The Homeschool Mother's Journal - March 12-16, 2012: Semi-Spring Break

Delani helping Daddy in the garden.

In my life this week…
I started the week off with my 7 1/2 yr. old washing machine dying!

Monday - I woke up a major windstorm. We spent the day trying to find someone to come out and look at our washer. I had to run to the laundromat to re-wash my load that sopping wet. Of course, I would have to pick a laundromat that half the machines were broken and was really nasty. Later Shade went to a Minister's dinner, I was designated to stay home, since the wind had picked up and we didn't want the kids alone if the power would go out. I kept getting up to do laundry only to remember that I didn't have a washer, so I made cookies instead! Meanwhile, the dirty laundry pile grew.

Tuesday - I had planned on heading up to Portland to get the boys' haircut and to go to Exodus Books for some homeschool curriculum I needed. My original plans were derailed since I had to wait for the repair man. We found out the the electronic board needed to be replaced, which would require a chunk of money and the part would have to be ordered. We finally made it out the door to head to Portland while the weather turned weird and it started snowing. Shade and I had changed our plans and had decided that I would go to Exodus Books and he would meet me and take the boys to get their haircuts, while I headed to the library bookstore to work. Wouldn't you know it, he ended up having to work to almost 5 pm. I did get the curriculum I needed, but the boy's didn't get their haircut. They were pretty disappointed, since they enjoy getting their hair cut. Meanwhile, the dirty laundry pile grew bigger.

Wednesday - We headed out after lunch to run some errands. I went to a department store and looked at washers while the guy gave me this big spiel about washers and how to wonderful his were. I wasn't too impressed. When we finally made it home Shade and I headed out to a little appliance store and eventually bought a used washing machine for a lot less money than a new one. We came home and ate dinner and felt relieved. Meanwhile, the dirty laundry pile bigger and bigger.

Thursday - I woke up to another wind storm! My new-to-me washing machine was delivered and set up. Laundry was started. My new problem--my dryer can't dry the huge load that washer washes. I also attacked my ironing pile. We had church. Meanwhile, the dirty laundry pile grew smaller.

Friday - Caleb wanted to go to Walmart and spend of his allowance on a Star Wars Lego set, so we headed out after lunch. Shade had told the kids that when he got home they would have a game night, so the kids were very excited. After dinner, he played The Lady Bug Game with Delani and then he played Rook with the rest of them. I sneaked out of the house for a quick shopping trip. Meanwhile, outside a couple loads of towels the laundry was finished.

In our homeschool this week…
Since I had to rethink what Caleb was going to do in history I wasn't ready to start up our Term 3 quite yet. Plus, with Chantry being sick we had gotten behind on a couple of other things, so I decided that we would just have an early spring break, though they still worked on Math and a few other things.
 
Destini finished up A Reason for Handwriting E, since I saw that she needed to start up typing earlier than I had planned. She will start Type-It next week.
 
Caleb is going to dive into All American History I so I was busy getting prepared for that. I am supplementing this with a lot of literature.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Go with the flow and ultimately trust God.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Outside of Exodus Books, running errands, and looking at washing machines it was a pretty quiet week. I am enjoying this, because baseball season is starting in two weeks!

My favorite thing this week was…
When my new washer was installed and I could start on my piles.

What’s working/not working for us…
Have you heard about Xtramath? It helps kids master their basic math facts. I am a big fan of Math-U-See's Drill Page, which is great in helping kids learn their math facts. My problem was my kids would take forever to do them. Math-U-See's drills just count the time when they are all finished, while Xtramath gives them a set time and counts down. It also shows them which math facts they haven't mastered yet. We have just started this, and Destini and Chantry are still working on addition, but I have been very impressed.
Questions/thoughts I have…
Any ideas about chemistry, beside Apologia?? Has anyone used The Friendly Chemistry?

Things I’m working on…
I think I have our school plans finished. Now Destini and I will start her sewing project and I really would love to make my girls something for Easter. A big goal so we shall see.

I’m reading…


Also, check out my Reading Journal for this week.

I’m cooking…
Popcorn chicken, oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chips, quesadillas, spaghetti

I’m grateful for…
I know I sound like a broken record, but I am soooo thankful for a working washing machine!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…



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