Life Right Now #3

As I look outside my window: It looks pretty out there, but I know that it’s very very cold this weekend.

Right now I am: Sneaking in a few pages of my book before I need to make brunch.

On my bedside table: Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire; The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

On my tv this week: J and I started a rewatch of His Dark Materials S1 and S2 in anticipation of watching S3. I forgot just how much happens in every episode, but it’s just so incredibly good.

Listening to: Not much this week. I’ve been getting back into the swing of things, but that meant more doing and less listening. I did catch up with Love to See It, Pod Save America, and If Books Could Kill.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Tuesday - Chicken Pad Thai Nachoes
Wednesday - Crab and Asparagus Soup
Thursday - Broccoli Beef with Rice
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday - Italian Noodle Soup
Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: I want to organize some things, read, and do a bit of crafting today. But first, I need to finish making a meal plan and grocery list. I should also review our science plans for the week.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home Day
Tuesday - Coop Board Games Meeting
Wednesday - Science
Thursday - Coop; Lit Society
Friday - Winter Hike at Fontenelle Forest
Saturday - Home Day
Sunday - Dragons and Mythical Beasts at The Orpheum

What I am creating: I finally really started my 2022 December Daily album. I need more photo paper to print images, but I got about 80% of them printed and ready to go. I also picked my paper and base color palette. I’ll be just using my stash instead of buying a new kit. I’ve finished three simple pages, only ~500 to go (exaggeration, but it really feels like that many).

My simple pleasures: A good night’s sleep, being back at coop, fresh homemade bread

Looking around the house: I really should vacuum today. And I need to do laundry and put away the clothes…

From the camera: Winter hike at the OPPD Arboretum with some coop friends. I really enjoy taking walks in the winter, who would have guessed?

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

We’re restarting the His Dark Materials television series to remember everything before starting season three. It is one of our favorite book series. The series has been a really good adaptation.
Somehow our oldest class of coop has ballooned up tot 16 students. Goodness! We have grown.
So many romance books this month. My reading has exploded!
My body is feeling better although I still get twinges of pain now and then.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W18-19: It's Been a Strange Two Weeks...

What We Studied

We started off the spring semester with a normal week. And then, I had a minor outpatient surgery that knocked me back an entire week. So it was more like a 1 1/4 weeks of actual curriculum. At least we got outside and got to see our friends before I had to stay home. I tried to keep our read alouds going, but really let everything else go.

Literature and Poetry

For the coop book club, we finished reading our current book, Samantha Spinner. We had a fun club discussion with multiple friends. We then started our next selection. I’m really looking forward to that one.

Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans by Russell Ginns
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

Arthur and I read a survival story over the last two weeks. I didn’t know if he would really get into it, but turns out that he loved it. He even wants to read the two sequels. I told him that we could get them from the library and he could read them during independent reading. He also started learning how to write in cursive. We’re working on it! And Arthur started his study of the world religions.

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
El Deafo by Cece Bell
One World, Many Religions by Mary Pope Osborne
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson

Quentin focused on reading animal stories from around the world. I’m trying to line them up with our continents as we move across the world. For starting the study of Asia, Q and read a book focused on a Taiwanese-American family celebrating Chinese New Year and going about their year.

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Pete the Cat's Groovy Bake Sale (Quentin Read)
The Mighty Avengers: These are the Avengers (Quentin Read)

Math

For both boys, we have scheduled math for three days a week. One day is focused on logic, games, puzzles, and special projects. The two other days are focused on covering the main math curriculum (Singapore 4A and 4B for Arthur and Singapore 1A and 1B for Quentin). During one of my off days, I pulled out the winter tangrams for the boys to enjoy. They are always a good distraction.

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Singapore 1A

Social Studies

Arthur continued his large study of United States history using a combination of Build Your Library Level 5 and History Quest United States History. We’ve finished our study of the Revolutionary War. We’ve also continued reading the beginning of Laurie Halse Anderston’s trilogy about slavery in America.

