Home School Weekly Digest

Over the past week Hope has been learning about North American Indians. We are reading the book Squanto, Friend Of The Pilgrims which Hope begs me to keep reading once we've finished the day's chapter. I love it! We made a wigwam on Tuesday and two teepees on Thursday. She really enjoyed making them and I helped a bit. She created a landscape to go with them.

The little white things are people.

Hope's memory verse this week is John 8:12 Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." We made these candles to remind us of the verse. They say "Jesus is the light of the world" and are covered in salt to give them a fancy effect. This morning when we had announcements, Bruce asked if anyone had any other things to share and Hope (I had asked her to share last night, but told her it was her choice) spoke up, shared her verse from memory and played a CD that had this scripture in song form to share with everyone. It was beautiful and Emma, Hope, Owen and I sang along. I pray that as we continue in our house church adventure, we figure out how to involve the kids more. I want her to be an example to the believers! (1 Timothy 4:12)

We have been studying stars and our universe this past week as well. Thursday after Moki Mix soup (Indian beans) dinner, we headed up to Red Rocks to star gaze.

I just "happened" to find a great children's book on star gazing the day before! We brought the star finder with us to try to identify some constellations. It took awhile for us to find anything, but after some searching, we found the big dipper.

We brought binoculars (didn't help), glow sticks (did help-thank you dollar bins at Target) and a nice blanket to lay down on. The kids had a blast.

I caught Hope reading a library book to Emma the other day. Owen couldn't resist listening as well. Those Clifford books are so cute and a great reading level for Hope to read to her siblings. Man, it is WONDERFUL to have another reader in the house ;)

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't a usual thing for our house, but over all the kids entertain each other pretty often. One of the benefits of big families :) Yesterday Emma and Levi played in our backyard for OVER an hour while I cooked dinner. They were so cute to listen to and sneak peeks!

When Hope saw me taking pics, she wanted me to take a photo of a page in the book.

~Rose
P.S. It's nice to recap the good times of the week. We had many not-so-good moments this week, where there was no love and I was wondering why God thought I could handle four kids...lol! I am still so far from where I want to be as a mother, but God in His longsuffering and lovingkindness keeps forgiving me, picking me up and giving me the endurance to keep on keeping on. This blog helps me look on the bright side and celebrate what I am thankful for...mostly my husband and kids.

Levi's New Hair Cut

Levi's hair was getting into his eyes...so I took out the clippers and cut it all off! I love it and by the time winter arrives it will be grown out a bit which will be nice. I am REALLY enjoying him lately. He is at one of the cutest age ever. He's just so fun and happy. He loves to play catch with any kind of ball he can get his hand on, and is quite good at throwing it.

He can stand, but still no walking! Ohhhh, I love those toes...just want to eat them up!

The rear view of the cute head. Yes, Melissa, I had Seinfeld on again...ha ha! When one only has 8 channels to choose from, one quickly realizes that there is not much to watch on TV!

~Rose

Art Class- Hendrick Avercamp

This week we looked at a piece of art painted by Hendrick Avercamp. He was a dutch painter born in 1585 who was deaf and mute. His winter scenes are truly amazing and enjoyable to look at. I had never heard of his work before I opened this book. I would love to see his work face to face. The kids learned about painting winter landscapes with watercolors. We washed the top in blue and dropped water to make clouds. The brown hilly land came next. Once that was all dry we used dark brown and straws to blow trees. Challenging for the kids, but fun.

Emma's Art

Owen's Art

Hope's Art

~Rose

Ladies who like to bake, craft, ect...This is for you!

So, I have been reading a new home school mom's blog recently. She has a wonderful blog and routeinly posts links to great websites out there. Today she had a link to this wonderful on-line magazine that I just looked through. All 20 pages were wonderful...I want to bake, craft, do it all! If you subscribe now, you can get it for free :) And at that price, we can all afford it! Note: the magazine says it's for mothers and daughters, but really any gal will enjoy it (if she likes that home maker type of stuff). Kameron, I am thinking of you ;)
~Rose

Big Brother Is Watching You!

We got this in the mail yesterday. Desi was on his way home from helping Carrie chop down her tree and apparently was driving a bit too fast. So now we know...there's a camera on MLK Blvd! We both agreed that getting speeding tickets this way is not very sporting. We'd prefer that the police actually catch us in person! At least this won't go on Desi's record. There is always a silver lining to those clouds!

~Rose

Tim is Getting Married!

Check out Tim and Lauren's engagement adventure. Their wedding will be in November and Desi will be Tim's best man. Tim was our best man and one of our most favorite people :)

Congrats Tim & Lauren! We are so happy for you...Having a life long companion (best friend) is such a gift from God!

~Rose

Art Class

I found this really great book at the library that takes a look at famous works of art, gives a little background on the artist and piece and then on the following page gives a suggested art project for kids to do based on the famous piece. We have decided to do one a week. Art class is open to everyone in the house and Grandma Kate comes over to assist. We meet weekly on Tuesday mornings at 10am in our basement. Let me know if you want to join.

Last week was Van Gogh's Starry Night. As you can see in the photo below, the book suggested a scene that was similar. We sketched the landscape, added glue to acrylic paints and used forks and the end of our brushes to add textured lines. I'd like you to notice Owen's shirt. I'm not sure why I like it so much, but I do.

Emmaline's work

Owen's work

Hope's work

I fashioned a string on the basement ceiling to hang our work to dry. I just love how unique they came out while still similar in ways. We are having way too much fun doing this!

~Rose

All About Me

A friend sent this to me and instead of emailing everyone, I thought I'd just post it. Reply to me if you want to share your answers! If you don't care to know little silly details about yours truly, then stop reading!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My dad's aunt.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? last night after hearing the suffering and spiritual attack friends of ours are going through

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I do

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey on some sort of special bread :)

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 4

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? For sure!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? sometimes

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? not sure on that one...see #5

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? corn pops

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? not usually...i usually wear flip flops in summer and crocs or zip up boots in winter

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? in most ways yes

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? chocolate with real peanut butter and mint chip

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? the way they are dressed/hair (looks)

15. RED OR PINK? Pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? Physically, the baby fat all over my mid section: Emotionally: my lack of patience

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my grandma Nina

18. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR FREE TIME? photography,reading, movies, ha! that's all i make time for :)

19. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN SUMMER? swimming and tanning!

20. LABATT LIGHT OR MOLSON? I have no idea what that is...

21. ANY TATTOOS? yes two small ones

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? blue (practical)

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? baby breath (it really is divine), fresh flowers, pine trees in the mtns, and bread or cookies baking in the oven.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? mom

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Adore, would be accurate.

26. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? NBA

27. HAIR COLOR? dark blond with beautiful sun kissed highlights

28. EYE COLOR? hazel

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Seafood cooked well

31. SCARY MOVIES or HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings; who does not like that?! I like scary too (but only if my husband is watching with me).

32. LAST MOVIE U WATCHED? Lassie with my kids

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? black tank

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? um, I like all four seasons...can't pick one, but fall sure is wonderful after sweating all summer long.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? can't have one without the other

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? fresh fruit with good vanilla ice cream (vanilla bean, not french vanilla)

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ?

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ?

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? When You Rise Up (Sproul Jr. and A Voice In The Wind (Rivers)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? red staples pad

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Seinfeld on DVD

42. FAVORITE SOUND? my children giggling and laughing and my husband's ring tone

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles for sure (All You Need Is Love)

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Bermuda

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? photography, blogging, managing a large household

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Los Angeles (Englewood)