Cool Swap Goodies

It's been a long time since I participated in The Homeschool Post's Swap (mostly because I'm a horrible slacker!). But I decided it was a good time to jump into the swapping fun again. I was very blessed to be paired up with Raven from Discover the Child. My package arrived today and it is awesome! She was so sweet and really personalized everything.

• Starting at the top left is a clip of the inside of the adorable card she sent. Aren't her doodles just the cutest thing?
• Going clockwise, the next item (top right) is a package of scrapbooking rub-ons. I love these! The colors are bright and fun and rub-ons are one of my favorite accessories in scrapbooking.
• Continuing on in our clockwise circle, we have some very cute polka-dot cherry napkins. These will definitely look great on our picnic table out on the patio.
• Next comes the Dr Pepper lip balm. Mmmmm....you all know how I feel about Dr Pepper.
• And working on around, at about 7-8:00 we have a Citrus & Ginger Root body bar from Burt's Bees. I currently use a couple of Burt's items which I love, so I look forward to trying this out.
• And last, but not least, at 9:00 . . . DRY ERASE MARKERS!! Woo hoo!! I posted this lovely gift from a friend a couple months ago and these are just what the doctor...er, teacher/mom ordered! Notice the pink marker? I'll never have to worry about my boys nabbing that one. HA! HA!
• Everything was lovingly wrapped in purple (my fav color) tissue paper.

Thanks so much, Raven! You're a wonderful and thoughtful swap buddy!!

I'd better be getting your package in the mail pronto!

ABSee Photo Meme - D

Today's post brought to you by the letter

Dianne

ABSee Photo Meme - C

Today's post is brought to you by the letter

I believe they're self-explanatory, however, the one in the lower right is clay. Courtesy of ClayGuy, of course.

Join in the ABSee Photo Meme fun over at The Homeschool Post.

A B See Photo Meme - B

Yes, B really does follow A. But sometimes it can take a couple weeks or so. Without further ado, the next installment is brought to you by the letter

Brazil nuts



Blueberries



Bananas

Come see the other entries or join in the ABSee fun over at The Homeschool Post.

A B See Photo Meme - A

A new year, a new photo meme. Over at The Homeschool Post, Sprittibee has started the A B See Photo meme. Similar to others, you shoot a photo for each letter of the alphabet. Post it along with the accompanying story, description, etc.

Here's my first entry, brought to you by the letter


These are my beautiful new appliances that we purchased when we bought the house. On a happy note, we got a great deal on both.

Homeschool Memoirs #21: School Days

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I've done an extraordinary job of participating in the Homeschool Memoirs meme over at the The Homeschool Post. This marks my third post (out of a total of 21). LOL!! It will also serve as my entry back into the PhotoStory Friday meme.

This week's theme is to post a photo from your school years. I have plenty, but this one is recently scanned and available. This one will add a little unknown tidbit for you: I was a pom-pom girl in high school. This was shot at a local park (a big huge hiking trail park with bluffs and hills and such) early in the morning. When we were done with the shoot, we went to McDonald's for breakfast. That was around the time McDonald's started serving breakfast. I had the pancakes, cause I'm not an eggs kind of gal. Funny, the memories you can find attached to things.

I had my first car at the time - a 65 Impala convertible. Dark blue with a white top. I once hauled 8 pom-pom girls in it (including me). My best friend and I both "drove." I steered, operated the brake, and the turn signal. She steered, operated the accelerator, and the gear shift. We had to, because both of us were squished into the driver's seat space. Four girls in front, four in back. Rag top down, of course. Fun times.

Check out more school photos here, and for other PSF entries, click the button.


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

And have a wonderful Friday!

p.s. - the photo is circa 78-79

Hear That?

It's a winsome and lonely breeze blowing through this here blog. Like searching out a vacant building, as it seeks a post of substance.

What a terrible paragraph that was. Sorry excuse for . . . I don't even know what. My apologies. I'll cease and desist with the pathetic writing.

