The highlight of this week for Abby and Zack was making a Mayflower and map of the Pilgrims crossing. We’ve been using Dayspring’s Pilgrim Story online. (linked to my review). The kids and I are still liking it, and they only have one more unit to go. We should finish it next week.

Here’s Abby’s map and Mayflower model:

Why, yes, those are Lego guys on the Mayflower! Not what I expected from Abby. From my sons, yes, but not my daughters! lol

Zack colored part of his map, then decided that it took too much time and didn’t want to do anymore. lol

He put crosses on the Mayflower’s sails. A nice touch, I think.

Other than that, just a normal week here. The girls had volleyball practice on Monday and Friday.  Calen has been working at church practically every day. And even bringing the church computer home to work on.

I also had to take one of the girls to the orthopedic doctor this week. An MRI is being scheduled for the knee. Unfortunately, the MRI is scheduled on the same day as the first volleyball games of the season! We had a really good nurse/assistant at the doctors office. She is going to try to get her in sooner for the MRI so she will at least be able to go to the game, even if she can’t play in it.

I’ve been taking a class to review for The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew, National Tax Training School. I’m really enjoying it, and plan on finishing the course and being certified to do taxes.

I also recently reviewed WealthQuest for Teens. If your looking for a finance course for your teenagers, check out my review.

Here are a few links I found interesting and helpful:

Frugal Homeschool Planning Pack – free download
Calendar, Notebook, Binder Printables
Lego Math Games
Free Art Lessons

Open Courseware for Homeschoolers
Free Bible Alphabet Coloring Pages
Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Study
G.A. Henty Audio Books -Download for free!

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.

I haven’t shared about our homeschool week in a couple of weeks. Life has gotten in the way.

Last week, leading up to my mother in laws memorial service on Saturday, was spent rehearsing so the kids and my husband could sing a song at the service. They sang Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone by Chris Tomlin. The schoolwork we got done was several review items we are using.

I was so proud of the 4 kids that sang with my husband for the memorial service. It’s hard singing at a funeral or memorial service anyway, but to do it for your mother/grandmother is incredibly hard. One daughter was sitting on the pew crying hard one minute and the next minute singing in front of everyone one. Something most adults wouldn’t be able to do. I took a few pictures while they were rehearsing before the service. I was going to share, but I think I’ll wait to see if they give me permission to do so. Since they are in bed now, I’ll have to ask them tomorrow. Since they are pictures of a highly personal event, I better not post them without permission.

This week. Ah, this week. We were supposed to get back to a full workload. Until life got in the way again. The first major cold of the season has hit us all. sigh. One daughter was supposed to start voice lessons this week, too. We didn’t even get very much work done on our review items due to everyone feeling so bad. Thankfully for you, I don’t have any sick people pictures to share. Although, the amount of tissues on the living room floor would have made a good picture. No one would have believed it was real, though! lol

Today, I took my cancer FREE kid to the doctor for his annual check up. No problems were found! We still have to wait for the lab results, though. I’m trusting God that those are going to come back fine!

Next week, life is just going to have to step aside so we can get some work done!
Here are a few links I found interesting and helpful:

Senior Year and Your Way Behind -Some help for you
Pocket Guide to Animal Tracks Found in Kentucky
Free Homeschool to Grad School eBook
Links to free homeschool curriculum
Science Notebooking with Microscopes
Are Homeschooled Kids Weird?
Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.

Currclick.com is hosting the first ever International Homeschool Spirit Week!

I’m excited to participate with my kids. This is going to be so much fun! There is a theme for every day. Currclick also has some great giveaways planned.

Monday 9/24 Homeschool Away From Home Day
Tuesday 9/25 Comfy Cozy Day
Wednesday 9/26 Crazy Sock Day
Thursday 9/27 Mismatch Day
Friday 9/28 Twin Day

I’ll be sharing pictures of our activities every day on Facebook, and a recap here on Friday.

For more information, check the International Homeschool Spirit Week Facebook page for more information.

And the Currclick International Homeschool Spirit Week page for all the great giveaways.

Are you planning on joining?

This week the kids dissected owl pellets. The older kids, now in their twenties, had done it before, but the younger kids hadn’t. So as part of a unit study we were doing, (I’ll share more on that later after I post the review for it) they finally did it. Hannah, 16, opted not to take part. She didn’t even want to walk through the room when we were doing it. lol I had purchased this Student Owl Pellet Kit, and the rest of the kids had fun. Well, Abby said she didn’t have fun, but she finished without complaining. Zach, 12, was the one who enjoyed it the most. Here’s one picture, I am saving the rest for the review.  🙂

Last weekend, our church had it’s annual outdoor youth revival, Praise Fest. My family worked so hard on it. The kids and my husband put in long hours making sure all the right equipment was there, setting up, working the event (singing, skits, cooking, audio, video), and cleaning up afterwards. They weren’t the only workers, by far, but they sure did put forth a great effort and lots of hours.

