Fit Mommy Friday WK 7~Research Equals POWER and MOVEMENT; MY RESULTS

I've been doing water aerobics, but they aren't overly stressful, while I am gaining endurance. I'm NOT like the other Fit Mommys who have either NO weight to loose or who have 100 or less to loose, and their exercise/fitness goals are more maintanence than restorative~not so with ME...actually I have much more than that to loose, but the greatest thing I will loose is my life IF I  don't do something~so here I am ...and I want to reach out to those LIKE ME who think it's hopeless...it's not. HOPE comes from God~not ourselves.  Any problem we have is something HE can fix~and He does...but the biggest thing I'm learning is that a food plan alone is just a DIEt and it won't work for me.  I need something more~I need a focus on my spiritual health~mind and spirit~that helps my body~AND looking to God helps me on this path. He's my source and strength.

Recently, my son enrolled in an online PE course which is exploring all kinds of activities as well as the information on how to become fit and stay that way..WHAT A BOOST for me! I am so thrilled to get access or maybe not access~but to have this info put before me~AND I also won a fellow Fit Mommy's giveaway for a Denise Austin book...I'm MOVING ON UP, folks!! YAY!

Okay, so I want to link up and share what I am exploring. So beginning today I am going to give you these links and some highlights as I explore them.

Strength Training:  About.com Weight Training 101
This site is pretty extensive and exhaustive about lifting weights. Two tips would be to warm up and then do all muscle groups to prevent uneven building and possible injury. I also figure that I need a Workout Finder Suvey  to be able to know what level~or just HOW beginner I am ...I mean, I am way way out of shape~Also you can sign up for a FREE Exercise Newsletter via email on that same page~sounds great to me!

Okay~it put ME in theExercise for Beginners  page which looks pretty good. Some of it I have accomplished and others I can read and figure out...The part about gym intemidation is pretty good b/c while I go to the Y to swim, believe me, it's embarressing. I don't like *that* part...but~it's MY health...and I gotta DO IT!

Beginner Goals has some pretty good info on HOW to set attainable goals. Believe it or not~this is probably the area that FIRST we all need to address~HOW dumb would it be to set an unattainable goal for myself and then GIVE UP because I have *failed*!  Duh...WHAT did I expect, but to fail~and what's worse than failure AT my own hands? Not much! So in being kind to me and living in honesty, I know it will take some time to undo my damage. Death by Fork is one thing that will take some time to undo in my life...TIME is on MY side~I pray...


Okay~so here's my progress this week:

Exercise: I've begun putting into place some exercises here at home that are little five-10 minute repetitions of movement in between the swimming. I've committed to getting to the Y 3 times a week...I also calculated how many calories I am burning for this water aerobic exercise and at my size, it's pretty good....yup~I'm still going to do these! Yay!


My food continues strong, although I awoke from a nap on Sunday afternoon after DREAMING I had scarfed down three cookies in my sleep~YIKES! Well, I didn't praise God! I am still sugar FREE...and tomorrow makes 20 weeks! YAY!


Okay~I weigh in on Monday~don't think it's going to be a huge loss, but I am hoping for a good result based on my efforts and the way my clothes are fitting~

Thanks for stopping by and cking on me~You can read about the other Fit Mommys OR join up for encouragement and inspiration~Just click HERE OR on that button up top~Leave me a shout out~I'd love to hear from you! ;-))

The Homeschool Mother's Journal: WK4~Proof IS in the Pudding!

Well, not exactly pudding! But the proof of a good education and homeschooling is when our kids ARE put to THE TEST~and yeah, I've done that...it's called LIFE...and joining into the mix of second semester virtual academy K12.  Oh yeah! We have been challenged and put to the TEST~But I am feeling a little bit better about it all this week and last week's meltdowns are over~BoyThingOne has got to do his work on HIS OWN or FAIL and reconnoiter to figure out HIS OWN WAY~after the last 10 years of pushing, pulling, tugging and towing, I have learned that I MUST let him DOooo even if it isn't just perfect or WHAT I'd like to see...and surprising is how well he's doing~I am impressed with his strengths and that he's adapting and learning HOW to proceed with an education that HE WANTS~  Proof for my daughter is her tenacity and work. I am sooo impressed with her too~WHAT JOY to know that the time I've spent, my own heart's investments are returning full fold in my kids MAKING IT~and thriving,  not just surviving!

If you are interested, here is last week b/c I just figured OUT lol that these things go in on Friday~HA! NOT Monday...LOL...

Okay, so how did my week really go?

In My Life and In Our Homeschool This Week:
Well, I've stayed on my food & exercise plan, and I got to bump up my activity a good bit~loving that! My kids are doing better in virtual academy~we are still spending waaaaay too much time on this, but their time investments are paying off in good grades and they are becoming accustomed to the new routines.  It's definitely a  change~but for the better!

My Favorite Thing This Week was...

Hub and I went on a date to the movies on Valentine's Day and I laughed and laughed...it was a side splitter movie~too funny! Had such a good time! Want to laugh some more, it really changed my outlook and made all the ice and snow melt from my soul~good thing too~the temps have warmed and all our snow is now MUSH and SLUSH! Woohoo!  

What's Working/Not Working For Us...
What's working is the new routines and structure, but what's not working is the TIME involved. School should BE DONE by 5 or 6 at the LASTEST~but we are working loads longer than this most nights ALL week long..this has GOT to change! 

