Our Homeschool and Other Such Happenings - Homeschool Blogger

new direction for my HSB blog

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:05:00 -0500

My very first post here at HSB was in 2005... My illustrious writing career (snort) began with some banter about a trip to Wal-mart and crayons being on sale!

Much has changed in my life over the past 4 years, but one thing has stayed the same. I am still homeschooling! And seriously, that is a big deal! We all know that homeschooling is quite a commitment and a huge responsibility. It is easy to get overwhelmed and have the occasional dream about sending our kidlets on that magical yellow bus that comes down the street every morning.

I am thankful for all of my friends here at HSB and in bloggyland! Y'all have been such an encouragement to me in my homeschooling journey over the years. And honestly, it is just plain FUN to hang out with other homeschooling families, even if it is a virtual living room.

I have decided to take a new direction with my blog here at HSB-- and that is to post ummm... well, about HOMESCHOOLING! Shocking, isn't it?

So here is where you will find a greater focus on Our Homeschool, rather than Other Such Happenings. :)

The Lucky Charms Experiment

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:03:00 -0500

David and the boys have been on a Lucky Charms kick lately.

Back in the old days, I remember the ensuing hullabaloo when purple horseshoes were added to the mix. How could they even think of changing the classic marshmallow composition like that?!

But they did.

Then they massacred the recipe even more when they added more...

And to make it worse, they are trying to distract us with phrases like "Good source of calcium and vitamin D" and "whole grains."

WHATEVUH.

Three weeks of Lucky Charms for a bedtime snack inspired me to conduct a possibly frightening quasi-quackish-scientific experiment.

Just call me a health nut.

QUESTION: What is the marshmallow to cereal ratio in a typical bowl of Lucky Charms Cereal?

HYPOTHESIS: Approximately 8 years ago, I conducted a similar test with Frankenberry Cereal. My hypothesis is that Lucky Charms will yield similar results of a 50/50 ratio of marshmallows to cereal.

(Note to self: Do not audition to be a hand model unless it's for a robot hand.)

(Post-note to self: Be weary of saying or writing all of your spontaneous thoughts out loud lest people think ye are whacko.)

EXPERIMENT: Carefully separate the marshmallows from the "whole grain" cereal pieces, while exercising great caution as to not eat the materials.

Hmmm... I wonder which bowl is hiding the "calcium and vitamin D"???

Halfway through the bowl, the ratio is neck and neck.

DATA ANALYSIS: My family's typical bowl of Lucky Charms contains more cereal than marshmallows.

CONCLUSION: I hereby conclude that Lucky Charms is healthier than my initial supposition. Consumption of said cereal at the Drews house may continue.

It's a lifestyle of learning, y'all.

And you thought Saturday nights at my house would be boring! I bet you are totally kicking yourself right now.

Thursday Thirteen

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:25:00 -0500

Crazy days mean bullet posts-- yay!

1. I put Thursday Thirteen in the title but my tired brain cannot remember if that is a for real linked-up thing to join or something that I am just imagining. My tired body says no way are we going to mess with the clicks and typing it requires to actually look it up.

2. I am missing my cutie-patootie nephew Caden. That is one happy, smiley baby that loves his bath!

3. I am halfway watching Clint Eastwood in Escape from Alcatraz while I am typing this post. It makes it harder to come up with 13 things.

4. We will be having our first day of the new school year on Monday! While I know what material we will be using, I have ZERO plans or schedules written out. Not good. I hope to remedy that soon, preferably before Sunday night.

5. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan should be required reading.

6. While at MD Anderson for treatment, my uncle developed pneumonia, contracted West Nile, and has some other issues. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for his recovery and for strength and encouragement for his sweet wife.

7. Before we left for DC, I realized that our dog Snowball was pregnant. Last night, she delivered one puppy. The scrawny white puppy died late this afternoon. We believe that it was a little underdeveloped and born prematurely. I didn't think I would be so sad about it dying, after all God made creatures to live and to die. I am glad that Austin and Noah didn't get attached. I guess I got a little attached while trying to warm the poor thing and stimulate it with some glucose water. (Please pardon this choppily written paragraph. Could there be less flow to it?)

8. Skip-Bo is a fun and addicting card game. For the record, I was the CHAMPION of the game last night against my mom and dad. (Let's not mention that I did not win a single game the night before.)

9. Are you intimidated or offended by my wild and crazy Tuesday evening? (see #8)

10. Old Navy (in-store) has an extra 50% off their clearance items right now. I'm just sayin'...

11. I'm thinking I should have put this post off until Friday so I could participate in 7 Quick Takes Friday instead.

12. Has anyone tried this alarm clock? It's a bit pricey for a clock but might be worth it if it would help me to wake up in the mornings. But then again, laying off the caffeine and going to bed at a decent hour is practically FREE. Maybe I should try that first instead.

