Couples' Night Out

Don't know what to do on a couples' night out?

Try a stress reliever - a shooting range!

Park Days at the splash pad

AHHHHHHH....summer!

Tie Dye - and messy projects

Messy projects are best done with friends. Then when the kids get filthy, you can comfort yourself that 10 other kids look just as bad as your kids. You can also justify when your porch, yard, etc. gets trashed. It hasn't just been for your measly 3 or 4 kids, but 10 other kids got enjoyment, experience or educatation and that mess is really not that bad when you spread the blame out over 13 kids.

My WONDERFUL friend offered to trash her porch for my kids to make tie dye. She provided all the materials and cleaned everything up. She was even fun and gracious while we were trashing and using her stuff. I LOVE homeschool friends like that!!

MNO at my house

Since he was 6, I would catch Ds#3 with a piece of furniture upside down and his dad's tools spread around him trying to find the right tool to tighten legs on a table or straigten them or tighten a bolt that was loose. Since he naturally does it, when his dad isn't around, he's who I turn to "fix" something. He LOVES being my 'fix-it guy'. I had a MNO (Mom's Night Out) last night for our Jesse Tree Ornament Exchange (and we tacked a cookie swap on it, too) and before the party he tightened the legs on the dining room table we used.

Here is the table laden with ornaments. I should have chosen a plain cloth for the table. Even in person the design on the tablecloth was dizziing trying to see the ornaments.

Jesse Tree Ornaments

These are the Jesse Tree figures each family made for our Jesse Tree Ornament Swap last night! I'll add pictures of CREATION, ADAM AND EVE, and NOAH later. It AMAZED me the varied (and seriously kewl) materials and creativity each family used for their ornaments!! We were already talking about doing this next year with an 'O Antiphons' theme!

4. ABRAHAM & SARAH Genesis 12:1-7 and Hebrews 11:8

5. ISAAC & REBECCA Genesis 22:1-7

6. JACOB & RACHEL Genesis 28:10-22

7. JOSEPH Genesis 37:1-4

8. MOSES Exodus 20:1-17

9. AARON Exodus 5:22, 11:5

10. JOSHUA Joshua 6:20

11. SAMSON Judges 16:21-30

12. RUTH Ruth 1:15-18

13. JESSE Isaiah 11:1-2

14. DAVID Samuel 5:1-5

15. SOLOMON 1 kings 3:3-14

16. ELIJAH 2 Kings 2:11-18

17. ISAIAH Isaiah 2:4;7:14:9:6-7

18. DANIEL Daniel 6:10-23

19.JONAH Jonah 1-4

20. ZECHARIAH & ELIZABETH Luke 1:5-23

21. JOHN THE BAPTIST Matthew 3 :1-11

22. ANNE & JOACHIM (Mary's parents)

23. MARY Luke 1: 26 - 38

alternate Mary

24. JOSEPH OF NAZARETH Matthew 1:18 - 25

25. STAR OF BETHLEHEM Matthew 2:1-12

26. SHEPHERDS Luke 2:8-20

27. ANGEL Luke 2:8-14

28. JESUS Luke 2:1-20

Here is a GREAT reflection on the Jesse Tree from another blog.

A good time will be had by all!

I've been helping friends (many people from my homeschool support group) put on the Lapas Family FUNdraiser these last few months and the date is swiftly approaching. THIS SATURDAY (June 28th) our family will be there with many others (hopefully!!) to raise money to help with the medical bills for our friends who have been through so much. It should be plenty of fun to boot!! A big room with games for the kids, music, raffle prizes and dinner. And...and...and...and... Emilija's going to try and make it!! She JUST finished her last radiation treatment (her last for the rest of her LIFE, God willing!) and will be feeling well enough to come!

I'm helping with the food so I can tell you what we're serving : shredded BBQ pork, chicken, hot dogs, chips, pretzels and brownies for dessert. My kids are really looking forward to it (and would have so much more fun if your kids came, too!!)

The website (done by some lady who thinks she's a website diva - NOT!) is www.supporther.info and has lots more specific info. (get it - the dot info)

There are some SERIOUSLY KEWL auction & raffle items! I think I'd like the Mackinaw Island Vacation Get-a-way, or DeBrand's, or cookies from the Cookie Cottage -- heck, I'd be happy with Dairy Queen coupons!

