This year has been so much more fun now that we have made the effort to add art every week. Having a daytime schedule has helped as well... but I really think the art has given our year the spice that last year lacked. We have been busy bees this year with homeschooling. Some of the art in our school year consists of a monthly art class (and their art teacher's assignments), GeeArt, and our KONOS art ideas. For a long time, I felt like I was skimping on art... and that really broke my heart because art was my favorite subject in school. It very well may be my favorite subject still!

I am what you would call an eclectic homeschooler, so I tend to mix and match different styles of homeschooling and curriculums to fit our needs. We are usually studying a loose topical unit-study through KONOS that gives us a basic "theme" to focus on. While we do that topic, I like to throw in many sources (library books, fiction chapter books, movies, field trips, textbooks, geography, timeline characters, writing assignments, journaling, vocabulary, art, etc.). It has been easy incorporating some of our GeeArt "Do Art" assignments into our lessons lately. I love it when I can blend two assignments together into one. It saves time, keeps me moving forward, and makes me feel like the list is "checking itself off".

I print the PDF "Do Art" lessons off that go along with our GeeArt program as we do our lessons. Sometimes we get to them before the next lesson, other times we don't. A week or so ago, we were able to use our GeeArt "Do Art" challenge for their lesson on 'The Message of Art" as a KONOS Unit Study assignment. KONOS asked us to learn about the cycle of metamorphosis that butterfly and moth species go through. GeeArt asked us to create our own comic book to tell a message with art. Mom put her thinking cap on... and a new project was born! The kids were told to create a comic book that tells the cycle of a Monarch butterfly's miraculous change. The following few scanned pages are from my children's comic books they made...











During our art class last week, we also got to do a nature-oriented project. It was a bit off-topic for our unit study tastes, but it was really fun! We learned how to watercolor and use salt to create special effects on the paper. Last year we had tried to do a similar project that failed, so it was great to have a teacher who knew the trick to show us what went wrong and teach us the CORRECT method. I happened to be the one who asked the teacher to show us the trick, so she let me paint with the kids! The below painting is my leafy masterpiece. The top leaf is a local one (possibly sycamore) that had an interesting shape, but the bottom leaf (the red one) was drawn from memory. It was of a specific cottonwood leaf (photo to the right) that we found in Arkansas last year. It had the most amazing colors. My photo doesn't do it justice.

Want to know what kind of leaf you found? Here's a great link: Leaf ID Site, courtesy of my friend Christy.



After participating in the art class... I felt like a kid again (just a kid doing something I love to do). Art makes school a lot more like 'fun' instead of work. Try it! You might like it! Add some art to your school and watch the positive changes happen right before your eyes.


Quick Links to My Other GeeArt Posts...
GeeArt Lesson 1
GeeArt Lesson 2


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Buzz Words: Homeschooling, Learning, Art, Fun, Painting, School, Homeschool, Elementary, Creative, Kids, Teaching, Fall, Autumn, Children, Parenting, Creativity, Paint, Science, Lessons, Education, Leaves, Curriculum, Computer, Software, Enrichment

Labels: art, curriculum, fun, homeschool, KONOS, lesson-plans, nature, science, teaching

Welcome to the 96th Carnival of Homeschooling. If you don't know what a carnival is... let me explain. A Blog Carnival is a showcase of memories (articles that we bloggers call "posts") from around the net on a group of blogs which share similar interests. There are carnivals for all sorts of things (cats, finances, poetry...). This carnival is put on BY homeschoolers FOR homeschoolers. Each host has their own style and sometimes uses a "theme" to write the carnival. I like themes... so I usually use them when I host the carnival on my blog. This week's theme is high school yearbooks. I happen to be a photo nut... and I thought it would be fun to see what some of my favorite bloggers looked like in their yearbook days. A few of the photo submissions you see here are current photos of bloggers (we won't hold it against you that you are young enough to be our CHILDREN).

Take some time and visit each of the links below. You might go blind if you try to do it all in one sitting. Bookmark this post and come back with a cup of coffee when you have a free moment. You'll be amazed at the talent, inspiration, wit, and information that each blogger has to offer the homeschool community. Each week there's a new carnival of homeschooling, so be sure to check Henry's blog to find out where the next carnival will be located. He also has information as to how you can enter one of your posts in the mix.