A Kid’s Guide to Native American History by Yvonne Wakim Dennis
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
We were There Too by Philip Hoose
Words that Built a Nation
History Quest: U.S. History
A Different Mirror
DK American History Visual Encyclopedia
King George: What was His Problem? How to Start a Revolution
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
George Vs. George by Rosalyn Schanzer
Forgotten Founders by Mifflin Lowe

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We’ve moved into Asia started with the central asian countries of the former Soviet Union.

Nat Geo Beginner’s World Atlas
DK Countries of the World
DK Children Just Like Me
DK Children Just Like Me: A School Like Mine
Follow Me Around China by Wiley Blevins
Living in China by Chloe Perkins
Z is for Zodiac by Elizabeth Rush
The Empty Pot by Demi
Daisy Comes Home by Jan Brett
Lost and Found: Adèle and Simon in China by Barbara McClintock
The Discovery of Fireworks and Gunpowder by Phil Amara and Oliver Chin
Lon Po Po by Ed Young
Liang and the Magic Paintbrush by Demi
Hot Pot Night by Vincent Chen

Arthur Independent Time

We are working on following a checklist in a planner for weekly independent work. There’s usually some math workbook pages, an ELA packet, weekly writing prompts (1-2 times a week), independent reading time, and a special creative project. There has been many drawing projects lately.

Science

Arthur is focusing on Physics this year. We are covering the text and related videos at home and then joining friends for experiments and extra projects. We covered sound waves. Our friends led the boys to some great experiments. We skipped science the second week due to my recovery.

RSO Physics
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim
The Way Things Work Now

Quentin will be focusing on animal science with BYL Level 0.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George

STEAM Coop

We had our first meeting of the year. Arthur started learning how to create stop-motion animation. Quentin learned about marine layers and ocean animals. The second week, we wouldn’t have gone to coop because of my recovery. That was going to be okay with us, but coop was cancelled due to the weather.

Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking/Documentary

We’re planning one doing on art project and one cooking project each week as well as picking a composer or musician to listen to and enjoy. We managed to watch the first episode of How the Earth Changed History. The episode was all about how water has changed the course of civilizations.

Field Trip

We headed to the zoo to focus on ocean animals. We visited the aquarium, sea lions, and stingray beach. It was lovely winter visit.

High

We managed two winter hikes before my surgery. We walked the 3 mile loop at Schramm with some our close friends. We also visited Heron Haven with some other friends. It was lovely to see the nature ares in the height of winter. The iced-over wetlands were very neat to see.

Low

Recovery from surgery has been rough. I could not do much and definitely could not get out of a bed multiple times a day.

Next Week

Starting two new read alouds for literature
Keeping on with our math curriculum
Moving farther east in Asia for SS (Q)
Creating a Constitution for history (A)
Covering magnets for physics
Watching another episode of our documentary series

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #2

Right now I am: Deciding what to make for brunch. J picked up some cinnamon rolls, but I’m debating on bacon or sausage to go with them and eggs.

Thinking and pondering: How longer until I’m healed? I know the surgeon said two weeks, but I’m hoping to be able to get out and about before that. So far, I’m one week out and feeling decent. But the pain really comes and goes throughout the day.

On my bedside table: Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack; The Dollhouse Family; At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost

On my tv this week: Not too much tv this week. I’ve been going to bed early because of all the healing. We did manage to watch a few episodes of Mythic Quest, Avenue 5, and Leverage: Redemption. We also watched a couple of classic murder mystery movies (Evil Under the Sun and Deathtrap). We’ve been on a weird murder mystery kick after watching a video reviewing 10 classic movies. We hadn’t seen most of them, so off we went on a movie plan.

Listening to: Just the usual podcasts. I haven’t even really listened to music at all this week. Very strange! But I also haven’t driven anywhere, so I guess that makes sense.

On the menu for this week: It’s a soup heavy week!

