Sorry I didn't blog yesterday. Bee has a double ear infection and we went to the doctor yesterday morning. Also we managed to get school done and clean the house. AND that's the pretty much the full 16 hours I'm awake during the day.
Now we get to the title of this series. If you watched the TED Talk featuring the 13 year old boy that I linked to previously, you know he talked about "hacking" his own education. He did say that he studies the basics. And then the rest of the time he spends learning what he's interested in. THIS is the part of our daughter's education that is lacking.
We started toward more independence a few years ago when Sweetheart began 6th grade. I wrote a post back then about how I had realized something was wrong with the way we were doing school. About how the homeschooling sun rose and set with me. It was because of the curriculum choices I had made really, but Sweetheart was waiting on me to do every subject. The only thing she could really do independently was Handwriting.
And that is why we switched to Sonlight in her 6th grade year. It really has helped too. Now, in 8th grade, the only things she needs me for are discussion/questions, help with math as needed, and spelling. And of course help with questions at any time. But I'm not actively teaching her all day. Light years away from where we were in 5th grade!
Now, in preparation for high school next year, I've got her doing so much there literally aren't enough hours in the day. Not good.
So there are really two parts of this education overhaul:
1. Teaching my kids to hack their own education.
2. Changing the way I do a few of those "non-required" subjects so that they still love to learn. (more on that later)
I really, really don't want my kids hating school. I dont' have a problem with them thinking of it as sort of a chore that has to be done. But I would like to them to intermittently get excited about it. Those two items listed above are both going to play into that I hope.
So I started texting Sweetheart because I wanted a record of this conversation for later. Plus she was all the way in the other room.
Me: What do you want to learn about? What interests you but you have no time to learn it?
S: Well I have lots of interests....like I want to be a painter, a dog owner, writer, horse rider and so on and so on and also how to create a business.
Me: What kind of painting? You skip art every week!
S: What art?
Me: I used to put art lesson plans in your planner every week but you kept skipping them so I stopped!
S: Oh yeah
I'm just so busy with school! I don't even have time to do things I want to do cause we clean the house on Saturday and then on Sundays I don't have time
And I can't get a dog
Or a horse
(Yep, she summed it all up pretty well!)
Me: That's why I'm asking. Daddy and i are trying to knock school down to be more manageable. So what would you teach yourself if you had time?
A unit study?
S: What's that?
Me: Where you pick a topic and then learn all about it. Let's pretend you picked deer. Although why would you? But for fun let's pretend.
Then you would read books about deer, watch movies and documentaries about deer, learn to sketch and paint deer, go visit a petting zoo that had deer, etc.......
You just learn all about something you are interested in.
S: Well, I really want to make a book. It sounds fun and that's what I would like to do in my spare time. I looked on this website the other day and it had links to show you how to publish a kids book.
Me: Yes, writing is definitely something we need to focus on since that is your interest and talent. But I also want you to learn to be a self-directed learner.
S: ?????
Me: Here's the thing, unless we spend 20 hours a day doing school there is NO WAY I'm going to be able to teach you every single thing you need to know for life, right?
S: Yeah
Me: So do you agree that even after you have graduated there will still be lots of things for you to learn?
S: yes, you learn your whole life
(Ding ding ding!!!! good answer Sweetheart!)
Me: Right!!!
S: Okay so I have to teach myself to do things when I'm older sooooo....
Me: How will you do that if Mommy has been holding your hand every minute telling you exactly what to do and when?
S: Read?
Me: Reading is good. The point is you need to know how to learn yourself and teach yourself things you are interested in.
S: How do I teach myself something I don't know how to do?
Me: Unit studies!
We continued that conversation later. The point is, Sweetheart couldn't wrap her head around just having time to learn whatever she wanted. I'm still not sure she has grasped it.
I guess I will just have to make time for her to find out. Long term goal here. See, I know she said "writing and publishing a book" but that will almost be something we do in school. Or as a part of school anyway.
What do your kids chase after? What are they teaching themselves right now? What are their outside-of-school interests?
Next time I'll share my really nerdy side.
Showing posts with label Sonlight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sonlight. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Friday, June 14, 2013
Summer School Formerly Known as Boot Camp
I was so proud of my idea for the camo themed boot camp this summer. All I was implying was that we were going to cram a bunch of drill into a concentrated amount of time. Thus, boot camp.
So at Target's dollar spot I found little rolls of camo duct tape! Perfect!! I mean, I can't justify spending money on decoration for summer school. I was going to duct tape their binders and find some camo pencils, etc.
But when we opened that duct tape oh my word!! It stank like anything. You know what it smelled like? When a place has new commercial carpet. It was SO bad. It smelled up the whole house. I kept thinking it would air out but after we threw it away you could still smell it every time someone opened the trash.
Humph. Oh well. I'll think of something. Something less smelly.
So here are some of the things I have planned for this summer. I'm trying to make it as fun as possible and not so much like the regular school year.
1. All About Spelling
We didn't do well on spelling after Bee got mobile. We didn't have anywhere we could put the board where she couldn't get into it. So we lost a few months in the spring of doing spelling. There isn't any way to make this different, but we're going to finish their books.
2. Writing Strands
We are beginning this and since its a new program, and I really think Sweetheart will love the author's tone (he wrote it like he is speaking straight to them), I think she will enjoy it. Plus, at the end of some lessons he says, "Now, tell your parents you have a week off of writing" so she'll enjoy that!
3. Grammar/Art Journals
I noticed during the IOWA test that we took last month my girls are lacking in some grammar rule knowledge. So, we are going to learn the capitalization and punctuation rules (each according to their level). To do this in a fun way, I have a plan to use their Art Journals to learn these rules.
I'll have to show you pictures once we get going on this!
4. Other stuff
Little Bit is still growing as a reader. She just finished 3rd grade, but was using Sonlight's 2nd grade readers. There is a big jump from 2nd to 3rd grade (nearly everything is chapter books) so she needs a lot of reading practice over the summer. We're doing that through our library summer reading program, but there are other skills we can work on.
So I found some things on Pinterest like a cupcake matching game to learn contractions. No worksheets. Just some games and stuff. Plus some sight word work. Just things to strengthen her skills.
