The Homeschool Mother’s Journal ~ 8

In my life this week...

I started out this week working hard to finalize The 2011-12 Schoolhouse Planner(s).  This is the 4th revision of the Planner, the 2nd release of the Student Planners, and the launch year for our new Special Needs Planner.  Working on 5 Planner products at a time has been a bit chaotic – but I’m looking forward to seeing the final product and feeling that sense of ownership and pride that comes with creating something like this. If you’re a homeschooler, I hope you’ll swing by the Schoolhouse Store and take a look at our full line of planners. :) 

On a more personal note, I’m getting a little tired of juggling cars.  I don’t think you realize how much you depend on that 2nd vehicle until you don’t have it.  Thankfully my parents are very generous in sharing their vehicles when we have a need – but driving a different car every day gets confusing!  A car-shopping trip on Saturday may have turned up my next vehicle (need to make a call tomorrow) – I sure hope so.

In our homeschool this week...

Gracie and I started reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – this will be her third TLP study and the last for  this school year. 

Ashley and I are about 2/3 of the way through Jane Eyre.  I can’t wait to finish the book and watch the movie.  Can I just say that Mr. Rochester is one strange guy?  I don’t know what Jane sees in him.  LOL

Ian and I started using All About Reading’s early reading curriculum this week (I mentioned receiving it in last week’s post). So far, due to a somewhat crazy schedule this week, we’ve only done letters A & B – but he loves it (and so do I).  Hopefully we’ll get more accomplished this coming week.  He and I also started reading Andi’s Indian Summer from Susan Marlow’s Circle C Beginnings series. 

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We’ve got lots coming up this week . . .

This afternoon, Gracie had a piano get-together – the kids had a contest and played songs for each other.  This evening, we’re eating supper with my parents and my brother Dave & his family.

This coming Friday, Ashley and I are looking forward to joining some ladies from our church and going to see Chris Tomlin in concert.

Next weekend is my birthday.  I’ve got a few other things up my sleeve, but that’ll be for next week’s post. :)

My favorite thing this week was...

Hmmm . . . Well, it wasn’t all the rain and even occasional bit of snow and the resulting mud.  And it wasn’t searching for used, yet affordable, vehicles online (resulting in a lot of headaches).  It wasn’t hearing about the devastation in Japan. 

I really don’t know what my favorite thing was this week.  Maybe spending the day with my parents yesterday.

What's working/not working for us...

Pretty much what we’re using is what’s working.  Aside from switching writing programs earlier this year (to I.E.W.), we’ve been quite pleased with all of our choices this year.  I hope we can make choices that will compliment us this well next year!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

To those of you who don’t have a special classroom for your homeschool, does your homeschool stuff pretty much take over?  Some days I feel like we don’t have a dining room table – it’s always covered with school stuff!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

This past week, a tragedy struck a local family when their house caught fire and took the lives of 7 of their 8 children.  My mother’s heart cannot comprehend what this must feel like for them.  Please keep the Clouse family in your prayers.