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Last year we started using Ambleside Online for our school. One of the basics of the program is narration. My oldest has really struggled with this. She wouldn't even try, was how I felt. I would read something aloud, she would read it to herself, I would have her listen to a CD, she couldn't remember a thing. It would drive me NUTS!!! My middle daughter would know more about what I just read aloud. We worked and worked at it, but I really didn't feel we were making progress. I would read shorter amounts and that would help some, but I didn't have to time to do all the readings so short. I had two other girls that I needed to work with, one who couldn't do anything (mostly) independently. I really needed the oldest one to work more independently. We talked about it, we worked on it, I prayed and toiled over it. Yesterday she gave me the most beautiful narration. I am so impressed with her this school year. She is really making an effort right now. I am proud of her!! So, hopefully she sticks with it and it will be a great year. If you have one struggling with narration, keep at it. There is hope! |
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We had our first official day today. It went pretty well. We didn't accomplish a couple things I had wanted to do, but they were minor. I am trying to keep the balance between getting it all done and working up to it all getting done. It's a difficult balance for me. I tend to be the all or nothing, so if I don't do it all it quickly becomes nothing and never gets done. But, I am getting better. I have a few subjects that I have really wanted to add, but have been a struggle. One of them is foreign language. My girls wanted to learn German. I don't really know much German, but we have family members that speak German, so I thought it would be a good one. However, my motivation is little and their individual motivation is little. So, it has to happen only when I make it happen. So, that's what I'm working on right now. Today was a good reminder of why I homeschool. A friend emailed me asking for encouragement, because she had a difficult day. Parts of my day were more frustrating than I wanted them to be, but overall it went well. I was reminded that my days won't be perfect! But, if my girls were in school they wouldn't be any more perfect, just different issues. I was reminded that I would rather work through a bad attitude they have developed at home than a bad attitude they picked up from a classmate emulating habits that they would never see at home. I was reminded that my time with them really is short. My oldest is now on the downhill slide (7th grade). I can barely believe she's old enough to be starting school let alone old enough to be in Junior High. OK, really I can't believe I'm old enough to have a daughter that's in Junior High. These are just a few things I reminded myself of today. I also found that encouraging a friend made me realize that I really CAN do this. That I have something to impart. That I have vision. That I have abilities. I'm grateful to God for the opportunity to homeschool my girls. I pray that I am able to teach them all that I should. I pray for wisdom and direction to be right where we need to be. |
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I woke my oldest up extra early this morning with the instructions of, yet again, looking for the book. It has to be here somewhere!! There's no other place it could be. She was feeling a bit exasperated and as though she had looked everywhere. I was on the verge of meltdown, because I was just so frustrated that the very thing I had been working to organize, so that this wouldn't happen, was still not organized, because this one book was missing! Her and her dad were praying that she would find it. It was a long shot, but her dad asked her if it might be in the loft of the shop. There's a loft area that the girls have made into a little playhouse type area. They have slept out there a few times this summer and have some toys up there. Why this wasn't the first place she looked (PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF SARCASM IN THE TONE OF THAT QUESTION), I'll never know. BUT THAT'S WHERE IT WAS!!! HALLELUJAH!!! My day could go on and even be an enjoyable one. I was so thankful to Jesus for a husband who listens to the Holy Spirit! |
