Our Curriculum

So I am just about done planning our curriculum for this year. In addition to at home curriculum we have a ton of outside the home activities. I'll break it down by "Daily", "Weekly", "Monthly" and "Supplemental". We are aiming to teach our children to know, love, and serve God through a classical curriculum focusing on reading, writing, and math with a secondary focus on the fine arts.

Daily

Making Music, Praying Twice--The kids are already enjoying the CDs from this program which teaches music through the liturgical year as well as learning musical basics through fun songs/games.


Saint of the Day---After borrowing "Saints for Young Readers" from the library four times, I decided we apparently like it, and it was time to purchase the book. We'll read the saint of the day at breakfast and if there is a special saint of interest we'll focus more on that saint through another activity aka special meal, craft or even a movie.

Handwriting without Tears---A number of my friends use this for handwriting, but some claim its better for boys. Demand and I tend to butt heads over handwriting so we are giving this a try this year. I scored a great deal on the Catholic Swap so I ended up getting a preschool curriculum for Happy when it's time for him to start.

Harp and the Laurel Wreath- For those of you familiar with the Mother of Divine Grace curriculum we are using the basic outline for MODG but I have already substituted many of the subjects. This we plan on using though for poetry and it will be helpful with Demand's monthly presentation (see below).

MathUSee---We are half way through the kindergarten curriculum already so we'll just start into Alpha when we are finished. We only did this sparatically last year, but we'll be doing it daily this year.


2x a Week

Nancy Larson Science- This is a pricier curriculum but Demand loves Science so I thought it was worth it. Very hands on.

Child-size Materpieces-- This is also a part of the MODG curriculum. We have a number of other art books including some fantastic Baby Einstien art cards that my mother in law gave Demand when she was only 9 months old. Very helpful now though! Plus there is always a trip to the Art Museum.....or Europe. ;)

Good Shepard---We will be using this as her main faith formation for this year since it is so great. Next year we'll move on to Faith & Life.

Swimming/Ballet- self explanatory


2x a Month

Co-op--This is pretty exciting stuff around here. Most of my friends are already in it or started it last year but with Pax due last September I didn't want to be overwhelmed. I think I made the right choice. Two Fridays a month everyone meets for Mass in the morning and then Demand will be in the kindergarten class . She'll be learning about the body and doing "Making Music, Praying Twice" then there is a free-gym time and lunch. Meanwhile Happy, Pax, and I will be in the nursery. I will have "Mom's Discussion time" there as well. I've been told I'm going to love Co-op.


Monthly

Little Flowers- This is like a Catholic Girl scouts (ironic since Catholics started boy/girl scouts). Once a months moms and daughters meet to focus on a saint and a specific virtue. There is also crafts and some service work involved.

Orchestra- We have around five trips to the state orchestra planned throughout the year. (Might be all I can take with the boys)

Children's Theatre-Nothing booked yet but we went at least three times last year and plan to go more this year

Dodge Nature Center- One Friday a month we meet for a class at a local Nature center just for our homeschool group.

Oral Presentation-- Starting in October we meet once a month so the children in our HS group can practice oral presentations. Last year we had Demand practice songs or prayers this year she will be doing poetry or short stories. We are having a homeschool effect as Happy gets in on the action too and he has fantastic form. He stands up straight with his hands behind his back and then presents some incoherent song or poem.


Supplemental Activities

Book IT- Pizza Hut allows homeschooling families to participate in Book-it. Demand is very interested in this and can't wait to get started.

Pool- During the winter months our group meets at an indoor gradual entry pool once a month

Science Museum- When Mr. Sloth "had" to go with his brother and nieces/nephews to the science museum a few months ago I suggested he just get a membership, especially since we get an educator discount. It has already paid for itself and Mr. Sloth and I are heading there on a date tomorrow to see the King Tut exhibit. There are so many exhibits that pair up with chapters in Demands Science curriculum it will be great to go there and have some hands on learning as well.

I'm considering adding All About Spelling and Explode the Code (possibly the online version) as supplements but lets see how the first month of 'school ' goes.

I'm also working on a binder and a bin of stuff for Happy to do. I got the idea from one of the workshops as a way to keep younger siblings both entertained and involved. Happy is a part of the Saint of the Day and Music time but this will help him be involved in the other subjects when he wants to be. Most of what I have gathered is stuff we already had around the house. coloring pages, left over pages from those preschool books you buy at Wal-Mart, blank paper for scribbling, etc.... I bought some familiar character stickers from Dollar Tree to stick to the front of the binder to make it his own. Hopefully he likes it. I'll give it to him on the first day of school.

While shopping at Barnes and Noble this weekend I remembered that I get 20% off for being an educator. Score! I picked up a couple of workbooks while I was there. One is a dot-to-dot book that goes from 1-150 and the other is a book to practice tracing lines in preparation for making letters.

Ok, I think that is it as far as I know.

