tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85396945652553470062024-03-19T00:42:23.081-07:00Abiding Grace ElementaryPrecision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-72587121667808863942014-10-13T11:53:00.001-07:002014-10-13T11:54:19.342-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R5b2jNrEjfqT62mP1H7KN_ZmOVbqgIZUHlmcPYNvgTYqayA_pJDogyzJtQjYdacERl89y-9q7LpEkef6mCGrURrLK40-o09l0kCbRWhqSS3vkV_GztFac9HtNzXCykAybWIb9Nw4Fw4/s1600/IMAG0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R5b2jNrEjfqT62mP1H7KN_ZmOVbqgIZUHlmcPYNvgTYqayA_pJDogyzJtQjYdacERl89y-9q7LpEkef6mCGrURrLK40-o09l0kCbRWhqSS3vkV_GztFac9HtNzXCykAybWIb9Nw4Fw4/s1600/IMAG0039.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a>\</div>
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The littlest one (age 7) carefully constructed this picture of our solar system today. She has shown a distinct interest in astronomy as of late, so I am going to do my best to fuel the spark.</div>
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I love the detail she put into this (and I snapped this photo when it was still half-finished): the orbital paths of the planets, the shading, even a comet passing by. My children never cease to amaze me!</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-62931275304198666082014-05-04T23:00:00.001-07:002014-05-04T23:00:31.298-07:00Spring 2014<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spring has sprung!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mb59EnuOzKk2nSeJnbWkFumqDeeJhIlYMZnzfzGfGDI-H3_QjaREKsZXkub5qFa_5parwqCc9b5toNqky4w3v9V4ePrJMmSFIHly2AOSvDsSTgWJB4mYDglVfACf3GmdfeNzF9wV_OY/s1600/DSCN2423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mb59EnuOzKk2nSeJnbWkFumqDeeJhIlYMZnzfzGfGDI-H3_QjaREKsZXkub5qFa_5parwqCc9b5toNqky4w3v9V4ePrJMmSFIHly2AOSvDsSTgWJB4mYDglVfACf3GmdfeNzF9wV_OY/s1600/DSCN2423.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, a defunct rain barrel makes a great pirate's ship. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wMoQXssuzvaqwFR6jYDqxJZ73jWQqWwLVcyEgf3RdGHLpGspa55Ni3DaqpxWr3KgApdW-U7MMR0y94QlPRj2QjCBrOLhlowgfWBW6veQ0WXyzZlxi-9Tei7KGghx-hVrC9GFfyT47uk/s1600/DSCN2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wMoQXssuzvaqwFR6jYDqxJZ73jWQqWwLVcyEgf3RdGHLpGspa55Ni3DaqpxWr3KgApdW-U7MMR0y94QlPRj2QjCBrOLhlowgfWBW6veQ0WXyzZlxi-9Tei7KGghx-hVrC9GFfyT47uk/s1600/DSCN2527.JPG" height="240" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoying springtime at our favorite park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The three reasons I do what I do :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-42301071506645932742013-01-15T13:37:00.001-08:002013-01-15T13:37:29.277-08:00Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcctbGIYIBlStVjk63hvui3xMwlrhH6yDil4-hE9iaMBIMHwAK3fga2HcfD6GjXiE9uMZNYk43s0sRl8c3Se4iYzT0lw0UirzRT6DsHVHC64kVbIzM-1FW5ECGpM3gtv8pQEQkst30MI/s1600/DSCN1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcctbGIYIBlStVjk63hvui3xMwlrhH6yDil4-hE9iaMBIMHwAK3fga2HcfD6GjXiE9uMZNYk43s0sRl8c3Se4iYzT0lw0UirzRT6DsHVHC64kVbIzM-1FW5ECGpM3gtv8pQEQkst30MI/s320/DSCN1856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-31977874052445696602013-01-03T09:37:00.001-08:002013-01-03T09:37:30.247-08:00One Word<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the past few days I have noticed a trend in the blogosphere: choosing a word for the year. I have seen such inspired things as Quiet, Love, Joy, etc. And the inspired ways those words were brought to the authors. And so I sit here and wonder what my word for a whole year would be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I mention that I find it very hard to focus and follow through on things? Perhaps that should be my word: Focus. Or maybe: Diligence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then I think of what my husband would choose for me: Organized. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What other voices in my life might choose: Peace, Respect, Honor...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what does that One Voice speak into my existence? What does He say about this year, about me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Favored. Renewed. Beloved. Redeemed. Healed. Strengthened. Graced. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in this moment I realize that I don't have one word to define my life this year. I have THE Word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Word. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: magenta;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-576749854669516712013-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:002013-01-02T09:00:05.031-08:00Boys in the Coop<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well our first foray into homesteading, having ducks for eggs, is ending in failure. Apparently, you can pick four ducks and have them all be male when they mature! What are the chances?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although they are handsome, they do not lay eggs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Male ducks are only good for the roasting pan. But what do you do when you have become attached to your dinner?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think we will try again in spring with new ducklings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This whole endeavor is not a total failure. We have learned a lot about ducks! And we proved to ourselves that we can become homesteaders. Our kids love being duck owners, and I must confess, so do I.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-16220473666585837562013-01-02T08:59:00.001-08:002013-01-02T08:59:42.276-08:00A New Year<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Year's Goals:</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Write one blog post a month {this shouldn't be too hard}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take lots more pictures {I can't believe I took so little last year -- especially since I have a great camera to use!}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read three books a month: one for me, one for homeschooling and one for homesteading {Last year I didn't read as much as I should have.