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Monday was our first day of school for the new year. It had its moments of good and bad. We got quite a bit of work done. My goal for the first two weeks is to work a lot on math and do some readings that we didn't quite finish last year. There are readings for each girl, but we're doing them all together. What was the bad, you ask? My oldest cannot find her math book. I would like to say this has never happened. Actually, this very thing happened at the beginning of school last year. I excused it that time, because we were in the midst of moving. It got packed in a box that I didn't know it got packed in. But, here we are again. I was beyond frustrated! I finally printed out some pages from the computer and gave that to her. She STILL HAS NOT FOUND THE BOOK!!! Argh!!! I got the school room all done! Yipee!! In order to, hopefully, avoid the lost book syndrome that seems to plague my children, we are going to do school in the school room. I have taken out some specific books for the living room. And, I am going to allow them to go to the family room, which is connected to the school room. But, until they are establishing the habit of putting things back where they belong, we are going to be IN THE SCHOOL ROOM. I found the other two missing books - HOORAY! So, it does give me hope for the math book. I know we had it. It's just a matter of figuring out where in her, um, not so neat room, it could possibly be hiding. I wish I could show you some pictures, but alas, if you wondered where my daughter gets this losing things habit.... I can't find my camera! Sigh, hopefully it will show up soon. In many ways, my house is cleaner than normal so, who knows where it could be hiding. Have a great day! |
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This WEEK has been largely focused on finishing getting our school room in order. Does this tell you anything about the room? It's been everything BUT the school room. I have decided that for at least the first few weeks we are going to do the majority of our work in the room. It seems cruel and perhaps even uncomfortable. So, why, you ask? Well, do you know how much time each one of my girls and myself spent looking for books each week. They aren't in the habit of putting them back and I'm not in the habit of making sure that they do. I thought I'd let them each pick one subject that they can do anywhere. And, well, we will probably do reading on the coach right NEXT to the school room. At least until we all develop the habit of taking care of our books. There are still at least two books I know we have that I don't know where they are as we are readying for school to begin. |
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We are one week away from school getting started (I hope). I have the rest of the books ordered that I need, and should be arriving relatively soon. I am working on getting the next twelve weeks into the girls' notebooks. And, I'm finishing getting the school room organized. This week I got one more thing checked off our list. We are using Charlotte Mason methods with www.amblesideonline.org. One of the things that I have yet to implement well is handicrafts. I really wanted to do this, so I have a plan with the oldest two. Now, I just need to finalize something with the youngest. My oldest is going to work on her sewing skills. We got a pajama pant pattern and some material. She's going to make a trial pair for herself. And, then the plan is that she will sew pajama pants for Christmas for our family and extended family. She's really excited. My middle is going to work on cooking and baking. So, I'm thinking I'll give her the responsiblity of dinner once a week. And, we'll find recipes and try some different methods. Of course, we'll also have to throw in desserts here and there. My youngest I haven't talked to her about what she wants to do. I'm excited because I think we have a doable plan. I wanted projects that could increase their skills, but fit within our time schedule. I'm really excited!! |
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Now, if you know me at all, you know that the skill of canning was a skill that I never desired to attain. My sister cans fruit every year, and all the family loves her canned fruit. I've been to her house when she cans. I saw the jars of fruit everywhere and was quite convinced that I never needed to acquire that skill. However, when we first moved 7 years ago, and my life pace changed I began to think that maybe SOMEDAY I could do that. Then, when we moved back to Idaho in 2005 I was tricked. My husband asked me to make pear butter. The house we were house sitting had a pear tree and he remembered his mom always making pear butter and how yummy it was. Honestly, I had NO IDEA what pear butter was. I knew it was made with pears and I kept waiting for his mom to tell me how much butter to buy for the recipe. So, me wanting to please my husband, I called up my MIL and invited over for a day of helping me make pear butter. It started off on the wrong foot. She could not find her recipe! I googled pear butter and read off several recipes to her until we found one that was at least similar. We then spent the entire day (or at least it felt like it) preparing this pear butter. The pears from the tree were very little, which meant it took forever to peel and slice them. Somewhere towards the end of the whole process I realized that I was going to be canning these. I felt tricked!! I couldn't believe that I had been duped into CANNING! But, I felt accomplished and thought that this was for my husband, so I could do this again. He came home, tried it. Do you want to know his first comment? ... "It doesn't taste like my mom's." Um, your mom sat right there and told me what to do each step of the way! Apparently you don't