Making books

The kids and I just completed our first official week of school!!! YAY! We've been spending the late afternoons making more folder games, lapbooks, and "altered books." I finally finished up our Spring 2009 Book. We added photos, embellishments, ribbons and tags, and removable "signs" that have details added on the back. This is our hands-on please-touch-and-enjoy Photo Album for the kiddos. As you can see, Little Lad was looking at it with me again as I took the pictures.

Now to start on summer, before we're thrust into fall! On the next one, I plan to incorporate more "kid books" right into the main album.

Hope you enjoy!

Adler Family Spring 2009 -

Prayers being answered!

About a week ago, I asked you to pray for my sister, my Mimi, and a family friend.

Prayer are being answered. Obviously, prayer is still needed, too!

My sister had surgery yesterday. They ended up having to go through tendons, re-break her hand and then set it. She had a metal plate and screws put in. When the doctor talked to my Mom, he said that the surgery was successful and Julie should make a full recovery, although it will be very painful for awhile.

(Me, Amy and baby Ransom, Julie)

Mimi went in for her chemo again yesterday. Papaw wrote, "The blood work remains stable and OK, but Mimi was dehydrated from throwing up so much. In addition to the anti-nausea medicine she is already taking, he prescribed reglan to 'stimulate more rapid emptying of the stomach.'

Before beginning the chemo today, they hydrated her through her port and within a little while her color was improved and she obviously was feeling better.

One 'slightly encouraging' 'sign' is that the pain has eased a bit so that Mimi is taking very little oxycodone now. (She takes some tylenol as needed.) The reason I say 'slightly encouraging' is that it might mean that the Gemzar Chemo is working somewhat against the tumor. But that evidence is too slight and too soon to really tell us much. But maybe. . . ."

(My four and Mimi)

"Sam update - another good day!! He got up four times today, although exhausted quickly (which frustrates him) - but seeing improvement! They will check him in the morning to confirm they only need to graft two spots on Monday - pray that there aren't more, and they come away amazed at his progress!" -(posted by a friend, and re-posted here)

Where do the kids work?

I'm jumping in on Darcy's blog hop again!

Where do my kids do their school work?
Everywhere!

We have a boys' room/ playroom/ school room, but the kids decided that they wanted to be "by me" all the time. My central location, for preparing snacks, meals, and gathering supplies is the kitchen (where else?) so we moved the school desks right in. As you can see, they love the new arrangement! Nature Man even hauls his blanket and pillow in! Yes, yes, I know they could just work at the kitchen table, and we did that for a long time when we first got started. I dislike moving things all the time, though (with the exception of decor!) It's nice to leave work out on the desks when we break for snacks and gather at the table. It's especially nice to slip the current work into the cubbies underneath when it's supper time.

This post shows the "before" photos of the homeschool room. It's been rearranged, and the massive collection of art & craft supplies has moved to the Craft Room now.

We also spend plenty of time playing folder games on the floor, and working outside, either at the picnic table or just on the driveway!


I've learned along the way that we all can LEARN anywhere and everywhere. The kids like their desks and that's great. They love to be outside, and that's even better. However, even if we had a one-room apartment, we could learn all we need to and more. It's more about the goal and direction than about the place. We have our curriculum and books, and it can go with us wherever we go!

We do what works for the day. We stick by our schedule of subjects, unless there is a good reason for interruption, but I don't have a problem with where we do the work. If the floor hasn't been swept, then I'll probably suggest the couch for books instead. I'm not superwoman.... and I'm not pretending to be.

For a long time I thought that we *needed* our extra room to learn. I believed I *needed* my house to always be "company-ready," and my kids to be clean. Yeah, I'm over that now. If you stop by, you may find me happily walking around with books, folders, papers stacked up on the counter and kids sprawled out all over the floor, completing their assignments. I'd like things to stay tidy, but it' s not going to be my top priority during school hours.

Finally I feel like I know where I'm going, exactly what I want for the kids, and I see the map laid out. The big picture is there, and I'm trusting God for the steps along the way.

Duck Duck Goose and around the wheel

We will be starting school again on Monday. Oh, I have some work to finish up asap!! My schedules are still in progress, my paperwork isn't finished, and I'm still looking for the best prices on two books that I need. Besides that behind-the-scenes work, though, we are soooo excited! I have so much to say about the upcoming year and our plans, but it'll have to wait.

