Getting ready for a new school year...

Between contractions, going to the bathroom every time I stand up; I have found time to plan out the 2009-2010 school year schedule. I am ready to get started. The kids and I need to start practicing our new routine BEFORE baby comes. This way we all know what is expected when I am too tired to remember what day it is.

I did add links to Anna's subjects, so you can see what books we will be using this upcoming year.

Tentatively, this is what Anna's (4th grade) schedule looks like:

Monday:
Bible time with mom (Proverbs) and a bible workbook from CLP, Math-U-See / Delta (2-4 pages a day), Spelling Skills ( a page a day), Reading (a book a month), Cursive Abeka Mastery (once a wk), Piano practice, Abeka Science (4x's a wk), Spanish (2x's a wk), and Classical Conversations (review 2x's wk)

Tuesday:
Math, Spelling Skills, CC, and Essentials (4x's a wk hmwk)

Wednesday:
Bible, Math, Spelling Skills, Reading, Essentials hmwk, Science, and Spanish

Thursday:
Bible, Math, Spelling Skills, CC, Reading, Essentials hmwk, Piano, Science

Friday:
Math, Spelling Skills, Reading, Map wkbk (once a wk), Essentials hmwk, Science

..................................................................................

Joshua's schedule is little bit more relaxed. Here is what we will be doing for 1st grade:

Math-U-See (daily), Sing, Spell, Read & Write (daily), Classical Conversations, Manuscript writing, Abeka Science (daily), Map workbook (once a week), and Piano.

Both kids are also involved in Tae-kwon-do, 3x's a week, an hour each day.

We have a busy year ahead of us. Did I tell you we will also add a newborn in September?!? The joys of motherhood, home schooling, life and Jesus' many blessings!!

SPOONER, WISCONSIN, A FAMILY AFFAIR

John, Barbie, Chase, Karl, Anna, me, Joshua and Brandon.

I don't think Spooner was ready for our excitement and fun!! The family took a 9 day vacation up to Spooner with my nephews; Brandon and Chase. Our dear friends Andy, Martha and Christian (photos to come) did not tell us that they were vacationing a half hour further up north from us. It was a pleasant surprise. Karl's sister and husband joined us at the tail end of our vacation.

Karl found a real neat modern cabin to spend a week in. It was on a wooded 3 acre lot. Karl was in heaven. Here is a view of our pier from above. Beautiful.




This photo was taken on our last day. It really was that cold that I had on three layers of clothing. Who heard of fall in July? It was gorgeous when we first arrived and it slowly got colder each day we were there. We still made the most of it!

The boys (and Anna) had fun fishing every morning. Above, Karl is showing Brandon how to make a knot. John is an expert sailor.


Here is a wonderful photo of Brandon ALL WET! You ask, why is he wet?? Like most typical 14 year old, he was running on the pier, slid off the end and fell into the lake. Of course, his pockets were fully loaded with his cell phone, money and DS. We had a good laugh when he came up. Word to wise...empty your pockets before falling into the lake.

Way too much fun for a 5 year old.

Who has heard of a snowball fight in July?? I have! It is a family tradition on Karl's side to save a box of snowballs every winter and in July...there is a snowball fight! Barbie was waiting for the exact moment to bring them out but unfortunately it was actually too cold to soften up the 'ice balls'. They did soften up some and we had a good time getting Karl and John.

These photos are from Barbie's camera. I will load up more photos as I get them from my loving husband's fancy camera.

Seeing God

Last night during our family dinner we had an interesting conversation. Anna was getting real frustrated not knowing if she is having a little sister or brother. She wanted to know what she was having. I told her that I truly have been enjoying not knowing. It's been fun watching my belly grow and learning what the baby is doing each month. I told her this is great way to be patient and watch God working in our little blessing...

ANNA: I wish I can read God's mind and know what He gave us.

MOM & DAD: We cannot read God's mind. That's not how He works.

JOSHUA: Yes, you can read God's mind. Just read the bible.

What do you say to that! Wow, out of the mouth of babes. I am amazed to see God working right there in front of me. You think I wouldn't be surprised. I am. I love the way He reminds me how powerful He is through faith. Through being a faithful servant and sharing His words with my children AND to see His words coming out of my children. We are so truly blessed...in so many ways, that I cannot put into words.