Float like a Butterfly....

The other change around here is that I have began a “Run amile in 4 weeks” program, and have been running with Curtis and the kids 3 nights a week, and on top of that began the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I am on day two of the shred and for someone completely out of shape and with NO history of being athletic or working out The Shred has definitely made itself known today, but it is a good sore means that under this I have muscles that know how to work! I'm on week 2 of the running, but am sticking with the week 1 requirements, but have a goal  to go to week 2  on Friday. I am excited to see how the shred affects my run…my goal is to Float like a Butterfly, but I'd settle with simply Airborne! I’ll keep you posted on how it is all progressing, school, body, and work!

 

Changing "Gears" with Homeschooling...

 

One thing that I am loving about homeschooling is how if something just doesn't work well you can change "Gears" and find something that does. Although I am sure we will have days when I may want to Change "MY GEARS" I am not talking about getting rid of my kids aka Gears but changing up how we are doing things in ECoE

.We have made some big curriculum changes , not being very excited about Tapestry of Grace and how it works the kids wanted to focus on American History, and since doing our Apologia Science we all agreed we like having the "Mom read and we all discuss” process , so we decided to go with All American History Vol. 1, even though Hannah has covered some of the information in past years, we all agreed that it works so well when we can all work together and it gives us an opportunity to have some peer tutoring with Hannah helping out the younger kids. We also started Vocabu-Lit which I also love so far, it has excerpts of classic literature and then focuses on 10-15 words form the story to build on their vocabulary. Vocabulary is so important; I want my children to be able express themselves with great detail.  The only thing I found troubling is that it is difficult to find the Vocabu-lit for the younger grades; only place I have found them is the publisher.  I have been busy putting together objectives for each kid and goals for them to reach, as well as weekly lesson plans and subject planners. I am more than happy to share my process with anyone who wants to know. I was lucky to win a year subscription to My Well Planned Day and am trying to figure out how to us it. I think once I master it, it will be a wonderful asset to have.

Labor Day weekend provided us with a perfect opportunity to do our first science project with Daddy as well. I love that we are able to include him in the things that we are learning, really creates a whole family learning environment

"Which is heavier cold water or Warm water?"

Hammin it up

THAT'S AMAZING!!!!!

 

We did have our first field trip of sorts over the Lake Murray Dam, after learning about Dams in Science. We got to walk across it, about 1/2 way of the 1.7 miles and then turned back. It was fun to do something both educational and fun that Daddy got to go with us was just a huge added HURRAY!!              


Lake Murray Dam

 

 

And then...

            Well looks as if time has flew by again! Wanted to check in and give an update of our last few weeks.  In the past month we have had orders to PCS to Hawaii, resigned from PWOC president in order to prepare for our move, lost orders to go to Hawaii (boo), had to put our sweet kitty of 13 years to sleep, received word that we are here in South Carolina till 2014, work on adjusting to not being president of PWOC and what God has in store for me and my family, and got a new car. Seems that we are now in the habit of  the "and then...".  I know that God has a plan for us, for me, for our time here in Fort Jackson, SC. and although I don't know what it is I will have faith that 

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6

 Lots of ups and downs, but seems that for now things are righting themselves and my head is back in the game of Homeschooling at ECoE!

McArthur "Mac"  1999-2012