}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do one fun thing for homeschooling each month. {It doesn't have to be anything major, just something fun.}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay organized! {This will be an on-going battle!}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try one new homesteading/ homemaking thing a month {This month will be kefir!}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And since no one reads my blog anymore, because I am such an infrequent poster, this list is really just for me. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-78353646256310132662012-09-04T11:12:00.000-07:002012-09-04T11:18:22.401-07:00Day One!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we embark on year three of homeschooling! As you can see I am now teaching three different grades {we only keep track of the grades because our state mandates this}! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are super excited as you can see from the faces in the photo. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we got a little silly...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're having fun on day one!</span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-23281838879831790622012-08-29T08:40:00.002-07:002012-09-18T13:23:29.337-07:00{{$AVING$ RECORD}}<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{September 6}</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Safeway : Spent $65.78</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coupon/ card savings: $55.12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Percentage of savings: 46%</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{September 12}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Safeway: Spent $75.06</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coupon/ card savings: $33.06</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Percentage of savings: 33%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(This day I got really sick at the grocery store so it was a miracle I saved anything!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-66195411301726193652012-08-29T08:37:00.002-07:002012-08-29T08:37:58.579-07:00{$aving$}<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night I went to a free couponing seminar at the local community college. The event was sponsored by our local newspaper {which makes sense since the coupons come from the paper!}. Anyway, it was the kick in the pants I needed to get back into couponing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of years back {before I started up daycare and my husband was the only one bringing in income} we really had to reevaluate all expenditures. Groceries were our biggest money drain. So I set out to figure out how to lower the spending in this category. Enter couponing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My early adventures were encouraging but not anything noteworthy. And then I discovered that my local store would take competitor's coupons too! Oh happy day! After that I was saving $60-$80 a grocery run! It was so much fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then the fateful day when corporate headquarters of said neighborhood store decided to stop accepting competitor's coupons. I almost stopped shopping at that store in protest. So I continued to use coupons and sadly was only saving $10-$15 a trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I began my in-home daycare I found myself with no time left to coupon and so it went by the wayside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, after hearing a new technique and becoming remotivated last night, I am ready to dive back into the blissful world of couponing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I most likely will not become the next extreme couponer. That's not my goal anyway, my goal is to save my family money so that we can save for a trip to Mexico to visit our family down there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As this blog is my journal of sorts, I intend to keep track of my savings for each shopping trip. My goal is lower our groceries by $50 a month in the next month. Currently we are spending approximately $650 per month on groceries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can I do it? You'll have to come back and see my updates! ;)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-90052182054089516002012-08-24T22:08:00.001-07:002012-08-24T22:08:49.352-07:00::FIVE::<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwZmm_oexT8iIQLDPqTVon-7nRvzrTWqPwfCW1q4Ark85D3WmvZ-CJFVI9A6CFsEEx4x9uQ1llnFsrhlnhFoTsV7H7du1DfiuEWADCvC6l6VDlyWqWrL-ZcNyaDEPDHF8SUXbV5vaeCw/s1600/DSCN0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwZmm_oexT8iIQLDPqTVon-7nRvzrTWqPwfCW1q4Ark85D3WmvZ-CJFVI9A6CFsEEx4x9uQ1llnFsrhlnhFoTsV7H7du1DfiuEWADCvC6l6VDlyWqWrL-ZcNyaDEPDHF8SUXbV5vaeCw/s320/DSCN0714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss A turned five today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{Can I really be that old, that my baby is now five?!?!}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love watching who she is becoming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is my loud little ray of sunshine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exuberance and enthusiasm personified.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is such a joy and blessing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so proud to be her mama.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy birthday sweet girl :)</span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-88379631475386749092012-08-21T08:48:00.000-07:002012-08-21T09:14:08.568-07:00Supercharged Science<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week I found a link to an online science class in my email in-box. Since I love all things science, I read a little further. A complete science curriculum designed for homeschoolers?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was intrigued.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even more intriguing, it was to be taught by a REAL rocket scientist! (So this lady really knows her science stuff!