Just a few things to get us geared up for the coming school year:
The Well-Educated Mind (Bauer)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (Covey)
what Smart Students Know
Deconstructing Penguins
A Poetry Handbook (Oliver)
Stories from Shakespeare
Invitation to the Classics
The Periodic Table (Dingle)
The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History
Castle Diary: The Journal Of Tobias Burgess
A Writer's Notebook
And a few good reads:
The Mayor of Central Park (Avi)
Ella Enchanted
The Great Little Madison (Fritz)
Poppy and Rye (Avi)
Redwall (Jacques)
All Creatures Great and Small
Hadassah (The Girl Who Became Queen Esther)
Ah, Music!
......and some Mad Libs :D
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
No foolin'
Yes, we are the type of people who go on a road trip just as gas prices are hitting their peak.
First stop: Anaheim. Yes, we are also the type of people who love this place. It was a little crowded due to spring break, but the weather was lovely (translation [in case you are not a native of western Oregon]: it was overcast and cool)
Then onward to Yuma and Phoenix to visit extended family. Now I understand what they mean by a 'dry heat'. But hot is hot to this red-head. The Easter eggs would have baked in the grass.
From here we left the interstate freeway system and, map and GPS in hand, we wended our way to the Grand Canyon. This stop was not part of our original plan, and we had no where near enough time to explore the area. Maybe a return trip next year?
The next day found us crossing the Hoover Dam, then driving down the Vegas strip. Not seeing anything there to entice us, we headed toward Reno.
Thus followed 7 hours of driving through barren and desolate country....
Seeing that we had not yet killed each other after 13 days on the road, we made a stop at dh and my university alma mater. It was spring break there too, and also quite desolate. Nothing much had changed in the past 18 years, at least at our cursory glance. The girls were amused by our reminicing.
At last we steeled ourselves for the final leg of the trip, from the southern to northern borders of Oregon, east of the Cascades. Yes, we went from sunburn to frostbite in a matter of 2 days.
Final numbers:
3600 miles on the van
14 nights in hotels/motels/gramma's floor
4 states visited
5 'school days' missed
5 pounds gained (by me)
3 books on CD listened too
2 new Build a Bear friends made
and $0 credit card bills to face (thanks Dave Ramsey!)
Family vacations? Priceless
First stop: Anaheim. Yes, we are also the type of people who love this place. It was a little crowded due to spring break, but the weather was lovely (translation [in case you are not a native of western Oregon]: it was overcast and cool)
Then onward to Yuma and Phoenix to visit extended family. Now I understand what they mean by a 'dry heat'. But hot is hot to this red-head. The Easter eggs would have baked in the grass.
From here we left the interstate freeway system and, map and GPS in hand, we wended our way to the Grand Canyon. This stop was not part of our original plan, and we had no where near enough time to explore the area. Maybe a return trip next year?
The next day found us crossing the Hoover Dam, then driving down the Vegas strip. Not seeing anything there to entice us, we headed toward Reno.
Thus followed 7 hours of driving through barren and desolate country....
Seeing that we had not yet killed each other after 13 days on the road, we made a stop at dh and my university alma mater. It was spring break there too, and also quite desolate. Nothing much had changed in the past 18 years, at least at our cursory glance. The girls were amused by our reminicing.
At last we steeled ourselves for the final leg of the trip, from the southern to northern borders of Oregon, east of the Cascades. Yes, we went from sunburn to frostbite in a matter of 2 days.
Final numbers:
3600 miles on the van
14 nights in hotels/motels/gramma's floor
4 states visited
5 'school days' missed
5 pounds gained (by me)
3 books on CD listened too
2 new Build a Bear friends made
and $0 credit card bills to face (thanks Dave Ramsey!)
Family vacations? Priceless
Saturday, March 08, 2008
One week and counting.......
It is one week until we leave on our highly anticipate four state road trip. (We live in Oregon, so hitting four states takes some serious mileage). I have a million things to do to get ready, and things to finish up before we leave, not limited to but including getting $600+ of repairs done to our traveling van, helping Youngest Daughter prepare for AWANA Quizzing, working 8 hours, sending Eldest Daughter out on another bowl night, and taking in an opening day viewing of Horton Hears a Who.
I'm looking forward to this vacation!
I'm looking forward to this vacation!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Happy Gerbilversary to us!