Americans Deployed Overseas

My friend Kim just sent me pictures (of which she's famous for taking fabulous ones) of her family saying good-bye to her husband at the airport as he's deployed. They were so beautiful and touching and I cried and cried...She's got a new blog with pictures. They're trying to raise money for a fantastic Welcome Home for their soldiers - Warriorsathomefw.blogspot.com. The events look really fun!! I'm going to try and make it to some!

First Friday Fun

Our Catholic homeschool group gets together once a month to celebrate First Friday Mass and has an activity aferwards. The activity varies, but we try to keep it free, easy & of wide appeal. Some months the activities are the same year to year.

• June is a highschool graduation ceremony & party.
• July & August is just a park day after Mass - bring your own picnic.
• September is some sort of Field Day activities, although last year, it worked out better to do this the following Saturday when the Dads could participate.
• November is usually an All Saints party.
• December has been an Advent play.
• January is caroling at a Catholic nursing home (other places think you're crazy to sing Christmas Carols on January 4th).
• We usually book a rollerskating rink for a winter month.
• A local homeschool family opens their gymnastics' facilities to us once a year.

Here are some of the activities we've done in the past in the other months :

Square Dancing Class, Spiritual Bouquet banner, zoomobile, rosary making, Gym Day, Creating craft decorations for an upcoming activity, Advent Art display, Bowling, Pre-lent Carnival, & Winter Olympics coinciding with the President's Physical Fitness Day.

In May, the First Communicants crown Mary, every child has an opportunity to bring her flowers, and this year we did a sidewalk chalk rosary. Sometimes, there are miscommunications, so not very many people stayed...but the girls were dedicated - the boys mostly wrestled in the parkinglot after each doing their own cross or some religous symbol in chalk. The girls' huge creation says "Pray the Rosary."

Dd#1 is on the left squinting because of the sun.

Can I homeschool?

I am basically an unorganized person. I’m a perfectionist. I procrastinate. I dread failure, but have grown accustomed to it. Occasionally, I struggle with self-esteem. My kids drive my crazy. Often, money is tight. I work outside the home. I have an only child. I have a big family. We are having a baby. I have a disability. My child has a disability. We’re moving. We live way out in the country. I do, however, love my kids. I love my child. I love my kids.

I’ve heard it all. These and many more reasons people feel they can’t homeschool. Everyone who is homeschooling now, has asked themselves at one time, “Can I homeschool?” You may be asking yourself this same question. The short answer is, “yes, “ but let’s look into a little deeper than that.

Do you know any homeschoolers? Do you like them? If you don’t know any, meet some. If you’ve met some that don’t quite “fit” with your family’s priorities, meet some more. Finding other families you can identify with and seeing them homeschool successfully can go a long way in boosting your confidence. So many people homeschool for so many different reasons. It’s important to find homeschoolers who align with your family’s values.

Another confidence issue may be that you don’t have a teaching degree. Unless it’s required by your state laws, it isn’t necessary. That’s what Teacher’s Manuals are for – to help you teach the lesson. There are so many teaching aides available, too : CDs for foreign languages, DVDs of lessons, software of educational games, online classes…the list is endless. Take heart, help is available. You learned how to be a parent, you can learn this, too.

So, now you’ve met a few homeschoolers or maybe quite a few. You may have even made a friend or two. Next, you should look at what requirements are needed by your state law to homeschool. Don’t panic. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association runs a website, http://www.hslda.org , which has a plethora of information available at no cost on their website. Please don’t rely on what you may have been told by someone else. Check out their site and see what the legal requirements are for homeschooling in your state. Even if you’re in a state that has several requirements to homeschool, remember that there are quite a few people in your state who have done this same research, made the plunge into homeschooling, and may have a hint, or 50 hints, to help you be successful and meet the requirements of your state. There are even software programs available, based on a particular state’s requirements, designed to help homeschoolers track and report specific information needed in that state.

