Another busy week. On track in all subjects. Even got a few chemistry lessons in this week.
Co-op was gym and swim. M7 started reading Beatrix Potter. S9 found a new hero in Lafayette. H12 made a cheesecake from scratch.
Here are our highs and lows:
M7
High - My favorite thing about school is that math is awesome. I love math. It is really easy. I like counting by 2s and 5s.
Low - I don't have a low this week.
S9
High - Learning about Lafayette. I liked that he was French and became one of the most important men in America.
Low - Latin. Just the same old battle of Latin.
H12
I just had a medium week, not really high or low.
High - I enjoyed math this week. It was easy. That's different for me.
Low - Outlines for history. I don't like outlines.
Me
High - Finding joy with each of my children in moments of learning and sharing.
Low - Forgetting those moments of joy when things aren't going quite so smoothly.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Book Review: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Margaret, amateur biographer, is hired to write the biography of one of the greatest and most illusive novelists of all time, Vida Winter. As Margaret begins her task she asks to be reassured that the story she is being told is the truth. The remainder of the book is Vida's truth and Margaret's effort to untangle it and find her own.
This story is a well-written mash up of Flowers in the Attic and Rebecca or perhaps Jane Eyre. If you are a fan of Gothic romances this book is one that you will probably enjoy. In the spirit of the Gothic romances of the past you'll find a heroine with her own mystery, intrigue and even a bit of danger. Setterfield uses all the expected twists and turns, mistaken identity, ghosts, the moors, a special garden and an imposing house to weave her tale. This is not normally a genre that I read but I found the characters and plot enough to hold my attention and pull me through to the end even if only to confirm my own guesses for the ending.
This story is a well-written mash up of Flowers in the Attic and Rebecca or perhaps Jane Eyre. If you are a fan of Gothic romances this book is one that you will probably enjoy. In the spirit of the Gothic romances of the past you'll find a heroine with her own mystery, intrigue and even a bit of danger. Setterfield uses all the expected twists and turns, mistaken identity, ghosts, the moors, a special garden and an imposing house to weave her tale. This is not normally a genre that I read but I found the characters and plot enough to hold my attention and pull me through to the end even if only to confirm my own guesses for the ending.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Weekly Recap: January 16-20, 2012
Our week has flown by. Monday was a holiday for K15 so that made a light day for the rest of us. We spent much of the afternoon watching Liberty Kids. It's nice when something like that can be a treat and help us learn a little more about the founding of our country. We've done enough reading that most of the stories and characters where easy to recognize.
Tuesday we had an afternoon of bowling with co-op. It's been nice to get out of the house and do something fun on these cold days. On the way there we began listening to Mr. Revere and I. So far we are enjoying it much more than Ben and Me.
Wednesday and Thursday were normal days. We got everything done that needed to be done. Yeah us! Friday was a two hour delay for K15. Dad decided to work from home. We've gotten the necessary things done but chemistry will be waiting until next week.
Here are the highs and lows:
M7
High - I love multiplication and division. It's very easy. It's exciting that I'm learning that.
Low - Reading takes up too much time.
I loved having dad home today. We made cookies together and ran errands.
S9
High - The United States has finally gotten away from England.
Low - Latin makes me learn grammar and I've already gone through three books for that.
My birthday is coming up real quick. I'm really excited!
H12
High - I had a very good week. I did a good job and I worked hard.
Low - Math. I just hate math.
Me
High - Getting almost all the things done that I had planned for the week and feeling satisfied on Friday.
Low - Not getting chemistry done.
I am pleased that I intentionally let something go rather than trying to stuff something else into a busy schedule and causing stress for all.
Tuesday we had an afternoon of bowling with co-op. It's been nice to get out of the house and do something fun on these cold days. On the way there we began listening to Mr. Revere and I. So far we are enjoying it much more than Ben and Me.
Wednesday and Thursday were normal days. We got everything done that needed to be done. Yeah us! Friday was a two hour delay for K15. Dad decided to work from home. We've gotten the necessary things done but chemistry will be waiting until next week.
Here are the highs and lows:
M7
High - I love multiplication and division. It's very easy. It's exciting that I'm learning that.
Low - Reading takes up too much time.
I loved having dad home today. We made cookies together and ran errands.
S9
High - The United States has finally gotten away from England.
Low - Latin makes me learn grammar and I've already gone through three books for that.
My birthday is coming up real quick. I'm really excited!
