Fire Department Field Trip

As most of you know...my husband is on the local Volunteer Fire Department. And this week and last, we have been learning about our community helpers. And since today just happened to be a rainy day here in TN, my husband was hanging out at the Fire Dept. So as we were doing school this morning, he called and I was in the middle of our lesson and I said "hey! how long you gonna be at the Fire Hall?" (yes, I do talk like that. Scary isn't it...that I'm now teaching my children)

So I loaded the children in the car and we headed off on a field trip. Now, keep in mind that this is not the first time they've been to the Fire Hall. My son is there almost every weekend. But this is the first time we've actually taken the time to go over the trucks and talk about all their equipment!!

 he loves to sit in the trucks!

 this is a different view for daddy...usually he's driving!

 trying on the turn-out gear!

 We love that daddy is a firefighter!!

 
Then we talked about fire and what it needs to keep burning...and what happens when you take those things away...

I'd say that brightened our rainy day!

Michigan Vacation 2012

This year, like the past 6, we headed to Michigan for our yearly, family, vacation. We left TN with the weather still in the 90's. Arrived in MI to find the weather still in the upper 80's. We start our vacation in Charlevoix, my favorite place. We stay in a condo right on Round Lake, where we stare out at a slew of boats/yachts. It's a very quaint place where we do a lot of shopping, walking and eating (my husbands favorite part)!!

y'all, this boat was silver!

Then, like I mentioned, we do a lot of eating. We go to a brunch on Sunday, Labor Day weekend, at The Bayview Inn. It's an all you can eat buffet. It's divine. Not your typical buffet...NO. It's has everything from fresh fish, to seafood, to a carving station, fresh homemade waffles, etc. It sits right on Lake Michigan and the view, as well as the food, is fabulous.  And thanks to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, we take this opportunity to snap a few family photos.
Yes...I am "that" wife...we are "that" family...all matchy, matchy.

I love these crazy kiddos!!

Once we leave Charlevoix, we head "south" back down to Whitehall, where we spend another 2 weeks. :D
That post to follow...

2012-2013 Curriculum

This is my first year homeschooling. My son is in Kindergarten.
My mother-in-law (who's a professional, after homeschooling seven) took me to our local home school curriculum fair and helped me weed through all the different curriculum's. After perusing through one. after. another., I decided to use BJU (Bob Jones University) for our Reading, Writing and Phonics.

I decided this one would be the best for me, for a couple of reasons. It is a private school based curriculum, so I felt it would suite me a little better, since I attended public school and was use to that type of "routine". I felt and hoped that would help me settle into this new adventure. It IS my first year and I was feeling a little overwhelmed. And two, I felt this curriculum offered everything in one package. I liked that it also offered a mix of Social Studies and Science into each lesson. Although, I've found that to get everything out of it, it takes quite a bit of planning and preparation. That, I'm not so good at, yet. But as a whole, it's been great.

                                                                  I wasn't to impressed with BJU's Math curriculum, so I chose to go with Horizons. It's very colorful and my son really enjoys it! Math was/is my favorite subject, so I wanted to make sure our curriculum would be fun and exciting, so my son would also love Math. And it doesn't take a lot of planning. It's been very helpful with the use of manipulatives.

I also picked up a Money workbook and a Time workbook from our local Parent Teacher Store. We've already completed both K & 1st grade in both of those. That makes me happy.

Then I ordered a couple of books (Zoo Guide & Aquarium Guide) from Answers In Genesis.
Then, to help round out my curriculum, I also picked up a couple of maps/posters and a Dr. Seuss book. I mean, you must have Dr. Seuss, right?!
I still pick up things every time I'm out and about. Target's $1 bins are one of my favorites. You can read about that here! I also like the Dollar Tree. I've gotten a lot of school room decorating items from there. And it's all, ONE DOLLAR!

"Fun-day, Friday" @ Luck Ladd Farm

My sister has coined the phrase, "Fun-day Friday".

So, last Friday, we set off on our next :Fun-day" "Summer Bucket List" adventure...Lucky Ladd Farm.

The Kiddos had a blast. We packed our lunch and set off.

They have a petting zoo, complete with goats, lamas, chickens, roosters, ducks, pigs, a calf, donkey, miniature horse, etc...

The kids fed most of the animals (we didn't let them feed the Lama, we were afraid they'd spit on them).

Then we moved on to the "good" stuff...all the play equipment.

There was a little hay maze, a corn pit, huge slides, tire swings, a sand area, etc...

Then we went on the tractor ride.

we even saw some "wild" animals...

After all that fun, we had lunch and then the kids went back to it. It was a great day! 

Thank you Lucky Ladd Farm for all the fun!!