Husband, Dad, Mechanical Engineer, Bass
Player ...
Obsessed with all things Engineering.
AMY
Wife, Homeschool Mom, Webmaster ...
Obsessed with all things Political.
RACHAEL
Daughter, Sister, Sophomore ...
Obsessed with all things Geological.
NICHOLAS
Son, Brother, 8 year old ...
Obsessed with all things Historical.
(especially Egyptian!)
Favorite Books/Curriculum
The Well-Trained Mind Singapore Math Greenleaf Guides Apologia Science AIG Science curriculum Story of the World
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Day 182 - A Family Fun Day
Monday, June 30, 2008
What did we accomplish today? Absolutely NOTHING!!! Rachael read about 35 pages of her book "Archimedes and the Door of Science." Other than that, the kids just played and we watched the movie, "Flubber." While, yes, that does look like some sort of Harry Potter costume that Nick is wearing, it's not. He asked Rachael to make him a Super Hero costume, and that is what she came up with. (Her only supplies were yarn, scissors, and construction paper...)
I did manage to make supper. Polish Sausage, sauerkraut, mac 'n cheese, mashed potatoes, & corn (yes, I know...potatoes & pasta are both starches!) were on the menu. Nick surprised us all by actually eating the sauerkraut. Rachael & I won't touch the vile stuff, but Jeff likes it so I make it for him...
This weekend is the annual "Thunder on the Ohio" hydroplane races. Typically, we are in St. Louis for our family reunion, but since the reunion was a week early this year, we were able to attend. We really don't care much about the races, but for us, the highlight is the airshow. We LOVE watching airshows! We hadn't seen the schedule, so we were just going to take our chances that we could see something. As we were driving, Jeff looked out the window and yelled, "STEALTH!!!!!" We pulled over to the side of the road and got out just in time for the fly-over. Unfortunately, I didn't get my camera out in time, but did click a few pictures in the distance. There's nothing like the feeling you get in the pit of your stomach as one of the military jets flies by...
We took the kids to see Kung-Fu Panda this morning followed by lunch at a local Mexican-American restaurant. When we arrived at the restaurant, I was busying myself trying to get Nick out of his carseat, when Jeff whispered, "Hurry up before we get stuck behind these clowns." I couldn't believe he'd say such a thing! Just as I was opening my mouth to voice my disbelief, I looked up and saw them...2 CLOWNS! Nick made a bee-line to the door to make his presence known, while Rachael kept her distance. Not quite as intense as her fear of dolls, clowns are a close 2nd! The male clown talked to Nick while we were waiting for a table. Once we were seated, we watched as more and more clowns started filing in. Of course, Jeff and Rachael were pondering exactly HOW many clowns they could fit around the small table when Jeff exclaims, "Man, this place is a circus." From that point on, the puns never stopped. (Except when Jeff & Rachael were debating on what exactly you would call a group of clowns... a herd? a gaggle?) After a little while, one of the clowns came to our table to make Nick a balloon puppy. Nick was enthralled and elated. I think he may have found his new career. I could see his old dreams of being a doctor fade before my very eyes... ;-D
We were supposed to take my mother-in-law to the cardiologist today, but my father-in-law was able to take her instead. We just found out that she has to go in for a cardiac catheterization on July 11th, so prayers would be greatly appreciated.
Since we had the day off, I decided to take the kids to Pizza Hut for lunch. Rachael has been begging for a P'zone for weeks. When Jeff got home, we were under a severe thunderstorm warning which quickly escalated into a tornado warning. Once we were positive the immediate danger was past, we headed out for a drive. (Somehow that's sort of become a family tradition... we all love thunderstorms!) I was able to snap a few pictures of the beautiful sky.
I've actually had this talk! We have some homeschool aquaintances who have a very different lifestyle and beliefs than we do. We recently went to a home where Narnia is banned because of the "wizardry" influences, and college is discouraged for girls, because they should never hold a job outside the home. These are very nice, Christian people, but it would be very hard for me to create a true friendship with people who are so judgmental. I would always be walking on eggshells wondering what they were thinking.
On the flipside, I have been eternally blessed to have found our group of friends. All are homeschoolers, but are the true, transparent, lifelong friends. We rejoice with each other's triumphs and cry with each other's tragedies. We all know the difficulties one another faces in their parenting/homeschooling journeys, but we love all of the kids as our own. Our kids have found more than friends, they've found siblings.
We have no food. I didn't want to buy a bunch of stuff only to have it spoil while we were out of town for a week. Therefore, tonight was pizza night! We ordered pizza & soft drinks (we usually don't buy soda unless we go out to eat, but drink tea instead) We had recorded the movie RV on our DVR. We've seen it before, but it's become a family favorite. I love the part when the Gornicke's tell the Munro's that they are homeschoolers. It's the same reaction that I've gotten a few times. Later in the movie, when the daughter is talking to the homeschooled boy, and says, "You mean you're SMART?!?!?!"... that part cracks me up, too! I know that some people find some of the humor a little objectionable, but we enjoy it!