5. Mama and Me Journals
Want a sneaky way to get writing and reading practice in for your kids? I found these Mama and Me Journals on Pinterest as well. I made them this week for the girls and they both just loved the idea and were full of questions. I had surprised them by having them under their pillows one night. The instructions are for them to write in them and then leave them on my bed, where I'll write back the next day. It's nice and I think is really opening another line of communication for my 13 year old, where she sometimes wants to discuss things with me, but doesn't have a lot of private time with me. This is giving us the chance to talk about some things. Good stuff.
Those are my plans. We won't do every thing every day. But I have a lot of things to pull from and hopefully a lot of it doesn't feel like school.
And they also have math. All of this will occur on Tuesday through Thursday. We're off the other days!
I mean, it IS summer!
Even if I don't get to be drill sergeant.
So at Target's dollar spot I found little rolls of camo duct tape! Perfect!! I mean, I can't justify spending money on decoration for summer school. I was going to duct tape their binders and find some camo pencils, etc.
But when we opened that duct tape oh my word!! It stank like anything. You know what it smelled like? When a place has new commercial carpet. It was SO bad. It smelled up the whole house. I kept thinking it would air out but after we threw it away you could still smell it every time someone opened the trash.
Humph. Oh well. I'll think of something. Something less smelly.
So here are some of the things I have planned for this summer. I'm trying to make it as fun as possible and not so much like the regular school year.
1. All About Spelling
We didn't do well on spelling after Bee got mobile. We didn't have anywhere we could put the board where she couldn't get into it. So we lost a few months in the spring of doing spelling. There isn't any way to make this different, but we're going to finish their books.
2. Writing Strands
We are beginning this and since its a new program, and I really think Sweetheart will love the author's tone (he wrote it like he is speaking straight to them), I think she will enjoy it. Plus, at the end of some lessons he says, "Now, tell your parents you have a week off of writing" so she'll enjoy that!
3. Grammar/Art Journals
I noticed during the IOWA test that we took last month my girls are lacking in some grammar rule knowledge. So, we are going to learn the capitalization and punctuation rules (each according to their level). To do this in a fun way, I have a plan to use their Art Journals to learn these rules.
I'll have to show you pictures once we get going on this!
4. Other stuff
Little Bit is still growing as a reader. She just finished 3rd grade, but was using Sonlight's 2nd grade readers. There is a big jump from 2nd to 3rd grade (nearly everything is chapter books) so she needs a lot of reading practice over the summer. We're doing that through our library summer reading program, but there are other skills we can work on.
So I found some things on Pinterest like a cupcake matching game to learn contractions. No worksheets. Just some games and stuff. Plus some sight word work. Just things to strengthen her skills.
5. Mama and Me Journals
Want a sneaky way to get writing and reading practice in for your kids? I found these Mama and Me Journals on Pinterest as well. I made them this week for the girls and they both just loved the idea and were full of questions. I had surprised them by having them under their pillows one night. The instructions are for them to write in them and then leave them on my bed, where I'll write back the next day. It's nice and I think is really opening another line of communication for my 13 year old, where she sometimes wants to discuss things with me, but doesn't have a lot of private time with me. This is giving us the chance to talk about some things. Good stuff.
Those are my plans. We won't do every thing every day. But I have a lot of things to pull from and hopefully a lot of it doesn't feel like school.
And they also have math. All of this will occur on Tuesday through Thursday. We're off the other days!
I mean, it IS summer!
Even if I don't get to be drill sergeant.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Project Fair 2013
This year Sweetheart chose Ancient China for her project. Since we are using Sonlight's Core F (Eastern Hemisphere), she had studied plenty about China earlier in the year.
Here are some close-up shots of her board (which is going in the trash soon!)
I know those are difficult to see---they are more for our memory. She had some prayer cards in a pocket that people could take to pray for her favorite city--Beijing. And she highlighted the missionary Hudson Taylor, whom she read about this year. Our real life missionary friend is home right now and was able to come watch the girls' presentations. So that was a special treat!
Little Bit did her presentation on Tourette Syndrome. When I first suggested that topic she said, "But Mom, I haven't learned about Tourette Syndrome this year." Oh honey. Every single day we learn how to deal with it!
This was her first time ever explaining TS to anyone. It was very interesting to hear her put it into her own words. Also, since she was so young when she was diagnosed (4 years old) and even younger back when were first noticing her tics (1 1/2 years old), she learned about her own story through all this.
And a few other shots of her project board:
I was very proud of both girls. We practiced their presentations a few times at home and they did a very good job on the real thing. I mean, of course there is always room for improvement. However, they spoke loudly, they made eye contact with the audience, they used their notes, and they answered questions at the end. That's the part that is hard to prepare them for. I pretended to be the audience each time at home and ask questions, but you never know what they are really going to be asked. Overall, I was very pleased with their presentations!
Here are some close-up shots of her board (which is going in the trash soon!)
I know those are difficult to see---they are more for our memory. She had some prayer cards in a pocket that people could take to pray for her favorite city--Beijing. And she highlighted the missionary Hudson Taylor, whom she read about this year. Our real life missionary friend is home right now and was able to come watch the girls' presentations. So that was a special treat!
Little Bit did her presentation on Tourette Syndrome. When I first suggested that topic she said, "But Mom, I haven't learned about Tourette Syndrome this year." Oh honey. Every single day we learn how to deal with it!
This was her first time ever explaining TS to anyone. It was very interesting to hear her put it into her own words. Also, since she was so young when she was diagnosed (4 years old) and even younger back when were first noticing her tics (1 1/2 years old), she learned about her own story through all this.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Weaving the Bible in Your School Day
I've been pondering how to fit more Bible into our days. We certainly need to read and study the Bible more around here.
My plan is to eat breakfast together as a family this year. Well, minus Daddy who will already be at work. We can read some together at the breakfast table and pray for our school day. We have, in the past, just eaten in shifts. I'll be working to change that this year.
It will take discipline.
The Bible as a subject in school will be first in our day, as usual. I won't be doing everything in our Sonlight plans in favor of doing more together. For example, we'll be working on memorizing the same passages instead of 2 different ones for 2 different grade levels. We'll do their assigned Bible reading together this year too.
But it's more than just checking off the box that we "did Bible" each day. I really want it in front of us. I want it to be a part of our whole day.
One idea I had was to put Bible verses on Sweetheart's subject folders.
Aren't they colorful?