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Will I always want to do some of the things I am doing now in my life such as blogging and reviews? Just sayn' because life does seem to be more about doing...doing differently~I dunno...just sayn'...what's wrong with a little inside ck up?

A photo to share...(maybe a few...)

DNA model for Biology! Another meaning to CANDY!

self pic that HE sent to his math teacher...LOL...

MY valentine! LOL...

 












You can read more about homeschooling OR join up~just click on that box above! Thanks for stopping by~leave me a kind remark! THANKS!! 

The Homeschool Mother's Journal: K 3~PROGRESS Not Perfection~

In My Life and In Our Homeschool This Week:
 What's that saying, MODERATION in ALL things?  I'm beginning to wonder if our lives are going to settle down any. We're been on a marathon for a few weeks now~over a month since coming into the decision to change our homeschooling methods to a virtual academy online school verses ME doing all the planning, prep and execution (TEACHING LOL) of everything.  You can read about our progression
HERE where I've listed the links to the posts I made along our journey. You see, this all began with a poll I gave my kids back in December when I asked, ASKED them..WHAT they think about homeschooling and HOW we are doing~YIKES! Sometimes TRUTH HURTS and to have not addressed it would imho been criminal~sooo we have logged some SERIOUS changes and you can read about them: room gut and remodel, desk building and set ups, uh...revamp of the WHOLE deal...at the first link above...BUT~

We are NOW heading into week 3 of Virtual Academy and it's feeling pretty good except for the exhaustion.  We've had to adapt to changes and new routines. Not entirely fun, but very rewarding.

We've learned some things~ 
My children are prepared. 

I can praise God for this, and before, while I BELIEVED they were/are prepared, who wouldda known without putting them to the test? They didn't know, which was ONE of the big why to our change~they didn't have any confidence....NOW it's growing b/c they CAN...and DO...praise God!

There IS quality education beyond what I can offer~AND they will partner WITH ME...
I would have never believed it before, and somehow I sunk down into the mindset that I had a handle on it all~which is the first step to becoming a fool I might add~The Bible talks a lot about fools...GOOD to have avoided being a fool~for NOW...LOL...opportunity is ALWAYS knocking, isn't it?? LOL....But back to the help we are receiving~my son struggles in one area and my daughter in another. Both are gifted in other completely different areas~but to have teachers who LOVE to teach~I'm telling you, that I CAN TELL these people LOVE kids and LOVE teaching~it's showing and this skeptical mama WOULD KNOW...and I'd tell you, too...remember the name of my little blog here...I am Telln' It! Sure am!! LOL....With the difficulties of a learning disability and being thrown into the academic arena that we have never been in before~my children are demonstrating incredible courage, strength, character and abilities~AND...these teachers are recognizing my wonderful children and stepping UP to help when needed joyfully so...I could not EVER ask for more. NO! I couldn't! I am praising God for wonderful teachers and advisers...

I know it's just week two completed, but we are learning about ourselves too. Our Daddy has stepped to the plate and is helping in my weaker areas, and together this whole family is doing the job of living and loving while learning!  What a blessing! I'm figuring out, too that we can have some fun along the way~We're looking for moderation, as our days have been incredibly long thus far. It's taking THIS to accomplish the tasks and learn the information, but I am so well pleased by their tenacity. BTW~both children have said, "Mom, wish we had done this sooner!" WOW...WOW...and of course they know WHY we didn't, but that they wanted to despite this huge learning curve that has required LOADS of extra effort on their parts? I AM TRULY impressed...yeah, SisterT has GREAT KIDS~I am seeing and knowing this too!

As for me, I'm still working on ME~my health: mind, body and soul.  I'm learning that my physical is so related to my mental and spiritual self.  You can read about that HERE!

Places We're Going and People We're Seeing...

I made it out a few times this week and my kids and I got to go sledding and snowboarding on Wednesday at Youth Group~this is a hoot~We have a great group of kids my kids are apart of~WHAT A FUN TIME~also they went to the Y with me last night~this was fun too!  Last Friday night my daughter and a friend went to a youth square dance with other homeschoolers~Woot!  Otherwise, it was mostly a week of schoolwork dawn til dusk..but hopefully THIS WEEK will be better...here's hoping!  BTW~there is a Spring Dance (square dances~VA Reel, ect....) coming in a few weeks~The pic is from last year:

My Favorite Thing This Week was...

Seeing how wonderful my children's tenacity and efforts are producing fruit. I also got testing results back that are very encouraging~I can only give God the credit and praise! Also right NOW our Daddy is running the electrical lines to all the equipment in the new schoolroom AND had installed a shelf~NEW pics coming...What a joy for it to be coming together!

What's Working/Not Working For Us...

 How long it's taking to accomplish the days. I am worried that doc and dentist as well as extra curriculars will have to be on the back burner until Summer...not liking this~also our play, Charlotte's Web is in mid-April as well as Graduation Exams and so there are some scheduling/time challenges coming! NOT liking this at all~

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

I am wonder HOW we are going to keep up this pace...so I am looking for help. I've already secured professional tutoring services for them both to come here weekly to help in their weak areas, but wondering HOW this will all work...I am just having to give it to God b/c I just CAN'T fix any of this...it's in HIS capable hands...thank You, Lord!

Thanks for coming by~How's your week?? 
GIVEAWAY:  for the film, MOST...ENDS (2-14 11:59PM EST) 
HUGS!

A photo to share...(maybe a few...)

Gotcha!

Our iced in snowed in home....LOL...

Girl's School desk~

Boys' approach to history...

Girl's DNA model build...

Grinning for GREAT grades 13/10~WOOT!

Genius at work...go girl!!

 

Blog Cruise: Grandma to the RESCUE and What Daddy Does~

Long past Winter FUN!

The last two week's subjects have not pertained to our homeschool AT ALL so I took those weeks off, but the question this week is:

How are your spouse, grandparents, or other family members involved in your homeschooling?

 There's an interesting story about my son.  When he was little, he was delayed in speaking and therefore learning to read. When a young baby fails to gain the necessary verbal skills early on, it shouldn't be surprising that these created delays that have been a hallmark in our educational process all along~we are playing CATCH UP continuously~But here's that story:

As part of trying to teach my boy HOW to read, I first began teaching the letters and sounds via ABeka Book curriculum K boxed curriculum. He loved it, and we also played with all kinds of manipulatives and did speech services as well...he also attended 3 and 4 year old preschool which he LOVED~and had speech services, but Kindergarten was the year I brought him home and we began learning to read together. Let me say also that I read to the children, memorized poetry, and did all kinds of stuff when they were littles~but he was difficult to understand~but he did try to BE understood~well, it was a challenge!  But anyway, we began working and learning, but it didn't seem to be progressing~at least not fast enough for me.  I also used Starfall.com for the computer games/interactive reading lessons and even the physical workbooks that they offer to NO avail~then I head about a multi-sensory Sing Spell Read and Write (SSWR) program by Sue Dickson.  Enter in some progress as there are songs, games and all manner of FUN with a race track for a race car to mark the progress like a game~this went on the fridge~the resources were colorful and fun! We worked and worked and played and played...still NO independent reading...very little...

We had begun living out of state from where we are originally from and my mother had come to visit~ENTER Grandma! Grandma began to read a loud with him~or RATHER, he read to HER.  This provided some wonderful bonding between them, but also gave my boy some intense one on one beyond what I was doing or had done AND speech therapists~what a blessing! Well, he showed her...something he wouldn't show me...he could read! His skills were stronger than I knew~ha! AND that booger was READING his online games on the computer too~no kidding! 

 

We were in AWANA at church, and my son was a Sparkie at the time which is K, 1 & 2nd grades...anyway, he was working to memorize his verses, and well, one day, I looked over at him~HE WAS READING AND independently memorizing his verses...Ha! WHAT A STINKER! and sooo from then on, I've known that Grandma has a special touch~and he DOES READ, praise God! Well, the upshot is that today, fluency is still an issue, but it's a speech issue, yet; however, reading is a skill he has/is still mastering. He's a freshman in high school and as such took a test to judge his ability and compare him peer to peer~GUESS WHAT? He's inline with the national average for his peer group~Okay, now, I don't know what THAT IS for the public school and it's a little frightening for me to think about it~BUT...he's in there with the whole lot!! Soooo dear reader, WE PRESS ON...(and this is a topic for another day...LOL!)

Daddy has always been part of our homeschool whether it is directly or indirectly.  Right now, he is serving indirectly as our FRONT LINE technical support, room designer, and  TOTAL principle and math and science tutor~oh yeah, I NEED help in these areas, and he's helped our children when it was beyond me~Of course he is absolute disciplinarian and also the leader of this tribe.  His attitudes quickly become theirs in all things whether it's spiritual or relational~he's our mentor.  Daddies are hugely important, and ours is here! I couldn't do this job without him for the good, the bad AND the UGLY parts of our lives together~oh, it's not all pretty~this thing called, LIFE...but we are in this together...teaching our children directly and INDIRECTLY!

Right now, he's out in a freezing garage (we've had teen temperatures these past few days) creating a book/printer shelf to go over my son's work space in the newly renovated (but not  perfectly finished yet) school area. He did that part too~you can read about that in Revamping and Remodeling  
New Method For Our HSing.
 First Day... 
 Change Ahead...
We're Workn' It...

State of the Union...!)  We are a total work in progress~

Grandma lives with us now and her part today is keeping the food rolling and doing laundry.  I clean and teach~Daddy works and builds...the kids work too~we're all doing it ALL together~each part. Grandma is also teaching GirlThingOne how to cook...BoyThingOne is learning this too...

There are some max benefits to having the family all homeschooling together, and since coming to Virtual Academy, the team work approach is even a better fit. Now we have teachers to help us too~and WHAT a blessing to find just how great this help has been!  

The CREW is discussing FAMILY involvement in homeschooling              ! Go CK IT OUT!! 

Thanks for stopping by~leave me a thought or two~how are you doing this day or week? HUGS!! 

REVIEW: The Curosity Files~QuickSand

The Curiosity Files:  Quicksand

Explorations with Professor Ana Lyze, Expert in Outlandish OdditiesWebsite:  HERE  (You can purchase this series in bundles too for a discounted price per study!)
Ages: K-HS, but I think that fourth-fifth grades boys would LOVE it!
Cost: $6.95
I say: Unique fun unit study!

I received a copy of Curiosity Files QuickSand by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine as part of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Crew review team for my honest opinions without monetary compensation.  My opinions are my own.