They had lots of giveaways for the attendees, including John 3:16 face tatoos. Temporary,of course! lol Zack liked them, until he tried to take them off.

My beloved mother in law died last Friday morning. While not totally unexpected, it still had a great and lasting impact on our family. I am so proud of my kids and husband for going forth with Praise Fest Friday and Saturday.  Because they had seen what  an awesome difference Praise Fest has made in lives in the past, they wanted to go forward and participate.

Monday night was the first volleyball practice of the season for the girls. I didn’t take any pictures. I’ll have to remember to get some next Monday. Their arms were all red, and Hannah had a few little bruises on her arms. They’ll toughen up. lol

Here are a the reviews I posted recently for The Schoolhouse Review Crew in case you missed them.
A Cry From Egypt – a great book for ages 8 and up on the events leading up the the exodus
Family Time Fitness – a great physical education curriculum for the whole family
Oregon Trail & Pony Express DVD – loved this dvd

Here are a few links I found interested and helpful:
10 Big Reasons Not to Send Christian Kids to Public Schools
Why Homeschooling has Gone Mainstream
Modified Workbox System for a Large Family

Freebies listed by subjects
Sally Ride Coloring Page
Schoolwork in a Jar – for kids to pick

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.

We only had four school days this week, due to Labor Day. Dad had the day off work, so we took the day off school. It was nice to have an extra day off.  🙂

The kids are getting more serious about their music now. Abby sings on the Youth Praise Team at church and is taking piano lessons, Calen is learning how to play the guitar, Zach is now learning how to play the guitar taking lessons from Calen. Hannah is practicing the piano and teaching Abby, and also learning to play the violin. This is a very music filled house most days. I love it. Well, except when the guitar and the piano are playing different songs at the same time!  Then it’s a crazy music filled house! lol Oh, there has been some interest expressed in learning the drums, too! yikes!

I thought it might be fun to include a video of Hannah practicing the violin. She agreed to let me post it! lol

You can ignore the little brother walking back & forth, and putting the kitten into the shot. lol

Here are the reviews I did last week for The Schoolhouse Review Crew, in case you missed them:

Math911
Everyday Cooking
Notable Novelists – card game

Here are a few links I found interesting and helpful:

Free Customized Homeschool ID Cards
Map Puzzle – Make your own!
Embracing a Family Homeschool Culture
Printable Notebooking Covers
Homeschool Planning Notebook
10 Way sto Build Excitement in Your Homeschool

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.

Last Saturday, Hannah and Abby volunteered at a fundraiser for the homeschool athletic team they play volleyball for. It was a road race, 2 mile and 10K. They passed out water to the runners. Dad was there, too, and since I wasn’t able to be there, big brother Calen went in my place. They stood on a corner and directed the runners. This is the main fundraiser for the teams. They use the money for uniforms, fees for the games, and for the referees. The only bad part was they had to leave the house at 5:30. Why yes, that is a.m.!

That was the main thing they had to do this past week. Well, that and church skit practice, church band practice, and as I’m typing this, all four of the kids are at a youth cookout at church. Too bad homeschool kids don’t get enough socialization! lol

Oh, yes, they actually did school work this week, too! They are still doing well with all their work. We were having a slight problem with some of the kids getting up in the morning, going on the computer, then not wanting to get off for school. I have fixed that, though.  🙂

Here are a few homeschool reviews I posted recently:

Golden Prairie Press Costumes with Character

Christian Liberty Press Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers

Apologia I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist

Check out theHomeschool Curriculum Coupon Codes I shared. Some end today, 8/31 and some are good for another couple of weeks.

Have you had a chance to watch the new show on the Games Show Network, The American Bible Challenge? It’s a great family show! Check out my The American Bible Challenge Review & Giveaway and enter to win a T-Shirt and Zondervan Bible.

Here are a few links I found interesting and helpful:

Parents Guide to Transcripts
Hole Punch Art Work
ACT Crash Course
Free Textbooks on Amazon
Meal Planning for Homeschoolers

The Dangers of Homeschooling
Printable Hebrew Vocabulary Cards
Homeschooled Teens Ripe for College
What’s in a Portfolio
Planning Day

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.