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the kids and I gathered around the laptop and quickly found ourselves engrossed in the world of <a href="http://www.superchargedscience.com/">Supercharged Science</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teacher extraordinaire, Aurora Lipper, has a contagious love of science that spills out of the computer screen into your own homeschool room. She has a wonderful, fun, understandable way of introducing your children to the amazing world of science. And she breaks down the more complex science terms into bite-sized pieces for your kids (and sometimes you!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aurora has fun experiments to go along with each lesson. And guess what? No expensive science equipment is necessary! She uses everyday items and turns them into great hands-on experiments. My kids were begging me to buy a highlighter so they could make a glow in the dark bouncing ball!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first class we learned about different states of matter, the chemical makeup of water, atoms, molecules and the periodic chart of the elements! Even my four year old was glued to the screen! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{It's like having your favorite science teacher in your living room!}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are a science-loving family and </span><a href="http://www.superchargedscience.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supercharged Science</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> gets us all fired up! ;)</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-69603625612491523342012-08-20T20:29:00.004-07:002012-08-24T22:09:08.684-07:00Meet the AGErs<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the <a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/nbts-blog-hop-photo-week/">{Not} Back to School Blog Hop</a>, this week's theme is show off your students! So meet the AGErs:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L- R: Miss A, Mr. J and Mr. I</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss A is almost five {her birthday is in four days and she keeps reminding me}. Her biggest desire is to learn how to read. And we will be working on that this year. For now she is content with audio read-along books from the library, or a snuggle-read with me, Papa or one of her doting older brothers. She is full of energy, loudness and sweetness!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. J is going to be 10 next month {where does the the time go?!}. He is a a prolific artist and will draw on anything doesn't move. ;) Mr. J used to be my reluctant reader, but he soon found out the adventures that awaited him in a book and now it is hard to pry one from his hands! He is compassionate, confident and inventive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. I turned 8 a couple of months back. He too loves to draw, but his love is math. You can find him calculating problems for fun or curled up with a good book. He hasn't met a math problem yet that he hasn't been able to conquer with some perseverance! Mr. I acts kind of tough around others because he is so tender on the inside. He is curious, has a great sense of humor and is highly creative!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And last but not least, you can meet our "classroom" pets! ;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqCcEKSTw1T4IrwpxQkl4ANvZu2Bb5kimR_-c5Po07jDLYrq9NXFzlCN4ODrUzbe0m07hl6Dvp5HGVZg6OIn8PyFoEkXOpyFIY091C9GiXbkkxUimlfqEpJZMRy96RBt2ceaPIJsaur4/s1600/DSCN1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqCcEKSTw1T4IrwpxQkl4ANvZu2Bb5kimR_-c5Po07jDLYrq9NXFzlCN4ODrUzbe0m07hl6Dvp5HGVZg6OIn8PyFoEkXOpyFIY091C9GiXbkkxUimlfqEpJZMRy96RBt2ceaPIJsaur4/s320/DSCN1528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They've gotten much bigger, but let me introduce you to Sunny Delight (big white one, a Pekin), Einstein (black and white one, a Swedish duck --as far as we can tell), Sunflower (small brown one, a brown Swedish duck) and Big Bessie (she used to be bigger than all the others but Sunny is giving her a run for her money-- she's a Golden 300). We have raised them from ducklings (about two weeks old) and we are having so much fun. It is a great way for the kids to learn responsibility and animal husbandry. We can't wait until we have eggs!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for letting me show off my three treasures and reasons for why I homeschool!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out the <a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/nbts-blog-hop-photo-week/">{Not} Back to School Blog Hop</a> for more student photos :)</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-73360198813004697272012-08-17T14:34:00.000-07:002012-08-17T14:34:08.597-07:00Just for fun...<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Parent Rap...I think you will recognize yourself in a couple of these descriptions ;)</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-84711131632179815962012-08-13T08:39:00.000-07:002012-08-20T22:36:11.156-07:00Our "Not" School Room<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I am joining in on the <a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/nbts-blog-hop-school-room-week/">Not Back To School Blog Hop</a>, and this week we get to show off our school rooms!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We aren't quite NOT back to school yet. ;) We ran a little longer this summer because I was prepping my third grade son for his state testing. The first week of September we will be starting up again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So while we are getting a much needed break, I am taking advantage of the time to organize! And so what better time to share our "school room" with you all, than when it is organized! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to our living room/ school area! We just bought the desks and big bookshelf from Ikea and I am in love. My intention was to have a designated desk drawer for each child (three total) which would leave one for me. So far it has only worked out that we are storing crayons and paper supplies in one and then</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all my office supplies in another. As I get more organized, I will utilize the space better!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4jYj9w_D-er7WUJLj3Sbe680-RWHGxTXQSgdARg4XamPR7_0zI8ADqZL-2W4S3fyXCrejvOXjFDWQqYZUhVBnBz2a_dVcMaELgwNU4j-7-0Kl0_sPF-pYxZfi8mCs9eu1YNLFpl-EJE/s1600/DSCN1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4jYj9w_D-er7WUJLj3Sbe680-RWHGxTXQSgdARg4XamPR7_0zI8ADqZL-2W4S3fyXCrejvOXjFDWQqYZUhVBnBz2a_dVcMaELgwNU4j-7-0Kl0_sPF-pYxZfi8mCs9eu1YNLFpl-EJE/s320/DSCN1668.JPG" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is our library bookshelf. I try to keep all the books corralled here so that we don't rack up library fines for overdue items...it isn't working very well. This is the first thing you see when you walk into my house. I also do daycare (yes, I am all kinds of crazy to do homeschooling AND daycare) so the fabric boxes house different daycare items.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZR9jOichqDRqd6k2CLPM6jkSE7zAJ6WgcdP5wohukhGUnYKVzhvwSmmE7kEKZ_HV8VEXH89yeaYri6KXGJMnhQyyfi4sdvDKuruPqh9_AJwlmYgCKmt4OCOWWz0S17tNoSpoK6jGosQ/s1600/DSCN1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZR9jOichqDRqd6k2CLPM6jkSE7zAJ6WgcdP5wohukhGUnYKVzhvwSmmE7kEKZ_HV8VEXH89yeaYri6KXGJMnhQyyfi4sdvDKuruPqh9_AJwlmYgCKmt4OCOWWz0S17tNoSpoK6jGosQ/s320/DSCN1669.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a different angle shot of the desks. They look out over our front window. I want to get different curtains to make it a brighter, cheerier spot. And please excuse the disaster under the far corner of the desk. That it is my "I'm still organizing" spot. I want to put up L-bracket shelving on the wall to help out with all that! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmHCGAHOv1UKDv7NsaUY_XT3BlVfCNF5aAiUK6LZmRWwFnV8UWG2NG5lJGzy2SOkwE-mNonslbec8-XFNFa0JvtkJq5KkPOOj7iBNEzZAAFGYG28FhuII_V7zdhPhaKQVuu_VOwwjhU8/s1600/DSCN1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmHCGAHOv1UKDv7NsaUY_XT3BlVfCNF5aAiUK6LZmRWwFnV8UWG2NG5lJGzy2SOkwE-mNonslbec8-XFNFa0JvtkJq5KkPOOj7iBNEzZAAFGYG28FhuII_V7zdhPhaKQVuu_VOwwjhU8/s320/DSCN1671.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is the most treasured learning spot of all...our couch. We read here, do math here, watch science shows on TV from here, and ask lots of questions from here. The couches (we have two in our living room) are where the majority of learning time happens!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for touring our "school room"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{I apologize for not sharing the button, but for some reason the image wouldn't load on this post! You can tour more awesome rooms at the <a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/nbts-blog-hop-school-room-week/">Not Back To School Blog Hop</a>}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**EDITED TO ADD**</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After hopping all over at the {Not} Back to School Blog Hop, I was so inspired that I rearranged our "school" room again!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXBgSQD0effSWackHAgwVJFeGhVZm2gP3ZffrvJM_OVBeD-ugKiH-sBI9F08-_ivQUJ_zks57dFVwlqe10XrNqGs7EAve1CQbR6MEdye3Rn_fhUmXGBBQ53SwHyJIhjpiwYhf24sR6Ic/s1600/DSCN1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXBgSQD0effSWackHAgwVJFeGhVZm2gP3ZffrvJM_OVBeD-ugKiH-sBI9F08-_ivQUJ_zks57dFVwlqe10XrNqGs7EAve1CQbR6MEdye3Rn_fhUmXGBBQ53SwHyJIhjpiwYhf24sR6Ic/s320/DSCN1679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The desk that is parallel to the wall is the kids' and mine sits perpendicular to theirs. It creates a really nice flow to the whole set up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{Sorry for the dreadful lighting!}</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0vBTOhn1GwGs05pkQ7Y0bpk10_46Y3u4-wN57t1RXUhxIoVABhejcuYbkOanT-HhVUcAiZEf1aB6wx5PLrvsP-tgVh2ZxZqysFi_Ik5JaSCjOL4cthNCWGzVpF1cOOpIdF_tg9OkHIQ/s1600/DSCN1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0vBTOhn1GwGs05pkQ7Y0bpk10_46Y3u4-wN57t1RXUhxIoVABhejcuYbkOanT-HhVUcAiZEf1aB6wx5PLrvsP-tgVh2ZxZqysFi_Ik5JaSCjOL4cthNCWGzVpF1cOOpIdF_tg9OkHIQ/s320/DSCN1680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is my little corner of the world! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rearranging furniture makes me happy {smile} and the kids love the new look too!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-1846077583470245672012-08-10T09:10:00.001-07:002012-08-20T22:48:22.101-07:00Planning {Without Planning}<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the month of September draws ever nearer, I find my thoughts turning to curriculum and planning. Only, what do you do when you don't follow a plan very well at all? In fact, I am a planning failure. I have planned out whole school years gleefully, but then the rigidity of the plan sabotages me. Scheduling out my days leaves me feeling suffocated instead of motivated!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are definitely interest led in our learning. And so this year, this third year of homeschooling, I am going to embrace this unique learning style rather than struggle against it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read an inspiring blog post about <a href="http://www.ourgoodwinjourney.com/2012/07/homeschooling-for-busy-family-day-2.html">recording versus planning</a> and I decided to adopt that mindset for myself too. There won't be any lessons plans...eeek!!! I will be recording what we have learned each day in a simple notebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So without further ado, the school year plan {without planning}:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bible: As a good friend of mine observed, Bible shouldn't be something that is relegated to just school. We want to instill a lifelong love of the Word in our children, so we will be reading and observing the scriptures each day of the week. I want to have at least one day of the week that we do a study together as a family. We will be focusing on practical application in our lives and memorization.