Rocks and Minerals pics

This is a SUPER find at the thrift store for me, last year.  It is "More Fun with Nature" take along guide.  I got it for ONLY $1.40! yeah! 

But at Amazon.com---its only $12.37 and I find that an awesome price.  It is chock full of great info and my kids absolutely love it.  So, keep that in mind for Christmas gifts! :)  The other book, the first one, "Fun with Nature" is also a great one and I also find it at the thrift for the same low price of $1.40.  We have used them weekly and for all ages. 

Remember using egg cartons to hold your rocks when you were younger?  Yeah, me too.  So, I passed along the tradition.  Just imagine that we use 4 dozen eggs a week in our household and just imagine all them filled up with diff. rocks!  Yup, each kido I think has a few.  I guess one can never have too many rocks or too many egg cartons...

Rock Happy! :)

 

 

God bless your night,

Mary @CHeerios

 

Homeschooling thus far

So, this year I made a bit of a change by dedicating a whole day to doing electives.  These are, by far, more enjoyed by my kidos AND ME, than doing 'regular' schoolwork.  Since I have put them on the back burner the last few years, these just weren't getting enough attention.
Hey, a teacher has to enjoy herself teaching too!!!

So, I renamed Wednesdays as "Yahoo Wednesdays"--my children get a hoot out of it, thinking it is NOT REALLY SCHOOL.  HA!!! Love this learning style.  Just my speed.

So, we've been studying the earth and rocks/minerals for science so far and LOVING it.  We are truly learning it while we read about it by hands on learning.

So where else to learn about rocks but by scavenging the beach for them?

We went to to the beach last week (well, its really a lake but they call it a beach.)

Here are some pics.  They had a blast!  TOTAL BLAST!

Why oh why, did I not pack at least towels-of course my kids would not get THAT wet.  HA!!!

Today, we have been enjoying learning about the rocks even more by doing streak tests for them and finding out what minerals they have hidden.

As for the little boys that I dedicate on these Yahoo Wednesdays to teach more in depth...we are on the letter C of the alphabet.  That means baking COOKIES for the letter C today :)  Chocolate Chip Cookies, of course.

This pregnancy, I think I'll be gaining ALOT of poundage!!! yikes.

God bless,
Mary @ Cheerios

Schooling w/out toddlers

Ok. 

My job is ridiculously tough.  People have always told me so.  "How do you do it, Mary???" they ask, and they demand me to have a superb answer for them as though I am some superwoman or something.  To which, mind you, I don't always have a convincing reason of how I do it.  Reason is b/c sometimes (ahem...most of the time) I do not have any clue on how I do it.

Yesterday, my hubby took my 2 'double trouble' kids (boys age 3 and 5) to the stores with him.  My baby was having her morning nap and so they were out for about an hour.  It was only an hour.  ONLY AN HOUR???? Are you kidding me?  Do you know how much I got done in an HOUR without toddlers around????  Maybe not so much items checked off assignment lists but there were non distracted children in my presence!!!  It was awesome!!! I was actually SCHOOLING THEM pretty well!!!

Now, today....my hubby took 3 of them to foodshopping and errands.  Again! 

I am liking this WAY TOO much!!! 

Now, I really do wonder HOW ON EARTH I can homeschool 4 kids come tomorrow with my toddlers back in my morning school teaching life?

I have no idea how I do it.

I have no idea how I do it.

Did I mention that I have no idea?

Yeah.  I guess I will find out once again, whether I like it or not.

God, help me.

God bless your day!!!
Mary @ Cheerios

School Year 2012-2013

WOW, even writing those years are a shock to my system.  I remember Y2K like it was yesterday and here we are in year 2012...onto 2013.

That means this is my 8th year of homeschooling!

Uh, how did I do that???

Seriously!   Lots of praying and lots of leaning on my husband.  It does make a big difference when Daddy is behind or beside the Momma teacher.  It may even make it or break it, for most families.  I am so thankful and privileged to have him beside me, inspiring me and cheering me on.  My hearts truly go out to moms who do not have understanding husbands.  I feel for them, so much, as I see their struggles.  Let's not forget to pray for these Moms.

