Science Fair

Tonight was our homeschool group's annual science fair. We only had about 10 projects presented tonight but everyone that participated did a great job. As mentioned before Grace chose a project about popcorn. Her question was: Would the storage temperature of the popcorn play a factor in how many kernels did not pop. This was her first real time of using the scientific method.

She had a good time and did a good job with her presentation. One thing that being in drama has helped with is speaking in public. Doesn't seem to have that much of a problem with it.

Moving and Spending Update

Didn't do to badly on the spending front for groceries. A couple of days ago I spend 28.00 on milk, bread, one bottle of soda, a few snacks, toilet tissue, tea, and dog food. Will probably have to go to the produce store on Wednesday for apples, bananas, and lettuce. Other than that hope to not have to spend any more money on groceries till Friday when I plan for another two weeks. I have 154.59 left to spend. The two week menu plan has worked really well with keeping us on track for dinners. Only had to switch a couple of nights around. We only ate out twice last week not including my dinner out with a friend that was covered by a gift card.

Exercising has gone well this week except for two days when I couldn't because of the tremendous ear pain I had from the ear infection, which is thankfully better. Grace has missed a couple of days here and there. But still has exercised 4-5 days this week. She was disappointed when she stepped on the scale this morning to discover she had gained a pound. I was pleasantly surprised that I have already lost two pounds.

G.R.O.W.

GROW is a new program our church has started. Actually it started about a month ago. GROW is not about growing our church (adding numbers to our church) but something so much more. Each Sunday our Pastor has prepared a sermon about what GROW actually is. G stands GO - meaning Go out and spread the good news. R - reach, O - out, W - world. Go Out and Reach the World. We get caught up so often on our own little lives, our personal church, etc. It is time to go out and spread the Gospel of Jesus and help those that are in need. Our church started a monthly food pantry 1 1/2 years ago, it has been such a blessing to us all. Last weekend we provided breakfast as well as warm coats and blankets to the families that come to our food pantry, it is open to anyone in the community that wishes to attend. In February we will host another breakfast and hand out new towels, etc. Each month will represent different items that individuals in the community might need. This is just a start. Many more events have been planned. In our Sunday school class we are also studying something very similar. We tend to surround ourselves with other Christians, which makes it hard to find non believers to share the Gospel. I have been very convicted by this as of late. Everyone I come in contact with is already a Christian. There are some blogs that I visit where they are not believers and I try to leave comments that might open doors of dialogue, but nothing so far. Looking forward to seeing where this new program takes us at church and what we can accomplish together for the glory of God.

How We Incorporate Picture Study

There are many aspects of Charlotte Mason's methods that we incorporate to our schedule on a daily basis. According to SCM (Simply Charlotte Mason) you are to do picture study once a week, and it only takes about 10 minutes out of your school day. For the past couple of years that is exactly what we have done, also adding in biographies, hands on art projects, etc. This year life got a little more busy and I decided to shake things up a bit and do it differently. In the above picture there is a plastic picture holder that sits on Grace's desk. We usually study a individual artist for about 6-8 weeks. I purchase postcard paintings from Dover Publishing for each painter that we are interested in. This term we have paintings from Paul Cezanne. Each day a new painting of his is placed in the plastic holder for Grace to see as she accomplishes her school work throughout the day. Well, while I was at the book store last night all the calenders and planners were half off. I have wanted one of these for quite a while, so I just took the plunge and purchased it. Below is a calendar from The MET, each new days brings a new artist of different types of mediums. Each day will bring a surprise as to what we will be seeing. This will also be on Grace's desk to look at each day.

Girls Night Out

A friend and myself headed to a larger town about 40 minutes from us for a girls night out. Of course our "Girls Night Out" isn't what it used to be. As any self respecting homeschooling mother would do - we had to go to a book store and drool over all the great books we saw. Purchased a couple too. After book shopping headed to Red Lobster to eat dinner, with no kids. Yahoo!!! Food was incredible, the company was wonderful. Lots of talk with no little people to interrupt. Of course both of us were back home with our loved ones by 8:00. I think we may need to make this a monthly occurrence.

The Artist

This past weekend we created a small art studio in half of Grace's room. I was concerned that once we put all her arts supplies, etc. up there they would go unused. She normally doesn't spend much time up in her room. But I guess I should never have worried. For the past two days right after we finish school she rushes to her room to paint with watercolors.

Below is one of her creations from yesterday, titled "The Red Balloon".

Highlights from Today - So Far

• Chickens gave us two eggs today - one brown, one green. Grace is having so much fun collecting eggs each day. It has renewed her interest in the chickens again.
• So proud of Grace with her math today. Past two days have been great. Like something just clicked. Got every problem right today when doing a worksheet on dividing fractions.
• Just about have the science fair project finished. Hoping to share more about that on Tuesday.
• Hubby is finishing up a major fantasy painting that he has entered in a contest. Hoping to take a picture to show it off soon.
• Ear still painful. Was unable to work out last night. But again Grace surprised me and rode her 25 minutes by herself. Maybe the ear will feel a little better tonight so I can exercise.
• Cooking my first deer roast in the crockpot for dinner tonight. Looking forward to trying it. Soaked it in milk overnight to take any gamey taste out of it. It is cooking alot faster that I thought it would. Also baked some chocolate chip blondies for dessert and probably will make some cornbread to go with dinner. I also have two new recipes to try in a couple of weeks when I am allowed to go grocery shopping again.