tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27314854344911183632024-03-12T17:40:13.881-07:00Lighthouse Classical AcademyRandom thoughts and happenings in the Lighthouse Classical AcademyRaspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-67864245097050371012018-08-29T23:05:00.000-07:002018-08-29T23:05:12.809-07:00New School Year, New AdventuresAfter 3 years off, I am going to do a bit more blogging. We are headed out on a giant roadtrip and my family wants to see what we are up to. We shall see how I do ;)<br />
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So, brief update, Tiger is now 16 and driving, Butterfly is 14 and working hard on becoming an author, Pumpkin Pie is now 12 and loving Young Womens and still loves karate, Strawberry is 9 (ok she will be 9 in less than a month) and loves to listen to audiobooks on "Spare Oom" (our locked down kindle fire with nothing but audiobooks and soon some picture books to read in the car), and Little One, who isn't so little and will henceforth be Bug, is now 5 and reading everything he can over everyone's shoulders. He no longer wishes to be a dinosaur or a dinosaur pilot when he grows up, but he plans to own a tower crane. <br />
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In other news, in June we moved 40 miles to a new home. We love our new home, but we had to say goodbye to our old one. Goodbye old home: <br />
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In the past, we used to line up by the garage door and take first day of our new school year photos, the kids wanted one last photo there. The lighting was pretty bad, so there is a bit of squinting eyes. </div>
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<br />Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-91905181404045325752015-04-06T18:14:00.001-07:002015-04-06T18:14:09.456-07:00Catching up<p>Well, catching up would be impossible. This year is flying by so fast and I haven’t had any time to keep up on the blog. But here are a few things from the last couple of months.</p> <p>Here is a picture from Christmas. Everyone was healthy for Christmas but since everyone had been sick before and after, I don’t have a picture of Butterfly’s birthday. She turned 11. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A1JXRpFCrNk/VSMulHt_4cI/AAAAAAAAFGU/tupA_Nb9fBk/s1600-h/Dec%25252024%2525202014_0124%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Dec 24 2014_0124" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Dec 24 2014_0124" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-THs84U5giO4/VSMul1lvEsI/AAAAAAAAFGY/7yijEKqPlZE/Dec%25252024%2525202014_0124_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>We had to do birthday cake for her after Christmas. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yfq6XjkEuvY/VSMumXZku7I/AAAAAAAAFGk/COSLE4-2ql4/s1600-h/Dec%25252028%2525202014_0015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Dec 28 2014_0015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Dec 28 2014_0015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6h6TVZfxZTU/VSMunDWiN8I/AAAAAAAAFGs/nXgH05bWjp4/Dec%25252028%2525202014_0015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>The kids made a breakfast for B for his birthday- everything they cooked they did in the shape of a 40 and they put 40 pieces of tofu on the plate (he doesn’t particularly like tofu, so the kid ate that I think). <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zbbQXYfV0G8/VSMunl2qr_I/AAAAAAAAFG0/dq9lPGSIz5U/s1600-h/Jan%25252003%2525202015_0265%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Jan 03 2015_0265" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Jan 03 2015_0265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fs4OUmLRdao/VSMuoMArX-I/AAAAAAAAFG4/lYQLXiMJdmE/Jan%25252003%2525202015_0265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>In February B took me to see Carousel. It was so much fun to go and see a play with him. We dressed up, went to dinner, and then went to the play. I think Butterfly took this picture for us. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wUI4SZQ2yrI/VSMuom1DUDI/AAAAAAAAFHE/HL92XMmvQpA/s1600-h/Feb%25252006%2525202015_0143%25255B4%25255D.jpg"></p><img title="Feb 06 2015_0143" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Feb 06 2015_0143" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gU1lEztS6kQ/VSMupTx8SMI/AAAAAAAAFHI/K4AlWVVvxYs/Feb%25252006%2525202015_0143_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="295"></a> <p>Strawberry earned her purple stripe in February. She was really excited. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P0xfoZeSiF0/VSMupkatt2I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/or32XqaPeAk/s1600-h/Feb%25252007%2525202015_0099%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Feb 07 2015_0099" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Feb 07 2015_0099" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Catz3Q8mLos/VSMuqHEKcbI/AAAAAAAAFHY/NwxoGakeYzU/Feb%25252007%2525202015_0099_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fWPPyG310C4/VSMuq1pnjVI/AAAAAAAAFHk/ZdGDpmewY9w/s1600-h/Feb%25252007%2525202015_0113%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Feb 07 2015_0113" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Feb 07 2015_0113" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HefCGwCakG0/VSMurbXQY0I/AAAAAAAAFHo/P1XFUafYCWY/Feb%25252007%2525202015_0113_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Butterfly and Pumpkin Pie had roles in our co-op’s play this year. Strawberry also had a small part. Here is Butterfly playing an old woman in the scene depicting the Aesop’s fable story of the miller and donkey. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TjD21Gb8mDI/VSMur7tmm8I/AAAAAAAAFH0/-ti6D2pw0I4/s1600-h/Feb%25252028%2525202015_0004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Feb 28 2015_0004" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Feb 28 2015_0004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mxrz0KpRPdA/VSMusZ-5TkI/AAAAAAAAFH4/x3rlOZk8PhI/Feb%25252028%2525202015_0004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a>And here is Pumpkin Pie the rich merchant in the same scene. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zJJ2FGC8eHA/VSMus86DY6I/AAAAAAAAFIE/aCWRFF31-OY/s1600-h/Feb%25252028%2525202015_0006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Feb 28 2015_0006" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Feb 28 2015_0006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bt4uxsLot0Q/VSMutskIJhI/AAAAAAAAFII/ePtS373f78g/Feb%25252028%2525202015_0006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>March meant 13 for Tiger complete with birthday muffins for breakfast (frosted in peanut butter and honey frosting), </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g4MxdFZkEtg/VSMuty72NSI/AAAAAAAAFIU/QjPier4YZlM/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252006_0254%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 06_0254" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 06_0254" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xotyD94zci8/VSMuuq9tH8I/AAAAAAAAFIY/B7vwP0bWriQ/2015%252520Mar%25252006_0254_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a>and a surprise birthday party at the park with his friends. Thanks to some dear friends for putting it together!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-egyKfofXwDw/VSMuvN0uakI/AAAAAAAAFIk/z7a5oXHjcNM/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252006_0262%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 06_0262" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 06_0262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UXheUvSQfEA/VSMuvz2MIrI/AAAAAAAAFIo/B1Iif_rvAnw/2015%252520Mar%25252006_0262_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><img title="2015 Mar 06_0287" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 06_0287" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LimycgbOESM/VSMuwNsc7eI/AAAAAAAAFIw/E5jHdB4wZ0g/2015%252520Mar%25252006_0287_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244">A week later Little One turned 2. I suppose he really needs a new nickname on the blog as he is getting to be not so little. <img title="2015 Mar 13_0233" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 13_0233" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HAnhG9h1wTk/VSMuwrnI75I/AAAAAAAAFI8/0gAm8bv9wEs/2015%252520Mar%25252013_0233_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yzVHgdN-Bw0/VSMuxYQI2WI/AAAAAAAAFJE/VVqecW-7o-k/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252021_0181%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 21_0181" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 21_0181" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vVPJmxWov3g/VSMux29IcfI/AAAAAAAAFJI/XzR1YbJ8nIo/2015%252520Mar%25252021_0181_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>He is full of silliness, love, and two-ness. Here he is “fixing” or “pssshhhh”ing or possibly doing magic on Daddy’s shoes. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-glNUueSUoOU/VSMuyaZwr-I/AAAAAAAAFJU/7hWOUuYU-Fo/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252021_0195%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 21_0195" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 21_0195" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oaNoTOGQ2_8/VSMuzM8JjRI/AAAAAAAAFJY/21W94wrb0Gs/2015%252520Mar%25252021_0195_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>And of course when he sleeps he is always sweet. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YmrkiODTZ4A/VSMuzacegSI/AAAAAAAAFJg/LB4k7xT90Nk/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252026_0176%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 26_0176" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 26_0176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0DyzLpKgTvg/VSMu0FYBLOI/AAAAAAAAFJs/dIuRNQlZiw0/2015%252520Mar%25252026_0176_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>We celebrated “Bunny Day” the week before Easter. The kids decorated their eggs very carefully. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FALznGGpNIw/VSMu08p3TpI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/JB7B15S8cUs/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252028_0134%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 28_0134" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 28_0134" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LQUvfyOgcDs/VSMu1bkqVQI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/TeUxExYeIcw/2015%252520Mar%25252028_0134_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5zN8UiLlNR8/VSMu1gF8RJI/AAAAAAAAFKE/l8pT_t6mhjI/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252028_0126%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 28_0126" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 28_0126" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IOFg3NLv4CI/VSMu2MsAPBI/AAAAAAAAFKI/FnMllArZINE/2015%252520Mar%25252028_0126_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TVVzNUQTMZ0/VSMu27Eps8I/AAAAAAAAFKQ/uoQXtkwuPho/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252028_0138%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 28_0138" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 28_0138" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--JqhkGlEeKk/VSMu3KD6ABI/AAAAAAAAFKY/17JzFfEP4ys/2015%252520Mar%25252028_0138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The tulip festival started a few weeks early this year so the kids and I went to see the tulips. It was a bit windy but the fields were beautiful. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5dXpWzGK2-o/VSMu3pqvJjI/AAAAAAAAFKk/t-7NWbj0oLM/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0032%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0032" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kgkBGxQB-RE/VSMu4J7Z37I/AAAAAAAAFKs/Den29U_AZ4Y/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hhT4enjpfp4/VSMu4rhCvqI/AAAAAAAAFK0/9Keq_18wTmY/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0036%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0036" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0036" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HKmdCj7Ax3s/VSMu5ac7ZUI/AAAAAAAAFK4/VYPYkS9jId0/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HABymf6CnTQ/VSMu5sPRdlI/AAAAAAAAFLE/_Si1Y2SWhyI/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0043%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0043" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0043" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1m2gi28I5Ok/VSMu6C9KVZI/AAAAAAAAFLM/g9UcPsZOiXM/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>This is how Little One smells- mouth open…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DRhzEQYU3fM/VSMu65wiQ1I/AAAAAAAAFLU/54ofz1jprWI/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0050%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0050" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0050" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iUY1CDFOxvE/VSMu7tqyQGI/AAAAAAAAFLc/X2TgsxbtzvA/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>We took a little tractor trailer ride around the field. That was Little One’s favorite part- the “dgoo dgoo.”</p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IU0MieGu21E/VSMu8P0ShEI/AAAAAAAAFLk/2v1NYWSxTNM/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0059%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0059" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0059" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GUOtJyPv2Ww/VSMu8z30Y6I/AAAAAAAAFLs/JyUvK7se5Zo/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0059_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="263"></a> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MU93urviWWo/VSMu9mYD7BI/AAAAAAAAFL0/v2fVmO5A6WE/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0073%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0073" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rSFYdRCJi-o/VSMu-Ed_oAI/AAAAAAAAFL4/ZsZyfnaXdtE/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0073_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-URarcoxW0Y0/VSMu-SFNlqI/AAAAAAAAFME/1b9y6RxNoMM/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0102%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0102" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0102" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I8qrLSMB9nQ/VSMu_BmOlnI/AAAAAAAAFMI/5YkDmIml_kY/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BlUrAj0lY08/VSMu_sAILvI/AAAAAAAAFMU/MCL1dLAETtQ/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0030%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0030" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O741hDcuNpU/VSMvAERCJ8I/AAAAAAAAFMY/Av2BopAmeTw/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VWFhHmP7R_8/VSMvApkNc7I/AAAAAAAAFMk/eSwKPEmHguk/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0028%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZQEaqdWsCt4/VSMvBGAN24I/AAAAAAAAFMo/5a2j9E-V-Wk/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iieBEmUS8RA/VSMvBlJvcNI/AAAAAAAAFM0/DWJETG4tw1k/s1600-h/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Mar 30_0029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Mar 30_0029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P76PNCr0iIk/VSMvCHDyKII/AAAAAAAAFM4/tpGy1ggwWsA/2015%252520Mar%25252030_0029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>At the beginning of the month, our co-op put on a formal family ball. We had a great time. I did the girls’ hair fancy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n0h6klY23Eo/VSMvCggmHFI/AAAAAAAAFNE/HTrP04fWDAg/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0017" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DyQlyWPRciY/VSMvDEM-dqI/AAAAAAAAFNI/tUB3JFhLCe0/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y9uivj6OwcY/VSMvDbwkwPI/AAAAAAAAFNU/59eeIqxvI5I/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0023" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S-WR4ToWLX0/VSMvENsFpJI/AAAAAAAAFNY/3P1XcOLCtkk/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Butterfly is supposed to have a butterfly in her hair. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P2MWk8VbBIs/VSMvEbD9_KI/AAAAAAAAFNk/RZm_hJd8qqk/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0022" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NsF1Bkk6g6E/VSMvE-te1cI/AAAAAAAAFNo/cVLeLhcWcC0/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bJJ_gqjnKiE/VSMvFalTWoI/AAAAAAAAFN0/OZkvFoAgaNY/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0027%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0027" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x1lLuSPLyXs/VSMvF9HxBCI/AAAAAAAAFN4/zMGkZzOG1ec/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zFQA1dH53Yw/VSMvGV2sNzI/AAAAAAAAFOE/TACeEuO2rKs/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OpMiVGRp-8A/VSMvG2vbntI/AAAAAAAAFOI/SgUPux9HGdQ/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Father daughter dances<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eha9nqN7OEs/VSMvHYKSVeI/AAAAAAAAFOU/ZVbCTeGoJGg/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0061%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0061" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0061" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vpNUJhaGqo/VSMvH0f0JsI/AAAAAAAAFOY/3XTq_J5Fj24/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MoP0Ic2ENG8/VSMvIXOqzhI/AAAAAAAAFOk/72GEpYucJvA/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0066%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0066" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0066" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kfFvcnBjSIA/VSMvI7ShX_I/AAAAAAAAFOo/Y43mYDrnuiU/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Learning to waltz<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cQjV0cajbS4/VSMvJVDx0FI/AAAAAAAAFO0/0PzS1HGpF9g/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0068%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0068" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0068" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CEZOrE_SeJ4/VSMvJydE85I/AAAAAAAAFO4/RgRDh8nanN4/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eHzkwKqlpYc/VSMvKInbkcI/AAAAAAAAFPE/2mP56a0hRmE/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0071%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0071" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0071" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fD6QF-rCWrE/VSMvKzzE-qI/AAAAAAAAFPI/wO1aCXyjIZ0/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uCuhSJCa-3Y/VSMvLMogi5I/AAAAAAAAFPU/aqYpj8xo5T8/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0033" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dgCTgR2yrLo/VSMvLrRX2uI/AAAAAAAAFPY/VrD29aNcM6Y/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-atDcR-kCG5I/VSMvMT7-cdI/AAAAAAAAFPk/W7B8aGPHEYA/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0035" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0035" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zfUrQ7ezmSs/VSMvM5UroiI/AAAAAAAAFPo/jVOUw1lBeeg/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6p3dQTJenYQ/VSMvNZfs2JI/AAAAAAAAFP0/8t4CNIj0GAg/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0038%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0038" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ImMvsF-8XZw/VSMvNwezu4I/AAAAAAAAFP4/s-_aqlyEtcQ/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-11xIVBGmFYg/VSMvOM094GI/AAAAAAAAFQE/Tf7BpQMXyus/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0046%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0046" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5vsuNhrTzDE/VSMvO2h8jQI/AAAAAAAAFQI/FNkugbssurg/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>More water!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ip2n0ZsNEdA/VSMvPJlaGTI/AAAAAAAAFQU/WFZl7gzlAio/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0049%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0049" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0049" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1PHlgMUEUlc/VSMvPoEXGpI/AAAAAAAAFQY/CNEuTftgfQE/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Mother son dance<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gLf_j2UAI1U/VSMvQJpgWwI/AAAAAAAAFQk/qu8BEUfVTY4/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0079%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0079" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0079" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gtUebxIXHcE/VSMvQt8-mrI/AAAAAAAAFQo/g0qe-HqZvVk/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>The sons presenting their mother…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ALvQxuL44ho/VSMvRAjdDOI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/BuDpsBEqYrw/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0074%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0074" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0074" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-18JQrYK0-H4/VSMvR8haUFI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/_H-RT8DEgns/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>The presentation of the daughters…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GlOo8tsAAuQ/VSMvSCRcQSI/AAAAAAAAFRE/zCTVgvUhS2o/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0051%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 03_0051" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 03_0051" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7_YKa9SJS3I/VSMvS_Qb8yI/AAAAAAAAFRI/n4yahGpo3Vk/2015%252520Apr%25252003_0051_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This year I decided that Easter, although the most holy day of the year doesn’t get enough recognition or tradition. Since Jesus was celebrating the Passover before his crucifixion, I took elements of the Passover and we talked about the symbolism and how it played into Christianity. We then had a Jerusalem dinner after the Passover. We started by ridding the dining room of all leavened breads. I had the kids hunt for some bread pieces. Then, as the Jewish people do, we burned it. <img title="2015 Apr 04_0007" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 04_0007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Os94uKjEcc/VSMvTdLX2OI/AAAAAAAAFRU/AA3dY3Q-akA/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-riFcUjWyk0k/VSMvT4w5sQI/AAAAAAAAFRc/qcrxe8abv4I/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0008%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 04_0008" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 04_0008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mbaYJM9VJCI/VSMvUQmo9DI/AAAAAAAAFRg/hfiZgsikzvE/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6kkvySg3pMg/VSMvU4ey9HI/AAAAAAAAFRs/WmkfkPLjP_8/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 04_0012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 04_0012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uag63jeHUP8/VSMvVYuD7_I/AAAAAAAAFRw/BjuJ_inkg88/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Then we had our Seder plate and talked about why the Jews celebrate Passover and what it means and how the symbols are also symbols of Jesus and his teachings. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_mPMudJPIBA/VSMvVhtDWoI/AAAAAAAAFR8/SJjmj4hVjgE/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 04_0013" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 04_0013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HvMOJZGumzE/VSMvWFbAE2I/AAAAAAAAFSA/dqKqBkxPCB4/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Then we made our Easter Cookies with the story of the crucifixion. </p> <p>Here is Strawberry “sealing” the tomb (the oven) before heading to bed. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CZbfYpDT89k/VSMvWgtObtI/AAAAAAAAFSM/KbO7FD-wO7g/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 04_0016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 04_0016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WjNlQ7kiPnI/VSMvXA3fZaI/AAAAAAAAFSU/0UnFCdNyJy4/2015%252520Apr%25252004_0016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Easter morning the tomb was empty and this sweet treat awaited the family. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lIKyobnbG4o/VSMvXjSexGI/AAAAAAAAFSY/WX9QsmjVFnk/s1600-h/2015%252520Apr%25252005_0001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2015 Apr 05_0001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2015 Apr 05_0001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CwCYiVzuJi8/VSMvYOx9thI/AAAAAAAAFSg/Fbh8E8Ccs2w/2015%252520Apr%25252005_0001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-37803019941588589722014-07-15T14:51:00.000-07:002014-07-15T14:53:44.286-07:00Only the Master Could Paint Something this Beautiful<p>And I can only attempt to capture it. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jj2T0e6qc_U/U8Wiz6EAY7I/AAAAAAAAFDQ/MpY-_yxA4tE/s1600-h/IMG_2738%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2738" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2738" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4n_L5RsT7VI/U8Wi0dix-1I/AAAAAAAAFDU/fm9_laqLX1Q/IMG_2738_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="271"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kbr6oTQmXNg/U8Wi0tqjknI/AAAAAAAAFDc/ljBW1zaeh8I/s1600-h/IMG_2733%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2733" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2733" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g2hVqQgH5OQ/U8Wi1ni8QbI/AAAAAAAAFDo/Va_ky-qYef0/IMG_2733_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="273"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HP9l-4PgBBY/U8Wi2P8Fw4I/AAAAAAAAFDs/vYGnD6vYEcg/s1600-h/IMG_2734%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2734" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2734" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rGlC8q_0Z3c/U8Wi2mnhj1I/AAAAAAAAFD0/By6mGyZolhQ/IMG_2734_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="275"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RfTKMJ4vPLA/U8Wi3LdLzDI/AAAAAAAAFEA/bnjF0YxtvTM/s1600-h/IMG_2735%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2735" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2735" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xtCaWevXi-M/U8Wi3sh630I/AAAAAAAAFEE/WM5zz3byqYg/IMG_2735_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="275"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OcRVKpvWJEw/U8Wi4X3bLYI/AAAAAAAAFEM/y8wPPg6F3mY/s1600-h/IMG_2736%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2736" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2736" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PayEDxMNLzw/U8Wi43MDBhI/AAAAAAAAFEU/jZGLF_xDgg4/IMG_2736_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="276"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IgFn-NK9qVs/U8Wi5VIcucI/AAAAAAAAFEc/0571bLCFz0E/s1600-h/IMG_2737%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2737" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2737" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gddpHrKq_Kg/U8Wi5lFdDCI/AAAAAAAAFEk/iQsEL_rW_8c/IMG_2737_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="278"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-88550228314103160622014-07-15T14:47:00.001-07:002014-07-15T14:47:52.111-07:00Pictures of Life<p>Little One fell asleep on the living room floor. I guess reading and playing with the metronome wore him out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QErSFhzFYaE/U8WhdUNGtwI/AAAAAAAAFCg/oEY-lJMXaso/s1600-h/IMG_2739%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2739" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2739" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A2-Uexg4pcA/U8WheSaFpWI/AAAAAAAAFCo/Pu8RhgwEb4U/IMG_2739_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="290"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wy4c5K8hXDo/U8WhfBp7IoI/AAAAAAAAFCw/VwFveCUv9Z0/s1600-h/IMG_2741%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2741" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2741" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fsBcfGANY3g/U8WhfwZjBZI/AAAAAAAAFC0/m_E3kUVezxM/IMG_2741_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="292"></a>And then there is Butterfly… Yes, she is reading a book while she holds it with her toes…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uhprcBPQXnY/U8Whgomzg4I/AAAAAAAAFDA/mmrCRwUca3g/s1600-h/IMG_2743%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2743" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2743" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FaePz2E0zPs/U8WhhqmW9HI/AAAAAAAAFDE/ilCUe4urjD0/IMG_2743_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="277"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-36506569075090831272014-06-06T09:19:00.001-07:002014-06-06T09:19:30.074-07:0012 Hours constitutes Summer Reading<p>Oh my. The library system youth reading program is 12 hours! For each 12 hours, the kids can turn in a new card and enter again into a drawing for a galaxy tablet, but 12 hours is the minimum? Really? I told the librarian that Tiger does that in less than a week. She shrugged. That was Monday. Thursday, Tiger returned with summer reading program card in hand and the librarian looked at him in disbelief. “We didn’t expect anyone to finish that fast. We won’t be ready until later next week.” In the last 4 days, both Tiger and Marin have read multiple books. Tiger has been reading Laddie, A Single Shard, The Sign of the Beaver, and a few other fun books. He also wrote his essay for his Harry Potter class, practiced piano, and did his math daily. Butterfly has read The Horse and His Boy, The Princess and the Goblin, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon this week. Even Pumpkin Pie has completed half of the program for children- 500 minutes. Thankfully, they read because they love it and the reading program is just a bonus.</p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-4110702874907266182014-06-05T09:09:00.001-07:002014-06-05T18:34:21.844-07:00Kinder Cottage Publishing- Schoolhouse Review<p align="left"><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/kinder-cottage-review/" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Kinder Cottage Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20Vendor%20Graphics/Kinder%20Cottage/kindercottagelogo_zpsf77db2a0.png"></a></p> <p align="left">I was offered the chance to review two books out of a series that has recently been republished by <a href="http://kindercottage.com/" rel="nofollow">Kinder Cottage Publishing.</a><strong></strong> The books I got to review are <a href="http://kindercottage.com/the-tale-of-peter-rabbit-1.aspx" rel="nofollow">Peter Rabbit at the Farm</a> and <a href="http://kindercottage.com/the-tale-of-peter-rabbit-1-1-1.aspx" rel="nofollow">How Peter Rabbit Went to Sea</a>. Each hardback book is costs $4. They are appropriate for children 3-7. </p> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/kinder-cottage-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Kinder Cottage Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20Vendor%20Graphics/Kinder%20Cottage/12Top010_zpsd6e56c9e.jpg" width="304" height="560"></a></center> <div align="left">Originally written by Duff Graham in 1917 for the Henry Altemus company, Kinder Cottage has reprinted these stories in full color and edited the text to reflect more modern words. For example, the word velocipede was changed to bicycle. There are 10 stories in all. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/kinder-cottage-review/" target="_blank"><img style="float: left; display: inline" border="0" alt="Kinder Cottage Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20Vendor%20Graphics/Kinder%20Cottage/peterrabbitfarm_zpsd71c4090.jpg" width="253" align="left" height="352"></a>Peter Rabbit at the Farm is about an adventurous rabbit named Peter who goes for a walk through the farm of Mr. McGregor. As he does, he meets many farm animals as well as Mr. McGregor’s hired man. Sometimes he helps the animals he finds out of trouble, but more often, he causes his own trouble. Finally, lost, Peter cunningly takes a ride hanging from the legs of Old Jim Crow until he can get his bearings and run home. There, he laughs as he tells his family of his adventures, is scolded for running away, eats his dinner, and falls asleep.</div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/kinder-cottage-review/" target="_blank"><img style="float: left; display: inline" border="0" alt="Kinder Cottage Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20Vendor%20Graphics/Kinder%20Cottage/howpeterrabbitsea_zps1b034ec1.jpg" width="251" align="left" height="339"></a>How Peter Rabbit Went to Sea starts out with Peter running an errand for Mother Rabbit to bring home cabbage from Mr. McGregor’s garden. On his way home, he sees some apples on the ground and he decides to eat them. As he does, he forgets all about the cabbage, gets sick, and runs home. Because he has forgotten the cabbage, he is spanked and then cries while his sisters watch. The next day while Mother Rabbit goes out, she cautions the children not to go near the brook. The children look for some stored popcorn (which was hidden for Halloween) to play store until Peter suggests popping it and eating it up. They build a fire and eat most of the corn. Then Peter suggests they go on an adventure. While Peter’s sisters, who were “good little girl rabbits,” suggest playing robber in a cave, Peter, who was a “bad little boy rabbit” wants to build a boat and play pirate. Peter builds his boat then pushes it into the brook to sail away. Pretty soon he finds himself in the ocean where he gets scared of a shark and capsizes on a rock, which is actually the back of a whale. The whale blows him back into his boat, but before he can get in his boat, he meets more unpleasant sea creatures and nearly tips out again when a bird lands on his boat. Finally the bird is so shocked to see a rabbit in the ocean that he determines to take Peter home to show his children and flies off with him. Through some cunning, Peter gets free and runs home where he begs his mother to put him to bed. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">The binding on these books is really nice and they are also available at a great price. I also like the size of the books. They are 5x7 and easy to hold. My children and I didn’t enjoy the stories though. Some of the language doesn’t have the right feel about it. For example, Peter talks back and says things like, “Don’t believe it.” and “Will too.” Additionally, I did not like the “good girl” and “bad boy” descriptions. It seemed to me that it was not a “good” thing to go hunting for the hidden popcorn mother was saving for a special occasion and eat it up. “Good” children would have cautioned against such behavior. I also struggled with the rambling nature of the story line. I was glad that while I found the stories to be lacking in good relationships, Peter does run into trouble as a result of his disregard for others. It is also through some careful thinking that Peter frees himself from trouble. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">Be sure to check out the other reviews. While I may not personally have enjoyed the stories, others surely did. Additionally, there are 8 other stories in the series. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/kinder-cottage-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></center> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-56513325645691454082014-06-03T21:50:00.001-07:002014-06-03T21:50:41.195-07:00Learning Breakthrough- Schoolhouse Review<center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/learning-breakthrough-program-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Learning Breakthrough Program Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Learning%20Breakthrough/learningbreakthrough_zpsf812d4b5.jpg" width="492" height="60"></a></center> <div align="left">I have always been interested in modalities which might assist a person to learn better. I find the idea that conditions like dyslexia or other learning disabilities can only be accommodated preposterous. I believe the brain is amazing and if you tap into the right pathway anything is possible. I love reading about research related to this concept. Recently I was given the opportunity to review <a href="https://learningbreakthrough.com/testimonials-resources/book-excerpts-a-life-in-balance-discovery-of-a-learning-breakthrough-adhd-treatment" rel="nofollow">A Life in Balance</a><strong></strong> published by <a href="https://learningbreakthrough.com" rel="nofollow">Learning Breakthrough Program</a>. Available in paperback, it retails for $16.94. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/learning-breakthrough-program-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Learning Breakthrough Program Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Learning%20Breakthrough/alifeinbalance_zps5891ed66.png" width="179" height="248"></a>Written, by his son, Eric Belgau, A Life in Balance is the story of how Frank Belgau spent years in the classroom researching, modifying, and perfecting methods to help children overcome learning disabilities and reach their potential. It is the story of a man who wouldn’t take no for an answer and despite many setbacks and lack of science and neurological degrees. It is also a manual on how to implement some of his discoveries in your home. These tools have helped children suffering from ADD, dyslexia, poor coordination, as well as those children who don’t seem to have any learning or other disabilities. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">In the 1960s, children with learning disabilities were called minimally brain-injured and were not expected to learn much. Mr. Belgau, through his life experiences did not believe that these children were destined to sit at the desk with their heads down covered in paper so as not to distract the other students. He believed they had potential and it just needed to be unlocked. Starting in Frank Belgau’s early life, this story highlights transformational events which shaped his hypothesis and experiments. It also is a wonderful story of mentors and great teaching as well as not giving up when “failure” seems present. No matter what “failure” was presented, Mr. Belgau seemed to take it like Thomas Edison took his failed light bulbs. Nothing was a failure- all was a learning opportunity. Using the measuring stick of “immediate, observable improvement in reading” as the determination if a therapy worked or not, Mr. Belgau developed exercises, activities, and games which did work. Over time, he integrated ideas and help from medical, neurological, and educational professionals to arrive at what he calls his Learning Breakthrough System. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">I found the book engaging and interesting. I loved to read about the different things that were tried, his logic as to why he chose new things, and how the experiments worked. It was fascinating to me to see how the right people seemed to be placed in Belgau’s path at the right times and how his program evolved. As I read, I began to think about the little kids I teach in karate. I started thinking about how various exercises we do in karate can help the children I teach learn better both in and out of the dojo. I also started thinking about how I can help my children, who don’t have learning disabilities, learn better. Thankfully, the last several chapters of the book outline several exercises so we can begin to use some of the tools that Mr. Belgau has discovered. These exercises include various body-in-space awareness drills. They don’t require a bunch of equipment and can be used right away. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">This is a great book for anyone who works with children in any capacity. The brain is a marvelous wonder. New pathways can be established and everyone has potential just waiting to be realized. As I was reading this book, I was recommending it to various people asking about how to help their struggling children. </div> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/learning-breakthrough-program-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></center> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-44159050412747805192014-05-23T14:42:00.000-07:002014-05-23T14:42:00.411-07:00A Wonderful Afternoon<p>What do our afternoons look like? <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_tLQOmTqkZk/U30eHzoglxI/AAAAAAAAFBI/92K8J9NYJKk/s1600-h/IMG_2477%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2477" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2477" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5IkF25yE_E4/U30eIsJ1f8I/AAAAAAAAFBQ/-wM_vqOUBuY/IMG_2477_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="448"></a></p> <p>While Little One naps, the rest of us are pursuing great books. </p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-87566700249951083102014-05-21T13:48:00.001-07:002014-05-21T13:48:28.963-07:00A Gift for Her Sister<p>Butterfly wanted to make a canopy for Strawberry’s bed. I am not sure what spurred the thought, but she has been working on this project for several weeks. First she drew her plans, B helped her measure dimensions and then she and B went to the hardware store and bought PVC pipe. Together they built the frame for the canopy. Then she took an old sheet and measured the panels and cut it up. She sewed all the edges and today she presented her present to Strawberry. Strawberry loves her bed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hFPWUMKqiiU/U30RDdK8_JI/AAAAAAAAFAA/AP9LGaLcUrk/s1600-h/IMG_2462%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2462" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2462" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n5sKf_xMr9E/U30REPIwavI/AAAAAAAAFAE/d1pgKtYVdJ4/IMG_2462_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="448"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vSPYvWaDk0c/U30REvWiWvI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/d8pxlc_Nws4/s1600-h/IMG_2468%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2468" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2468" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LL5FYFz--PE/U30RFIC5ORI/AAAAAAAAFAU/L9RgHxgqPTE/IMG_2468_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" height="466"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1qLxZnQfuC4/U30RFnYq4WI/AAAAAAAAFAc/NH6ZlgSvv0k/s1600-h/IMG_2474%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2474" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2474" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QmCZrT32QMI/U30RF-08IGI/AAAAAAAAFAo/1q2l89qfd00/IMG_2474_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="543"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qLel_N1zPw8/U30RGQS6SfI/AAAAAAAAFAs/TmsZnzregcg/s1600-h/IMG_2476%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2476" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2476" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k2jIhWr9VwE/U30RGyWnTAI/AAAAAAAAFA0/gQMIITG8KtE/IMG_2476_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="327"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-30039027866437251962014-05-19T08:36:00.000-07:002014-05-19T08:36:00.949-07:00Why Mothers Get Gray<p>My Mother’s Day flowers didn’t stand a chance…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YiUHXPWo36c/U3l8hNrWtSI/AAAAAAAAE_I/lpvEe46atkQ/s1600-h/IMG_2430%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2430" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U8355uOvTSo/U3l8i7l0yHI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/sEiX6wMp8a0/IMG_2430_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="482"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PKbFrU8aVEU/U3l8jp7Z6QI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/Pl9kIhv4NW0/s1600-h/IMG_2431%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2431" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w1dnfXX8M3M/U3l8kZAdz0I/AAAAAAAAE_g/68AsriXDHbc/IMG_2431_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="489"></a></p> <p>And yet my older children don’t seem to understand how important it is to push the dining chairs in!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Aqy45-B5RqQ/U3l8k7gRATI/AAAAAAAAE_o/z2S90Is9lsM/s1600-h/IMG_2432%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2432" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2432" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kSYIJT1q0h4/U3l8loO6KKI/AAAAAAAAE_s/UUan7o8L9mQ/IMG_2432_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="546"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-42468191867710676692014-05-18T21:33:00.000-07:002014-05-18T21:51:40.509-07:00Micro Business for Teens- Schoolhouse Review<center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/micro-business-for-teens-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Micro Business for Teens Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Micro%20Business%20for%20Teens/micro-1_zps67135964.jpg" width="303" height="160"></a></center> <center> </center> <div align="left">My children are always trying to come up with businesses to earn money with. I have pictures of them when they were very small waving signs at the end of our driveway hoping someone would drive through our cul-de-sac and buy their artwork. Over the years, many of their business ideas have not been very practical, but they tried them anyway. As they get older, they have more desire to learn about creating a business that will be practical. Recently, Tiger got to review two eBooks and a workbook from <a href="http://microbusinessforteens.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Micro Business for Teens</a><strong></strong> to help him create a worthwhile micro business. He reviewed the <a href="http://microbusinessforteens.com/products/starting-a-micro-business-print/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Starting a Micro Business</a>, <a href="http://microbusinessforteens.com/products/running-a-micro-business-print/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Running a Micro Business</a>, and <a href="http://microbusinessforteens.com/products/876-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Micro Business for Teens Workbook</a>. All three products are geared towards youth 12-18, but I think a motivated 11 year old could really benefit from these books as well. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/micro-business-for-teens-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Micro Business for Teens Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Micro%20Business%20for%20Teens/Starting_small_zps6c32c7b1.png"></a>From brainstorming business ideas to writing a business plan to finance and motivational words, Starting a Micro Business book is designed to assist youth become successful micro business owners. It costs $4.95 for an eBook and is also available in paperback for $9.95. Starting a Micro Business was written because Carol Topp, a CPA and mom of two, found that so many entrepreneurial books do not meet the needs of teens. They are either not complex enough or they set unreasonable expectations and recommend unreasonable processes. Topp aims to teach about the various aspects of being a micro business owner while maintaining time for education and other responsibilities. It provides practical and relevant advise without dumbing down the information. Throughout the book many business ideas real teens have implemented as micro business owners are highlighted. Easy to read and understand, Starting a Micro Business uses plain language that leaves the reader understanding business terminology without being dry or overly technical. Each chapter ends with a bullet point list of “Important Points.” I love that there is an entire section dedicated to warning about scams as well as a chapter on avoiding pitfalls, problems, and solutions to the problems. The chapter on business planning is very well laid out and would benefit any micro business owner. I wish Tiger had had this book a year ago when he started his micro business. I also really liked all the quotes from classics and people scattered throughout the book. For example, in the chapter on finance, there are quotes from the Bible, Hamlet, and Benjamin Franklin to name a few. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <p><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/micro-business-for-teens-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Micro Business for Teens Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Micro%20Business%20for%20Teens/Running_small_zps3d9a968c.png"></a>Running a Micro Business is written for the teen who has already figured out the business plan, financing, and is ready to go. It is the perfect follow up to Starting a Micro Business because it details sales, marketing, customer service, record keeping, bookkeeping, software, legal names and tax ID numbers, risks and solutions, and time management. Like the first book in the series, Running a Micro Business gives practical advise on how to run a business. It costs $4.95 for an eBook and is also available in paperback for $9.95. In the chapter on sales, it discusses how to get sales, how to get paid, and how to handle non-paying customers. It also addresses both in person and online sales. This book also includes quotes and important points. Throughout this book, various people are highlighted in side bubbles. This time, rather than highlighting business plans, these people are highlighted based on characteristics they possess which would be good for business. They are small stories of appropriate behavior as well as inappropriate behavior along with what went wrong. </p> <p><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/micro-business-for-teens-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Micro Business for Teens Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Micro%20Business%20for%20Teens/workbook_web_zps0b6e399b.jpg" width="210" height="263"></a>The Micro Business for Teens workbook is designed to be used by the teens. It is just under 100 pages and costs $9.95 for an eBook copy or $14.95 for a physical copy. It can be used both independently or as part of a class. If it is used as part of a class, it is recommended that it be used over 14 weeks along with the two texts. If it is used indecently at about a chapter a week it could be completed over about 3 months. The workbook is designed to help students better internalize the material in the texts. The first half of the workbook corresponds Starting a Micro Business and the second half corresponds to Running a Micro Business. It provides a place for the teens to brainstorm and wrestle with the ideas and information they learn in the texts. Some parts of the workbook seemed to be comprehension fill-in sheets and not really that useful, but most of the workbook was excellent. It takes a student through brainstorming, narrowing down choices, clarifying ideas, finding mentors, problem solving problems, writing a business plan, and getting started. If used, I think this workbook could really benefit a youth in his endeavors to create a profitable business venture.