I hope you had a merry Christmas; #merryandbright, as they say in our social media world. We stayed home and enjoyed wrapping gifts for our children on Christmas Eve. When it is -2 F (-16.7 C) outside, you do not feel like going anywhere.
Our children building their respective LEGO kits
Now that they are older, our teens give us a list of wishes. One of the wishes is that we also give them something they do not expect or know about. They like to be surprised. Continue reading
It is not December if our children do not have a violin recital. We have been doing this for nine years and it does not get old. Let me emphasize something: our children are not prodigies and it is a struggle to get them to practice more than 20 minutes a day.
Our son playing at the recital
Somebody once told me that violin lessons (or any music lessons for that matter) are about much more than the violin. Continue reading
We had the flu last week and it stopped the schedule, which I do not like at all. I had milder symptoms than any members of my family, which meant I had to drive to the doctor, the pharmacy, the store, and the dump (to get rid of the trash).
Our daughter made this meme to illustrate our week with the flu.
Plus, of course, make sure everyone is taking their meds at the right time and drinking plenty of fluids. Continue reading
This post fits the category “Taking care of mama.” Sure, your children might enjoy a smoothie, too, but this is especially for you, the homeschool mom who does not have that much time for herself.
Smoothie ingredients before being blended
A smoothie can feel like an indulgence – a moment in the day when you focus on your nutritional needs: greens, fiber, dessert. People are religious about their coffee or tea rituals. I am religious about my smoothies. Continue reading
If you live in the USA, you probably celebrated Thanksgiving last Thursday. For me, this year was different because I did not even attempt to engage my teenagers in a turkey craft. It did not even cross my mind. That ship has sailed.
What I made for Thanksgiving: veggie turkey, cranberry salad, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, creamed spinach, green beans, corn, stuffed eggs.
I am enjoying this new phase, don’t get me wrong. As I browse through curriculum options and different classes available, I cannot believe PreK-8 does not apply to us anymore. Continue reading
Marcel Proust, French novelist, one of the most influential novelists of the 20th century, passed away 100 years ago today: November 18, 1922. As I reflected on Proust’s reach across cultures and his influence over the human experience in the last 100 years, I felt inspired to make Madeleines.
Madeleine cookies
Alas, I forgot all about the linden tea which he dipped the Madeleines into. In case you do not know, Proust’s magnum opus is “In Search of Lost Time,” a seven-volume novel, which showcases over 2,000 characters. Continue reading
Last week, our children participated in the Dodgen-Walton Science Olympiad Invitational, together with their team, Cedar Springs Homeschool. This invitational happens at the Walton High School in Marietta, GA. We compete against teams from public schools, private schools, magnet schools, charter schools, and there was another homeschool team, as well.
Cedar Springs Homeschool Team for Science Olympiad
Invitationals are tough competitions which we attend in order to learn. We build on this experience. By the time we go to Regionals, State, and (hopefully) Nationals, we feel prepared. Continue reading
With 30 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Ken Wilgus specializes in adolescent therapy. In 2015, Wilgus published a book which he titled “Feeding The Mouth That Bites You.”
Planned emancipation
Wilgus describes a “Planned Emancipation” – a plan on how to prepare teens to become full adults. Continue reading
Next year, the children will both take US History for high school credit. It is hard to believe this fact as I type it out: our daughter will be in eighth grade and our son will be in tenth grade.
Exploring America, a Notgrass US History curriculum
Our umbrella school allows us to take three high school credits in eighth grade and we took advantage of that with our son last year. He took Algebra I, French I, and Physical Science in eighth grade. Continue reading
The other day I was doing math with my son and noticed that my daughter was practicing violin outside. The weather was nice and sunny, but I wanted to know why she chose to be outside: just for some vitamin D? Or was there anything else?
Playing violin outside
Well, it turns out that she felt completely unmotivated to practice her violin. She knew she had to do it while I did math with her brother. That is our routine. And then we switch. I do math with her while her brother practices his violin. Continue reading