2014/2015 School is in full swing... we've all survived day two

We officially started our school year Friday 8/1 as far as the books go. However, when planning this I failed to realize that we had already planned to do our SAM's run that same day. That being said, Angel and Sunshine did theirs Wednesday and Thursday and Princess did hers Friday morning so we could leave as early as possible.

Today, Monday August 4, therefore was our first real day of school. I had a little trouble sleeping in the wee hours of the night, and was able to plan out a "in a perfect day" schedule. We did start off a little late, which may or may not have had anything to do with my sleep issue during the night *wink, wink*.

I think I mentioned before my discovery of Evernote. I am actually head over heels loving it so far. Due to the level of completion last year, matched with we actually took placement guides this year Princess and Angel are scattered all over the place. I can't imagine the looks on their faces if they actually knew how much they are all over the place. Using Evernote, I can place the different assignments into one neat and tidy list for them, and I have it saved in both computers so all they have to do is pull it up and read their assignments made special for them for that day. I discovered today while typing up tomorrows assignments, that there is a check list option. So, starting tomorrow they will be able to click the check box when done with an assignment and keep it easier to follow what's left to be done.

Another thing we tried today, which to work for the most part for two of the girls, and somewhat, but not as much for the other, was to work in 45 minute rotations. Forty-Five minutes on school work, then forty-five minutes on either chores or whatever else needs to be done at the time, then repeat.  Sunshine will actually have more than double the work starting tomorrow than she's had today and Friday, but a lot of it will be verbal, and discussion being that she's just in first grade.

If the only problems we face this coming year are the ones we faced today, I think we've got this. Although, I wish it could have been smoother, I am not to naive to know there also won't be worse days.

Today being day one of the first full week, and everyone was done before 4, I think the incentive to have the fourth week have Friday's off is looking good.
Blessings,
Erin :)

A new school year is approaching.

I hope to do a better job of keeping up with this blog this year. We are starting our school year this coming Friday, August 1. 

I am excited to have found out about a free online journal per se to help organize and document the daily work, and hope to use this blog to hit the highlights. The site I've found is www.evernote.com. It's neat because (until Easy Peasy changes format-will explain later) I can just put what they are to do in a day under a heading with that day's date and email it to them, or print it out and they can just go by it. 

I mentioned Easy Peasy is changing formats. There is no launch date announced as it's still in the working it out phase, but I'm very excited about the changes they are making. Currently the curriculum is written in a blog format with links to the appropriate locations. There isn't a problem with this other than it's hard to keep up with what's been done at times. They are transitioning it into a webpage format where you will be able to customize the student's curriculum by mixing up the different courses to fit their educational needs. The new setup will also allow you to know where you left off. I'm excited about the new changes, and hope that it's ready soon, although I'm not expecting it too soon. 

Our plan for this school year is that for every three weeks of solid work with all coursework getting completed on time the fourth week they will get Friday off. 

I have decided to call the children by their nicknames online (some given by their Grammy, some by us, and some by themselves) from here on out. 

Tentatively our new school year schedule is:

7:30- Boy and Sunshine- morning routine and small breakfast
8am-10:30- Boy (preschool) and Sunshine (first grade)
8am-9am- Angel and Princess- morning routine and small breakfast
9am-10am- Princess kitchen chores
9am-until- Angel (fifth grade)
10am-until-Princess (seventh grade) 

We will see how well these schedules work out the first few weeks then will tweak to fit our/their needs best. 

I have backtracked them all a bit to about a week before where  we finished last year to start off easy and confident. I hope this ends up benefiting and not setting them back. 

Looking forward to a great 2014/2015 school year!

Erin

I have been MIA for awhile

I have been MIA for awhile and hopefully that will change before too long. I am waiting on getting my computer fixed and hopefully that will happen sooner than later. I have been able to get my computer repair parts by earning points on swagbucks (if you aren't a swagbuck member you can join here).

Fundraising for a huge field trip/mini vacation

We have decided that we cannot pass up the wonderful opportunity that the Creation Museum is offering for the 2014 year. They are offering FREE children tickets for the entire year. Due to the distance between here and there, and Travis' not being able to ride for long without breaks, and the fact that a ticket is good for two consecutive days, we have decided that we need a minimum of $215.00 per month to be able to go late August or early September.

That being said, we knew we would need to raise the money, as we don't have that left over at the end of each month for sure! We have decided that each month we will have a different charity we will donate to alongside our field trip money. We have been trying to come up with several things to do to come up with the money, and have already gotten started making some, and even opened an Etsy store. The girls are making things as well as myself. 

Although this is far from a complete list, here are some of the charities we hope to be able to help donate to while raising money for our trip: 

*Food Bank

*March of Dimes

*American Heart Association

*American Cancer Society

*Humane Society

*Gardens Club

*Literacy Council

*Susan G. Komen

*Red Cross

*Wounded Warriors program

* Hospice

*A Place for Us Ministries

*Frontline Ministries

* Samaritan's Purse

*Make a Wish Foundation

As it stands right now, each dollar raised will be split 3 ways. 1-To go back into the item that made the money to be able to do it again, 2- To help us make it to the Creation Museum, and 3-To the charity of our choice. I would be absolutely beyond thrilled if I could send each one of these charities a check for $100+ 

Depending on how well this goes, this may become an ongoing project for the girls to work on each year. If it goes as plans, it will help them with setting goals, financial planning, compassion for others, and the importance of giving. 

***SIDE NOTE*** I'm not able to get on the "real computer" much anymore as mine is in the "shop" and it's difficult to get computer time with everything they have to get done for school so it's been quite on the blog, and I'm aware of that, but (although this one is being finished via the "real computer") most of my blog time is via my cell or tablet, and it's not quite as easy (read---fast) to type a letter at a time as it is to type it out (wpm difference is drastic, lol)

 Two of the necklaces I'm making.

 My most recent bow.

 The girls' Christmas bows.

  Our family Christmas pic.

 We have also started reading our first Dear America series book, and so far love it. 

Be blessed, 

Erin

No school on birthdays

Today is Becca's 6th birthday. I have decided that we won't have school on birthdays. I really don't like that I am still sick on her birthday. The other day I made cinnamon buns, and she said she wanted some for her birthday so I guess I will go make them for her. Becca, Jon-Ira, and Melissa all having January were given gift cards to Old Navy over Christmas break. Becca and I went shopping the other night while in Anderson, and I can't wait to see her in her birthday outfit. She was already "missing being 5" last night before today even got here.  I think Travis will have to take her to Firehouse Sub's for her free birthday sub if I don't feel better soon. I am so proud of my baby girl for how far she pushes herself in her schoolwork.

This was the second time I'd made these cinnamon buns, and this time I made them in a larger skillet. I have purchased the plastic canvas for the kiddos recipe boxes, but have to go get the yarn and plastic needles so they can start putting their recipes in them. I know that THIS recipe will definitely be in mine. I don't do it exactly as listed, because I do it by hand.