This year....
One 6th grader-WOA!  A middle schooler!!!!
Two- 3rd graders
One- 2nd grader
One- Kindergartner
One-Preschooler.
One- Toddler
One - Baby due in February


I still have to get that famous 1st day of school picture done today!!!

Considering that ALL my boys are in the wet woods playing before lunch, this should be some sloppy photo shoot!!! haaaa

This year is going to be so NOT dull.  But, then again, what year is NOT dull around here?!??!!

Homes.....
We had one under contract---that fell through.

then we had high hopes on another house but they could not come down in price---that fell through.

Now, we are on to our (hopefully!) last house that really is the BEST one yet!!!  Please pray that all goes well and that we can be done with this process.

Then, if it goes well...ONLY THEN I will tell you all about our upcoming home!!! God willing, of course.

Best go now.  Boys are rolling in for lunch and I have to get them cleaned up!

God bless your year,
Mary @ Cheerios

Homeschooling summer blahs

I don't know about you but I am SO not ready to enter into school planning, thinking and doing.

Going to the home school convention back in June was enriching and very useful and helpful to set the tone.  But the reality is that I bought 70% of my curriculum at that convention and I am still at a loss for some very important items.  I am not interested in buying them either anytime soon!!!

Folks, summer is still in high swing at our home!!!!  It is still hot and humid and oh so very very summer-like.

It's only August 14th (which, BTW, don't forget a holy day tomorrow!!!! so go to Mass!) and the pool is still open for us.   We JUST joined only a short time ago and we are trying to utilize it the max!  It's great b/c there is hardly anyone there b/c they are probably just so sick of it! haaaa!  Good for us! :)

Of course my kidos could use some structure in their day.  But, isn't it a wonderful way of learning what to do with boredom?  SO healthy if you ask me.  I remember tons of times growing up moping about wondering what to do with my time....all the while being careful not to let my mom see or she'd be quick to set me to work! Those were my most imaginative and creative times. 

I have seen pics and read of this out pour of homeschooling families beginning school already.  Of course it's their choice and they have that freedom to do so.   I have a friend who starts early and end ends in early May.  Good idea!  But not me.  At least not this year.  I did try to start about 2 weeks ago but my heart was not in it.  I couldn't ask my kids to be on top of things and excited if I was too much in the lazy summer mode.  So, we packed the boxes right back up.  We were all so happy about that.  But, I have to admit that seeing and reading of those families gives me a bit of nervousness and anxiety.  Again, I guess I am not there yet. 

Well, hope you are enjoying your last few weeks of summer bliss and giving thanks to God for all the gifts in your life!!!
God bless, Mary @ Cheerios

Read Alouds

One of the biggest things that has been different this past homeschooling year compared to others is our read aloud time.  Embarrassed to say, I just never found of tried to find time to read aloud to my kids-mostly the bigger ones.  Yes, I knew how important it was, but my time was focused more on reading little books to the littles.  Last summer, I was deeply convicted  on the importance of reading aloud even to the older and middle children and that was my main goal (along with everything else!ha!).

After praying on how to make this happen, God helped me to see that reading aloud could happen, just not when I wanted it but when He did.  I found that time and now I truly cherish it and miss it if we go without it. 

At night, after I put my lil' Lady to sleep and my 5 yr old (b/c he loves his sleep so he is pretty easy to get down), and after our family night prayers, I begin and it is usually about 8pm. We all hop into my big bed and I lay in the middle while little heads and ears look on and listen.  It really is the sweetest thing.  I know they are listening and understanding b/c we talk about it and they ask questions and they giggle and their excitment peeks at just the right moment.

We have read a lot of really great classics that I never touched upon before....even ones that I did not even read when I was younger.  How sad, huh?  I was not the reading type of kido back then.  I'd rather be outside riding my bike or playing dolls.  But, now that we are reading them, I am so sad that I missed it and it was not a part of my childhood.  I did not want this to happen to my own children. 

