Bribery

The beginning of our summer break (June & July) I told #3 that if he read 1000 pgs. by the end of the summer he could get the Lego City Police Command Truck (I think that's what it's called) . I told #4 that if he read 700 pgs. he could get the Lego City Fire boat. Neither one of my younger 2 boys are "readers."  Well, #4 read all 700 pgs. in about 4 wks. #3 on the other hand, well he was taking his time. We ended up moving the last 2 weeks of our summer so I gave #3 an extra 2 weeks.

Today #4's boat arrived via post office...

I must say, that my little bit of bribery seems to have worked, they both seem much more interested in reading actual chapter books, especially #4. Whatever it takes. :-D

Home Again

We just got back from a five day camping trip to Yosemite. I finally got to go back to my most favorite place ever, Tuolumne Meadows, it's in upper Yosemite about 9,000 ft. up. Now that our camping trip is over we can now get back in the swing of things. It's been a busy summer to say the least, but things should settle down and we can start our school routine. We start school on Tuesday, so I need to finish putting the school room together (it's the only room I haven't finished unpacking).  I also need to do some last minute school planning, like I said, it's been a crazy summer. This is the latest I've ever gone without being totally prepared. :p 

View from bridge in Tuolumne Meadows

Moving, Moving, Moved!

So, this week started with us moving and ended with unpacking...sigh... Two of my NOT so favorite things to do! :\  We didn't have internet service until Thursday, YIKES!!! Well, we're up and running now, still unpacking though. One other thing, our oldest boys were home from their summer internships this week. Brett got home last Saturday (and leaves for WCBC on Mon. morning) from the Jewish outreach in NY, and Tim got home Tuesday from Surrey, British Columbia (and left Wed. night for WCBC after church). I love my boys and am happy to see them any chance we get, which isn't much, but God is good and gave us this time with them.

Well, when I get a chance I'll be posting some pictures of the new house and of my boys. Our pastor had the boys give a short testimony of their summers and they sang (along with a college friend of theirs, Matt Hodge). They were a blessing. :-)

Have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow, I know I will!

Christine
Phil. 4:13

Back to School...

It's that time of the year again, everyone is posting their back to school curriculum. This year has flown by so fast! I can't believe that my youngest is 6 and my oldest is 21 and a senior in Bible College, crazy!  Life goes by so fast, if you blink you'll miss it. Trying not to blink to much, lol :)

So, here's an overview:

Jacob:
Bible Reading- ACE
History/Geography- SOS
Math- Teaching Textbooks
Real Science 4 Kids- Queen Homeschool
Language Arts- Queen Homeschool
Word Builder- ACE
My State Sutdy- Queen Homeschool
Pictures in Cursive- Queen Homeschool
Copywork- Queen Homeschool
ASL- See It and Sign It

Luke:
Bible Reading- ACE
History (A living History of Our World VL 1)-Queen Homeschool
Math-Teaching Textbooks
Science (nature journal)- Queen Homeschool
Language Arts- Queen Homeschool

Word Builder- ACE
Picture in Cursive- Queen Homeschool
Copywork- Queen Homeschool
ASL- See It and Sign It

Laura:
Bible
History-Various Living Books
Math- Math Mammoth
Nature journal/living books
Hooked on Phonics
Community Helpers- Color of Language
ASL- See It and Sign It

Grace:
Bible
Math- Math U See
Hooked on Phonics
Community Helpers- Color of Language
ASL- See It and Sign It

We learn ASL (American Sign Language) together as a family, this year I found this awesome curriculum at our local Homeschool Convention. I bought both volumes as we can use the first as a review and really dive into the second one. Because Grace is deaf this is obviously very important for us as a family to master, so I pass  what we finish along to extended family and friends.  The community helpers that the girls will be doing together is part of a curriculum written to teach deaf/hh children. I love this web sight (Color of Language), now that Grace is older I will be utilizing this sight much more than I have in the past. If any of you out there want to learn sign language in your homeschool this is an excellent web page to check out. It can work with hearing as well as non-hearing children (and us adults also. ) ;) 

Time to get to some packing, yes we plan on moving as soon as the Lord provides us with the house that He has for us to live in. We want/need to be closer to our church. Praying He moves us soon.

Happy Homeschool Planning,
Christine
Phil. 4:13