We adopted our little critters one year ago. I can't find my camera to post an updated picture, but suffice it to say they have doubled in size. And chewed up that green little house. These little guys are great; they do not smell at all, only need infrequent changes of bedding, and are very entertaining.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Shostakovich and Ice Cream
Youngest Daughter and I took in Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony today.
It isn't the musical experience that keeps me coming back for these; it is the time spent together, one on one with my kids; the drive into the city, finding that parking garage in the maze of one-way city streets and road construction; the walk through the park blocks, past the statues, over the cobblestone courtyard; the climb to our familiar seats, marvelling at the architecture. It's exchanging pleased smiles during the music, while daughter hugs her stuffed frog. It's walking back to the car after the concert, discussing the music. It's our post-concert ice cream treat.
It's that this is a normal thing to do in our family, not a forced yearly field trip.
It's cool. :)
It isn't the musical experience that keeps me coming back for these; it is the time spent together, one on one with my kids; the drive into the city, finding that parking garage in the maze of one-way city streets and road construction; the walk through the park blocks, past the statues, over the cobblestone courtyard; the climb to our familiar seats, marvelling at the architecture. It's exchanging pleased smiles during the music, while daughter hugs her stuffed frog. It's walking back to the car after the concert, discussing the music. It's our post-concert ice cream treat.
It's that this is a normal thing to do in our family, not a forced yearly field trip.
It's cool. :)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Yes, we know how to socialize
Usually we work right through things such as President's Day, but who can resist hanging out with friends at the bowling alley? The girls' AWANA TNT club held their annual bowling day this morning. Eldest Daughter doesn't have great aim, but she has quite the powerful arm! Time to sign her up for lessons.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Fine Art Friday
~Edgar Degas, Dancer on Pointe
Yesterday the girls and I went into the city to take in The Dancer: Degas, Forain, and Toulouse-Lautrec.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Behind the Scenes
We got to spend a couple hours today prowling around one of our favorite city haunts, our symphony's concert hall. A couple dozen friends joined us for a look in to the inner workings of the orchestra and where they practice and perform. We sat in on a working rehearsal, and got to chat with one of the musicians. Our kids, ages 5 to 13, were beautifully behaved and attentive, and I was delighted to spend the morning with them.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Inside the Score: Hayden, Prokofiev
Eldest Daughter and I went into the city today to take in a concert by our local symphony.
Sometimes I sit there in the darkened concert hall, marveling that my budding teenager still enjoys listening to Hayden and Prokofiev with her mom. How long will this last? I don't know, but I treasure every moment.
Sometimes I sit there in the darkened concert hall, marveling that my budding teenager still enjoys listening to Hayden and Prokofiev with her mom. How long will this last? I don't know, but I treasure every moment.
Friday, February 08, 2008
It's February???
See what happens when you catch a rotten cold from your husband and spend a week in bed? It's February already?
Thanks, hon. Now pass the vitamin C.
Mercifully, the girls did not get sick. Hubby and I sequestered ourselves upstairs, giving the girls the run of the house downstairs. Starvation was held at bay by copious servings of mac and cheese and pb&j.
Note to self: Need to give the girls more cooking lessons.
Ahh, it is good to be amongst the living once again.
Thanks, hon. Now pass the vitamin C.
Mercifully, the girls did not get sick. Hubby and I sequestered ourselves upstairs, giving the girls the run of the house downstairs. Starvation was held at bay by copious servings of mac and cheese and pb&j.
Note to self: Need to give the girls more cooking lessons.
Ahh, it is good to be amongst the living once again.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Grand Prix 2008
It's that time of year again!
Eldest daughter's Tootsie Roll rolled to a third place finish in 2006, while her 2007 entry, Jenga Tower, improved to 2nd place. Youngest daughter's Sparks entry failed to score an award in 2006, but 2007's Race of the Penguins in the TNT catagory earned 1st place.
To summarize, our record for AWANA TNT races stands at 3 entries - 3 trophies.
No pressure.
Truly. The girls select their own designs, which for the most part to don't appear to be terribly aerodynamic. This year's choices were no exception. Their cars were heavy, blocky, but the wheels ran straight and true.
Eldest Daughter's entry: Pink Pearl eraser
Youngest Daughter's: Pack of Gum
(photo to come)
And the results?
A tie for 2nd place.
5 entries - 5 trophies.
Cool.
Eldest daughter's Tootsie Roll rolled to a third place finish in 2006, while her 2007 entry, Jenga Tower, improved to 2nd place. Youngest daughter's Sparks entry failed to score an award in 2006, but 2007's Race of the Penguins in the TNT catagory earned 1st place.
