Our Schedule ~ 2013

This years we've had to change our schedule a bit as Ladybug has decided to attend a near-by Charter School and Unicorn is attending early-morning Seminary through our Church. We used to get up when ever and then just go through our daily routine but now, some things have to happen at a certain time of the day. Here is what our schedule looks like as of right now:

Dev. = Devotional
ALA = Ladybug's Charter School
FT/DO L = Free Time or Drop Off Ladybug
FT/PU L = Free Time or Pick Up Ladybug
HW/FT = Homework then Free Time

It finally happened...

A couple nights ago, Ladybug, came to us and said she wanted to go to (a brick & mortar) school.

I have a multitude of emotions right now (most of them conflicting):

*I am happy she is independent, confident and determined.
*I am sad she wants to be away from the family for so much of the day.
*I am glad she feels comfortable coming to my husband and me with this.
*I am frustrated that I haven't been able to find what will help her and I "click" when it comes to me helping her learn.
*I am a little relieved that she and I won't be fighting about school everyday (until she realizes she still has to do homework).
*I feel guilty that I feel a little relieved.
*I am excited that she is excited for her new adventure.
*I am hurt that she is excited for her new adventure.
*I am confident that she will do well.
*I am scared that she will like school so much that she won't ever come back to homeschooling!

Over the past few days we have enrolled her in a charter school and bought her school supplies and uniforms. Since it is SO expensive for her to go to this school we have told her that she has to stay there at least through the first semester. It will be interesting to see how she likes it and how things go at home with Unicorn and Monkey.

Last night...

we had an Amazing storm roll through our community. I have lived in the Phoenix Metro area for about 16 years now and while I have heard of these storms I personally haven't experienced one...until now!

At about 7:30 last night I looked out the window and saw this happening:

Then the power went out and the wind started to blow more and the grill blew off the patio and the shingles started blowing off the roof!

The power came on about 10:20 last night and this is what the roof looked like this morning!

Now we wait and see what the insurance company says.

Tribute to American Heroes: Home of the Brave- Firefly

Grab a tissue and enjoy this music video written and performed by my nieces: Firefly!

Thrive ~ Food Storage ~ SALE

Happy Independence Day! 

This is a quick post to let you know that I have signed up to be a Thrive consultant. Thrive is a great way to build up your food storage and emergency supplies without ever having to leave your home! You can check it out by visiting my webpage by clicking HERE!
You can also join my Facebook Page (it is a work in progress)!

AND, I have some great, limited time deals for you! 

To take advantage of the AMAZING deals (see below) you must 

send me an email by MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY, JULY 7th! 

Click HERE to email me!

**Some of our FAVORITE Thrive products are: 

Freeze Dried (FD) Strawberries, FD Yogurt Bites, 

 FD Chicken (yes, REAL chicken), and all the desserts!**

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July 2013

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...there is a monsoon! The wind is fierce and the temperature is 100* at 9pm!

I am thinking...I need a vacation.

I am thankful...the shingles aren't flying off the roof!

In the kitchen...the pups are sleeping.

I am wearing...pj's.

I am creating...lesson plans.

I am going...to bed soon.

I am wondering...how dirty the pool will be after the storm.

I am reading...a book on how to best use evernote.com

I am hoping...we get some rain with this storm.

I am looking forward to...the season premier of Covert Affairs!

I am learning...how to make video tutorials.

Around the house...the children are sleeping.

I am pondering...what to do with my hair.

A favorite quote for today...Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning. ~ Albert Einstein

One of my favorite things...my kids' laughter!

A few plans for the rest of the week...swimming lessons for the kids and a church party.

A peek into my day...

The Classical Historian ~ A Mosaic Review

Today I have some neat history products from The Classical Historian!

Products Being Reviewed:

Ancient History Go Fish Game $11.95

The Socratic Discussion in History w/DVD $79.99

Take A Stand: Medieval Civilizations $18.95

32-Week Lesson Guide $24.99

Vendor:

The Classical Historian

Contact Information:

Website

Facebook

Other Products:

Games and Game Bundles $11.95 - $59.99

Complete History Curricula $168.99 - $256

The Socratic Discussion in History w/DVD & Take A Stand Bundles $99.99

California History books $14.95 - $24.95

Individual Products $11.95 - $99.99

Our Thoughts (and More Information):

We don't play games very often here but we really enjoyed playing the Ancient History Go Fish Game. It is actually 4 games in 1! You can play Go Fish, Collect the Cards, Chronology or Continents. The kids enjoyed playing Collect the Cards and Go Fish the best. The games are easy to play and the price is reasonable. The cards are sturdy and larger than your average card game cards (very nice)! There are 48 Jumbo cards, the games are for ages 3 & up, and for 2 or more players.

Take A Stand Medieval Civilizations is an 88-page paperback workbook that includes Reading, Discussing, and Writing. It is written by Jon De Gree and published by Take A Stand Publications. This little workbook can stand alone or be used as part of The Classical Historian's complete Medieval Curriculum. There are two parts. Part One includes Social Studies Essay Questions and Prewriting Activities from The Fall of the Roman Empire to The Age of Exploration. Part Two is Skills for the One-Paragraph Essay.

The Socratic Discussion in History & DVD includes a 77-page coil bound workbook and 4 DVD's. The workbook has 14 chapters including How to Use This Program, What is a Classical Education in History, The Thinking Tools of the Historian, Six Essential Thinking Tools of the Historian, Open-Ended History Questions, The Fall of the Roman Empire, Teaching with the Socratic Discussion, The Writing Process for a One-Paragraph Assignment, Advanced Thinking Tools of the Historian, The Writing Process for a Five-Paragraph Assignment, Grading Essays, The Essential Tools of Literary Analysis, Encouraging Family Discussion at the Dinner Table, and Evaluation. The DVD's include an Introduction to the Socratic Discussion Method and 3 DVD's that help you teach the Socratic Method in History.

The 32-Week Guide is 62 pages of Lesson Plans, so you don't have to figure it all out yourself!

I am very impressed! While the games are fun and educational, I really like that this program helps you help your child learn how to think and analyze history. I LOVE the open-ended questions and the how to write an essay part!

I know that budgets are tight (I know ours is) and that this program is on the pricy side. IF it were me considering this program I would start with the card games to supplement ANY history curriculum. Then I would purchase The Socratic Discussion in History w/DVD's. This can be used with ANY history curriculum and the thinking skills and essay writing process is excellent. Then if I could afford more I would add in the Take A Stand workbook and then the 32-Week Guide. If I was blessed with $170 to spend on a full history curriculum I would!