For the Love of Star Wars

My husband and our oldest son
went to a Star Wars convention several weeks
ago called Star Wars Celebration V.
To tell you how big it is, last year it was held
in Japan.
Over 35,000 people!
George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamel,
and others were there.
Here is a picture of the lines to get in.
This thing is huge and all your Star Wars junkies
were there including my husband and oldest son.
Below are just a few pictures
of their exciting trip.

All you see were built by fans, none are originals.

I think he has hit jackpot.

R-2 Builders Club and their amazing robots.

Everywhere you looked, you ran into fans dressed as characters
of the movie/movies.

Darth Vader!

The Lego displays were spectacular.

The boys had a blast!

Two Books

Two books we are enjoying right now:
Little Pilgrim's Promise
by Helen L. Taylor
and
Johnny Tremain
by Esther Forbes

The author of Little Pilgrim's Progress took
John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress book
and simplified it for younger readers.
My son loves it. So do I.

Johnny Tremain is a historical fiction, living book.
The story is about Revolutionary Boston
as seen through the
eyes of a young boy named Johnny Tremain.

I highly recommend both of these books.
Many blessings.

Painting

Tuesday was our painting day.
There is no structure to our painting.
I just give them the paints
and await the results.

My oldest, only a few days back from a
Star Wars convention,
is all about his Star Wars.

The twins are all about mixing.
I love watching them be
little artists.

Next week, water color.
Many blessings.

First Day Of School

Traditional first day of school front porch picture.

Morning candle lightening with breakfast.

Monday is baking day.
Started this year with simple recipes.
My oldest read the directions and measured the ingredients.
The twins stirred.

Oven preheated and pan prepped.

Spread it evenly.

Clean up a must and all helped.

Shaping our pizza dough.

Cheese, cheese, cheese!

Yummy!

Mommy did throw in some fruit and milk
to try add something healthy.

We did manage to get in reading, grammar, math,
handwriting, and science in too.
Great start of a new year.

Sea Creatures

Pictures of one of the many places the boys got to visit
this Summer.
It is just off the coast and near Grandma's!
The children are able to get up close with life in the sea.

The children enjoyed the tank.
There are no "hands off" signs here.

Sting rays!

Big brother is an expert feeder.

Mommy is not brave enough for this.

Wow!

Sharks!

Beautiful walking trails.

Hello there.

Relaxing

Going to take a few beach days
before our new school year begins.
Will be back once I get all the sand out of my ears!
Many blessings.

In This July Heat

My husband tries to take the kids on an adventure
each week on the day I am working.
He dresses them in orange and takes off.

With the heat index at 110 degrees,
off they went to a light house.

At the top the boys were beat from the heat.
But, they enjoyed the view.
Many blessings.

2010-2011 Homeschool at Barefoot Cowboys

Here is what we have for our new home school year
for my oldest son- 8 years old- 2nd grade.
Our new school year starts August 15th.

Language Arts
The Basic Cozy Grammar and Punctuation Course
DVD by Marie Rackham
Listen My Children and You Shall Hear
by Betty Lou Kratoville

Writing
Writing in Narrative
by Peter Joel and Dr. Leslie Simonson
Handwriting Without Tears
by Jan Z. Olsen

Spelling
Dolch words- 2nd grade

Math
Math-U-See
Living math books
math word problems in a notebook

Science
Real Science-4-Kids Chemistry Pre-level I
by Dr R.W. Keller
Lots of hands on, whatever my son's interests are,
experiments

American History- Revolutionary War
Several spine books to be read aloud by me

World History
Greek and Roman History
The Story of the Greeks and The Story of the Romans
by H.A.Guerber
These are the spine books to be read aloud by me

Geography
Tree in the Trail and Seabird
by Holling C. Holling

Natural History
Parables of Nature
by Mrs. Alfred Gatty
Seashore Birds
by Burgess

Literature and Tales
Aesop's Fables
Fifty Famous Stories Retold

Composers
Bach, Vivaldi, and Beethoven

Artists
not decided yet

Free Reads
my oldest will choose from the library


Our Daily Rhythm

Wake up and wash faces and make beds
Before breakfast, we light the morning candle
and say our morning prayer
Breakfast
at breakfast Bible story and singing
am chores for all
Story telling and read alouds
outside time, unstructured play
snack prep with all helping
snack
M/T/W/TH/F activity
unstructured play
lunch
twins nap/quiet time
reading, math,writing, history, etc. for the oldest
up from nap/ quiet time
wash faces
snack prep with all helping
afternoon chores for all
unstructured play/soccer practice, etc.
dinner
bath time
reading and story time
nighttime candle lighting and prayer
bedtime

Monday- baking
Tuesday- painting
Wednesday- sewing/clay/play dough
Thursday-nature art
Friday- surprise

I am sure things will change here and there.
It was hard slimming down all the options out there.
I want our home school to be a gentle learning environment.
I am excited for the new school year.
Will be involving the little ones more, too cute.
Many blessings.