To summarize, our record for AWANA TNT races stands at 3 entries - 3 trophies.
No pressure.
Truly. The girls select their own designs, which for the most part to don't appear to be terribly aerodynamic. This year's choices were no exception. Their cars were heavy, blocky, but the wheels ran straight and true.
Eldest Daughter's entry: Pink Pearl eraser
Youngest Daughter's: Pack of Gum
(photo to come)
And the results?
A tie for 2nd place.
5 entries - 5 trophies.
Cool.
Monday, January 28, 2008
On Stage: Riverdance
A late Christmas present from Gramma brought us into the city Sunday evening. Threatening snow clouds held their position, and the traffic was a dream, not a nightmare. It was a wonderful start to an amazing night.
We were introduced to Riverdance by PBS when Eldest Daughter's was just a toddler. Some of our favorite home videos (which I will not subject you to) show ED dancing her little heart out. And in the buff, of course. A couple years later, Younger Daughter joined her sis, as they danced and pranced about the living room.
I'll grant you that neither is growing up to pursue Irish step dancing as a passion or occupation. But they do find pleasure in many types of music, dance, and performance.
As the lights dimmed and the music swelled, the girls were on the edge of their seats.
Two hours later, their enthusiasm only grew. As we walked through the darkened city streets to our car, as we enjoyed some ice cream (a post-show tradition), as we tucked them into bed, the dance, the music, the clothes, the hair (!) were eagerly discussed.
And will be for some time to come.
Thanks, Gramma!
We were introduced to Riverdance by PBS when Eldest Daughter's was just a toddler. Some of our favorite home videos (which I will not subject you to) show ED dancing her little heart out. And in the buff, of course. A couple years later, Younger Daughter joined her sis, as they danced and pranced about the living room.
I'll grant you that neither is growing up to pursue Irish step dancing as a passion or occupation. But they do find pleasure in many types of music, dance, and performance.
As the lights dimmed and the music swelled, the girls were on the edge of their seats.
Two hours later, their enthusiasm only grew. As we walked through the darkened city streets to our car, as we enjoyed some ice cream (a post-show tradition), as we tucked them into bed, the dance, the music, the clothes, the hair (!) were eagerly discussed.
And will be for some time to come.
Thanks, Gramma!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
A Day Off
We typically continue our lessons through school holidays. Today, however, our church held a school's-out program which both girls wished to attend, Younger daughter as a participant, Eldest daughter as an instructor:
Have you seen the crazy things kids can do with cups? Both of my girls are nuts for Sport Stacking. There are three standard formations they build with the cups, racing against the clock. Eldest daughter shaved a few hundredths off her personal best, doing 'the cycle' in 11.84 seconds.
Now imagine a room with over two dozen kids slamming, stacking, and dropping cups everywhere!
A little sport, a little competition, a little socialization, not to mention the mini-pizzas and brownies.
A day well spent.
Have you seen the crazy things kids can do with cups? Both of my girls are nuts for Sport Stacking. There are three standard formations they build with the cups, racing against the clock. Eldest daughter shaved a few hundredths off her personal best, doing 'the cycle' in 11.84 seconds.
Now imagine a room with over two dozen kids slamming, stacking, and dropping cups everywhere!
A little sport, a little competition, a little socialization, not to mention the mini-pizzas and brownies.
A day well spent.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
From page to screen: The Water Horse
We saw a trailer for The Water Horse last week, and decided a viewing of the movie might be a great way to end our school week. We have a policy (which I amend at will) to read the book before we see the movie. A quick trip to Powell's ensued last night, and we settled in to enjoy this brief book.
And enjoy it we did. Dick King-Smith tells a humorously sweet tale of a multi-generational family, living in a tiny white house on the cliffs above the Scottish seas, who discover a mysterious egg washed ashore after a storm. The family works together as they raise the creature within, until they finally help him settle into his new home in a local lake, Loch Ness.
I hope that wasn't too big of a spoiler for you....
Before we left for the theater, I checked the 'net to read a review of the film.
German submarines?
Machine guns?
Crusoe tries to eat Angus?
Why are the kids so old?
Why do they live in a mansion?
AND WHAT DID THEY DO WITH GRUMBLE?
Eh, skip it.
All this begs the question: Did they do the same thing to King-Smith's Babe? We watched the movie, a huge family favorite, long before I knew it was from a book.
