer and it is just not realistic.  My vocation as a wife, mother, and teacher means that right now, serving my family takes precedence over serving the rest of the community.  And that is ok!  It is a good thing!

I began thinking of the three themes of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.  After a lot of prayer and discernment, I've come up with a list of ways to prepare my heart and soul for Jesus during this Lenten season (that won't negatively impact my family!).

Prayer
1.  Hello Mornings Challenge - I began this challenge last week.  The goal is to wake up early and to use the time to grow closer to God.  Along with personal prayer, I have been using my Laudate App to read the daily Mass readings, about the Saint of the day, and to pray Lauds.  I will continue this through the Lenten season.  It helps me start the day in the right frame of mind, and ensures that Jesus if foremost in my thoughts and words throughout the day.

2.  Praying with the Children - As a family we will pray a Decade of the Rosary every evening, and the Stations of the Cross on Fridays.

Fasting
1.  No Added Sugar - I am cutting refined and added sugar from my diet.  I have a true addiction and am truly commiting the sin of gluttony.  I am looking to Jesus' fasting in the desert as my model for abstinence.

2.  40 Bags in 40 Days - I hope to get rid of the material junk cluttering up my house and mind by trashing or donating a bag of excess from my home each day of Lent.  I hope that simplifying my surroundings will give me the clarity and peace to grow closer to God.

3.  Sacrificing Social Media - I am restricting my Facebook and Pinterest time so that I can focus more on my family.

Almsgiving
1.  Patience - In serving my family I hope to increase my patience and serve with love instead of anger or irritability.

2.  Tithe - This is so awful, I am ashamed to admit it.  We stopped tithing about two years ago when our church gave the option of Automatic EFT.  We cancelled our envelopes, filled out the EFT paperwork....and forgot to turn it in.  And forgot.  And forgot.  And forgot.  And here it is two years later and we still have not turned it in.  I can't believe we have let it lapse so long, but we are more than ready to start giving our first fruits to God again!

Thanks for reading!  What are your plans for Lent?

I'm Linking Up!

Visit the hosts too!

Monica at Equipping Catholic Families (on Facebook) 

Chris at Campfires and Cleats (on Facebook)

Tina at Truly Rich Mom (on Facebook) 

Tracy at A Slice of Smith Life   (on Facebook)

Week in Review March 2nd - Spring Semester Week #7

What a crazy week!  Part of the reason I keep this blog is to track our lessons so that I have a guidepost when planning future lessons for younger kids.  Today I have no time to do all the usual fluff - I just need to get this post written and recorded for my own personal future use!

In Our Homeschool

Phonics - Rx for Reading - Initial Consonant Blends

Math - MEP Year 1 - Lessons 42-46
Grammar - First Language Lessons - Lessons 29-33
Handwriting - cursive t, l, joining letters to form words (it)
Literature - Finished Betsy Tacy
Rafael Language Arts - Language Lessons for Little Ones - Lessons 52-59
Rafael Math - MEP Reception - Lesson 19-23
Rafael Literature - Angus and the Ducks, Ask Mr. Bear, The Magic Porridge Pot, The Little Red Hen
Geography - Italy co-op class
History - Slavery/Beginning of Civil War - Henry's Freedom Box, Hope's Gift

Art & Music - Fantasia (don't laugh)

Handicrafts - Michaela got several Lego sets for her birthday and has been happily occupied by them.

Around Town

Monday - Gabrielle 2yo Doctor Appointment

Tuesday - Italy Geography Class

Wednesday - Weekly Homeschool Mass, MOMS Club playgroup, Field Trip to Racing museum

Thursday - Archery Class

Friday - Catholic Co-op