I searched for a meaningful verse for each subject. The verse for math is my favorite:
Here are the other verses I chose if you want to use them:
Bible: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
History: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning...Romans 15:4 (I know that is talking about scripture but I still think we can learn from History.)
Reading: When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil...Proverbs 2:10-12a
Language Arts: Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12
Science: (we are doing Anatomy this year) I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...Psalm 139:14a
How do you weave scripture in your day?
My plan is to eat breakfast together as a family this year. Well, minus Daddy who will already be at work. We can read some together at the breakfast table and pray for our school day. We have, in the past, just eaten in shifts. I'll be working to change that this year.
It will take discipline.
The Bible as a subject in school will be first in our day, as usual. I won't be doing everything in our Sonlight plans in favor of doing more together. For example, we'll be working on memorizing the same passages instead of 2 different ones for 2 different grade levels. We'll do their assigned Bible reading together this year too.
But it's more than just checking off the box that we "did Bible" each day. I really want it in front of us. I want it to be a part of our whole day.
One idea I had was to put Bible verses on Sweetheart's subject folders.
 |
| Instead of a binder this year, Sweetheart will have separate folders. I think it gives a sense of accomplishment to put a folder away when that subject is done! |
I searched for a meaningful verse for each subject. The verse for math is my favorite:
 |
| For God is not the author of confusion but of peace... 1 Cor. 14:33 :) |
Bible: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
History: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning...Romans 15:4 (I know that is talking about scripture but I still think we can learn from History.)
Reading: When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil...Proverbs 2:10-12a
Language Arts: Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12
Science: (we are doing Anatomy this year) I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...Psalm 139:14a
How do you weave scripture in your day?
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Our Second Box Day!
We are using Sonlight for the second year. Last year was our "trying it out" year and I knew I loved it immediately. I've talked about Sonlight a lot--if you are interested, feel free to click the label in my sidebar for those posts.
The exciting thing about boxed curriculum--and Sonlight is certainly not the only one who sends everything in a big 'ol exciting box--is the day that box (or boxes) comes in the mail. And Sonlight ships crazy fast too!
This year, both girls were getting a new core. And they knew what to expect. I'll just show you the pictures...
The exciting thing about boxed curriculum--and Sonlight is certainly not the only one who sends everything in a big 'ol exciting box--is the day that box (or boxes) comes in the mail. And Sonlight ships crazy fast too!
This year, both girls were getting a new core. And they knew what to expect. I'll just show you the pictures...
 |
| My dad had to come down and help us get the box off the front step. It was HEAVY! |
 |
| There were some unexpected things in the box (math manipulatives). |
 |
| Sweetheart was happy to see a new CD. She really enjoyed the one last year. |
 |
| Eight year old Little Bit with all her 3rd grade books. |
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| My big 7th grader--who will turn 13 a few days after we start school. |
I'm happy to report that all the books have been shelved in the appropriate place and I've started pre-reading Sweetheart's readers. (Little Bit is using the 2nd grade readers and I've read most all of them before, plus she'll be reading to me.) The books, all stacked up like that, look daunting. I doubt I'll be able to keep up with pre-reading through high school.
I am so thankful to be able to use Sonlight again this year. It really does take so much work off of me in the planning and preparation department. It's not even funny how much easier it is for me! And I'm excited about all the changes that were made for this year. Can't wait to try out their Language Arts (which is now included) and see how we like it!
Have you gotten your new curriculum yet, homeschool mamas? Don't you just LOVE this time of year?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Our Curriculum Choices 2012-2013
This week is Curriculum Week! The whole Not Back to School Bloghop is a blast and satisfies my inner nosiness curiosity and allows me to poke around in other people's homeschools! Pure bliss, I tell you.
I'm kind of sad everything is decided! I LOVE researching curriculum and planning, etc. Totally one of my favorite times of the year....the school supplies, fresh notebooks, a new start...I just love it!
And I am excited about this new school year. I snoozed through a lot of last year with my pregnancy and we certainly didn't get as much done as I had planned. I know this year will be very different with a baby, but I am excited anyway!
Our girls are 12 (entering 7th grade) and 8 (entering 3rd grade). Here are our choices for the year:
Science
This will be our last year to do science together. We will be using this
I will not be using the notebooking journals this year. They stress me out and make me feel like we have to fill in every blank. We will be doing science with a friend from our old church who will be experiencing her first year of homeschooling her daughter, niece, and nephew. We have been blessed to do science with a different family every year. It's always nice to do the fun stuff with some friends!
Spelling
No changes here. I am a firm, 100% sold believer in All About Spelling. I'm an affiliate too, so if you need to order, please click here!) We will just pick up where we left off last year and then move on to the next level.
Handwriting
Well, Sweetheart has completed all the Handwriting Without Tears books, so its time to move on. I am going to expect all written work to be done in cursive this year. That should give her enough practice. So instead, she will spend her time with Ms. Mavis.
She's very excited!
Little Bit is not ready for cursive, so I'm going to use our Handwriting Without Tears paper for copywork. She will need to practice every day, but it won't be much.
Math
Sweetheart will be continuing with Teaching Textbooks. We stepped all the way back to 5th grade level to pick up the lessons on fractions and decimals since she had never done those topics. (We bought the 5th grade stuff used) Well, it turned out the entire 5th grade package was a GREAT review for her and her math skills have really increased since she's been going through it. So I plan to have her finish that (she's been working on it this summer) and then start the 6th grade level. I know that still puts her behind, but I think we can get caught up by next school year. We should need to purchase the 6th grade stuff in October.
This summer, Little Bit and I began using Horizons Math and we LOVE it. It is such a good fit for her. She is also off level (and Horizons is about a grade level above anyway), but learning is more important than the number on the book, right? I am excited that we are finally making progress and moving forward! And so far I REALLY like the lesson in the teacher's book for Horizons. So glad I bought the teacher's books! (used) A lot of reviewers I read said they didn't feel they needed the teacher's books for such a low level but Little Bit is REALLY responding to all the hands-on acitities and repetition. It is just working! Hoping we fly through these books and move on to the next level this school year as well.
The theme of this year, in case you hadn't noticed, is "catching up!" That pregnancy really threw my plans for a loop!
But just look at the sweet result:
So we have to work harder this year to get caught up? It was worth it. :)
Everything Else
Bible, Reading, History, Geography, Language Arts....
