HOME'S COOL
Life Without School!
Life Without School!
Man is born to live, not to prepare for life. -Boris Pasternak
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 – Wednesday, July 18, 2012
On Tuesday, our two Fresh Air Fund kids went home. Alexa and I took them to their bus early in the morning and said goodbye for another year. When we got back home, we did laundry and cleaning and got the house ready for still more visitors, as Sandy, one of my best friends from my childhood and teen years, who I hadn't seen in over ten years, was coming from New York to visit with a friend of hers and her two kids.
I was really excited to see her, and when she arrived that night she insisted on taking all of us out to dinner. We chose our favorite Japanese hibachi steakhouse, and, as always, we had a blast there. The food is always delicious, the company was great, the chef's personalities are fantastic, and they squirt sake in your mouth for free while they cook, with their motto being "more sake, more happy" haha. At one point, the chef put the bottle right in front of me and joked, “Finish it,” and I decided to squirt it in Sandy's mouth, the way the chef does, prompting the chef to offer me his hat, as well. Fun times!
On Wednesday, Shawn went to work, but Sandy and her friend Murphy and I took all the kids to Hershey Chocolate World, where we did just about all of the available attractions. We saw the 3D show, we did the Chocolate Tasting, we had lunch, we did the Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction, we went on the free tour ride, we took pictures with the candy bar characters, and we browsed the gift shops.
By the time we got home, it was a bit on the late side, and we got the kids settled down as best we could so the adults could all hang out and chat, wrapping up our day.
More later!
THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT:
THE FAMILY:
Shawn - 39, Husband, Dad, Tattoo Artist, Body Piercer, Business Owner, Saltwater Aquarium Enthusiast, Cook, Mr. Fix-It.
Nance - 40, Wife, Homeschooling Mom, Bookworm, Writer, Field Tripper, List Maker, Planner, Chauffeur, Oak Meadow Enthusiast.
Melissa - 21, Attends Special Needs School/Life Skills Class (graduating at the end of this year!), participates in Special Olympics sports. Likes music, movies, shopping, and reading.
Alexa - 12, Left public school toward the end of 3rd grade in March of 2009 and has been home since, happily homeschooling with Oak Meadow and an eclectic mix of other things. Enjoys reading, arts and crafts, Girl Scouts, Judo, doing her nails, and being with friends.
Ben - 7, Has never been to any outside school. Currently doing a laid back 1st grade at home. Enjoys computer, video and board games, silly jokes, legos, soccer, rough-housing, and occasional cuddling and reading.
Baby-To-Be - Currently 24 weeks gestation! Reached the official stage of viability! Chances still lower than I'd like, but improving every day!
We are a relaxed/eclectic, secularly homeschooling, liberal family living in Pennsylvania and thoroughly enjoying Life Without School!
CURRENT CURRICULUM/MATERIALS:
This year, Alexa is using: Oak Meadow 6 Ancient Civilizations and English; Oak Meadow Basic Life Science; Story of the World Middle Ages; Sentence Composing for Middle School; and a combination of Teaching Textbooks Math 6 and Life of Fred.
Ben is using the Oak Meadow 1st Grade curriculum and Reading Eggs along with a few different workbooks.
I'm a pretty relaxed homeschooler. We do school around life, not life around school. We use mainly a fun, hands on curriculum that isn't overly time consuming and isn't dry or textbookish, and we're always willing to drop it for the time being if something fun, interesting, or educational comes up outside the house. Living is learning!
ABOUT ME & MY BLOG:
Welcome To My Blog!
MY ARTICLES, ESSAYS, & RAMBLES:
The ABCs Of Relaxed Homeschooling
A Perfect Day
Affidavits, Objectives & Samples, Oh My!
A Kindergarten Dropout
Homeschooling, A Year Later
Preschool Or Not?
I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
A Day In The Life Of A New Homeschooler
Homeschool Poem
What Does A Homeschooler Do Every Day?
What Does A Homeschooler Do Every Day Part 2
What About Socialization?
Why Homeschool?!
Dear Judy Molland
What I Really Mean When I Say I Homeschool
MY REVIEWS:
Funnix Beginning Reading Program Review
Getting Started With Spanish Review
Growing, Growing Strong Review
Insect Lore Negative Review
Life of Fred Math Review
Little Passports Review
Meet The Masters Review
Movie Review: Snowmen
Oak Meadow Review
Sentence Composing For Elementary School Review
Story Of The World Review
Teaching Textbooks Math Review
Times Tales Review
Typing Instructor For Kids Platinum Review
OUR BOOK LOGS:
Alexa's Third Grade Book Log
Alexa's Fourth Grade Book Log
Alexa's Fifth Grade Book Log
Alexa's Sixth Grade Book Log, Year 1
Alexa's Sixth Grade Book Log, Year 2
Ben's Pre-K Book Log
Ben's Kindergarten Book Log
Ben's First Grade Book Log
SCHEDULE SAMPLES:
Oak Meadow Kindergarten Schedule Sample, With Pics
Oak Meadow 4th Grade Schedule Sample, With Pics
Oak Meadow 5th Grade Schedule Sample, With Pics
Our 6th Grade Stretched Over Two Years Plan
Some Of Our Most Fun/Interesting Projects & Activities, Oak Meadow 5th Grade
USEFUL FORMS & THINGS:
Homeschool Affidavit
Homeschool Objectives, Elementary Level
Homeschool Portfolio
Summary, To Include With Portfolio, Example 1
Summary, To Include With Portfolio, Example 2
Standardized Test Results
MISC:
Books Featuring Homeschooled Characters, Titles A-I
Books Featuring Homeschooled Characters, Titles J-R
Books Featuring Homeschooled Characters, Titles S-Z
52 Books In 52 Weeks, Mom & Daughter Style, 2011
Homeschooling Quotes & Funnies
Our Fresh Air Fund Experience
Funny Things Alexa Has Said
Funny Things Ben Has Said
My Favorite Links
How I Got Alexa's Eczema Under Control!
My TTC, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage Saga, PART 1
UPDATED!My TTC, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage Saga, PART 2UPDATED!
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Grab my button for your blog:
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Be sure to check out:
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Homeschool Blinkies:
THE FAMILY:
Shawn - 39, Husband, Dad, Tattoo Artist, Body Piercer, Business Owner, Saltwater Aquarium Enthusiast, Cook, Mr. Fix-It.
Nance - 40, Wife, Homeschooling Mom, Bookworm, Writer, Field Tripper, List Maker, Planner, Chauffeur, Oak Meadow Enthusiast.
Melissa - 21, Attends Special Needs School/Life Skills Class (graduating at the end of this year!), participates in Special Olympics sports. Likes music, movies, shopping, and reading.
Alexa - 12, Left public school toward the end of 3rd grade in March of 2009 and has been home since, happily homeschooling with Oak Meadow and an eclectic mix of other things. Enjoys reading, arts and crafts, Girl Scouts, Judo, doing her nails, and being with friends.
Ben - 7, Has never been to any outside school. Currently doing a laid back 1st grade at home. Enjoys computer, video and board games, silly jokes, legos, soccer, rough-housing, and occasional cuddling and reading.
Baby-To-Be - Currently 24 weeks gestation! Reached the official stage of viability! Chances still lower than I'd like, but improving every day!
We are a relaxed/eclectic, secularly homeschooling, liberal family living in Pennsylvania and thoroughly enjoying Life Without School!
CURRENT CURRICULUM/MATERIALS:
This year, Alexa is using: Oak Meadow 6 Ancient Civilizations and English; Oak Meadow Basic Life Science; Story of the World Middle Ages; Sentence Composing for Middle School; and a combination of Teaching Textbooks Math 6 and Life of Fred.
Ben is using the Oak Meadow 1st Grade curriculum and Reading Eggs along with a few different workbooks.
I'm a pretty relaxed homeschooler. We do school around life, not life around school. We use mainly a fun, hands on curriculum that isn't overly time consuming and isn't dry or textbookish, and we're always willing to drop it for the time being if something fun, interesting, or educational comes up outside the house. Living is learning!
ABOUT ME & MY BLOG:
Welcome To My Blog!
MY ARTICLES, ESSAYS, & RAMBLES:
The ABCs Of Relaxed Homeschooling
A Perfect Day
Affidavits, Objectives & Samples, Oh My!
A Kindergarten Dropout
Homeschooling, A Year Later
Preschool Or Not?
I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
A Day In The Life Of A New Homeschooler
Homeschool Poem
What Does A Homeschooler Do Every Day?
What Does A Homeschooler Do Every Day Part 2
What About Socialization?
Why Homeschool?!
Dear Judy Molland
What I Really Mean When I Say I Homeschool
MY REVIEWS:
Funnix Beginning Reading Program Review
Getting Started With Spanish Review
Growing, Growing Strong Review
Insect Lore Negative Review
Life of Fred Math Review
Little Passports Review
Meet The Masters Review
Movie Review: Snowmen
Oak Meadow Review
Sentence Composing For Elementary School Review
Story Of The World Review
Teaching Textbooks Math Review
Times Tales Review
Typing Instructor For Kids Platinum Review
OUR BOOK LOGS:
Alexa's Third Grade Book Log
Alexa's Fourth Grade Book Log
Alexa's Fifth Grade Book Log
Alexa's Sixth Grade Book Log, Year 1
Alexa's Sixth Grade Book Log, Year 2
Ben's Pre-K Book Log
Ben's Kindergarten Book Log
Ben's First Grade Book Log
SCHEDULE SAMPLES:
Oak Meadow Kindergarten Schedule Sample, With Pics
Oak Meadow 4th Grade Schedule Sample, With Pics
Oak Meadow 5th Grade Schedule Sample, With Pics
Our 6th Grade Stretched Over Two Years Plan
Some Of Our Most Fun/Interesting Projects & Activities, Oak Meadow 5th Grade
USEFUL FORMS & THINGS:
Homeschool Affidavit
Homeschool Objectives, Elementary Level
Homeschool Portfolio
Summary, To Include With Portfolio, Example 1
Summary, To Include With Portfolio, Example 2
Standardized Test Results
MISC:
Books Featuring Homeschooled Characters, Titles A-I
Books Featuring Homeschooled Characters, Titles J-R
Books Featuring Homeschooled Characters, Titles S-Z
52 Books In 52 Weeks, Mom & Daughter Style, 2011
Homeschooling Quotes & Funnies
Our Fresh Air Fund Experience
Funny Things Alexa Has Said
Funny Things Ben Has Said
My Favorite Links
How I Got Alexa's Eczema Under Control!
My TTC, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage Saga, PART 1
UPDATED!My TTC, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage Saga, PART 2UPDATED!
***
Grab my button for your blog:
***
Be sure to check out:
***
Homeschool Blinkies:
