H.S.S. Friends

We had our first cooperative homeschool day today! It was wonderful! I am so blessed to have found such a great group (there are 12 children from 2-10 yrs old) of people to share learning with.

There is always talk about *socialization* and homeschooling and I have to say that I don't worry about it a bit because of groups like this. My children are *socialized*, I am socialized, you are socialized, your children are socialized. Socialization is simply the ability to relate to others and the world. Now it is HOW you are socialized that is the important thing. Is it positive or is it negative? Sure, at home my children do come across negative things but I (or another parent) am there to help them through it. I also feel like cooperative groups promote a very natural learning setting. One that is more like the future world my children will be living in, in which people of all ages are learning and working together.

Anyway more about our day...

First, we went to morning Mass! Yeah! I have wanted to start going regularily with the children but it just never seemed to work out. So I am going to try to plan it into our Wednesday's (our coop day). Maybe if I "work" it in our day - we will actually go!

Then we went Kim's house and met with the other families. The children decided last week to name our group the H.S.S. Friends which stands for Home School Scholar Friends or as it turns out could be; History, Spanish and Science Friends - the 3 classes we are offering. Too funny!

Today we started off with Science Class. They are going to learn about Simple Machines this semester. They went throughout the house and found simple machines that we use every day. Physics properties like force and work were discussed as well.

After Science they had Spanish Class. First they learned what countries has a large majority of Spanish speaking individuals. Then they learned how to say, Hello, My name is ..., How are you?, Fine, Very Fine, Bad, Very Bad, goodbye, etc. They also started working on their Spanish Lapbooks.

Then we had lunch together and recess (of course).

After recess they had History class. Today they discussed the book Meet Kaya and talked about American Indians that lived in Illinois. They also talked about how the American Indians lived, in what and how they moved around. In Illinois many American Indians lived in Longhouses (insted of Teepee's) so they made a Longhouse out of cardboard.

After History they had another recess and we finished for the day.

Next week we will go on a field trip to Cahokia Mounds. We are very excited about the trip! I will fill you in more after our trip.

Jealousy

I would like to write about Jealousy tonight. I think this is one of my biggest vices. I still get so jealous as an adult. I try to find contentment in my life and be happy with what I have and what I am but I don't always succeed at that.

Tonight I am basically feeling sorry for myself and yes... you got it...Jealous. I found out tonight that several of my friends are all getting together to have a garage sale (it is the Mahomet town-wide garage sale weekend) and I am stuck here doing it myself. I thought one of my friends was doing it with me but no they are all going to be hanging out tomorrow and Friday doing the sale together. I am not upset by this - I am jealous. I am jealous of the bonding time and friendship building they will get together.

I am not really able to run the sale by myself (and the 4 kids!) so I asked my mom to come down and help me for the day Thursday. What a blessing! She and my sisters are going to come down. I know it will be fun and I will enjoy their company and the day. So why am I not content?

I find myself feeling Jealous more often lately. I thought as an adult I would be better at this and have learned how to deal with it but I guess not.

I believe the Lord places things in our lives for a reason. Maybe God wants to yell - get over it! Really? - a garage sale? And people are dying all over the world! I KNOW!

Maybe simply writing about my sins will help me deal with them better.

So... after writing this I am going to go on with my weekend with no jealous thoughts - I promise.

Debt a curse

I was reading on the Living Like No one Else website tonight. It is a site for Dave Ramsey followers, those wanting to become debt free! Anyway - I saw this quote and had to share it. It reads so true for our culture and mentality.

"The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing; but in our culture, we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture." ~ Doug Phillips

As summer is wrapping up and a new school year is starting I thought I would do a picture blog about our summer activities.

We started the summer season by spending our evenings at the ball park! Meaghan played softball and Nate baseball. Nate was the most improved player on the team and Meg's team did very well in the finals.



Then Nate went to Cub Scout Day Camp for the week. He had a great time with his friend Zach.


Then on with swim lessons and swim team. Meaghan, Nate and Connor SWAM their summer away!!!




Fourth of July was a blast this year. Grandma and Grandpa McCoy came down for the long weekend and we all went to the parade in Seymour, camping, smores, cookouts, fireworks, pig roast and lots of FUN!



The swim team conference was in Charleston this year so we went down the day ahead and went to the Lincoln homestead in Charleston with friends.


Kiera celebrated her 2nd Birthday on July 25th. We had a picnic at Hessel park with a few of her friends. I cannot believe another year has flown by. She has learned and grown so much over the year. She could barely roll over at her first birthday and now she is running, hopping and TALKING! Yeah Kiera - You amaze us everyday!





The kids had fun with their frinds making costumes and playing Princesses, Pirates and Wizards one afternoon!


Meaghan got to perform at the State Fair. While she did this - we took the other kids around Springfield.
Can you spot Nathaniel??? (At Lincoln Library and Museum)

Nate and Kiera playing in Lincoln Library and Museum

Connor found MANY of this favorite animal at the State Fair!

We spent time hanging out with cousins.
Here is Paige getting her ears pierced! She was so BRAVE!

Kissing Kousins!

Ashton and Kiera best buds.

Meaghan goes to Dude Ranch with her Girl Scout Troop.
Meaghan searching for fossils.

We decide to go Red Raspberry picking with friends. It was a pretty hot day but yummy berries were found.
Ok... I just had to post this one. I love taking photos!

Nate and friends picking berries or are they doing more talking?

Kiera loved picking berries. She would put them in her pocket. As you can see her pocket is stained berry red. Too cute!

Whew!... that should about bring us to a close on our summer fun. Maybe we can get a few more swim and park days in yet. We are now onto the countdown to DISNEY!!!

Connor goes to Kindergarten!

Connor has officially started Kindergarten! He had his first full week and from his report he is LOVING it! He seems to like everything about it. He told me today that he is learning lots of things without even knowing it! His teacher is Mrs. Young who was Meg and Nate's teacher as well. She knows our family very well and I feel very close to her - which is so nice! She is very hands on and believes that playing is learning. Connor has already learned lots of signs (as in sign language). I love this! We still sign a lot here so it is great that he is learning more at school as well and can teach us as well! :) I miss him the 3 hours he is gone but knowing that he is happy and doing what he loves helps!

Here is to a wonderful year Connor!