Forty Bag Challenge

For Lent this year, one personal act of alms giving we're participating in is the 40 Bag Challenge. It is a way to let go, live with less, and help others in need. It's been several years since I've gone through the house with a fine tooth comb. The last time I did this serious of a house purging was when Little Bear was a baby. She's now a serious toddler of 2 1/2 and has lots of her own things now. With three kids I'm finding we need to reassess the function of a lot of spaces in our home. I'm hoping this challenge will help get the house working like a well oiled machine and help all of us become a bit more organized. And perhaps teach the kiddos that we can live with a lot less and not be so attached to material stuff. Care to join us on the 4o Bag Challenge? It's not too late. Simply grab a bag and start flinging...

February 6th, 2012 Daybook

Outside My Window...Gosh the weather has been so mild around these parts for winter. It's been mainly in the upper 40's most of the winter. Honestly, I do not mind it at all. The kids on the other hand would like more snow.

I am thinking about...How I've neglected this blog. I really do need to take the time to update on a more regular basis.

I am thankful for...Dear friends and family that have been lifting my husband and family up in prayer.

From the schoolroom...As the winter has been the most unusual so has our school year. Typically, we have an illness from Thanksgiving to March. Knock on something hard (like my head) we have had only two illnesses and that's it. So, we've been able to get through a lot of schooling. Currently, we're traveling to Europe and this week's destination is Russia. The kids are enjoying our travel around the world this year.

Living the Liturgical Year...I can't believe we're looking at Lent already. I need to get that together and this year, I plan on doing another 40 bag challenge.

From the Kitchen...We're eating no processed food. We've been eating whole, healthy foods for a few months now and I've seen a marked difference with our health. We're not as sick as we've been in the past and I've dropped 15 pounds!

I am wearing...workout clothes. Yes, I've been exercising 3 times a week. Big boy said I'm a much happier mommy. Yeah!

I am reading...Sense and Sensibility. I'm enjoying reading the classics on my e-reader. I hope to see the movie when I'm done with the book.

I am wondering...How to remove old (like decades old) paint splatters off of wood trim. I would like to avoid refinishing the trim as that would take time that I don't have nor want to dedicate to this trim.

I am praying for...All Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

African Party

What's a party without a costume? Here they're dressed as "authentic" ancient Egyptians.

African Peanut Stew served over rice.

Oh How I've Neglected Thee

Oh how I've neglected thee.

I hope you can forgive me.

So many reasons why...

Today I will update and try.

For may reasons, this little slice of cyber space has been neglected. We are all okay and I'm hoping to blow off the dust and start updating on our schooling and family life. Hopefully, this weekend I can get a few posts up.

First Day of School

Math for the year...

This year we're continuing to use Math U See for our main math curriculum. Princess enjoyed it last year, but it seems we were missing a bit. This year I've linked MUS Beta with various living books and fun activities. I also added extended units on measurement, geometry, and the calendar. Living Math has an extensive list of books for almost every math subject. This was a tremendous help to me. And I don't know if this happens to just me, but I have all these fabulous manipulatives, games, and Montessori cards, but never use them quite as much. This year I linked it all together in one place. Here's the word document that links it all together. And then there's my Big Boy who loves to do what big sissy is doing. I did order the MUS primer, but will use it loosely and link a lot of living books with it. I'm finishing up the word documents and will upload when done.

2011-2012 Curriculum

Princess/2nd Grade

Math: Math U See Beta

Linked with Living Books

Phonics: Explode the Code
books 5 and 6

Spelling: CHC

Writing: CHC

Grammar: Grammar Adventure

Science: Wonders of the Animal Kingdom

Unit Study: Around the World

First Communion Preparation

Bible: Bible ABC's

Foreign Language: De Colores CD and songbook

Big Boy Preschool/Kindergarten

Math: Various Math Games, Montessori, and living math books. Although he's wanted to do Math U See for a while. I will probably use the Primer loosely with him.

Phonics: Continue with Starfall, Before the Code A,B,C, and Montessori movable alphabet.

Writing: He really wants to learn how to write this year--huge, huge goal of his. How can I deny a kid so eager to learn? We'll introduce each letter corresponding with what letter we're on with Bible ABC's book. We'll use play dough letter mats, Handwriting without tears manipulative, and Little Folks Letter Practice and Little Folks Number Practice.

Science: Wonders of the Animal Kingdom with Princess.

Unit Study: Around the World

Religion: Celebrating the Liturgical Year, While Princess is preparing for first Communion I linked up with Who Am I series. Years ago when Princess used this book series, I created lapbooks for each chapter. I've added to them over the years to include various other materials.

Foreign Language: De Colores CD and Songbook.

Little Bear/ Tot School

Seriously, I'm finding I need to have a few things for her to do as well. She gets extremely upset if she is not included in our studies. Did I mention she thinks she's turning 5 on her next birthday. Let me remind you she just turned two! Along with the usual tot type of activities we're going to try a few tot packs and create sensory bins to go with each theme.