</p> <p>Since this was used entirely by Tiger, and he has been running a micro business for the past year, I asked him to write a review. The following is his review:</p> <blockquote> <p>I thought that the curriculum was overall beneficial and helpful to teenagers starting businesses. The author calls it a “Micro Business” and showed how it differentiated from other businesses. Here are some of the key points that a Micro Business has in the books: Simple and easy to start up; Only one worker, the owner; Low Risk; Learn while Earning. <p>I thought that these and a lot of the other traits listed in the book were very helpful and useful. There were motivating business stories in little sidelines of the page. Those were rather fun and motivating. The first book covers a lot of topics such as getting an idea for a business, problems and how to avoid scam and phishing, especially if your business is online, writing a business plan, and encouragement. The 2<sup>nd</sup> book covers things such as customer service, sales, marketing, and keeping records. <p>I thought that the books were very helpful in beginning and keeping a business going, how to expand later, keeping it under control, etc. I currently run a “Micro Business” and these books have helped me with ideas for another one, and have helped me to improve my current one. I briefly looked at the workbook and think that it is good for examining and writing a business plan and fine-tuning. The fill-in the blanks for reviewing the chapters didn’t seem to help much. I thought that the business plan was very thorough and easy to change if needed. Overall I enjoyed this product; it covers everything from getting your micro business off the launch pad to fine-tuning your services and finances.</p></blockquote> <p>I have seen many entrepreneurial products on the market geared towards children and teens. I think and this one is not only excellent, but also well priced. </p> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/micro-business-for-teens-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></center> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-27012740260658242592014-05-18T18:59:00.001-07:002014-05-18T18:59:14.641-07:0014 months<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g0GZexDdnRI/U3llaw23xyI/AAAAAAAAE-w/ZJiOR3XVF34/s1600-h/IMG_2402%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2402" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g69RjyoU7v8/U3llcHjpBwI/AAAAAAAAE-4/_AcPEUcSlvY/IMG_2402_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="572"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-43923837638524526252014-05-14T18:28:00.001-07:002014-05-15T08:53:56.842-07:00Heroes & Heroines of the Past: American History- Schoolhouse Review<center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/golden-prairie-press-review/ ‎" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Golden Prairie Press Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Golden%20Prairie%20Press/goldenprairiepress_zpsb183b6af.png"></a></center> <p>I love American History. I think it is fun to read about the people and events that shaped our nation and I want to share that history with my children. I was quite excited to have a chance to review <a href="http://www.amypuetz.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=115" rel="nofollow">Digital Heroes & Heroines of the Past: American History Curriculum</a><strong></strong> from <a href="http://www.amypuetz.com/" rel="nofollow">Golden Prairie Press</a><strong></strong>. This curriculum is intended for children in 1-6th grade and costs $98.99 for the complete curriculum. The complete curriculum includes the 2-semester Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History, Additional Materials Downloads, Historical Skits eBook, Sing Some History mp3 files, and Listen to Some U.S. History mp3 files.<strong> </strong></p> <p><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/golden-prairie-press-review/ ‎" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Golden Prairie Press Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Golden%20Prairie%20Press/HotpHistoryPack_zpse2b912cd.jpg" width="303" height="428"></a>Intended to be used as a complete curriculum for American History, there are several components. The largest component is the Heroes and Heroines of the Past: American History eBook. It is presented in two parts. Each book is divided up into 15 sections with 5 lessons in each section. The history lessons are divided into two halves with one being simplified for 1-2 grade and the other half being more thorough with smaller type and intended for 3-6th grade. Most of the sections include a biographical sketch of a Hero or Heroine of the past. These are sometimes written by modern authors but many are reprints of old stories. These sketches are intended for children of all ages. Each lesson also contains additional activities like discussion questions, writing prompts, a memory verse of the week, crafts, skits, cooking, experiments, geography, listening to music or other pieces, or examining historical art. At the end of a unit (1 or more sections) additional resources like books that could be read aloud are suggested. These are not necessary, but can add more to the study of history. Also, there are occasional places within the text that suggest additional study within another literature book published by Golden Prairie Press. While these are nice to use, they are not necessary or required.</p> <p>This book is mostly black and white but also features full color reproductions of art throughout to compliment the text. The text is well written and even the 1-2nd grade portions are not watered down, they just contain a little less detail. The language is rich and the biographical sketches are interesting. I love that when a name of a place or person or other “big word” that might be unfamiliar is presented there is a phonetic pronunciation right after the word the first time it is used. Every page is rich with beautiful illustrations, paintings, portraits, and maps. I love the focus on people, important events, and beautiful art to help bring it alive. The book is really excellent quality. My only complaint is that sometimes reading it on a Kindle Fire meant that the pictures were smaller than I wanted. I had to turn to the computer to blow those pictures up to a larger size, but that was a small problem. I also like that all the activities that surround the lessons are not a bunch of silly arts and crafts but rather are meaningful experiences. For example, we were talking about the Puritans and there is a “Cook some History” to make a Scripture Cake like the Puritans did. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vE4pwR43JoE/U3QYJTtgE0I/AAAAAAAAE9o/BzV-o_2tjw8/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0584.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0584" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0584" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v7VCehPeAvw/U3QYKQlEp-I/AAAAAAAAE9w/lH_xNs-fMM4/April%2525202014_0584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="427"></a>We had to look up various scriptures to find our ingredients and then make the cake. I was grateful that the end of the book contains the answers since I wasn’t sure what kind of leavening to use based on the scripture! The girls really enjoyed making their cake. It turned out beautifully. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3UE6fO0qV8o/U3QYLOS-S6I/AAAAAAAAE94/cPymvCl0xR0/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0585.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0585" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0585" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3fGrbehydl0/U3QYMEOmhSI/AAAAAAAAE-A/xHrACSkxIUw/April%2525202014_0585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="239"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vBsty9Z-Klo/U3QYNfSFVaI/AAAAAAAAE-I/YRAbDIvH-qs/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0586.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0586" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0586" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0tnDYVDBG_w/U3QYOG_JiJI/AAAAAAAAE-M/ElrFlhRs-rI/April%2525202014_0586_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="238"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8ej9mkTYDI0/U3QYOgnRQ6I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/czx43n5b7po/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0590.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0590" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="April 2014_0590" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8cnr4mNe4Xg/U3QYPdCVcyI/AAAAAAAAE-g/EGVRQbHpvmE/April%2525202014_0590_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="318"></a>Pumpkin Pie enjoyed the art study questions. Butterfly enjoyed looking at the paintings but didn’t care to talk about them. Strawberry flitted back and forth. I also really love the games of the past. They are great at helping children see what children in another time would have played. The games are fun and the directions are well written. </p> <p>Sing Some History includes 20 songs, mostly folk songs and a couple of instrumental ones. These are intended to be listened to throughout the year to compliment the history studies. Some of the songs sounded like children gathered around a computer microphone. In some cases, it is slightly off key and the singers are singing different tempos even though the music should be sung in unison. Others were better, but still didn’t sound professionally mixed. The few pieces we got to my children were not interested in listening to. We did, however sing some of the songs as they are printed in the text. </p> <p>There are some really fun materials on the Additional Materials CD. For example a reproduction of a game from a newspaper published in 1890 that can be printed and played. There are videos about the cotton gin and flags of the Revolution. There are also several timeline resources. One of my favorite files was the 48 full color paintings that are represented throughout the book. These paintings are full sized and could be printed in color or viewed more easily from a computer screen full sized for art studies. </p> <p>The Historical Skits eBook includes nineteen skits to do with small groups of students. These skits are intended to help the history come alive. This would be really fun in a co-op type setting. Unfortunately, with my girls, we were not able to do any of the skits. They are cute short (less than 10 minute) plays in 1 or 2 scenes. The dialog us fun. I would love to do a history skit day with a bunch of kids and act out American History through these skits. That would be a lot of fun. </p> <p>The Listen to Some History contains 4 hours and 35 minutes of listening to original speeches, poems, documents, and sermons that are mentioned in the book. These 20 pieces span the time from the settling of America and the Mayflower Compact to World War 1. It includes such important items as the Gettysburg Address and the Bill of Rights as well as things like the a diary entry from a woman in during the Civil War. These 20 works are read by various speakers and are well chosen and clearly spoken.</p> <p>Overall I really like this product, but especially the eBooks. I think they are well laid out, include many interesting facts and stories, and the activities aren’t just fluffy crafts that won’t mean much to the students. I do think that some of the additional resources could be a little more professionally produced though. While not common, as most things are well labeled, one lesson I did with the girls suggested I show the videos on the Virginia Wheel and weaving. I looked in the spot specified for a video called Virginia Wheel and discovered that it wasn’t there. Instead, there was a PDF file labeled “videos” which contained links to the appropriate videos. Since I hadn’t been expecting a PDF file, it took me a while to find it. Most of the videos are black and white old film clips. The one of the Virginia Wheel is a home video of several ladies performing the dance. If the additional resources were brought up to the excellent standard that the texts are this would be an even better curriculum. We have really enjoyed reading Heroes & Heroines of the Past: American History and will be continuing to read it and doing some of the activities associated with it. </p> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/golden-prairie-press-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></center> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-78026071293929874792014-05-14T11:04:00.000-07:002014-05-14T11:04:00.389-07:00Math- Also known as Play<p>I was reading Life of Fred Cats to Pumpkin Pie today and Fred noted that we have all seen people mop and paint houses so we know what painters and cleaners are but we don’t watch mathematicians and therefore don’t know what they do. He said the secret is that mathematicians play and discover the world and numbers. So, that is what we did- how many numbers can be made into a box? <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wenz0yrGPAM/U3ENGxOVBdI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/7Y-DCio0qfg/s1600-h/IMG_2377%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2377" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2377" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kvE0hDVlE0s/U3ENHnYOIOI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/Ab85HGmdiEc/IMG_2377_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="319"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-8660004292729547432014-05-12T08:37:00.000-07:002014-05-12T08:37:00.321-07:00Why Chores for Consequences?<p>When people here that my children earn an extra chore as a consequence, I am met with one of two responses. 1- “I prefer something logical. I would worry my children would hate work and I need them to do their chores.” Or 2- “That’s brilliant. I should try that!”</p> <p>So, I thought I would address why extra chores and why it has not produced the undesired effect of making work abhorrent. </p> <p>For the past four years we have utilized the principles that Nicholeen Peck teaches in her book Teaching Self Government. I must admit, I was on the fence about the whole chore thing. I really liked the idea of logical consequences. They made logical sense to me. However, when push came to shove, I didn’t always have a logical consequence in my back pocket for every issue that needed discipline and many times the “logical” consequence lead to power struggles and did not create harmony. I decided to experiment with Nicholeen’s suggestion. She says that poor behavior is a sign of sick character and the cure for sick character is work. While I agree with that, I needed some direct logic. I decided that one who is breaking family rules is taking from the family and thus a chore constitutes giving back a small measure. </p> <p>So, initially when we introduced extra chores, we did have a couple of teaching opportunities where an instruction was given to do a small task and the child said, “Why do I need to do a chore? I didn’t do anything wrong.” Once we talked it through, explaining that the extra chore is just that- extra- meant to temporarily take the offender away from their preferred activity so that he or she can learn cause and effect and give back to the family as well as improve his or her character, the concern stopped. I haven’t heard a response like that in years. </p> <p>Family work is a part of our home and my children are expected to work. They are also expected to follow instructions. They know they are always allowed to disagree appropriately with an instruction that is given and sometimes we might change our minds about the instruction, but tasks and errands are instructions and therefore, they really aren’t a big deal most of the time. Also, when we dispense with an extra chore, we don’t measure the chore against the offense. We are not trying to punish but rather teach cause and effect. The real teaching comes from a calm discussion and possibly problem solving exercise. </p> <p>Another reason for doing extra chores is that no matter where I am, I can come up with a consequence. I don’t have to think that hard. There is always something that needs doing! Doing that chore temporarily curtails the child’s freedom and the child comes back happier and calmer and ready to do better because when he or she checks back, the child experiences self-mastery and has success. Since it is just a chore, it is short lived and we move on with life, thus consequences don’t hang on for long periods of time sapping relationships. </p> <p>We aren’t perfect at implementing Teaching Self Government, but when I can tell my 4 year old to do something and she cheerfully says, “Of course!” or I can ask my 12 year old who has already done all the dishes to take the garbage out and says, “Ok.” and does it the chores aren’t creating a hate of work. I think they might be doing the opposite. Those chores are giving them the sense of satisfaction in a job well done they need. They help the kids get out of the rut of negative attention seeking. They really are working. </p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-24542483252960645032014-05-07T22:52:00.001-07:002014-05-07T22:52:31.332-07:00Maestro Classics- Schoolhouse Review<center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/maestro-classics-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Maestro Classics Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Maestro%20Classics/logo_zpsb83ef24d.png"></a></center> <div align="left">I love music, especially good music and I love to expose my children to classical music in an enjoyable way. I am thrilled with a new resource from <a href="http://maestroclassicsdirect.com"><strong>Maestro Classics</strong></a> I recently got to review. Maestro Classics specializes in music education through stories set to quality classical music. Maestro Classics CDs have won over 45 awards. I received a CD of <a href="http://www.maestroclassics.com/the-sorcerers-apprentice.aspx"><strong>The Sorcerer's Apprentice</strong></a><strong> </strong>and a CD of <strong> <a href="http://www.maestroclassics.com/casey-at-the-bat.aspx"><strong>Casey at the Bat. </strong></a></strong>The ideal age range for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is 6 and older and Casey at the Bat is appropriate for all ages. They cost $16.98 for the CD and are also available as an mp3 download for $9.98.