...will all be covered with Sonlight. This year Sweetheart will be doing Core F, which focuses on the Eastern Hemisphere.
And Little Bit will be doing Core B, which covers World History from Creation to the fall of the Roman Empire.
This is the first year Sonlight's cores have included Bible and Language Arts and I am interested to try them both and see how I like them.
So that's our choices for the school year. Now I just have to get everything organized and planned. Hmm. I'm finding that hard with a 2 month old. It'll get done--just in tiny, tiny chunks of time.
Now hop on over and check out other folks' choices. You really can learn so much!
I'm kind of sad everything is decided! I LOVE researching curriculum and planning, etc. Totally one of my favorite times of the year....the school supplies, fresh notebooks, a new start...I just love it!
And I am excited about this new school year. I snoozed through a lot of last year with my pregnancy and we certainly didn't get as much done as I had planned. I know this year will be very different with a baby, but I am excited anyway!
Our girls are 12 (entering 7th grade) and 8 (entering 3rd grade). Here are our choices for the year:
Science
This will be our last year to do science together. We will be using this
I will not be using the notebooking journals this year. They stress me out and make me feel like we have to fill in every blank. We will be doing science with a friend from our old church who will be experiencing her first year of homeschooling her daughter, niece, and nephew. We have been blessed to do science with a different family every year. It's always nice to do the fun stuff with some friends!
Spelling
No changes here. I am a firm, 100% sold believer in All About Spelling. I'm an affiliate too, so if you need to order, please click here!) We will just pick up where we left off last year and then move on to the next level.
Handwriting
Well, Sweetheart has completed all the Handwriting Without Tears books, so its time to move on. I am going to expect all written work to be done in cursive this year. That should give her enough practice. So instead, she will spend her time with Ms. Mavis.
She's very excited!
Little Bit is not ready for cursive, so I'm going to use our Handwriting Without Tears paper for copywork. She will need to practice every day, but it won't be much.
Math
Sweetheart will be continuing with Teaching Textbooks. We stepped all the way back to 5th grade level to pick up the lessons on fractions and decimals since she had never done those topics. (We bought the 5th grade stuff used) Well, it turned out the entire 5th grade package was a GREAT review for her and her math skills have really increased since she's been going through it. So I plan to have her finish that (she's been working on it this summer) and then start the 6th grade level. I know that still puts her behind, but I think we can get caught up by next school year. We should need to purchase the 6th grade stuff in October.
This summer, Little Bit and I began using Horizons Math and we LOVE it. It is such a good fit for her. She is also off level (and Horizons is about a grade level above anyway), but learning is more important than the number on the book, right? I am excited that we are finally making progress and moving forward! And so far I REALLY like the lesson in the teacher's book for Horizons. So glad I bought the teacher's books! (used) A lot of reviewers I read said they didn't feel they needed the teacher's books for such a low level but Little Bit is REALLY responding to all the hands-on acitities and repetition. It is just working! Hoping we fly through these books and move on to the next level this school year as well.
The theme of this year, in case you hadn't noticed, is "catching up!" That pregnancy really threw my plans for a loop!
But just look at the sweet result:
So we have to work harder this year to get caught up? It was worth it. :)
Everything Else
Bible, Reading, History, Geography, Language Arts....
...will all be covered with Sonlight. This year Sweetheart will be doing Core F, which focuses on the Eastern Hemisphere.
And Little Bit will be doing Core B, which covers World History from Creation to the fall of the Roman Empire.
This is the first year Sonlight's cores have included Bible and Language Arts and I am interested to try them both and see how I like them.
So that's our choices for the school year. Now I just have to get everything organized and planned. Hmm. I'm finding that hard with a 2 month old. It'll get done--just in tiny, tiny chunks of time.
Now hop on over and check out other folks' choices. You really can learn so much!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Let's Just Call It Progress Anyway, OK?
Little Bit does NOT like the mess I've made. She told me so. "I don't like it when things are everywhere."
Neither do I dear, but it has to get worse before it gets better.
The contents of our homeschool cabinet, ladies and gentlemen. In the first room you see when you walk in our house. The room with no door, mind you.
But I cleaned out that sewing room!
And fit that homeschool cabinet in there!
All my sewing stuff and scrapbook stuff fit into that curtained closet on the right.
I'm pretty proud of that big move, but now I have to re-organize the inside of the cabinet and it's making me twitch a bit. Now that we use Sonlight, our organizational needs have changed. And I also need to get rid of a lot of stuff!
Neither do I dear, but it has to get worse before it gets better.
But I cleaned out that sewing room!
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| In progress... |
All my sewing stuff and scrapbook stuff fit into that curtained closet on the right.
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| Otherwise known as: Things I Will Get to in Another 6 or 10 Years |
I'm pretty proud of that big move, but now I have to re-organize the inside of the cabinet and it's making me twitch a bit. Now that we use Sonlight, our organizational needs have changed. And I also need to get rid of a lot of stuff!
I'll be listing things for sale this week. HOPING to make some cash and clear some space. Some things I'll want to hang onto for Baby Bee but honestly...it will be at least 5 years before she uses any of it. You can't just keep everything for that long.
Which brings me to thinking about curriculum. Pretty sure I've nailed down all my choices for the year so I'll be blogging about those soon.
But first I need to whimper a bit. Wander around some. And then finally get this finished.
In that order.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Summer Reading
One thing we always do with our summers is read. We have participated in the summer reading program at our library every year since Sweetheart was 3. Our goal is always for each girl to read/listen to 100 books. At the end of the summer they get a certificate, an ice cream and a free book. It's one of their favorite things.
Last summer a librarian had told us that the "teen" program began at age 12 so we assumed Sweetheart would have to do the teen program this year. But...I noticed that the children's program runs from 0-12 years. So, it looks like she can pick. Honestly, the children's program is way cooler and I'm going to encourage her to take advantage of it one last year. We'll see.
Choosing books for Sweetheart has been a struggle. Since we were using Sonlight this year, we didn't have to worry about it too much. She had plenty to read during the school year! But the juvenile section is so different. On the one hand, she has outgrown a lot of books. The ones she used to love: the Hank the Cowdog series, Cam Jansen, the American Girl books....they are all too easy for her and she's read them all. Others are too weird and inappropriate. I can't possibly pre-read everything.