H12
High - I had a very good week. I did a good job and I worked hard.
Low - Math. I just hate math.
Me
High - Getting almost all the things done that I had planned for the week and feeling satisfied on Friday.
Low - Not getting chemistry done.
I am pleased that I intentionally let something go rather than trying to stuff something else into a busy schedule and causing stress for all.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Book Review: Ladies' Night at Finbar's Hotel
Through seven short stories, we learn some of what goes on during the re-opening night of Finbar's Hotel. The stories overlap every now and then but also stand on their own. The cast of characters is varied and the stories are entertaining. The hotel itself serves as a back drop but the action could just as easily take place at the local Mariott in any city USA. If you are looking for some quick stories to entertain, this certainly fills the bill. If you are looking for definitive Irish literature you'd probably better look elsewhere.
Book Review: How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill
In his book, How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill combines narrative and literary analysis with a comprehensive knowledge of history and historical figures to weave a tale of devotion and heroism. Cahill does a convincing job of tracing the survival of civilization's literary history to the Irish monks. Not only does Cahill discuss the social and political situation throughout Europe during the Fall of Rome he also shows the growth and development of Ireland at a time when the rest of the world was in decline.
I love it when I read a book that makes me feel smarter. This is one of those books. Over the past two years I've learned a lot about ancient and medieval civilization. Teaching those time periods has forced me to read more and find interests in time periods that, to be honest, I thought were kind of boring. As a result, I discovered that I really like history and that the story of people is as interesting in the past as it is in the present. Reading this book added another perspective and gave me a clearer understanding of the transition between the Roman Empire and the Dark Ages.
I love it when I read a book that makes me feel smarter. This is one of those books. Over the past two years I've learned a lot about ancient and medieval civilization. Teaching those time periods has forced me to read more and find interests in time periods that, to be honest, I thought were kind of boring. As a result, I discovered that I really like history and that the story of people is as interesting in the past as it is in the present. Reading this book added another perspective and gave me a clearer understanding of the transition between the Roman Empire and the Dark Ages.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Why Do I Need a Washer?
My clothes washer stopped working. It's not the perfect time for something that I count on to let me down. I really count on my washer. With a family of six, it's something that is constantly on call and having it has become something that I take for granted.
I bought my washer and dryer for more than 10 years ago. In that time washers and dryers have been transformed. I've watched the transformation but I haven't even been the slightest bit tempted to purchase a new washer or dryer. Even when we moved into our new house, I wasn't tempted. Even though our laundry room was designed with the new models in mind and configured in a way that causes our old models to not fit in the space provided. My washer and dryer are just fine. I feel the same way about my 2002 over 200,000 mile mini-van.
Unfortunately, my washer is no longer working. The repair guy said it will cost almost as much to fix it as it will to buy a new similar model. The thing is, if I get a new washer, I'll want something that's been tranformed and if I get something transformed I'll want a dryer to go with it.
As a result of the inoperable washer, we took our laundry to the laundromat today. Notice that I said "we". It was amazing. Six washers, six dryers, four children, two parents. Six laundry baskets. All the laundry washed, dried, folded and put away in just two hours. It was family time. Everyone pitched in. I didn't spend hours doing laundry by myself. I didn't feel isolated or irritated. I've never had so much help with laundry. Why do I need a washing machine again?
I bought my washer and dryer for more than 10 years ago. In that time washers and dryers have been transformed. I've watched the transformation but I haven't even been the slightest bit tempted to purchase a new washer or dryer. Even when we moved into our new house, I wasn't tempted. Even though our laundry room was designed with the new models in mind and configured in a way that causes our old models to not fit in the space provided. My washer and dryer are just fine. I feel the same way about my 2002 over 200,000 mile mini-van.
Unfortunately, my washer is no longer working. The repair guy said it will cost almost as much to fix it as it will to buy a new similar model. The thing is, if I get a new washer, I'll want something that's been tranformed and if I get something transformed I'll want a dryer to go with it.
As a result of the inoperable washer, we took our laundry to the laundromat today. Notice that I said "we". It was amazing. Six washers, six dryers, four children, two parents. Six laundry baskets. All the laundry washed, dried, folded and put away in just two hours. It was family time. Everyone pitched in. I didn't spend hours doing laundry by myself. I didn't feel isolated or irritated. I've never had so much help with laundry. Why do I need a washing machine again?
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