Brandon Springs

Yesterday we took off on a fun co-op adventure: "camping" at Brandon Springs. I say "camping" because Brandon Springs is my kind of camping- nice, air-conditioned cabins, good food that is made by someone else, and fun activities that are led by someone else! We moms needed a change of pace from the usual mom-intensive end-of-semester event that we usually plan, and this turned out to be just the ticket. We might make it an annual event! Because we stayed on a Sunday night, we had the entire place- and the staff- all to ourselves. It was wonderful! We only stayed one night, but we packed in lots of activities: canoeing (a few crazy kids went swimming too); we learned about bats (the flying kind), pond life and outdoor survival skills; had a campfire where we roasted marshmallows; and spent some time at the archery range. I have some tired, happy kids. It was a great way to end our co-op year.

Here's our gang!

Canoeing on the lake

John caught a nice catfish

This is the shelter that John Mark and Nathanael's team built during the survival skills class.
The kids loved the pond study. They found all kinds of bugs, tadpoles, newts, leeches and a salamander. The best part was that we had a park ranger to be our guide and tell us what all the things were that the kids had caught!

Happy Birthday, Nathanael!

Tomorrow, my baby is six years old. We celebrated with a "Cowboy" birthday in the backyard. In addition to his brothers, Nathanael invited his favorite friends: Joseph, Lilly, Ethan, Garret, and Aiden. John Mark and Becca coached them in the bean-bag toss and Horseshoes and then they buried each other in the sandpile, rode scooters down the driveway, jumped on the trampoline, kicked the soccer ball, climbed trees, and swung on the swings. And then we had birthday cake and opened presents! There will be some tired kiddos tonight, but it was a fun, fun day.

Thursday Thirteen #6

Thirteen Things to Do Between Now and Sunday Afternoon

1. Find all the parts to two choir uniforms before the choir concert on Saturday night
2. Shop/decorate/otherwise prepare for Nathanael's birthday party on Saturday afternoon
3. Clean house from at least three weeks of neglect before guests come on Saturday afternoon
4. Make noble effort to eradicate laundry piles before guests come on Saturday afternoon
5. Locate all sleeping bags and all other necessary items for family prior to co-op campout on Sunday night
6. Investigate Quilt Show Downtown
7. Get haircuts for at least three shaggy boys
8. Take Philip to optometrist to correct faulty lenses in new pair of glasses
9. Email 4-H club to make arrangements for pottery class in two weeks
10. Compile grades for all my co-op students before co-op campout on Sunday night
11. Finish grading papers for co-op students before compiling grades before campout on Sunday night
12. Pay end-of-month bills
13. Plant "my" rows in the garden, lettuce and Zinnias

That was depressingly easy... I could keep going for a while. (close eyes and chant summer is coming... summer is coming... summer is coming...)

Another Year Done!

Done, done, done: co-op is done for another year!! (***Doing a happy dance***) Another three weeks, and school will be officially OUT for us. We have worked so hard this year... time for a break!

My 8th/9th grade history class had their final today. This year we studied the 20th century, which in many ways was new territory for me. The only 20th century topics I can remember studying in school were civil rights and women's rights ad nauseum. I picked up other bits and pieces of 20th century history along the way because I enjoy history, but this year, I was finally able to put all the pieces together to see the big picture. It was fascinating, if a little depressing. It was also a little weird to teach things that I personally remember, like the fall of the Berlin Wall. That's already ancient history to these kids! Sigh. Want to test your own knowledge? Here's a portion of their Final dealing with the Cold War (answers are below):

Fill in the blanks:

Near the end of WWII, the Allied leaders, ____________________ from the United States, ____________________ from the USSR and ________________________ from Great Britain gathered at the _____________ Conference to decide what to do after the war. They made many important decisions. They decided to form an organization called the________________ _____________ to help keep future peace. Unlike the League of Nations, which had been formed after WWI, the US joined this new organization, which could raise an army from its members to enforce its decisions. They also decided to divide up the country of Germany into four zones. The countries of France, Great Britain, ___________________ and ______________________ would each control one zone. The goal was to fix up the country and then unite the zones into one new country. Other places were also divided, such as some of Japan’s colonies. For example, Korea was divided on the _______ parallel. The USSR controlled __________ Korea and the United States controlled __________ Korea.

