Do I Have A Plan?!

This is the third week in the Back To (Home)School Carnival.

 

This post is supposed to be about planning. I have been thinking about what I was going to write about all week. It was rather difficult because I am not much of a daily planner. I have a day planner, so I don't forget things, but I have been known to change my mind at the last minute. (I do let people know when I change my mind, if it affects others.) 

For school last year we used the text books that I got and just went through the lessons. For other subjects I had a list of topics and gathered information as I needed it. We also used a dry erase board to list what I wanted to get done each day. Pie Pie is a very visual person, so she liked the concept of knowing what she had to get done and crossing off what we had finished.

Life is full of twists, turns

This year I am going to try to do a little bit better with my organization. I would like to split up some subjects because it seems like there are so many this year. We would do the core subjects every day and then split up Science and History. Those seem to take up the most time and creativity. I would like to start a Science topic, such as the Human Body, finish it and then move on to a History topic. It gets confusing for me to do them both at the same time. I would also like to have a specific day for Art and Music. We are also working on thirty minutes a day of exercise which will count for physical fitness. 

and ups and downs!

This is the first year we are being held accountable by the school district and I feel I need to make sure everything goes as planned. I have been living with depression for a while and am finally getting the right help for myself. I am hoping that this will help me to be able to get up at regular time and to be able to get things done in a timely fashion. We did actually do well last year. I made a thorough practice portfolio and log. It would just be nice to have more of a regular daily schedule. 

We're loving the crazy ride!

I am also in the processes of starting a small homeschool group at my church. Life is always more fun with the support of friends! There will be more about the homeschool group subject later.

One more post in the carnival left. Come back next week for the final post!


Updated August 27th 2012
P.S. I am linking up with A Classic Housewife and iHomeschool Network.

Smiles

Tennis Anyone?!

A good friend called me this morning and asked us to go play tennis with her. I have never played tennis before, but I said I would give it a try. The girls said they wanted to come and I talked Daddy into going too. Our friend had four rackets so Daddy had a chance to teach Pie Pie how to hit the ball. She did pretty good too!

 We spent most of the time running around the court after the ball. Which was fine with me because I am trying to get at least thirty minutes of exercise each day. I'm including the girls and Daddy as much as possible. Pants was our awesome ball girl! She was quick to get the ball and throw it back to us.

We also took breaks when we needed them because it was pretty hot. Lots of water!

I can honestly say I am one of the worst tennis players! Maybe I just need more practice?! We did put on a pretty funny show! Maybe no one actually saw us! If they did I hope they got a good laugh. We did have a good time, I just hope my back doesn't hurt too much in the morning! 

Smooches from Pants!

What new thing have you tried lately?!

Smiles,

Nikki!

What's Your Favorite Subject?!

This is the second week in the Back To (Home) School Carnival.

Update August 6th , 2012. I am also linking up to:

We are beginning our fourth year of homeschooling for Pie Pie. She is pretty set in what she likes for school, but there are some new things we are trying this year. I'm going to share her eclectic curriculum first, then we will move on to Pant's stuff! (I am still figuring some things out, but this is what we have planned so far.)

For Math we love Math-U-See! It is the best for both of us. Math is not a strong subject for me, so we watch the DVD together and then I can explain more if needed. The blocks are very helpful. I finally feel like I am understanding Math too! This is one subject we are a little behind in, but I am confident that she has a full understanding of the Math she has learned. That is what is most important to me.



For Language Arts we will be using Bob Jones University English 3. We were given a copy of the Teacher's Manual for grade 2  last year so we gave it a try and liked the book. When Pie Pie likes something we stick with it. I still have this on my list to buy for the coming school year.



We are going with something new for Bible this year. I have yet to find something we both like that I can afford. We were actually given this curriculum, so I figured why not try it out. We have a Devotional book we do daily and Pie Pie will be in AWANA this fall.  At AWANA she learns Bible Verses and has a Bible message. She gets to play games and have fun too!



For Handwriting this year we are trying out Handwriting Without Tears. I have allowed her handwriting to be pretty horrible so far. She hates to write so I was just happy she was getting anything down on the page. I have heard great things about this writing program and I'm hoping Pie Pie likes it too. After she finishes this book I plan to move onto to the cursive one. I am also considering a typing program if any one can direct me to a good one.



In History we are studying the U.S. We are going to start at the end of the Revolutionary War, where we stopped last year and work until the end of the school year. We do all kinds of fun projects and I get books from the library. One type of  learning book we use is History Pockets by Evan Moore. We did a couple last year and I can usually borrow them from the library. I also try to find some books about women through history. I like Pie Pie to get an idea of what it would have been like if she had been alive in each time period.



In Geography we have been learning about the different states in our country. We use the Which Way U.S.A . books and maps. It's more like a game and fun than work. We also read books and do a few worksheets from the Internet.



For pretty much everything else I rely on the Core Knowledge Series. This book helps me get an idea of what they should be learning in each grade. I pick my Science topics from there. We do a lot of hands on in Science and get books from the library. I also look at what they suggest for Music and Art.  I am still looking for a fun spelling program if any one can help me out in that subject. 



