Pies School for Boys

2009-12-06T22:38:00.007-05:00

Tuesday night, the boys and I rode on the 4-H float in the Carthage Christmas Parade. It was cold, but a lot of fun.

On Wednesday, it was so rainy and cold that we decided to skip D's basketball practice. He wasn't very happy about it, but I just could not bring myself to go. Instead, we stayed home and watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, listened to a couple episodes of the old Cinnamon Bear radio show, and made a few ornaments out of old Christmas cards. The boys and I decided to decorate our tree in homemade ornaments this year, so we will be working throughout the month making ornaments.

We had a play date at the park with some of our friends from our homeschool group on Thursday. When we got home, we put up the Christmas tree. That night, we listened to more Cinnamon Bear and made ornaments using PerlerBeads.

On Friday, the boys helped Big B put lights on the tree and then made a few more ornaments while listening to more Cinnamon Bear. That night, our 4-H Club was supposed to go caroling with some of the other clubs, but the other clubs didn't show up. Instead, we ate, played games, and built with Lego's. Everyone had a good time, even if things didn't go as planned.

The rest of the weekend was spent shopping, doing Christmas crafts, watching movies, doing chores, and just loafing around the house.

2009-11-30T21:58:00.004-05:00

The boys and I had a very busy Saturday. I taught them how to check the oil and transmission fluid in the car and then we worked on a few things for Cub Scouts. Next we played Lego's. B & D fixed burritos for supper and then we played board & card games for several hours.

Big B came home Sunday and we spent the day filling him in on all the things that we had been doing for the past few weeks.

Monday morning, we went grocery shopping and then came home and started rearranging furniture in preparation for our Christmas tree. Afterward, we worked on a few projects and then went to basketball practice and Cub Scouts.

Another Update

2009-11-27T22:53:00.021-05:00

I have somehow managed to fall behind on my blog again, so I will do a picture update and then put more effort into keeping up to date. In addition to everyday school and chores, in the weeks since I blogged last, we.....
Went Trick or Treating

Went on a Field Trip

Watched the Fireantz Play

Went Ice Skating

Finished the Flag Football Season

Finished the Fall Hockey Season

Had Two 4-H Meetings

1. A Trip to the Animal Shelter

2. Pet Presentations and Making Pet Rocks

Had a Homeschool Art Class at the Park

Joined a 4-H Lego Club

Went to a Birthday Party

Experimented with Electricity

and Made Pies

R.E.A.C.H Update in Pictures

2009-10-30T01:50:00.007-04:00

Art Class

The Berry Patch

Misc. Update in Pictures

2009-10-30T01:36:00.005-04:00

Cub Scouts

The Sardine Festival

Blue Ribbon Winners

Soap Carving

Library Halloween Party

Cooking and Backyard Camp Out Update in Pictures

2009-10-30T01:14:00.008-04:00

Cooking

Backyard Camp Out

4-H and Junior Rangers Update in Pictures

2009-10-30T00:38:00.009-04:00

4-H

Junior Rangers

Football and Hockey Update in Pictures

2009-10-30T00:24:00.006-04:00

2009-10-02T22:03:00.004-04:00

Wednesday morning, we went with my mother to run errands and get Webelos Handbooks. That evening, D had hockey practice.
We spent all day Thursday doing school and chores.
This morning, we went to the dentist for D's appointment. Afterward, we had lunch and then went to the park for our homeschool art class. After the class, the kids all played on the playground and then some of us went on a walk. This evening, the boys played on the computer with a friend while I made chili for dinner.

2009-09-29T22:35:00.005-04:00

Saturday morning, we went to Lowe's for the Build and Grow Clinic, where the boys made fire trucks. Both football and hockey practice were cancelled due to rain, so we ran errands instead. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out around the house. That night we had a family game night that lasted for over four hours. It was fun but exhausting.

D had hockey practice Sunday afternoon and when we got home, the boys finished their table runners.

On Monday, I took the boys ice skating with one of the local homeschool groups. That evening, the boys had football practice and then B had his first roller hockey game of the season. His team won 11-2.

Today, we had our first 4-H meeting. Only two other kids came, but we also had a couple who are interested but couldn't make it to the meeting. The boys did a presentation telling what they did in 4-H last year. Afterwards, we took a walk around a nearby pond.

2009-09-25T23:03:00.002-04:00

The boys and I went to the library Thursday for a couple of hours and then spent most of the remainder of the day looking through the books we checked out.
Friday we did quite a bit of spelling and math and then the boys finished the tops of the quilted table runners that they started back in the summer. It went so quickly that I felt really guilty about letting them put it off for so long. After supper, Big B and I took the boys to Weymouth Woods for a night hike. We had been looking forward to it all week long and were hoping to get to see and hear some nocturnal animals. Instead, we got to see and hear some very unruly children and their just as inconsiderate parents. There were two other families on the hike and I have no idea why they even bothered going. They were talking loudly and shining their lights up in the trees. All of the local wildlife had plenty of advance warning and were able to make themselves scarce before we got anywhere near them. It was really disappointing.

