Harry Potter Birthday Party

Megan turning 10 is Huge... Today's Party was an EVENT to say the LEAST. My homeschool philosophy has always been "It takes a village". This party was no exception. 

My scrapbook friend MO'D worked tirelessly on the decorations, pulling from her personal stash to make this all come together. Auntie EN sewed robes for all the child-guests, Daddy and I. and so much more... The "Big" birthdays are special and I want to thank you all for being her to celebrate with our Harry Potter Girl! 

As you entered the yard you did so through Platform 9 3/4 ....

   Then you were sorted by the SORTING HAT

  some decorations

 Honeydukes candy bar...

Megan and Uncle painted this sign together

Daddy and the Birthday Girl

Even Papa got sorted (He's a Gryffendor)

Auntie E with her Robe shop

Painting owl ceramics - our good friend JB has her own ceramics business similar to the popular "color me mine, etc" . 

 Watch out for that wizard! 

Pet Halloween Costumes

Even the Cats have costumes this year

Minnie - you little Devil...

 Jack is A Pirate - His full name is Captain Jack after all! 

 Princess is not a happy Angel....

Lauren is a Rock Star

 Megan - Harry Potter

 Douglas - Hawkeye

Fun at the Fair

The LA County Fair is a big part of our Homeschool learning adventure. They have a program called Read to Ride. The kids spend all summer reading books and writing summaries (book reports) and they turn them in at the fair in exchange for ride tickets. It's an amazing program! 

  Of course we eat lots of new foods too! 

 Here the Bugs are learning from a Blacksmith. 

 One of our Favorite stops is the Cows - we always get FRESH MILK! 

Change of Grade Day

Every Year we have a Tradition of beginning the school year with a Field Trip. We take it on Labor Day because Daddy is home as well. This year we went fishing. We chose a place the kids were guaranteed to catch something! 

Here are the kids buying bait

 Daddy shows them how to bait the hooks

 Fishing champs..notice I choose to remain the photographer...

 We find a great spot for a Family Picture! 

 Douglas is in 4th grade, Megan in 5th grade and Lauren is in 6th Grade

Although I don't necessarily believe in pigeon holing kids into grade levels, people ALWAYS ask, so it is just easier.  The kids enjoy being like others as well so I really find this a harmless way to identify progress from year to year. 

Camp Crabtree

Each Summer the Big activity is to produce a play. Because we only have 1 car I can't exactly put the kids in a theater group. So I created my own. Thankfully we have a big family and plenty of friends who look forward to CAMP CRABTREE each summer! 

This year's production is the Wizard of OZ. I search online for a script with the appropriate number of characters based on how many kids are participating and we go from there. I adapt the lines if needed, mostly adding humor. The older kids help make props, sets, programs, etc. I have Help with costumes from the "dress up bin" or whatever the kids have in their closet. We never really spend a lot of money. The whole thing start to finish is a week, The parents drop the kids off Monday - Friday and the production is Friday Evening. 

 Megan was the narrator this year

 Douglas was the scarecrow

 Lauren was one of the Flying Monkeys

 Here is the whole cast together... Cousin YaYa even brought her dog to star a Toto! 

 We turned part of the sidewalk into the Yellow Brick Road

Socks that Lauren had in her drawer from the 99cent store got stuffed and red glitter shoes - you know who this represents! 

Summer School

Because I work I try to squeeze as much schooling into the summer as possible. Somehow it never looks like school they way people think it should. 

Beach days....

                                                                 A week at VBS

A giant Slumber party when friends visit from Louisiana. 

But my bugs ARE learning, and growing, and developing. I would not change a thing. This is why I homeschool. 

Donate Hair

Both of my Girl Bugs are blessed with the most beautiful hair. Megan's was long enough to donate. The spirit of giving is important to foster. They can grow their hair back, there are kids out there that an not grow hair at all. (Besides, these hair cuts are stinkin' adorable!)

Do onto others....How do you promote giving in your school?

Colonial History Day

I am so blessed to remain part of a homeschool group even though we moved out of the area. Today we drove back into Banning?Beaumont for our Homeschool Colonial Day. 

