God is so Faithful!:)

Its been quite awhile since my last post, I have been having trouble uploading pics but we have been pluggin away with our lessons even despite my morning sickness with baby number 4!;)...Which also leads me to the reason of this post!..When God called me to homeschool, He let me know that if I was faithful to teach my children first about Him and who they were created to be in Him that He would always be faithful to make sure my children were learning everything else, and I have to say He is faithful!:)..After I found out I was pregnant with number 4 though, I began to get somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of starting a 2 new grades this fall with a 2 month old baby and a 2yr old!..I knew that I just wouldn't have the energy for it and I didn't want it to be stressful for our family trying to juggle all this at once..So I began to pray that God would provide me with a way for this work, since He was the one who gave us this new blessing and also called us to homeschool, it was His job to figure it out;) hehe...And as I began to research online curriculum's thinking that would be a good alternative for the girls since they would be able to work independently and I wouldn't be required to do as much "teaching" and as I prayed over this I just didn't have the peace I thought I would..I just couldn't bare the thought of not using My Fathers World, we LOVE this curriculum and how God uses it to strongly impact our children and us for His kingdom. And so I kept praying that God would show me what to do and how this would work for our family.

And the answer came while on the My Fathers World message board..I was reading a post by a mom who was just now starting her curriculum with her children..and I thought in Jan? how would that work? and I kept reading..Well I found that it works for them because with this curriculum it takes 8 and half months to complete and when they start in Jan they are finished by mid August and then they take a break from then till they start back up in Jan..so I started weighing this option..And it really made sense! If I waited till Jan of next year to start the new curriculum then the baby would be 6 months old not 2months..big difference there!;) lol and I liked the idea of having a break during the busiest months of the year! (With three kiddos bdays in Oct, Nov and Dec and then including Thanksgiving and Christmas) it is a busy end of the year for us and it always felt as though we were stopping and going, try that for a motivator lol.. I also liked the idea of having that time set aside to do any projects we didn't get to during the year,take field trips, etc..My kids are always learning and even though it would be a "break" from regular curriculum learning they wouldn't really be getting a break haha;) Of course they would be getting the best lesson of all in baby care!;)

I can't tell you how relieved I was when I felt the peace of God come over this decision, I knew it was Him saying..I told you I would always be faithful, just trust me and follow me:)..A weight has been lifted and now I can relax in knowing that we will finish up our curriculum in June of this year and have the rest of the year to welcome a new blessing into our family where many precious learning moments as a family await us!! ahhh how AWESOME God is and how much homeschooling is truly a blessing to our family!!:)

Once Again...

I bought MORE school stuff! ha!;) I can't help myself!:) but I have to say that I got an awesome deal on these goodies and just couldn't pass them up!!


Check em out!:)






And here is a description of what all we got!!

Math Puzzles, DK Games
-math skills practice for the first 3 years of school
-for 1-6 players

Under Water Addition Mission, Rainbow Bridge Publishing
-a mathematical twist on the card game "War"

Leap Frog My Card Games: Math Rummy & Alphabet Go Fish
-ready for school skills: addition and subtraction, letter recognition, upper and lower case letters, social interaction, critical thinking skills.



Project Kit for Kids: Magnetism
-components and book for over 20 projects
-examples of projects: floating magnets, magnet racers, test magnets in water, magnetic sculpture, use a compass, levitate a train.


Pocket Pals: Creepy Crawlies, The Complete Kit
-four books
-stickers
-be-a-bug ID
-wall chart
-board game
-glow-in-the-dark insect and more!

My First Amazing Game Board Book:
-More than 40 activities and games including: numbered dot-to-dot, memory match game, all about me board, hangman, I spy game, magnetic weather board, drawing board, It's about time game board, triple maze, weaving board, letter and number boards, gumball bingo math game, game of opposites, feelings board game with mirror, shoe-tying board with real laces, etc.
-easy to follow instructions included
-comes with erasable markers and built-in storage box
-every page has wipe-off surface
-play alone or with a friend while reinforcing critical thinking skills
-great for travel

Math Bingo: Addition and Subtraction
Math Bingo: Addition and Subtraction

Cookie Monster's Letter of the Day Bingo
-2 ways for all ages to play together
-match letters or match words w/ pictures

YES it has been a fun filled day in the Smith house, we so love new games!!hehe;)

History Videos:)

I found some awesome cartoons on youtube today which the kids LOVED! We watched the whole series on Benjamin Franklin since that is who we are studying this week and plan to go back and watch more!;) Just wanted to share with you!! hope you enjoy!:)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1GEF8_j5lo&feature=related

OH MY....

Its only been alittle over two months since we started school and I have to say our school cabinet is sure looking a lot different, yes yes my name is Amanda and I am addicted to school stuff! ha!;)



Our cabinet at the beginning of the school year( September):




AND here we are almost 2 months later....



I can't wait to post a pic of what it looks like at the end of the year! I am thinking I am going to have to get a new cabinet, or come up with a new storage idea;) haha!;)

Communion

We shared and talked about Communion this past week and what a sweet time it was to stop and remember what all our Jesus has done for us and how truly awesome He is!!:)


* Jesus took the cup, he gave thanks. He said, "Take this cup and share it among yourselves. Luke 22:14, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. It is poured out for you. Luke 22:20








* Then Jesus took the bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to them and said, "This is my body. It is given for you. Every time you eat it, do it in memory of me. Luke 22:19

I hear...

a in cat and man..cat and man..cat and man..a a a a... We are learning the sounds of the vowels in My Fathers World Kindergarten..and oh what fun we are having!:)





Mason has even learned this song and is always carrying the cards around singing it! I so love that!;)

Busy Bees;)

The girls have been pluggin along with their lessons:)