Good Bye

 We took Rosie to the vet for the last time.  It was time to say goodbye.  The kids were ok with it because they had been around her long enough to know that we had done all that we could do.  I am thanking God that the kids enjoyed her so much the last year of her life.  

Olivia swimming 2008

Olivia was 3 years old when this was taken.  Now  at 4 years old, she can swim the length of an Olympic size swimming pool and back,  thanks to Infant Swimming Research.  She started lessons at 13 months old. 

School this year

Here's what we are doing this year.

Everyone 

Bible- Children's Church memory verses

            Reading aloud portions that go with History 

            Grapevine studies (maybe later in the year)

            Studying morals and manners with the Book of Virtues

History-  The Mystery of History vl. 1 (finishing finally)

Geography- the Usborne Internet linked Children's atlas

Science- Great Science Adventures -The World of Light and Sound

                The Periodic Table of Elements- How to Teach Science Newsletter

Piano- I am teaching  them using Alfred's Teach Yourself to play Electronic Keyboard,  Musicademy Modern Worship for Keyboards, and Simply Music (I just ordered this and am anxious to try it out.)

Poetry-   Poetry memorization from Favorite Poems Old and New

Typing- Dance Mat Typing

Art- Art lessons at a local library, Creativity Express Computer game

Cooking-  Cooking class at the same local library

Grace 

        Right now, my mom is working with Grace on her math and language.  She is using various books and curriculum.  Both my mom and I feel like this is going to be the year that Grace makes great advances in her learning!

Levi-

Language Arts-  The Grammar Key  This is online and I love it!  

                             Spelling Workout 6th grade

                             Handwriting Without Tears 

                             Reading-  I am still deciding on this.  Right now I am assigning him science                                       reading and quizzing him for comprehension.

Math-  Rod and Staff 6th

Science-  Crime Scene Investigations  This is a curriculum meant for a classroom, so we will be                    adapting it.

                 Electronic Snap Circuits Student Guide ( Hands-on Program for Basic Electricity and                    Electronics)  So far, he loves this!

Mandi-  

Language Arts-  Rod and Staff English  2 and 3

                             Handwriting without Tears

                             I am still looking for reading comprehension and vocabulary and/or spelling.

Math-  MEP mathematics 2nd and 3rd

I will be adding Wordly Wise or Getaclue.com for vocabulary for Levi and Mandi.

Two fun learning games we have been playing are  Monopoly Jr (adding small numbers) and Totally Gross- The Science Game.