I have encountered QUICKSAND and I never knew it until I read this Curiosity Files unit study!  Having grown up around marsh and beaches, I had no idea just what quicksand is, but found that I just couldn't put down Curiosity Files: Quicksand because it is written in such an interesting way~

HOLD YOUR HAT!

The Curiosity Files: Quicksand is a version of The Old Schoolhouse Magazines' newest line of unit studies for kids ALL ages~a whopping 80 pages that includes a very well written narrative and all kinds of activities for learning about quicksand.  There are alternative titles and if you are CURIOS, the subjects are actually listed in the essay subject suggestions area or of course, you can ck out the website, The Schoolhouse StoreHERE!

INSIDE:

Narrative
Bible Study
Games
Copy Work
Recreations
Safety Tips
Geography
MORE~

Basically EVERYTHING you could ever think about to learn of QUICKSAND is right in this The Curiosity Files: Quicksand!  You won't be disappointed~and what's really neat is that you can purchase this online and do an immediate download~You will need a printer but the study is set up totally interactive!  Pretty COOL~

I like it~There are extensions for high schoolers such as an enhanced vocabulary list and activities.  I can see that there are some solid offerings for young learners too, but overall, to get the biggest bulk of the information and use, I think a 4-5th grade boy would just LOVE quicksand! This format of these unit studies is to peak the curiosity and interest of kids about unusual and unique stuff~It does that~FUN!

Head             to read about a variety of Curiosity Files that the CREW chose to review!

Fit Mommy Friday: WK 6~Hitting a GROOVE~

Here's my valentine~no choco for me! 20 yrs and going strong!

I began this HEALTH journey actually back in April of 2010.  I need to loose a lot of weight and also to get physically fit.  Both are a health issue, so when I got the information about Fit Mommy I decided to join up~of course, I am at the beginner level~You can join up too~just click that button on top and read on~

But I've been faithful. I kept going. AND TODAY makes 19 weeks no sugar or white flour~though my wt loss is slow, it's extremely healthy.  I'm down the last weigh in 41lbs.  I am feeling great and while this past week has been stressful, I am going forward with my food and exercise plan.  Ppl can think they are being healthy ignoring the food aspect, but I tell you that I have weighed less than I do right now, but I was bigger. NO JOKE! The inflammation that not eating healthy caused my body actually put pounds on me too~in excess bloated swollen puffy body~but I've been literally shrinking since changing my FUEL and drinking water~I still struggle with that part. Water is just one of those hard things even though we have a distiller and drink only that!

Here's my week:

I exercised three days at the YMCA for water aerobics and it may seem lame, but I like it.  The HOT TUB afterward is a treat too!

The other four days I did stretches and more movement.  I can't wait for the ice to melt~Spring, you say??? LOL...

Thanks for stopping by and HEAD HERE  to read the other Fit Mommys!
PLZ don't forget my giveAway 
for a christian film~ENDS Feb 14th 11:59EST! Woot!

Review and GiveAway: MOST~the film: THE BRIDGE

MOST~"The Bridge"

Website:  HERE
Ages:  teens-adult
Release Date: March 1, 2011
I say: Inspiring!

I received Most from Propeller as part of a review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation. My views are my own.

MOST is a Czech Republic made and voiced film whose title means The Bridge with subtitles.  Not to spoil this for you, let me say that this 33 minutes will get you on the edge of your seat and nearly in tears.  Be aware that there are adult themes within the film as people with ordinary and extraordinary lives is shown.  Nothing racy in this film, but not suitable for young children.  I was moved by the acting of the character of the father~there are subtitles mostly, but the film moves in such a way that if you didn't read them it is still clearly understandable.

When the climax has occurred, and I began to settle myself just a bit~it became clear to me that there is meaning much deeper than what is simply viewed on screen~a picture of God, the Father and His love for ordinary and extraordinary people alike and how this love impacts them~NO SPOILER HERE!
You gotta watch this one~yourself!



Good new~I get to give one away to a fortunate reader:

Let's end this one on Mar 1st 11:59PM EST~
Leave me a comment telling me WHO you love~

For extra entries:
5~Share my giveaway on your blog, Facebook or twitter~be sure and leave me a link on each separate entry.
5~ BIG ONES~grab my widget or button and put on your blog~Leave me a link telling me you did on five separate entries
1 ~Join my friends list by Google Friend Connect or Linked Blogs~thanks very much!
1~Like on Facebook (click the Website link above and you'll be there! ;-))

Thanks for stopping and entering. I believe you will be blessed!

FREE: Online Learning Games~Language Arts, Math, Social Sciences and the Arts

PBS KIDS Whiteboard Games

Inspirtational Film~

Sometimes all we need is something to lift us up~
The Power of Attitude

World Math Day COMING~Registration Closes Feb 28th

World Math Day
Imagine math games and competing with kids for all over the world~THIS IS AWESOME!

State of the Union~Homeschooling Virtual Academy Week 2

So this is our second week, day two.  Wow! We have really worked so hard and long! I had no idea how tough and what actual skills would be required to be successful, but after the first week, I definitely have a better idea!  I am truly amazed at the strengths my children are exhibiting! While I have felt quite a bit of distress last week, the strengths are definitely outweighing the weaknesses~Praise God!

