Category: Homeschooling

First Field Trip of the School Year

Leslie

Hello.

Today has been a busy day. I got up early to go to the hospital to take pictures of a friend’s brand new baby. The new big brother was such a sweetheart to his little brother, giving kisses and loving on him without prompt.

This was a different birth photography experience for me; this was a c-section birth. I wasn’t allowed in the operating room, which was totally fine with me: better safe than sorry, right? After the delivery, however, the mom was completely immobile. I didn’t get all the shots I would have liked, so I’m going back later this week when Mom is feeling more like herself.

Midday, the kids and I went to Tuscaloosa Environmental Services to learn about our community’s recycling efforts.

One of the kids gave an awesome PowerPoint presentation to show his fellow students why we should be recycling.

IMG_0103.JPG(that’s not the student giving a presentation; that’s the recycling center tour guide)

Did you know that clothing can be made from recycled plastic bottles? Feels softer than cotton!

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Blocks of aluminum cans:

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While we were observing the sorting room, one of the trucks came in to unload its bounty. This is a short clip of the truck dumping the plastic bottles.

Tuscaloosa's plastic bottles #fieldtrip

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I’m not going to lie…there was something oddly soothing about watching all of the bottles and newspapers and cardboard boxes cascade to the floor.

After the field trip, it was time to go home for a quick lunch and an afternoon of regular school work. In other words: no fun.

We do not live within the city’s limits, so we have to take our recyclables to one of the many recycling bins located around town. I hate to admit it, but we have been throwing away so many items that can be recycled. This week we’re going to see what happens when we sort our garbage and try to make recycling a regular thing at our house.

Tired

Leslie2 Comments

Spent too much time in bed this morning, hoping my headache would go away.

Long shower.

2 cups of coffee.

Felt human again.

Put on make-up.

Felt like a woman.

Late lunch.

Did a little schoolwork. Gave math review lessons to Noah and Abbey as we are easing into school this week. Benjamin reviewed math properties for algebra. Hannah reviewed geometric formulas.

Cleaned out one closet.

Threw away metric ton of paper from years of homeschooling. I didn’t even cry.

Purged the bookshelves.

Wondered how I managed to read so many books about biblical womanhood without stabbing my eyeballs.

Cooked dinner.

Hung up the dress clothes.

Created a spreadsheet of all the books I want removed from my home.

Blogged….the streak continues.

 

Poetry: Roald Dahl (again)

Leslie

*As I was searching through my drafts pile, I found this old post from June 2011. That’s TWO THOUSAND ELEVEN. I have no idea why I didn’t post it. Here goes:

The kids and I are still reading a bit of Vile Verses every morning. They are a tad bit morbid.  We either laugh our heads off or say, “Ewww!” Know what I mean? But I like this one because after reading it my kids can say their teacher is “totally divine.” No ear wrenching here!

Mister Unsworth
(previously unpublished)

My teacher wasn’t half as nice as yours seems to be.
His name was Mister Unsworth and he taught us history,
And when you didn’t know a date he’d get you by the ear
And start to twist while there you sat quite paralysed with fear.
He’d twist and twist and twist your ear and twist it more and more,
Until at last the ear came off and landed on the floor.
Our class was full of one-eared boys, I’m certain there were eight,
Who’d had them twisted off because they didn’t know a date.
So let us now praise teachers who today are all so fine
And yours in particular is totally divine.

Our visit to Mt. Cheaha

Leslie1 Comment

Two of our children are taking Alabama History this year, and we’ve taken a few field trips for hands-on learning about our beautiful state. One of our trips was a visit to Alabama’s highest point, Mt. Cheaha. I had not visited Mt. Cheaha since I was a little girl, so I was excited to get to go again with my children. We enjoyed hiking to the edge of the mountain. I repeatedly reminded myself to stop freaking out when the kids wanted to walk all over and explore the rocks. Those in authority over me granted me the freedom to do the same things when I was a youngster and nothing terrible happened. I was sure enough on my feet and smart enough to not do anything stupid, so why shouldn’t I trust them to be just as careful? So, I tried my best to relax and let us enjoy ourselves.

The kids spotted this sign while we were stopped for a bathroom break and found it so hilarious that they begged me to take a picture.

upside down sign
“Mom, don’t drive upside down through here!”

The next two pictures are views from the road that leads to the park.


Here we are at Alabama’s highest point!

Abbey learned that she loves hiking and climbing.

Noah standing on Bald Rock

(This was one of my freak-out moments. Before I knew it, he had hopped off the platform and was down on the rocks. He’s just two feet from the edge in this picture. I freaked.)

Benjamin looking out from Pulpit Rock

(Another freak-out moment for Mom. I had to turn away after I took the picture. I knew he was fine; I just couldn’t look. Plus, all four kept talking about how much they wished they could take flight!)

Hannah thoroughly enjoyed the view!

View from below the mountain

This Post Began on Monday

Leslie2 Comments

Life, time, responsibilities are charging forward whether I want them to or not. Normally, I enjoy the organized chaos: the rush, the hurry, the chauffeuring, the abundance of activity. Today, however, I need things to slow down. Do you ever just need everything to stop for just an hour or two so that you can get your head in the right space? Well, not to get your head in the right space, but to catch up. I mean, my brain feels a few hours behind everything today. So, I’m going to do what I do best: procrastinate. Aaaahhhhhhh, procrastination blogging feels so good.

It’s not that I’m too stressed or not able to take a break, it’s that when I’m taking a break, I feel the pull to the next thing on the agenda. I don’t feel prepared for today. And I hate this feeling. I should have taken time Sunday afternoon to plan and prepare for Monday, but I was so thoroughly enjoying sitting still, doing nothing that I thought Monday could take care of itself.

Well. Monday showed me.

***

Tuesday was a productive school day. I love it when all of the assignments are finished. The only bad thing is that it means more grading for me. I HAVE to figure out a good process/flow for getting all of the grading done. My turn-in tray is almost overflowing!

The older kids and I are wrapping up our reading of Eusebius’ The Church History. They have a big evaluation coming up on Thursday, and I’m a little anxious for them to do well. So far, I am pleased with our progress this year. The workload has been heavier than previous years, but I feel good about my decision to change curricula.

***

Today is Wednesday, and I’m just getting around to wrapping up this boring post. I apologize if you’ve read this far. I feel like my blogs are at the live or die stage: either I start writing and clicking “publish” more regularly or I have to let them die. Or lie dormant, which, on the internet, is as good as death. And I had such high hopes for blogging in 2012! I’m not sure what happened to all of my blogging plans, but they appear to have come to nothing. I suppose it’s a good thing that maintaining a blog isn’t the priority it once was.