13. I wish we had tetherball. Even though David would school me in it. Just call him Napoleon.

Reflections

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:56:00 -0500

There was much to reflect upon during our visit to Washington DC.

World War II...

My uncle's sacrifice in Vietnam...

The Korean War...

And what my children see when they look at me...

What are you reflecting on this week?

beware the librarian

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:49:00 -0500

We visited the breathtaking Library of Congress today. Yes, breathtaking! See for yourself.

Recognize this from National Treasure 2?

We were really wanting to go in there but it is only open to those doing research. They will, however, let you take a peek if you do the library tour. Speaking of which, our tour guide was s-c-a-r-y!

Calm and peaceful on the outside but man, this one older guy did something to make her mad. She stopped mid-sentence and told him that if he really didn't want to be a part of this tour, he could exit the library immediately. But she said it with an intensity that was surprising and with a mean voice. ::shudder::

Okay, back to beauty...

And then the ever-so-shocking...

LIBRARIAN ACTION FIGURE!!! And not just any lame old action figure, but one with SHUSHING ACTION!

bwahahahahahahahaha! Isn't that hilarious?!

I've been laughing all day about it.

Because yes, I am that dorky.

So, do you have a fear of librarians like I have a fear of clowns? I have always loved the librarians that I have known. They were always knowledgeable, helpful and kind. The only fear I have ever had was with this one tour lady librarian person. And the clowns are a whole other post!

not so plain planes

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:58:00 -0500

Yesterday was Day 2 in our nation's capital.

It went something like this: wake up, breakfast, wait, ride bus, wait a really long time, ride bus, arrive at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, refuse to eat the slightly overpriced $10 burger at McD's (said with great sarcasm, can you see the sarcasm?), repeat the waiting and buses on the way home (only I'm starving). Zzzzz...

Waiting is boring.

But once we were done with the waiting, David was like a kid in a candy store! He was so excited about seeing the Enola Gay, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, the Concorde and the beautiful chrome Clipper Flying Cloud. It was amazing just how much history they fit into this giant hangar museum.

Look at how enthusiastic he is. The joy on his face just makes my heart sing. :snort:

I was drawn to the amazing artwork on the planes.

David would probably roll his eyes at the contents of yesterday's memory card. He is interested in the heavies and I kept laughing and being distracted by the smaller didn't-quite-make-it-into-mainstream-commercial-aviation planes.

I'm all for DIY, but I don't think I would ever order a kit and build one myself. This Bede BD-5B kit could be bought for only $3,000 in 1970. Except if I had put it together, I'm sure the wings would be on upside down or maybe I'd forget to include the gas tank. Y'know, little things like that.

And my oh my, forget the Jetson's! I think it would be great fun to have this...

But it would only be fun if you ignore this scathing-yet-amusing article about the 1957 Waterman Aerobile.

Or better yet, THIS!

Eeeee! Isn't it adorable (in an odd sort of way)?!

Look, it even has a license plate!!!

We give the museum a big thumbs up!

But the endless bus ride and overpriced McD's a big thumbs down.

(Yes, I am being whiny about the burger but price gouging at eating establishments are a huge pet peeve of mine. I expect it from airports and amusement parks, but the Smithsonian? Not cool.)

A different dose of DC

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:20:00 -0500

When visiting our nation's capital, you expect to see certain things like...

...The White House

...the US Constitution

...the Declaration of Independence

...the bald pilot facing his worst fears

...discovering your old history project from elementary school.

What? Didn't you ever make a pyramid out of sugar cubes? I guess I made mine on too small of a scale. But this guy... this guy did it right! (Or so "they" say).

Okay, on to a couple more masterpieces from the sculpture garden.

Hey, what do you think this is?

I thought it was a pizza cutter.

I thought wrong (apparently).

I know, you are kicking yourself right now. You SO would've missed that Double Jeopardy question! Anyone with half a brain can see that it's a typewriter eraser. Duh!

Maybe we really aren't smarter than a 5th grader?

And lastly but not leastly, we came across THIS.

Do you look at this and see art?

What if it was making some sort of profound statement?

Can't think of one?

Maybe this clue will help.

"Puellae" which means "Girls"...

It's okay if you still don't get it.

Because neither do I. I just think this is CUHREEEEEEPY!

THE END.

At least of Day 1. I wonder what we're going to find tomorrow!