Be sure to 'sign my yearbook' below after you read through the carnival! In other words, leave a comment and let me know you stopped in!

CLASS FAVORITES

Every year in schools around America some lucky guys and girls will be chosen to represent their class in some form or fashion. Maybe they have the 'best smile' or the 'coolest car'. For whatever reason, they may be the 'most popular' or 'geekiest'. Maybe they have an outgoing personality or make the best grades? Here are a couple of gals who have a special spot in our homeschool yearbook for their contribution to this week's carnival. They are our brightest of the 'Class of 2007'. Isn't it nice to know that your students don't have to compete in the rat race at public school to be the most beautiful or best dressed? In homeschooling, we get to focus on things that matter much more than our cars or our clothes. We get to focus on learning... and then we can all share the title of 'best smile'!

Class Favorite
God Has a Plan for Your Homeschool... Heart of Wisdom Blog

Quotes from 'Heart of Wisdom':
'Encouragement for homeschoolers. God promised to strengthen and equip us; to guide us in every situation; to meet all our needs; and never to leave us. He has consistently kept these promises...'

Most Popular
Happy 18th Birthday!... SuperAngel

The ever popular Amanda Dixon turned 18 recently. Looks like she has quite a few fans at Homeschool Blogosphere High. If you haven't signed your name in her 'yearbook', hop over to her 18th birthday post and sign your name on the Mr. Linky!

Best Dressed
School Update... Adventures in Daily Living.

Suzanne is our 'best dressed' senior at Homeschool Blogosphere High. Check out her comfy denim and soft cotton Ts. Are those Vans tennis shoes, Suzanne? Tell us how you keep up with the trends in homeschool fashion!

Debate Winner
Public Schools: Where You Don't Get What You Pay For... Barbara Frank

Summary of Barbara's Debate: Homeschoolers continue to prove that when it comes to education, spending money does not guarantee success.

Teacher's Pet
101 Ways to Add Spice to Your Homeschooling Days... Lunablog.net

April of Lunablog.net is the homeschool teacher's favorite assistant: A smorgasbord of ideas for new and experienced homeschoolers. Bookmark for those days when you need a little creative inspiration!

Class President
Attaining an excellent education... Principled Discovery.

Dana of Principled Discovery was elected hands-down our favorite political winner at Homeschool Blogosphere High. Her senior thesis is on pursuing excellence in education (of course).



SCIENCE FAIR

Our 2007 science fair contestants put their brain-power to the test as they display some serious scientific method madness. Enjoy browsing the aisles full of fancy field trip reviews, perspicuous projects, exciting experiments, objective observations, logical lessons learned and more! These stellar students of science are all tied for a blue ribbon ticket at the fair. Stop by their booth to let them know what a great job they have done. All our judges give them a 10!

Contestant 1: Science Field Trip
St. Louis Science Center... Lady Bugs, Laughter & Life

Kim Davis shares her review of a fun-filled outing that is sure to spark your science-enthusiasm. She has a bunch of photographs to go with the project that you should be sure not to miss as well.

Contestant 2: Observations Galore!
NASA Open House and 90th Anniversary... Little Blue School.

Lydia has 'Fun, fun, fun 'til her Daddy took the supersonic wind tunnel away!'

Contestant 3: Solar Project
Our Solar Project... Alasandra

Field notes from Alasandra's project: 'How our solar fountain worked, design flaws we discovered and the advantages and disadvantages of using solar power. (No sun = No power).'

Contestant 4: Blazes and Bionomics
Calofirnia Chapparal - a Fire Inspired Science List... The Not Quite Crunchy Parent

MC shares some interesting speculation on the California chaparral ecosystem and finds time to do research during their 'school break' due to a prolonged fire-drill. She says of her project, "I used the fires in our area to teach a lesson on biology, ecology and global warming."

Contestant 5: Moment in Space History
How cool is a view of the Space Shuttle and ISS from the back 40?... Corn and Oil

Synopsis by Susan: 'Information about how to see the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station in the night sky is provided.'

Contestant 6: Model Rockets
Model Rocket Engines and Resources... Po Moyemu--In My Opinion.

Silvia submits a grade-A project on model rocket engines and shares her resources and links for future rocket science fanatics. Be sure to look over her specs and check out her link for the "Beginner's Guide to Rockets".




