Solar System

This is our solar system that we painted and hung up today, to accompany our astronomy study this year.  It was a fun project.  Even Maddy helped.  She painted the Sun and Neptune.  She is so proud of her work.

The Bigs really wanted to pose underneath it.  They think they're soooooo funny.  And they are.

They're modeling their new backpacks.  This past week we've done school at the park.  We go from 8 am to 10 am.  Savannah and Charlotte usually get math and phonics done, and sometimes writing.  They take 10 min. breaks on the playground between subjects.  Zach and Maddy play well together, they let me teach, and they're much happier the rest of the day.  It has worked out really well for us so far. 

Exept for the last day... we got eaten by mesquitos, it was hot and muggy, math was difficult, and Zach was ready to go home early.  THAT was a bad day, but the other days were good!

In Maddy's backpack is her Walmart pre-school workbook, a framed picture of Jesus that she has claimed as her own, and an assorment of toys that she is careful NOT to play in the sand with anymore, since she lost two toys in the sand the first day.

Next 6 Weeks!

This probably doesn't mean anything to you, but it is wonderful to me.  I have the entire year planned; this is just the first 6 weeks.  It's a labor of love, I tell ya!  You have to click on the picture to actually read it.

Hot Summer Days

What is there to do on hot summer days?  When you're 7 months pregnant, nothing that requires leaving the house!

We just got back from vacation last Tuesday, and did not homeschool the rest of the week when we got home, so the kids have been BORED.  I've been busy planning next school year, printing out books that I need to put together, and making a chore chart that is much more than JUST a chore chart (I'll explain with pictures later)... which, to me, is a whole lot of fun.  However, the kids have been unhappy.  So, back to the grind on Monday.  Math, phonics, writing, reading, piano, and chores keep us all very, very busy and feeling like we've accomplished something during the day.

What do other people do who don't homeschool during the summer? 

It's not all school and chores around here.  We do go to the pool every other evening, but it is closing soon (beginning of August) because the public school is starting up.  And they watch their fair share of movies and play outside during free time.  Its just that TOO much free time gets so boring.  I think they're excited to do school next week.  I know I am!