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math: I have yet to find a suitable math curriculum for my two boys. Mr. I (age 8) loves math and is quite proficient. Mr. J (age 9) struggles a little in math and doesn't enjoy it as much. I want to find a curriculum that I can do with both of them but allows them to learn at their own pace. Is that too much to ask for? ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Language Arts: We will be doing one lesson of <a href="http://www.writeshop.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=0050">Write Shop</a> a week as most of our writing will be utilized with notebooking. Reading will be done in large volumes because our history curriculum is largely based on reading well-written historically accurate literature. And simply because the our family loves to read! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">History & Geography: This year we are trying out <a href="http://www.truthquesthistory.com/">TruthQuest History</a> and we are loving it! We will be reading wonderful accounts of real history regarding the United States' early history. Currently we are studying the Revolutionary War (as per my children's request). Geography is a natural partner with history, and so we will be learning about the United States primarily, but American history is wrapped up in European geography too! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spanish: Even though Papa is completely fluent in Spanish, our children are not. And I am only conversant. So we will be using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Spanish-Box-Set-Ages/dp/1931020752/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344614187&sr=8-1&keywords=hooked+on+spanish">Hooked on Spanish</a> to learn more! This particular program is geared towards the younger set. We might surpass that learning level quickly so I will have to be researching where to go from here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Science: This is our most favorite subject as a family. Science creeps into casual discussions all the time, so I won't be putting a huge focus on this one. We are raising ducks and starting a garden, so I figure those practical applications will keep us busy for a while. ;) Astronomy is also a favorite of ours, so we will be sure to include some of the starry heavens in our studies too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art: <a href="http://www.seethelightshine.com/">See the Light</a> caught my eye recently. Papa and I are blessed to have extremely artistic children (we run out of pens and paper ALL the time). So I haven't focused on art in the past years. But I want to cultivate this unique gifting in my children and to teach them new art techniques and concepts. See the Light is done from a Christian perspective, which I love! And she makes it simple and approachable for those of us who are not Da Vinci's by nature. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that about wraps up my plans {without planning}! I am excited to see what we learn this year and how this new learning style meshes with our family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-43383212971578469372012-08-06T07:55:00.002-07:002012-08-06T07:55:23.715-07:00Books We Have Enjoyed<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July::</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Deer-A-Book-Homophones/dp/0312628994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343333306&sr=8-1&keywords=dear+deer" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Deer</span></a><div style="font-size: 16px;">
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Easter-Farm-Mary-Jane-Auch/dp/1430105127/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343334805&sr=1-1&keywords=the+easter+egg+farm"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Easter Egg Farm</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blockhead-Life-Fibonacci-Joseph-DAgnese/dp/0805063056/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343610704&sr=8-1&keywords=blockhead+the+life+of"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/President-Times-Illustrated-Books-Awards/dp/0689863772/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343610761&sr=1-1&keywords=duck+for+president"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Duck For President</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_23?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+light+and+the+glory+for+children&sprefix=the+light+and+the+glory%2Cstripbooks%2C214"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Light and the Glory for Children</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Make-Way-Ducklings-Robert-McCloskey/dp/0670050172/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343610892&sr=1-3&keywords=make+way+for+ducklings"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make Way for Ducklings</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pest-Fest-Julia-Durango/dp/B0064XTNPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344264352&sr=8-1&keywords=pest+fest"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pest Fest</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Castaway-James-Stevenson/dp/0688169651/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344264406&sr=1-2&keywords=the+castaway"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Castaway</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Farm-David-Elliott/dp/0763655910/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344264576&sr=1-1&keywords=on+the+farm"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the Farm</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moonlight-Helen-V-Griffith/dp/0062032852/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344264626&sr=1-2&keywords=moonlight"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moonlight</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Nest-Catherine-Friend/dp/0763624306/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344264675&sr=1-1&keywords=the+perfect+nest"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Perfect Nest</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Serious-Farm-Tim-Egan/dp/0618737456/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344264718&sr=1-1&keywords=serious+farm">Serious Farm</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August::</span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-91378333409982880862012-07-29T18:29:00.000-07:002012-08-20T20:08:06.944-07:00Beginning Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is little Miss A. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is four almost five, and she wants to learn how to read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been reading a lot to her out loud and she has been MEMORIZING the books I have read!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was astounded at her recall of words such as "unusual" and "concentrate." She does have a pretty good vocabulary. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have also been listening to audio books. One of her favorites is "The Chronicles of Narnia."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have tried working on vowel and consonant sounds with her, but she doesn't quite get it yet. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She can't seem to figure out how the sounds go together to form words. Yet she can remember almost an entire book verbatim!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My kids will never cease to amaze me!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-72335737451257901852012-07-29T17:37:00.003-07:002012-08-20T20:09:11.376-07:00Family Zoo Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L-R from the top: Papa, Mr. I, Miss A & Mr. J</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our family portrait in snake vision!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My three greatest reasons for homeschooling!</span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-45255574682993567202012-07-23T21:53:00.001-07:002012-08-20T20:09:33.767-07:00Beach Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-14230719014034611372012-07-20T21:12:00.002-07:002012-11-26T10:01:28.899-08:00HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Organization is not one of my strong qualities. (My husband will readily attest to that!) And so I have struggled with trying to find a method to keep all the wonderful links organized that I have found in my blog travels. Most of these have been road-tested by our family, although some I have simply marked down for future reference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Stop Shopping:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/">An Old Fashioned Education</a> --- complete website dedicated to free lesson plans and materials for home education.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/">1+1+1=1</a> --- free printables for a variety of subjects</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a> --- free printables</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/">Homeschool Creations</a> --- free printables</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lessonpathways.com/Home">Lesson Pathways</a> -- free unit studies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.starfall.com/">Starfall</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/homeschool-freedownloads/index.php">Ellen McHenry's Basement Workshop</a> -- TONS of free downloads on all different subjects</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://budgethomeschool.com/">Budget Homeschool</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bible:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.calvarycurriculum.com/childrens-curriculum-ot.php">Calvary Curriculum</a> -- free Bible studies for kids (haven't checked this one out extensively yet)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://livingmathbooklist.blogspot.com/">Living Math Booklist</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/resources/puzzles/default.htm">Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching</a> --- games and puzzles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jmathpage.com/JIMSNumberpage.html">Johnnie's Math Page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mathplayground.com/">Math Playground</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.abcya.com/">ABCya</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://nurturestore.co.uk/lego-math-games">Lego Math Games</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wildaboutteaching10.blogspot.com/2012/02/numbers-0-20-freebie.html">Wild About Teaching: Math Printables</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rundesroom.com/search/label/Math%20Journal%20Sundays">Math Journals: Runde's Room</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://math-aids.com/">Math-Aids.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.homegrownlearners.com/home/2010/8/28/making-math-fun-unifix-cubes.html">Bringing Meaning to Flash Cards with Manipulatives</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/cindykwest/living-math/">Living Math Pinterest Board</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kidscount1234.com/mathcentersandgames.html">Kidscount 1234</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://tams-thisandthat.blogspot.com/2010/04/pig-out.html">Pig Out</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-000-BeginnersCourse.php">Free online guitar lessons</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worksheets:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.worksheetworks.com/">Worksheet Works</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Science:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thehappyscientist.com/">The Happy Scientist</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=1189">All About Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://openbookproject.net//electricCircuits/">The Open Book Project: Electric Circuits</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mysciencebox.org/">My Science Box</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/animal-cell-models-with-pizza/#">Cell Pizza!