MATH CLUB

President of the Math Club
Multiplying in Parts and the Standard Algorithm... Homeschool Math Blog

In Maria Miller's own words: "It's not enough just to be able to go through the motions of the algorithm of multiplication"... We "need to understand the 'why', which is based on multiplying in parts. That idea is very needful in everyday life and later in algebra (distributive property)." You go girl!

Vice President of the Math Club
I couldn't resist...... Let's play math!.

Denise shares her lighter side with a very cute cat poster. Every classroom has to have a really cool poster, right? Be sure to check out her learning links as well. This math club whiz even has a few grammar tips up her sleeve. Just what is a 'World Famous Random Kitten Generator' anyway???



GEOGRAPHY BEE

World Class Winner
Today's Lesson - Countries Of The World... Consent Of The Governed.

Don't miss Judy Aron's You Tube Animaniac video link to "Countries of the World". Judy is going places (lots and lots of places) for Homeschool Blogosphere High... and she's taking us all with her!



SPORTS

Martial Arts
Tai Kwando: Physical Education and Something More... Ragamuffin Studies.

Elisheva shines as HBH's star Tai Kwando martial arts marvel. She's setting and working towards winning goals and aiming for the stars. We are proud of her efforts. Be sure to stop over and read about the confidence and personal benefits that physical training can add to your educational experience.



UIL TEAM TRIUMPHS

Star Journalist
Another Hanna Levin Piece in the Media... The Thinking Mother.

Clip from Christine's winning article: "Homeschooling is an inevitable component in the media as part of Hanna Levin's book tour to promote her new book, 'God's Harvard' about Patrick Henry College, a college created specifically for Christian Homeschoolers.'

Amazing Authors
"Chicken Soup for the Homeschooler's Soul?"... Apples of Gold Ministries

Lisa Bertolini voted class writing whiz! Here's what she has to say: "We are attempting to encourage Chicken Soup for the Soul to create a Homeschooler's Soul book. We're asking who would consider writing a story, and/or purchasing the book, in hopes that they'll see the interest among our fellow homeschoolers."



HISTORY FAIR

Bringing History to Life
History with Primary Sources... Percival Blakeney Academy

Sebastian of Percival Blakeney Academy shares several great online resources for using primary sources when studying history.

Links to the Past
Best Homeschool History Find Ever!... Nerd Family Things.

Yearbook Photo caption: 'NerdMom proudly displays her pocket protectors and pushes up her black horn-rimmed glasses as she grins for the camera. She's in the limelight today because she has found a truly amazing history tool to share with her classmates. "Horizontal Linkage of People and Events!" she shouts as she holds up her new book for all of us to see.'



FIELD TRIPS

Cape Cod Coolies
Nature Walks: Why Cape Cod Was a Good Choice... Teaching Tommy

Lisa shares her classes experience with their nature walk at Cape Cod. Special Ed has never gotten any more special! You won't want to miss the details for this class trip, so stop over on Lisa's page to find out more about how they are learning better than they ever could in public school.

Nature Walk
Before Nature Walk Routine... Water into Wine: Vino per Tutto

Dawn and Matt (Homeschool Blogosphere High school sweethearts) share some nature walk goals for the class of 2007. They report that the first week went really well, the second week not so good. They also share some tips for the future... leaving "no child inside".

Nature Walk, page 2
Homeschool Adventure #2Play the dad? No, be the Dad!

Also by Dawn and Matt... a VIDEOcast of their first nature walk of the year at a local nature park.



LEARNING MOMENTS

Always a Lesson
13 Things You Didn’t Know Were Educational... Mom Is Teaching.

Summer finds a way to learn in and out of school settings. Way to go, HBH cheerleader!

When School Projects Fail
My Cat's Butt Glitters in the Sun... Day by Day Homeschooling.

Dawn Adams is our class clown here at Homeschool Blogosphere High. She grins as she tells the yearbook team about her essay on school project setbacks, "I wasn't sure if 'butt' would be offensive so I thought I'd submit this and see." She said she would understand if we didn't use her entry for the yearbook, 'butt' how could we resist??? There's something just warm and fuzzy (and green... and sparkly?) about cats, isn't there?



