Guess I'm in a bloggy kind of groove

2 consecutive posts! I haven't done that for a while.

I finally submitted our portfolio today. I called ahead to the school admin. offices to make sure when the office hours are AND to find out the magic abbra-cadabbra voo-doo stuff that one apparently needs to know in order to even ENTER the building. Oh, I kid...sort of. That place has 3 entrances (and it's not that big of a building) none of which are marked or appear to be the main entrance. After the call though, it really was pretty simple to find the correct office and enter the building.

Let this be a lesson. In the future when I am unsure of something, it's really okay to ask.

I'm really quite pleased at the warm and friendly interactions I've had with the school admin. thus far. I posted this blurb on my Facebook account today and one of my friends said the nicest thing in the comments. I'll just copy what she said cuz really it was so very nice.

"That is because you are an amazing person doing a superb job of educating your kids! How could you be anything but nice when faced with your organized approach to record keeping, the depth of your educational scope and sequence, and your amazing child's ability to produce lovely samples of her intellectual growth!"

And she was totally sincere, and not even after any kind of favor. She's just that wonderful! <3 I love my Mommy-friends!

Checking In

Summer vacation is in full swing here at the F>actory. While the temperatures still haven't been all that summery (except for a day or two here and there) at least it's not quite as cool.

We had our first official homeschool evaluation done. I tried to submit everything to the district today, but couldn't figure out how to get in the building! I should have called ahead first. That's on the agenda for tomorrow.

I can't say enough how nice it is to have a break from hard work. Our brains all needed the respite-even mine. Whoever said "those who can't, teach" sure was a little off target. In order to be able to teach, one has to be able to "do" first. This holds true with homeschooling. I always learn the topic (or review) before I even begin to attempt to teach it. I'm getting a better elementary education as an adult than I did as a child.

Did I mention I broke down and bought a pool? Not a a super deluxe "real pool" but a new one for us at least. I don't know who was more disappointed about not swimming this summer, My Girls, or my mother. I'm pretty sure it was my mother. Just don't tell her I told you ;)

Here's the one we have. We really enjoy it, and even though it won't last forever, it really gives us a lot of fun (when it's hot enough at least...)


I know I've been pretty scarce lately, but I'm seriously just enjoying our break!

It's Summertime

...even though the weather doesn't quite feel like it. It seems to me that this gloomy cool weather has been the norm for the past 3 years for the first part of June. Our summers seem to be cooling to me rather than warming. I haven't written anything down, so I don't have proof, but rather than having a short cool snap around the end of July (usually accompanied by rain) it seems we have multiple cool snaps for most of the summer.

Our pool definitely has a leak. We've tried to patch it, but with no luck. The girls are a little upset (as well as my mother) about not having a pool, but I just don't think I can justify the repairs when I'd rather save and upgrade to a better one.
:(

On a better note, we're heading off for a weekend in Virginia. It's quite a drive, but a beautiful one!

Here's the thing...

a thought of the day.

I was feeling a little glum today. It probably is partly to blame on the rain and my hormones along with the state of my house. Whatever the cause it was a quiet kind of day. I was really starting to feel pretty blue. I was playing on Facebook, trying to click away my troubles on a good game of Bejeweled Blitz, when 6yo (can you believe she's 6 yall?!) came over and gave me a big hug and kiss for playing the game so well.

She was cheering, "Yeah Mommy, Yeah Mommy, Yeah Mommy!"

I had to smile.

And it hit me.

It's not getting what you want. It's wanting what you have.

How many times do I have to learn this lesson?

Too many and
apparently not enough.

Cleaning Day Blues

Today just seems to be one of those days that I want to smash dishes and throw things.

Ever have one of those?

I am not the kind of person that smashes dishes or throws things, nor would I let it show on the outside that I feel that way. But OH, MAN! does the idea of having the luxury of a good temper tantrum sound good right now.

I'm not exactly sure what put in me in such a state. I think however, it's the same old problem of too many people, not enough space.

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TEMPORARY HOUSING! I don't know how it became our residence of 9 years. (okay, well, I do, but I don't know why those circumstances came about...okay yes I do...never mind....the point is that this was supposed to be TEMPORARY).

Will I ever get it all the way I want it?! And if I do, how long will it stay that way?!

2 days and counting

I happen to live in a state where there are quite a few homeschool regulations. My friend moved from this state to Michigan two years ago and says she actually prefers the rules to having none (although I wonder if she's still feeling the same now that it's two years later.)

We have only 2 days left of school before we can be considered "done" for the year. I like to be done earlier than this, but it just didn't happen that way this year.

On a sadder note, our swimming pool m ay have bit the dust. It has sprung a few leaks, and while we are trying to patch them, the outlook isn't so hopeful. I just can't afford to replace what's broken so we may not be swimming this summer.

This is truly quite sad for us. We three girls love the water. I don't remember how to have summer without a back yard pool. I know we used to do it-but then again, I also used to work too. That didn't let much time to just lay poolside.

Oh well. Let's celebrate the final 2 days of school. Pool stuff will just have to work itself out.

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I know I've been quite scarce of late. All apologies. I've been feeling rather uninspired.