Still nothing, peeps. I think being tied to a physical cable at the desk has compounded my creativelessness (like that? now I'm making up big words).

I am, however, happy to announce that the 4th annual Homeschool Blog Awards are starting up over at The Homeschool Post. Nominations begin tomorrow (I think. I should know this. I'm on the team. My apologies to my awesome fellow team members for being so dense out in la-la land).

Tell you what - click that logo right there and it will take you directly to the site. If the nominations have opened, you'll find out. If not, you can read something else homeschool-related. Then try again the next day. Eventually, you can pick and vote.

Maybe a trip to Starbucks would jolt my creativity. At least I could blog outside of a box-insulated house.

On a happy note - the battery charger for my camera has been located. I can be a camera junkie take pictures again. Maybe even something blog-worthy. Of course, everything is pretty much blog-worthy. Unless it's just too boring to look at. Like when you accidentally hit the shutter while moving your camera and you get a blurred and angled shot of your foot and the couch. Not that I've ever done that. I'm just saying.

Homeschool Memoirs: Agendas

Here we are, in the third week of the Homeschool Memoirs theme at HSBA, and I'm behind. Sigh. I know, I know, there's no pressure or anything. Not that I haven't blogged. I just haven't taken the time to complete this. So, I'll post last week's today and this week's . . . well, not today. Maybe tomorrow. Or something.

This week’s theme is about sharing your 2008-09 homeschool agendas and plans.

Please share a Bible verse that has encouraged you or inspired you during this planning-process, and how.

2008-2009 Game Plan at High Altitude Academy

Planning this year was quite a challenge a little more work than in years past.

ClayGuy is in 9th grade now (read: HIGH SCHOOL). At least according to the public school powers that be, that's how he is classified. That brought a whole new can of worms set of parameters. While the homeschool laws in Colorado aren't terribly stringent, I still feel that it's important for the boys to meet graduation requirements. I don't know if they'll pursue college at some point, but they need to at least be able to do so, should they wish.

It took me a few days to round up the specific requirements for our state. Then I dug into the book, High School @ Home, You Can Do It! by Diana Johnson. What a blessing that book was! I was feeling a bit lost, but after reading her book, and combining it with the graduation requirements, I was equipped to put together a four-year high school plan. Oh, the other integral part of homeschooling is Robin Sampson's Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach.

Since the Comedian is only 17 months younger, he'll pretty much follow the same plan, with minor curriculum variations.

I'm a form junkie and Diana offered some great ones on the CD in her book, plus I love making my own. After printing the desired forms and putting the plan together, here's where we are:

My Brain in a Binder

• Monthly calendar pages - gives the broad overview for future planning


• Weekly school plans - where I map out the plans for the boys' week


• Daily flight plan - each page covers everything I need to do or remember in a day

Individual Planning Binders for the Boys
These are 1/2" binders that contain the boys' plans. I created a weekly form for them. Last year, we used daily forms, but I really like planning their entire week.

ClayGuy

• Bible - Reading through the Bible (currently in Genesis) and discussion. Praying together. Restarting prayer journals.


• English - Abeka's Grammar & Composition, Wordly Wise vocabulary, daily reading


• Math - Saxon


• Science - God's World Physical Science


• Social Studies - KONOS Elections unit study


• Art - Myriad activities; still active in miniature clay sculpting. Will be getting his etsy store going again.


• PE - Walking daily for now. Plan to enroll in martial arts.


• Computer - Typing, basic computer skills

The Comedian

• Bible - Reading through the Bible (currently in Genesis) and discussion. Praying together. Will restart prayer journals.


• English - Bob Jones Writing & Grammar, Wordly Wise vocabulary, daily reading


• Math - Keys to Algebra


• Science - God's World Physical Science


• Social Studies - KONOS Elections unit study


• Art - Myriad activities; sketching and cartooning


• PE - Walking daily, homeschool bowling. Plan to enroll in martial arts.


