The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{around here} Week 13/52: Week of 3.30.15

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:

 looking for quiet and Holy Week seemed to be the perfect time to start.  Less time on the computer, less stressing over long to-do lists, and less “noise” created for myself.  I feel like I’ve become a little overwhelmed with life in general and I’m taking the first steps to slow down and re-evaluate.  

 trying ring bearer and flower girl outfits on Sophie and J.  They are adorable and can’t wait for the wedding.  J keeps saying, “How much longer ’til we’re goin’ to our weddin’?” and I have to remind him that they are going to be in a wedding, not attending their wedding. 

 keeping my Fitbit in my dresser drawer.  I have worn it every single day since last June (!!) and the change has been similar to feeling like I forgot to put on my wedding band.  The reason behind the Fitbit’s retirement is complicated…it’s just time.

 watching Sophie rotate between her three new pairs of shoes, sometimes on an hourly basis.  As much as she is a sword-fighting ninja, the girl loves herself some footwear!  She was in heaven in the shoe aisle at Target, oohing and awwing and declaring “these cute” over and over again.  We were there for Easter shoes and summer sandals, but she ended up with a pair of cowgirl boots (picked out by her Daddy) too.    

 reading See You in a Hundred Years and Overcoming Dyslexia (I’m finally almost done!)

 listening to the kids and their sweet knock-knock jokes: “Knock knock?” “Who’s there?” “Love you.”  “Love you who?” “I love you Mama.” (J’s latest) 

missing a handful of my workouts at the recommendation of my husband.  I’m training at a level I never have before and the combination of that with poor sleep due to a teething baby…well, I’m a bit fried.  Yesterday’s run was hard but good (holy moly, the wind was brutal) and I’m prepping for my first 8-miler Saturday!  

 homeschool notes:
+ We had a short week due to Holy Week.  We’re also taking a week off for spring break, which is our first since Christmas.    
+ In science, we learned about the phases of the moon and created them using Oreos.  
+ M is reading The Hobbit and while I thought it may be too hard for him, he’s taking it slow and loving it!

{learning} What Homeschooling Looks Like Here: Weeks 25-30

We’re on the home stretch of our school year!  To be honest, our homeschooling days look a lot different than when we started.  (You can find updates about the first twelve weeks here and here.)  We discovered that D had signs of dyslexia, so we trashed our curriculum and started again.  I’ve added new books and taken some away, incorporated more hands-on activities and omitted unnecessary busy work.  It could always change, but I think we’re finally hitting our stride.

 It’s also important to note that during the past six weeks, I’ve found the excitement of teaching again.  Teacher burnout is real, both for homeschooling moms and public school educators.  I’m thankful to be back.    

What Books We’re Using & our Typical Weekly Schedule

 M (2nd Grade)

  • Math: Horizons 2
    • We have used Horizons from the beginning and I like it.  The pages are colorful and the work challenging, but not impossible.  We do a math lesson every day.  We did slow down for a bit when he wasn’t grasping a concept and I supplemented with worksheets and games I found online.  Now he’s playing catch-up because he is determined not to do math during the summer!
  • Reading
    • I am fortunate that M loves to read and his nose is frequently in a book.  Because of this, we don’t have a specific “reading time” during school.  I do try to give him lots of options in many genres.  He loves to tell me about the latest twist or adventure he’s read, so indirectly, he does oral narration as well. 
  • Writing
    • This is another area where he loves to work independently.  He chose a nice journal and writes entries almost everyday.  We occasionally do formal reports and will increase that in third grade.
  • History: Story of the World Volume One
    • We do history on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  This changes, but the general plan is:
      •  Mondays: We read the chapter and talk about it.  I ask a few questions to test comprehension.  We fill out the chapter’s map activity.
      • Wednesdays: We review what we read on Monday.  I pull out any corresponding books or videos that go along with the topic and we look at/read those.  Sometimes we do a craft or activity.
      • Fridays: I try to make Fridays really fun and that is generally when we do the bigger projects or crafts.  This is usually the highlight of the week.
  • Spelling: All About Spelling 2
    • We started this program recently and really like it.  We usually only have lessons twice, maybe three times a week.  M really loves writing his words on the dry erase board.
  • Science
    • I am still following Sonlight’s recommended plan and we are ending the year learning about space.  We are using this book, along with lots of activities I’ve found online.  We do science on Tuesdays and Thursdays.



