Need More Me Time

Wow, has it really been since November since my last post.  That really needs to change.  I love to write and really need some more me time so I will try to post more. 

Some topics for the future.

Our Garden:  We moved last spring and didnt have the time for a garden (too busy settling in and giving birth to a baby)  Now thanks to my hubby and father-in-law a new garden space has been tilled up so I will keep up on that project.

Homeschooling:  Had some curriculum changes in mid year which was hard but well worth it.

Raising Girls:   HMMM where do I begin!!!!!!

Well that should get the creative writing juices flowing!

Hubby just got home early so that it all for today.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

I just finished reading the book The Art Of Racing In The Rain and novel by Garth Stein.  It was so great. I loved this book.  A great story about human life and human behavior as only a dog could tell.  I loved Enzo so much by the end of this story.  I will never look and any dog in the same way again.  Especially my older dog Belle.  I must say when I first received this book from my mom I didnt think I would like it.  Was I ever wrong.  This book was so well written.  I would recommend this book to anyone, especially to those that have a dog in their life.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0061537969/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

Fish and Mushrooms. What to do?

Thanks to my wonderful dad I have been the recipient of many, many pounds of fish over the summer.  I LOVE fish and if it were not for him I wouldnt get any, as my husband is not a fisherman.  We have had several fish fries but with so much fish still in the freezer it was time to get pickling!  Yes that is right, I said pickling.  I pickle fish and it is wonderful.  So I now have the bottom of my fridge lined with several jars that will be read for us to enjoy this weekend.  I hope to eventually share the recipe with you all.

Now on to the mushrooms.  My dad called recently and asked if I wanted some wild mushrooms.  Well duhhhh, of course I want mushrooms.  My dad is not only a good fisherman he is great at seeking out edible mushrooms.  So I figured he would stop by and drop of a few.  I was shocked when he walked in my house with a cooler full of mushrooms.  It took my husband and I over an our to get them all prepared and in bags to freeze.  Some when right in our meals this week and I still have a few in the fridge. 
Here are some pics so you can get a better idea of what I was dealing with. Not that I am complaining one bit.

Volcanoes

Last week we learned about volcanoes for science here at our homeschool.  After reading several good books about volcanoes with them I decided to have them build one themselves. 

First we made a dough using flour, salt, and water. 

Second I had them each draw some pictures of houses and landscape to put around the inside of the box, we wanted this to look as real as possible of course.  The empty soup can in the middle will be the center of the volcano.

Then it was time to add the clay.  We realized we added a little to much water because the clay just kept sliding down the can.

But that didn't stop my girls from having fun.

So once the construction was complete we waited for dad to get home from work and then I began filming with my camera.  What happened was unexpected.  I didnt realize what was going on in my 4 year olds mind as I was reading about volcanoes and what happens when one erupts.  In her mind this little volcano we had made was very scary as you will see from this video.

OK I can not figure out how to flip this video but it is too cute not to share so just get over it and tip your head OK.  Thanks.  Oh, did you notice the matchbox cars the girls added for extra effect.





Learning about Inuit and Arctic Living

This week in class the girls learnend about living in the Arctic.  One of the projects for my 3 oldest girls was for them to build an Igloo out sugar cubes.  We used frosting to hold it all together.  It kept wanting to collapse so we used a small drinking cup inside to keep it from falling in.  The girls had lots of fun.

The only bad thing about making something like this is, as you can imagine, them wanting to eat it.

It is a good thing we also talked about resisting temptation this week.

Getting Ready for School

I am still working of preparing for school this year.  Here is what I have planned so far.

I will be using Christian Cottage unit studies for the bulk of our class time.  This will be the first time I have used this program.  Looking it over it looks great.

I purchased Letter of the Week and K4 from http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/  I will use these with my 6, 5, and 3 year old to help them with what they are still lacking.  The 6 year old is beyond some of this but still needs help with reading skills and math.  It should be fun for all of them.

Ordered Stitches and Pins to do with my oldest daughter and myself.  I never learned how to sew well and cant wait to do this with her.  With 5 daughters I am sure there will be plenty of use for any new skills I learn along the way.

Will be using Foundations Bible Study and Building Christian Character as part of our bible study time.

I have also ordered other miscellaneous things to make our learning more fun.  I will write about those when they come in.

RUBY JANE HAS ARRIVED

Our newest little bundle Ruby Jane arrived on July 22 at 4:30pm. She weighed 6lb 14oz and was 19" long. She looks just like her 4 older sisters. A week later Bill and I still cant get over the fact that she is now here and that we have 5 daughters. Bill said to her "another one that is going to break daddies heart" you can tell he truely adores his little girls. This baby is getting tons of lovin from her big sisters as well. She is not wanting for attention and someone is always available to hold her.

Ruby Janes arrival into the world went very, very well. She was born here at home with the help of a midwife, her assistant, and of course daddy right by mommies side. The Lord surely did bless me with an easy delivery and I am greatful.