Things I love about online virtual academy schooling:
1. Beautiful materials have been sent to us. I have been shocked at the brand new exhaustive supplies sent to each child.  We were sent brand new hardback books as well as a huge science kit~one for biology and one for physical science. It is amazing all the materials sent as well as a desk top calendar per child along with monitor, keyboard and headset for the coursework.

2.  Teacher involvement.  I would NEVER have guessed how much this is good! These teachers seem very engaged and want my children to succeed.  Oh, they aren't giving them grades, but they are willing to be called upon and help when we need it.  I've tested this out already! There's a definite learning curve coming in at the beginning of Semester 2 so it's been added to the difficulty of a change.  . . CHANGE is rough to begin with, but the attentiveness and positive attitude and help is amazing!

3.  The course work is good. It's pretty interactive~not exactly multimedia but it has buttons and drop downs, some multimedia (of what I've seen so far) and is colorful. There are textbooks to go along with the course work online.  I definitely am liking this.

4.  Class Connects are the white board class meetings with teachers where the students and teachers interact and teaching occurs. The teacher has a microphone and sometimes a camera, but mostly auditory so that the students can hear her/him and this has been really a neat feature.  Each of my kids has their own desktop area with computer monitor and so they are quite able to focus on what is going on.  The students are often allowed chat sessions with the restriction of it being within the rules of good taste so that relationships can be formed before and after "class."  It's loads of fun, and I've joined them often so that I am fully aware of what is happening with my children's educations.

5.  NO MORE GUILT~I have worried, oh Lord has I fretted for a few years now about how was I~little alone, and struggling I GET THIS JOB done of educating them to the level THEY WANTED (college prep) and prepare them for life. You have to know, dear Reader-Friend, that my influence as a parent is not diminished in utilizing this resource, but I feel it's enhanced. I am actively and still very much engaged. THIS IS the best of all the worlds...and they are still getting their Christian education as well~I'm praying with them each morning and making moral and Biblical/historical references when appropriate and useful.  I've NOT abandoned them, as I had feared I might if I did such a thing as hand some of the control over to THE SCHOOL...no indeedy~I've actually gained some allies and helpers along the way! Praise God!

Soooo.......WHAT do my kids say?

GT1  "I like it!  I like the fact that it's a little bit of a challenge.  I like the teachers and the learning environment too."
BT1  "I like it!  You have a schedule you have to follow and it can be flexible. I like not having unexpected things come up. I can make plans to get my work done!"

Here's the pics~

We learned about the Cold War and this was one of the supplements I found...I am still teaching~ha!

The Berlin Wall History

Soo this dude thinks kids don't need college? Maybe the don't really NEED high school...I'm just sayn...LOL.

FREE: SAT prep Vocab Site

VocabAhead ~vocab videos

Read my review HERE!

REVIEW: VocabAhead One Thousand SAT Vocabulary Videos & Mp3s

VocabAhead~One Thousand SAT Vocabulary Videos and Mp3s

Lafazi, Inc
Website:  HERE!
Ages: Jr/Sr high school-adult
$24.95 @Amazon.com 
I say:  Great resource for anyone who desire increased vocab!

I was given VocabAhead~One Thousand SAT Vocabulary Videos & Mp3s as part of The Old Schoolhouse Crew review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation.  My opinions are my own.

It's important to ck out a good solid vocabulary program to increase their word usage and communicate effectively no matter the age of your child and VocabAhead is a neat tool with loads of cartoon pictures to link meanings to words~This DVD employs the learning for a visual learner and an auditory learner~what a boost!  I like these cartoons that are well done and the little short film or narrative includes a word usage sentence with an explanation.  I think all kids will like this, but for the child who needs a picture, you won't go wrong.   
Here's the VocabAhead widget:



This DVD set of words number 1179 and it's amazing how great these are! Your child could actually enjoy vocabulary building, but this isn't really for a young child. The definitions employ a larger vocabulary than a young child might have and I didn't really like all of the definitions to some of the words or words used, like abase and burlesque.  Really? Is it necessary to include such?  The cartoons while appealing do present the words in a somewhat extreme manner.  The videos are short and direct~about 55 sec long~We liked that!

I checked out the website and it's got some really neat features that go along with the word videos~The Study Room has many of the videos for FREE as well as word building flashcards and quizes~the words are laid out alphabetically and you can customize your list~all for FREE~and you know, SisterT loves FREE! But if you'd like to record these videos on the Mp3 to carry around, then you will want this DVD...and it's got more words~Amazing teaching method!  You can access the site and there is a Teacher Area's area as well as a sign up to receive a vocabulary cartoon each day. 

I like this learning tool, but I'd be more comfortable if the content was consistent for the higher road in life, and I'm just not sure that unless you want to download the audio that the purchase price is worth it~like I said, SisterT loves FREE!  There's a lot to get on the website FREE, and it appears that it's just words albeit there are 1179 on the DVD~that Study Room is appealing!  Since I collect FREE resources, I am adding VocabAhead to my list.  

We like VocabAhead~Hope you will check out what the rest of TOS Crew is saying                 !

FREE: Reading Assessment on Line

SisterT drives a hard bargain. I don't spend my money anymore that I have to, and so I'm always looking for a good deal.  If you don't know, I've been compiling for over a year a handy-dandy little list on the FREEbies/GiveAway tab on my blog to list out all kinds of online free curriculum stuff~and today I just found a neat little site that has FREE reading assessments in decoding, fluency and comprehension.

