Miscellany

So much is going on here right now, I have had little blogging time. So I think I'll share some miscellaneous "stuff" with you:

* We had a fun 4th of July cookout at our house, complete with fireworks, a flag cake, family and friends.

* In the process of packing away last year's school books and organizing, purging, etc...I decided, after much urging from my husband and encouragement from my sister-in-law, to sell some unused curriculum (well a LOT of unused curriculum -- gathered over 15 years) on ebay. I totally underestimated how fun it is to watch the balance in my account increase with each passing day!! And I still have lots more stuff to sell!

* Still plugging away at lesson planning for next year. Here are the plans I have already firmed up:
For Samuel
*Samuel's First Holy Communion Notebook
* Magic School Bus Science -- plans I am writing up and will share when complete
* Saxon Math 3
* Classical Writing Primer - Autumn
* Serendipity Alphabet Path (at co-op with cousins) we have had so much fun with this!!!
* Music -- Learning to play the recorder
* Art -- Art appreciation with Ethan using Seton Art 5, studying artwork depicting the mysteries of the Rosary and creating their own Rosary masterpieces.

For Ethan
* Growing with Grammar 5
* Teaching Textbooks 5
* Little Latin Readers
* IEW History-based writing lessons--I love these!!!
* Serendipity American History Trail with the Geography
* Magic School Bus Science (see above)
* Music (see above)
* Art (see above)
* still figuring out his religion program, but it will include the Blue Knights program as well as the Miniature Mass Kit lessons (as will Sam's)

Still working on Isaac's 12th grade curriculum

* Have I mentioned that my sister-in-law is a genius? We were both puzzling about what to do with grammar since the latin and composition programs we have been doing with our kids in our little family co-op have grammar built in. We didn't want to over do it, but wanted make sure they understood the grammar in these other programs. Well, she found a new grammar program that looks GREAT! I hesitate to endorse it too strongly, because I find I need to spend some time with a program and use it for a while before I can decide if it fills the need, but it looks REALLY, REALLY good!! I am excited to use it (and to purchase it with my ebay earnings!!) Thanks, Serena! Check it out if you like and let me know what you think: Growing with Grammar

*Annie turns 4 on Sunday. Oh how the time flies! She is such a different character, growing up with all these older siblings. She has a much less sheltered childhood than her oldest brother and sister. The other day, I was helping her pick out a movie to watch. When I asked her preference, she replied with a voice dripping with sarcasm, "Hello?...Cinderella!" After seeing the shocked and unhappy look on my face, she said, "Is 'hello' a bad word?"

Short takes -- Lenten style

Since I am trying to limit my on-line time during Lent (with limited success), I am finding it difficult to write a thoughtful blog post in a short amount of time. So, I will share some thoughts bullet style:
* I am very, very sad about President Obama's overturning the ban on embryonic stem cell research funding. Why does it seem to me that the truth about the matter is so clear, so simple, so obvious that I cannot understand why liberals do not see it! There have been NO successes with embryonic stem cells, but MANY with adult or umbilical stem cell treatment....the babies don't have to be killed to "further scientific progress". It amounts to deliberately ignoring the truth in order to further a political goal...which is what I believe is happening.
* I am glad that basketball ends this weekend. The boys have done well...mom needs a break. I think I get a whole 2 weeks before baseball starts.
* I am soooo thrilled that I got to talk to college girl last night via Skype!! It is so very reassuring to be able to see her beautiful face and talk to her when she is so far away. The whole group of students took a 10 day vacation to Rome and Assisi. This weekend she will go to Switzerland (think Chocolate, Lexi!), after that it is off to Medugorgje, then France, England and Ireland, and finally she and a group of friends will spend Easter in Greece. After finals, she comes home on May 1. What an incredible experience for her. I am thrilled for her...and not jealous or envious at all....repeat....I am not jealous or envious at all....repeat....I am not....
* Seven year old son thinks that 16 year old son should be on "America's Got Talent" since he can text and walk at the same time:)
* Hubs just told me that according to the "The Almanac" (If you're from New England, you know which one!) New Hampshire gets 55 to 60 sunny days PER YEAR! I really, really, really need some sun, soon.
*Guess which city gets 300 sunny days per year? I'll let you know tomorrow!