Now you’ve got confidence from seeing your new homeschool friends’ success. As you meet more homeschoolers, you will also share in their struggles. Since we don’t live in Eden, our kids are still going to act like kids. Our own shortcomings will still be with us. If keeping our house clean is important to you, it will stay a priority (if even just for your own sanity), even if you’re homeschooling. If your house wasn’t a priority before you started homeschooling…well, it won’t clean itself.

Having confidence, a little support for homeschooling, and knowledge about what’s needed for homeschooling in your state lays the groundwork to answering the question, “Can I homeschool?” Yes, you can. I know parents with disabilities who homeschool successfully. I know people who’s kids have disabilities who homeschool successfully. I’ve met people with lots of kids and babies and toddlers; and I’ve known some with an only child who all successfully homeschool. I know people who move often, and some who live so far out in the country they can’t see a neighbor from their home who all run successful homeschools. Whether you’re a doctor or lawyer or barely finished highschool, you can have a successful homeschool. I know single moms and families who run a home-based business who have success in homeschooling.
The short answer is, “Yes, you can homeschool.” I believe everyone should at least try to homeschool. It may not be a lifestyle everyone would choose as best for their family, but it can be an incredibly freeing experience to see how joyfully learning can occur.

How do I find homeschoolers in my area?

This question was posed in a comment on my blog - THANK YOU to the person who commented!

The first place I'd try is the internet (since we're here anyway). Type in your city and state name and the words "homeschool", "home school" or "homesschoolers" in a search engine. If you get nothing, try each of those words with just your state name. Many websites have incomplete lists of homeschool support groups listed by state. (homeschool groups pop up all the time.)

• http://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups/
• http://homeschooling.about.com/od/supportgroupsbystate/a/sgusa.htm
• http://www.home-school.com/groups/

Your state organization may have lists of support groups in your area or as close as you can get.

Libraries and bookstores are traditional hang-outs for homeschoolers. If that librarian isn't helpful, ask a branch manager or the head librarian or the children's librarian. Many homeschool newsletters end up on librarian bulletin boards or on library shelves. Your library, or the one in the next town, may have programs specifically for homeschoolers. Even if you aren't homeschooling, yet, you could go to the program and ask the librarian to make an announcement at the beginning of storytime (or whatever the program is) that you are [state you name] and are looking for information about homeschooling or homeschool groups, etc. Your local bookstore may have a group of homeschoolers who meet there once a month. You might want to leave your name and number with the bookstore clerk, who can spot a homeschooler a mile away, and ask him to make an initial contact for you.

Ask around. My newspaper has featured a few stories about homeschoolers in the last few years and in many areas lots of people know at least someone who homeschools. Even if that person isn't your style, they may have a contact name or number for you.

Go to a convention and ask the people who are taking your money when you walk in EVERYONE IN THAT BUILDING IS A HOMESCHOOLER AND KNOWS OTHER HOMESCHOOLERS. We advertise our Catholic group's annual gathering on the Catholic radio station, in the Diocese newspaper and in church bulletins of larger parishes. This would be true of almost any group of any denomination or no denomination. We want to find you to help you. We know how overwhelming it can be at first and know that a friendly ear or the knowlege of where to find books in the area can be invaluable.

I see homeschoolers I've never met in my daily errands. Moms at the grocery store with a bunch of kids during school hours on a day when I know school is in session. At the Salvation Army or bookstores or Target. If you see someone who you think may be homeschooling ask them if they know of anyone in the area who homeschools because you're looking into it.

Some areas have very organized homeschool groups. My town has all of the above things mentioned in an effort to inform new or prospective homeschoolers. They have websites, formal groups, newsletters, conventions, library programs, bookstore meetings, even initial meetings for new homeschoolers to find the resources in our area. Some areas (particularly sparsely populated areas) have less.

Once you find a group or an individual to contact, make the effort. It can be hard when you don't know anyone. It can be even harder if you've gone to one group and had a less than complimentary experience. Even if you have to travel a fair distance, go to a support group meeting (or try a couple of groups) until you find one that seems to fit with you. Finding other homeschoolers can mean the difference between quitting or success in homeschooling for you and your child.

Make the effort and good luck! And thanks for the comment!! (It makes me feel heard here in cyberspace.)