• Computer - Typing, basic computer skills, game programming


• Looking at a Boy Scout troop this week as he considers rejoining.

One of my favorite verses the Lord often brings to mind is Isaiah 30:21. It reminds me to quiet myself and listen for His leading.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

Homeschool Memoirs - All About Me

In keeping with the motto of "Encouraging, informing, and connecting the homeschool community," the HSBA has a fun new meme starting today ~ Homeschool Memoirs. Many of us blog as a way to record our memories already. With the weekly themes, you'll continue to have an ongoing record of your homeschooling adventures, plus you'll have the opportunity to learn from and share with other homeschoolers. Each Wednesday the theme is posted and you have the next week to get a post up. Then go back to the HSBA, sign the linky, and see what others had to say about that week's theme. This should be a lot of fun! If you want to find out more, click either icon and check it out.

The first theme? Tell a bit about yourself. Who's the mom behind the blog? What's your homeschooling story?



I looked into homeschooling when ClayGuy was getting ready to start kindergarten. Things never quite came together, though. A friend made a comment (I can't even remember the specifics now) that ended up leading to public school. We lived just a couple of blocks from the local elementary school. It was a small, very community-oriented school. Having a high number of homeless students, the staff was very attentive to the needs of the kids and worked hard to ensure that they were all on a level playing field, at least while in school. It was a nice school and seemed a good place to be.

Both boys attended this school from kindergarten through 5th grade. We never had any intention of sending either one to the public middle school. Our assumption was that when 6th grade began, they'd be heading to a Christian school. As we started doing the math, we quickly realized that our budget and the school’s tuition were never going to become friends, not even acquaintances. That started us down a somewhat convoluted path (bunny trail) towards homeschool.

So we brought ClayGuy home for 6th grade and left the Comedian to finish out 5th grade at the public school. I was grateful because it gave me just ONE kid to work with while trying to get my feet wet that first year. The next year, the Comedian stayed home with us, causing me to get wet all the way to my hips.

We're just about to start our fourth year; ClayGuy's heading into 9th grade and the Comedian will be in 8th (well, if you utilize the public school system grade levels). Last year wasn't a great year. We floundered much of the time and it seemed that I never could get my footing. My running joke was that we attended Slacker Middle School. I'm happy to say that we left that place behind. With God's help (I can't do any of this in my own strength), we won't be going there any more. Nor will we visit Slacker High.

I suppose that really wasn't much about me, now was it? Okay, briefly then (she says with a maniacal laugh):

• I'm a crazy and scattered woman, bouncing from one thing to the next and back to something else in practically the same moment. I tend towards an all-or-nothing mentality, which makes balance a very elusive goal. There is no middle ground. Or if there is, it's forever lost to me.


• I love Jesus and have been walking with Him since March of 1990. I got off to a slow start, but He's a patient God, for which I am ever grateful.


• I have a wonky sense of humor. I love to laugh. Until it hurts. And then laugh some more. Until I can't breathe.


• I enjoy creativity, but don't fit it into my life as often as I'd like. I love photography and would like to learn so much more. I've been scrapbooking for about 12 years. I'm an avid reader and usually read multiple books at once.


• I love games and puzzles and words. Am a Scrabble junkie. Mostly with my mom. Also Boggle with her and/or my sister. Lately we've been playing some Yahtzee.


• I fly by the seat of my pants, yet love the idea of a tidy and structured life. But feel confined and restrained at the thought. I'm very contrary to myself. I make myself nuts with all sorts of strange little self-talk. Back and forth I go. One little me on each shoulder (not devil and angel - more like OCD me and whimsical, carefree me).


• I am consistently inconsistent. That's the only place I have a solid habit built into my life. Well, that and drinking Dr Pepper.


• I drive a white mini van. It's practical. One day that will change, but it works for now.

That's enough for now. If you're even still with me. I can get a little quite wordy at times.