D (Kindergarten)            

  • Reading: All about Reading Pre-Reading
    • When we first thought D was dyslexic, I did lots of research and this program came highly recommended for dyslexic learners.  We learn a new letter every day, repeating the process three times: uppercase letters, lowercase letters and then letter sounds.  The repetition has been good for D and he’s really catching on.  We play the “games” included and I sometimes add a craft too.
    • We also read lots of picture books together.  We point out letters and talk about the words and sounds.  D is not reading yet, but he’s close.
  • Math: ABeka K5
    • Math comes naturally to him and he looks forward to his lesson every day.  We tried a more open-ended math program at the beginning of the year, but he definitely prefers workbook style. 
  • Everything Else
    • He is included in M’s science and history and enjoys both.  While I don’t think it’s necessary for him to complete all of the assigments M does (he is only in Kindergarten, after all), he often asks to participate or to listen to the stories.



I’m looking forward to finishing this year out strong.  Six more weeks to go!  


{around here} Week 12/52: Week of 3.23.15


 A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:

in shock how fast this week went!  I blinked and we’re already here at Friday.  The days are only going to get busier for us too – soccer starts next week!  

 running outside when Mark gets home.  I love every minute of those four mile runs…I can be in my own head for a little bit, which I’m finding is necessary as an introvert with five loud kids.  Saturday is scheduled for seven miles, a distance I’ve never done before.  I’m excited and nervous.

 decluttering like a crazy lady.  I’ve been trying to be very aware of the things entering our house, so how do I still have so much stuff?  It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m taking it one closet and plastic bin at a time.  

 finishing Where’d You Go, Bernadette (I liked it!) and still working through Overcoming Dyslexia. 

 planning Easter: finishing up baskets, choosing outfits and making a menu for dinner.  Simple but special is my motto.

 working on Sophie’s room and I’m almost done!  Her headboard arrived and it is just how I pictured it.  I still need to find a lamp and some throw pillows, plus a few other odds and ends, but I’d say her room is about 80% complete. 

 homeschool notes:
+ In science, we started our space unit.  We did a general summary and then watched a few Magic School Bus episodes.   
+ Our Greek study started in history.  We made Grecian vases using a scratch technique, which was really fun for all of us. (I made one too!)  Yesterday was the highlight of the week,though: we made Mycenaean shields and helmets from cardboard!  
+ M has been flying through beginner chapter books, so we decided to let him try something a little harder.  He is now reading Detectives in Togas and loves it!

{currently} Mamma’s Journal // March

a letter to my children, every month in 2015
M // Daddy taught you how to cook eggs and you have become the official breakfast chef.  I love hearing you call from the kitchen, “Who wants eggs?  Scrambled or over easy?”  You also make your brothers and sister hot chocolate.  I am so thankful for your help!  This month, you have become a reading machine.  You even read two beginner chapter books in one day!  I hope you always have a love for learning.  

D // You, my friend, are a card shark.  We still have Crazy Eights on heavy rotation, but have also expanded to War and Go Fish.  You are competitive just like me, so we have many, many rematches.  If you ever make it big in poker some day, remember that it all started with your mama.  This month, you have also become so creative with Legos.  You played with Spinjitsu spinners at a friend’s house, then came home and created something similar with the blocks we own.  You are amazing.

J // You are at such a fun age and I laugh at something you say almost everyday.  My favorite memory of you this month was the day we went to the park.  It seemed like all the mamas had similar ideas because there were a lot of kids there too.  You would run off to play, then come back around and tell me little stories.  My favorite was, “I said hi to that girl lady over there.  She waved…and then ran away.” 

S // Your vocabulary is growing more and more everyday and we love listening to your sweet little voice.  Although it changes all the time, my favorite thing you say right now is “shanks” (thanks).  You play right along with the boys, playing everything from ninjas to sword fighting.  And yet you are the most caring, gentle mama to your baby too.  I think you are the coolest girl around.

TJ // Six months old and I just can’t believe it.  You are rolling over, sitting tripod-style and have two little teeth.  You are such a happy little guy.  You are mama’s joy and we all love you so much.       
  
Love you all to the moon and back again, Mamma

Less Materialism, More Intentional Living

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