Summertime

Fun in the sun, resting and relaxing, movies, good books, snow cones, rootbeer floats

Conclusion of the 2008-2009 School Year

What an adventure! I have so many words but yet I cannot put them together to express what this year has meant to me. Okay maybe one word from me :D PEACE I think Bryan summed it up quite nicely.

Our school year is almost done

In previous years I have not put much stock in standardized tests but this year the results have me smiling!

I received Bryan's Stanford scores yesterday and he did an outstanding job! His scores went way up from last year too!! He had 4 middle scores and 10 high scores. I'm so proud of him!!

We have about a week left to our school year. We have Math, English and Science to finish up this week. Then we are going to take a couple of weeks off and relax. This summer we're going to do some more Math and Latin. At least that is the plan haha :)

Overall I would give us an A+. It has been a very successful first year of homeschooling. I had no idea it would be this fun and rewarding. I'm glad to have an active part in Bryan's education. I'm so proud of much he is learning and retaining!

While I'm here, I'm going to recommend another WWII book: Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy. It is about a little girl that survives the Lodz Ghetto in Poland. Again I won't give the plot away so check it out from your local library or purchases it any bookstore.

The Cold War and Civil Rights

Here are a couple of book recommendations to learn about The Cold War and Civil Rights. I'm not going to go into a lot of detail, just pick them up at your local library or if you are like me and have an insane need to purchase books, they are available at most local and internet bookstores.

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain (Caldecott Honor Book)
by Peter Sis



Through My Eyes
by Ruby Bridges

Do you have a plan?

Last night a group of us attended an emergency awareness/preparedness mini seminar. Mr. Charles Sturrock did an outstanding job and we appreciate him taking time out of his busy schedule to teach us about being prepared in severe weather and other emergencies.

I thought I would post the Emergency Supply List that he gave us--this is good info that everyone needs.

Food and Water
3-day supply of non-perishable food that needs no cooking
hand-operated can opener
plastic plates, cups, utensils
2 gallons of water per day for each person,
to last 3 days for drinking and sanitation

First Aid
First-aid kit
Backup prescriptions for essential medications
Doctors' phone numbers

Personal Hygiene
Hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes
Toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags
Dental care and vision products
Travel-size soaps and other personal items

Clean Air Items
Nose and mouth protection masks (N-95 rating)
Plastic sheeting, duct tape

Baby Items
Formula, bottles, powdered milk
Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment

Lighting
Flashlights for each member of the family with extra batteries
Fluorescent lanterns for each common area
Waterproof matches or a utility lighter

Communication
Portable, battery-operated radio
Land-line phone with long cord
Extra batteries for flashlights, lanterns, radio
Extra cell phone battery or car charger
Whistle

Family Safety Items
Smoke detector with battery for each floor
Carbon monoxide detector with battery backup
Fire extinguisher
Non-scented bleach for sanitization
Sunscreen, insect repellent
Shovel and basic tools

Transportation Items
State and regional road maps
Basic repair items (tools, tire patch kit, engine oil)
Games, books, puzzles

Pet Needs
3-day supply of non-perishable pet food and water
Pet medications and pet first-aid kit
Current photo in case you are separated
Cat litter and box
Pet bed, toys, carrier, leash

Identification
Drivers license, passports, Social Security cards

Documents
Insurance, financial statements, property, vehicle

Phone Numbers
Family
Friends
Neighbors

Are we done yet?

After 3 days of 'follow along as I read the directions to you...did everyone get answer A in sample C? Do you understand? Are there any questions?, You may begin' I can say we are DONE! And all the students shouted WOOHOO!!

I had a top notch group of 4th and 5th graders this week taking their standardized tests. We were all so happy to finish today. It has been a good week. Even though I might have 'complained' a few times about getting up and being somewhere so early I kind of enjoyed being back in the classroom this week. The students were great! We took plenty of breaks, played outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather we have been having.

Snacks were also provided...I'm still a little grossed out by the 1st grader that said "Here Mrs. G taste this." After 20 years (give or take a year off here and there) of working with children I should know to never taste anything a 6 year old gives me...that child had had that piece of chex mix in her mouth...hmmm...

Enemies, Hate, Distrust and Idiots--Friends, Love, Trust and Wisdom

Are all things that we have discussed this week. There's no getting around it--Bryan is still deeply affected by the past few years. Enemies are not people I do not agree with. Enemies are people who plot and plan my destruction at every turn. Hate is not something you do when someone disagrees with you. Hate is, not caring for someone. Who do I trust? Is it okay to distrust someone? Absolutely! Well I distrust Ms. so and so because she never listened when I told the truth. She always believed the liars. Ok, you've recognized a pattern and you know that even telling the truth doesn't matter to this person so you cannot trust them with it(truth). Idiots, yes, unfortunately they are out there...so watch out!

There is someone who may or may not be an enemy. Who can I trust? Have I really stopped caring about people...hate...it's such an easy word to throw around. Do we really mean we hate someone? Idiots...there's always one and a lot of times they seem to be in charge of something...How do we deal with them when they hurt us, our friends, mess w/our livelihoods and mess things up in general?

God is still in charge. Yes, we have a real enemy. His name is Satan (of if you are my friend Jan, his name is Satin) At some point you will be faced with a human enemy. They are probably being used by Satan. God will give you strength. Remember David and Goliath? Who won that one? What a friend we have in Jesus. He understands and knows us like no one else. God gives us discernment to know who to trust. Listen to God. It's okay that we don't like everybody but God wants us to show love and compassion. God forgives us so we need to forgive others. God loves idiots.



Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:23-27