Teaching Reading

I do not enjoy teaching my children to read. It is a tedious process fraught with frustration on the child's part no matter how sweetly I present it. It is hard work for all of us. My relationship with Christ and the Catholic spiritual practices I participate in allow me to be open to the graces to be more patient, more encouraging, and more loving in the heart of a sometimes difficult task.

Both my husband and I have a love of books and have many books available for the children, even as babies. All of our children were fascinated with books as toddlers because of the children's books they were given free access to. It's not the amount that counts, but the free access and seeing books as a priority by the people around you.

Each of my children have learned to read on my lap with a lot of encouragement and positive reinforcement. Some of the children's learning style dictated continuation of the reading lessons with hands-on games and activities.

The youngest two, who are still in the process of learning to read, began the process on their own, accidentally. It was the end of the school year, and I felt pressured to finish our books before we ended for the summer. Hoping for some uninterrupted time with the older children, I plopped the younger two in front of the TV with a learning video every day for two weeks. At the conclusion of school and the start of summer break, I turned my attention to my 5 year old asking for his help cutting out letters to teach him the names and sounds of them. He patiently informed me that he already knew them. I knew I hadn't taught him and last month he didn't know them. He insisted he was right. To prove to him that he needed to let me teach him, I held up letter after letter out of order. He knew 18 sounds out of 26 and some of the names. I tested the 3 year old and had a similar experience. After watching Leap Frog's Letter Factory, they had begun the process without me at ages 5 and 3. Now, at 6 and 4 they are both about half-way through the year to 2 year process of learning to read well, with the 4 year demanding to get his "reading time, too!"

Our children are exposed to read alouds and books at an early age. They are free to begin the process when ever they ask to learn to read. Two of our children have done that in preschool. If they haven't learned before, formal reading lessons begin in 1st grade with the materials we have in our school (homemade Montessori materials, Little Stories for Little Folks, Sing Spell Read & Write readers and games - I would NOT advise anyone to buy this new, and Abeka early readers) on Mom's lap on the couch. We continue practicing one skill, for example sounding out letters to make words, until they have pretty much accomplished it switching to other readers at the same level as needed for practice. Once they have, relatively, mastered a skill, we move on to the next level, for example vowel variations, moving among the various readers until they have enough practice to become competent in that skill. Depending on the child, it can take 1-2 years to completely work through the process and they are reading securely on a second grade level. I do not introduce spelling or language arts until they are reading securely on a second grade level.

Birthday greetings

My oldest daughter turned 11 this week. Having 4 children, we only have "public" birthday parties for years that are derivatives of 5 (so 5, 10 & 15). At our "public" birthday parties, we invite whole families rather than just a kid here and there. No one feels left out of their family or ours (often a younger child of ours is friends with a younger sibling in their family). The kids get an opportunity to celebrate their sibling's birthday without thinking of themselves and everyone has a good time (and we don't end up spending tons on birthday parties and don't have to cart home tons of presents each year the kids don't really need).

Since it was an 11th birthday, there was no "party." A cake (icecream cake that she made herself!) and rollerblades. Our local homeschool group sponsors quarterly rollerskating parties and one happened to fall on her birthday. We don't always attend, so I sent out a secret e-mail letting many of our homeschool friends know that our family would be there (in case they were on the fence about going), and that if their children wanted to surprise our daughter with a homemade card, it would be joyous thing to do! The response was overwhelming. I think she got around 35 cards! She occasionally tells me she doesn't have many friends, so I will definately be using this for amunition of how loved she is. Our homeschool friends and community have been such a source of wisdom, encouragement and joy for our family. If you haven't found a homeschool group that fits your family, keep looking. The reward is well worth the effort!!!

Park Day

What a beeee-auti-ful day! The kids got all their school by lunch time, so we packed a lunch and joined 8 other families at the park! It was wonderful! The leaves, the wind, the slight chill of the air and warmth of the sun...We were there for over 4 hours. What a wonderful last hurrah!

We're around the 80 day mark as far as how many days of school we've done, and we're right on track for where we should be in our curriculum... so a day of reasonable accomplishment with lots of free form fun was very well-placed. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus!