Fall Soccer

The kids are playing soccer on Saturdays. Dave is coaching Grant's team, but I haven't made it out to the field that early yet! The boys play two games from 8:30 ~ 10:30 and then the girl teams play two games from 10:30 ~ 12:30. Kate and I hang out at home until around 10:00 and then head to the park for her games. Next week I will go early to watch Grant play and take pictures. :-)
(Even though I haven't made it to his games this season, I HAVE watched most all of his games and practices over the past four years that he has been playing soccer! I just have a hard time with getting out the door early on a Saturday morning! :-))

Fun With Pictures

First Day Of Co-Op

Our homeschool co~op started today and the kids could hardly wait! Yes, they like co~op, but the real reason that they could hardly stand to wait one more minute was that they wanted to see their friends again! We were gone a lot this summer and they had not seen their friends from co~op since last June. That is an especially long time when you are only 7 or 9! So, the reunions today were sweet. Oh, and the classes were great, too. :-)

Our Curriculum

Here is the curriculum we are using for this year of homeschooling. Grant is in 3rd grade and Kate is in 2nd.

Reading, phonics, spelling, manuscript writing
Writing Road To Reading (Reading Works)

Abeka readers and workbooks

Library books

Introduce cursive
Abeka cursive workbook

Math
Math-U-See (Kate-Beta, Grant-Gamma)

History
The Story Of The World, Vol.3:Early Modern Times (1600-1850) (Book and Activity Book)

Science
Astronomy, Earth Science, Plant Life (Using ideas from The Well-Trained Mind)

Art
How Great Thou Art

Co~op Art Class (Taught by me :-))

Music
Color The Classics (Godly Composers & Christmas Classics)

Co~op Music Class

Piano Lessons (Kate)

P.E.
Fall Soccer (Local Recreational City League)

Co~op P.E. Class

Wrestling (Grant)

YMCA Gym & Swim Homeschool Class

Playing outside with friends :-)

Other Activities
We don’t have a formal Bible curriculum, but Dave reads the Bible to Grant & Kate most mornings and they are involved in our church’s AWANA program.

A Couple More From The Zoo

Birthday Party and Lily Pads

One week ago, today, Grant went to a birthday party across town. While he was at the party, Dave, Kate and I headed to a local zoo that we love. (It is also free! :-)) Right by the entrance to the zoo there is a lovely little pond with all kinds of lily pads in it. I did not realize there were so many varieties of lily pads, but we saw beautiful pink ones and some that were just huge! We enjoyed looking at the lily pads and the animals at the zoo and soon it was time to go pick up Grant, who had a grand time at the party. :-)











Pretty Pink Lily Pads and Huge Lily Pads!













Katie wants to touch those lily pads!

First Day Of School

We started our school year yesterday with our annual first-day-of-school-pictures in front of the flag. We had a pretty fun day. Grant and Katie were excited to use new books and pencils and when I surprised them with a few little gifts from the dollar bin at Target, they were thrilled! For lunch I took them to McDonald's to get Happy Meals and they were also given an extra-long recess after lunch. The day had the feel of a celebration and I am hoping they caught the idea that it is exciting to learn and a privilege to do it together at home! :-)