Homeschool on the Cheap

Basically, I am...Frugal??(read cheap)

At the start of our home education we were part of a public charter. We used the k12 curriculum for grades k-4. My husband would not consent to me traditionally homeschooling so this was the next best thing. Finally he gave me the green light to branch out on our own for 5th grade (this year) but did so with some reservations. His biggest reason for not wanting me to homeschool traditionally was he didn't want me to spend a lot of money on curriculum when our tax dollars pay for a public education. I see his point, especially when one considers he is an immigrant that comes from a country without public education (at least when he was still there).

In order to keep Hubby happy, I got creative: use what I have, utilize the library, borrow things from friends, and in general am very blessed.

Ambleside Online is a great place to start looking for free curriculum. What isn't available in the public domain is usually available at our local library. We have loved %99 of the book selections. A Charlotte Mason education just seems to fit our family personality.

I don't think I would have spend anything on books for next year, except for the fact that I wanted to. Our tax refund just came so I am in book buying mode. Hubs is happy with the education that I am able to provide our girls and I think he feels proud at how much they are learning, although since he's not a wordy man, he's never really said...But the smiles say it all.

My final purchases for next year I completed today. I bought full price from cbd the following books: Trial and Triumph, Singapore Earlybird Kindergarten 2A, 2B (because I think these will transition nicely into the MEP math FREE curriculum which starts at grade 1) and a State History Book that was on special for less than $3.00. Did I mention I had a coupon for free shipping. I think I've done pretty well for next year.

I'm considering placing an order at Rod and Staff for their Bible reading and Music programs. Both are very economical and look like they are good solid programs( i can't be sure though as I've never used them). I am also eying 2 math textbooks on ebay that are less than $4.00 a piece. I don't technically need them, but they may make nice extra practice books.

Total purchases today-$37 and some change.
Total to date- less than $80 (this is for 2 children!)
I guess if I throw in a few of those extras I will still be right around $100. Not too shabby, (although I gotta admit it stings, just a little.)


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Have fun looking at all those links. I know I gave a ton, but sometimes it's easier than trying to describe everything.

What you get for the money.

This week I attended 2 used home school curriculum sales. Between the 2 I spent around $40.(actually a little less, but why do I need to explain myself???)

I feel a little guilty for spending that much, but that's only because I haven't had to buy anything for this year (or the years before for that matter). There were some specific items I was looking for and didn't find, and 2 unexpected items that I have thought I may buy and ended up finding.

The Prairie Primer(spiral bound)-$10-like new condition! I think I got a good deal on this...I didn't realize how good of a deal!

Pathway Readers-the first 8 books(hardbound, like new condition)-$20 I bought this from the same lady that was selling The Prairie Primer. I didn't get the extra worksbooks, but these books along retail for around $9.00 a piece!

Easy Grammar 5 and 6 -$4 This is something I have thought about for next year, but don't know if I'll use. At four bucks, I didn't want to be sorry I didn't buy it later.


What your 6th Grader needs to Know-$2 This one looks new too. For this price, I thought it would be good just for a reference book. $2????

Jr. Great Books Series Pegasus and Sun Series-$0 Like New, Never used My OlderDD used these in 1st
grade. There are some fun stories and activities in these.

Drive Through History America-$0 every thing I got looks new or VERY gently used. This makes me feel like I'm not using preowned curriculum. This is a companion to a series available on DVD, but TBN used to air the shows late night. I'm going to see if I can set my dvr to record them!

Drill It Grammar work Book-never used- FREE!

Squanto Friend of Pilgrims, Sacajawea Guide to Louis and Clark, Mattie May, The Fledging, The Sign of the Beaver, Jumbo Bible Fun (crosswords and more) -FREE!
My kids loved going through the free stuff. YoungerDD walked away with 6 learning cdroms.

A few books I spent 10-50 cents on, but we sure got a lot of stuff!

Overall, I'm quite pleased. I'm just not sure how I will use it all, or WHERE I will store it.

I was hoping to find Singapore Math for Kindergarten, but I think I'll just have to order it!

Reflecting

I can hardly believe how quickly this past school year has gone by! It seems like just yesterday that I was planning the year, and now we are down to only 19 days left of school. I have to say, it's been so much fun to school this way! It feels so much more relaxed. I no longer have the dread of bi-monthly conferences with a "teacher" that is merely a work sample collector. Truthfully, if we had not had that same teacher for both 3rd and 4th grade, I wonder if I would have ever pulled out of the cyber school. Our other years teacher was quite nice, (and a local gal). We still are in contact with her because she is the teacher to some of our friends' children that are in the cyber.

I thought it might be fun to put up a few pictures of some of the things we did this year. Unfortunatly my camera was on the fritz so I had to beg my friends to search through their pictures and send me a few. All of them have pictures of their children as well, so I don't feel comfortable posting them without permission.

I do have this shot, which shows one of mine pretending the life cycle of the butterfly. I'm not sure what stage this represents: I think it's the larvae.


What a fun year we've had. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Ignoring the Blog?

I think I am. I haven't written much since ....before Christmas maybe? I just don't think I've had it in me. I just havent' been able to think of anything to write. I think I've said it all.