So she ends up reading things that don't challenge her at all. She reads from our shelves--like Magic Tree House books that she's read 100 times each. No challenge at all. At the library she gets things like BabyMouse books. Now BabyMouse is funny. I know because she pestered me until I read them with her. But she can tear through 2 BabyMouse books on the way home from the library!
The answer for this summer came in the form of an e-mail from Sonlight. They had put together "Summer Reading Packages" for elementary, middle, and high school--separated by boys and girls. You can buy the packages, but we need to save our money for next year's curriculum. So, I'm hitting up the library for these titles.
I trust Sonlight, but I still wanted to pre-read these titles. I just don't fully trust "big kid" books. They delve into bigger problems than say, the Berenstain Bears do. You know? The first title I read was Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters. I LOVED it. Sweetheart is reading it now. She found out over the weekend that her cousin is reading the same book and her good friend just finished it. Extra motivation!
So then something happened that really, really encouraged me and made me realize that my child is truly becoming LITERATE. I don't mean "literate" as in "can read", but "literate" as in "well read." I'm pre-reading the next title, Penny From Heaven. The book was lying next to where I was sitting. As usual, the annoying library bar code covers up important information on the front of the book. This time, the author's first name. But Sweetheart noticed the author's middle initial and last name: L. Holm.
Sweetheart: Is that Jennifer L. Holm?
Me: I have no idea.
Sweetheart: (flipping to inside the book) Because if it is, she's the one who writes BabyMouse.
Me: *thinking: really? Wow. Those two books are really different from each other!* Well, go look inside the BabyMouse book and see if it lists this one.
It did. My child recognizes authors! That is so cool!! And now she's excited to read the next book because it's by an author she likes. The other day she asked me who my favorite authors were and I was all...Duuuuhhhh. Then she proceeded to list her favorite three.
Very cool.
So that is our plan for summer reading. And Little Bit will be reading to me this year! (And I'll be reading to her as well.) Tomorrow I'll share my other plans for our summer. I think I've found a unifying way for a 12 year old and an 8 year old to do some fun things together.
Last summer a librarian had told us that the "teen" program began at age 12 so we assumed Sweetheart would have to do the teen program this year. But...I noticed that the children's program runs from 0-12 years. So, it looks like she can pick. Honestly, the children's program is way cooler and I'm going to encourage her to take advantage of it one last year. We'll see.
Choosing books for Sweetheart has been a struggle. Since we were using Sonlight this year, we didn't have to worry about it too much. She had plenty to read during the school year! But the juvenile section is so different. On the one hand, she has outgrown a lot of books. The ones she used to love: the Hank the Cowdog series, Cam Jansen, the American Girl books....they are all too easy for her and she's read them all. Others are too weird and inappropriate. I can't possibly pre-read everything.
So she ends up reading things that don't challenge her at all. She reads from our shelves--like Magic Tree House books that she's read 100 times each. No challenge at all. At the library she gets things like BabyMouse books. Now BabyMouse is funny. I know because she pestered me until I read them with her. But she can tear through 2 BabyMouse books on the way home from the library!
The answer for this summer came in the form of an e-mail from Sonlight. They had put together "Summer Reading Packages" for elementary, middle, and high school--separated by boys and girls. You can buy the packages, but we need to save our money for next year's curriculum. So, I'm hitting up the library for these titles.
I trust Sonlight, but I still wanted to pre-read these titles. I just don't fully trust "big kid" books. They delve into bigger problems than say, the Berenstain Bears do. You know? The first title I read was Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters. I LOVED it. Sweetheart is reading it now. She found out over the weekend that her cousin is reading the same book and her good friend just finished it. Extra motivation!
So then something happened that really, really encouraged me and made me realize that my child is truly becoming LITERATE. I don't mean "literate" as in "can read", but "literate" as in "well read." I'm pre-reading the next title, Penny From Heaven. The book was lying next to where I was sitting. As usual, the annoying library bar code covers up important information on the front of the book. This time, the author's first name. But Sweetheart noticed the author's middle initial and last name: L. Holm.
Sweetheart: Is that Jennifer L. Holm?
Me: I have no idea.
Sweetheart: (flipping to inside the book) Because if it is, she's the one who writes BabyMouse.
Me: *thinking: really? Wow. Those two books are really different from each other!* Well, go look inside the BabyMouse book and see if it lists this one.
It did. My child recognizes authors! That is so cool!! And now she's excited to read the next book because it's by an author she likes. The other day she asked me who my favorite authors were and I was all...Duuuuhhhh. Then she proceeded to list her favorite three.
Very cool.
So that is our plan for summer reading. And Little Bit will be reading to me this year! (And I'll be reading to her as well.) Tomorrow I'll share my other plans for our summer. I think I've found a unifying way for a 12 year old and an 8 year old to do some fun things together.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Since I've Got Nothing Better To Do...
I'm kind of planning for next year. I mean, I DO have important things to do like:
*wait for the dishwasher repair guy to call.
*wait for the kitchen floor to dry. (I mopped!)
*get the girls going on school work.
*supervise them doing their laundry.
*catch the checkbook up to date.
*sit on the couch and wish I was in labor.
But other than those things, I totally am planning for next year.
So...this year was our first year with Sonlight. We like it. We love it. We want some more of it. Sweetheart will be in 7th grade next year and doing Core F. This year we used a binder system. Really, I did it just like this.
Only...I don't know if we really like the binders. I like the archive binder, and the binder to keep the Sonlight stuff in...I just don't like the binder for Sweetheart. There's a lot of flipping and it seems full and it's falling apart. It's OK....but.....
Hmm. So, for next year I'm thinking of this. I will buy colored folders. The kind with brads and pockets. Each subject will have it's own color. And a nifty label on the front. These will be stored in a magazine holder on Sweetheart's desk.
Every weekend I will make the necessary copies for the week. Her math pages, her Language Arts pages, maps from Sonlight, etc. Then on Mondays we will have a morning meeting and distribute the copies. I will help/teach her where to put each copy. (In the proper folder.) Like this, though not necessarily with those kind of folders:
Then, when it's time for a particular subject, she pulls that folder out, does the work, and returns the folder to the magazine holder. It seems so simple and neat. And separate. Like you are really accomplishing something.