And enjoy it we did. Dick King-Smith tells a humorously sweet tale of a multi-generational family, living in a tiny white house on the cliffs above the Scottish seas, who discover a mysterious egg washed ashore after a storm. The family works together as they raise the creature within, until they finally help him settle into his new home in a local lake, Loch Ness.
I hope that wasn't too big of a spoiler for you....
Before we left for the theater, I checked the 'net to read a review of the film.
German submarines?
Machine guns?
Crusoe tries to eat Angus?
Why are the kids so old?
Why do they live in a mansion?
AND WHAT DID THEY DO WITH GRUMBLE?
Eh, skip it.
All this begs the question: Did they do the same thing to King-Smith's Babe? We watched the movie, a huge family favorite, long before I knew it was from a book.
Friday, January 11, 2008
You are never too old for Veggies.....
Cute fun, but not as 'hum-able' as their previous films.
Nice bonus: Powell's bookstore next door to the theater.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
888 Challenge, taken down a notch
I think the 888 Challenge would be a bit too much for me to commit to, so I'm taking it down a notch for my own personal 555. I've starred * the books I already own; working on my TBR pile is an ongoing challenge in itself.
Classics:
1. Northanger Abbey* FINISHED
2. Anna Karenina*
3. East of Eden* FINISHED
4. Great Expectations*
5. House of the Seven Gables* FINISHED
Juvenile novels:
1. The Water Horse* FINISHED
2. new Penderwicks book (April 08)
3. Nim's Island* FINISHED
4. The Last Battle* FINISHED
5. Half Magic*
Non-fiction:
1. The Omnivore's Dilemma
2. In Defense of Food : An Eater's Manifesto FINISHED
3. Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World
4. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle FINISHED
5. Sheltered Promise*
Banned or challenged books:
1. Fahrenheit 451
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*
3. A Wrinkle in Time*
4. To Kill a Mockingbird
5. The Witches FINISHED
Books about Books and Reading:
1. Reading Lolita in Tehran* READING NOW
2. The Book Thief
3. Parnassus on Wheels
4. The Haunted Bookshop
5. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader
Classics:
1. Northanger Abbey* FINISHED
2. Anna Karenina*
3. East of Eden* FINISHED
4. Great Expectations*
5. House of the Seven Gables* FINISHED
Juvenile novels:
1. The Water Horse* FINISHED
2. new Penderwicks book (April 08)
3. Nim's Island* FINISHED
4. The Last Battle* FINISHED
5. Half Magic*
Non-fiction:
1. The Omnivore's Dilemma
2. In Defense of Food : An Eater's Manifesto FINISHED
3. Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World
4. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle FINISHED
5. Sheltered Promise*
Banned or challenged books:
1. Fahrenheit 451
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*
3. A Wrinkle in Time*
4. To Kill a Mockingbird
5. The Witches FINISHED
Books about Books and Reading:
1. Reading Lolita in Tehran* READING NOW
2. The Book Thief
3. Parnassus on Wheels
4. The Haunted Bookshop
5. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Back to (home)school
After an extended holiday break, we have made our way back to our formal studies. These are our plans for the next few months:
Math: Singapore is still working for us. By June, I anticipate Eldest Daughter finishing 6B, while Youngest Daughter will in all likelihood finish 4B and start 5A.
Grammar: They are together working in Rod and Staff 6. We are taking it slow, as they, as well as I, are struggling to understand the difference between simple tense, perfect tense, and principal parts. How is it I never learned this stuff? In any case, my ultimate goal is to take them through R&S 8, and I don't really care if it takes us a couple years per book. By June, I'd like to make it at least halfway through this book.
Writing: Eldest Daughter just started Wordsmith Apprentice, and is loving it thus far. Eldest Daughter has come a long way already this year, by being able to turn out a page or so of writing in a timely fashion, without tears. Now we are focusing more on content, form, spelling, etc. Youngest Daughter, the writer of the family, is reading Live Writing for inspiration and tips.
Science: We are more than halfway through Apologia Botany, but have set it aside this winter to start their Zoology 1 book. Youngest Daughter will soon be starting a co-op class on Electricity, and both girls have Zoo classes this winter.
History: Story of the World 2 continues to be the basis of our studies, along with extra books, biographies, and movies. This system works well for us, and I know the girls are retaining quite a bit.
Spelling: Although Eldest Daughter still struggles with her day to day lessons, I can see that her spelling is indeed improving in her various writings. It's going to be a slow, ongoing process. Youngest Daughter continues with Spelling Power, using it for impromptu vocabulary lessons, too.
Latin: This will be the year we finish Latina Christiana 1! Our goals are to familiarize them with Latin roots, derivatives, and the like. I have LC 2 waiting in the wings for next year, and that is as far as I hope to take them.
What have I missed? We cover Bible, art, music, PE, poetry, literature, and all the rest, sometimes with formal lessons, often just through our day to day activities. We have numerous field trips and outings planned for the next few months.
Time to wake up these sleepy heads and get busy!
Math: Singapore is still working for us. By June, I anticipate Eldest Daughter finishing 6B, while Youngest Daughter will in all likelihood finish 4B and start 5A.
Grammar: They are together working in Rod and Staff 6. We are taking it slow, as they, as well as I, are struggling to understand the difference between simple tense, perfect tense, and principal parts. How is it I never learned this stuff? In any case, my ultimate goal is to take them through R&S 8, and I don't really care if it takes us a couple years per book. By June, I'd like to make it at least halfway through this book.
Writing: Eldest Daughter just started Wordsmith Apprentice, and is loving it thus far. Eldest Daughter has come a long way already this year, by being able to turn out a page or so of writing in a timely fashion, without tears. Now we are focusing more on content, form, spelling, etc. Youngest Daughter, the writer of the family, is reading Live Writing for inspiration and tips.
Science: We are more than halfway through Apologia Botany, but have set it aside this winter to start their Zoology 1 book. Youngest Daughter will soon be starting a co-op class on Electricity, and both girls have Zoo classes this winter.
History: Story of the World 2 continues to be the basis of our studies, along with extra books, biographies, and movies. This system works well for us, and I know the girls are retaining quite a bit.
Spelling: Although Eldest Daughter still struggles with her day to day lessons, I can see that her spelling is indeed improving in her various writings. It's going to be a slow, ongoing process. Youngest Daughter continues with Spelling Power, using it for impromptu vocabulary lessons, too.
Latin: This will be the year we finish Latina Christiana 1! Our goals are to familiarize them with Latin roots, derivatives, and the like. I have LC 2 waiting in the wings for next year, and that is as far as I hope to take them.
What have I missed? We cover Bible, art, music, PE, poetry, literature, and all the rest, sometimes with formal lessons, often just through our day to day activities. We have numerous field trips and outings planned for the next few months.
Time to wake up these sleepy heads and get busy!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
An offer I can refuse
Verizon is offering to help us save money, offering to bundle our telephone and Internet service with their newest, sharpest, jazziest television package.
Ignoring the fact that we would have to upgrade my phone service at double the price in order to do the bundle -
Ignoring the fact that we are quite content with our $9 basic cable -
Ignoring the fact we have an old television and a VCR I cannot program -
Their 'savings offer' would cost me an additional $516 per year.
Which begs the question, how better could we spend $516 to entertain our family?
Hmmmmmm.......
Yearly memberships to:
the science museum - $125
the zoo - $64
the art museum - $85
MVP package at Hollywood video - $120
4 concert symphony subscription for 2 - $120
One-shot affairs:
family packet of tickets and junk food for a night of NBA basketball - $56
3 tickets to Riverdance later this month - $120
3 tickets to Phantom this summer - $120
3 nights of camping at our favorite state park - $60
Not to mention shopping excursion to Powell's, Barnes and Noble, and Rainy Day Games.
Thanks anyway, Verizon, but we have books to read, games to play, and places to go.
Ignoring the fact that we would have to upgrade my phone service at double the price in order to do the bundle -
Ignoring the fact that we are quite content with our $9 basic cable -
Ignoring the fact we have an old television and a VCR I cannot program -
Their 'savings offer' would cost me an additional $516 per year.
Which begs the question, how better could we spend $516 to entertain our family?
Hmmmmmm.......
Yearly memberships to:
One-shot affairs:
Not to mention shopping excursion to Powell's, Barnes and Noble, and Rainy Day Games.
Thanks anyway, Verizon, but we have books to read, games to play, and places to go.
Monday, January 07, 2008
'Subprime' is 2007 Word of the Year
So says the American Dialect Society.
(Mortgage? As of Christmas Eve, we don't have no stinkin' mortgage. Thanks, Dave Ramsey!)
(Mortgage? As of Christmas Eve, we don't have no stinkin' mortgage. Thanks, Dave Ramsey!)
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