DRAMA CLUB

Encouraging Pretend Play... About Homeschooling

Beverly Hernandez is our HBH Drama Queen. She even tutors fellow acting students on the side. She offers her advice back stage: "As homeschool parents, we can
encourage pretend play even past the early stages of childhood by providing resources that spark children's imaginations. Here are some printable kits to encourage pretend play."



TAKING NOTES

Ideas in My Head... Homeschool Daze Blog

Julee, the sophomore class favorite, muses about ABA therapy and contemplates how she can incorporate some of the systems into her homeschooling. She shows us how step-by-step and mastery are important in her notes.



FUTURE SO BRIGHT ~ HBH MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Thinking and Logic
Thinking Games... All Info About Homeschooling

Patti Miller shares some brain-boosters in our advertisement pages at the back of the yearbook. See how smart you really are! Everyone loves a mind-bending pop quiz.

Contests and Awards
This week, Kelly, at Pass the Torch, is hosting two giveaways for awesome homeschooling products -- a Career Expedition Boardgame and a Think It, Ink It story-writing book!

Getting Smarter Conference
Learning & The Brain Conference: discount for SharpBrains readers... SharpBrains.

Alvaro Fernandez has ideas on how to raise his class IQ! He shares, "this conference is for educators on emerging research on Learning and The Brain". He has info for students about special registration discounts. Meet him in the hall by the office after school.

College Prep
Is It All About Going to College?... Homeschool2.0 Blog

Lynn, our HBH Valedictorian shares about college and the future for other homeschoolers in her graduation speech. You can find a copy of it on the linked page of the Homeschool Blogosphere 2007 yearbook.

Preparing for Life After Graduation
Money and the Importance of Education... Why Homeschooling

While academics are important, Henry Cate (a Stanford Scholarship winning Honors Student) reminds us that students "need to learn there is more to being successful in life than just having an education."



CREATIVE WRITING - REPORTS - HOMEWORK

Book Worm
Book Report Forms"... Homeschooling Journey

Annette Berlin is our Creative Writing blue ribbon winner. She shares some struggles with writing book reports in a structured and organized format. Her class has had success with book report forms. "That’s why we frequently used book report forms." she tells the yearbook crew. She even shares ideas on how to "make your own customized book report form."

Penmanship Perfection
Handwriting Without A Workbook... The Educational Life.

Jacci is a penmanship pro. She has some excellent tips for her fellow students that are sure to make your handwriting process painless and enjoyable. Pretty soon you'll be looking forward to time with your pen and lined paper like she does!

List Making
8 Reasons To Love Homeschooling... Our Family Village.

Jo, one of our very own Yearbook Staff members and a UIL Journalism competition winner, shares her heartfelt list of why she loves homeschooling.



ATTITUDE

Here in the world of homeschooling, we place a special value on our student's character and attitude. Many of our faculty are believers in moral success as well as academic success. We believe in building the whole student... the heart and not just the mind.

Learning Patience
Super Mom, er, Grouch... Seeking Rest In The Ancient Paths

Jacque, our Homecoming Queen, shares with honesty that even though she's got a lot of popularity, she still has days when her personality needs improvement. Her candid words are an inspiration to all of us: "I have always hated it when someone asks me those 2 ominous subjects about homeschooling: 'How do you do it?' and anything about patience." I'm sure she's learning some positive lessons. Just look at the homecoming mums that adorn her homecoming gown! Someone out there thinks she's great!



LIBRARY LOVE-AFFAIR

Where would we be without our library at Homeschool Blogosphere Academy? In our school halls, you will find that all our faculty are just as bad about browsing the aisles as the students are. Some of the Homeschool Blogosphere High students are nearly tripping down the stairs over each other because they won't put down their books. This school is a bookworm's paradise. Homeschooling tends to bring out the 'reader' in you.

Life Without Libraries?
Better Than Christmas... ... Life Without School

Becky, our library aide, shares her winning UIL creative writing short story: "Better than Christmas". In it she tells of a far away land (New Jersey) where the libraries shut down for six long months! Her story sounds like a horror film in the making! Be sure to visit her page of the yearbook to find out why the libraries were closed.



THANKSGIVING BREAK AND HOLIDAYS

Sweater Weather at Last!
Autumn!... The Homeschool Way

Betsy shares some wonderful schoolish fun for fall.