More pictures for you

On Thursday Demand stayed at Grandmas and played with her visiting cousins while I took the boys home for a nap. That left me two whole hours to myself to get some work done around the house. I got so much done! It felt wonderful. Since we had three dinner parties and other guest, this past week (some here until past 11pm) the main floor never seemed to get fully clean. I was able to give the main floor a real good cleaning. Then I took a short break to read a bit, assuming Pax would be waking up but he didn't so I moved onto the basement. I was so excited to get the homeschool room 95% of the way done and clean up the playroom/family room. The family room has been done for about two weeks but we don't keep it clean, because well we don't have to but it's nice to clean it every once in a while.

The homeschool room however came close to being done once but then we went on a roadtrip and things got crazy. I had coupon piles everywhere, new textbooks everywhere, Mr. Sloth started storing the tools he was using in the family room in there and never removed them. But now it's lovely! Truly lovely! Mr. Sloth has to rehang our chalkboard and bolt the shelves to the walls and I have to reorganize all the homeschool materials and craft supplies.

I'm linking to both albums this time because there are so many pictures.

Downstairs

Mainfloor and kids room

Pictures

Here you go pictures from the living room, dining room and bedroom all of them 99% done. We recieved our new couch, chair and ottoman from Sam's Club on Monday afternoon. I ordered them online and I thought they were a much lighter brown but actually this color works much better and is very kid friendly. They are microfiber but have almost a corduroy like texture to them. We are very pleased with this purchase.





Clearly we need a nice large picture for above the altar. I think I will order a print of "Disputation of the Eucharist" and had it framed from Michael's with one of my many 60% off coupons.


The area rug is from Target, it matches the one by the front door which I bought because it matched the green on the dining room accent wall (see below). Next I will look for some green, blue, gold pillows as well as move a lamp from out bedroom and add an endtable between the couch and the wall.


If you recall, I love our old townhome and one of the rooms I always loved was our dining room. Well, I have to admit, this one is better. I never would have picked this green but I LOVE it! And I just love how I didn't have to do a thing to the room but put my pictures up on the wall. God is Good!


If you are thinking we need a matching leather chair to flank the end table, then you would be right. We were waiting until the couch/chair came just in case there wasn't enough room. I think we'll wait a few weeks though and give our bank account a break.


This clock was a house warming gift from my godmother fits perfectly, huh?


More of the dining room. These pictures hung in our old dining room as well. The best part is that I can finally use my Hollywood plate and entertainment set that goes with these pictures. They were wedding/birthday gifts eight years ago but rarely make an appearance because of space issues. Not now!


This tent was Demands one and only birthday gift and I paid $15 for it. Score! Gifts and money spent on gifts is getting paired down significantly this year as I am really preferring having a few nice things vs a lot of junk (which we still have). Pax is getting two birthday gifts, both garage sale purchases which I spent a total of $13 on.


Demand wanted to help me take pictures of our bedroom. She's really into posing now and she gets rather creative.


I didn't have to do much to this room. I already had this picture and I thought it fit perfectly above our bed. Mr. Sloth bought if for me years ago for my birthday.


I love how empty the room is. There is very little on our night stands although there is plenty of room for book. We will be needing new lamps as Mr. Sloth is putting the lamp you see down in the living room.


I wasn't sure what I was going to do exactly here in the bedroom but while I was at Target I found these decrative pillows and realized they matched the picture perfectly. Then I got a gray microfiber bedskirt (which I still need to iron) and Mr. Sloth and I bought a new duvet cover from Ikea. Viola! The bedroom is done.

Demand the photographer!

Demand laying down on a bed? That is picture worthy!

So there you have it folks. Feast on these pictures for a while. Next up the playroom/family room which is done and the homeschool room/office. I guess there is no reason I cannot take pictures of the kitchen or bathrooms yet either.

Lazywife needs a cup of coffee and Demand has been pleading for a snack.

Happy (Belated) Birthday Demand!

A friend of mine who is also homeschooling her oldest child this year in Kindergarten is coming over tonight and discuss curriculum and whatnot and I'm excited to finish up collecting the books and other materials I need this year and put the finishing touches on the homeschool room. (Yes I know I don't NEED a room to homeschool in but we're happy with the idea and a deadline is giving me motivation to finish the office/homeschool room. Anyway I'm excited to get working on the room while the boys are sleeping. I just thought I would share some pictures from Demand's 5th Birthday party.

Yep the big 5, can you believe it? It was a good party. She invited five of her friends over during a weekday to play in the new bouncy house and have some cake and ice cream. Pretty simple, but as always, Demand and I had fun planning the party. She also managed to get through her whole birthday without receiving one present with batteries or that made sounds. Whew! Well technically the bouncy house was partly her birthday gift and partially a family investment and it does make noise. We decided to get the bouncy house for a few reasons. One she wanted a bouncy house party and they are cheaper to buy than rent. Two there are at least 20 cousins (I think) and we thought it would be handy to have at family gatherings. Three it's a homeschool investment (then again I can make anything into a homeschool investment). There a good chance that during the winter we won't leave the house for days on end having a way for kids to burn off some energy is greatly welcomed.