ever want me to make pear butter again! I haven't. And, that's been in large part due to the fact that we still have a jar, maybe two left. It kinda confirmed in me that I really didn't want to can. But, last year we moved to our own place. And, this year we planted our first garden. Gardens mean abundance of food. The best way to utilize the abundance is...canning it. We planted beets. Really the only thing I've ever heard that people do with beets is can them. I guess I was stuck. So, I googled it and found a step by step, including pictures, guide. I followed it and made a couple phone calls of confirmation to my sister... I NOW AM THE PROUD OWNER OF FIVE PINTS OF CANNED BEETS!!! I did it all by myself. OK, Dave helped wash the beets and kept reading the directions to me, as he was on the computer. But, I did it all alone. I've got plenty of beets left to do more, so I'll be busy. And, then we'll have green beans, tomatoes, and I really want to make salsa and spaghetti sauce too. |
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OK, I had such big plans for the summer, and it's over! What happened to the time? I think the girls would say that they have had a great summer, but it's definitely been FULL one. And, that isn't full of the school work that I was thinking we would be able to easily fit into our mornings a few mornings a week. Not every morning, but two, maybe three. So, I have officially decided we will not ever say that we are going to do school through the summer again. Because, it never happens! Now, we did do some "school"ish things. Just not the things that I was planning on, like math. But, we went on a mine tour, we toured a local mission, the girls did a basketball camp, my oldest had ballet camp, we went camping, and floating in two different rivers close by. Our one activity that doesn't really count as school, but definitely as fun, was spending quite a bit of time at Silverwood Theme Park (www.silverwoodthemepark.com). The family got passes for Christmas, so we have gone there at least once a week. A few friends have taken the older two girls so they could get their families in with the gold passes. So, they have had plenty of FUN. We have one more camping trip, Labor Day Weekend. It's church family camp, and I'm really looking forward to that. The girls leave tomorrow afternoon for church camp. My goal is to organize and get the rest of the things ordered that I need for school. I'm thinking that the week after camp will be a relax week, and then that following week we will start up on school. Focusing for a week or two on MATH! By September we'll be ready to hit the ground running. |
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Well, I haven't been here much, because I've been on my roof. Yes, you heard that right, my ROOF! Now, I wasn't going to blog about this, because me getting on the roof wasn't a pleasant interaction between my husband and I. He was frustrated and I was frustrated. I'm pretty sure he never got why I was frustrated. But, I did understand him and decided it was in the best interest of our long term relationship if I helped. I had no desire to share this whole incident with anyone, because I really was not happy about it. Never once in my entire life have I had a desire to redo a roof - NEVER! Never once in my life was I asked if I would like to help redo a roof... but I digress. After reconsidering though, I decided I'd write this entry just to let you all know that I am now fairly confident walking on the roof, and am quite adept at a nail gun. But, I guess what blessed me most is that my husband has been telling his friends that I've been up on the roof with him, using the nail gun. So, I at least feel appreciated. One friend told me that her husband said to her, "I'm way impressed. You are handy and I wouldn't expect you to get on the roof." This is my friend that decides her kids need a new kid sized table, goes out and buys the supplies, and completely builds one that day. I am now not too bad and the table saw and nail gun. I'm scared to think of what adventure my husband will send me on next.... |
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I am feeling like a true farm woman today. I used a power saw! Woo hoo!! I feel a bit like my friend, Erin. She's always making/building things. I did do all my work under the supervision of my hubby, however. I have learned that although I am capable of learning and figuring out things, it's best if I do it the way HE wants. Otherwise, if it's wrong according to him, it isn't pretty. We are putting a little picket fence around our garden, in an attempt to keep the chickens out. Plus, we think it will look really cute! After pricing out vinyl fencing, and already done wood picket fence, we decided we could build it ourselves for about half the price. At first I balked at Dave doing it, but he insisted that I could do it. So, I cut the wood and he and my middle daughter nailed it together. We're only about half way (that's all the wood we bought so far). And, we still need to buy paint. But, it was fun. I also think we'll make Xmas presents with the leftover triangles. I thought the girls could sand the cedar to make it smooth and we could make things to put in drawers and closets. We also could make little bags to put some of them in to be "pretty." I hope it will be fun for them. Now, I just need to get us going on it. |