Today we...

...feed the waterfowl (after the library, but before the fair.)
Little Lad was a bit nervous, and clung to my dress the entire time!

Then off to the fair! Do you see my four guys?
(Yes, even the Littlest Lad wanted to ride!!)

Tomorrow we'll be golfing at a friend's party.
This is a good Last Summer Break Weekend to ring in the First School Week! YAY!

Prayer Requests

Okay, I know I just grazed right over my whole art post.
Oh, well.
I have more important things going on now.

Friends,

We have three specific things laying so heavily on us right now. We're lifting them up, and could use your help.

First, my younger sister broke her hand. The break apparently is very bad, and they've sent her to see an orthopedic. Rogers Orthopedics took her x-rays this afternoon, and they will get her in as quickly as they can and decide what to do. She was told today, by her first orthopedic, that she will likely have surgery to "file down" the bone and put screws in. He nonchalantly suggested that she might have permanent pain and other issues.
This will not be the case.
We are praying and (confident!) for a more hopeful second opinion!

Second, my Mimi (grandmother) is fighting pancreatic cancer. After surgery and chemo continuing into this year, she found out last week that she must start another round of chemotherapy. Today she was too sick to travel to Edmonds and undergo treatment. She is very nauseous, vomiting and is too weak to go. :-( Please pray for strength and relief!

Third, last Saturday a child that we know was in a burn accident. Sam is 9-years old. He was life flighted to Children's Hospital. He was severely burned on his right arm and his complete back. He thought to cover his face and it is more like a severe chemical peel and should be fine. Tuesday he went in for grafting. They only had to do two spots, one on his arm and just part of his back. The rest of the back they used biobrane, which is kind of like a saran wrap that helps regenerate new skin. Of course that is the preferred method. They went in to check it today and change the dressings. They did not get good news. None of the membrane took. The skin should have already started turning pink. It has not. They are going to give it until Monday and recheck. If it has not turned pink they will have to do more grafting on Wednesday. They will have to take skin from his stomach and calves.

So of course our God is a God of miracles and that is just what we are asking for! Please be in prayer for Sam and for his family.
(this last section is taken directly from a mutual friend's blog, keeping us updated.)
Pray PINK for Sam!

Please pray for these three requests!

Specifically, for pain (and other symptom) relief, wisdom for doctors, comfort for patients and families, HEALING!

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Thank you.

Wendy

Studying Picasso

The kids wanted to start school this week. "Officially," that is. They don't realize that the "fun worksheets" and journaling, field trips, reading have really been school-in-disguise.

They love their new desks.
But they wanted to work by me.
Of course.

So the new desks moved to the kitchen/ dining area.

The kids are happy.
I am happy.

We started our artist studies with Picasso (not really in the "plans," but why not? )

First the munchkins did some work in their art journals inspired by his Blue Period.

Then we worked for a day on the Rose Period. Next some cubism. Black Period to finish up.

We spent one afternoon working on portraits. When the pictures were complete and colored, we cut them apart, into triangles and squares (really any straight-line shapes,) keeping each feature together. Glue back together in an unusual way, on colored paper. Viola. Picasso art. (He really did use wallpaper scraps, newspapers, etc in his fine art...)

When everything is dry (off the top of the fridge,) then I'll take pictures!

The Artist tried out an interactive art designer, and enjoyed it. You can see her own Picasso-inspired creation here at Picassohead. Then try it out yourself!

Good Night!

What we're using this year for 4th, 2nd, and pre-K

Darcy is hosting a NOT Back to School Blog Hop during the month of August.

Each week it will focus on one area of preparing your homeschool for NOT Back to School. This week I get to share with you what we are planning to use for our "curriculum."

As with my decorating, crafts, sewing, and reading, my curriculum is very eclectic.

The Artist is in 4th grade this year, The Nature Man will be in 2nd, Dash is pre-K, and Little Lad is 2-years old.

We do many subjects together; short versions for the little ones and more expanded & detailed for the older kids.

1. Bible

• First and foremost, we use the actual Bible.
  