Monday - Cawl Cennin
Tuesday - Out for Book Club (hopefully)
Wednesday - Chicken Ranch Tacos and Black Bean Soup
Thursday - Baked Potato Soup
Friday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Saturday - Cajun Chicken and Sausage Alfredo
Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: It’s a mile long, but I still can only really do things that have me sitting in one spot. I have taken some time to work on the Bookish Retreat in June and the coop calendar. I’ll probably keep at that for awhile until I can move around better.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home
Tuesday - Dentist cleaning; Book Club (hopefully)
Wednesday - Science at our house
Thursday - Coop
Friday - Nature Walk at OPPD Arboretum
Saturday - Book Club (other one)
Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing really. I do want to work on my 2022 December Daily album, but it’s hard to sit straight up in my chair. Maybe next week.

My simple pleasures: Sleeping through the night, easing off the high powered pain meds, fresh backed cookies (ovens that actually work are amazing!)

Looking around the house: For me being down all week, it’s not in terrible shape. There are lots of random piles that need to be put away, and I should vacuum soon, but it looks decent.

From the camera: I did not take a single picture this week…

Currently #1

Reading: I started the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost on Saturday. And I’m totally going to keep reading the series. Fun and full of action!

Watching: J and I started on a big murder mystery movie binge and we’re really enjoying it. It started after watching Glass Onion over Christmas and watching a video about 10 classic murder mystery movies. We made a watchlist and have started moving through them.

Listening: Attempting to catch up on my regular podcasts. I got a little behind during Christmas.

Making: I’m starting to make plans for my coop section. We’re doing Engineering Challenge and I need to think of some good tasks for the kids.

Feeling: I had minor outpatient surgery yesterday. I’m definitely not feeling great, but I am on the way to recovery and feeling much better soon.

Planning: While stuck at home, I’m working on getting a meal plan for the spring next.

Loving: While I’m recovering, I’m loving the peace and quiet. J took the kids to the coop field trip at the planetarium. I am excited to just rest a bit before the kids some charging back home.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #1

Right now I am: Mentally preparing myself for book club later today. One last activity for the week!

On my bedside table: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt; Come as You Are by Jess Hardy

On my tv this week: J and I watched some episodes of Avenue 5, Leverage: Redemption, Mythic Quest, and the Bad Education Reunion Special.

Listening to: I’ve been trying to catch up with some podcasts, but people keep making more! It’s a never ending battle.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Leftovers/Takeout
Tuesday - Balsamic Pork Roast
Wednesday - BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf
Thursday - Black Bean Soup, Chicken Ranch Tacos
Friday - Asian Takeout Night
Saturday - Chicken Parmesan
Sunday - Blackened Salmon

On my to do list: Nothing much.

Happening this week: It’s surgery week! Minor outpatient surgery, but it will put me down for awhile. I am not planning on doing much of anything this week. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

What I am creating: Nothing much, although I did print some photos from my 2022 December Daily album. I really want to get that finished by the end of the month.

My simple pleasures: Chatting with friends, chocolate cookies, the anticipation of less pain

Looking around the house: Since I hosted a homeschool meeting yesterday, the house is looking pretty good right now. I want to do a pick up sweep later in anticipation of not doing much next week.

From the camera: We went on a very cold, but fun hike on Friday morning. Loved seeing the pond partially iced over.

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Our first coop of the spring semester! It promises to be controlled chaos per usual.
I may have overdone it this past few days. And I think my anxiety is getting to me.
Thankfully, my minor surgery is on Monday. I should be on the road to less pain.
Thinking about our To Watch list. I need to make a new one and maybe one for February Movie Month.
Excited for my new sneakers.

Next up on the TBR pile:

2023 Goals and Resolutions

Checking in with my 2022 Goals and Resolutions -

House Goals/Resolutions

Finish One Home Renovation Project - Haha! This was just all over the place and nothing really happened.
Finish Organizing My Craft Room/Library ✓ - At one point, this was organized. Now, it’s a mess again, but it’s a constant reorganization.

Life Goals/Resolutions

Get Back into My Treadmill Goals - Nope, but we did spend much more time outside this past year.
1000 Hours Outside - There’s not way that we will ever reach 1000 hours. We managed about 400 hours this past year. I call that a big win for us, especially as I do not love being outdoors in the heat.