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Since it's been very hot here, the last week we've been haning out our laundry. My husband was very excited about this. He LOVES line dried laundry. I always hear about line dried laundry and how wonderful it is. To be quite honest, I am not impressed! I thought perhaps they were some odd childhood memories. But, alas, they aren't. I imagine the clothes smelling great (they actually do smell really good) and being nice and fluffy and you just want to bury your face in them, because they are just that nice. Um, excuse me, they are stiff as a board. Do people really like this? Am I missing something? I was happy to hear that my daughter wasn't all that impressed either. I was wondering if it was just me. Alas, as long as it's 90+ outside and we have no A/C, I will continue to hang. It makes me feel somewhat domestic. But, seriously, the only thing that impresses me about it is how quickly they actually dry! I am grateful that I'm not putting more heat into my house and I'm saving some on my energy bill. But seriously, not loving the way my clean undies feel. |
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Well, two meals down now. Today we had chicken (rabbit) pot pie. It wasn't only my first rabbit pot pie, but my first homemade pot pie ever. I was very proud of myself. My oldest helped me make the crust, I did the middle, rolled the crust and put it together. If, by chance, your family decides to do rabbit too. I have found that roasting them in the oven and then taking all the meat off is easiest. And, it's even easier if you let it cool first and then take it off. So, unless I hear of some other successful way, that's how I'm going to continue doing it. Everyone liked it and everyone ate all that was on their plate, so another rabbit meal down. I think the girls and I all still have to just think chicken and eat it. The flavor is fine, it's the whole idea of it. But, I liked it and if for no other reason than to bless my husband, I will continue to fix it as it is available in the freezer. |
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My girls have clean rooms! It took the better part of a day, but they are clean. Now, we just need them to stay clean long enough that I have the energy to go through the drawers and closet. They definitely need some weeding out. Too many things! My oldest declared this morning that she really likes it when her room is clean. So, I'm hoping that perhaps it will stay that way (although, confession, I am not holding my breath!). Even my room is fairly clean. My sister and I are challenging each other in weight loss and house cleaning. My eating goal for the week is not drinking pop. (It's my serious downfall, and I'd probably lose 50 pounds just cutting that out, sigh.) My house cleaning goal is to be sure my bed is made everyday. I did well at this for awhile, but lately, it seems I wake up before my husband and then the bed doesn't get made. But, I feel we have victory and some peace. Now I just need to keep it moving through all the rooms of the house. |
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I know I posted about my website before, but it is now complete. I am so excited about it. I am hoping that it will really be a great resource to anyone who is thinking about moving here, wanting to homeschool, and looking for a new home. I actually had two different sites done. One is a general homeschool site, which includes a property search. The second is geared towards homeschoolers, but focuses just on purchasing property in Idaho. Take a look! If you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them! And, if you live in Northern Idaho and see something I've missed, shoot me an email and let me know. THANKS! for looking! Jilann |
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OK, actually I LOVE reading other people's blogs. It is encouraging, challenging, inspiring, motivating, and just fun. I love to read blogs of my friends. It's a way that I can keep in touch without talking to them everyday. It helps me to get an understanding of what's going on in their lives and even though we are separated by miles, I feel somehow closer to them. I enjoy reading blogs of people I don't know. It sounds weird (although if you're reading this, you enjoy reading blogs and so it probably doesn't sound weird to you). I know my husband thinks I'm absolutely crazy. Why would I want to read a bunch of stuff about people I dont' know. However, he is obsessed with looking at Craig's List for things that 1)we can't afford and 2)he wouldn't buy most of the time anyway. I digress... Anyway, I find reading blogs incredibly enriching to my life. It gives me a glimpse into someone else's life and I don't have to be there. Not that I would mind being there, I just don't have