After WWII, the _______________________and the ___________ were the two most powerful countries in the world. In fact, they were nicknamed Superpowers. These two countries were very different. The USSR was a _______________ government, meaning that all social and economic activity was controlled by the State. (They became this way after a man named ___________ led a revolution during WWI and overthrew Czar ________________. The new form of government was based on the ideas of a man named ___________.) In contrast, the US government was a _________________ (where people vote) and had an economic system called _______________ in which private individuals and businesses have the right to own, trade and produce goods in a free market.

The US and USSR became enemies. Roughly half the world was on the side of the US and half was on the side of the USSR. The countries on the US' side formed an alliance called _________ and the countries on the USSR’s side formed an alliance called the _____________ ______________. In order to help make sure countries joined their alliance, the US gave billions of dollars to Western Europe in an economic recovery plan called the ___________ ___________ which was named after _____________ _______________. Although the US and USSR were enemies, they never fought each other. This period of conflict and competition between the two Superpowers and their allies was called the ______ ______. They were both afraid of each other because both had _________ ____________.

Meanwhile, three of the countries controlling Germany combined their zones in 1949 to form the Federal Republic of Germany, which was also called _________ Germany. The USSR did not want to relinquish its control in Germany and formed the German Democratic Republic, which was also called __________ Germany. Many Germans did not want to live under the Soviet style of government and tried to flee to the other half of the country. In order to stop this flood of refugees, a barrier called the ___________ _________ was built, dividing Germany. Germany remained divided until _______.

Answers:

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Yalta, United Nations, USA & USSR, 38th, North, South

USA & USSR, communist, Lenin, Nicholas II, Marx, democracy, capitalism

NATO, Warsaw Pact, Marshall Plan, George Marshall, Cold War, nuclear weapons

West, East, Berlin Wall, 1989

Skirts and Skits: 2007

Crazy day, but somehow we got through it! We managed to get everything done for the Variety Show and the Fashion Revue tonight: poster prop made, morning rehearsal attended, all costumes assembled and a rush shopping expedition to find a top and shoes to match Becca's skirt.

Here, we have "Ryan Lakecrest" interviewing one of the contestants for the club skit, a spoof of last year's TV show, "America's Got Talent". Our club didn't win this year, for the first time in several years. They lost to a bunch of Medieval bunnies in a fairy tale skit called "Bunny and the Beast". We moms are being as objective as we can, but all we can figure is that the bunny club definitely had the "cute' factor. Our kids wrote and "produced" this year's play by themselves, and they really did a great job.

Next came the Fashion Revue, where the kids model the garments they made during the Sewing Workshop. This year, Becca worked on zippers, and she sewed her skirt almost completely by herself. Unfortunately, this guaranteed that she earned a red ribbon rather than a blue ribbon for her clothing construction score, since she was being compared against other students who had a lot of adult help. I had to explain to her that the whole point of this was learning to sew and the kids who had adults do it for them aren't much better off than they were when they started. But she really looks forward to the Fashion Revue, which she won in her category. She'll compete in two weeks in the area competition. The girls love the fact that they get to wear make-up this one night, but I'm still amazed at how much older she looks in this picture... my girl is growing up!

Becca and her friend Jaclyn thought it was funny that they both used the same fabric... fortunately, they were working on different projects, and Jacyln won in her category as well.

Afterward, the club went to Pizza Inn to celebrate, making it a very late school night... but sometimes you just gotta have fun!

Weekend Wrap-up

We had a wonderful, busy weekend. The weather made up for all the difficulties it caused for the past couple of weeks by being perfect all weekend.

On Friday, I took the kids on a field trip with the homeschool group; we toured three of the numerous art galleries downtown and the kids got to help in a demonstration of "black light chalk" led by one of the artists. I had never been to any of the galleries, which is a real shame since there are 70 of them and they are one of the neatest things about our downtown area. We visited an artist who creates a lot of mixed media, an artist who creates primarily religious paintings, and the most interesting, one of the quilt galleries. The owner has won Best of Show three times in the Quilt Show, and it was fascinating to see these quilts up close. This is one of her winning quilts, and the picture doesn't begin to show how incredible it is up close. Philip was especially impressed with the $35,000 price tag! John and I will have to take a Saturday and explore some more of these galleries.

That afternoon, John and John Mark left for a Scout campout, and the rest of us went to the church building to help set up for the church yard sale to raise money to send our youth to Camp Barnabus to work this summer. John Mark is old enough to go this year, and they will be working with autistic children. On Saturday, we all got up early to go back to the church and help run the sale. We raised over $1000, and we were all exhausted when it was over. Becca worked especially hard maintaining the clothes tables. One of our friends commented that she has a future at Gap :-). She did do a good job, but she was also "shopping" while she worked. I don't guess I can fault her since I was too!