Reading Goals/Resolutions

Read 200 Books / 60,000 Pages ✓
Decrease my UnRead Shelf by 50 Books - Fail.

Craft Goals/Resolutions

Get Back into Crafting! - Nope.
Finish 2021 Memory Planner ✓
Keep Up with 2022 Memory Planner ✓

And now on to 2023…

House Goals/Resolutions

Organize My Craft Room/Library - Trying to find that floor again. I should also do a bit of cleanout with regards to my craft supplies.
Make Progress with One Home Project - We need to remove the deck and hopefully replace it this year. I also want to redo our homeschool corner.

Life Goals/Resolutions

Complete 52 Hikes - Instead of 1000 Hours, we’re going to focus on weekly nature hikes. I think that will help get us out and moving.
Add More Vegetarian Dishes to Our Rotation - With the price of groceries right now, we’re cutting back on some things. Trying to up my vegetarian and even vegan game.
Take Care of My Medical Issues - I will be having surgery for one thing on Monday. But I’m still hoping to take care of some other issues this winter/spring. Hoping for a less painful year overall.

Reading Goals/Resolutions

Read 200 Books/60,000 Books
Clear Off 50 Books from My UnRead Shelf
Skip at Least 50% of BOTM Months

Homeschool Goals/Resolutions

Create a Long-Term Plan for Homeschool Curriculum - I started a scope and sequence last year, but want to beef that up. I also have to get some options in mind for future curriculum (e.g. what to do after Singapore 5B?).
Continue to Organize the Coop, But Also Delegate for Growth - We’re into our second full year of the coop and it’s been amazing. But I have some ideas about growing our membership. I also want to focus a bit on delegating more tasks to others to allow for some breathing room for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

January 2023 Life Goals

Let’s check in on December’s goals and my progress.

Read 18 Books ✓

January Goals:

Read 18 Books
Make All the Appointments! (Medical related)
Plan Out Curriculum and Coop for Spring
Execute a Homeschool Seminar
Clean and Organize My Office!
Take it Easy after a Minor Surgery

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Bucket List

Entering into another winter bucket list.

Go Sledding
Read 45 Books
Bake Some Bread
Make Winter Crafts
Movie Month February
Make Valentines
Go on 5 Winter Hikes
Have an Indoor Picnic
Make a Snow Globe
Complete 3 Puzzles
Buy Some New Cozy Pajamas
Check Off 50 Hours Outside
Have a Birthday Day Out
Visit the Zoo 3 Times
Monthly Bingo/Trivia Nights
Take the Kids Bowling
Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Make a New Dessert
Make a Bird Feeder
Have an Ice Cream Sundae Night

Next Up on the TBR Pile:

Christmas Bucket List Final

Another Christmas season is upon us! Time for another bucket list: We ended up not getting to everything, but I think we had a great Christmas season this year!

Read 10 Holiday Romances (10/10) ✓

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
The Christmas Clash by Suzanna Park
The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly
The Highlander’s Holiday Wife by Vanessa Kelly
You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
Whiteout by Various Authors
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Know
A Magical New York Christmas by Anita Hughes
The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson
Fake It for Christmas by Layla Valentine
Stuck Together for Christmas by Layla Valentine
Bad Boy for Christmas by Layla Valentine
The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

Coop Christmas Party! ✓

Decorate the Mini Tree ✓

Letter to Santa ✓

Christmas Movies x3 ✓

Make Paper Snowflakes

Go See Santa at Cabela’s ✓ (and The Durham Museum)

Go See Werner Park Lights ✓

Hot Chocolate Bar ✓

Meet the Reindeer ✓

Go for a Winter Hike ✓

Puzzle Day ✓

Make Gingerbread Cookies

Visit Lauritzen Gardens ✓

Decorate Gingerbread Ninjas

Drive around and see the lights ✓

Fantasy of Lights ✓

Dinner at Coney Island and Visit to Santa Lights ✓

Christmas music dance party

Watch The Grinch ✓

Make Peppermint Bark

Christmas Advent Books ✓

Christmas Mouse by Anne Mortimer
The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs by Carolyn Conahan
The Three Bears’ Christmas by Kathy Duval
The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas by Anne Muercke
It’s Christmas by Tracey Corderoy
The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherry Duskey Rinker
Just Right for Christmas by Birdie Black & Rosalind Beardshaw
The Twelve Day sod Christmas illustrated by Emma Randall
Christmas at the Toy Museum by David Lucas
One Cozy Christmas by M. Christina Butler
Merry Christmas, Squirrels! by Nancy Rose
The Last Christmas Tree by Stephen Krensky
A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba
Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo
Christmas with the Mousekins by Maggie Smith
The Bear Who Didn’t Want to Miss Christmas by Marie Tibi
A Pirate’s Twelve Days of Christmas by Philip Yates
Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood and Don Wood
Mouse’s Night Before Christmas by Tracey Corderoy
Christmas is Here! by Charles M. Schulz
Scooby’s Scary Christmas
Dino-Christmas by Lisa Wheeler
The Unicorns Who Saved Christmas by Mary Winn Heider
How to Catch a Reindeer by Adam Wallace
How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Little Bear’s Special Friend by Claire Freedman
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll
Merry Christmas Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
What the Dinosaurs Did the Night Before Christmas by Refe Tuma and Susan Tuma

Find a New Christmas Album

Have a Candy Cane Hunt

Go Sledding ✓

Send out Christmas cards

Take a photo of all four boys together

Finish 2021’s December Daily album ✓

Try a new holiday drink

Next Up on the TBR Pile:

Homeschool W17: It's Christmas Break!

What We Studied

We’ve officially finished the fall semester! It had its ups and downs, just like every semester, but I feel really good about what we accomplished. We’re on to three full weeks of break. We’ll be traveling, so that will definitely occupy our time.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur and I continued our read aloud. We have just a few chapters left to finish early next week. We have to see how the story ends.

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
In the Beginning by Virginia Hamilton
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Quentin focused on reading animal stories from around the world. I’m trying to line them up with our continents as we move across the world. We continued Europe and covered stories from Eastern Europe and Russia.

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Milo's Christmas Parade by Jennie Palmer
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore
Merry Christmas from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
Werewolf? There Wolf? by Kyle Sullivan
Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? by Dawn Babb Prochovnic
Storybots: The Best Christmas Gift
Winter, Winter, Cold and Snow by Sharon Gibson Palermo
Merry Christmas, Gus by Chris Chatterton
The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy

Math

For both boys, we have scheduled math for three days a week. One day is focused on logic, games, puzzles, and special projects. The two other days are focused on covering the main math curriculum (Singapore 4A and 4B for Arthur and Singapore 1A and 1B for Quentin). Arthur’s plugging along learning about decimals currently.

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Smart Start Math Grade 1 - Finished!

Social Studies

Arthur continued his large study of United States history using a combination of Build Your Library Level 5 and History Quest United States History. We’ve continued the section covering the Revolutionary War. I’m loving one of our read aloud resources.

A Kid’s Guide to Native American History by Yvonne Wakim Dennis
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
We were There Too by Philip Hoose
Words that Built a Nation
History Quest: U.S. History
A Different Mirror
DK American History Visual Encyclopedia
King George: What was His Problem? How to Start a Revolution
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We moved onto studying the Balkans and the rest of southeast Europe.

Nat Geo Beginner’s World Atlas
DK Countries of the World
DK Children Just Like Me
DK Children Just Like Me: A School Like Mine

Arthur Independent Time

Science

Arthur is focusing on Physics this year. We are covering the text and related videos at home and then joining friends for experiments and extra projects. Science with a friend got canceled due to a dental emergency (not mine), so we just covered flight and planes on our own this week.

RSO Physics
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim
The Way Things Work Now

Quentin will be focusing on animal science with BYL Level 0.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George

STEAM Coop

None

Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking

Field Trip

On Monday, we did a winter hike at Fontenelle Forest. It ended up just being us, but it was a lovely morning out in nature. Afterwards, we stopped at Mulhall’s to meet the reindeer. I even picked up a few gifts for my mom.

Tuesday night we visit Lauritzen Botanical Gardens (with J!) for their Bright Nights color and lights display. The gardens were all lit up and included some fun surprises.

Thursday night we finally made it to Werner Park for the Santa Rock n Lights. We now go every year. It’s the perfect cozy way to enjoy a big light display.

On Friday, we snuck in a visit to The Durham Museum. We got to see Santa and search for the elves hidden throughout the museum. I got to see the Downtown Abbey costume exhibit (totally forgot it was there, a pleasant surprise). And we even read some informational signs that we have never read. We learn a little something everything we go.

High

Thursday we had our Coop Christmas Party! Almost the entire coop came for games, treats, and play fun. I even found a local baker who makes GF and Vegan cut-out sugar cookies to decorate. The kids had a blast decorating. For those that couldn’t make it, we delivered goody bags on Friday.

Low

Nothing. We had a great and very busy week!

Next Week

Break Time and Travel!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Christmas Bucket List - Update

Another Christmas season is upon us! Time for another bucket list:

Read 10 Holiday Romances (6/10)
- Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
- The Christmas Clash by Suzanna Park
- The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly
- You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
- Whiteout by Various Authors
- Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
Coop Christmas Party! ✓
Decorate the Mini Tree ✓
Letter to Santa ✓
Christmas Movies x3
Make Paper Snowflakes
Go See Santa at Cabela’s ✓
Go See Werner Park Lights ✓
Hot Chocolate Bar ✓
Meet the Reindeer ✓
Go for a Winter Hike ✓
Puzzle Day ✓
Make Gingerbread Cookies
Visit Lauritzen Gardens ✓
Decorate Gingerbread Ninjas
Drive around and see the lights
Fantasy of Lights
Dinner at Coney Island and Visit to Santa Lights
Christmas music dance party
Watch The Grinch
Make Peppermint Bark
Christmas Advent Books (in progress)
- Christmas Mouse by Anne Mortimer
- The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs by Carolyn Conahan
- The Three Bears’ Christmas by Kathy Duval
- The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas by Anne Muercke
- It’s Christmas by Tracey Corderoy
- The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherry Duskey Rinker
- Just Right for Christmas by Birdie Black & Rosalind Beardshaw
- The Twelve Day sod Christmas illustrated by Emma Randall
- Christmas at the Toy Museum by David Lucas
- One Cozy Christmas by M. Christina Butler
- Merry Christmas, Squirrels! by Nancy Rose
- The Last Christmas Tree by Stephen Krensky
- A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba
- Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo
- Christmas with the Mousekins by Maggie Smith
- The Bear Who Didn’t Want to Miss Christmas by Marie Tibi
- A Pirate’s Twelve Days of Christmas by Philip Yates
- Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
- How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky
- Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood and Don Wood
- Mouse’s Night Before Christmas by Tracey Corderoy
- Christmas is Here! by Charles M. Schulz
- Scooby’s Scary Christmas
- Dino-Christmas by Lisa Wheeler
- The Unicorns Who Saved Christmas by Mary Winn Heider
- How to Catch a Reindeer by Adam Wallace
- How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
Find a New Christmas Album
Have a Candy Cane Hunt
Go Sledding (Here’s hoping the weather cooperates)
Send out Christmas cards
Take a photo of all four boys together
Finish 2021’s December Daily album
Try a new holiday drink

Next Up on the TBR Pile:

Homeschool W16: Winding Down the Semester

What We Studied

We only have one more official week for the fall semester and we’re definitely ready for a break. This week was full of random appointments with less schooling worked in. We did cover some reading and math and had our final coop meeting of the fall.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur and I continued our read aloud. The story is really getting good. I’m loving that Arthur has recognized a lot of the folklore and mythological characters. Sometimes he really does pay attention.

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
In the Beginning by Virginia Hamilton
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas by Kimberly and James Dean
One Wild Christmas by Nicholas Oldland
Merry Christmas, Dear Dragon by Margaret Hillert
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Arthur Ransome
Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco

Math

For both boys, we have scheduled math for three days a week. One day is focused on logic, games, puzzles, and special projects. The two other days are focused on covering the main math curriculum (Singapore 4A and 4B for Arthur and Singapore 1A and 1B for Quentin). Arthur’s plugging along learning about decimals currently.

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Smart Start Math Grade 1

Social Studies

A Kid’s Guide to Native American History by Yvonne Wakim Dennis
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
We were There Too by Philip Hoose
Words that Built a Nation
History Quest: U.S. History
A Different Mirror
DK American History Visual Encyclopedia
King George: What was His Problem? How to Start a Revolution
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Map Skills for Today Grade 3

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We moved onto studying Eastern Europe and Russia.

Nat Geo Beginner’s World Atlas
DK Countries of the World
DK Children Just Like Me
DK Children Just Like Me: A School Like Mine

Arthur Independent Time

Science

Arthur is focusing on Physics this year. We are covering the text and related videos at home and then joining friends for experiments and extra projects. We’re back to our RSO with a unit on air and air pressure. The boys really enjoyed trying to prove that air takes up space and has matter. Great experiments this week!

RSO Physics
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim
The Way Things Work Now

Quentin will be focusing on animal science with BYL Level 0.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George

STEAM Coop

One last week for the fall semester. Arthur finished the genetics unit learning a little bit about CRISPR. I had to emergency teach mental health to the middle class. I led the kids on some mindfulness exercises before we made emotional regulation charts and did some animal themed yoga. I pulled out that lesson in 15 minutes and felt really good about the results. Sometimes we just have to quickly pivot and get the job done.

Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking

Field Trip

No field trip, but we did host board game morning on Tuesday. Lots of kids came and played board games. They even did it fairly independently!

On Sunday, we had our book club discussion for The Girl Who Drank the Moon. While discussing, the kids drew their own versions of Glerk and Fyrian and all the rest of the characters. Not all of the kids liked the book, but we had a great discussion of why. They are really starting to get how to talk about books. I’m so excited for spring!

High

I hosted coop happy hour for the coop parents on Tuesday. We had a lovely evening chatting without kid interruptions. Will definitely have to do it again in the spring.

Low

All the doctor appointments! The boys had their well-check visits on Monday so school was a wash. And then I had an appointment on Wednesday morning and one on Friday morning. Lots of poking prodding this week.

Next Week

Finishing our read aloud and maybe starting the coop book club selection (A)
Learning more about the Revolutionary War for US History (A)
Moving forward with 4B for Math (A)
Wrapping up air and air pressure for physics (A)
Finishing Europe for social studies and science (Q)
Celebrating the season with all our coop friends at the Christmas party!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Today is our last coop meeting of the semester! We’re taking a break for the holidays. As much as I love coop, I’m ready for a little break to recenter.
White chocolate cranberry cookies (or cake) sounds like a plan for today’s cooking.
I think I’m going to DNF my current read, or maybe I will suffer through. It’s just not catching my attention.
Feeling very cozy and comfy this week. The snow today is magical.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #22

Reading: You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky. I’m fully into my holiday romances for the month.

Watching: J has me start watching Leverage Redemption S1. We’ve almost finished this season and we’ll start the newly released one soon.

Listening: The boys and I have been listening to Christmas music while doing our advent activities.

Making: Today’s activity is making Christmas flavored cookies. I’m thinking Ginger Molasses and Cranberry White Chocolate.

Feeling: I had my doctor’s appointment last week and we now have a plan to tackle my persistent pain. I’m feeling a little less anxious now.

Planning: I’m nearing the end of planning our spring curriculum. Just a few sections to finish prepping. My floor is looking cleaner now.

Loving: We got new pots and pans this week and I’m very excited about the tea kettle. It’s so pretty!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W15: Turkey Day and the Start of Christmas

What We Studied

We had a break week for Thanksgiving and a normal week. But with the start of December, our activities increased dramatically. The amount of actual schoolwork that we will get done this month will be small.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur and I started our next read aloud. This will take us toward the end of the year. Even a third of the way in, we are really enjoying this one.

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
In the Beginning by Virginia Hamilton
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Many Lucious Lollipops by Ruth Heller

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Four Good Friends by Margaret Hillert (Quentin Reads)
Beatrice Likes the Dark by April Genevieve Tucholke
How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead and Megan Joyce
How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall
Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee by Corey R. Tabor
Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland
Babushka Baba Yaga by Patricia Polacco
Sir Ladybug and the Bookworms by Corey R. Tabor
Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer
Creepy Crayon by Aaron Reynolds
Shape Shift by Joyce Hesselberth
The Cookie House by Margaret Hillert (Quentin Reads)
The Glass Mountain: Tales from Poland by David Walser
The Little, Little House by Jessica Souhami
Luba and the Wren by Patricia Polacco
The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse
The Mitten by Jan Brett

Math

For both boys, we have scheduled math for three days a week. One day is focused on logic, games, puzzles, and special projects. The two other days are focused on covering the main math curriculum (Singapore 4A and 4B for Arthur and Singapore 1A and 1B for Quentin). Arthur started 4B this section. I don’t imagine that it’s going to take us all that long to finish.

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Smart Start Math Grade 1

Social Studies

Arthur continued his large study of United States history using a combination of Build Your Library Level 5 and History Quest United States History. we’ve started the section covering the Revolutionary War. I’m loving one of our read aloud resources.

A Kid’s Guide to Native American History by Yvonne Wakim Dennis
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
We were There Too by Philip Hoose
Words that Built a Nation
History Quest: U.S. History
A Different Mirror
DK American History Visual Encyclopedia
Cobblestone: North American Beaver Fur Trade
Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars by Betsy Maestro
King George: What was His Problem? How to Start a Revolution
Map Skills for Today Grade 3

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We moved onto studying Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, .

Nat Geo Beginner’s World Atlas
DK Countries of the World
DK Children Just Like Me
DK Children Just Like Me: A School Like Mine
P is for Poland by Agnieszka Mrówcyzńska & Prodeepta Das

Arthur Independent Time

Science

Arthur is focusing on Physics this year. We are covering the text and related videos at home and then joining friends for experiments and extra projects. We took a bit of a break from Physics to explore paper making and print making. The boys even got to make their own homemade paper. After thinking about it, we’re going to recycle (heehee) that idea for coop for spring.

RSO Physics
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim
The Way Things Work Now

Quentin will be focusing on animal science with BYL Level 0.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George

STEAM Coop

We are running right up tot he end of the semester Arthur is continuing the genetics unit while Quentin is learning about mental health.

Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking

We’re planning one doing on art project and one cooking project each week as well as picking a composer or musician to listen to and enjoy. This week music just didn’t happen. But that’s okay. Arthur’s continued with the Outschool drawing class. This week’s animal was a fox and flamingo together. We actually had our last class until probably January Life is just a little hectic right now.

Field Trip

During Thanksgiving week we joined some coop friends at the zoo. We haven’t been the zoo since August. It was nice to get out and the weather was perfect for our excursion.

High

We had a small get together to work on our service project. The coop chose to make no-tie fleece blankets for the local animal shelter. I only finished two blankets, but we had a great chat while cutting and tying.

Low

Not much actual schoolwork was finished this past two weeks. That’s okay, but I had hoped to get a little further in our curriculum.

Next Week

Continuing our new read aloud (A)
Learning more about the Revolutionary War for US History (A)
Moving forward with 4B for Math (A)
Coming back to physics air and air pressure (A)
Covering more of Eastern Europe for social studies and science (Q)
Covering genetics, (A) and mental health (Q) for coop - it’s the last coop meeting of the semester!