Christian Holiday Inspiration
Thinking Christianly: Honoring Christ During the Holidays... C h r y s a l i s

E-mom, our Christian Student Union President, shares her team project for October: Lectures on "How to keep a Christian worldview in focus during Halloween." She shares quotes by Dr. James Dobson and links to creative alternative resources and articles with the union and the crowd in attendance.



WALKING TO SCHOOL

It is nice to be AT school when you wake up. Our classes don't loose any time in line, outside the bathroom, or waiting to be seen by the school nurse. Our student teacher ratio is way down... just a handful to one (and in some classes, 1 to 1!). Each student in our schools has the added advantage of never needing a medical permission slip, either. There's no excuse for missing the bus... because there isn't a bus. It is also nice to have an "off campus" policy that is so liberal. Lunch time is a breeze with mom always available to either cook or drive you to Mc Donalds on a whim. How about a picnic after 4th period Math Class? No problem. Our schedule and our school location is very flexible.

Keeping a Green Hour
The Heart of Harmony - Only Going for a Walk... The Heart of Harmony.

Our FFA Sweetheart, Barb-Harmony-Art-Mom shares in the beauty of the good 'ol outdoors. She has made nature her friend by spending a little time outside with her class each day. Follow some of her suggestions to clear your thoughts and marvel at God's creation. The sunshine is sure to improve your mood (and brighten your day).



CAFETERIA CRITERIA

Want Fries with That?
The Freshman 15... CampusGrotto.

Ted Reimers shares some health tips with our freshman class.

Time for Healthy Eating Before Class?
How To Cook Hearty Breakfast Muffins With Time To Spare... HowToMe.

HowToMe is a super Home-Ec student who has some wonderful recipes and tips for making the most out of your morning meals. She shares some hints with us in our yearbook interview: "Mom shared a breakfast muffin recipe with us that we’ve really enjoyed. It can be made ahead in large or small quantities and then frozen. This is easy and delicious!"

Time for Tea
Planning a Children’s Etiquette Tea Party... Tea Party Girl.

Tea Party Girl is our Etiquette class helper. She helps in teaching her classmates how to sip tea with style. Be sure to drop in on her tea party during Home-Ec class.



AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

FFH
Farm Boys at Work... Along the Crooked Path

A day of homeschooling on a small farm is not complete without daily farm chores! This is a peek at what the 'Harvest Kids' club are doing to learn about farm life.

Story Reading Time
Family Fun Night: The Ransom of Red Chief... Higher Up and Further In

The Reading Club shares a class favorite that is sure to have you in stitches. LindaFay, their club leader says, "O. Henry is an old friend of ours and visits at least once a year. Come and eavesdrop on the last visit..."

Future Homemaker of America Hero
Can Ya Tell?... Amusing Reflections of a CoutryGirl

Jocelyn Dixon won FHA-HERO recognition for her hard work in the state level. In her acceptance speech, she shared the following meaningful advice: "As Homeschoolers we should really be giving off a warm sense of the home... where we are brought up... where we learn. We should be defined. People should be able to tell us a apart. We are different... training our children to be well socialized, well-mannered, and capable to get along with anyone in the loving care of the home." Way to go Jocelyn!

Outstanding FHA Leader
The Greatest Job in the World... My Home Sweet Home

American Home Economics Association recognizes Dawn of My Home Sweet Home for her outstanding leadership in homemaking. Dawn shares a job description that is fit for a queen... queen of the home-economics class, maybe! She's our very own Homeschool Blogosphere High FHA sweetheart.



TO THE BEAT OF THEIR OWN DRUM

Individuality
Of Equality, Value, and Birthday Parties... Life Nurturing Education

Renae Deckard, voted "Most Likely to be President" by her Senior Class, says in the HBH school paper, "This article examines how fairness may not celebrate our unique individuality".

Which World is the Real One?
Our World, by Marjorie... The Life Without School Blog

Marjorie shares a thought provoking essay in the school paper that was too good for our yearbook journalists to leave out. Here's her brief summary: "We homeschoolers know well that some people think we are sheltering our kids from 'the real world.' On the one hand, I say 'you're right' and I feel that it's part of my job as a parent to do just that. On the other hand, I wonder which world is the real one."