</div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">Both The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Casey at the Bat are intended to be interactive. The narrators speak to the listener and invite participation frequently. I really liked the interaction of the disc. At times it was like having a music teacher in my car while we were listening. I loved the explanations about how the music was composed or modified to create a certain sound. Each album also comes with a 24-page activity book that includes little puzzles like word searches and crossword puzzles, extra information, sheet music, and trivia specific to the album. Casey at the Bat includes the poem and Sorcerer’s Apprentice includes a biography of Dukas. </div> <div align="left"> <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/maestro-classics-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Maestro Classics Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Maestro%20Classics/sorcerers-apprentice1_zpsf7505036.jpg"></a> The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is the story of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice set to the music of Paul Dukas. The music is played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Following the 11 and a half minute presentation, there are several educational tracks. I personally found the history of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and biographical sketch of Dukas fascinating. The next several tracks of the CD explain how the piece was composed including various themes present in the music and percussion listening. After further education on the musical work, the students are invited to listen again without narration. Then there is a short track explaining how to make music with household materials and a play along track. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/maestro-classics-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Maestro Classics Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Maestro%20Classics/casey-at-the-bat_new1_zps5e7c297c.jpg"></a> Casey at the Bat is also played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The narration of the poem combined with sound effects really brings this iconic poem to life. There is a track about the poem, poet, and how Casey at the Bat became popular as well as why there are various versions of this poem. The rest of the disc includes discussions about composing music. To illustrate the poem Little Cabin in the Woods is used both with the original music as well as a new composition to tell the story. After several tracks about composition, Casey at the Bat is played again. There is also a track with young Suzuki violinists playing the Casey march and a play along section at the very end of the CD. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">The only time we ever really sit and listen to a CD or audiobook is while we are in the car so that is where we listened to both of these albums. We loved them both. The music and sound effects were superb, the narration was interesting and entertaining, and even the heart of my 4 year old was captured with Casey at the Bat. For a week or two every time we got in the car she asked to listen to Casey again. I think of the two, my favorite was the Sorcerer’s Apprentice though. The music was so beautiful and I enjoyed the track without narration and I really loved how the different motifs of music were explained and then changed a little and explained again. I also must say that I could picture the cartoon many of us have seen while I listened. I wanted to get up and dance with the brooms, but since I was driving when we listened to these albums I restrained myself. The one thing that I didn’t like is that occasionally the narrator’s tone would drop very low and it was hard to hear in our car, but that would not have been a problem if we were primarily listening in the house. We didn’t utilize the booklets because they seemed to be a bit young for my older kids and a bit too advanced for my younger kids. Also, since we were in the car, there wasn’t a very good time to use them. I was really impressed with the high quality of both of these albums and would love to listen to more albums from Maestro Classics. I also just discovered as I was finishing up this review that there are <a href="http://www.maestroclassics.com/music-and-your-curriculum.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">homeschool resource guides</a> to all the albums available for free on the website. These guides include additional printables as well as unit study resources to turn your album into an integral part of a unit study. I am going to have to look more into those! Be sure to check out the reviews because the Review Crew also reviewed several other albums from Maestro Classics. </div> <div align="left"> </div><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/maestro-classics-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-44939540483565473882014-05-05T14:48:00.001-07:002014-05-05T14:48:37.792-07:00Easter<p>We did something slightly new with our egg dying this year- we used sticker stencils on the eggs. I always liked the idea of wax resists on eggs, but I never had a ton of success with it. This year I saw a kit that had sticker stencils and thought they might be fun. They were! The kids loved them. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qwqXywM1NC8/U2gGGuwL0cI/AAAAAAAAE34/AXGwP8KLi0Y/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0821%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0821" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0821" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5BupwJkHKOM/U2gGH-vQ3XI/AAAAAAAAE4A/ZFAqiIvbC8Y/April%2525202014_0821_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W8x_HBi7VXg/U2gGJ3pPT0I/AAAAAAAAE4I/D2m5vyilQB8/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0820%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0820" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0820" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SazV-K1I_HE/U2gGNQN5_wI/AAAAAAAAE4M/OELttUgtY8w/April%2525202014_0820_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_L9di3pPap0/U2gGPPvMr6I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/iSzyRXPN8QE/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0752%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0752" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0752" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R1Oie4ZRrOQ/U2gGSKNI8tI/AAAAAAAAE4c/ek5LCnBWTaU/April%2525202014_0752_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pzu0UIxDtFM/U2gGSsStmlI/AAAAAAAAE4g/JZmX2rjX4lc/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0818%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0818" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0818" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--kYRkqqWidU/U2gGUXaz-yI/AAAAAAAAE4o/wfwaefWZ1i4/April%2525202014_0818_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RWNYAbcTdxE/U2gGVK3963I/AAAAAAAAE40/enjpG5J9tWI/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0744%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0744" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0744" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gMeiKF4AExA/U2gGXzw2TFI/AAAAAAAAE5A/wH6ry1LeC3g/April%2525202014_0744_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pe7Qu3YKvzE/U2gGbZenzkI/AAAAAAAAE5E/U5MOxGfF-gA/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0746%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0746" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0746" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KSdJ9B2s5dA/U2gGb0CtB3I/AAAAAAAAE5Q/9I1_FTcy2f8/April%2525202014_0746_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>On Sunday after church we had an egg hunt. It was too fun. I hid 1 egg a little harder than the rest… <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8WWNfwp1css/U2gGfAGZ5-I/AAAAAAAAE5Y/yeibNJ-YRng/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0776%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0776" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0776" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XANo8zUMYXk/U2gGhY-IK3I/AAAAAAAAE5c/00kAesSAXHY/April%2525202014_0776_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="325"></a>See that yellowish blob on the car between the hood and the windshield? hehehe I figured that would be a challenge for Tiger, but in the end Strawberry found it while riding on B’s shoulders. And I managed to capture her joy as she cackled over the fact that her siblings didn’t find it. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_oIMh7Qfu1o/U2gGjpYbdZI/AAAAAAAAE5g/plnGAAhS5O4/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0780%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0780" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0780" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uVn_GNoUHh4/U2gGkP95KoI/AAAAAAAAE5s/-orSB6KuhTs/April%2525202014_0780_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="321"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X37mP-Uz9_0/U2gGl4eX_fI/AAAAAAAAE50/llH5iWYbh_w/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0768%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0768" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0768" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ITGemGcIUMk/U2gGmYsUgzI/AAAAAAAAE54/c3EckO2ENlM/April%2525202014_0768_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N3NF0lh6feE/U2gGmuNbMqI/AAAAAAAAE58/aD43Ot1REY4/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0767%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0767" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0767" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DLBd01RgrJ0/U2gGowjt0II/AAAAAAAAE6Q/4gggi-ge4do/April%2525202014_0767_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uxwCHoKAy6I/U2gGsn5A-EI/AAAAAAAAE6U/8xQmZf6RNWc/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0766%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0766" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0766" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fQRbcOyv7KQ/U2gGuVRk4oI/AAAAAAAAE6c/_spMGL6wBKo/April%2525202014_0766_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wERDbTa-0NM/U2gGvlQWtxI/AAAAAAAAE6k/pWucWlig0as/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0760%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0760" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0760" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D8cKiyzWX94/U2gGxCyB7fI/AAAAAAAAE6w/kBpWcbK4724/April%2525202014_0760_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5CC5x9vZjY4/U2gGzJXUxNI/AAAAAAAAE64/DZvZ87m0Dh8/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0771%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0771" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0771" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-od4C5LOFOhU/U2gG09PDjLI/AAAAAAAAE7A/1hECOpDHIG0/April%2525202014_0771_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IoRED_d5rrI/U2gG2wwOSJI/AAAAAAAAE7E/dQMlnTU0-Uk/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0781%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0781" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0781" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PNfU2c6HMfY/U2gG4ivVJSI/AAAAAAAAE7M/5jG9lq5Frt0/April%2525202014_0781_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Then we came inside and had a small gift for each child. Little one was most interested in the boxes, paper, and empty eggs. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N9_24O210KM/U2gG77WPACI/AAAAAAAAE7U/bfbSwzO2Gnk/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0810%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0810" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0810" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kxuBDqkc_io/U2gG9ku8D4I/AAAAAAAAE7g/z8VOd6g_nyY/April%2525202014_0810_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iJ5E4CKI1lc/U2gG_Cnb6YI/AAAAAAAAE7o/5YNpHBVvHzc/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0806%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0806" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0806" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_ahJpQ6OFv0/U2gHDOYGmpI/AAAAAAAAE7s/Tep21d0Z21o/April%2525202014_0806_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6y7Bjkm0iuc/U2gHDrSdR8I/AAAAAAAAE7w/tCKnRfzQK8c/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0790%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0790" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0790" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7qt5T2RdAk0/U2gHEKbHujI/AAAAAAAAE70/aWOrpHbFYgI/April%2525202014_0790_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iJDF2wA5QuI/U2gHEZ2dxRI/AAAAAAAAE8I/8ngWUKOgagc/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0788%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0788" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0788" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pJvznpazIn4/U2gHGioG33I/AAAAAAAAE8M/DMmmpZVY2vw/April%2525202014_0788_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Tiger was super excited to get a co-operative game to play with the family. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Br-gcHcCxbY/U2gHHD8Kb-I/AAAAAAAAE8Q/tkrAsXrSQNQ/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0800%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0800" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EmKXTXhh1tY/U2gHHUm5FTI/AAAAAAAAE8c/3OCVs4HN-6o/April%2525202014_0800_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ad6XIDP3y9A/U2gHKfCNaNI/AAAAAAAAE8k/4sPlphrNFCg/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0795%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0795" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0795" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v31-guKJoy8/U2gHKwJnAhI/AAAAAAAAE8o/QFzQw9o9Udk/April%2525202014_0795_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oa1BZHtzzQ8/U2gHLSAOlRI/AAAAAAAAE84/Pze4Ye5BX64/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0784%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0784" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0784" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nn0ePcWw3_w/U2gHNF5hB6I/AAAAAAAAE88/OK1ttyO7J7A/April%2525202014_0784_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>It was a beautiful Easter with many family memories and discussions of the Risen Lord. </p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-52296403257270814062014-05-01T15:25:00.001-07:002014-05-01T15:26:38.841-07:00Vacation Time<p>For the past several years, we have been able to spend a couple of days at the Great Wolf Lodge with a group of other homeschoolers. We have had so much fun each year. This year, the kids figured we weren’t going because we went to Utah for the family forum, but B and I had already booked our 2 day getaway. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I6gpXcW2sPc/U2LJthi36CI/AAAAAAAAE0I/ZVZWR46hSnQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> We surprised them the Sunday before we left. This year Little One loved splashing in the water and climbing on the water stuff with Tiger and everyone else. He also loved floating. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a0RZr9v1YLw/U2LJuC_VcbI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/eyBOhmzyUdU/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0671%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0671" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0671" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CC4FRrFe85k/U2LJu7YIfmI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/sSCxFfaTmEw/April%2525202014_0671_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" height="355"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O1ODp9XkXPk/U2LJvR5boFI/AAAAAAAAE3A/feUBgXi1lB0/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0668%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0668" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0668" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QLCLRj5M_mU/U2LJvw1VlXI/AAAAAAAAE3I/sAxNI6tXbbI/April%2525202014_0668_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="316"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WBvekkgiXrU/U2LJwSFfu1I/AAAAAAAAE3Q/Q1U7ZXpNWx8/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0677%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0677" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0677" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I8BS4qaVYjU/U2LJw8tCECI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/ml655YcIoxY/April%2525202014_0677_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="322"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yEpYkUNJFJs/U2LJxZDylOI/AAAAAAAAE08/GueaNpRWa5o/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0679%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0679" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0679" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bv04aJjmT5A/U2LJx-bQOII/AAAAAAAAE1E/THdkwsvjdP0/April%2525202014_0679_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="323"></a></p> <p>He wasn’t sure what to think of the giant wolf. He kept walking up towards him and then when the wolf bent down to wave, Little One ran away crying and grabbed Pumpkin Pie. After that, he walked behind him and kept walking towards him until he got looked at. It was really funny. He was scared but wouldn’t leave the vicinity of the wolf and watched everyone high five or hug him and then walk away. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TTM5lbIksXU/U2LJyW2ONcI/AAAAAAAAE1M/8nz4UgD2M1o/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0685%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0685" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0685" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZlcicgMFRdg/U2LJynApSxI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/VHju75_ZKUc/April%2525202014_0685_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="438"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MvuIE9MPw6g/U2LJzKBZwvI/AAAAAAAAE1c/vBuTx729QF8/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0688%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0688" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0688" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v7BiboZV25Y/U2LJzwBSDmI/AAAAAAAAE1o/uPwzlnZDxtU/April%2525202014_0688_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="504"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cCU-IkoWvrA/U2LJ0fKlU7I/AAAAAAAAE1w/o7eBEFU7kE4/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0690%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0690" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0690" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v9VocE9lAiY/U2LJ0wcAYCI/AAAAAAAAE14/SujMrdtSJxE/April%2525202014_0690_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="476"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RX9LUuXMavo/U2LJ1fUBrtI/AAAAAAAAE3g/wK209SWuP1E/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0722%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0722" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0722" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TAAtPAEx7-A/U2LJ1-3SIQI/AAAAAAAAE3o/qU9GVWZzTt8/April%2525202014_0722_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="450"></a></p> <p>This year, Tiger had a companion for the Howlin’ Tornado… here he and Pumpkin Pie are conspiring which slides to attack next. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kw_I4BXiI4k/U2LJ2Unq68I/AAAAAAAAE2Q/YHHW2ydgUPA/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0725%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0725" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0725" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i77-cSjflNg/U2LJ2wd-tCI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/R2f8Px8kVoA/April%2525202014_0725_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="358"></a>Unfortunately, just about every time I tried to take a picture of Butterfly, she turned around. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e9bPGq758UM/U2LJ3jcQRBI/AAAAAAAAE2g/1Zo58zurE28/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0710%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0710" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0710" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8nIm4nXFkKw/U2LJ4NBILdI/AAAAAAAAE2k/m8iwZaqZ-UM/April%2525202014_0710_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6xQhKFhIRBE/U2LJ4hc0fPI/AAAAAAAAE2w/kWDKlEvsCq0/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0719%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0719" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0719" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mz3UXtESgtA/U2LJ5HaEkDI/AAAAAAAAE20/ldS6ZMwPhk8/April%2525202014_0719_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="334"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-33378609558587774782014-05-01T08:14:00.001-07:002014-05-01T09:11:22.763-07:00ARTistic Pursuits- Schoolhouse Review<center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/artistic-pursuits-review-2/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="ARTistic Pursuits Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/ARTistic%20Pursuits/artisticpursuitslogo_zps6ce0e764.png" width="221" height="143"></a></center> <center> </center> <p>Butterfly loves art. She lives and breaths it. She loves color, drawing, and fashion, but she really loves sculpting with different media. So, when <a href="http://www.ARTisticPursuits.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ARTistic Pursuits</a><strong></strong> was offering the opportunity to review a new book- <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/2116bk_sclp2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sculpture Technique: Model</a><strong></strong> she was thrilled. Model is intended for students ages 11-18. This 83 page spiral-bound book about modeling costs $47.95. </p> <p><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/artistic-pursuits-review-2/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="ARTistic Pursuits Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/ARTistic%20Pursuits/artisticpursuitsmodel_zpsd001dc9d.png"></a>There are three chapters on modeling with putty, clay, and fiber. Unless you have an art studio you probably will not have most of the materials needed to complete these lessons. A materials list and table of contents can be found on the <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/images/13_web pages_pdf/14_pdf st 2/sclp2_p2_v02.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ARTistic Pursuits</a> website. Each unit includes an explanation on elements of sculpture, several pictures of contemporary works using the media, as well as 1-2 pages thoroughly describing the properties of the materials that will be used. This section on the properties includes a description of the material, tools used to model it, and safety concerns, as well as some basic instructions. Additionally, each project includes step by step instructions with drawings to show how to model and form the sculpture. These sections include tips and tricks and cautions to help the student in their new experiences. Unlike other books by ARTistic Pursuits, the pacing of this book is self-paced. Part of this is due to the materials being used. For example, a student might take several hours on part of the sculpture and then need to stop and wait for the materials to dry or set. After several projects with the materials, there is a section on evaluating the work. This section is a series of reflective questions regarding the experience. The end of the book includes an essay entitled, “The Road to Creativity” by Daniel D. Ellis, answer guides for the evaluations, a course description which could be used for a high school transcript or portfolio, a 36 week suggested classroom schedule, and a template for one of the fiber arts projects. </p> <p>After my initial disbelief that it was possible/desirable to model with putty, I would have thought that modeling with clay and putty would be very similar but this book shows different techniques and processes to model with. While it is similar, there are some things that clay can do that putty can’t. Some of the techniques taught in the section on putty include brining about motion within a static object and how to form small additions in the sculpture like a fin or leg. The section on putty ends with painting the sculpture. </p> <p>The section on clay recommends an air-dry clay as firing is not necessarily an option for most students as it requires expensive ovens and extra skills and knowledge. It includes basic projects like pinch pots and slab vases as well as more complex modeling like using the slab method to create a 3D sculpture of a bust. The basic coil method is expanded into making more than a coil pot but an animal sculpture. The section ends with painting the sculpture. </p> <p align="left">Butterfly was really excited to explore the possibilities of modeling with fibers and got very creative in her projects. She spent a lot of time on her projects. The text suggested specific projects, but Butterfly did not want to be confined to the project listed, so she utilized the techniques and general projects to create her own sculptures. The concept of working with fiber arts was very new to her and she was quite successful thanks to the great instructions that were mostly easy to follow. I did need to step in and assist a little bit with explaining things because she is still 10, but I only needed to clarify a little for her. She did all the work herself. She was able to experience making pre-felt from roving, <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R4E2lQW8xuc/U2JkqrfN09I/AAAAAAAAExY/y5xau9C0jCo/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0474.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0474" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="April 2014_0474" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xhVBG-57GYY/U2Jkrf4-snI/AAAAAAAAExg/ORHtbdP4wSI/April%2525202014_0474_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="356"></a>designing the colors, <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oFMYZeio_G0/U2JksILhjuI/AAAAAAAAExo/FNrvYLirqd4/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0473.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0473" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="April 2014_0473" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wD5iZB_IZdc/U2JksmrDd-I/AAAAAAAAExs/Eb2CgybxaOg/April%2525202014_0473_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="373"></a>modeling with felt,<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OFwTTUJsV1c/U2JktGSjF6I/AAAAAAAAEx4/MSP8BUzyO_Y/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0589.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0589" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="April 2014_0589" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hiPI9PJLBgc/U2JktiMd_WI/AAAAAAAAEyA/kKjM2uxH-PE/April%2525202014_0589_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="351"></a> and needle felt modeling. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lLxiYbRJIQE/U2JkufRExEI/AAAAAAAAEyI/1Ybk2aADpvE/s1600-h/IMG_20471%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2047" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2047" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o2R9KWKcdEA/U2Jku8UsGhI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/93GkNbGNqT8/IMG_20471_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="519"></a>She had a wonderful time figuring out what colors to blend to create her sculpture. The first project took her many hours as she had to make the felt from roving, design her flower and then sculpt it. She chose not to use the template provided in the book but drew on her knowledge from a chocolate modeling class she took to create the rose. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lCuKaC8vLGM/U2JkvnQc4mI/AAAAAAAAEyY/gX-Ou8avUto/s1600-h/IMG_20491%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2049" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2049" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WqQUycCwkeA/U2JkwSH9mlI/AAAAAAAAEyg/uKntzhGkLMQ/IMG_20491_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="394"></a>She also chose to use some techniques found later in the chapter on needle felting to create the rose rather than gluing things. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sdsrDhOppLs/U2Jkw9rllBI/AAAAAAAAEyk/fxGL3QLTv10/s1600-h/IMG_20501%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2050" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4C48Y8yw80o/U2JkxKbYkxI/AAAAAAAAEys/TMMJUrPEQWQ/IMG_20501_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="505"></a>This was her favorite project. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bzmdy7Rcy7E/U2Jkx0ZfAjI/AAAAAAAAEy4/ffYRJpdSl5Y/s1600-h/IMG_20531%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2053" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2053" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uM7fwJvbINI/U2JkyXgnJqI/AAAAAAAAEzA/168TgWM37pY/IMG_20531_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="440"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uhde2bG5HFU/U2Jky4H6_nI/AAAAAAAAEzE/5SW1xSa4tow/s1600-h/IMG_20551%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2055" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2055" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QJu2UdbDff4/U2JkzjDXe_I/AAAAAAAAEzQ/rermNM8wtrk/IMG_20551_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="352"></a> She also did some need felting and created a sculpture of a horse as well.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fwCp03s_Lhc/U2JyJzq9p5I/AAAAAAAAEzw/Rt5K-Z5jWjw/s1600-h/IMG_2067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2067" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2067" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pfy_tp1Tl9A/U2JyKfdOM6I/AAAAAAAAEz0/g7-qxMCuzMk/IMG_2067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="261"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-45bVhIivwbs/U2Jk0AIOsTI/AAAAAAAAEzY/3Ss8Huo4mao/s1600-h/IMG_2275%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2275" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2275" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0GAhOIt-EL8/U2Jk0pPisrI/AAAAAAAAEzg/sDaGp7Zmgck/IMG_2275_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="299"></a>Although not listed in the suggested materials, I highly recommend the needle felting finger guards I found at the craft store. They didn’t protect 100% as the rubber is thin in some places, but Butterfly was very grateful to have them. </p> <p align="left">Some of the projects, like creating a vase with felt were not as exciting to her, mostly because at age 10, she likes to experience something and then try something new rather than spend many many days going in great depth on a subject. After she spent quite a few days working on her rose and then many hours making her horse, she was ready to try something new. For a high schooler or scholar phase youth, this book does an excellent job of going in depth. For a love of learner, or upper elementary student, it has a wide variety of projects to give exposure to various media. Last week she asked me to go to the store to buy some putty for her to try her hand at putty sculpting. Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to get to the store yet, but it is on my shopping list for this week so she can begin the next section next week.</p> <p align="left">Be sure to check out the other reviews of ARTistic Pursuits. In addition to the new <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/2116bk_sclp2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sculpture Technique: Model</a><strong></strong>, there is also a new one on constructions. <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/2116bk_sclp1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sculpture Technique: Construct</a><strong></strong> looks fabulous. Other members of the crew reviewed elementary and preschool books. </p> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/artistic-pursuits-review-2/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></center> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-23646392742266102662014-04-25T23:05:00.001-07:002014-04-25T23:05:33.399-07:00Conjoined Dandelion<p>It is dandelion season here and Butterfly was picking dandelions for bouquets, fritters, cookies, and fun. She found this one in our yard and asked for pictures of her discovery. This flower was too cool to go in the cookies or fritters. It enjoyed an honored place in the center of our table until it wilted away. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BNRLEb9ini4/U1tMoJphnKI/AAAAAAAAEwg/Nzw1z5gutew/s1600-h/IMG_2062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2062" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RYpzG7Go6KI/U1tMoi7H3PI/AAAAAAAAEwo/z0YZFzsfT3E/IMG_2062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="363"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WejIxM41xdk/U1tMpWmv8vI/AAAAAAAAEww/xx5tvrzSYHQ/s1600-h/IMG_2063%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2063" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2063" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rchyt6HTr-o/U1tMp3G5moI/AAAAAAAAEw0/ZusL4CXnB7w/IMG_2063_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="325"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ycR2cKHY20k/U1tMqJ8VqJI/AAAAAAAAEw4/to5_FBqzZHw/s1600-h/IMG_2064%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2064" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2064" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pJ-EOxXxCrw/U1tMq7MdfzI/AAAAAAAAExE/_CbEk3U3VR8/IMG_2064_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="489"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-80197763015019602192014-04-15T09:34:00.001-07:002014-04-15T09:34:18.155-07:00Trip to the Zoo<blockquote> <p align="left">Last week we had a week off from co-op. I coordinated a trip to the zoo. We had so much fun. It was delightful to go with other families who were more interested in the experience then seeing everything. As we went from exhibit to exhibit, we listened to the kids. When a kid got really excited about a particular animal, we stopped to look. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r1nxZORA3OE/U01fSb9IttI/AAAAAAAAEuI/2nvWBi8k6gY/s1600-h/IMG_2018.jpg"><img title="IMG_2018" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xIl49GxNWCg/U01fTDXGgwI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/xqZv9nXWpYU/IMG_2018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="278"></a>We had lunch in the grassy field and played all along the way. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xUczmTXSnc4/U01fT0mRBBI/AAAAAAAAEuY/A2tSCH75W0w/s1600-h/IMG_2021.jpg"><img title="IMG_2021" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jsu-dnZkJKM/U01fU90bOJI/AAAAAAAAEug/nka5O5RAqAc/IMG_2021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="329"></a>One of the great things was that some of the children who had not had a chance to really connect all this year and develop better friendships got that chance. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D1L4PHpZiLA/U01fVf7GryI/AAAAAAAAEuk/abSjs0fd30I/s1600-h/IMG_2025.jpg"><img title="IMG_2025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lJDGl-VUDw4/U01fWZo-91I/AAAAAAAAEus/QHHlHF3Ix3o/IMG_2025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="326"></a>We also took the opportunity to feed the penguins since I was doing a product review and we have been learning about penguins.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MOpRhic0Hm0/U01fW_wFrtI/AAAAAAAAEu0/46VY7FIAE8Y/s1600-h/IMG_1994%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1994" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1994" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eauIud-KGzk/U01fXVeaEUI/AAAAAAAAEvA/xVo1Oq_v_jk/IMG_1994_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="353"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JCjSn06RJRY/U01fXzHKrBI/AAAAAAAAEvI/XvF5y2sReFk/s1600-h/IMG_1996%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1996" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1996" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NqEbIayD8yU/U01fYiJDIwI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/2V-61x2V4Y8/IMG_1996_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="359"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6zMjDHYKyIA/U01fZHBUxVI/AAAAAAAAEvY/iF8KiCDe8Ow/s1600-h/IMG_1985%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1985" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1985" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jwQH2WxKZFk/U01fZhFstiI/AAAAAAAAEvg/4FeDPn9jrt4/IMG_1985_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" height="364"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1z__Ya-V2WA/U01fbp9gw_I/AAAAAAAAEvo/o8A0Js-XcXg/s1600-h/IMG_1987%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1987" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1987" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-srbhhnM6sy8/U01fdFKDSKI/AAAAAAAAEvw/eCO6wIQxvLk/IMG_1987_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="326"></a></p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-87aMwGfZlR0/U01feoi-PYI/AAAAAAAAEv4/Tn2cPnNYX0U/s1600-h/IMG_1992%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1992" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1992" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YNgohfQ3DSU/U01ffOqBDTI/AAAAAAAAEwA/FYb1EM2Qyk0/IMG_1992_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="333"></a> Little One enjoyed the giraffes and the gorilla. He also had fun being pushed around by a slightly silly 12 year old brother. </blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ofVfeJF0sx0/U01ff4s4_lI/AAAAAAAAEwE/KxHENY8te4M/s1600-h/IMG_2019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2019" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NfMRVJzw7TI/U01fhyK405I/AAAAAAAAEwM/B0oyX2YE7g8/IMG_2019_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="291"></a></p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-11596549919348760212014-04-15T08:47:00.001-07:002014-04-16T11:19:58.404-07:00Curiosity Quest Videos- Schoolhouse Review<div align="left">I remember when I was a kid in school, we always loved videos. Maybe it was because we just didn’t have to listen to the teacher, but I think we got something out of many of them too. Likewise, my children love to watch educational videos, especially those that tell how things are made or how things are made. When I was offered the chance to review two educational DVD sets from <a href="http://curiosityqueststore.com/" rel="nofollow">Curiosity Quest</a><strong></strong><strong> </strong>I was thrilled. I was sent both the <a href="http://www.curiosityqueststore.com/DVD-Combo-Pack--Produce_p_145.html" rel="nofollow">DVD Combo Pack – Produce</a><strong></strong>, which contains Mushrooms, Cranberries, Orange Packing as well as the <a href="http://www.curiosityqueststore.com/DVD-Combo-Pack--Swimmers-of-the-Sea_p_146.html" rel="nofollow">DVD Combo Pack - Swimmers of the Sea</a><strong></strong>, which covers Sea Turtle Rescue, Penguins, and Salmon. Each combo pack DVD costs $24.95 and while Curiosity Quests targets ages 7-14, I found that my 4.5 year old really enjoyed them too. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">Curiosity Quest, hosted by Joel Greene airs on around 100 PBS stations in the US. Each episode features Joel Greene answering a question sent in by a viewer. The answer is presented with hands on information on location. So, for example, if the question involves how something is made, the film crew will go to the manufacturer and ask questions and experience making that item. Each Curiosity Quest episode has a runtime of about 30 minutes. During each episode, there are several interruptions to ask children and maybe an adult a question about the topic. These Q&A sessions are usually related to terminology and is followed by the correct answer given by the expert. Another insert piece is a “Fun Fact” where a child explains some slightly off-topic, interesting, or bizarre fact related to the quest. There are a couple of these inserted randomly throughout the episode. <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/curiosity-quest-review/" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Curiosity Quest Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Curiosity%20Quest/produce_zpsd5bf9362.png"></a>Mushrooms- We love mushrooms in our home. Well, most of us do. Even those who don’t love mushrooms loved this video though. It was really neat to see how the mushrooms are grown and learn all about them. Some of the topics covered included the differences between white and Portobello mushrooms, how they are farmed, details about the scientific controls of humidity and temperature to facilitate commercial growth, what happens to imperfect mushrooms, how they are picked, and vocabulary related to mushrooms. After watching this video, my kids wanted to go make something with mushrooms to eat. </div> <p>Cranberries- Fall isn’t fall without cranberries! What a fun video to share during the fall harvest. This video was very interesting. For example, I never knew why cranberry bogs are full of water. Now I know (and it isn’t why I thought!) This video also covered everything from the harvest to how the cranberries are sorted, where the less than perfect berries go, and how berry bushes grow. Watching this video made us wish we had some fresh cranberries to make some sauce or bread from. </p> <p>Orange Packing- From harvesting to the truck, this video went into great detail about the care taken to insure that the fruit sent to the store doesn’t decay as a result of the packing and handling process. It included details about how the pick, equipment they use, how they wash, treat, inspect, sort, and pack oranges for shipment. </p> <p><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/curiosity-quest-review/" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Curiosity Quest Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Curiosity%20Quest/swimmersofthesea_zps820486a2.png"></a>Sea Turtle Rescue- This was my least favorite video mostly because I wanted more in depth information on the rescue operation! This video seemed to skip around a lot and covered different types of turtles, diet, weight, why the turtles are being rehabilitated and how, types of fish hooks and injuries to turtles, anatomy, and how turtles hatch and the effects of light on baby turtles. It is really hard to cram so much in 30 minutes and this one left me wishing there was a full length feature on the turtle rescue facility. I guess some day we will just have to visit the facility on the other side of the US!</p> <p>Penguins- This video was really cute. The Penguins video talked about the habitat, diet, history, behavior, anatomy and bone structure, and nesting of the Penguins. There were so many facts packed into a super short 30 minutes. After watching this video, we extended our penguin study by watching a longer documentary on penguins, reading books, and finally visiting the penguin exhibit at the zoo. There, the kids got to feed penguins. The whole time we stood in line, my children were reciting facts they had learned from the video to their friends. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YCe5XEkfLq4/U01UmX9TisI/AAAAAAAAEtg/-iiYeIQxg4s/s1600-h/IMG_1985%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1985" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1985" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JXh-3bHwX3c/U01Um6ynryI/AAAAAAAAEtk/7cWRkXrtah4/IMG_1985_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="485" height="375"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2HctnXXRplg/U01Unkf8KxI/AAAAAAAAEto/K-Ed7U6ViG8/s1600-h/IMG_1996%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1996" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1996" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EWfgwSc29-U/U01UoVoDbxI/AAAAAAAAEt0/Crroe-gi-X8/IMG_1996_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="376"></a></p> <p>Salmon- I love salmon- but only wild caught. This video included some great camera shots showing the natural and hatchery spawning grounds. There were many terms and details included about how salmon live, what they eat, where they migrate to, how they find their way back to their spawning ground, why hatcheries are built, and differences between different species of salmon. The salmon hatchery in my area is not open for public tour this time of year, but this video is perfect fodder for a unit study on salmon or other fish. </p> <p>All of the Curiosity Quest videos were fun and engaging. The interruptions for Q&A with kids and adults were not my style, but they didn’t prevent me from wanting to watch another episode. All of my children enjoyed them as well. I think the Curiosity Quest videos are a great resource for further exploration on a topic. They are designed to encourage questions and since they don’t give all the details about a topic, they leave room for plenty of further study and exploration. <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/curiosity-quest-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></p> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-75048568564810168272014-04-10T08:00:00.001-07:002014-04-10T08:00:27.720-07:00It is the Heart that Counts- Right?<p>There was a big mudslide about an hour north of our house that killed more than 30 people and devastated homes, roads, highways, and a community. One of the sisters in our ward at church has been helping in the cleanup efforts. She sought to organize a cleaning supply drive because when a disaster hits, people generally think food, which is great, but the real need, after talking to the Red Cross was cleaning supplies. So, with a Facebook post and email to the leaders of the various organizations in the church, the hope was to put together 500 cleaning kits. Last night. The catch was that if we could gather all the supplies by last night, Amazon would ship the supplies to the victims to arrive today. So, off we trudged to assist in the compilation efforts. B and I want our children to see service as valuable and to be quick to serve. After all, “…when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” </p> <p>So we got to the church at the appointed time and no one knew what was going on. The sweet sister who was running this wasn’t there and we couldn’t find the Mormon Helping Hands vests so we could collect donations. Finally, after 45 minutes, we figured it out and headed out to the store to see if we could collect donations. Nope- to ask for donations you must call the corporate office. Too bad that we didn’t know that earlier (although the organizer did) or we could have been very successful. Ok, go buy our own donation and head back to the church. By now the sorting had been done and there wasn’t much for our kids to do so we headed home.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sVZHGWqEMuQ/U0ayBlaKXBI/AAAAAAAAEtI/y9Jkc4RG96Q/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0581%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0581" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 2014_0581" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UX7DoA5dJ8I/U0ayCfbFhoI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/R8buJIPjChc/April%2525202014_0581_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="527" height="407"></a></p> <p>Part of me wanted to be upset because if this had been a tad more organized it could have been even more meaningful and impacted more lives for good, but then I reflect on this and realize that even the small effort is what is measured by the Lord. My children gave up their recreation in an attempt to do good in the world. That is more important than numbers and whether or not this was a super well organized event. I hope that while it wasn’t perfect, it impacted them for good and someday they will remember that we step in and assist where we can. </p> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-42696128011624539562014-04-09T21:02:00.001-07:002014-04-10T09:05:56.260-07:00Supercharged Science- Schoolhouse Review<center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/supercharged-e-science-review/" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Supercharged eScience Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Supercharged%20Science/banner-2011_zpsdc10dc2f.png"></a></center> <div align="left">Last year, when I had Little One, I was blessed with a fabulous opportunity to review an online science program from <a href="https://www.sciencelearningspace.com" rel="nofollow">Supercharged Science</a>. It allowed B to maintain some normalcy in our schedule and teach the children for a change. It also provided fodder for my science classes this past fall in addition to being my children’s favorite science resource. Supercharged Science has made many improvements to their website over the past year, and since I was offered an extension on my membership, I get to review the K-12 <a href="http://www.superchargedscience.com/escience-intro.htm" rel="nofollow">e-Science Premium Membership</a> again and tell you more about it. </div> <p><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/supercharged-e-science-review/" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Supercharged eScience Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Supercharged%20Science/eScienceCollage1jpg_zpsfac31924.png" width="470" height="246"></a>I have come to realize this year that knowledge isn’t the only key to a great teacher. Passion is a major component. Not only is Aurora Lipper incredibly qualified, but her enthusiasm for everything she teaches is contagious. She started teaching children science in an effort to increase enthusiasm as students entered the university. She has taught many science camps and many children through her science programs. </p> <p>Science is not meant to be a tedious experience. Science should be fun and encourage discovery. Done correctly, science is a much beloved subject of children of all personality types. Aurora Lipper does it right! She doesn’t give a formulaic experiment, ask the student to copy the directions in a notebook or on a lab write-up sheet and then repeat. Instead, she demonstrates some or all of an experiment just enough to pique a child’s interest as well as give them enough tools to do the experiment correctly. Sometimes she does show the whole thing, but leaves the students with questions to answer for themselves. Either way, I have found that my kids like to watch her videos and most of the time they can’t wait to try it themselves. They even get a little testy when I don’t have all the materials to do an experiment. </p> <p>Mrs. Lipper recommends doing the experiment and getting a child excited to learn about a topic and then introducing the why. In my experience, this is the best way to teach