This Week::Sept. 26-30

I want to get back in to weekly wrap-ups. I was so encouraged last year by them. At those worst moments when I was sure that we had not accomplished one.single.thing., I was able to go back and see through these weekly posts that we had in fact done something! I am still not a very consistent in my record keeping, but I can do this (I can!). 

Quote of the week: 

James' (8yo) response to dad's inquiry as to why he was wearing his pajamas at 4 in the afternoon- 

"uhmmmm.... cause I can?" 

Yep. You can. :) 

What is working best for us: 

All About Spelling! Yes, I still love it. We have moved along a slower pace than anticipated, but we just received Level 3 in the mail. A change for this year: I have embraced the program as a whole. I admit, in the past,  to usually skipping the "Sound Cards" (dictation), and that I did not do a lot of any review of the "Word Cards". Honestly, it just works better if we do the whole package- no skipping. I even ordered the fancy card box to keep everything neatly organized. 

Yes, I am a sucker for an organizational tool. 

What we are enjoying: 

The boys did very well with the Barry Stebbing art videos that we used last year. While they most definitely prefer their super fun and talented in-person art teacher, I have no doubt that they are much more prepared to learn thanks to those videos. They are having a blast with Mr. G who comes to our house once a week. The boys rotate weeks choosing a project. On the fourth week, Mr. G picks a concept to work on. This week James wanted to draw his pet bunny, S'more. 

 What we have been learning about: 

We wrapped up our China study this week. We learned some fun things about this country, its culture, its people, and its food. We are also fortunate to have an uncle who travels there occasionally, and was able to share a bit about the people he has met in China and the political climate as well.  

 The boys had a great time making Egg Drop Soup. 

Out of the house: 

Paul started playing volleyball with a homeschool program run by an incredible homeschool mom who loves the game. He really wanted to begin last year, but his commitment to help coach in a sports program for younger children did not allow for it. He is really (I mean really!!) loving it. 

James started back with Hands-On-Sports (the program that Paul used to help in). This program works on skills and drills with the children- basic ball throwing and dribbling, and some fun games as well. We have turned the reins over to another family to run it, so James is a participant and I get to just sit back and watch. Fun for me and him.  It was about 101 degrees that day, but all the kids played. (and drank lots of water). 

Friend Time: 

Our little co op is up and running on Friday mornings. I say co op, but is really a Spanish class run by my sister's mother-in-law at our house. While all the kids love their Spanish class, I think it is play time that they enjoy the most. 

 I am not sure what started it, but four-square was the game of the day... 

along with a game of "Life". 

Did it! Hope everyone else had a productive week! :)