Monday, April 30, 2012

The $5 Prom Dress...Spring Formal


 Who says homeschoolers are nerds???


This weekend was the homeschool co-op Spring Formal.  All the kids and moms pitched in to make it a fancy, special evening.  We sent FOUR teenagers.  Major feat, there.  But worth the effort...

Friday, April 27, 2012

Fiesta!


 


What's up with all these mustaches?


Or moustaches?

That sure looks weird....      Anyways....

We're planning a mustache-theme party for Jacob's graduation.

Gonna have sombreros and fake margaritas, too.

It is Cinco de Mayo, after all.

I think all the mariachi bands will be booked.

So, we'll just find some music on itunes.

And make some mustaches.

You know what they say,

If ya can't beat 'em...     Join 'em!



Yikes!


 My babies are growing up and it's freaking me out!!!

I know, that's what's supposed to happen.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

No Shame on You



I just got this letter in my email and I thought it was too good not to share.  Ellyn Davis is a really neat lady who helped me tremendously during the beginning of my home schooling journey.  Although I've never met her personally, her family used to put out a really good curriculum guide under the name "The Elijah Company."  She wrote lots of in-depth articles that helped shape my views of home education and a lot of other things.  If you want to read more, here's the link.

I don't know about you, but for me, the expression, "Shame on you!" was something I heard quite a lot. And I think some of that shame is still sticking around.  It is pretty hard to recognize and to overcome.  It is crippling to our children and something that we should never be wanting to put "on them." 
This is a long article, but please read it all when you get a chance.  We homeschool parents sometimes try so hard to look good and make sure our kids act "good" that we actually do more harm than good to them in our efforts. 


Love,
Jen

A Good Thing

Isn't that what Martha Stewart always says?  I tried to think of a better way to say it.  A handy thing?  A smart thing?  Any ideas?

Anyways,  here's a good thing.
 
Pantry containers.



Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Benjamin's Whole Wheat Graham Squares




This morning Ben and I got a chance to do some baking together.  Actually, he's been sitting at the bar sounding out words for me while I bake up a batch of his favorite "graham crackers."  He cleaned the bowl for me.  : )

These are really easy and turn out sortof like a cross between a cookie and a cracker.  Just sweet enough to seem like a cookie.  Healthy enough for a snack.

Monday, April 23, 2012

That's a Lot a Bull

 Driving home from the mall Saturday evening, we came across a funny scene.  This guy, we named him Thomas, was standing at the fence on the left side of the street, looking pretty pathetic.

These guys were on the other side.  Standing together just like this.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Move Over, Turkey!

 I've seen squirrels and bunnies, turtles, possums, foxes and a whole gang of deer in the road.

But, I've never seen THIS before!
Oh, Look!  It's a Thanksgiving turkey!  Just standing there in the middle of the road...

                                                         He actually turned in a slow circle for us.  Like he was showing off.

Men.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Hardening Off Baby Plants

 Check this out!  A tiny little pepper bud!

I haven't shown you guys my plants in a little while.  This is pretty amazing stuff.  A couple weeks ago I moved them to the garage.  They were starting to make the house a little stinky.  Sounds weird, but it's true!  It took me several days to figure out what the smell was.  I think it was a combination of wet dirt and tomato plant.  Whatever the case, it's gone now.  And the little guys are just as happy out there.

Now it's time to get them ready for the garden.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Bet Ya Didn't See That Coming


Sometimes you've just got to do something radical.

Something outside-the-box.

Something that nobody saw coming.

Something that causes religious people to judge you as a rebel.

Even if you're not.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Permission to Change

Final stretch, y'all!

How was your school year?  For me, it's been a pretty darn good year.  But there's definitely a few things that are going to need more of my attention next year.

Since we're close to the end, it's a good time to evaluate...while we're still in the thick of it.  If I wait until after summer break to plan for next year, I might forget the things that bug me right now, not make any changes and possibly be doomed to repeat it.  Remember that verse in the Bible that says that it's the little foxes that spoil the vineyard?  Sometimes it's like that in homeschooling, too. The good news is that a lot of them can be fixed!

Monday, April 16, 2012

The Cutest Baby Ever

Dude, you will never guess what I did this weekend.  Never.  That's all I'm gonna say for now.

And I spent some time in the car hanging out with this little cutie pie.


Friday, April 13, 2012

One of the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

I'm doing much better today.  Not really pingin' anymore.  Everybody's happy and thank you all for your prayers!  The thing that was totally stressing me out is done.  Sometimes you don't even realize what it is exactly until it's over and you're not stressed anymore.  A great night's sleep really helps, too.

Anyways, I've been reading this book that is totally uncharacteristic of my normal reading habits.  I usually read about how-to type stuff relating to home and garden mostly.  Sometimes schooling or relationships or psychology or art.  But not leadership.  I guess it's about time I learned some of this stuff, then.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership just turned up in my house somehow.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Pingin'


Have you ever heard that term?  It might be another militaryism.  Like, "I've got so many different things on my plate that I can't handle them all and I'm really starting to ping."  Except that we rarely state it so clearly.  We just start to ping without warning.  That's me lately.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

A Fun Eastery Weekend


 This was the perfect ending to a very special day.   I thought I'd show you the best part first.  : )

Friday, April 6, 2012

Shift Happens

 
How did this happen??


WHEN did this happen?


WOW, is this a weird feeling.








I spent the entire day yesterday going through pictures. 
I'm getting ready for Jacob's graduation in May. 

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Learning to Work...The Bed Building Adventure

Remember that infamous loft building project?  I was going to show you some pictures back then.  However, my trusty imac bit the dust and had to make a trip into the big city for resuscitation.  We thought maybe we lost all 23,000 pictures, but thankfully... all is not lost!  Yes, I know we should have backed them up.  You'll be happy to know they are being backed up as we speak.  Sometimes it takes a crisis to get us off of top dead center.  (another military term)

Patience learning to use a square... or a "triangle."  ?

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Socialized Homeschoolers Learning Fair

This was a neat opportunity for our homeschool kids.  Our co-op put together a learning fair.  Kindof like a science fair, but with lots more varietly.

 Graci did a display about chickens.  She sure got lots of questions.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Big Family Laundry Logistics



Here's a question that's come up recently... Should kids do their own laundry?

Now that's a subject near and dear to my heart.  Let me explain...

 I actually enjoy doing laundry.  I know it's sortof weird.  But it's a peaceful, mindless task that makes me feel productive.  However, with a large family, it might just be a little too much peaceful, mindless task for my taste.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

I Bought A Palm This Sunday




I love Palm Sunday.  I always have as long as I can remember.   

I have always loved Easter, too.  And Palm Sunday sortof marks the beginning of that awesome, amazing week of thinking about the resurrection.  Any week about that is a good week!  Oh, and it's also our Spring Break week.  What's not to love???

This year, Palm Sunday is extra special...