We just finished...




While I am reading on my bed, my husband would read to my older boys in their room.  They are in the middle of this book...


As you can imagine, this summer is not going by without read alouds!  We have begun this book....





Happy Reading ALOUD!!!  The kids will love it.  You will love it.  It is TIME spent in the most rewarding way. 

God bless,
Mary

Books Lists for the Littles

I always enjoy learning and finding out what other families are their children are reading.  It gives me fresh ideas about books I never heard of and also books I have forgotten about.  So, I figured that I would share our reading lately.

Littles:


This ABC one is not the exact one that we are reading b/c ours has the "Can you find it?"/search and find along with it that my kids really enjoy:




 

This is just a partial list of what we have been focusing on with my littles.  I do not have the time right now to post on the others...but check back b/c there are some good ones! :)

God bless your summer and happy reading, my friends!
God bless,
Mary

Zoo pics

We went to the zoo with our co-op for our field trip this year.  It was a beautiful day full of memories. We have a great group of moms and kidos.  It is a very pricey zoo to go to and we'd always wanted to go.  But since the co-op  payed for all my kids to go and we just had to pay for myself and hubby, then we HAD to go!!! :)  It would have costed us close to $100 if we went but we only spent $24!!! :) Gotta love good deals.  Best of all---Daddy was there to join us!!!

Here are some snapshots of our outing:

Aren't they cute??? We would love some of those goats!!!

God bless,
Mary

It has begun!

We couldn't take it any longer....



We started our CAT tests today!  (We ordered them from Seton-click HERE).  So far the kids are doing wonderfully (proud kido, proud momma!) and I think we'll be done with them by tomorrow!

My big kids know that this means the end of their school year officially and my littles get to watch movies all day.  And Momma is done too!!! :)

So, everyone is HAPPY!!!

God bless,
Mary

Is it me?

or...do people just not get together much anymore? 

I have noticed over the past 4-5 years a decline in "play dates" and get togethers for not only mom and tots(which are the most popular) but also for arranging play dates for older kids too.  I also do not mean just the drop off play dates but the "mom comes along too so mom can have some adult interaction and adult talk" play dates.  It makes me wonder if the technology spree has taken over the relationships that people NEED.  We all need people and relationships in our lives, outside of our own family.  Especially the moms, right Moms?   I am tending to think that the Internet, texting, emails, twitter, face book, blogs, forums, IPhones, IPad's and whatever else is out there that I don't know about has taken the place of real live people.   I remember how weird it was when emails came about.  I still would rather talk on the phone than email someone about something. 

It saddens me that our society is okay with this and has let the real human relationship, the sense of community, go by the wayside.   

We (my family and I) are living in a very populated area and there are many very valid reasons to why other moms and kidos don't want to venture out.  Traffic, schooling, clubs/activities and certainly the stress, stress, stress that congestion brings.   Besides the traffic, this would be applicable to any other part of our country too.  Wouldn't you agree that if someone really wants to see another or get their kids together to play and moms to chat, that they would seek them out?  But I wonder if that desire is being fulfilled electronically.

At times, I feel like I have the plague or something!  I had this conversation with a dear friend that lives 8 hours away from me and she feels the same way.  It has to be this electronic world we are living in and not so much the actual location/state we live in.  I have noticed lots of moms feel this way, all in different parts of our country. 

I am not so keen on how this society and world is evolving.  It truly saddens me.

I don't mean to complain but it is something that has been heavy on my heart lately and wanted to share.  I am not sure even how to deal with it or try to change it or if it is possible to change it.  How do I go along with this and enjoy the ride when I feel like I missed the boat?

God bless,
Mary

Next year plans

Just writing that title makes me feel a bit uneasy.

Well, it's that time of the year once again when I shutter to think about next year all the while not being done with this year.  I need a break to rest my mind!  But, I am forced to think about it-homeschool circles and friends are all talking about it and reading about it.

I need to seriously examine what worked this year and what did not.
I need to figure out if I am going to stay with my current curriculum/books that we used this year or change completely over to something different, something new.

