Friday, February 25, 2011
In loving memory...
of my step-Grandpa. He went home to heaven today at the age of 96. He was one of the most ready-to-go-home men I've ever known. He served his Lord faithfully, even up until his last days in which he proceeded to counsel elderly folks at the homes he would occasionally visit. He pastored a church for decades, until he finally "retired," but see, when you're one who serves as he does, you never really retire. You're mind is constantly on the things of God and what His next plan for you is, no matter what the cost and how you feel. You realize that your life has purpose on this earth all the way up until the moment that God calls you home. You never give up and you never quit serving your King. And now, he's in the very presence of that King of all Kings, receiving his great reward and being told, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" All of the sudden these trivial issues of life that we are so burdened by become meaningless in the presence of God's infinite glory and peace. My Grandpa leaves behind a wonderful legacy of spiritual training in the lives of many, as well as an example to us all as to how to stay on the path of Truth with undying faithfulness until our time on earth is done. God is good, and I choose to rejoice in my Grandpa's victorious entry into his eternal home. Although, he will be missed.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I must have this book! Watch this video here:
I keep hearing of this book. I must have it! It's going on the wish list, and then maybe I'll pass it around to all of my loved ones...because I love them.
Watch this video clip from one of my favorite bloggers:
http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-thousand-gifts.html
Watch this video clip from one of my favorite bloggers:
http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-thousand-gifts.html
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Random Winter highlights...
SNOW!...We were buried in about 2 feet of snow total for the week (or so it seems). No, we do not take snow days off, as tempting as it is when the public school kids are off. I prefer to reserve some time off for "Sunshine Days" once spring rolls around. The snow sure is pretty, though! And the kids had a blast today building forts in it. Wish I took a pic. Sorry.
Today...Sister Strings received a Division 1 (Superior) rating on her solo performance at our district Solo and Ensemble. She played Haydn's Concerto in G major and shined brilliantly until the judge had to make her stop because the piece went over the time limit...And that's with trimming the intros and cutting the Cadenza! Thankfully this doesn't impact her rating at all. :) I'm kicking myself for forgetting the video camera!!!!! Well, we had to leave the house at 6:45 a.m., and my brain is obviously non-functional before coffee at that time. It was over an hour away, so at least I got us there in one piece! Of course, a little Tim Horton's coffee on the way helped. :) I promise I'll remember the camera in four weeks when she takes her solo performance to State S&E! She's nervous about the state level, though, because as a 10th grader, she'll have to perform at the Proficiency I level, which means memorized scales and some sight reading in addition to her prepared solo! Yikes! Nothing like playing before a judge!!!! She also performed in a strings chamber ensemble as well, and they received a Division II (Excellent) Rating. 'Twas an eventful day!
For schooling...lots going on for 4 kiddos, but here's some random highlights that I've really enjoyed recently:
*Drive Thru History DVDs with Dave Stotts...Halarious! I love these movies and highly recommend them for middle schoolers on up. You can see some samples of some of these at CBD, and here's one of the ones we (my olders, that is) watched this week: http://www.christianbook.com/drive-history-dave-stotts-rome-want/9781589972759/pd/972759?item_code=WW&netp_id=369212&event=ESRCN&view=details
*Reading George Washington's World by Genevieve Foster with Brother Brass. She's an amazing story teller! At first BB was just tolerating this reading time with mom, but now he's kind of getting into it. (There's hope yet!) The author gives perspective on all of the major characters and events taking place during the various times of George Washington's life. Right now we are reading about when GW was just a boy (1740-1755) and learning about Daniel Boone, John Hancock, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Catherine the Great, Bach, Fredrick the Great, Louis XV, and Voltaire (just to name a few). It's interesting...one big story connecting the pieces of the world together.
*Watching two of my weak spellers improve upon their spelling with the use of Spelling Power.
*Watching and listening to my 4th grader read aloud to her younger brother each day after lunch time for 20 min. They truly bond during this time, and I'm secretly listening to her reading aloud skills while her brother is greatly entertained. Shhh...
*Listening to my 6 year old read almost fluently from A Beka's 1st grade readers. He's now half way through the 2nd one. I'm amazed actually. He's *supposed* to only be in K (He flew right through those readers!) I'm just flowing with it...letting him work at his own speed. We only spend about 45 minutes 4 days/week "doing school." I think he's graduated himself from K, if there ever was such a thing! LOL! He's also almost done with Explode the Code book 2. He loves learning. He's a sponge. MY BABY is about to lose his first tooth!!!! NOOOO! It can't be!!! Where does the time go?
*Learning a new name for the common question mark: ?? Baby Bach has renamed it the "mystery mark." Makes sense to me. Don't ask me where that came from, but it made me laugh, and it helps him to read those sentences with question marks properly for some reason. :)
I love homeschooling! I'm so glad that *I* am the one who is able to share in these treasured moments of learning and growing with my kiddos and not some nice stranger. Sure, it's busy, but I'm thankful for this blessed journey! It passes so quickly!