to. The blogs I'm reading expect nothing from me (except an encouraging comment here and there is always appreciated). So, it's a no pressure "relationship." I can get behind a few days and still catch up. I always find little tid bits here and there that help me with schooling my girls or life in general. One of the other things about blogs is once you've "met" someone you can "meet" another someone through their blog. I was doing this today. I read on a blog that I found who knows where. And, she had some links to other blogs, so I started reading those links and even added a few to my favorites list. It has helped me pick up ideas for things that I never thought I would try, and really didn't even know where to go to get started. One area that blogging has helped me is with cooking. For most of my cooking life my goal has been ease. However, about two and a half years ago, I lost a bunch of weight and really became conscious of trying to eat healthier, making more things, etc. I'm not always so good at it. But, recently I've been reinspired and realizing that I really do want to instill good habits in my children. So, I love to read blogs of moms who plan all their menus (I will be this mom SOMEDAY), make delicious meals from scratch, and always have a healthy snack on hand. It challenges me and inspires. Yet, one other aspect of blogs that I like is that no one is looking over my shoulder to see if I'm doing all these things too These are all the thoughts I pondered this morning, as I was making homemade granola using a recipe from a blog I read. I felt so inspired, grateful, and excited about changes happening in my life. THANKS! to all you blogging moms out there that really bring a bright spot to my day!!! Jilann |
. If I fail at my menu making attempts, I don't feel the condemnation. I read someone else's and am inspired to try again. I can pick one or two things from a blog here and there and work on that. I struggle with feeling like I'm NOT the supermom I want to be, but reading blogs challenges me to keep at it and to not give up.|
I've tried making pie, more than once. It's the crust that always throws me. It never comes out right, and I'm always really bummed about it. Because, my husband likes pie and it just seems like one of those things that I should be able to do. A friend of mine makes the BEST pie ever! And, she was even kind enough to give me the recipe. I tried, it didn't work so well. So, I said, I think it's consistency that I'm having trouble with. Would you please show me how to make it? So, she came over and I made two awesome pies with her watchful eye helping me. I was very impressed with myself. So, for Father's Day, I decided I'd make my dad an apple pie (his favorite) and my husband a peach pie (his favorite). THEY WERE SOOOOOOO YUMMY!!!!!!!! I WAS SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!!! I wish I had pictures! They were perfect. I must confess, I was a little proud of myself. So, I feel I have finally conquered the pie crust. I can do it! Now, I can hopefully teach my children the same. Then, one day, now that I've conquered it, I can pass the duty on to them. But, until them, I think I'm going to enjoy making them for special occassions, etc. |
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Well, I came to look through some blogs and started at mine. I am SURE I posted a blog this morning? Where did it go? Hmmmmm. Maybe it will be on my home computer when I return? Behold, a mystery. Aren't you all bummed? It was probably the most exciting post I've ever written!!! Now, I've really got you wondering, don't I? OK, I shall hold you in suspense no longer... I only wrote of my summer and how my plans to school throughout the summer seem to be dwindling before we even start! Exciting, huh? I know you're thinking that? The past two weeks have been full of fun activities, but have not really included cranking out the school work that I am wanting them to work through. So, last night, in an attempt to clarify to my girls that I really DO mean it when I said we were going to school through the summer, they each had to pull out their math and work on a page. It's not much, but it's something. Tonight my plan is to make sure they each have a book or two they are working through. Then, when I hear those special words that all kids seem to pick up on so quickly - "I'm BORED!" I'll have a plce to direct them. They have a list of books they are supposed to be working through. But, the self-motivation is definitely lacking in this department. So, I need to know which ones they are currently attempting and make sure they are moving forward. I have a feeling we are going to be busier than I was anticipating, but it's all some good things, that really, are even mostly educational. I've got the two older girls going to a basketball clinic. I'm excited about that. They are also going to be doing some art classes. One sketching and one watercolor. I'm really excited about those. I've been wanting to do watercolor, so we can work on that with our nature notebooks. The oldest and youngest will also be doing a day dance camp. And, it seems like there's something else. At the moment it escapes me. We'll probably do at least one more VBS (at our church). And, whatever moments I will let my children, they are planning to hang out at Silverwood Theme Park. This is close to where we live. Grandma and Grandpa got us summer passes for Christmas. So, we are all excited about this. www.silverwoodthemepark.com Hey, I even added extra info for this post. Now, to see if isn't eaten by the world wide web? Here I go... |