All these questions and thoughts are not simple!

I could just say... "Well, my kids are passing their CAT tests each year and thats good so if it's not broken, why fix it?"  I could say that, right?  They are learning but I can't agree that is enough. 

That is not being a proactive and pro-thinking teacher...right???

I not only want my children to learn but to LOVE LEARNING.

Each year is different.  Each child is different.  Each child is going into a different school year. 

So, things ARE different so I have to adapt.

More to come on this.....


God bless, Mary

Homeschool Science class for today

Yes, it is as large as my 5 yr old! haa!!!

A few of my kids did such a great job assembling it and learning about the bones.  It's really aimed at the older kidos but my younger ones helped find a few pieces too!  There were 100 pieces so it wasn't that easy.  On the other side of this skeletal system is the other systems:  circulatory, respiratory, digestive etc...

This is my grrrrrrreat find at the thrift store-UNOPENED!- for only $2.90!!! :)

God bless,
Mary

Look at what we saw from our back deck!!!

Discovery Space Shuttle on top of a 747~!

Thanks NASA for this very cool viewing and we didn't even have to leave our house!  :)

Although, for  a quick moment, I thought about it and how great of a learning experience it would be to actually go to the airport or a better viewing place that NASA recommended on their website.  Good thing we didn't b/c it came early!!! They said to be on the lookout between 10-11am and it came at 9:40am!!!  And we didn't miss it!

God bless,
Mary

Windy days=Homemade kites!

All creativity due to my kidos!

I thought I took these pics just a week ago but as I look over the pics and see the trees are still bare, I guess it was ALOT longer than that!!!

How time flies!!! (and so do kites:P)
God bless,
Mary

Forgiven, here have a scone.

This week always makes me think more deeply about how amazing God's love is for me. 

How true that He turns the nasty and gross into BEAUTIFUL. 
How He forgives and forgives over and over again.
He freely gives mercy to me, and to you, to all.
All we need to do is seek Him, ask Him, and let Him change our hearts, our wills, to make them more like His.

An ongoing issue with one of my kids is reacting with negativity, complaints, and anger outbursts.  We have been working on this for a while now.  We are all hoping for change for the better. 

We cry, we pray, we hope.

We are trying.

This morning, not to my surprise it happened again.  Over what?  A school assignment.  That's what.  Not surprising.  None of us really enjoy doing things we don't want to do.  But what does God call from us?  Obedience to His Will.  This is not easy.  Actually, it is usually the opposite.  It is hard work.  Continually hard.  Even for adults. 

A saint-in-the-making.  This child was not happy and let us all know that is was not on the plan for the school day for this child. 

Not acceptable, my child. 

"Now, you must double that work assignment." is how I responded.  (I'm so nice, huh?)

Imagine how this child responded once again. 

"Now, no snack." I said in reply.

Stomping off, this child went.  Head down, arms full of school books, breathing hard and finally exited the room.

My thoughts started up....
This is so not fun.  This is not how I envision schooling at home.  This is not what I want for my child of mine.  I love this child.  I don't want to make this child do school work, never mind double the work.  But I have no choice.  We all have things in life we don't want to do.  But we have to.  It is His Will for you.  Keep strong.  Don't give up.  Don't give in.

Who can do school work with an empty stomach?

It's time for forgiveness.
...And a hearty chocolate scone snack. 
It's time for mercy.
For love and hugs and sweet tender looks of "I understand".
I think this child will forgive me.

I think it sure is time for Confession.  For all of us.

God bless,
Mary

How do we do any activities w/a big family?

This is a certain question that any homeschooling momma of a big family asks herself very often.

I thought it might be helpful if I answered that question as to what we do/do not do.  My way may not be your way.  That is ok!  My way may not be perfect-that is ok!  But our way is our way and it works for now so it is perfect for us! :)

So....activities! haa haaa.  well, not much goes on here but I am finally ok w/that. 