If you have a young or struggling reader and you want to know where they are in the process you can ck this out.  It even has levels up to the 10th grade~which I think is pretty cool! ;-)) Since we began Virtual Academy K12 last week, my children have both completed the scantron testing in math and reading. I've gotten my daughter's score and am awaiting my son's.

Here's that link:
FREE: Reading Tests in the decoding (phonics, fluency (oral speed) and comprehencsion (understanding.)

Thanks for stopping in~
HUGS!

Blog Help~Thinking About THINKING...and Blogging...

With so many blogs and so many blog friends available, what would a simple blogger like me have to do to find a community of readers that I can meet their needs and in the process HAVE A GREAT BLOG?

I am giving this question some snaptic power and considering a few things~

1.  Not everyone will *like* me and follow~nor will I, but the effort is well worth the prize of more friends who follow and comment~YEAH!

2.  There's limited time~I have made it may goal to follow my friends who comment and follow ME~but I realize it's not reciprocated sometimes~OH WELL...I love my friends~and maybe there are reasons...

Like~they're busy, tired, not into blogging right now, not interested in what I'm saying, not taking the time, or just flat out didn't think about it~but whatever, following behind comments and getting to know readers is GREAT networking and blog boosting...

3.  Blog tastes are different. I've fallen in LUV with quite  a few blogs; some I would like a separate follow designation like: The BEST of THE BEST so I can keep THOSE closeby~but you can bet your bottom dollar that SisterT will stop and read those blogs that catch her eye...and all readers are like this...Soo

4 The GREATEST blog boosting strategy has GOT TO BE good content...readers LUV what appeals to them...and I'm no different.  Soo blog hopping is like blog shopping~find a jewel? I like to add them to my sidebars for you all to read...share with you what I am reading and loving...Your comments give me hints on what you like and what you are thinking~I LOVE these~Please keep talking to me ;-))

5. I'd like to suggest following  Brent Riggs of Linky Tools who has several really good articles in his site Building a Better Blog. Isn't that what we all hope to do?  The above link will take you to an article on increasing traffic, readers and loyalty.  You won't go wrong to follow Brent.  He has several sites and offerings including a digital inspirational magazine, Serious Life Magazine...Go ck them out!

Thanks for reading my thinking today~and I'd deeply appreciate your reflections on my blog or any other helpful/encouraging thought you have for me~Have a blessed day! HUGS!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal W2: Virtual School~Day ONE For REAL...

We began our new journey into the K12 life~and boy, it was a little rough.  Now, it's not all bad, as we did hit most of our marks, but it's taking a good deal to pull it all together~One factor was that my daughter was out of pocket most of the day, Monday for Drama Club, and this meant that I wasn't there for my son and that she wasn't available to get her work done while on the road and in the classes~soooo it was a long night! But I am praying that in the long run~we will become old pros at our new routines.

I'm not sitting here on Saturday after we began on that Monday and feeling a ton more enlightened. First I know that this is a rigorous curriculum and much like reading a scanned textbook~more than...let's say 90% reading ONLY: the type is smallish, and I've found no way to enlarge it, and the navigation is a bit awkward too.  Maybe that part is the LEARNING CURVE of jumping in so fast?? and will improve with time? I truly HOPE so! The teachers are very responsive and engaging! They all seems to be wonderful people and very knowledgeable, but I think the most important thing with them is that they do seem to care and continually are engaging the learners~mine included.  The thing about this for me is that I have 10-12 classes (two of their classes have YET to begin) to keep up with~they are in some classes together, so this helps me, but whew~LOADS to keep looking at for sure!  When communicating, I am so new that the in house email system is awkward for me too, but I know in time it will be a breeze, so just because I am an email expert (not) but could easily get around in email doesn't mean I am finding this system overly fast and efficient. One thing would be that I'd love to be able to FORWARD emails between recipients sometimes which there seems to be no feature to do~alas, I am off topic...but just so you know, I have found both good and bad in our program in the curriculum itself AND in some of the tech features...and speaking of technology, I've had to call them about five times this week.  Enter the chick/tech who when she had asked me something like, 4 times to repeat my request AND STILL didn't have it right~and I asked her to transfer me to someone ELSE~BEGAN YELLING...THIS did not make me happy...so I said, "I'm sorry, but I am hanging up now!" and did after I tried my best to get her to understand that she just needed to transfer me and NOT argue that I wanted to BE transferred~LOL...IS IT possible she was drunk, high, or on drugs??? Good grief.;-/

I'm having some 'sticker shock' where my son is concerned.  By the end of that very first day, I knew/know that this is probably the BIGGEST challenge of his life short of the very first few moments after birth when he needed to inhale and let out a huge wail! YEAH, I am VERY serious...I have sadly, set him up, albeit so unintentionally, to FAIL...You have to know how much I not only love this boy, but also have push, pulled, tugged and towed him all his academic career~and I know that he has developed at a somewhat typical rate, but has remained behind...BEHIND...and my evaluation is that one really needs ALL the skills you can get to be successful in k12 curriculum.  STRONG reading is a must! STRONG writing is another must! And reasoning just HAS to be in place~we are sooo NOT any of these~not that we haven't tried...my Lord, HOW WE HAVE TRIED! And the despair I feel right now edges on hysteria, to be honest.  But he's not concerned, God bless him.  NO he's not. And I guess this is a blessing~and maybe~oh DEAR LORD, JUST maybe HE WILL be okay...but I want you to know dear friends that SisterT is heavily laden with such guilt for I fear that I have set him up ... ...TO FAIL...he simply does not have the needed skills.  WISH TO GOD this was different, but it's not. AND wish that I had done something different~but I didn't.  I have tried. God knows that I have over the years, but the knowledge of all the efforts of the past 10 years has NOT and does not make any change in the fact that my son is not equipped to succeed in this series of courses.  AND I am sick over it.  SICK.

