2011-2012 Curriculum

Enough with the slacking...

Well, it's that time of the year again - getting ready for school.  I'm actually really excited for this year.  We had some hard truths to swallow about what worked, and DIDN'T WORK last year.

I have two VERY different personalities to work with so I'm needing to be very creative. The girls are VERY strong willed (I have NO IDEA where they get that from)...but over different issues so it gets interesting around these parts.

I had a lot of fun getting our office ready for our up & coming school year - I commissioned my talented husband to put his artsy touch in our room.  I mean, if it's going to be a year of inspiration - let it be a fun place to be in!

 

This year we are changing the curriculum completely and are doing a lot more interactive activities together.  I know it's making a big difference in their excitement level that I am involving them in the choosing of the school work - so the girls feel invested in their own learning this year.

Here is part of our science curriculum - it has all kinds of experiments, and projects in it.

One project is to put a tooth (one of their baby teeth) in soda and watch it rot - will that cure them of their love of all things sugar?!?!?

Here's the other science book we're doing - of course - with the girls' love of anything & everything having to do with the Ocean...

 

For Math, English, & Spelling work, I'm changing to Rod & Staff (Grades 3 & 4).  A very good trusted friend did it with her girls last year and they appreciated it's simplicity & style.  I also had a public school teacher look at it, and she said it's content is at par with the school system.

 

Geography will be studied mostly by "the car window" via our current and past travels since we do a lot of cross-country traveling, and are in partnership with several missionaries...so we study where they are.

History - the jury is still out, so I'm really looking forward to "gleening" from the blog hop posts.

I heard a statistic that an average child is busier than a CEO of a major corporation. So we are becoming jealous guards of more peace and good ol' fashioned play time.  I think it's so important that we as a family are more available for each other, and opportunities God brings our way to be a blessing to others.  

We have enrolled the girls in dance again this year, and they are also in a Missionettes (like a Christian Girl Scouts).  They have plenty of opportunities to spend time with friends & activities, but I'm determined to have a quieter year of quality family time.  It's soo easy to stay very BUSY but I know that is not healthy for the little people, or us to be on the go from sun-up to sun-down every day

I am daily thankful for the opportunity to be a mom & teacher to 2 beautiful little girls.  As they grow, and change I'm prayerfully watching them turn into the little ladies God is molding them to be.  

"Thank You God for trusting me with 2 precious hearts.  May I be diligent in pouring Your love and teaching into them."

Marriage Mayday

This project is not only close to my heart, but close to my marriage.  Like many marriages, ours has great times, but we have also some big scars from battles over the years & challenges that have been brought our way.  

There were times we both asked, "Are we going to make it?"  but pushed through - the resentment, hurt, and anger.  And God without fail...MAKES ALL THINGS NEW. 

How do you re-claim that deep friendship with your spouse when you are consumed with the busy-ness of life, kids and/or are working through any fracture within the relationship?

Partnered with some amazing wisdom totaling over 90 years of marriage, we've all concluded that no matter where you are in your marriage, stopping life, being open, and having a good 'ol conversation can begin to heal anything.

This kit contains: 

• 2 journals (His & Hers) with thought  provoking conversation starters, date ideas, & journal paper.  
• Kernel Seasons popcorn & seasoning (choices are - White cheddar, Jalapeno, and Kettle corn) for your date.
• 2 white "surrender" flags.

Sample Page:

There are many aspects within a marriage that need to be viewed as a business.  No business will be successful without unity among the management team.  The key to harmony and success within the marriage is being on the same page in terms of direction of operations within the home:

-          Money management

-          Raising & disciplining kids

-          Stress management/communication

-          Life direction/goals & dreams (etc)

Because the marriage dynamics are always changing as our lives evolve, there needs to be regularly scheduled business meetings. 

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 

Matthew 12:25 (NIV)

Write the area(s) there is dis-unity within the operations of your marriage (financial direction, children, stresses…) then set a date (at the bottom of the page) when you will have a meeting to get on the same page in terms of managing the marriage:

Thank you to all our family & friends who have been amazing support to our lives, & marriage. There are soo many of you who have laughed with us, and cried with us over many years. We would not be where we are today without your support & prayers.                                                  

Nothing is un-fixable if 

both parties are willing

The link to our store for this product is:

Marriage Mayday                       

Sincerely, 

Christy