 Douglas  studied all about Farming and brought his main crop - Corn. 

 Lauren has bakery goods all ready to 'sell'

Megan provided everyone with a quilt making activity

 Here you can see the group as they gathered to listen to each other present their information. 

Overall the day was a HUGE hit! 

When you work together events like this are easy to do! 

Same Philosophy

The S family - although the Grasshopper attends traditional school, they share the same "homeschool" philosophy as we do and are always seeking opportunities for enriched learning experiences. Today we went to the zoo together and it was out of this world. I don't know who enjoyed it more, the kids or the adults. 

 I need my posed pictures for the scrapbook albums you know. 

 Little man is so full of curiosity. He wanted to see and touch everything! Imagine if we could pet a real Lion! 

The cheetah run was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! That cat was not only fast, but beautiful. You could hear his paws pounding the ground. It was extremely interesting to see the companion dog and learn how they are friends. 

Homeschooling is not meant to be done on an island - alone. Find other families to share experiences with. Even if they don't homeschool! 

Take time for you!

Most Homeschooling Moms are Stay -At-Home-Moms. I'm a Working Homeschool Mom - Perhaps you are too. Whatever kind of Homeschool Mom you are it is important you take time for you. My "ME TIME" comes in the form of scrapbook weekend get-aways with my Squirly Scrappy Sisters. We rent out a retreat house for a weekend and just scrapbook for the entire 4 days. It's divine. Then I'm refreshed for my Family, students and life.... 

If you can't get away - do something. Perhaps 1 Saturday every few months go out with your friends, or even by yourself. Get a massage, manicure - go to the movies - have a nice lunch (that someone else cooked!) - you get the idea! Take some me time THIS MONTH! 

Can't afford private school? Home Schooling is an option!

Someone once told me my kids don't go to Catholic School. I beg to differ. I can't check that "box" when I fill out my PSA in the state of California - but I teach Religion everyday - AND my kids must attend the parish Faith Formation classes. The Catholic Faith permeates my homeschool. (I happen to be a Catholic School Teacher myself - so while I run my homeschool differently than a traditional classroom, I think my kids ARE getting a Catholic Education equivalent to going to a private school. In fact if I can step onto my high horse, and I can - it's my blog, they are getting a BETTER education). 

So those of you that can't afford to send your kids to a fancy private school, do not despair! Homeschooling is an option. YES YOU CAN - even if YOU are not a teacher, but that's a post for a different day. 

Douglas received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion today. The S family and his bestie the Grasshopper were here with us as usual! My boy definitely has Jesus in his heart! 

Should I freak out?

The bugs are a complete muddy mess. They have dug a hole in the yard and filled it with water. They are taking "mud pies" and throwing them, splashing the mud all over the place, including themselves. The squeals of delight are what drew me to the yard.

Now, some back story...we live in my childhood home. My father still owns it...and he NEVER let us did, play or otherwise tamper with his "Forest" yard. What is he going to say when he sees what his grandchildren have done? (Turns out nothing, wimpy old man!) My dilemma is the conflict of letting them have fun and disciplining them for destroying part of the yard.  Not to mention their clothing!

However - I am secretly DELIGHTED - my bugs play together 99% of the time awesomely, and this is one of them. They are working as a team. They are laughing and having fun beyond measure. They are learning things I can never create in any lesson plan. How can I stop them... I don't. When Daddy gets home he can figure out a way to fill in the hole and the kids now have muddy play clothes. The world will keep spinning.

I go back inside and get the camera. This is one for the scrapbooks!

Choir

Choir remains a big part of our life. Lauren and Megan are blessed to continue to sing in the Children's Choir under the direction of Fr. Art. This is an activity we can participate in with no pressure! It's easy to walk to practice as needed and if we miss for any reason, we can still sing on Sunday - unlike a sport. Having only 1 car is sometimes a challenge, but we have made it work.

Happy Easter! Thank you Jesus for blessing our family and making a way when sometimes there seemed no way!