Category Archives: homeschool

Victory smells a lot like Starbucks

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Today the family went to my sweet niece’s 16th birthday party. We had a great time eating and talking.. when all of a sudden a Wii Rock Band Challenge was issued. Bands were chosen, and 3 Starbucks gift cards were the prizes up for grabs. (My kids love Starbucks I’m not sure why)

I didn’t pay much attention to the teams (bands). I was pretty sure #2 would be playing with one of his cousins, and #3 would be playing with her friend. I was pretty sure no one would let #4 play because he was too young. In the back of my mind I thought just maybe.. they would remember all their hours of Rock Band playing I mean homeschool music they’ve done and play as a band together… and

They did!

There’s #2 on the guitar, #3 on the drums, and #4 singing lead vocals.

There he is (#4) singing his heart out..

After all the bands played the judges picked …

These cute kids.. (see their gift cards?)

I guess all that playing I mean “homeschool music” paid off!

Just in case you wondered.. the winning song was “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult.

Listing Listy.. or Holy Smokes I have a Plan

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#4 says.. GET TO WORK!

I’ve never done this before on my blog… I am confessing my dark secret for list making. I make them, and I rarely show people. Why? Because they embarrass me. My lists are full of things I probably won’t get done, but I hope I do. Here’s Thursday’s June 4th’s list:

1. Blog

2. Write letter to Franklin County Youth Leaders. (to see if they want to have coffee sometime and chat about what’s going on in their groups)

3. Send Summer youth Group Schedule out to the youth.

4. Call churchs involved in the Mission Stay

5. Plan Mexican Night Youth Fundraiser

6. Work on Basement (now that my dad’s junk is gone)

7. Figure out what’s for dinner. (I want French toast.. but I don’t have any eggs!)

8. Smack Photographer around.. and get eBay photos taken.

9. Water Plants, plant seedlings, and tie up the morning glories

10. Re-arrange family room.

11. Clean School Room

12. Grade the papers that have not graded themselves yet.

13. Write up the vintage jewelry to sell on eBay.

14. Clean… Clean… Clean…. my house.. house.. house

Homeschool Conference 2009

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Today I went to the place that makes me crazy… Why would I go some place that makes me crazy?  

                                                                        
Because of children like this.. that decorate Christmas cookies naked.  I have  other children.. that don’t decorate cookies naked, but I picked this one because well.. he looks like the rest of them and I think he’s pretty darn cute.

I went to the Midwest Parent Educators Conference ALL the way up by the Kansas City Airport.  It was packed as usual, but this year it had one special person.. that has never come with me…

                                                                      
                                                                                                  It’s the Man!

It was his first year coming to the conference with me. We looked at homeschool curriculum, chatted about books, education and all that good stuff.  I believe he was a little SHOCKED at the sticker price of the curriculum there. It’s not that he’s never bought a book for the kids.. it’s that we’ve never talked about the books or the curriculum like we did today. He’s never seen first hand the mother’s in their uniforms (jean jumpers) or the fabulous Johnson County Mother’s that look like they just stepped out of a spa.. and had a day with the best Hollywood stylist.  (think seven jeans, little graphic t-shirts and wedge heel sandals)

                                                
                                                Leave it to me to take a photo that does not represent my issues…

 

I have some serious insecurities when I go to this conference.  The first  two years I went I was good!  It’s only been the last 3 years or so that I feel like a complete doofus sitting in the presentations, walking around the vendor hall. I mean.. I know that I’m a good homeschooling mom.. but COULD I BE BETTER?  YES!!!   (editor note.. I’ve been homeschooling since 1998)

I think going there reminds me I am not as good as I should be.

Take the booth with all of the fabulous history novels… there are kids SWARMING this booth.. where do you think the 2 kids I brought with me were? Sitting in the cafe with their laptops playing a game (and not an educational one either).

And then there is the presentations that don’t just talk about being a good teacher.. they bring the dreaded "W" word into the picture.. you know

WIFE

.  The man says "I’m the best wife he’s ever had."  But if he would have listened to some of these other presentations, he just might have said something different.  I mean really….  iron the sheets and his underwear? Greet him at the door with a kiss and a smile?  Do little things to let him know he’s THE MAN?!?!  You mean I don’t?

                                                                    

                                                                        

Really not a good photo to show my issues…

So if you’ve read this far.. and you homeschool.. let me know what your  homeschool conference experiences are.. and what kind of curruiculm do you use?

It’s a Windy day in Kansas.. and there is No Electricity

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It started out as a pretty good day.  Cloudy and overcast.. VERY WINDY.. but still a nice day.  The children were quiet, doing their school, and I was taking a little time out to enjoy The View.  Elizabeth Hasslebeck was getting ready to rant about something… and BOOM the electricity went out.  So we waited..

and waited…

and waited…

I had Rachel (the oldest and shipping manager) call KCP&L.  They said "it would be awhile" and "they would be right out".  

We waited some more… and the natives started getting restless.  There was no computer to finish up their SOS math on.. no plug in to charge and listen to the MP3 players.  But most of all I couldn’t get my photos fixed or any eBay stuff written up.  I couldn’t write my article that is due tomorrow..  

                                                                    
                                                                      Here’s a native… way past restless….

I packed up 4 of the 5 children.. all of their school and things to entertain them and we headed into town. 

                                                                               
 It is so windy.. the baby is about to blow away.. These kids like John Deere stuff don’t they…

                                                                     

Since it was Monday we headed to the Friends of the Library book sale, spent $5.00 on about 15 books.  Some are for re-sell and other are for the brats.  

                                                                                      
                                                                                Allie & Emily outside of the Potter’s Wheel.

The Potter’s Wheel has some great sandwiches.. I don’t think the good people of Ottawa know how AWESOME these sandwiches are… My favorite is the Cinda; pastrami, bacon, salami.. heated… you know all "panni’d" up.  I’d have a photo of it, if I would have though of taking a picture, before I ate it!

We ate, did some school, talked to some friends (who’s electricity went out too..) and in general had a good time.  I have the photos to prove we did school.. just in case The Man doesn’t believe me.

                                                   
                                                   Ok so maybe this photo doesn’t prove they were doing school.

I have more…

                                                                   
I don’t think either of these photos prove anything either.. I mean really they could have just been taking a break or something..

                                                 
This is what I am talking about.. 2 kids (one of which is not mine).. studying.. Maybe I need to express the importance of studying to my boys…

All in all.. it’s been good. I fixed some pictures.. bought some books to sell.. and the kids had a little field trip.  Now it’s off to run 2 of the 5 to dance.