I wish I could throw out some GREAT plan to get things going so that the train wreck I see coming could be avoided...but I don't know.  I have been communicating to his teachers~well, not exactly~NOT YET have I given all that medical/educational background info that this mother had so hoped could be not only changed, but in many ways~IGNORED, because EFFORT IS NOT what we are short on here!  It's frankly some weird freakish twist of the will of God in my son's life that has thus far relegated him to a life of struggle...do I sound angry with God? I haven't really found myself so angry with Him, but rather more in fear, hurt, and longing...I soo desire for him to succeed...you have NO idea what we have done or gone through, but all of that~this has no bearing on our need to be successful at this stage in our education.  Soo with all said, I have found it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to write that letter to all of his teachers outlining his learning history and needs/intricacies.  Call it pride, fear, anxiety..perhaps more pride than anything~I didn't want to liable him~My son HAS pride. I have encouraged and loved him all his life~He's a wonderful boy who is not deviant or even has a mean bone ...(WAIT.  15 year old boys are rotten, right?? LOL...so sainted, HE IS NOT! LOL) but I have a loving, hard working concerned boy who is working soo hard...and his grades right now?? After the first week?? Mostly F.  I am not kidding you, dear friends.  F.

Soo I am writing a letter to CC it to all his teachers/advisor and counselor so that perhaps there is HELP for my child.  But I fear that we are head banging and that a dream and goal of this high school diploma is not possible~I FEAR...I FEAR....and I am praying for forgiveness from God who first I have sooo wronged by NOT being upfront...and then I will talk to my son~heart to heart and apologize. Sincerely BEG him to forgive me for setting him up~even though I DID NOT intend to...but, WHAT WAS I THINKING?? Was I insane and all caught up in the process of getting prepared and getting IN that I failed, soo FAILED to look out for his best interests????? OH MY LORD! I AM undone in my own failure right now and typing through tears is not something SisterT enjoys~THIS FEELS ROTTEN.  I CAN'T AND DON'T KNOW HOW to fix this~God knows IF I could have..I WOULD have.  He knows, but...it never changed it...never.  Sooo this mama, SisterT is going to STAND UP and be strong as best she can with knees shaking and heart racing to push and encourage my son and figure out how we can make it...honestly make it~somehow. But I have such doubts.  In giving the information to the professionals, I am also asking for their help.  HELP! HELP! HELP! There are a couple of things I KNOW to ask for, such as some kind of acronym that means, monitor and document for my child so that help CAN be gotten, and then I have also asked for a writing workshop for him and an auditory reader component to the curriculum so that the reading is lightened...I am in HOPEs that the teachers know more how to help him...


But right now, I'm left with my hurt and fears...I do have some limited HOPE.  HOPE that in time, a miracle will occur and my son will be healed~but for now, I must continue to help and support and love...oh, yes,,,LOVE and accept him for who he is but also encourage the growth that he needs~MAYBE the growth in my OWN LIFE that I need.  Pride always goes BEFORE a fall,and I have sinned. I am deeply pride laden, I fear.  God, please forgive me and help my unbelief~HELP ME to trust you MORE!

So with all of this~I will give you my journal for this week:

In My Life This Week and In Our Homeschool This Week are in the above.  Enter that we had a big ice/snow storm mid week and that my routines were so skewed.  I am still on my health plan, but my emotions have taken a beating! Maybe I can get out again to the YMCA to swim? Maybe...

Places We're Going and People We're Seeing...

My daughter did all the traveling around this week. First she was in their Drama Club on Monday and then on Friday night attended a costume party/square dance~she came home pumped and happy~Praise God! My son didn't want to go but preferred chatting online with a friend from out of state and shoveling/picking and digging at the ice and snow.  I am impressed with his work ethic and tenacity. He will a wonderful young man. Feeling a little blessed right now with both my kids! PTL!

While taking my daughter to Drama Club, I wish I had my camera because I saw a chiropractor office: Dr. Doup~I am NOT kidding...and his parter~Dr. Doup-Snapp...NOW this is priceless! Gotta LOVE it! ;-))

Also I learned some valuable lessons~in the drivethru bank~don't yell out your bank no~PPL ARE listening! LOL....and secondly~I remembered (until I worked at forgetting it) the dumb number...LOL....uh....uh....LOL!

Then I almost got run into a crater hole by a semi...LOL...good thing he saw me or else my truck would be mush about now...LOL...

Okay, it's just been one of THOSE days, BUT...GirlThingOne is going to be a dancing gosling and a baby spider in Charlotte's Web~woot!  I am soo excited!

My Favorite Thing This Week was...

Seeing my daughter flourish in her studies. Oh it's been tough for her, but she is skilled and determined~her grades are doing well and she's hitting the marks!  I loved all the effort they both put into their schoolwork and I know learning occurred in a HUGE WAY...this can make a mama proud! woot!