2009-09-23T22:16:00.004-04:00

We went to Weymouth Woods Sunday for a program about plants as food sources for animals. We learned about the different things that different types of animals eat. I was very surprised to find out how popular acorns are as a food source. I usually only associate them with squirrels. After the program, we went on a hike to see some of these foods firsthand. It was really interesting and a lot of fun. When we got home, the boys worked on their sewing project.

Monday, we worked on spelling, math, writing, American history, science, typing and sewing. After dinner, the boys had football practice. Then we went to their first ever Cub Scout meeting.
On Tuesday, we focused on just spelling and math for a couple of hours and then I had to take B to get an MRI. My mother went with us, and afterward we went to lunch and ran a few errands. That night, D went off with his grandparents while B tried his hand at selling popcorn.
Today, we ran errands with my mother and then we we went to D's first hockey practice of the season.

Finally back

2009-09-19T23:40:00.008-04:00

This blog has been a long time coming. The computer has been tied up every night for over a week, so I have not been able to blog in some time. So, here it goes.

On Wednesday, the 9th, we did spelling, math, geography, and science. We spent the rest of the day playing and doing a little housework

On Thursday, D had a doctor's appointment which evolved into going to the hospital for chest x-rays. When we got home, the boys played and visited with the neighbors.

Friday morning, both boys had dentist appointments and then we went to the park for a lunch and play date with one of our homeschool groups. Then we went to a "Movie in the Park" and had a picnic dinner and watched Cars.

Saturday morning, we went to Lowe's for the Build and Grow clinic where the boys made drums. Afterward, I took them shopping and then it was time for another lunch and play date in a different park with the same group.

On Sunday, we skipped Weymouth Woods so that the boys could watch football and hang out with Big B before he went to work. I took advantage of all that male bonding and managed to get in a nice long nap.

Monday morning, the boys and I visited with another homeschool family. Afterward, the boys did spelling, math and science.

On Tuesday, we did more spelling, math and science. The boys spent most of the remaining day playing on the computer.

We were up super early Wednesday morning and headed out at 3:30AM for the bus stop to pick up Big B. We came home and went back to bed, but we were all exhausted for the remainder of the day and didn't really get anything done.

B had a doctor's appointment Thursday morning and then we ran errands. We then had another lunch and play date at yet another park with the same group. That evening, we went to a pizza party for D's baseball team.

I had a meeting Friday morning and D went off to run errands with his grandpa, so the two B's got to spend some time hanging out together.

Both boys had football practice Saturday morning. Afterward, Big B went to a football game with two of his brothers while B and D went off to play with the neighbors and visit with their grandparents. Afterward, we all took turns playing on the computer.

2009-09-09T20:17:00.003-04:00

We went to an End of Summer party on Sunday, where we enjoyed good music and good friends. The boys also enjoyed the pool.

I had to take D back to the doctor Monday morning and then we sat at the pharmacy until almost noon waiting for a prescription to be filled. We spent the rest of the day doing work around the house.

On Tuesday, the boys did spelling and math. Then we worked on the computer and did board games. We had dinner at my mother's house and then the boys made short animated movies on the Qubo website.

This morning, we went grocery shopping. Then we came home and did spelling. B made more movies on Qubo, while D went to visit his grandparents.

2009-09-05T23:47:00.004-04:00

Tuesday morning, we did spelling, math, geography and science. That afternoon, we had friends over to visit.

Wednesday morning, we headed to Weymouth Woods for the hummingbird banding and then came home and worked in spelling, math and geography. That night, we watched ET.

Big B came home Thursday morning, so we decided to take the rest of the week from school work. We spent the day running errands, watching TV, and enjoying each other's company.

Late Friday morning, we took the boys ice skating. Afterward, we took D to the doctor because of respiratory problems. The doctors' office was packed and we didn't get into an examination room until an hour after his appointment. His airways are inflamed, probably because of allergies. He is on medication and has a follow up appointment on Monday. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will tell me his lungs sound much better.

We spent today catching up on errands, house work, yard work and auto maintenance. After dinner, we just relaxed and watched a movie.

2009-09-01T00:25:00.001-04:00

2009-08-31T23:47:00.003-04:00

The last few days have been fairly uneventful. I had a bad migraine Friday, but the boys were determined to salvage the day. They took it upon themselves to do math and geography. Then they filled the rest of the day with educational shows, board games and Lego's.

We spent most of Saturday catching up on chores and watching a movie.

Sunday, we made our weekly journey to Weymouth Woods. This week we learned about woodpeckers. We divided into groups to identify and learn about different specimen, using study skins and field guides. Study skins are stuffed specimen with no eyes. The no eye thing really creeps me out and I dislike holding them. Anyway, our team's specimen was a male red-bellied woodpecker. We learned that they eat insect larvae, ants, beetles, crickets, flies, acorns, pinenuts, berries, fruit (including oranges), and sap from sap wells made by yellow-bellied sap suckers. We also learned that they store food and that their call is similar to that of a tree toad. We did not learn what tree toads are. Afterward, we took a short hike to see some of the holes of a family of red cockaded woodpeckers. We learned that the red cockaded woodpecker will only build their holes in old, live long leaf pines. It takes around six years to complete a hole and each bird sleeps in its own hole. They bore small holes in the trees so that sap runs down them making it harder for predators to get to them. They do not kill the trees that they live in. They live and forage for food in family groups.