The bear and glory

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:46:00 -0500

Last night before bed, Austin came to give me the requisite hug and kiss goodnight. He took one step back towards his bedroom and then turned around to give me a second hug. With his spindly arms wrapped tight around me, he began to cry "I miss Christian!"

It broke my mommy heart, y'all.

*sigh*

There was nothing I could do or say to make the pain go away. No band-aid or popsicle could fix the wounded heart of this 10 year old boy missing his baby brother.

So I did the only thing that I could. I hugged him back. Hard. I gave him a kiss. I told him that I miss Christian too. I held him close and prayed for God's comfort. (Only God can be the true Comforter to him.)

I asked Austin if he wanted to sleep with Christian's dog-- this giant of a stuffed animal that Christian used to lay and climb on. I was surprised when Austin answered "No."

Instead, he asked if he could sleep with this... a token that a friend left at the cemetery on the 26th of last month.

Of course I said yes.

I watched my tender-hearted boy grab that bear that is half his size and haul it up to the top bunk. He keeps several pillows up there and carefully laid the bear on its own pillow. He scooted his pillow close so their heads would be touching. Then he took the comforter and gingerly covered up the bear first and then himself.

(This is the point where I just about lost it.)

There was something about the way he covered up that bear. I knew he was imagining it to be Christian. Wishing it to be Christian.

And quite frankly, so was I. Why does that bear and Christian have to share a similar hair color?!

I sucked in my breath, gave him another kiss, and held myself together long enough to make it to my own room. Then I fell on my bed and wept.

I am so glad that God hears my cries. I am so glad that He speaks to me in the midst of my tears. I am so glad that He reaches out His scarred hands and wants me to give my burdens over to Him! God does care for us and tells us to cast our cares upon Him (I Peter 5:7). When we do that, He gives us... peace.

That is what I can encourage my precious Austin to do. Because God cares for Him and hears his heart's cry too.

And not only mine and his, but yours as well.

My heart has cried out to God before. Twenty one years ago to be exact. I'll never forget that night, that moment when I saw my true self. Others saw me as a "good" girl but I knew the sin in my heart. I knew that I could never get to Heaven on my own merits. I saw how holy God was and knew that I could never ever be in His presence!

But then there was Jesus. His perfect life, his spotless heart, his endless love, and his great sacrifice on the cross. For ME. His glorious resurrection. His perfect example. For ME.

I asked Jesus Christ to save me from my sins that night. He gave me the gift of eternal life... and He gave me a new life.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. -II Corinthians 5:17

I gave my life to Jesus Christ. And for as long as I have breath, I want to live for Him and for His name to be glorified-- in good times and bad.

God hasn't called me home yet. But when He does, I'll be ready.

Are you ready?

I hope to always sing with sincerity "Glory to His Name"...

Down at the cross where my Savior died,

Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,

There to my heart was the blood applied;

Glory to His Name!

Refrain:

Glory to His Name,

Glory to His Name:

There to my heart was the blood applied;

Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,

Jesus so sweetly abides within,

There at the cross where He took me in;

Glory to His Name!

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,

I am so glad I have entered in;

There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;

Glory to His Name!

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,

Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;

Plunge in today, and be made complete;

Glory to His Name!

I Heart Faces: Contemplative

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:48:00 -0500

This week's photo challenge theme at I Heart Faces: Contemplative.

I am not sure what spurred their interest in chess, but it makes my nerdy self very happy.

Being normal makes me nervous

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:44:00 -0500

I think boys are non-boring by nature. They are always up to something-- and it's usually not a "good idea."

But sometimes they surprise you by just being normal (and I use that term very loosely).

Noah was being normal the other day... just sitting on the back deck doing nothing in particular.

And it made me nervous.

(This is his new rabbit face that he thinks is amusing.)

Noah often finds joy in the little things-- eating dinosaur egg oatmeal, watching Scooby Doo, and the real source of all his super powers...

...Superman socks!

Anyhow, he was just sitting there.

Do you think he was up to something?

Or are you swayed by his heart-melting expression?

Oops. I mean this one.

It really is hard to be mad at him for anything. And it's not just because he has puppy dog eyes either. He is one of those precious kids that truly is repentant for the wrong that he does. He is a peacemaker with a sweet spirit.

I could learn a few things from him.

It is all too easy for me to be critical of my boys (and nervous for no reason-- at least this time). I find myself jumping to (the wrong) conclusions when sometimes I just need to pay a little closer attention.

When I need to remember to be still and just observe them... how they talk, interact with one another or just play. That is when I learn the most.

Is there something in particular that you can learn from your child? What about them can you find praise?

Now would be the perfect time to tell your child how much you appreciate that particular quality about him. Go on now. Start your Monday off with a hug and a smile! And maybe donuts too. :)