What's Working/Not Working For Us...
Reading the begining of this post, you know this already where our schooling is concerned.  But I must focus on our positives so I'm going to write a quick gratitude list:
health
home
family
friends
abilities
successes
challenges
warm home
comfy chair
lap top...
I could go on..what are you grateful for today? This helps me stay focused and see God's hand in my life ;-))

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...I believe I've already address this one too...

A photo to share...(maybe a few...)

Thanks for stopping by~and offering up a prayer for us as we continue our homeschooling! :-)) How's your week turning out???  If you want to join up or read the other Moms' week head HERE!

REVIEW: ROMAN TOWN: THE PREMIERE ARCHAEOLOGY INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GAME FOR KIDS (CD)

ROMAN TOWN: The Premiere Archeology Interactive Computer Game For Kids (CD) 

Website:  HERE

 Ages:  K-6th grade

Cost: $39 (COUPON CODE: TOS2011, but you only have until February 21, 2011 ACT FAST!)

I say: Fun game for elementary children!

I received a download of Roman Town by Dig It! Games as a reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation. My opinions are my own.

We're one of those families that must be weird because we never had a game system~we didn't need one~we have our computers! It all began years ago, almost twenty in fact when that first computer came into our house, and they've never left~WE LOVE THEM~and today the computer is our communication, our schooling, our working AND OUR FUN~We LOVE computer GAMES!



Roman Town is an interactive computer game for children with colorful animated pictures that provide interest and fun to learn about ancient Rome after the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in A.D 79.  It features different games that can be played and all increase the knowledge of artifacts related to that period of history.  Wish that I had this when my kids were much younger. I will say that as teens, Roman Town is no challenge for them, but I can see that a child who has pretty good reading skills such as about 3rd grade although a younger child would enjoy pieces of it such as the dig part where the tools and workers are employed.  There is a good bit of reading required, and I'm afraid that a child who would enjoy the types of skills employed in this game system would find it too difficult to really enjoy the FULL educational value because they couldn't read the words, but an older child who could depending upon their games knowledge/skill just might not like it so much. While I like the animation, there is little multimedia effect in it~it just moves some...I'd like to have seen MORE! 



I played these games in my version of this system and found that it was challenging especially the 3-D puzzles and 2-D puzzles and the matching, but again if a child isn't a reader, while they would like the colorful graphics and appeal of the these kinds of activities, the reading ability and amount would most likely frustrate that same child. I had such a child with low reading ability who was average and above in other skills, but the challenge to find engaging activities that also increased knowledge was pretty difficult, just like finding good solid easy to read story plots in literature. Imagine teaching a teen to read with Dick and Jane!  Soo while I like the features of the information provided, the colorfulness of the program and that the content is addressed to the child in a fun storyline, I have doubts about ALL that reading.  But don't get me wrong, the information is good and informative. I would have liked to have seen a timer on the puzzles or some other kinds of challenges built in~dunno what would make it more interactive, but for a child old enough to do all the reading, it might not hold his attention for very long. For the younger child, the eye hand coordination will be worked well in using the mouse or touch screen with these games and if an adult or an older sib will help with the reading it will be a good fit.

All in all, wish Roman Town had been available just a few years ago with my kids~they would have loved it b/c they were soo into archeology at that time and dug up our back yard~woot!

The CREW is reviewing Roman Town and don't just take my word for it~Head             to ck them out!

Fit Mommy Friday: WK 5: Snowed Under and Snowed IN~

It's been a very weird week.  We got hit with an ice storm with loads of snow and I've been STUCK right in this house without my YMCA trips to exercise, but I wasn't completely idle.  It has been an exhausting week because for the first time since my daughter as in K and my son in 5th grade that they have been in a public school~an online virtual K12 school...and we began on Monday!  Picture the haggard, sleep deprived Mom with her house dress and slippers~MOST of the week! LOL...Here's just HOW it went with ME...

Food was good in that I continue to be sugar free/white flour free, but I have noticed that I might be eating more...I dunno, honest...b/c UNLESS I measure, I can't visualize proper portions very well...sooo it's obvious I haven't been measuring! Oh boy! THIS can be trouble...yes it can!  Today makes 18 weeks and counting! God is good!

Exercise is different this week. I have done some movement and house cleaning stuff to be up and going all week. I spend two days out in stores hauling groceries or other good in and out of stores...I stayed pretty busy doing it on Sat and Monday both.  Sat I got to go to my fave grocery where we buy all the fresh foods.  I bought fresh pineapple, oranges, bananas, onions, greens, fresh green beans, vine ripened tomatoes, zucchini....uh...all sorts of good food to eat mostly raw and fresh. I am convinced food is a major key to health!

Okay, this sums it up pretty much except to say that I am looking to God to help me combat my poor health issues.  I am obese and for my weight I do well, but I am just too darned big~God help me! And my exercise is not what others can do, I know.  But to be a Fit Mommy I have to start somewhere with movement~I guess I am at or BELOW Level One~but grateful to be able to share with you all~Thanks for your encouragement. I am reading Max Lucados' Outlive Your Life, the Recovery Bible and the Life Recovery Workbook as well as For Today, and Beth Moore's Breaking Free.  These all add something to my walk with the Lord towards health.




Thanks again for stopping by and checking on me~If you haven't done so, check out the other fit mommies   HERE!