Friday, April 1, 2011

The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ 7

The Homeschool Mother's Journal 

In my life this week...

I've decided to go back to school for my Master's degree in Education and I finally got the ball rolling with sending off for my transcripts and applying to Texas State University.  I'm excited and anxious to be back in an academic setting, it's where I felt the happiest.



In our homeschool this week...

Sunshyne continues to do very well with her math and reading.  She has almost completed the entire 4th grade reader (It's the Scott Foresman "Seeing Is Believing" textbook).  I love all of the activities that she gets to do with this textbook and will be sad to see it go.  Also, we were going to begin biology for the month of April and Sunshyne had already did a couple of projects on the human brain, however she's had a change of heart and I've decided to respect that.  She now wants to research spring flowers.  So I've decided to find a botany unit study or possibly do a lapbook.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated:)

 

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We decided to go for a simple walk through the neighborhood yesterday so that Sunshyne could photograph some flowers and plants.  We ended up at McDonalds for a snack and so that RJ could play a little on the playscape.  We met some new friends and after we'd returned home I took a moment to think about the encounters that we had and how they impact education.  Learning how to be a good neighbor and interact with people in the community.  I thought about how Sunshyne had asked Mrs. Carolyn if she could take a snapshot of her lovely flowers.  Mrs. Carolyn escorted Sunshyne over to the front of her yard so that she could get a good shot and taught her name of the flower and how it grows. Afterwards, Sunshyne thanked Mrs. Carolyn and they finally exchanged names. Can you believe that, a complete lesson with activity with a neighbor without even knowing her name.   

My favorite thing this week was...

Papa Bear took RJ and Sunshyne to the park this week, just the three of them.  He told me in the most profound and heartfelt way when he returned, how much he enjoyed spending time with the children.  He talked about how the memory would stay with him always and how good he felt that he had the opportunity to do so.  Then he thanked God for them and me for having them for him.  Needless to say I was deeply touched.  It was my absolute favorite thing this week.



What's working/not working for us...

Homeschool gym is the best!  It's held a local community center and free to homeschoolers.  It's a great way for kids to let off some steam, make new friends, and learn how to be team players.  I think it's great and did I mention it's free!  Totally works for us.



Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

My thoughts this week are still circling around homeschool graduations and planning my sons.  I'm also getting more and more anxious thinking about him moving to Houston to attend school in June.  It's exciting but there's this part of me that is afraid to let go.  My mother always says that God is not the author of fear so I try to be brave but something in me just keeps questioning...if that makes sense.



A photo, video, link, or quote to share...


This is the cheesecake that Sunshyne and I baked Wednesday.  It was fabulous!  It's Paula Deen's Aunt Peggy's Cheesecake with Praline Topping recipe.  We changed the graham cracker crust to use some of the leftover Dulce De Leche Girl Scout cookies that we had.  Sunshyne took these pictures all by herself.
 
We learned a lot together and had a great time making these delicious dessert!

Well that's it for me. How did your week go?  Let us know and link up over at The Homeschool Chick's The Homeschool Mother's Journal.  See you there!

~Blessings~
Claudea B.