Of course, some subject don't have copies. That's OK. Her spelling folder can just contain notebook paper in the brads. Every subject will have a folder even if it's just used every now and then.
Her weekly assignment sheet will probably go on a clipboard. We've been using clipboards for the last month or so and they are working well.
Most of Sweetheart's work is done at her desk in her room. That's why this system seems workable to me.
Veteran Sonlight users...can you think of any potential problems with this system? Am I forgetting something? She has a locker next to her desk where her books are kept. (Theoretically.)
It's the cutest little thing.
Oh! And I'd kind of like these.
This:
And these:
to keep her supplies up off her desk. Don't really want to put huge holes in the wall though. We'll see. That would give her more room to work and keep her more organized, I think.
That's my plan for 7th grade Sweetheart next year. What a change from our homeschool room with whole shelves of construction paper!! Sniff. They are growing up too fast! But surprisingly, I have rather enjoyed not having a homeschool room. I never would have thought that!
OK--anyone have any feedback on my plan? What have you learned that might help me?
*wait for the dishwasher repair guy to call.
*wait for the kitchen floor to dry. (I mopped!)
*get the girls going on school work.
*supervise them doing their laundry.
*catch the checkbook up to date.
*sit on the couch and wish I was in labor.
But other than those things, I totally am planning for next year.
So...this year was our first year with Sonlight. We like it. We love it. We want some more of it. Sweetheart will be in 7th grade next year and doing Core F. This year we used a binder system. Really, I did it just like this.
Only...I don't know if we really like the binders. I like the archive binder, and the binder to keep the Sonlight stuff in...I just don't like the binder for Sweetheart. There's a lot of flipping and it seems full and it's falling apart. It's OK....but.....
Hmm. So, for next year I'm thinking of this. I will buy colored folders. The kind with brads and pockets. Each subject will have it's own color. And a nifty label on the front. These will be stored in a magazine holder on Sweetheart's desk.
 |
| picture source |
Of course, some subject don't have copies. That's OK. Her spelling folder can just contain notebook paper in the brads. Every subject will have a folder even if it's just used every now and then.
Her weekly assignment sheet will probably go on a clipboard. We've been using clipboards for the last month or so and they are working well.
Most of Sweetheart's work is done at her desk in her room. That's why this system seems workable to me.
Veteran Sonlight users...can you think of any potential problems with this system? Am I forgetting something? She has a locker next to her desk where her books are kept. (Theoretically.)
Oh! And I'd kind of like these.
This:
That's my plan for 7th grade Sweetheart next year. What a change from our homeschool room with whole shelves of construction paper!! Sniff. They are growing up too fast! But surprisingly, I have rather enjoyed not having a homeschool room. I never would have thought that!
OK--anyone have any feedback on my plan? What have you learned that might help me?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
School Week 20something and Pregnancy Week 29
Our school weeks are all jacked up. We are in between two different weeks depending on what subject you inquire about. Whatever. We're getting it done.
Little Bit is continuing to read Dr. Seuss books to me. It's so exciting to watch her learn to read. I help her with a lot of words still, but sometimes she'll really get going and it makes me so happy.
I'm reading In Grandma's Attic to her. This is a really neat collection of stories from the author's grandmother. The stories are from when her grandmother was a little girl. They nearly all have some sort of "lesson learned" quality to them and are very entertaining. To aid with comprehension, I had Sweetheart draw this picture for me
and then we copied it. Each day after I read the chapter to Little Bit, she illustrates that story in Grandma's thought bubble and we add the chapter title. She can flip back through this and tell you about any of the stories. We'll bind it all into a book at the end.
Sweetheart and I flipped through her remaining assignment sheets yesterday to see what we had left to do before baby comes. We'll get as far as we can. I told her when I go to the hospital, she can take her remaining reading books to grandma and grandpa's house with her and just read them. No worries about what chapter to stop at. She was very excited to hear that!
******************************************************************
Now. About this pregnancy. I continue to be hit by PIHI every now and then. I cry at random times throughout the day about the strangest things. The tears don't normally even last 2 minutes. And then my crazy brain is on to something else. Sigh.
I'm past the point of "cute pregnant". At least I'm past the point of FEELING cute. I waddle. I lose my breath. I still haven't gained much weight and for that I am VERY thankful. I need to order swimsuits for me and the girls soon but I have no idea what size to order for me. Will I continue to not gain much? Or will I spend the next 11 weeks blossoming out of control? Either is possible. Hmm. Not sure what to do.
But I have this long list of things I want to get done before baby comes. I know...I've mentioned that. #1 on the list was finishing the girls' quilts. Which I did yesterday!!!! (I started the quilts in August of 2010. Whew.)
They were very excited to finally have them and get to sleep with them on their beds. I just love them and I'm happy every time I walk past their rooms. With that big project out of the way, I feel I can surely accomplish my other goals in their rooms!
1. Decorating their curtains.
2. Making fabric wreaths for above their beds.
3. Getting some art work hung.
4. Various other things that don't come to mind at the moment.
And then there's the things that will cost money like new rugs, and a new dresser. Ug. Hate spending money, but I really want to get their rooms done.
THEN...I can start on the "nursery" (otherwise known as the corner of our bedroom.)
I'm starting to think we may need to flip school to the afternoons. Mama has more energy in the mornings and when I need to get things done like get the car inspected, go grocery shopping, etc., that all would happen a lot better in the mornings when I'm fresh. School--in which I sit on the couch--could come later. We may experiment with that today. It may not be best for the girls, but it may mean I have the energy to cook supper tonight. Which would be a good thing, no?
Little Bit is continuing to read Dr. Seuss books to me. It's so exciting to watch her learn to read. I help her with a lot of words still, but sometimes she'll really get going and it makes me so happy.
I'm reading In Grandma's Attic to her. This is a really neat collection of stories from the author's grandmother. The stories are from when her grandmother was a little girl. They nearly all have some sort of "lesson learned" quality to them and are very entertaining. To aid with comprehension, I had Sweetheart draw this picture for me
and then we copied it. Each day after I read the chapter to Little Bit, she illustrates that story in Grandma's thought bubble and we add the chapter title. She can flip back through this and tell you about any of the stories. We'll bind it all into a book at the end.
Sweetheart and I flipped through her remaining assignment sheets yesterday to see what we had left to do before baby comes. We'll get as far as we can. I told her when I go to the hospital, she can take her remaining reading books to grandma and grandpa's house with her and just read them. No worries about what chapter to stop at. She was very excited to hear that!