science to children of all ages. Get them excited and then figure out why. Without a reason to know why, a child really doesn’t care. In order to facilitate the why, e-Science has readings, advanced readings for the topic, as well as comment sections attached to each experiment. These comment sections are a great place to ask questions about an experiment. The questions people ask are answered right there in the comments. I have found this feature helpful on several occasions when I was trying to figure out an experiment. It also saved me from making some mistakes a few times. Additionally, you can email questions any time. Customer service is fabulous. </p> <p>In total, there are 20 topics plus several bonus topics including science fair experiments, “Math Magic,” and in the summer time e-Summer camp. Having used e-Science over the summer, I can say that the e-Summer camp is a lot of fun since it includes many of the really exciting experiments that don’t require a lot of prep work. During most of the year, the e-camp section doesn’t have much listed, but when it does, it is a great resource for quick interest sparks. When a new member signs up, initially they are only given access to the first few topics. Every month, more topics are opened to the user. If there is a specific topic you are interested in, that you don’t have access to, you can email in and they will open up access for you. Each topic is packed with experiments for all ages. Many of the “K-8” experiments provide a really good foundation for the advanced lessons. The advanced materials contain more complicated experiments which may include more finesse, more materials, more patience, or sometimes more dangerous materials. Most of the advanced material is in the topics of advanced chemistry, astrophysics, alternative energy, electronics, and some physics. </p> <p>New this year is a grade level guide. It contains some experiments in each grade level K-8 that correlate with national standards and Mrs. Lipper’s experience. Not all of the experiments for a topic are listed in a given grade. For someone concerned with keeping up with grade level, this might be a great feature. For me personally, I didn’t pay much attention to it. We looked at the list of topics and then picked something that sounded interesting and then picked some videos and experiments to do. We do a lot of hopping around from topic to topic as our interest dictates. Sometimes we spend a long time on a topic (we have done almost all the experiments in units 1 and 2) and only a little bit in other topics. I have sampled from almost every unit. </p> <p>Depending on the unit, most of the materials needed to do the experiments can be found at home. Sometimes, like the experiments on electricity, you will need to purchase some additional materials. A <a href="http://www.sciencelearningspace.com/category/shopping-list/" rel="nofollow">shopping list</a> for each unit is available on the website. This link has all the lists in reverse order so click on the topic you are interested in on the right sidebar. In the cases of less common materials, the list will link to a location the item is available online. This is very helpful for finding the right materials. </p> <p>Once you narrow down to the topic you are going to study, there is a short intro video as well as the experiment videos, readings, and exercises. The exercises are questions about the unit to answer. Some families might find this helpful when they are doing an entire unit. I personally don’t use this in my home, but when I was teaching middle school students at our co-op, on occasion I used some of the exercises to help them pay attention to key areas. Most of the time, we watched the intro video followed by various experiment videos, but other times, I watched the video and then taught the lesson myself. I love the way Mrs. Lipper teaches though, so I usually let her do the talking. </p> <p>Over the past year, I have found that e-Science really excels at all the physical sciences. The experiments are thoughtful, engaging, and often unique. I like to use e-Science as a piece of my magic learning box or group learning time. I love browsing the videos to find something interesting to do with my girls. I frequently use the search box on the website and while I don’t always come up with what I think I ought to come up with, I am never disappointed at the lack of possibilities. One example of how I used Supercharged Science recently was the other day when we were learning about soap making. I did a search for soap in the search box and found an experiment about microwaving ivory soap. We learned what would happen if we microwaved ivory soap by watching the video. In our home, we don’t have a microwave so that video helped my girls understand a little better why we don’t have one. It also gave them an opportunity to see what the soap would do and why. Then we made laundry soap crystals, which was one of the other results of my search efforts. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XPs0ykD__Wc/U0YX0zozOZI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/F3hrkCEIuFg/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0638%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0638" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="April 2014_0638" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zmcZTw3Pfqs/U0YX1eslqaI/AAAAAAAAEsU/hrxLshJPpV8/April%2525202014_0638_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="332"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ixuA7vZgR74/U0YX12jao_I/AAAAAAAAEsc/fCKhj0KspD4/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0641%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0641" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="April 2014_0641" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OsEsX0JdcQk/U0YX2fY69-I/AAAAAAAAEsk/omcozH7Ifgs/April%2525202014_0641_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="254"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J0h0WdlTHgM/U0YX3OvbiyI/AAAAAAAAEsw/xV37jerWpHM/s1600-h/April%2525202014_0583%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 2014_0583" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="April 2014_0583" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oh6mL2GJCwU/U0YX3mnB49I/AAAAAAAAEs0/RLvgjfXGcrM/April%2525202014_0583_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="258"></a></p> <p>We have also been learning about ocean dwelling animals. We discovered a fascinating mimicking octopus through e-Science. We learned about coral as well. Some of the biology videos we watched are not produced by Supercharged Science. They may also be available off e-Science website, but e-Science brings them together so I don’t have to spend my time searching for the perfect video on that topic. I think that I far prefer the physical science units to the biological science units because I think the physical sciences is where Supercharged Science really excels. That said, the biological sciences are still well put together. </p> <p>With Supercharged Science, there are two subscription plans. One is for K-8 and the other is for K-12. The K-8 costs $37 and the K-12 costs $57 per month. I know that $57 a month for a science subscription seems like a lot, but when I consider that e-Science is like having a professional science teacher in my living room as often as I want to teach my children high quality science, it is far cheaper than any other lessons I pay for. If you are at all interested in Supercharged Science, you can get a Free Copy of the Science <a href="http://www.superchargedscience.com/opt/tos-crew-savs-opt-04-2014/" rel="nofollow">Activity Video Series</a> and Guidebook.<strong></strong>or you can <a href="http://www.superchargedscience.com/opt/tos-review-esci-trial-04-2014-2/" rel="nofollow">try e-Science for $1</a>, either the K-8 lessons or the full program listed under 9-12. The biggest difference between the plans is the 9-12 includes all the K-8 plus more advanced lessons, experiments, and readings. </p> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/supercharged-e-science-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></center> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2731485434491118363.post-58234595647821229452014-04-09T07:58:00.001-07:002014-04-09T21:07:11.087-07:00Victus Study Skills- Schoolhouse Review<center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/victus-study-skills-system-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Victus Study Skills Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Victus%20Study%20Skills/VictusLogo_zps1f12bd33.png" width="245" height="180"></a></center> <div align="left">Learning how to learn effectively is an essential skill. Most people feel that knowing how to take tests is the epitome of proper study skills. Recently I was offered the chance to review the <a href="http://www.studyskillssystem.org/products/" rel="nofollow">Student Workbook</a> and <a href="http://www.studyskillssystem.org/products/" rel="nofollow">Teacher Edition</a> from <a href="http://www.studyskillssystem.org/" rel="nofollow">Victus Study Skills System</a> with Tiger. Tiger has been working very hard to master his time so he can maximize his learning time and leisure time. I must say that I am really proud of him in his efforts. </div> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/victus-study-skills-system-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Victus Study Skills Review" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/Victus%20Study%20Skills/Victusbookcovers_zpsd9d93317.png"></a></center> <div align="left">The Victus Study Skills System is comprised of a Teacher’s edition and a Student workbook. It is intended for grades 5-12. The teacher’s manual costs $40 and each consumable student manual costs $20. Victus Study Skills offers other products to assist in teaching their study skills system as well. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">Victus is Latin for way of life. The program is designed to help students not only learn to take tests or take notes or read a book, but to do it in context of a personal purpose in life. Victus believes in four main concepts. 1. Zeal without knowledge is not good, but zeal with knowledge bears fruit, 2. Results come from the process, 3. Any System with all of its components must have an aim, or purpose, and 4. A unique and effective system of study has the greatest likelihood of aiding in success. Additionally, there are three cornerstones which each skill is set upon. These cornerstones are the questions of “Where am I now, Where do I want to be, and How do I get there?” The 10 lessons cover an introduction, learning strengths evaluation, mission and goal setting, time management technique, organizing a work environment, active reading, active listening, shorthand note taking, test taking, and review. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">The Teacher’s Edition is set up as a guide to assist the teacher or parent in teaching the 10 lessons to the student over the course of 5 days. It is intended that each skill will take approximately 30 minutes to teach. I found that some took much less time than that. The teacher manual consists of an introductory section to teach the teacher about the system followed by the lessons and finally an an appendix with student views of the student appendix as well as a form for the teacher to create his or her own mission statement. The various skills should be integrated into the daily life and classroom of the student so that he or she can begin practicing the skills and making them part of his or her life. </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">The Student Manual consists of all the worksheets to be used with the teacher’s edition. It is not intended to stand alone, and without the teacher’s edition, it will not work. There is a self-study student manual available through Victus, but that is different than the one I am reviewing. The appendix includes additional resources for study skills which are not expressly taught in the teacher’s manual. </div> <p>There are many aspects of Victus Study Skills that I really like. The biggest and most important is that Victus Study Skills attempts to teach vital skills in context and with purpose. The goal of Victus Study Skills is not to teach how to take a test, how to read a textbook, and how to take notes. Those are important skills that are taught, but the goal is to teach a lifestyle- one that will propel the student to be better. Furthermore, I really liked that in the the teacher is encouraged to go through and do some of the same activities as the students including writing their own mission statement, working on their own time management, and practicing their own note taking. Teachers who do the work of a student are better mentors to their students. Our favorite part was the first couple of lessons which taught about time management, mission, and how to live in accordance with one’s values. The reason this was our favorite part is because it was the most applicable to Tiger’s life at this time. I also like the lesson on note taking because explaining the value of shorthand to a student and giving some tips on how to write in a shortened form was very well done. </p> <p>I felt a little ill-equipped to teach directly from the manual though. As I attempted to follow the lesson plan, I kept feeling like there was something missing. The introduction encourages the teacher to have an activity or something to assist in the lessons and sometimes those were provided, but sometimes they were not. Some of the activities provided would have worked much better in a group setting, either co-op or a classroom. Also, I didn’t feel like every lesson gave enough detail about what was being taught to be taught effectively by me. I just finished teaching a 4 week time management class to middle and high schoolers at our co-op and I found myself pulling a lot from all the research and work I did on that class to teach the first couple of lessons. If I had not had that experience, I would have really struggled with the first couple of lessons. </p> <p>Additionally, right now, Tiger doesn’t take tests or read textbooks and while he does need to work on note taking, he has been doing pretty well in this regard. Yes, he can do some of the skills of reading for comprehension in a classic work or biography, but some of those steps need to be modified. I would have liked to have seen a little more information on practical application for the reading model outside of textbooks. The other thing I didn’t really like were the fill in the blank worksheets. The way the teacher’s manual was set up, there weren’t any guiding questions to help the student figure out the answers. Short of reading the sentences and inserting the answers I wasn’t sure what to do. Since I am anti-busywork worksheets, I wasn’t too thrilled with this approach. I would have found it more helpful to have a little more information on guiding a discussion in the lessons. The irony is that the teacher’s manual was very wide open with minimal explanations and yet the at times the instructions to discovery were too confining for Tiger. For example the learning strengths activity wanted him to rank things as equal, all, or nothing. He had some that were slightly more than others and he wanted to adjust the scoring. I couldn’t see a reason for the instructions to be so confining so I changed the instructions for him. The next issue was once he discovered his primary learning strength, I didn’t really understand how he was to apply that knowledge to the subsequent lessons. Was it just personal knowledge? I felt like we were hanging on a branch waiting to see somewhere to jump to. The last thing that Tiger and I found cumbersome was sometimes in a lesson I would ask him to turn to a page, skipping several pages, and then turn back several pages to do the previous worksheet. I think having the pages in order would have been more effective and less confusing. Several times Tiger asked me why I was making him back up. It felt disorderly to us. </p> <p>Ultimately, I think this course has huge potential, but the whole time I was using it, I felt that something was missing. I think it would be a better fit for someone who was used to a more traditional fill in the blank type schooling method or a family where testing was more common in the middle school years. I think it could have been a better fit for my family if I had had more assistance with understanding the vision for each individual lesson. While I don’t often follow scripts of scripted lessons, they do help me to understand the progression of teaching. While Victus recommends this for grades 5+, I think I would recommend this for 7th grade and up. <a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/victus-study-skills-system-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Click to read Crew Reviews" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/clickformorereviews600x160_zpsc2cf0855.png"></a></p> <center><a href="http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com" target="blank"><img border="0" alt="Crew Disclaimer" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/2014TOSCREW/2014%20CREW%20BANNERS/disclaimer_zps7f3b646c.png"></a></center> Raspberry Leafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10519557317779189612noreply@blogger.com0