Today...Sister Strings received a Division 1 (Superior) rating on her solo performance at our district Solo and Ensemble. She played Haydn's Concerto in G major and shined brilliantly until the judge had to make her stop because the piece went over the time limit...And that's with trimming the intros and cutting the Cadenza! Thankfully this doesn't impact her rating at all. :) I'm kicking myself for forgetting the video camera!!!!! Well, we had to leave the house at 6:45 a.m., and my brain is obviously non-functional before coffee at that time. It was over an hour away, so at least I got us there in one piece! Of course, a little Tim Horton's coffee on the way helped. :) I promise I'll remember the camera in four weeks when she takes her solo performance to State S&E! She's nervous about the state level, though, because as a 10th grader, she'll have to perform at the Proficiency I level, which means memorized scales and some sight reading in addition to her prepared solo! Yikes! Nothing like playing before a judge!!!! She also performed in a strings chamber ensemble as well, and they received a Division II (Excellent) Rating. 'Twas an eventful day!
For schooling...lots going on for 4 kiddos, but here's some random highlights that I've really enjoyed recently:
*Drive Thru History DVDs with Dave Stotts...Halarious! I love these movies and highly recommend them for middle schoolers on up. You can see some samples of some of these at CBD, and here's one of the ones we (my olders, that is) watched this week: http://www.christianbook.com/drive-history-dave-stotts-rome-want/9781589972759/pd/972759?item_code=WW&netp_id=369212&event=ESRCN&view=details
*Reading George Washington's World by Genevieve Foster with Brother Brass. She's an amazing story teller! At first BB was just tolerating this reading time with mom, but now he's kind of getting into it. (There's hope yet!) The author gives perspective on all of the major characters and events taking place during the various times of George Washington's life. Right now we are reading about when GW was just a boy (1740-1755) and learning about Daniel Boone, John Hancock, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Catherine the Great, Bach, Fredrick the Great, Louis XV, and Voltaire (just to name a few). It's interesting...one big story connecting the pieces of the world together.
*Watching two of my weak spellers improve upon their spelling with the use of Spelling Power.
*Watching and listening to my 4th grader read aloud to her younger brother each day after lunch time for 20 min. They truly bond during this time, and I'm secretly listening to her reading aloud skills while her brother is greatly entertained. Shhh...
*Listening to my 6 year old read almost fluently from A Beka's 1st grade readers. He's now half way through the 2nd one. I'm amazed actually. He's *supposed* to only be in K (He flew right through those readers!) I'm just flowing with it...letting him work at his own speed. We only spend about 45 minutes 4 days/week "doing school." I think he's graduated himself from K, if there ever was such a thing! LOL! He's also almost done with Explode the Code book 2. He loves learning. He's a sponge. MY BABY is about to lose his first tooth!!!! NOOOO! It can't be!!! Where does the time go?
*Learning a new name for the common question mark: ?? Baby Bach has renamed it the "mystery mark." Makes sense to me. Don't ask me where that came from, but it made me laugh, and it helps him to read those sentences with question marks properly for some reason. :)
I love homeschooling! I'm so glad that *I* am the one who is able to share in these treasured moments of learning and growing with my kiddos and not some nice stranger. Sure, it's busy, but I'm thankful for this blessed journey! It passes so quickly!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Celebrating 17 years of marriage!
Hubby and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary this last weekend, and it has become somewhat of a custom for us to visit Frankenmuth, MI during this time as a little get-away, just the two of us. (It also tends to be Super Bowl weekend, but since we are both somewhat oblivious to this sport, we just enjoy the benefits of the sales/deals that go on at this time...at least we didn't get married ON Super-Bowl Sunday! LOL!)
During this time of year, Frankenmuth usually has their big Snowfest competitions in which they bring in HUGE blocks of snow, and then teams work together within a certain time frame to chisel out their creation. It's quite fascinating to watch. They also have an ice sculpting competition as well. It's fun to see what everyone comes up with each year and walk around town. One of these days we must bring the children, because I know they'd love to see these sculptures in person and be inspired to go home and try to replicate one of them in our back yard (smaller scale, of course).
During this time of year, Frankenmuth usually has their big Snowfest competitions in which they bring in HUGE blocks of snow, and then teams work together within a certain time frame to chisel out their creation. It's quite fascinating to watch. They also have an ice sculpting competition as well. It's fun to see what everyone comes up with each year and walk around town. One of these days we must bring the children, because I know they'd love to see these sculptures in person and be inspired to go home and try to replicate one of them in our back yard (smaller scale, of course).
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| I think this one won! |
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| No, this is not one of our children in front of the Eagle. |
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| 17 YEARS!!! |
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