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I have a Steinway baby grand piano. It was given to me from my grandparents, so it's extra special. It's been in storage for about a year now. The house we were in before had leaking issues, and I did not want anything leaking on it. And, we knew we were moving soon. Then, when we moved we were in the midst of remodeling. Part of what had to be done was the living room floor. So, finally, the floor is to a point where we can get the piano. YAY! So, it arrived on Saturday. I've been having fun with it. But, the most fun I've been having is seeing my girls really be interested in playing! I have wanted them to play, but there's been little interest. My oldest learned MINIMAL a few years ago. When I started playing I really WANTED to play, so I was self-motivated and practiced on my own. I didn't want to teach and make them practice. So, we were going to get a teacher. My oldest has spent hours today on the piano. She wanted me to find the books, so she could start going through them. She's working her way through a beginner book I had,. And, she's really enjoying it. I'm really enjoying as well! I hope it isn't just a short phase. But, I am definitely going to do what I can to keep her motivated. |
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Well, we've finally got all the plants that we started inside planted in the garden. Unfortunately, we lost two to the chickens, when they were out eating in the yard. And, there are a couple that are questionable. We also got green beans planted. There's still more, but we're getting close. And,... THINGS ARE GROWING! I can see little leaves popping up! I am so excited!!! We have planted: radishes (first thing to come up), carrots, green onions, beets, cilantro, lettuce, snow peas, green beans, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes, pumpkin (one plant is barely hanging on! I hope it makes it), watermelon, and a wee little cantelope that may or may not make it (chicken damage). We still need to plant zuchini, squash, cucumbers, more pumpkin, and corn. I think that's it. There might be something else. I know these things need to get in the ground soon, but we are working on it as quickly as we can. And, it seems that all it has been doing as of late is RAIN. Which, is causing what's planted to grow, but is making it quite difficult to get all things in the ground. I have to admit, I really am quite proud of myself! It's a sad life I'm living these days. The pure joy I get out of going out there and finding a leaf (that isn't a weed) popping out of the ground. Every morning it is pretty much one of the first things I do. I hope these things really do actually fully grow and that we get to enjoy them. I am enjoying being with my hubby. We haven't been able to convince the girls that it's real fun to hang with mom and dad in the dirt. But, they have their moments. And, soon they'll have plenty of weeds to keep them more than enough busy. Not to mention all the rock that we have inbetween the rows that still needs to get taken out. |
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I did it! I knew that my husband would be wondering when we would be eating that rabbit. I knew it would only be a matter of time before I would have to make it. So, I thought I'd surprise him and do it all on my own. We had already discussed what to make. He had talked to a friend that has had rabbit quite a bit. Told him that basically anything you can do with chicken, you can do with rabbit. So, Dave said we needed to make a meal we knew the girls liked, so that if they didn't like it, that it wasn't because of the meal itself. So, my girls like chicken divan. I thawed the rabbit and was going to cut it off the bone. But, it was too difficult. So, I decided to just roast it first, and then cut it off the bone. That was much easier. There really isn't a whole lot of meat on a rabbit, just for the record. OK, I confess. It was good. I would have never known I was eating something I'd never eaten before. And, even all the girls liked it. So, I think as long as none of the girls ever have to butcher them, and Dave doesn't get tired of butchering them, we'll probably be regularly having rabbit in our house. And, truth be told, I think at least one daughter may eventually even be willing to help Dad out. She's curious. She loves animals, but I think she's a lot like her dad and appreciates purpose in them, as well. We'll see. I'm not pushing it, but she was definitely the most interested in the whole process and the least squeamish about the whole idea. So, now to find a new recipe... |