So I'm wrapping up plans for a new, unslacking sort of year. Because my boys grow and change almost daily, homeschooling (and parenting) is a constantly moving project. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m blessed and honored to have this opportunity.

Out and About

Hebrews 12:1 “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

What does the “sin which so easily ensnares us” look like to you personally? Is it sitting there on the side of the road in the race of life, looking stinky, smelly, and disgusting? I mean sin really is gross. When I think about how completely revolting sin is in our lives as believers, I picture something from a very disgusting dump with flies buzzing all around it. It most certainly smells and looks terrible.

Since I'm off and running today, you can find me and read the rest of this next door at the Homeschool Blog Awards' Thursday Thoughts.

Have a blessedly wonderful day.

Swap Thanks

I was very excited to receive a box of goodies from my swap sister, Judy at My Adventures in Homeschooling. She sent me:

• Scrapbook paper pack - always need this!


• Cute sticky notes - these too


• Pretty mulberry hearts - great for scrapping and stamping


• Ladybug stickers - just adorable; perfect for spring


• Gummy bears - YUMMY!! They won't last long


• Lavender candle - sweet


• A very cute card - Judy & I both have May birthdays - just a few days apart!

Closer view of scrapbook goodies. Aren't those ladybugs cute?

Thanks again, Judy!

December Swap Goodies!

Jacque from Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths was my super swap buddy for December. Sweetheart that she is, she's not even guilting me one iota for being enormously late sending her package (which goes out tomorrow).

Here are the terrific goodies that she sent me.



A cute Snoopy card
Two packages of CM papers and embellishments
Big honey jar candle
Assorted teas
Peppermints
Dark chocolate truffles


Charming Christmas papers!


Fabulous Fall/Fruit papers!


Tasty Teas!


Cool Candle! (Honey Vanilla scented - says "Sweet Memories of Home"

I can't show you the chocolates - they're LONG gone! Yummmmm!

Thanks, Jacque! You're so sweet!

Whew!

Every time I come over here, I think, "Has it really been a week/five days/whatever since I posted? I should post something." A majority of my online time has been spent helping to get the Homeschool Blog Awards up and ready for voting. I'm very pleased to announce that it's finally here! The polls opened very early this morning.

Hopefully the entire team will be able to get back to regularly scheduled life and blogging. A couple of controversial issues came up during the nominating process (who'd have thought?). So between that and just the work it takes to put that entire thing together, we've all been a bit busy.

So go check out these great blogs and vote for your favorites. I think you'll find some very interesting homeschool blogs.

Muchas Gracias!!

Last month, I participated in the HSBA Swap. Participants were paired up, some personal info was shared, and each person sent her swap buddy something. Well, let me just say that my swap buddy ROCKS!!! Learning of my great love of Dr. Pepper, she promptly picked up some of the good stuff from Dublin, Texas. That would be Dublin, Texas, home to the oldest Dr. Pepper plant. Dublin, Texas, where they still make REAL Dr. Pepper with pure cane sugar. Dublin, Texas, the place I might just travel to one day. She doesn't even live in Dublin, Texas. But she thought of me in her travels!

So here it is . . . the real deal Dr. Pepper. We'll be sampling it alongside the current, corn-syrup version to assess the difference. Although I'm sure the stuff from Dublin will be SO much better than that from my local grocery store.

HSBA Nominations

If you want to nominate anyone for the Homeschool Blog Awards, tomorrow is the last day. Head on over to the button in my sidebar and submit your nominations.

Even if you don't nominate anyone, come back between December 3-15, 2007 to vote. There are some great prizes available to the winners.

It's My Day

. . . to be over at The Homeschool Blog Awards. Today's installment is titled "Cultivating Habits."

Nominations are Open

The 2007 Homeschool Blog Award nominations are now open. There are 23 different categories (wow!) from which you can choose. Please understand that I'm not posting in order to get nominated. Bunny Trails is SO not a homeschool blog. In fact, I've probably written about homeschooling all of five times in the past fourteen months.