So enjoy the pictures of Demands party. I will get to work on the homeschool room hanging some things on the wall and organizing some materials. If I have time I'll post pictures of some of the rooms that we are done with in the new house. :) Oh, and there's no picture of the pinata or pin the jewel on Strawberry Shortcake (??) since I was running the games but I was so happy about the $0.50 pinata I got a garage sale. I'm saving at least of the other ones for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December.





Demand opening gifts from her friends.


Demand and the cake that didn't quite look like the picture. :0 It was fun to make though and best of all it was done before 11pm the night before.

Eating lunch on the playground picnic table, can you believe that everyone fits there?



The bouncy house. Demand walked out of frame just as I took this picture, which is not like her.


Demand and E just before blowing out the candles.

Day at the Beach

Ah, so much to catch up with! So many pictures, so much going on, no wonder I have little time to blog. Let's start with the present.

Today we have been working on the perfect Sunday. I was woken up at 5am by a thunderstorm. Honestly, the best way to wake up, absolutely perfect. At 5:15am I heard the sirens go off (Mr. Sloth did not wake up by the way) so I went to check the weather. It was just a severe thunderstorm, no tornado, but at that point I thought, well I always want to wake up at 5:30am and well I'm up and all the windows in our home make for a wonderful viewing of a thunderstorm. So I stayed up and sat on our one piece of furniture and watched the storm and read. Beautiful start!

By 6:15am Pax was awake and by 6:30am he was well fed so I jumped in the shower while he played on our bedroom floor. By the time I got out the rest of the crew were up just in time for us to get ready for 8:30am Mass. (I did have to wake Mr. Sloth though) We made it through Mass and had a great time hanging out with all our friends afterwards for doughnuts in the basement. I love how so many of 0ur friends go to our Church, then again, that's where I met them.

We now have a longer drive home from Mass so Mr. Sloth and I spent that time trying to decide what to do on this lovely hot summer Sunday. Mr. Sloth was kicking himself for not planning a trip up North. We finally decided that we wanted to be outside but not hot so that left us with either the beach, the pool, or an amusement park. We felt we were not prepared for the amusement park, perhaps another day. The pool, at least the one we like to go to, at our gym, is a half hour drive so Mr. Sloth put on his "Head of the Family" hat and said we're going to the beach! Only a five minute drive. For years I've been wanting to spend our summer at the beach, I mean we have enough shoreline, and this is the year, plus we're so close it's not even that hard to just pick up and go. I even have all our beach stuff pre-packed and in a special place in the garage to make going so much easier. We were home by 11am, had a quick lunch, dressed and we were on our way. We had so much fun. Happy is at the age where he's learning to love the water the first two times at a pool/beach this year he wanted nothing to do with the water. Last time he waded in the water a bit but that was all, this time we managed to get his floaties on and he was hooked! After five minutes in he didn't want to be held anymore he just wanted to "swim"! Demand has loved the water since she was two, as long as she has more floatation devices than toes. (Swim lessons start this week) Pax is great. He was jumping out of Mr. Sloths arms at the sight of the beach. Sit him on the shore, he's happy splashing around or playing in the sand, whatever. Eventually I decided to see if he would like floating in the infant floaty thing. Why, yes, yes he did like. He went crazy! He was so happy he kept trying to climb out and let me tell you, he can. In case you are keeping track, Pax can climb out of a bumbo (7 months), a stroller( 8 months) and now a decently safe, secure infant floatation device. He may climb out of his crib before Happy does. Eventually I had to take him out of the little infant island thing I was standing in water up to my waist, holding his hands...I"m sorry he hold me and doesn't let go with his crazy grip, and he just wanted to go. Honestly a part of me wanted to see if he could do it.

By 1pm we decided it was probably best to go so we bribed the kids with candy and a show in the van on our (5 minute) journey home. By the way, although we have a dual DVD system in our van we VERY rarely let the kids use it in state, and by rarely I mean once a year. Just so you know.

We got home and put the boys down for naps and Mr. Sloth and I took a quick nap ourselves. Demand did not sleep of course.

Due to the move we are still working out a few routines and one of them is meal planning and grocery shopping. I'm about to get back into couponing this week for the first time since we moved. That said, Mr. Sloth forgot to plan meals for the weekend so we are working on the fly. I came up with the idea of making BLT w/ grilled chicken Pasta Salad for dinner and we agreed that it sounded wonderful. After my quick nap Demand and I made a rare trip to a store on Sunday. I was tempted to get more but being Sunday I just wanted to get what we needed for today and save the rest for coupon day. Being a hot summer day I decided that popicles were needed. Demand didn't disagree. So that has been our Sunday thus far.












I was determined to get a picture of me with the kids this time but it didn't happen. :( Maybe next time. I really, really want to post more later, ok?