It's easy to see other moms having kids in this or that club and going here/there and we're home.  I used to think that I am not exposing them to a good education if they do not do this/that and go here/there.  But reality is that being home is OK. 

The $ is just not there to do all those things. 
The TIME is just not there to do all those things.  (Babies napping and too stressful for me to get everyone ready to go somewhere). 
Sometimes the influences of certain other kids is not what we want for our kids to be exposed to. 

Right now, my oldest is an altar server and serves every other weekend and we all go to the Mass he serves.  If it something we can do as a whole family, then we try to do it.  If it is just one or some kids, we have to evaluate if it is something we can manage, it is something that is consistent w/our goals as a family to get to Heaven...if it is a good use of time-something of value.  We do not do soccer/or any sports anymore b/c it is just not feasible right now. 

We have the kids in a weekly co-op w/our home school group and that takes up a chunk of time in one morning a week.  We also get together weekly for a PE class-gym class that meets after school hours at a park.  It is somewhat organized and just started back up for the Springtime.  My kids love it and it is good for us b/c we are all out together for an hour or so and then home.  It makes sense and it works right now.  All my kids are in their age group except my Lil' Lady-where I run after her-that is my exercise, my PE!!! haaa haaaaa

With not doing so much, every day I am truly trying my best to turn my heart to my kids-to seek them and their interests.....and helping them get along w/each other.  Seeing the reality and the potential of having their siblings as their best friends instead of seeking out other kids for them to be friends with.

Does this all make sense to you? 

It took me a LONG time to understand and accept this.

It does help that where we live is extremely stressful to just go to a park (I am not kidding)-the traffic and stress is not worth it.  A few weeks ago we went to a park---left it at 4:40pm so that i could get home to get dinner ready.  It usually takes us 20 mins.  We did not get home till 5:20-5:25pm.  See?  It's crazy around here---a city of people squished into a town setting.   

There is not many play dates that take place in our home school group---the clubs/activities are what they use as getting together.  Since we do not do many of those things (not even super organized sports!!!!!) then we are together at home a whole lot. 

I am actively trying to embrace this lifestyle instead of fighting it.  I fought it for so many years-too many.  I have found some peace in doing this along w/lots of prayer and surrender.  If Jesus was home for 30 years w/His Momma, then it can't be too bad!!! 

Hope that helps out! :)

God bless, Mary

Sign of Spring* and pics

*First tick of the season was just found on my 11 yr old boy's shoulder.
Oh wonderful, here we go!

On a lighter note...here are some super cute pics I snapped up last week. 

Here is my duo---my 'double trouble' boys--don't they look so cute?  Of course they do! :)  This is how they entertain themselves while Momma is teaching the bigger kidos at the dinning room table right next to this deck.  They got themselves all 'decked' out (ha ha) as firemen ready to fight the blaze of the play house.

And here is my 6 yr old sweetie girl doing what sweet girls do...dolls and doll houses are the best! 

So, do you notice how high up these doll houses are, up on top of our train table?  Haa!  Our Lil' Lady is getting into everything! And of this writing, since this pic was taken last week, we have moved that table downstairs b/c our Lil' Lady has showed us how much of a climbing monkey she is!

Amazing that within a week, she can go from cute and slow crawling baby INTO a cute and fast running baby and wants to do everything her big siblings are doing!!!

Gotta go!
God bless,
Mary

If I were President...

(written as his English assignment by my 11 yr old son-I could not figure out how to download it so I typed it out...too good not to share, and yes, we are working on his grammar, so go ahead and read it anyway :)

If I was elected President of our country....I would make our country Pro-life like the Decloration of Independcedce said "All men our created equal!"  Not a 50 million, not 70 million, but All men are created Equal!  What good does abortion do?  NOTHING.  The Baby could change the Town, the State, Maybe even the Country!  It's KILLING People!  If Only people would listen!  This is not a free nation!  Abortion wastes money and someone's life!  I hope this Country becomes Free, but untill then, Pray and Hope!