On Sunday, we had the church picnic. This is definitely one of the highlights of the year for our church family! We all love it. This time, after we had all stuffed ourselves with chicken, potato salad and chocolate cake, we had a "servant auction" where the youth auctioned off services such as babysitting and yard work to help raise money to go to camp. Everyone was so generous that in this one weekend we were able to raise enough to send the workers to Camp Barnabus and also sponsor the camp fees for two disabled children to attend camp. After the auction, several people went to play softball at the ball field while we non-ball players sat around and talked. My kids love these ball games because the adults make sure everyone has a great time- even the little guys like Nathanael. We got home and packed John for Texas, and he took off this morning, which brings us to today...

I. am. so. sick. Stomach bug- ugh! The kids have been left to their own devices today while I spent the day alternately sleeping and running to the restroom. This unintended "holiday" meant non-stop Disney channel for the younger ones and non-stop Star Wars computer game for John Mark. We were supposed to finish Becca's jacket for the 4-H Fashion Revue tomorrow night, but I just couldn't help her today. At least the skirt got finished, and that was the most important part. The kids have Variety Show rehearsal tomorrow morning and I have to come up with a "nerd" costume for Philip, a "Ryan Lakecrest" costume for John Mark, and create a posterboard prop for their play which is also tomorrow night. Looking on the bright side, if I had to be sick, today was the day to do it. I am feeling better tonight, so I hope that tomorrow all will be well again.

Zoology Gone Awry

This week, Miss Sheryl, the kids' science teacher at co-op, brought kittens to class. All the moms thought "uh-oh," and with good reason...

Meet the newest member of our family!

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String...

I love receiving packages in the mail- especially when they contain new homeschool curricula! Today I received the box I have anxiously been awaiting- Tapestry of Grace Redesign, Year 1 (Ancient World). I will have to pull myself away from it to help Becca and John Mark get their outfits finished for the 4-H Fashion Revue and to make the study guide for the History final in co-op (only two classes left- WHOO HOO!) This box was a double thrill because I got such a fabulous deal on it. Tapestry Redesign is going for close to full price ($180 before shipping and any "extras") on ebay and is very difficult to find on the resale boards, but this sweet lady in Florida offered her almost new set to me for $100 including shipping and a number of the "extras"! It was almost too good to be true, but I figured it was worth taking a chance. I have had numerous transactions on the used curriculum boards on the internet, such as Vegsource and The Well-Trained Mind and have never been burned, but it is always a little scary to send perfect strangers a large check without at least the bit of protection that ebay offers. I find joy in the fact that my fellow homeschoolers are honest and are generally wonderful to work with.

I am excited that the school year is almost over, along with all the other activities that keep us running during the school year... Awana ended two weeks ago, choir only has four more weeks, co-op will be over in two weeks, and 4-H will be over in May. We are still in the midst of 4-H activities, choir rehearsals, spring birthday season, and Boy Scouts, but summer break is clearly in sight. Brown paper packages and summer vacation- these are two of my favorite things!

Tempus Fugit

Time flies, and today my boy is 14.

There is just something special about your firstborn- not in the sense that you love him more than his siblings, or that he is any more wonderful or talented than they are, but there is a history between parent and child that the other children just don't share. It's the firstborn, after all, who must endure the brunt of his parents' inexperience- and his grandparent's enthusiasm. Firstborn children know there are high expectations for them, and many quail under the pressure. Not John Mark. He has so far managed to survive the firstborn experience with grace and humor- and the occasional "attitude" as well.

John Mark has always been fearless and ready to meet new challenges, from his first time sleeping over at grandma's, to his first haircut, to his first trip to the dentist office, to his first public speaking opportunity: a First Grade presentation on hurricanes. He gets his confidence from his father, but fortunately, he managed to pick up just enough of his mother's caution that common sense generally prevails in precarious situations. For this, I am grateful.

I see a great deal of his father in him: in his love for fishing, hunting, camping, and being outdoors; I see it in the engineer's approach he takes to problem-solving; and I see it in the determination that kept him begging his father to play chess until the day he finally won. I see it in the delight that both of them have in spending their mornings in deep theological discussions during Bible Study and in their shared passion for their church family.

