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I recently The Great Eight: How to Be Happy (even when you have every reason to be miserable). What a fantastic book. It was really enlightening to read such a positive book. Scott Hamilton has such a wonderful outlook on life. He has written this book with such sincerity and common sense. The eight "steps" to being happy really are common sense though I may struggle with some in the face of challenges and difficulties. But, my goodness, if Scott Hamilton can keep such a positive outlook through the difficulties he has faced in life (from a childhood "mystery illness" to battling cancer twice), I can definitely give it a better attempt in the face of my not-so-life-threatening daily struggles. Scott uses skating as a metaphor for life. His stories are very down-to-earth so he doesn’t come across as a "you can only be happy if you do…" kind of person. This was a very enjoyable book to read.
We are on our second week of workboxes. We really love them. I love how much more I can work into my school day. Ami summed it up so much better than I ever can. I agree with every point she made. Here’s what they did today…
When you look at this list, remember that we do Bible reading, memory verses, science and geography together. (Items below in red are done with Mom.)
The Princess
- Add date to calendar and complete math journal
- Math workbook and flash cards
- Pattern Blocks
- FIAR – work on Peter Rabbit lapbook
- Fruits/Veggies file folder game and Peter Rabbit puppets to color
- Copywork
- Solar System file folder game
- Nouns review worksheet (underline each noun, then mark each one person, place, or thing with colored pencils)
- Book for me to read to her (Tops and Bottoms)
- Free Read (read for 10 minutes and choose 1 to narrate)
- Spelling (All About Spelling Level 1)
- Sentence blocks (Use blocks to make 5 sentences and show to mom when done. She actually asked to write each sentence when she was done so we reviewed capital letters and periods.)
The Wild One
- Correct yesterday’s math lesson.
- Math test
- softschools.com math activities (15 minutes)
- correct yesterday’s dictation and complete lesson
- Enchanted Learning online solar system quiz
- Review common/proper nouns with worksheet; then begin illustrating grammar pages with common nouns/proper nouns
- Neil Armstrong (instructions to read chapter 2, and then he was to come see me for the lessons – we made it through Wright Brothers, King Edward, and Europe lessons)
- Spelling (All About Spelling Level 2)
- Wright Brothers (printed out WB e-book from School Express, had him read the info, and complete notebook page about them)
- Free Reading (30 minutes)
- Typing Practice
- Copywork (Neil Armstrong copy work from HSS)
Last week, The Princess and I read and lapbooked Baby in a Basket. We used lapbook pieces from HSS. 
As you can see, during this unit we discussed dressing for the weather (this story takes place in Alaska), camoflauge (white arctic animals blending in with the snow), learned a few new vocabulary words (plank. thermos, and a few others), reviewed fiction/nonfiction, and talked about being like the ant (prepared).
We did a bit of math related to the story and discussed polar animals.
We mapped the route from Alaska to Washington and discussed the state bird/flower for each of those states.
The Princess listed a few fiction and non fiction books she has read. And, she labeled pics of kids playing in the snow with 
and 
depending upon whether they were dressed correctly or not.
Toothbrush painting… This is her snow scene – complete with a hill to slide down and a moon to light the way…
What is home? Is it just the building you dwell in? Is it the four walls that contain you and all your stuff? Not to me. That is what I used to consider home. But, now home is KY. I miss "home" so much. We have been in TX for almost 8 months, and it is not home. Home is KY and the church we attended there. Home is KY and all the friends I left behind. Home is KY and my old MOPS group. Home is KY and the youth group The Teenager was a part of. Home is KY and the dance studio and favorite ballet teacher The Princess had to leave. Home is KY and the friends The Wild One still talks to on the phone every now and again.
I do believe that God had/has a purpose in us moving to TX. I do know that it is my job as an obedient child to say "Yes, sir" and follow that call. And, I did. I also know that in time His purpose will be revealed. I know that The Princess will someday fall in love with our new dance studio and her new wonderful ballet teacher. I know that The Teenager has found a new "home" in his Young Life group. I know that The Wild One has found a new "home" in his buddies here in the neighborhood. I also know that if I would move just a little bit outside my comfort zone, I would probably find a "home" in the new church we have begun attending.
I know that Satan knows my weak spots. I do not like change. I do not like meeting new people. I do not like joining new groups (Sunday School, etc). And, I have made a decision to not allow Satan to have that stronghold over me any longer. I will "step out" on those days when I just want to stay home because I don’t know anybody. And, I know that one day soon, Texas will be "HOME". Until then, I will continue to pray for a new "home" here.
MomTeaches2