******************************************************************
Now. About this pregnancy. I continue to be hit by PIHI every now and then. I cry at random times throughout the day about the strangest things. The tears don't normally even last 2 minutes. And then my crazy brain is on to something else. Sigh.
I'm past the point of "cute pregnant". At least I'm past the point of FEELING cute. I waddle. I lose my breath. I still haven't gained much weight and for that I am VERY thankful. I need to order swimsuits for me and the girls soon but I have no idea what size to order for me. Will I continue to not gain much? Or will I spend the next 11 weeks blossoming out of control? Either is possible. Hmm. Not sure what to do.
But I have this long list of things I want to get done before baby comes. I know...I've mentioned that. #1 on the list was finishing the girls' quilts. Which I did yesterday!!!! (I started the quilts in August of 2010. Whew.)
 |
| Little Bit's quilt on her bed in her blue room... |
 |
| And Sweetheart's quilt on her bed in her pink and green room. There is a lot more green in the quilts than you can see in the picture. |
1. Decorating their curtains.
2. Making fabric wreaths for above their beds.
3. Getting some art work hung.
4. Various other things that don't come to mind at the moment.
And then there's the things that will cost money like new rugs, and a new dresser. Ug. Hate spending money, but I really want to get their rooms done.
THEN...I can start on the "nursery" (otherwise known as the corner of our bedroom.)
I'm starting to think we may need to flip school to the afternoons. Mama has more energy in the mornings and when I need to get things done like get the car inspected, go grocery shopping, etc., that all would happen a lot better in the mornings when I'm fresh. School--in which I sit on the couch--could come later. We may experiment with that today. It may not be best for the girls, but it may mean I have the energy to cook supper tonight. Which would be a good thing, no?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
How Sonlight Works
I'm sorry for those of you who could care less about Sonlight curriculum. It's just that friend asked me about Sonlight this weekend and I realized when I was first looking at it, I needed a lot of guidance. So, I thought a post was in order. Hope it helps someone!
I don't know why Sonlight is so confusing when you first look at it, but it is. I had Erin to guide me via e-mail and also learned a lot from googling various blog posts. I'm going to try to really easily and in plain ol' English, tell you how it works.
So Sonlight started out offering complete packages for a grade. One of the founders had lived in North Africa and knew how difficult it was to get homeschool materials. You can read the brief history here.
As time went on, as I understand it, more and more people were using Sonlight's materials, but wanted more choice. For example, maybe they really liked everything else, but wanted to use a different math curriculum. So, math was offered separately. Or, perhaps they liked everything but the Language Arts curriculum. So, LA was offered separately. Sonlight kept splitting things up (you could still get it all in a package deal if you wanted) until they got down to BIBLE, HISTORY, and READING. These three, they decided, were not workable if spit up. These three things then, make a "core."
You can still get a package deal from Sonlight with absolutely everything you need for a grade. These are the "multi-subject packages." Want simple? Just order the "Third grade package" for your 3rd grader. Simple. Easy.
But, if you like to pick and choose, you can also order things by subject. Sonlight has a LOT of choices from various homeschool companies including Teaching Textbooks, Saxon, Singapore, Horizons, Mathtacular....that's just MATH! So you can order what you want to use for math, for spelling, for science, for handwriting, etc. I ordered a lot of things we needed from Sonlight instead of directly from the various companies and many times there is a discount offered when you order through Sonlight!
But when it comes down to History and Reading....well those come together. And there is a good reason. Almost all of Sonlight's cores are based on a History theme. For example, this year Sweetheart is studying American History (Core D+E). So all these books I showed you the other day?
Those are her history books and her reading books all together. There is not a huge dividing line between history and reading in these upper cores. You read about history. You don't study history and then some other reading books that have nothing to do with the price of eggs. Your reading and your history are all based on the subject you are studying that year. In our case, American History. Even the read-alouds that I read to her are about American History. And they are SUCH GOOD BOOKS!!!
So here is how we use Sonlight. We ordered a "CORE PACKAGE." They are lettered because they don't have to pertain to any certain grade level. They give some guidelines such as Core D+E is recommended for ages 9-12 or grades 4-7. They say they often run a bit on the harder side, so I chose this core as Sweetheart is 12 and in 6th grade. She's at the upper end of the recommended ages/grades and that is making it just right to easy for her this year. If you have a very advanced 9 year old/4th grader, they might find this core just right. It's up to the parent.
Then, we did the "pick and choose" method for the other subjects. Math? We did not order from Sonlight. Science? We did not order from Sonlight. Handwriting? Sonlight offered what we already used and at a discount, so we ordered it. Language Arts? We did not order from Sonlight. Spelling? Sonlight offered what we already used, so we ordered it. See? You can customize your order for you.
Whatever you choose to buy from Sonlight--whether a complete package, or just a core, or just individual subjects--comes to you in a box all together and ready to go.
I didn't tell you about Bible. Since many non-religious homeschoolers also wanted to use Sonlight, the Bible curriculum is not automatically included in your core. But it is automatically included in your Instructor's Guide. And one of the books for our core goes along with the History and Reading. It is called The American Indian Prayer Guide. But I chose not to purchase the other things for Bible. We just use the prayer guide, and a Bible. The assigned readings for both of these are included in the Instructor's Guide.
Speaking of the Instructor's Guides....wow! They rock. No need for me to try to explain these any better than Heather at OMSH did already. Here is her post (and this just about sold me on Sonlight!)
You get a LOT for your money. A lot of materials. A lot of pre-thought out organization. A lot of now-I-don't-have-to-do-everything. I try to read ahead of Sweetheart, but if I don't, there are questions and answers for me in the Instructor's Guide so we can still have an intelligent conversation about what she has read. I can literally wake up on Monday morning, give each child their new assignment sheet, and get to work. And I've already told you about the independence it is fostering in my daughter.
By the way, Sonlight is still available for overseas families AND they offer discounts for missionary families. I like that.
I don't know why Sonlight is so confusing when you first look at it, but it is. I had Erin to guide me via e-mail and also learned a lot from googling various blog posts. I'm going to try to really easily and in plain ol' English, tell you how it works.
