What’s up?

Lots and lots of football games.

Greg is #69 and a lineman for the Loboes.  He looks huge in his gear.  I’m always amazed that he used to be my 9lb 1oz baby boy.  Crazy.  They are having a good year.

 

Zeke is #55 in the Wolfpack 4th-6th grade team.  He’s also a lineman.  He loves the tackling.  Their team is fun to watch.  Such enthusiasm.

 

Graham is also playing flag football.  They play a 15 min scrimmage during the half-time of a couple home games.  He’s the kid in the middle of the photo with dark pants.  These kids are just racing all over.  Lots of laughing parents.

 

So, yeah.  We’ve been going to a lot of football games.  Some Saturday and Monday, but pretty much every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday since the last week in August.  Schoolwork is still getting done (we started after Labor Day…that post may or may not ever get posted!)…RE started last week…Angelina started dance in September (that’s a month earlier than normal and has it ever impacted our schedule in a crazy way)…Eric’s been gone for two weeks…the tomatoes still need to be harvested…we had a nursery do a bit more landscaping/tree planting (LOVE IT!)…we are attending our first BISON game as a family on Saturday.  And that’s about it in a really small nut shell.

2014-15 School Year Summary

We started today! I’m excited to get going, but hope I have everything ready.  Anyway, here’s what’s up for this year for each of the kids.

GREG – 17yo and Senior

It’s Greg’s Senior year, so is bittersweet in some ways.  We are both ready for him to move along and head out to college.  We’ve knocked heads more than I care to remember!  However the past year was one of much growth for him.  Maybe we’ll enjoy this last year together more than we have since he was in single digits.

Greg’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), ND State 4-H Ambassador, member of the Catholic Youth Advisory Council, FFA president & member, Crop Judging, Football (he was elected one of the team captain’s), wrestling, altar server, and teen ministry/study group at our local church.

MODG’s Catholic Doctrine using Following Christ in the World. 

Math-U-See Calculus (after we finish up the last couple lessons of Pre-Calculus)

MODG’s British Literature

MODG’s World Geography

American Government & Economics (he’ll be finishing up the last half of this class)

Exploring Creation with Physics (and he’ll also be finishing up the last few lesson of Exploring Creation with Chemistry)

MODG’s Health using the encyclical Casti Connubi

Physical Education – weight lifting twice a week

 

ANGELINA – 14yo and Freshman

Aaak!  Another high schooler!  Angelina will be a freshman this year.  I think she’s excited.  Well, she’s excited except for when Latin or piano are mentioned.  I’ve asked her to continue so that her language requirement can be met with Latin and without starting another language.  She didn’t have much to say.  I’ve asked a friend to help grade some of her papers so that she’ll have outside input on her writing.  She is the creative one in the family.  While organization of her room is not a priority, she can make just about any activity fun for her siblings or those around her.

Eva’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), first year member of the Catholic Youth Advisory Council, FFA member, Crop Judging, dance (two nights a week for ballet, tap & jazz), and teen ministry/study group at our local church.  We are unsure at this point, if she’ll be able to be a part of the Ballet Academy production, as lessons are to be held on Friday nights….it’s a possibility.

MODG’s Religion 9

Grammar & Composition 9 using Warriners English 3rd Course

Math-U-See Geometry

U.S. History & Geography

American Literature

Exploring Creation with Biology

Art: Drawing with Nature & Landscapes in Pencil

Music: Music of the Great Composers & Piano

Poetry

Latin: Fourth Form Latin

ZEKE – 11yo and Sixth Grade

Zeke is growing up so fast.  He’s fast approaching me in height; I have no doubt he’ll pass me in the next 2 years.  He’s a hard worker when he sets his mind to it and loves to be outside helping his dad in the field.

Zeke’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), Crop Judging, Wolfpack Football, possibly basketball, wrestling, altar server, and religious education classes at our local church.

St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 2

Math-U-See Pre-Algebra

CHC’s plan for Grammar/Composition/English

Logic of English (plan to finish it up this year)

Phonetic Zoo Level A

Poetry

ND History & All Ye Lands

Exploring Creation with Zoology 2

Prima Latina

Art 7 For Young Catholics (1st Semester) & Art Lab for Kids (2nd Semester)

Piano & Ready to Use Music Activities

 

GRAHAM – 8yo and Third Grade

Graham is also a hard worker.  He’s determined and sometimes a little stubborn.  He has a twinkle in his eye when he smiles and always has such great enthusiasm.

Graham’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), first year Crop Judging, Flag Football, wrestling, religious education (he’ll be studying for both Holy Eucharist and Confirmation) class at our local church.

St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1

Math-U-See Delta

CHC’s plan for Grammar/Composition/English & Spelling

Writing Can Help Book 3

Logic of English (plan to finish it up this year)

Poetry

CHC’s Tour a Country

Take it to Your Seat Geography e-book

Exploring Creation with Zoology 2

Prima Latina

Art Masterpieces (1st Semester) & Art Lab for Kids (2nd Semester)

Let’s Learn Music #2 & Piano

 

LOUIS – 4yo and Pre-School

Louis has an endless supply of energy.  He’s hardly ever in a bad mood and according to his sister, ‘says the most random things.’  He loves super heroes and especially likes to wear his Superman shirts.  He likes legos, Thomas the Train, Link, and being read to by anyone.

His day will consist mainly of play, but he’s also learning more about the letters and numbers.  He enjoys workbooks and art with his sister, who has been the one to lead him through the majority of his workbooks.

 

DAC – 2yo and Resident Toddler to be Entertained

Dac.  He’s a busy 2yo, but also knows how to entertain himself when needed.  He likes books, but doesn’t treat them the best, so we try not to leave him unsupervised with our favorites.  Colored rice and magnets are a favorite activity, but he pretty much likes to do anything Leo and his older siblings do.  He’s frightened of our puppy, Lily, because she’s about his height and tends to knock him over.  I have no set plan of activities to do with him this year, aside from the list of toddler activities that I printed out years ago.  We’ll see how it goes and adjust as needed.

Clean rooms…

In an effort to encourage my children to clean their rooms and then keep them clean, I created an award.  The award is a prize of their choice (parental approval required) won by having the cleanest room at the end of the week – provided the rooms are clean.  Some prizes necessitate winning twice.

Interestingly, the award has been won – two weeks in a row – by Graham, age 7, and Louis, age 4.  Graham needed two awards to win his Hexbug and Louis needed two awards to win a Link shield. 

There have been weeks when no one has won because the rooms were simply NOT clean! 

There has been some movement toward a cleaner room for Greg & Zeke, who share a room.  Angelina loves her piles, so is farther away from a solid win. 

AND, this past week, I completely changed it up again.  Zeke was moved in with Louis and Graham into the room with Greg.  Because…I’d been finding half empty cups of iced tea and chocolate milk on dressers (and behind clean towels in cupboards), bowls of food in drawers, under the sink in the bathroom, in storage tubs…it’s just plain GROSS!  Of course, no one fesses up to the empty bowls and cups.  So, my solution was to mix up the living arrangements so I could keep track of the offenders (yes, I do have an idea of ‘who’ is doing it, but they’d always blame the roommate).  And, yes, my kids get plenty to eat, just not that kind of junk whenever they want. 

It’s part punishment/consequence for poor decisions, part older sibling helping younger sibling learn to keep a clean room and make good choices.

I have no idea if it will work or even help, but something needed to be changed.  Here goes.

Monday DayLook: March 24, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... it’s a beautiful (but cold!) sunny morning.

I am thankful for... one dance recital finished, workbooks being finished, 18 month old little boys running down the hallway, sunshine, fresh eggs, grandparents who come down for the weekend to watch grandkids in their activities, opportunity to connect with homeschool friends this past Friday, cute little wrestlers & a working washer/dryer to do laundry.

I am reading… ‘33 Days to Morning Glory.’  As I come to areas in the book where I’m asked to write or brainstorm, I’ve written everything in a journal.  I figure it’s a good record to look back to in reference.  Also started reading ‘The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling’ by Debra Bell. 

I know it seems odd for a mom who’s homeschooled for TEN years to purchase and read a book like this, but this particular book has a section on teens.  It’s what I need.  I’ve always said I reaffirm my decision to homeschool every year…and believe me, when you homeschool teens you’ll go through ups and downs that shake you and make you doubt your conviction that homeschooling is the right decision.  I’m not even through the first chapter on teens and already this book has fortified my resolve!

I am praying for... the young man from our community who is going through a difficult time.  My friend’s father came home from the hospital last week, so his long road to recovery is now taking place at home…he still needs prayers.

I am hearing... the phone is ringing again.  No need to answer this one.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… laundry is being done.

From the School Room... Greg is gone today for FFA Crop Judging, so the rest of the kids have my full attention.  We started the day in their bedrooms, because our ‘life skills’ class has been neglected the last few weeks.

From the Kitchen...  I’ve been reading ‘Say Goodbye to Survival Mode’ by Crystal Paine.  This week, I’m focusing on de-cluttering the kitchen.  I’ve included the pantry and dining room because it just makes sense to me. 

From the FarmYard… snow is almost all gone and its not as muddy anymore.  We can see buds starting to form on the trees!

A successful moment… was able to attend one day of the North Dakota homeschool convention. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: dance for Angelina

Tuesday: wrestling for Louis/Zeke/Graham, dance rehearsal for Angelina

Wednesday: dance for Angelina

Thursday: lunch with our new Bishop, wrestling for Louis/Zeke/Graham, dance for Angelina, Mass with the new Bishop

Friday: dance for Angelina, wrestling tourney for the Louis/Graham/Zeke

Saturday/Sunday: dance rehearsal and Ballet Academy Recital for Angelina

A picture memory...

Louis (almost 3yo) & Graham (6yo)

August 2012

Tuesday DayLook: February 25, 2014

 

Looking out from my back porch... it looks crisp, cool and slightly windy.  I really don’t want to stick an arm out to see if the temp predictions are accurate!

I am thankful for... warmth and a solid home – who in these northern climes isn’t thankful for those two at this time of year?  Also thankful that in February I can start to see the end of some homeschooling subjects…lighter days are ahead.

I am reading… newspapers and blogs.

I am praying for... a good friend’s father who is in the hospital with pneumonia.  Graham, who is preparing to receive his first Reconciliation this coming Sunday.

I am hearing... the water trickling through the filter of our aquarium.  It’s a peaceful sound.

I am wearing… black knit pants (kinda like leggings, but heavier material), a purple knit top with a green/aqua cami underneath.  I needed color today.

From the School Room... as I mentioned earlier, we are seeing the end nearing in some subjects.  It’s a great feeling and makes the kids want to work ahead even more.

From the Kitchen... over the weekend, I made up meatloaf and meatballs to ‘base’ our meals for the week.  We look forward to spaghetti and meatballs today.

From the Garden… if I’m going to start seeds, it will happen in March.  Will I have the gumption?

From the FarmYard… a friend in Fargo sells eggs for me, thank goodness!  Last year, Angelina was interested in Polish chickens, so we purchased 10.  There were quite a few cockerels, so not all are laying hens.  However, between them they produce about 2 dozen small eggs each week.  I don’t sell these, but they’re great for egg dishes like omelets, french toast, scrambled eggs or boiled eggs.

A successful moment… the boys (Graham and Zeke) wrestled in their first tournament last Friday and each placed third in their group.  They were happy and we thought it was fun to watch.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Tuesday: Little Loboe wrestling practice for Zeke & Graham, Greg will help with practice

Wednesday: Eric and I plan to attend a sponsored talk on ‘technology’ – free meal with the deal – is it a date?

Thursday: Little Loboe wrestling practice for Zeke & Graham, Greg will help with practice, Ballet Academy for Angelina

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Well baby check for Marcus, bulk shopping in Fargo, First Reconciliation Retreat & First Reconciliation for Graham, Scrap quilt workshop for Angelina, Crop Judging for Zeke & Angelina, Possible Wrestling Tourney for Zeke & Graham

A picture memory...

Zeke above and Graham below in 2009.  Zeke would have been six and Graham three.  My how they change over the years…the interest in Legos and building, however, has NOT changed!

Mid-Year School Update

So, what I did to simplify at the beginning of the year…is it still working??  For the most part, yes.  Being the type of person I am, I always have super high expectations.  Sometimes we meet them, sometimes we don’t.  It’s been a much better year in some regards because combining subjects for a couple kids always helps.

Still works for us:

1. The tablet.  Still believe this was a good decision.  Zeke and Graham use it for the following:

*States & Capitals review

*  Review and memorize Baltimore Catechism No. 1 & 2 questions.  Both sets are on Google Play, so the boys listen each day.

*Classical music on Google Play

*Spelling practice and tests.  I found an app!  I type in the list of words and the boys each have an account in the app.  They practice each day and are rewarded for correct answers.  The reward is linked to a game associated with the app, and they both enjoy playing.

*Math tables practice

*Kindle app on the tablet allows the kids access to  52 Art Lab (book we are using for Angelina, Zeke, Graham, and Louis).  This has been a lot of fun for the kids and I’ve enjoyed the results of their work.

2. Zeke & Graham together for Phonics (Logic of English) and Science (Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures).  We finished up Zoology 1 and are into Astronomy.  It works great to have them together.

3.  Greg’s Religion and History & Literature taught by a friend.  Well, at least I KNOW he won’t fight me on doing these subjects and they are the ones he has kept on track through the year.  Why he won’t just do this in his other subjects, for me, is a mystery.

4. On cleaning.  This continues to be a struggle.  The chore chart is up and it does work…when the kids choose to refer to it. 

Needed to make a change:

1. Dropped Literary Analysis for Greg.  He made it through one semester and that is where we will end.  No matter how much I desire to have an intelligent literary discussion with my oldest, it’s just not going to happen at this time.

2. First Form Latin for Zeke is on hold.  We’ll try again next year; it was just too much.  He has an interest in and wants to learn French, as well.

3. Zeke & Graham finished their current Writing Can Help cursive books and we won’t begin another until next year.  They’ll do handwriting in the writing of their other subjects.

4. Greg decided to try wrestling.  It’s been good for him physically; he’s in better shape.  His dad and I have made it to most of his meets.  He’s pinned a few guys, which I’m sure is thrilling for him.

Wednesday DayLook: January 22, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... snow, fresh clean snow.  It was looking a little dirty after this weekend, so the pristine white is a much better picture.

I am thankful that... Greg is able to attend the March for Life with a group from the Diocese of Fargo. 

I am reading… quite a bit of fluff on my kindle.  Candy for the mind?  But, I’ve also been reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ courtesy of an abandoned subject that I was trying to work through with Greg.

I am praying for... improvement in a relationship and all the marchers in DC.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… no crafting in quite some time.  Although, I admit to taking out the material for a new tree skirt in December (the material has been in my possession for two years already) and considered whether it was even attainable…it went back into the cupboard.

From the School Room... most kids are making progress in the majority of their subjects.

From the Kitchen... I so want to cook or bake!  It’s a creative outlet for me that hasn’t been used lately.  Truthfully, I didn’t make ANY treats for Christmas this year.  It was that kind of Advent.  When we were visiting up at my parents’, I attempted to make my favorite – Divinity – and it flopped!  For the second time in my life (the first being when I was 9yo), my batch of Divinity flopped completely.

From the FarmYard… the chickens are producing eggs regularly due to the light timer installed.

A successful moment… I’ve got a post!

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Wednesday: Enjoy the day at home and cook a ‘real’ meal.

Thursday: Trip to Fargo for a meeting & supper with a friend.  Greg arrives home from his trip.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Wrestling tourney for Greg.

A picture memory...

Graham, Marcus & Louis – December 2013

4-H Communication Arts

 

Greg, Angelina, Zeke and Graham all competed in the county 4-H Communication Arts Contest.  All are eligible to advance to the District Contest.  Greg will be at the State FFA Convention, but the rest of the kids plan to attend and compete.  I was able to get pics of all but Greg & Angelina while they were visiting with the judges.

Graham went first!!  He’s a Cloverbud, so he can do a recitation of any length.  He chose ‘The Land of Counterpane’ by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Zeke was up a little later.  He chose to talk about Joaquin Miller and recite his most famous poem, ‘Columbus.’ 

Dash recited an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, ‘The Strenuous Life,’ given at the Chicago Hamilton Club.  I told Greg I chose it for him because I wanted him to learn something from it!  The title itself hints at the content; good lessons for a teen.

Angelina chose to do a demonstration this year (again!).  She made birdseed ornaments and titled the demo ‘Treats for Tweets.’ 

All the kids did a nice job.  There are, of course, areas they could improve, but that’s what’s great about 4-H.  The judges did a great job of providing positive critique that can be applied to improve their presentations before the district contest in June.

 And, CAN YOU BELIEVE JUNE IS NEXT WEEKEND!!!

Father-Son Camping

FMCHE – our homeschool group – has an annual Father-Son Camping Trip.  This year it was at Itasca State Park in MN.  Eric has taken the boys each year (they’ve been at least two years old).  This year, Greg went out early on Thursday with friends.

Though Eric does this, it’s always during Spring planting.  However, it’s that bonding with ONLY boys that they need…and I think he (Eric) needs it, too.  To be around Catholic dads who support what we are doing and the goal we have in mind.

So, Friday, May 17, 2013 at around 3pm, they were packed and ready to leave the farm.  It’s about a three hour drive to Itasca. 

Louis, with his new ‘Cars’ fishing rod, above.  Graham fishing, below.  Eric said they caught a few fish.  One of the other dads is gracious enough to clean the fish and they’re usually eaten that day.

Oh, yeah.  It typically rains during their trip.  It makes Eric feel better about leaving the farm (this year we need the rain)!  And, it makes for wet everything at the campsite.  Raining makes it more of an adventure…wouldn’t ya say?

The guys are usually back Sunday afternoon, but with the rain here, it might be later this evening.

Hand-me-downs

This is an outfit that Graham, age six, wore when he was a baby.  I love seeing my boys wear clothes that have been passed down.  Sometimes it doesn’t work because they’ve been born in different seasons or have grown differently, but it’s sure fun when it works.  I suppose I should be thankful for the cool Spring, or this may not have been possible.  Both Graham and Marcus have such blue eyes. 

What do you know!  I found the pics of Graham as a baby.  Of course, he wore the outfit at 6 months.  Before Marcus was born, I always thought Graham looked very ‘Miller’ (my side of the family tree), but after comparing one can tell Marcus is even more ‘Miller’ looking.

Farmyard Fun

 

I haven’t been out to the farmyard for months.  That probably sounds unreal, but with a baby and the super cold winter…it just didn’t happen.  It’s not easy to leave him inside and get all wrapped up to just go out and walk around to see what’s happening.  But, this day, it finally happened!  I bundled up Marcus; because he’s still little and it’s still cool.

Here’s what I found…

Graham riding bike.  It think it’s amazing that kids ride bikes on the grass!  It’s a lot of work to ride through grass; and they have to ride through grass to get up on the main farmyard or to Grandma Green Acres’s home.

The chickens are still able to roam the farmyard.  It’s such a late year, the garden isn’t planted and not much it ‘up’ that they can peck to death in the flower gardens.  A favorite place to scratch is around the hog barn.  I love seeing them roam around the farm…this year, we have enough roosters that the flock is split into two or three groups.  Each is lead/watched over by a rooster. 

The hogs in their outside pen.  We were finally able to open this up when the weather started to become more predictably warm.  It’s been a cold spring.

For this kid, Zeke, it was the BEST birthday gift.  I get such a kick out of seeing him ride it around the farmyard.

The sheep are so friendly this year!  They came right over when Marcus and I walked up to their pen.  The kids will have a much easier time showing these lambs, in my opinion.

This is the first time I’ve taken Marcus out in a stroller.  He loved it!

We moved the laying chicks out to the Wahoo.  They have two heat lamps to make sure they’re warm enough and Eric covered part of their pen so keep the heat lower.  Crazy Spring!!  It’s been in the 30’s at night, even in May.  Hope the weather becomes more seasonal very soon.

I’m trying to get a picture of the polish chicks.  They have feather crests on top of their heads – or will once they’re fully grown.  One of them has a mohawk right now, and it’s quite funny.  They are going to be fun to watch. 

Proof of Living

 

Oh, you thought my house was always clean and organized?  Not so.  I do manage to usually clean up the toys, but…not always.  They’ll just be taken out the next day, right?  It’s just proof that we actually live in our house.  All day, every day, for every hour!

A cool raccoon book for Louis from Grandma Green Acres.  He so serious sitting here!  He’s almost never still.

Graham above, working on handwriting…and Zeke below, doing the same thing.  Both absolutely love handwriting (dripping with sarcasm right now).

Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres with all the kids.  They were over for Greg’s birthday yesterday.