• Leading Little Ones to God
  
• We'll be making some lapbooks to go along with these lessons. For free lapbooks and templates, you can visit Homeschool Helper Online.

2. Copywork

• Same books they used last year. I'll dig them out of their desks and look later. ;-)
  
• They each also copy their memory verse.

3. Grammar & Phonics

• Artist will continue Easy Grammar
  
• Nature Man is still going through Phonics Pathways & Daily Guided Teaching And Review Grade 2-3
• Dash will start Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
  

4. Spelling

• Both of the older kids use Spelling Power
• They regularly do crosswords and other games which help, too.
  

5. History

• Timeline projects
  
• Lapbooks
• In past years, our history has consisted of the Bible, Story of the World, and biographies. I plan to keep this up, but I want to add more context, & in-depth studies. Cultural Literacy has influenced my thinking!
  

6. Math

• Teaching Textbooks. I'm excited about this!
• Quartermile Math game and Calculadder for review/ drills
  

7. Memory Work

• Goes along with the Bible portions that we are reading that week. Dash memorizes short sections, and we add more on for the older kids.

8. Science

• We love the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
• Christian Liberty Nature Readers
• Considering God's Creation

• The Artist will also be participating in the science co-op classes every Wednesday.

9. Geography
Honestly, I'm not sure which route we'll take this year. It's a decision I should have made weeks (months?) ago. I have several resources to choose from, thankfully.

10. Mind Benders, Analogies and more. These were books from the K12 academy.

Extracurricular, some might say:

Chess

• The Artist and Nature Man both play very well, thanks to my Dad!! The kids even taught my husband to play!
  

Art Studies

• We do art every day. I love it. How can we live without art? Every late afternoon, to relax, we draw, paint, modge podge, sew, or whatever else might be "in the air" for the day. They also brainstorm and sketch out ideas for the shop (I'd count this as sewing, business, and math... they help with measurements, fees, etc.)
• I'll be helping with the Homeschool co-op art appreciation class. It's for older kids, but I intend to bring the ideas and lessons home to use!
• Come Look with Me books
  

Music Studies

• The Artist and Nature Man are both starting piano this year.
  
• We'll continue doing Hymns for a Kid's Heart. I have both books + cds, and we work through them every year. Love 'em!

Ballet

• First year to be part of a homeschool ballet group.

Boy Scouts

• Nature Man can't live without it.
  

Creative Writing

• My Mom is an English major. My youngest sister is also an English major (with an emphasis in Creative Writing.) Mom and Amy give art and writing lessons to the kids. Writing is in our blood, just like art.
  
• We do notebooking, with prompts.
  

Typing

• The Artist already types faster (and with better accuracy) than I do. Nature Man will start typing sometime this year. We use Typing Web, which is completely free.
  

Field Trips

• Silver Dollar City, Gilcrease Art Museum, rafting, camping & caving, battlefields, and plays... all the usual stuff we do...

Classics

• Daddy reads these, at night before bed.
• I read the Little House books during quiet afternoon time.

Young Authors

• We've loved this in the past. We fumbled at the end of our last year, but we'll get them completed this time around!!

*We also recently bought Explode the Code, but I'm not sure how I plan to work this in yet...

**We may be the only homeschoolers ever that are NOT studying Latin. Ahem. In due time.

***edit: We also do occasional Spanish lessons!! Sorry, Mom, I just forgot! Soon they'll be speaking Spanish to October and Nancy (and maybe they'll even teach me some!)

It may seem like a lot, but we're really very laid back. We often take all of our books outside to work at the picnic table, when the cooler weather settles in. We don't do all of this every day either. It's going to be an adjustment this year to have co-op classes, piano, boy scouts, and ballet every week. In fact, the mere idea of that already stresses me a bit. The biggest hindrance to our schedule last year was OVERactivity.

Oh, these poor over-socialized homeschoolers!

I've also been very blessed with lots of resources. Frankly, we're poor. I'm not going to moan and groan about finances on here, but let's just say that we make it by the grace of God. I'm so grateful to be home with my kids. Our fabulous books have come almost entirely from family and friends. When we do buy *new* things, we get them used from a homeschool loop. When we are finished with something, we resell it to purchase new supplies. It's entirely possible to have amazing resources, if you purchase carefully. And use your libraries!