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/cloud_chart/">Cloud Charts</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unschooling:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.christianunschooling.com/">Christian Unschooling</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.unschoolinglifestyle.com/p/directory-of-articles.html#may">Unschooling Lifestyle: Directory of Articles</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notebooking:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.unitstudies.com/tipsntricks/article-AR43013.aspx">Unit Studies: Tips and Tricks for Notebooking</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jeanniesjournal.com/2007/06/notebooking_07.html">Jeanne Fullbright on Notebooking</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jeanniesjournal.com/2007/06/notebooking_07.html">I Choose Joy: Notebooking</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/238901955203717652/">Pinterest Notebooking</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php">Homeschool Share: Master Lapbooking List </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://notebookingfairy.com/">The Notebooking Fairy</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Language Arts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/">Sheppard Software</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/KISS.htm">KISS Grammar Approach</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://childrensbooksguide.com/top-100">Top 100 Children's Books</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://librivox.org/">LibriVox</a> -- free PDF copies of books online</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://books.google.com/">Google Books</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page">Project Gutenberg</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/">Books Should Be Free</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/">Vocabulary Spelling City</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/HomeschoolToolsLanguage.html">Language Arts from Crafty Classroom</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2010/03/word-block-phonics.html">Phonics Wordblocks from Confessions of A Homeschooler</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Geography:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.seterra.net/">Seterra</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/2009/08/country-flag-printables/">Country Flags Printables: Homeschool Creations</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Games:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gamesforlearning-mary.blogspot.com/">Games For Learning</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com/">Deceptively Educational</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/05/10-word-games-for-kids.html">Ten Word Games For Kids</a></span><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bzs0s1d6fi0hZThkNzFhMmItOWI5YS00OGRhLWI4NDEtM2IwZDk4MjI1ZDI0/edit?pli=1#" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vocab on the Move</a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/cool-math-games/">Kids Activities Blog: Cool Math Games</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">History:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.momsmustardseeds.com/free-history-lessons/">Free History Lessons from Mom's Mustard Seeds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.civilwar.org/education/teachers/curriculum/">Civil War Curriculum</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/HistorySubjects/oneMinuteHistory.html">Have Fun With History: One Minute History</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://americanhistory.si.edu/kids/athome.cfm">National Museum of American History: Online Exhibits</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org/index.php?page=theexplorers">The Mariner's Museum</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://alistout.blogspot.com/2010/12/american-revolutionary-war-unit-study_03.html">American Revolutionary War Unit Study</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dynamic2moms.webs.com/americanrevolution.htm">American Revolution: Dynamic 2 Moms</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hippocampus.org/History%20%26%20Government">History & Government: Hippocampus</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://homeschoolfreestuff.wordpress.com/social-studies-history/american-history/">Links to All Things Free for Homeschoolers: American History</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/">The Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/index.html">Ben's Guide to American Symbols</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/revolutionary_money/lesson1_main.html">Smithsonian</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://history.org/">History.org</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miscellaneous:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://freelyeducate.com/">Freely Educate</a> -- a treasure trove!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.khanacademy.org/">Khan Academy</a> --- Online lessons with video tutoring</span><br />
<a href="http://homeschoolradioshows.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Homeschool Radio Shows</a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amyswandering.wordpress.com/">Are We There Yet?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.homemaking911.com/">Homemaking 911</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.makinglearningfun.com/">Making Learning Fun</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Printables Pages:</span><br />
<a href="http://donnayoung.org/index.htm" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donna Young</a>
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<a href="http://www.mrprintables.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. Printables</a>