I am posting, as a member of the HSBA team, in order to get the word out. Maybe this will afford you an opportunity to go check out some homeschool blogs. If you don't know where to start, there are links to winners of previous years at the HSBA site. The other great place to find homeschool blogs is at Homeschool Blogger. I think one of the things I enjoy about Homeschool Blogger is that I'm never afaid to click on their "random blog" link. I can't speak for everyone else, but I haven't ever come across anything inappropriate.

I hope that maybe you'll find something encouraging, inspiring, informative, or just plain fun as you go peruse some great homeschool blogs (there are a lot out there!). I also hope you'll nominate those that you think are worthy.

Honors Algebra Fun

In honor of Sprittibee's Carnival of Homeschooling: Yearbook Edition as well as the upcoming 2007 Homeschool Blog Awards (nominations begin on November 5th), here's a little bunny trail back into high school.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In my first year of high school (sophomore year, back when 9th grade was still in junior high), I was enrolled in an Honors Algebra class. Our teacher, Mr. A, was very serious about the fact that this was an “Honors” class. I mean, you could be forgiven if you didn’t bring a pencil in just a normal math class. But when you’re in HONORS Algebra that just didn’t fly.

Our class was held in a science lab. That meant that Mr. A had an office elsewhere and he arrived fresh to the classroom each morning, just as we did. My new friends and I decided that our super serious teacher needed some brevity injected into the day. So each morning, we’d get there before him, write something clever and witty on the board with chalk (like “Happy Friday!” with a big smiley face). Then we took ALL the chalk on the tray and buried it in this huge sandbox (they did classes on rocks and minerals in this room). It was like a big table with a box of sand on it, so you could dig around while standing). It was located in front of the room, next to the counter at which the teacher would stand.

Mr. A erased our morning’s chalk art each day and then looked around for a piece of chalk. Of course, none was to be found. He would get rather frustrated and go somewhere (where ever it is that teachers go for more chalk) and get more.

This went on for the most of the school year. Then one day Mr. A was standing in front of the chalk-filled sandbox, randomly dragging his hand through the sand. Suddenly, his fingers came upon a piece of chalk. There were a few of us on the far side of the room that held our breath. “Uh oh, the jig is up,” we thought. We were sure he’d find ALL that chalk. He picked it up, gave it a slightly perplexed look, and set it on the chalk tray. That was it. It never really sunk in any further. Whew! We all let out a big sigh of relief.

Yes, we continued to torture Mr. A with the brilliant morning chalkboard greeting and hidden chalk for the remainder of the year. We still received harsh remarks for showing up to an honors class without a pencil. And by the end of the year, I think we kind of got to him. I recall one day when he actually drew a little smiley face in the middle of a zero.

Where Am I?

I'm over at the HSBA site today. I may even be back here tonight.

Homeschool Blog Awards

I am excited to be a part of a new team of 15 ladies who are site contributors for the Homeschool Blog Awards. There will be daily posts with interesting tips, devotionals, stories, interviews with homeschool bloggers, blogging advice, articles, links, photos, information, product reviews, and more! We hope to make the site a hub of useful information and encouragement for the homeschooling community. We will be actively preparing for the 2007 Homeschool Blog Awards this fall, and hope to wrap them up by the end of the year.

Here’s what you can do to help:

• Start writing down the names of homeschool bloggers that you would like to nominate for the awards


• Grab the 2007 Homeschool Blog Awards button and post it on your own site, with a link to the HSBA website


• Let us know about vendors that you would like to see donate prizes for the awards


• Stop by and see what our writers are posting daily


• Last, but not least - SPREAD THE WORD!

btw - credit for the writing of this goes to my teammate, Dawn, at My Home Sweet Home because I liked what she wrote . . . and I was having writer's block. LOL! Oh, she also gets credit for our HSBA button up there and over there. Nice work and thanks, Dawn!