God bless,
Mary

Dare not to compare

I have to confess, I steal a lot of ideas from other homeschooling momma blogs.  I know, this is a real shock, isn't it?  Ha! :)  I bet you do too...right?!?! :)  I surely do not have time to try to invent something and why would I reinvent the wheel when I do not have to? 
Well, that peeking into others' homes and their lives is a two fold, for me.  Interesting, amazing and beautiful things is what I find but I also find myself getting frustrated at my lack of ability, patience, creativity and even 'order' that I see in their homes.  I have a dear friend who does not even attempt blogs b/c of this very reason.  Albeit, a very good reason.  It gets depressing!

I try to remind myself that I do not see their whole life, and many do not blog about the negative aspects and hardships of a homeschooling family life.  So, all that others see is this super good part of their lives and we think it's like that all the time.  Which, when really thought about, is SO not true!  No one or no family can ever be perfect! I remind myself that many of these large families come from large families themselves...they are accustomed to the craziness and loudness and messiness that a large family brings.  They know how to adapt much more quickly than others (ahem...) and we can start to compare ourselves and our families to others, esp. if we do not even really know them!  How foolish. 

God knows our hearts.  God knows what He is doing.  God sees my efforts to do the smallest task and He sees my love that I do it with, for Him, and He blesses me with such graces.  I can only imagine that this would equal all those others immaculate homes, those super creative art projects, those darling matching outfits their kidos wear, and those other things.   To God be the glory!

But what a trap this is, isn't it?

Now, it's time for me to get another cup of coffee and think about that some more all the while I teach my kidos!  Rainy days ALWAYS summon another cup! ;)
May God bless your day,
Mary

Sin-freeeeeeee

I am so happy and proud to announce that we have 2 very sparkling clean souls in our household!

2 of my bigger kids, kid #2 and kid #3, went to their First Confession last night.  200 children and 2 hours later-they are shining bright with holiness!  Yes, that many children and that long, I am not kidding.  This year I have both of these kidos in the same grade-2nd grade.  The best decision I made-it is working SO well for all of us.  A little bit of competition and peer pressure to get their work done goes a long way with these two!  We realized that why push one child just to be a grade higher when clearly they are not ready for it.  This is God's doing and how He made each child.  I am just glad I figured it out and listened to Him early on and not when they were older.  I have heard it is much harder when they get older to hold a child back a year. 

Anyway, it is a 2 yr process of prep for their 1st Confession and 1st Holy Communion in our parish.  We decided to not enroll them in the actual classes that the religious ed offers.  They were totally okay with it-in fact, the RE director home schooled her own kids! What a blessing that homeschooling is so welcomed and encouraged around here.  I am very thankful to God for this.  We are using the Faith & Life series by Ignatius Press.  We, as parents, find it awesome!  The kids do too!!! IT is a great mix of learning and fun, coloring and writing.  My children do not mind doing religion almost every day.  Since we incorporate our Catholic Faith in ALL aspects of our life and our family, doing the religion 'book' is not that grueling for them :) I highly recommend this for all kids, even if they go to a CCD program.  It is so easy and fun for parents to do with them, along with what they are learning in the classroom setting. 

We have such an awesome diverse parish, with 31 countries represented (seriously!), that we were obviously the minority.  We love our priests and parish and all the colors and beauty that is displayed.  What a wonderful gift that my children get to see how 'universal' our Catholic Faith is!!! Growing up in a mainly white/Caucasian neighborhood, town and parish, I love that my own children get to see, early on, how widespread our Catholic Faith truly is. 

We went as a whole family last night and I am glad we did.  Even for 2 hours, I am glad we did.  In fact, I sort of persisted with this decision with my husband-he thought the opposite.  But, in the end, we are all SO glad we went.  What a great learning experience and how awesome that my little children got to see what their big siblings got to do and what they have to look forward to. My kid #4 (age 6) and kid #6 (age 3) even asked us (ahem...begged us over and over)  how they wanted to go to their own first confession THAT night!  Now, that is a testimony to what a great decision it was to bring them all!

Now, onto a celebration party for my kids!  We're all a little bit holier now!!!

God bless,
Mary