After Weymouth Woods, we ran a few errands and then the boys played with the neighbor children.

Today, we did spelling, math, geography and science. We spent the rest of the day watching TV and playing Lego's.

2009-08-27T21:22:00.005-04:00

We have seen this toad hanging around our backyard all summer. This week it has decided it likes hanging out on the deck with the dogs. Yesterday we found it sitting in a bowl of water, and tonight it was sitting on the top step with one of the dogs.

Monday and Tuesday were pretty much the same. We did a bit of school -spelling, math, geography, critical thinking and drawing. Then the boys played with the neighbor children while I did a bit of housework. We ended each day with a bit of reading and a movie.

Wednesday, I took the boys to the lake for a few hours and then we ran a few errands. The boys bought a new Lego set and began building it as soon as we got home. Then it was time to hit the books. We did the same subjects as we had on the previous two days. Afterward, the boys went to the neighbors' house to play.

Today, was a repeat of Monday and Tuesday, except for the playing with the neighbors. Instead, the boys stayed home and played with Lego's and did a little cleaning.

We haven't done as much reading lately as I would like, but we did read a little. B read Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom and started BABYMOUSE Dragonslayer. D started Fred and Anthony and the Demented Super-Degerm-O Zombie. We just started reading the first Hank the Cowdog book together. I am currently reading The Chocolate Cat Caper by Joanna Carl.

2009-08-24T01:09:00.001-04:00

A Fun Weekend

2009-08-24T00:17:00.005-04:00

We got up early Saturday morning and headed to Lowe's for the Build and Grow Clinic, where the boys assembled school buses. Then we explored the store, stopping to look at whatever caught the boys' attention. We looked around for almost an hour and were asked if we needed assistance by at least a dozen associates.

After we left Lowe's, I took the boys to buy a Lego set and then we ran a couple of errands. When we got home the boys immediately began building their new Lego set and spent several hours playing with it. Then we played math games until well after midnight.

We slept in this morning and just sort of loafed around until it was time to go to Weymouth Woods. Today, we went on a hike and learned all about how the long leaf pine and other regional plants and animals benefit from controlled burns. It was really interesting, and the boys and I learned a lot. I never really thought about how much fire changes the environment and how much plants depend on these changes. We got to do a little off trail hiking and saw some really interesting things. Also, D go to hold a butterfly. I'm really glad that we were able to attend today.

When we got home, we worked on math, grammar, and critical thinking. We finished off the day by playing with Lego's and watching a movie.

Fun and Games

2009-08-21T20:13:00.005-04:00

On Wednesday, the boys and I went to a cookout and swimming with a couple of homeschool friends. When we got home, they played with Lego's and then we watched a couple of movies.

We got up early Thursday morning and read and played games until it was time for the boys to go to the dentist. When we got home, they played Lego's and we watched a couple movies, again.

On Friday, we ran errands and got the boys registered for flag football. Then they played with the neighbor children for a couple of hours. D also spent some time with his grandparents. After that, it was back to playing with Lego's.

B read the first Lunch Lady book and started the second. D read Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom and started Fred and Anthony Escape from the Netherworld.

A Productive Start

2009-08-18T23:16:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, the boys and I started out the day with school. We did critical thinking, math, geography, and science. They also did a dictionary skills lesson. Afterwards, I did a bit of housework while they played Lego's, Star Wars, and Codename: Kids Next Door. When the boys tired of playing, they began working on their Christmas lists. We also spent quite a bit of time watching the hummingbirds fight over the feeder outside our living room window.

Today was a repeat of yesterday, with the addition of rollerblading and grocery shopping. I suppose that they weren't the most interesting of days, but they were rather productive.

A Fun Weekend

2009-08-16T22:45:00.006-04:00

On Friday, I took the boys over to a couple of their homeschool friends' house to play. They had a great time and didn't want to leave. As soon as we got home, they headed for the neighbors' house to play until almost dark. Then we played Simpsons Monopoly for several hours. Afterward, the boys and I watched Stand By Me.

Saturday morning, Big B and I took the boys to Michael's, where the boys decorated metal pencil boxes. Then we ran a few errands. Then the boys and I went to Weymouth Woods for a program on squirrels.

Sunday afternoon, Big B and I took the boys to a friend's birthday party at an ice skating rink. It was their first time on ice skates. B stepped onto the ice and took off without any hesitation. D hung to the wall at first, but once we convinced him to let go, he had no problems. They skated for about two hours and were not ready to leave when it was time for the rink to close. I'm almost certain that we will bo going back soon.

B is finally on the last of the Wiley and Grampa books, while D read the first Stone Rabbit book and started the second. Big B finished The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and I started A Holiday for Murder by Agatha Christie.

Homebodies

2009-08-13T23:50:00.002-04:00

We spent most of the day at home today, doing a little housework and playing Lego's. The boys did go play at the neighbors' house for a couple hours this afternoon. After dinner D and I experimented with a recipe called a Cinnamon Flop, which turned out surprisingly good. Afterward, we played Monopoly for several hours.

Swimming and Playing

2009-08-12T23:05:00.004-04:00

After staying up until the wee hours of the morning, stargazing, the boys and I still managed to get up early and head to the lake. It was the perfect day for it. It was overcast and a little breezy. The temperature was neither too hot, nor too cold.

When we got home the boys played with Lego's and watched TV while I did a bit of housework. Then we all worked on a jigsaw puzzle and played foosball. The boys even played one game of foosball using a walnut for the ball to see what it would be like. They declared it more fun than using the regular balls.

Monday and Tuesday

2009-08-11T23:18:00.005-04:00

The boys and I slept late yesterday. Yes, we do that a lot. We rode with my mother to her doctor's appointment, and afterward, we had lunch and ran a few errands. When we got home, the boys went over to the neighbor's house to play and did not come home until dinner time. After dinner, we had an old movie marathon, watching The Robot Monster, The Incredible Petrified World, Queen of the Amazons, and Unknown World. In between movies, we had duels using 2 liter bottles from the recycling.

This morning, of course, we slept in again. After breakfast, the boys played games and then watched a few episodes of Watch Mr. Wizard. Then, they played with Lego's until suppertime. After supper, we all pitched in and helped D finish the last bit of his puzzle.

We spent the rest of the evening trying to view the Perseid Meteor Shower through gaps in the clouds and reading.

B started book 9 of the Wiley and Grampa Creature Features while D finished the second Lunch Lady book.

A Batty Sunday

2009-08-09T22:02:00.006-04:00

After sleeping late, the boys got up and worked on their puzzles and then played with Lego's. This afternoon, we went to Weymouth Woods for a presentation on bats. We had studied bats before, but there were a few things that the boys had forgotten, so I'm glad that we went.

When we got home, the boys read for a while, and then went back to playing with Lego's and working on their puzzles. D is over half way done with his puzzle and B finished his tonight.

We ended out the night by playing games and, of course, more Lego's.

Sleepy Saturday

2009-08-08T21:26:00.004-04:00

This morning we went to Lowe's for the Build and Grow Clinic, where the boys made powerboats. Afterward, we went out in the parking lot and looked at the sheds. Not that we are planning on getting one, the boys just like to look at them. They were trying to decide which one would make the best workshop. Then we ran a few errands and headed home. I took a nap while the boys played. D went to visit his grandparents and fell asleep there, while B fell asleep at home. After dinner, we watched TV for a while and then the boys played with Lego's and did jigsaw puzzles.

D has started reading Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, and B read Star Wars Clone Wars: The Battle for Ryloth . I read Black Creek Crossing by John Saul and am now reading Miss Marple the Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie.

A Good and Bad Day

2009-08-07T23:01:00.004-04:00

Today started out kind of crummy, with the boys and I having to run errands. When we got home, we just kind of loafed around. The boys played, I read, and we all took turns on the computer. After dinner, we decided to do tomorrow's cooking lesson tonight. Then we ate brownies and watched a movie.

Lazy, lazy, lazy

2009-08-07T00:08:00.005-04:00

Today was a lazy day. The boys and I ran a few errands and then returned home for a late lunch. We relaxed and played board games until dinner time. After dinner, my mother came over to watch a movie with us, and then I read while the boys watched videos online and played lacrosse in the living room.

The End of Summer Reading

2009-08-05T22:15:00.004-04:00

Today the boys, my mother, and I attended the awards luncheon for the summer reading program. We were entertained by Bright Star Theatre performing Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk. Then we dined on pizza while the children received prizes. B was a little disappointed, he was only 3 books short of winning for reading the most chapter books. Each boy got a book, though. B won The Hardy Boys: Mystery of the Desert Giant and D won Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand by Gail Carson Levine.

Movies and Baseball

2009-08-04T21:40:00.004-04:00

This morning, the boys and I slept in and then went to the grocery store with my mother. Afterward, the boys watched a movie and had an early supper. Next, we went to D's last baseball game, which his team won 13-0. Then, we went to my mother's house for cake. When we got home, the boys watched another movie.

Even though we are taking the week off from school work, the boys are still reading. B is back to reading the Wiley and Grampa series and is on book 8. D read the 9th BABYMOUSE book and is almost done with the 10th. When he is done with that one, he will have to find something else to read until the next one comes out on the 25th of this month.

A Lazy Monday

2009-08-03T22:14:00.003-04:00

Today, we just hung out and watched movies and played on the computer. After dinner, we went to D's baseball game where his team got their first loss. When we got home, the boys played for a while, and we watched a little more TV.

B read the second Stone Rabbit book and D read the eight BABYMOUSE book today.

A Good Weekend

2009-08-02T22:54:00.006-04:00

Saturday, we ran a few errands, watched movies, put up 54 ears of corn and ate these for dinner:

On Sunday, we went to Weymouth Woods for a program about butterflies. We learned a couple of ways to tell butterflies from moths. Then we broke off into teams and identified butterflies. Our team had the American Painted Lady. Afterward, we went on a hike, looking for butterflies, moths and caterpillars.

Over the weekend, B finished the Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures series. He also read the first book of the Stone Rabbit books.

D read three more books in the BABYMOUSE series.

Errands and Reading

2009-07-31T21:50:00.005-04:00

Today was spent running errands. That gave the boys plenty of time to read. B finished the book that he had been reading and read both of these Star Wars books.

D read these two Babymouse books.

This evening the boys went to their last night of Bible School. Once again, I went early and peeked in. They had made hourglasses using water bottles and rice. The boys were having races to see whose hourglass emptied the fastest. Then they all began shaking them like maracas. They both had a good time this week and hated to see Bible School end.

Another Busy Day

2009-07-30T23:23:00.009-04:00

Inspired by our trip to the museum yesterday, the boys and I stayed up very late last night looking up pictures of albino animals. That made it very hard to get up early this morning so that we could get to the library in time for the Summer Reading Program. We did make it and were rewarded with the music of Charles Pettee. He sang and played the guitar, harmonica, mandolin, and banjo.The boys and I really enjoyed it, and it seemed as if everyone else did as well.

After the program, they had a drawing for prizes and D won a book.

Then we headed home to meet Big B so that we could all go to the movies to watch the new Harry Potter movie. It was okay, maybe a bit on the long side. Poor D fell asleep near the end. After the movie, we had dinner and then took the boys to Bible School. When they came home, they played and watched a little TV.

D has decided to take a break from the Backyard Sports book that he has been reading, and has decided to reread the BABYMOUSE series. He has read the first one and is almost done with the second one.

I checked out this book by Diane Mott Davidson today and started it tonight. It is the latest in a series of mysteries featuring a caterer. The series also features recipes, several of which I have tried and enjoyed.

Feathers and Fur

2009-07-29T21:16:00.011-04:00

This morning, we headed over to Weymouth Woods for the hummingbird banding again. There were more people than hummingbirds today, so neither boy got to hold any. While we were there, I saw a flier for a Birding Basics class for kids later in the morning. I asked about it and discovered that no children had enrolled. So, the boys had a private class. They discussed different types of birds commonly found in our area, heard a little folklore about owls and vultures, looked at mounted birds, and then headed outside for a little bird watching.

After Weymouth Woods, we went over to the Taxidermy Hall of Fame of North Carolina/Antique Tool Museum/Creation Museum. Basically, it features a lot of mounted animals, tools, and miscellaneous oddities with religious signs and bumper stickers posted throughout. The boys had a good time and were really fascinated with all of the albino animals on display.

This evening, they went to Bible School. I got there a little early to pick them up, and so I peeked through the window to watch their class finish up with their craft. There were 11 kids and 8 of them were boys. They were decorating milk carton megaphones. It was funny watching the boys. They seemed to all pair up at the same time, with one boy in each pair putting his megaphone to his ear like a funnel and the other boy putting his right up against it and talking in it. Then about half of the boys put them on their heads like hats, while the other half began using them to look through. Then they all seemed to catch sight of each other and the megaphones on the heads immediately went to eyes and the ones at eyes went on heads.

After Bible School, the boys were excited to see that Big B was home and now they are all watching I Survived a Japanese Game Show on TV together.

Better Than Yesterday

2009-07-28T21:06:00.003-04:00

Today was much better than yesterday. The boys worked on math, critical thinking, dictionary skills, geography and science. Then they played with Lego's until supper time. Afterward, we went to D's baseball game. It started late because of a storm and then it was stopped halfway through because of another storm. Driving home was quite an adventure as there was water pooled on the road in several places and tree limbs on the road. We saw two trees that had fallen along the side of the road. We came upon either a small tree or a huge limb that was laying across both lanes of the road. I had to drive on the opposite shoulder to get around it.

We managed to get to the church in time for the last hour of Bible School. I'm glad that we did because there was a religious magic show. The boys really liked it although they did take issue with the preacher/magician using the word stupid so many times. After Bible School, we came home and had a snack and settled in to enjoy a little TV.

A Bad Day

2009-07-27T23:38:00.004-04:00

We didn't really get much done today. The boys did a little math, some critical thinking worksheets and a dictionary skill worksheet. They just didn't seem able to focus on anything today. Their games didn't seem to last more than 5 or 10 minutes and then they were on to something else. I was hesitant to send them to the first night of Bible School tonight, for fear that they would be too rowdy. I sent them and didn't get any reports of bad behavior when I picked them up, so I guess they did okay. When they got home, it was back to being restless, until I couldn't take it any more and sent them to bed.

As for me, I wasn't able to get much done either. I just didn't have the energy or the will to do anything. I had to force myself to make dinner and clean up afterward. I guess it was just one of those days. I hope tomorrow will be better for all of us.

While the boys were at Bible School, I started this book, featuring the good Temperance Brennan and not that socially stunted reject on Fox TV.

Soil and Muffins

2009-07-26T22:54:00.013-04:00

This morning the boys had their second cooking lesson. They each made blueberry muffins using blueberries that they picked themselves.

After we ate muffins, the boys read and practiced their typing. Then I helped them set up their own user accounts on the computer and set up their own email accounts. Next, we headed to Weymouth Woods for a surprisingly interesting lecture on local geology. Afterwards, the boys and I took a short hike.

After Weymouth Woods, the boys and I went to my mother's house for peach cobbler and ice cream. Then, back at home, the boys had a friend over to play Lego's.

A Tiring Day

2009-07-25T23:33:00.005-04:00

We got up early this morning because D had a baseball game. After the game, we ran errands until late afternoon. Then B and I ate nachos and watched movies while D went shopping and out to eat with his grandparents. He came home with these cool pictures.

An Inactive Friday

2009-07-24T21:29:00.010-04:00

Today the boys worked on spelling, math and geography. Afterward, they played Lego's and Bakugan and watched a couple educational shows. After dinner, they read for a while and then played while I organized school material for next week.

D finished the Cam Jansen book he was reading and started this one. It is the 1st book in the Backyard Sports series.

B started the 7th book in the Wiley and Grampa series tonight.

Big B finished the 7th Harry Potter book this morning.

I have been reading from this book for the last couple of days.

Yet Another Good Day

2009-07-23T22:10:00.005-04:00

This morning the boys and I went to the library for the Summer Reading Program. We were entertained by the Almost Amazing Al. It is the 4th time that the boys have seen him, but they still enjoyed it.

When we got home from the library, the boys read for a while and then did a little math, spelling, and geography. After dinner, we headed out to the ball field for D's game. His team is now 6-0.

Vincent (Starry Starry Night) - Don McLean

2009-07-23T00:17:00.005-04:00

The favorite artist of The Pies School for Boys.

Another Good Day

2009-07-22T21:21:00.009-04:00

This morning the boys and I got up early and headed out to Weymouth Woods for the hummingbird banding. They only caught three this morning.

From there we went to the lake for a few hours.

When we got home, the boys worked on math and geography. Then they played both at home and at the neighbors' house. Then D visited with his grandparents for a while. After supper, the boys read for a while and then we watched Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

A Good Day

2009-07-21T22:37:00.011-04:00

This morning, the boys did spelling, math and geography. Then they watched TV and played for a couple of hours. Then we ran a few errands, went to the library, checked out what could possibly be the world's smallest comic shop, browsed a book store and then headed to another library to see Birdman Dave .

Birdman Dave showed the different types of feathers found on birds.

D holding Sky.

Christopher Columbus.

Christopher Columbus flying on a lead.

Birdman Dave and Belle.

Belle flying around.

When we got home, the boys read for a while and then played with Lego's.

Daniel is reading this Cam Jansen book.

Brian is on the 6th book in this series.

A Fairly Uneventful Day

2009-07-20T23:58:00.004-04:00

Today, we did not do school because B wanted to catch up on his reading. In addition to finishing the book he had been reading, he read these:

D finished the Backyard Sports book that he had been reading and then spent the rest of the day playing. This evening, D had baseball practice.

Another Sunday

2009-07-19T22:34:00.009-04:00

This morning the boys had their first official cooking lesson. We are using the Future Christian Homemakers Handbook for a curriculum. It was not my first choice, but as it is free, it will do for now. Both boys did really well and enjoyed themselves. They made French toast and scrambled eggs. D doesn't like either, so I got to eat his.

After breakfast, the boys practiced their typing and read for about half an hour. Later that afternoon, we went over to Weymouth Woods for our weekly presentation. This week's topic was hummingbirds. The presentation was quite interesting and we learned a lot. Among the things we learned was the fact that it is actually a good thing to leave your hummingbird feeder out all winter. Apparently, while our native hummingbirds are heading south, northern hummingbirds are arriving here to spend the winter. We also learned that it is thought that albino hummingbirds are always female.

Afterward, we all went outside to watch hummingbirds be trapped, examined and banded. Since the boys and I had already done this earlier in the week, Big B got a turn at releasing one. In the picture above, the very blurry hummingbird can be seen flying from his hand. It almost blends in with the pictures of hummingbirds on the wildlife biologist's shirt.

Lazy Saturday

2009-07-18T23:51:00.003-04:00

We didn't do much of anything today. This morning D had baseball practice. B grabbed a glove and helped out in the out field. After practice we came home to watch TV and play on the computer. The boys also played Bakugan for a while. After supper, Big B and Little B watched a movie, while D played on the computer. I was the only one to read today. I am currently reading this:

We don't unschool, nor do we plan to, I'm just curious.

A Busy Friday

2009-07-17T23:01:00.006-04:00

Today started out busy for us. We ran a few errands and then went to the boys' eye appointments. We were able to explore a couple of the machines there and see how they work before we had to get down to business with their eye exams. D's eyesight is still great and B's has gotten slightly better, woo-hoo! We celebrated with frozen yogurt and then we were off on more errands. We came home and watched a few educational shows and played a couple of educational games. Then we straightened up the house and the boys played Bakugan. We finished off the evening by reading.

B finished his book this morning and has moved on to book 4 in the series.

D started this book and is really enjoying it. We will definitely have to get the rest of the set soon.

Another Morning at the Library

2009-07-16T23:51:00.010-04:00

Today was the second Summer Reading Program at our local library. The boys enjoyed Dramatic Readings, had freezer pops, and traded reading sheets for prizes. When they got home, they practiced their typing and watched educational programs. Then we read.

We started reading this book together tonight. I was hoping to finish it, but D was too sleepy to make it through. We will finish it tomorrow. Both boys seem to be enjoying it. I remember reading about McBroom and his amazing farm when I was a kid.

D started this book yesterday and finished it today. It is the same one that his brother read just the other day.

B finished the 2nd book in the Wiley and Grampa Creature Features today and started the 3rd tonight. He is already half way through it. I think it is safe to say that he has found another series that he likes. There are 10 of these so far, and I hope that there will be an 11th soon. These books are just funny. Merle is B's and my favorite character. I would recommend them to any child that enjoys funny books. B says that they are great for kids that like books by Dav Pilkey.

2009-07-15T15:50:00.001-04:00

School and Reading

2009-07-14T00:27:00.000-04:00

It was a rainy morning, so we all slept in. We didn't get started with school until after lunch, but we still managed to get quite a bit done. We worked on spelling, math, geography, and typing. Geography is sort of our pet subject for the summer since I haven't worked it into our normal daily schedule for a couple of years. We touch on it in history, science and our reading, but don't address it as a separate subject. I thought that this summer would be a good chance to explore it in depth. That is why we are working with it almost every day.

In addition to school, the boys and I did quite a bit of reading today. Here is what we are all reading now.

D is taking a break from Star Wars right now and is reading Stranger in Right Field by Matt Christopher. So far, he is enjoying it.

B finished up the Melvin Beederman book that he was reading and started this one. It is the first in the Wiley and Grampa Creature Features series by Kirk Scroggs. There are ten of them so far, and I hope that there are many more to come. I have been trying to get the boys to read these for a couple of years. I was actually excited when B pulled it off of the shelf tonight. I can tell that he likes it, he is on chapter 4 and has already shared parts that he found funny with me.

I finished up the Ben Rehder book that I was reading and started this Donna Andrews book that I found in the library. Not to sound like a broken record, but it was the only one in this series that the library carries. That is why I find myself reading a Christmas themed book in July.

Throw in a little housework, some yard work, a little television, and a lot of Lego's and our day is complete.

A Busy Sunday

2009-07-13T00:24:00.001-04:00

Today was a very busy day for us. The boys got up early this morning to work in their grandparents' garden, while Big B and I did some work around the house. Then we headed out for the day.

Our first stop was Weymouth Woods for a presentation on snakes. The main theme was learning to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes. We got to examine several preserved specimens and one live snake.

After Weymouth Woods, we ran errands until it was time for our next stop, a birthday party.

B and D jumping in the bounce house with a friend.

B finished up his book and is now reading this one. It is made by Dark Horse, as are the books that D has been reading, but this one is not part of that set.

D is still working on the last book of the set that he has been reading. I think that he is trying to make it last, as it is the last one in that set.

I read this book Thursday and Friday.

I am reading this book now. It and the book above are part of a series, and are the only books in this series that my local library carries.

Busy and Tiring

2009-07-11T22:15:00.000-04:00

We had a very busy day today. First, we went to Lowe's for the Build and Grow clinic. Then, we went to D's baseball game. Next, we ran errands. Then,we had to go out of town on a little road trip. I am glad to finally be home.

LUNCH LADY -- a new graphic novel series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

2009-07-10T02:45:00.001-04:00

We can't wait for these to come out.

Summer Reading

2009-07-09T22:26:00.001-04:00

Today was the first day of the Summer Reading Program at our local library. While the boys seemed to have had fun, it was quite obvious to me that the program has been affected by budget cuts. The boys spent some time reading and then D had a baseball game this evening. His team is now 4-0.

A Very Unproductive Day

2009-07-08T21:53:00.000-04:00

Today D suggested that he and his brother should be given the chance to learn things on their own. I think it was his idea of unschooling. I agreed, figuring it would be best to let them try it and get it out of their system. They watched a couple hours of documentaries and then D hit the computer and researched goalie skills for hockey. Then they started watching movies, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith. True, they are both book based, but neither boy has read either book, so I can't really justify either as having much educational value. Later they played with Lego's and read for a while. I'm sure they both learned something today, but I wasn't very impressed. Would I let them try again in the future? Sure, for a day, and with guidelines. Would I let them do it on a regular basis? No.

B started this book today. It is the only Melvin Beederman book that our local library carries.

D is finally on the last book of this series. He is my most reluctant reader, so I am eager to see what he will choose to read next.

More of the Same

2009-07-07T22:29:00.000-04:00

We did pretty much the same thing today as we did yesterday. The exception was that we did world history instead of science.

B read this book today. He is glad that his brother is not like Perfect Peter.

D is working on volume 9 of this set. When he is done with this book, there will only be one book left to go.

This evening D had a baseball game and his team won 9 to 8. Then it was home to play Lego's and watch Dracula: Dead and Loving It.

I Hate Thinking Up Titles

2009-07-07T02:50:00.000-04:00

Despite the fact that we all slept in, today turned out to be a rather productive day. We did spelling, math, geography, science, and typing. In addition, we all managed to finish the books we had been reading.

D finished book 7 in the Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures set that he has been reading.

B finished up the first book in the Melvin Beederman Superhero series. He feels really bad for Melvin, since his X-ray vision causes him to have to see every ones underwear all the time. B is looking forward to continuing this series, but it may take some time since the local library only has one book in the series and the local bookstore has none.

I finished this book and would enjoy reading more, but I have much the same problem that B has with his series. I will probably search the used books stores for these.

All this and we still had time for playing Lego's and watching The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Eegah (MST3K)

Today Was for the Birds

2009-07-05T23:08:00.000-04:00

Today the boys and I went to Weymouth Woods for a program about birds. They learned all about the Loggerhead Shrike and the Yellow Billed Cuckoo. They also learned how to use field marks to help identify birds. After that, we got a quick lesson on the proper way to use binoculars and then we went out to watch birds. The boys learned about phishing (not the scam) and we saw several species of birds. We can't wait until next week for the program about snakes.

We finished off the day with math, geography and a little reading.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T13:08:00.000-04:00

Lazy Day

2009-07-03T22:08:00.000-04:00

Big B and the boys played Yahtzee and Uno on DirecTV game lounge(free weekend), while I did laundry and read this:

What We Are Reading

2009-07-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

Here is what we are currently reading or what we have just finished reading:

Big B just finished this up this morning.

I finished reading this a couple of nights ago and can't decide what to read next.

D has been reading this series lately and is on book 6.

B started reading this for the second time and was saddened to discover that it isn't as funny as the first time he read it.

B finished reading this series earlier in the week and loved it. He emailed the author, Brian Anderson, last night and got a reply this evening. How cool is that?

What This Blog Will Be About

2009-07-01T20:26:00.001-04:00

This blog will be a place for me to keep a casual log of our days as a homeschool family. I would love to blog daily, but that seems like an unrealistic goal considering our schedule. Instead, I will strive to blog at least weekly, for now. If I manage to do more, good for me. If not, so be it. This blog will probably not be free of grammatical errors, as I have no intentions of spending a lot of time proofreading. I'll be feeling special if I simply find the time to write. The reader is welcome to proofread in their head as they read, if they wish.

This first blog will serve as an introduction to my family. I am a 34 year old mother of two sons: B,9 and D,8. My husband, Big B, and I have been married for 10 years. Besides being a wonderful husband and father, Big B is also a truck driver.

I began homeschooling B when he was 5 years old. It wasn't long before D began insisting that he be allowed to do the exact same work as his brother. This has proven to be a blessing as it makes things a whole lot easier for me.

I have decide to continue with school throughout the summer, taking days off as needed or desired. So far it has worked out pretty well. We've managed to get several school days in and still have plenty of time for fun.

Since the North Carolina Attendance Records that homeschoolers must use begin with July, today was our first day of school for the 2009-2010 school year. I am trying to keep things light throughout the summer, so today we read, did geography and played lots of educational games.

Pies School for Boys

Another Update

R.E.A.C.H Update in Pictures

Misc. Update in Pictures

Cooking and Backyard Camp Out Update in Pictures

4-H and Junior Rangers Update in Pictures

Football and Hockey Update in Pictures

Finally back

A Fun Weekend

Fun and Games

A Productive Start

A Fun Weekend

Homebodies

Swimming and Playing

Monday and Tuesday

A Batty Sunday

Sleepy Saturday

A Good and Bad Day

Lazy, lazy, lazy

The End of Summer Reading

Movies and Baseball

A Lazy Monday

A Good Weekend

Errands and Reading

Another Busy Day

Feathers and Fur

Better Than Yesterday

A Bad Day

Soil and Muffins

A Tiring Day

An Inactive Friday

Yet Another Good Day

Vincent (Starry Starry Night) - Don McLean

Another Good Day

A Good Day

A Fairly Uneventful Day

Another Sunday

Lazy Saturday

A Busy Friday

Another Morning at the Library

More School and Reading

School and Reading

A Busy Sunday

Busy and Tiring

LUNCH LADY -- a new graphic novel series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Summer Reading

A Very Unproductive Day

More of the Same

I Hate Thinking Up Titles

Today Was for the Birds

Happy 4th of July

Lazy Day

What We Are Reading

What This Blog Will Be About