First Day of First Grade

Today is the day!!!! And of course...I woke up late! Only a half hour though. I will have to skip walking this morning. I am so excited!!! I will be posting my homeschool journey on a new blog. I have named it One Mom's Homeschool Journey. You can find it here. I will still post on this blog, I have just decided to keep the homeschool stuff separate.

Enjoy your day!!

American Heart Association Heart Walk

For the last 3 years my husband and I have participated in the AHA Heart Walk. For those that do not know about my husband, he has had a stroke, two open heart surgeries, and a pacemaker/defibrillator surgery. He was sick for 4 years out of our 7 years of marriage! For our story click here.

I know what it is like to feel helpless and alone. Thanks to the American Heart Association, I was able to get the information needed to help me learn about and handle our new lives. That is why I support this cause with all of my heart.

I have set a personal goal to raise $300 for the American Heart Association.

What I would like to do is find 60 people willing to donate at least $5 to the AHA.

Please, step out against heart disease and stroke by supporting my efforts. Your donation helps keep the information on the web, television, and the community. It was there when I needed it. Now help keep it there when you or someone you know needs it.

You can help me reach my goal by making a donation. If you would like to make a donation of $25 or more you can click here for my AHA donation page.

If you prefer to donate less please do. No donation is too small. If you would like to send a donation of $1 to $24 please send a check or Postal Money Order made out to 'The American Heart Association' and send it in the mail. I will update the AHA site when I receive it. Please comment on this post, and I will send you my mailing address.

All Donations must be received by September 4th, 2007.

Your donation will help fight our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers—heart disease and stroke. You can make a difference.

God Bless,
Melinda

Zoo

We went to the zoo today and boy was it hot!!! It was 97° today!!! We had to stop for shaved ice and ice cream half way through. We can usually make it on just water, but it was a scorcher today.

My husband and I both took our cameras. He usually takes pictures of the big animals, and I like the small ones. I think we got pictures of every animal in the zoo today!

The best part was the Red Wolf. We have been going to this zoo for 7 years and the wolf was always hiding in the brush. Today I told my husband to just keep walking when we got to the exhibit. Then my husband pointed and said 'there it is'. I couldn't believe my eyes. This had to be the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen. It made my day!

After my husband and I share our pictures I will share with you!!

I am off to take a much needed nap!

Melinda

Summer School.....DONE!!!!!

We finally finished our 2nd Summer Bridge book!!! I am happy to say our summer school is over!! YYAAAHHHH!!! The first book ( K-1) was very easy for him. We flew right through that book in June. I am happy though because it was all review work from last year. We just finished the second book (1-2) which was a little more challenging. I wasn't too concerned because that was all the stuff I will be teaching him this year. I decided to do the second book to see how easy or hard the curriculum would be for him this year. I think it will be challenging, but not hard. He picked it up after one or 2 problems. I am not too concerned. I still need to work with him on focusing. He tends to play around when I leave the room instead finishing his work. I started using a kitchen timer and it works most of the time.

We only have 3 days left! We start 1st grade on August 6th!!

Homeschool Open House!!

For anyone new to my blog...my name is Melinda.
I am a wife of 7 years to a loving husband, and a mom of 1 six year old boy.
I am home schooling my son for the very first time starting August 6, 2007

I tell my son we are both going into the 1st grade!!


We chose to homeschool after my husbands second open heart surgery when we found out he had a low immune system.
It was a no brainer for me! My son attended public Kindergarten last year. He was sick more last year than the first 5 years of his life!!
The heart surgeon told us that if my husband gets another heart infection (he has already had 3 in 4 years!) he will have to have another heart surgery. I am just not prepared to let that happen. Two heart surgeries in 4 years is enough for me!

So, after a lot of convincing, my husband said yes. He used to be a public school teacher, so I know it was a hard decision for him to make. I know the good Lord was backing me up!!

I looked up our school systems standards and curriculum choices and planned our year with the same subjects and a few of the same books.
I purchased a lot of my books on Ebay and Amazon dot com for a total of $200. I could have purchased them through the school board, but would have paid about $500.

I am using Scott Foresman Science, Saxon Math, McGraw Hill Social Studies, In Celebration Christian Education, Dolch Wordlists for Vocabulary, Scholastic Phonics, and book store History books for History. We will be reading the boatload of books he already has for 'Reading Time'.

I made a chalk board for about $9. We have an artist desk for him to sit at for Math and written work. The desk faces the chalkboard so I can write out math problems he is having trouble with. He loves the chalkboard, and even likes to read me the things I need to write on it! We will do reading and vocabulary on the couch or wherever we happen to be. There are some things like Math, where will need to be structured, and others like reading that we will be more relaxed with.

We have been doing the Summer Bridge books with him ( June- k to 1, July 1 to 2 ) to see what his style of learning is. I have found that the subjects that interest him can be taught anywhere, and the subjects he doesn't like need to be at a desk where he can focus.

I have scheduled our mornings for school. Each subject is 1/2 an hour, any more than that and he losses interest, and then it is hard to get his complete attention back. We have Handwriting, Phonics, Reading, and Math Monday - Friday. We have History, Science, Social Studies, Art, Health, and Music 1 day a week. If we need to use more than 1/2 an hour for a subject we will. It is not set in stone. We may even continue what isn't completed in the afternoon. I am really just playing it by ear.

And what about that one question everyone has asked me?????? What about Socialization??? Well, I observed his socialization last year in Public School. I was not real happy with it! Some of the kids he was 'forced' to socialize with would hit him, call him names, teach him bad words, as well as bad attitudes! Do I want him to continue to socialize in Public School???? No!!! I am not saying all kids are bad influences, but you can't pick and choose who is in your child's class. So....what about socialization???? We are members of a wonderful church that has great activities for kids. The parents have the same parenting views as we do, and my son knows most of the kids from Sunday School. So, he will be joining 2 groups at church that meet during the week.

I have to say that I know the Lord wants me to homeschool. That is how strong I feel about it. I am nervous though. Not about teaching him, but about him taking it all in. Our county requires a test at the end of the year. He is a smart kid, and did well in Public K, so there is no real reason to be nervous.....but I am!!! I will take it one day at a time and pray to God to let it all sink into my sons head!!

Wish me luck....better yet.....pray for me!

Melinda

To read more homeschool mom stories, or to join the Open House go to Tiany's blog by clicking here

What I do all day!

This is what I did Monday!

6:36 Out of bed
6:38 Let big dogs out/start garden misters
6:40 Feed dogs
6:41 Let little dog out
6:50 Dress to go walking
6:54 Walk little dog (1 lap)
7:05 Return home
7:11 Walk big dogs (2 Laps)
7:30 Return home
7:44 Son woke himself up (have to change plans for blogging!!)
7:45 Make son breakfast (Cereal - milk will expire soon)
7:49 Eat with son...at his request!!
8:03 Shower & dress
8:14 Iron shirt
8:15 Go online & check husbands schedule
8:22 Wake husband for work
8:25 Cook husband breakfast ( 2 eggs & 2 sausage )
8:35 Wipe down kitchen counters & load dishwasher
8:40 Vacuum kitchen carpets
8:50 Sort & wash dog sheets & blankets
8:55 Move sons desk so he can see chalkboard
9:00 Start page 1 with son
10:20 Start Page 2 with son
11:00 Start Page 3 with son
11:50 Make hot dogs for lunch
11:55 Go next door and tell the kids to be ready for the pool by 12:30
12:00 Eat lunch
12:10 spot cleaned kitchen
12:15 sorted laundry & washed dark clothes
12:20 put bag together for pool
12:30 picked up kids for pool
12:35 Pool (I worked on the rest of the Summer Bridge lessons for this week)
1:35 Left pool & took kids home
1:40 Unpacked bag / let little dog outside
1:50 Got EIN in the mail. Read through.
2:00 Sit down to do Page 4 with son. Husband decided to do it!!!
2:05 Type this up!!
2:10 Fold dog blankets
2:25 Back to Page 4 with son
2:30 Start Page 5 with son
2:50 Put sons chore cards together
2:55 Explain chores to son and supervise
3:05 Vacuum LR, DR, K, H, GB
3:12 Hang clothes from dryer
3:18 Fold clothes from dryer
3:20 Load and start dishwasher
3:25 SIT DOWN AND RELAX!!!!!(watch a little TV!!)
4:20 Make grilled cheese sandwiches
4:45 Help Husband unpack car
5:10 Answer phone call from MOM
5:20 Unload dishwasher
5:30 Vacuum MB
5:40 Go next door
5:58 Answer phone call from neighbor
6:15 Called MOM to confirm me driving her to Dr Apt.
6:20 Type some more of this!!
6:29 Took a Bike ride with son
6:38 Started raining!!! Came home
6:40 Helped son clean room
6:50 Started cleaning office
7:30 Husband came home and wanted to talk about day
8:00 Continued cleaning office
8:24 Check email's
8:30 Put little dog outside for the last time tonight
8:34 Put PJ's on
8:38 Write updated schedule for this week
8:45 Work on grocery list for Friday
9:00 Get son ready for bed
9:15 Sat with husband & Son and watched TV
9:45 Put son to bed & said prayers
9:55 Gathered kitchen & bath towels & started washer
10:00 To bed!!!!!!

Steel-Cut Oatmeal

After watching the Oprah show with Dr. Oz Monday, I discovered that the oatmeal I am making isn't as healthy as I thought it was. They kept talking about "Steel-Cut Oatmeal". After much research, I have found that the steel cut is healthier than the rolled (most grocery store brands are rolled). So, no that I know this, where do I get it? I have not seen this at the grocery store, and would not know where to begin searching. I did a Google search and found lots of on line brands pop up.

If anyone can recommend a brand of Steel-Cut Oatmeal, please add a comment about it at the end of this post. Thanks!

Monday's To Do's

Wash & Fold Dark Clothes
Wash & Fold White Clothes
Wash & Fold Dog Blankets
Unload Last Nights Dishes
Load & Wash Today's Dishes
Unload & Wash Dinner Dishes
4 Workbook Pages with Son
Clear Off & Clean Son's Desk
Vacuum Kitchen
Vacuum Living Room
Wipe Down Kitchen Counters
Clean Litter Boxes
Cut Fabric For Pot Holders
Start Sewing Pot Holders (Tuesdays To Do)

Fall Chore List

I am still working on the fall chore list. It is a lot more detailed than I would have made mine. But it is a good way to ensure all the chores get completed. It sorts all the chores into daily, weekly, and monthly lists. There's a reason I never get around to washing my car!! I forget. But, now it's on the list.

I have been reading and using the 'Managers of Their Chores' book to create a chore list for my son. I'm amazed at all the chores a 6 year old can do, but didn't think of until I read this book! It even comes with the little chore holders that clip onto their shirt or pants. You place all their chores in the holder and they are reminded to do them when they see that holder on their clothes! This has really helped my son remember to feed the cats every day!

You can find it on the Titus2 website here.

Cold Front In July?!?!

When I let the dogs out this morning I quickly realized it
wasn't hot and muggy. It was much cooler than the 85 to 90 degree
mornings we have been graced with this year. I checked and it said
68!! I even double checked since this is not normal for Florida in
July! Yep it is a lovely 68 degrees and I wish I could bottle it up
and save it for a really hot day! Sadly, I will just have to enjoy the
cold front while it lasts.

Have a great day!