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<a href="http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/HomeschoolPrintables2.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crafty Classroom</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> --- lots of free printables here as well</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3151/sun/index.html">Canon Creative Park: 3D Sun Printable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3148/mobile_solar-system/index.html">Canon Creative Park: Solar System Mobile</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3151/sundial/index.html">Canon Creative Park: Sundial Printable</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3151/03342/index.html">Canon Creative Park: Planisphere</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.yourchildlearns.com/us-state-maps.htm">US State Map Printables</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unit Studies/ Lapbooking:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/lego-unit-lapbook/">LEGOS Lapbook & Unit Study</a> by Walking By the Way</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creative Schoolroom Organization & Decor:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.natalme.com/locker-front-magnet-board/">Magnetic Map Puzzle</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/184014334745376666/">Awesome Book Organization!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/177047829071724026/">Budget Art Display</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.robandpage.blogspot.com/2012/08/our-schoolroom.html">Colorful Crayon Organization</a> -- scroll down to the last photo of the post</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinspiration:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/2012/01/american-revolutionsome-ideas-and.html">Revolutionary War Ideas: Teaching in Room 6</a><br /><a href="http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.de/2012/05/revolutionary-war-1-war-is-brewing.html">Revolutionary War Four Part Unit: Living Life Intentionally</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/freelyeducate/creatively-educate/">Creatively Educate!</a></span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-73851584746506926732012-07-19T06:00:00.000-07:002012-07-19T06:00:13.254-07:00Duck, duck, duck...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMUVDnx5Q3141TiJ3utfaGehX3c538RYgav4CaiAWgLczIiyZa5WAFP4XufGeXMScjXjNmRQcUglWa8VNKnspfylbMvUCHmyLWRChXjb-GOYMAgBYpXWmmFrVGOKOhN8HBfoC_20rGNw/s1600/DSCN1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMUVDnx5Q3141TiJ3utfaGehX3c538RYgav4CaiAWgLczIiyZa5WAFP4XufGeXMScjXjNmRQcUglWa8VNKnspfylbMvUCHmyLWRChXjb-GOYMAgBYpXWmmFrVGOKOhN8HBfoC_20rGNw/s320/DSCN1250.JPG" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we first brought them home....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkx6pPg8FGNIJdkkFENdpzndxB89ttbuUJ27vmytj6QVky1cllLyLhwKv0tcmTQzl0FyCzPc4tSrySbB-1XAa90H_enDkWSRDL3PsOR4N6tnVYZW_0l0lRedmeNj2sDichhj0fUOAnufM/s1600/DSCN1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkx6pPg8FGNIJdkkFENdpzndxB89ttbuUJ27vmytj6QVky1cllLyLhwKv0tcmTQzl0FyCzPc4tSrySbB-1XAa90H_enDkWSRDL3PsOR4N6tnVYZW_0l0lRedmeNj2sDichhj0fUOAnufM/s320/DSCN1363.JPG" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now a month later!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ducks grow so fast! We are having so much fun learning as we go. The ducks are the kids' responsibility and they are loving it. Every morning they wake up and go say hi to the girls. :) We bought the ducks in hopes that we had some females and would get eggs. At least one will be a girl so far, the others are kind of hard to tell yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have fallen for the ducks too. In the morning when I get my husband's coffee ready, they start talking to me begging me to let them out of their duck run. (We converted a dog run into a run for the ducks so when we aren't home they are still safe but are able to forage in the grass.) And then they happily chirp their way around the entire yard as they busily scrounge for bugs. I love having my land (less than a quarter of an acre) be productive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are novice urban homesteaders, but we are enjoying the journey!</span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539694565255347006.post-45426160616668441102012-07-18T10:47:00.002-07:002012-08-20T22:48:48.925-07:00FOCUS<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we start off a new year in our educational journey, I have chosen FOCUS as my goal for the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on who God wants my children to become</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on what is important to teach them</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on being intentional in what I do as their mother and teacher</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on our family more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on spending quality time teaching</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on having fun</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on meeting challenges and overcoming struggles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on their strengths and not their weaknesses</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on diligence and excellence (for me and them!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on loving </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on saying yes more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on staying organized</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on what resources I have and using them</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on homesteading purposefully</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on serving joyfully</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on my home management skills</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FOCUS on cultivating life-long learners</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now as my FOCUS, I am planning out our year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are you FOCUSing on this year?</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Busily penned by the Queen Bee</div>Precision Quality Laserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304034383943750446noreply@blogger.com0