For Pants this year I am planning on using Rod and Staff. I have been told this is a good program for a child her age and it is a good price. I have it on my list to buy as well. Pants will  be participating in subjects with Pie Pie and she loves to be read to. I would like her to learn how to read, but we will see. We will  be going over money and time in simple ways. I also recently found out about Sensory Tubs (I know I'm late to everything!) and would like to try some of them out. I know both of my girls would like them.  

I am praying about starting a homeschool group at my church. I have some ideas that would be more fun with a group of kids. I am definitely going to be keeping it simple! 

Thanks for reading and make sure you come back for the third post in this series next Monday!
I am linking up with A Classic Housewife and  i Homeschool Network.
P.S. Pie Pie says her favorite subject is Geography!

Smiles

At the Zoo

So many animals to visit!

A peaceful retreat for a wolf.

Hello there!

Thirsty Kangaroo.

Swimming? Sounds good to me!

I'm hungry!

Me too!

To the left a little....

........to the right a little.......

....that's the spot!

See you next time!

A BIG thank you to Pop Pop for taking us to the zoo!

Smiles,

Nikki!

Flavorful Friday

Pie Pie's Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie

Pie Pie loves chocolate pudding pie, so when I came across this recipe I knew she would love it. She was very excited to make it and we shared it with our family on the 4th of July.

Ingredients:

1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp of sugar

1 3/4 cups cold milk, divided

2 cups whipped topping, divided

1 graham cracker crust (9 in.)

1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix

How to make the pie.

1. In a small mixing bowl beat the cream cheese, sugar and 1 Tbsp of milk until smooth. 

2. Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping.

3. Spread evenly into crust.

4. In a large mixing bowl whisk the remaining milk with the pudding mix for 2 minutes.

5. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft set.

6. Pour over cream cheese.

7. Chill until set.

8. Just before serving garnish with remaining whipped topping.

This pie is and was delicious. The only suggestion I would make it to add more cream cheese layer. We felt there wasn't enough!

We hope you enjoy this pie!

A Peek at The Boo Boo Princess Charm School for Girls

I decided to participate in a Back to (Home)School Carnival.



They have different themes each Monday this month. I am going to try to participate in all of them, but I'm not promising anyone! It looks like a lot of fun and I hope you enjoy getting a glimpse inside our homeschool.

I finally feel like a "real" homeschool Mom this year. This is the first school year I had to file with our school district. I also have to keep a portfolio and have Pie Pie tested at the end of the school year. I know not all homeschoolers have to do this, but those are the laws in our state. I was actually very nervous that I wasn't going to do things right or the school district was going to be mean to me. It was actually easier than I thought it would be, once I got over myself. I read all of my state laws, made sure I had all of my paper together, signed and notarized and went to the school district with confidence! Just a few easy questions and we were out of there! As of July 6th, we are officially able to log days! One down, one hundred seventy nine more to go! We actually only do fun school in the Summer, but we have some field trips we are looking forward to that I would like to count toward school. I feel it can't hurt to have extra time so we can take breaks as needed through the school year.

Here is a photo of me happy after I filed with my school district!

I have two daughters who I homeschool. My oldest daughter, Pie Pie, is eight and will be going into third grade. We are a little behind in some areas and a little ahead in others. That is one of the benefits of homeschooling, you work at your own pace. We are both visual learners, so we have been a good match this past three years. We do have our struggles because we both love and dislike the same subjects. Our least favorite subjects are Math and Language Arts. We tend to do these first, so we can move onto the fun stuff! We love Reading, History, Geography and Science! Pie Pie is also fabulous at Art! She loves to draw! She also loves horses and swimming!

My goals for Pie Pie are to finish her current Math book and to get about halfway through the next one. I'd like her to be able to write in cursive. We definitely need to work on Spelling. For some reason I though if you can read you can spell. Apparently that is not true. She can tell the word is not spelled correctly she just doesn't know how to get it to the correct spelling. We will just be continuing on with the rest of our subjects. There will be more specifics about our curriculum in another post.

My youngest daughter, Pants, is four. She will not be five until November so technically she is still Pre-K. Because of the fact that I have been homeschooling Pie Pie for the last three years I feel Pants is ready for Kindergarten work. She has been exposed to a lot simply through listening to her sister's lessons. We have started pre-reading and she is doing really well. She knows many of the letter sounds. I'm hoping she will be reading by next Summer. I'm planning on keeping it light and fun! She will also be participating in Bible, Science and History with her sister, but on her level. We will continue our work with numbers.  For some reason she feels fifteen does not belong in the number line. She just skips right over it! Pants is very busy and loves pretty much anything! She likes to draw and listen to stories. She also likes to "read" to me!

So, that's a little about us and our school! Thanks for visiting, there will(hopefully) be more to come so make sure you visit us again!

P.S. Here's the link for the  Back to (Home) School Carnival

It is time to be still......

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10

I have inadvertently taken a hiatus from my blog. It was for many reasons and I thank anyone who has continued to read my blog and I apologize to those have been looking for new posts. It's going to be a little while yet. I feel God is telling me it is time to be still. He wants me to take time to relax and regroup. Don't worry I'm sure I will be back soon!

I do have a facebook page now. It is called Boo Boo Princesses. You can like the page and I update that a little more than here. I also share pictures on my page.

 We finally have a logo. My Dad, Pants and I created it. I hope you like it.

Hope to see or hear from you soon!