So Sonlight started out offering complete packages for a grade. One of the founders had lived in North Africa and knew how difficult it was to get homeschool materials. You can read the brief history here.
As time went on, as I understand it, more and more people were using Sonlight's materials, but wanted more choice. For example, maybe they really liked everything else, but wanted to use a different math curriculum. So, math was offered separately. Or, perhaps they liked everything but the Language Arts curriculum. So, LA was offered separately. Sonlight kept splitting things up (you could still get it all in a package deal if you wanted) until they got down to BIBLE, HISTORY, and READING. These three, they decided, were not workable if spit up. These three things then, make a "core."
You can still get a package deal from Sonlight with absolutely everything you need for a grade. These are the "multi-subject packages." Want simple? Just order the "Third grade package" for your 3rd grader. Simple. Easy.
But, if you like to pick and choose, you can also order things by subject. Sonlight has a LOT of choices from various homeschool companies including Teaching Textbooks, Saxon, Singapore, Horizons, Mathtacular....that's just MATH! So you can order what you want to use for math, for spelling, for science, for handwriting, etc. I ordered a lot of things we needed from Sonlight instead of directly from the various companies and many times there is a discount offered when you order through Sonlight!
But when it comes down to History and Reading....well those come together. And there is a good reason. Almost all of Sonlight's cores are based on a History theme. For example, this year Sweetheart is studying American History (Core D+E). So all these books I showed you the other day?
Those are her history books and her reading books all together. There is not a huge dividing line between history and reading in these upper cores. You read about history. You don't study history and then some other reading books that have nothing to do with the price of eggs. Your reading and your history are all based on the subject you are studying that year. In our case, American History. Even the read-alouds that I read to her are about American History. And they are SUCH GOOD BOOKS!!!
So here is how we use Sonlight. We ordered a "CORE PACKAGE." They are lettered because they don't have to pertain to any certain grade level. They give some guidelines such as Core D+E is recommended for ages 9-12 or grades 4-7. They say they often run a bit on the harder side, so I chose this core as Sweetheart is 12 and in 6th grade. She's at the upper end of the recommended ages/grades and that is making it just right to easy for her this year. If you have a very advanced 9 year old/4th grader, they might find this core just right. It's up to the parent.
Then, we did the "pick and choose" method for the other subjects. Math? We did not order from Sonlight. Science? We did not order from Sonlight. Handwriting? Sonlight offered what we already used and at a discount, so we ordered it. Language Arts? We did not order from Sonlight. Spelling? Sonlight offered what we already used, so we ordered it. See? You can customize your order for you.
Whatever you choose to buy from Sonlight--whether a complete package, or just a core, or just individual subjects--comes to you in a box all together and ready to go.
I didn't tell you about Bible. Since many non-religious homeschoolers also wanted to use Sonlight, the Bible curriculum is not automatically included in your core. But it is automatically included in your Instructor's Guide. And one of the books for our core goes along with the History and Reading. It is called The American Indian Prayer Guide. But I chose not to purchase the other things for Bible. We just use the prayer guide, and a Bible. The assigned readings for both of these are included in the Instructor's Guide.
Speaking of the Instructor's Guides....wow! They rock. No need for me to try to explain these any better than Heather at OMSH did already. Here is her post (and this just about sold me on Sonlight!)
You get a LOT for your money. A lot of materials. A lot of pre-thought out organization. A lot of now-I-don't-have-to-do-everything. I try to read ahead of Sweetheart, but if I don't, there are questions and answers for me in the Instructor's Guide so we can still have an intelligent conversation about what she has read. I can literally wake up on Monday morning, give each child their new assignment sheet, and get to work. And I've already told you about the independence it is fostering in my daughter.
By the way, Sonlight is still available for overseas families AND they offer discounts for missionary families. I like that.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up Week 18
I feel pretty good when I look back at what we HAVE gotten done this year. Using Sonlight means we have read lots of really good books. Not that you can't read good books if you don't use Sonlight, but I know WE would not have gotten all this done without a plan.
Little Bit had this time line in Kindergarten when we used Five in a Row the second part of the year. It goes from 1900-2009.
It came with printable circles for the books we read that year. So I printed off little pictures of the books she has read this year and we added them. (to the year they were published)
Reading big numbers (dates), before and after....lots of good learning with this little activity! Plus, we put pictures of our family on the timeline so she could get a feel for how old a book is
Anyway, it feels good to know we have gotten some things done this year!
Sweetheart's assignment sheet said she was to do a report on Andrew Jackson this week. Mama hadn't even read that little blurb, and honestly Mama didn't care if she did that report or not. But she read it and was excited. So at the library, she went and found a book on Andrew Jackson, brought it home and read it, and wrote up a report.
 |
| The books Sweetheart has read so far... |
It came with printable circles for the books we read that year. So I printed off little pictures of the books she has read this year and we added them. (to the year they were published)
Reading big numbers (dates), before and after....lots of good learning with this little activity! Plus, we put pictures of our family on the timeline so she could get a feel for how old a book is
 |
| Ping (which we read in Kindergarten and this year), was written the year before Grandpa was born! (And before Kit Kittredge--American Girl stories help us place them in time too.) |
 |
| But the Children's Encyclopedia was written when Little Bit was one! |
 |
| Little Bit finished reading her first "real" book this week--a CHAPTER book no less! Now she's reading Green Eggs and Ham. |
Maybe it wasn't perfect book report form, but she took the initiative to do it and I was very proud. And she did learn!
We had "backwards day" twice this week. This is when we start at the back of our schedule and work our way up. That way, the things we never get to, get done! Like Science. We even did an experiment!
But enough about school.
Of course I worked in the girls' rooms this week. One way to make your tiny little 8 year old seem bigger instantly? Hang 0-3 month clothes in her closet next to her dresses!
And we found out that three 5 gallon water bottles a month is NOT enough for our family. We ran out this week and we don't have a water deliver until next week! ACK!
 |
| Sad and empty. |
I'm not really sure four bottles will be enough either as this month we were also drinking the free cases of water bottles we got for signing up. But I think we'll try a month with 4 bottles and see how it goes. We've created water snobs. When the water ran out, the girls were all, "We have to drink SINK water????" Oh puleeze. Three weeks you've been drinking the good stuff!
And of course, a day of too many errands requires some fun. We had lunch at James Coney Island one day. Cute hats. Gross food.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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