I see myself in my son too. We share a love of reading, and I am pleased that John Mark will eagerly read books which I recommend. I love to see him sit at the piano and play just for the sheer joy of it, and I smile to myself when I see that he has read ahead several chapters in history because he found it interesting. He gets that from me.

I have happy memories of our first years together, the days of just me and my baby, the two of us visiting friends, reading books, listening to praise & worship CDs on the stereo, and John Mark toddling after me as I went about the work of being a wife and a mommy. He was beautiful, happy, and lots of fun. I loved that baby.

Those were wonderful days, and these are still wonderful days, but they are bittersweet because I am increasingly aware that in a few short years, he will be off on his own. Some days I think I am more than ready for this, and some days I wonder how I'll be able to let him go. I am still the fortunate recipient of quick kisses before he heads off to bed at night, and I know that my nights of goodnight kisses from him are numbered. But I take joy in the knowledge that he is growing into a strong, handsome young man, a young man that loves God and his family, a young man with many talents, a great sense of humor, a gift for leadership and a flair for mischief. He is my son, and in him I am well pleased. I love that boy.

Easter Memories

As a child, I always loved Easter. I had a grandmother that believed every girl needed a new dress for Easter, so each year, she made sure I had a pretty new dress to wear to church. Even after I was an adult and married, Gran took me shopping every year until she grew too frail to shop any longer.

After church on Easter Sunday, we all gathered at Gran's house for dinner, and Gran made the kids little Easter baskets out of green plastic strawberry baskets with pipe cleaner handles. She filled the baskets with green Easter grass, one of the crocheted chicken egg-holders that made an appearance every year, and lots of jelly beans. She also hid eggs for us in the back yard- real ones. One year, we couldn't find one of the eggs and she couldn't remember where she put it. We finally discovered it by the smell it created a couple of months later: it was stuck in the top pipe of the frame for the backyard swing. Ugh! She hid plastic eggs after that.

My children will have memories from this weekend of Easter Egg Hunts (the little ones had a freezing hunt at the church in the morning and the two older ones had a freezing hunt in the evening at Randa's Magical Kingdom (it's her home, but if you could visit it, you would know what I meant!); dying eggs together on Saturday morning (including the great Boiled Egg Debate among all the "engineers" in our home: which boiling method produces the best eggs?); and Easter baskets filled with candy, stuffed bunnies, and for John Mark, a chicken that does the chicken dance.

But I am glad that in addition to all these things, my children will have memories like the ones from our church family's celebration today: remembering Jesus' life, death and resurrection through song and scripture, Family communion and baby blessings, followed by a meal with friends. It was a perfect, beautiful Easter Sunday.

New Day, New Problems

Just when we thought it couldn't get any more exciting around here...

Can you beat that slogan? You know, if you run a sewer service for a living, you just have to have a good sense of humor. And thankfully, today's problems were easily fixed.

Busy Days

Busy Days... sounds like one of my children's readers. In fact, I think it is one of my children's readers...
But, unfortunately, these busy days have not been good blog fodder. I've been doing the planning for next year's co-op (coming along well!); spending an inordinate amount of time selling old curricula and shopping for next year's curricula (yesterday I hit the jackpot and purchased two levels of a $190 curriculum for $55!); organizing Stanford testing for the co-op; and fighting with my washing machine, which is still broken. I was also several weeks behind on grading papers for co-op, which is a very bad thing with high-schoolers. If they would only answer everything right, grading would be so easy, and I would even give them the benefit of the doubt and give them credit where credit might not actually be due... but alas, they do not take advantage of this good will. So I wade through paragraphs of half-true history, attempting to set the record of the world straight again.

The good news is that John is home this week! He told his boss to take this job and... ok, not really. He just knew he had to come home and start fixing things before the entire house fell apart on him. This weekend, he mowed the lawn, which had reverted back to its natural state of being, full of the beautiful blooming weeds which are every asthmatics nightmare, and he trained John Mark to use the weedeater and the riding lawn mower so he can take over from here on out. Today, a gorgeous spring day, John tilled the garden, and tomorrow he has promised to fix my washing machine.

This afternoon, we had our next-to-last 4-H meeting, and tonight, John and The Boys are going to the Boy Scout/Cub Scout meeting, leaving me, Sister and 'Lil Scout Wannabe home alone. Finally, we are on the home stretch for this school year: the end is near! I have good feelings about all these things. Happy, happy springtime!