Today was spent in Bloomington. We had piano lessons at 9:30, followed by Rachael's 1st Physics class. (taught by Diana, the Wonder Teacher!) Afterwards, we went to Mindy's house for a cookout, swimming, and some fellowship. Mindy's baby is due in August, which will increase our co-op number to 25!
When we move and can have more "creative license" in decorating Rachael's room, I want to do something like this. It's a backlit white umbrella hanging upside down with aquarium rocks scattered inside. It sounds a little strange, but looks beautiful above you!
Here in Indiana, we are not required to take standardized tests. I'm glad. I choose to test Rachael every few years just for my own benefit to see what I need to focus on. I'm glad that I don't need to "teach to the test," though, like so many public school teachers are forced to. For example, I know that we have not covered nearly as much US History as the average public school child has had by the 5th grade. However, we've studied far more ancient and world history than most public high school graduates will ever receive.
Even so, Rachael did very well. It's funny, I could have told you exactly in what areas she would have tested well on and what her weaknesses were without having taken the test. It is nice, though, just to have for "proof" that homeschooling works. You never know when you'll have to appease a well-meaning, but ignorant old friend or family member... ;-D
Today was the 32nd Annual family reunion. The weather was fairly nice. We really didn't get to talk to as many people as we normally do. My father-in-law is one of 11 children, so the family reunion is generally pretty LARGE! Today, we spent most of the time talking to Jeff's Double cousins ... yes I said "Double cousins." Jeff's mom and her sister married Jeff's dad and his brother. Therefore, Denise, Kim, & Kelly are his first cousins on BOTH his mom's AND dad's side!
The organizers of the reunion also have an auction to raise money for the following year. My future geologist just happened to win this mineral. She was on cloud 9!
Day 172 - Birthday continued and Travel day to St. Louis
I didn't take any pictures today. As soon as we got up this morning, we packed up and headed to St. Louis for Jeff's family reunion. The pictures above are from Nick's birthday yesterday.
Today was such a busy day! We went to VBS, then drove over 2 hours home... just long enough to do a load of laundry and head to Chuck E. Cheese (about 45 minutes away). Nick had fun celebrating his birthday with family. My parents, Jeff's parents, and my sister were all there.
Nick had been wanting a birthday party with his friends, but since we are temporarily living so far away, the logistics just didn't work. However, since we're staying up here for VBS, we decided to have a pre-birthday party! We ate a local pizza place owned by a fellow church member. Afterwards, the kids had a silly string fight followed by fireworks set off by Shawn (Darla's husband/Gracie & Josh's Dad). Thomas, Ross, & Jordan all spent the night. Talk about a full house! Josh, Thomas, & Ross all slept in Josh's room. Jordan, Gracie, & Rachael slept downstairs in the family room, and Jeff, Nick & I all slept in the camper. Of course, we girls didn't get much sleep. We all (Darla, Gracie, Rachael, Jordan, & I) played cards until after midnight, and Darla and I were up talking until 3:30am! We had so much fun ... almost like a mother/daughter slumber party!
We traveled up to Bloomington for the start of VBS today. I was asked to help with the church's website again this year, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take the kids. VBS at ECC is HUGE!!!! They don't do a "boxed kit." Every year, it takes over a hundred volunteers MANY months of planning and hard work to pull off the biggest outreach of the community. This year, the theme was "God's Space" complete with characters "Norton", "Adell", & the villain - "Spam!" Since we now live over 2 hours away and VBS starts at 9:00am, our homeschool friend, Darla, let us "camp" in her driveway! Their camper was air conditioned and very comfortable. It was so plush that even my anti-bug, anti-dirt, anti-camping husband was happy!
Today is Father's Day. After attending church with Jeff's dad, we took him out to eat at Fazoli's. Following lunch, we went to the Children's Museum of Evansville (cMoe). Truth be told, we were not expecting much. We have been to soooo many "hands-on" museums in several different states. After awhile, they all start looking the same! cMoe was a total surprise! The building itself is the old library. In revamping the facility, they chose to keep the "old world charm" of the building. It has a decidedly "artsy" feel. It is absolutely beautiful. The exhibits are unique, as well. With a nearly 8 year span between my two children, there was enough to keep them both happily occupied for several hours. Among the activities, there was a laser harp, a water room, a human body center, and Nick's favorite - a stage complete with sound effects, costumes, and narrated stories!
Name: Amy Home: Indiana, United States About Me: I am a Homeschool Mom of 2 awesome children. This is my attempt at Project 365 - to chronicle our world through daily photos... See my complete profile
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