Tomorrow's Leaders... or not?
Define the government, Don't be defined by it: 10 ways schools shape students.... Cultureslave

An award-winning UIL paper by Cultureslave has the halls abuzz with discussion about institutionalized school vs. homeschooling. The article examines how schools undermine democracy by defining the children who will one day define the government... or will the government define them?



TROUBLE AT THE BUS STOP

Every school has their fair share of trouble makers. Admittedly, they were fewer in past decades it seems... but there has always been a secret (or not-so-secret) smoking area, the famed outcast group, or someone caught skipping school (or worse). Even in homeschooling, there may be a few behavioral write-ups... however, skipping school is much harder at home when your MOM is the teacher. Below, Homeschool Blogosphere High discusses some touchy subjects about problems that parents need to be aware of:

Too Easy to Get
"Is My Son Addicted To Internet Porn?"... by Dr. Scott Davis

Dr. Scott Davis, the HBH resident doctor on duty shares some tips and warning signs for parents to watch out for.

Babies with Babies
Middle school girls and Sex... Notes From A Homeschooling Mom.

Hall monitor Andrea presents another good reason to continue homeschooling in her article for the HBH school paper.



YEARBOOK STAFF

Inspiration for the Spirit and HSBA Awards
Thursday Thoughts...

Dianne of Bunny Trails is one of our featured writers at the exclusive journalism team for Homeschool Blogosphere High School. She shares a devotional twice a month there. She and her HSBA team members (listed on their website sidebar) have some great information in the advertisements to follow... be sure to read to the end!

Graduating Life
Wisdom From the Back of My Yearbook... Sprittibee

Sprittibee shares a journey through the yearbooks of her past. Join her for some wit and wisdom... and Truth.

The High Cost of Good Press
Sprittibee and Kevin are voted HBH's 'Most Unlikely Couple' (a prep and a punk... go figure!). However, they have been together for nearly 16 years! Hopefully Kevin will forgive Sprittibee for staying up past 3AM to bring you this edition of the HBH 2007 yearbook (otherwise known as the 96th edition of the Homeschool Carnival). "Heather, I'm moving this computer out of the room. I can't sleep with you clicking away on the keyboard." he was quoted as saying just before he headed off to sleep across the hall. Sometimes journalists have to pay heavy prices to meet deadlines.



SPONSORS



This year's Homeschool Blog Awards are only days away from starting! Be sure to start taking notes and preparing to nominate your favorite homeschool blogs. Nominations will begin on November the 5th and last through the 17th. That gives you two weeks to get your nominations in. Be watching the HSBA website as rules and information are posted in the days to come. Voting will begin in early December. Winners will be announced before Christmas holidays begin. Prizes will be mailed after the first of the year. We thank our sponsors who have donated prizes for this year's awards and hope that you will all join us there!


Note to readers: This is a spoof on yearbook terminology and none of the high school awards above are real. Please email me if you find a broken link. Thank you for your submissions and photos. Please spread the word on your blogs and use the graphic I emailed you if you can. Thanks again for a fun carnival.


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Buzz Words: Homeschooling, Learning, Yearbook, Fun, Journalism, Science, Homeschool, Elementary, Field Trips, Kids, Teaching, Lesson Plans, Life, Children, Parenting, Carnival, Math, Christianity, Fall, Awards, Education, Carnival of Homeschool, Blogging, Blog Carnival, Behavior, Opinion

Labels: blogging, carnival, contests, friends, fun, homeschool, links, parenting, photos, teaching

The Arkansas Old Statehouse is a charming white building with its Greek-inspired columns and beautiful black accents. When we first saw it, it seemed to beckon us inside. That was before I even knew it was a museum; back when we first arrived in Arkansas in 2005. When I discovered that it was on the trolley route and admission was FREE, we made plans to go and explore it.

The museum there boasts exhibits that tell of famous Arkansans and spotlight antique artifacts from early America. They have rooms which are decorated in the design styles of the past and in one of these rooms you will find a Confederate Seal behind glass. In a hallway, lit by the nearby window, there is a bust of Thomas Jefferson. Behind glass you will find a colorful exhibit of Hillary Clinton's evening gowns along with photography of the Clinton family.



Other things you will find of interest are... Arkansas Native American artifacts and pottery, local artwork, local history exhibits, and a room full of antiques set aside for children to play with and touch.



When we visited, they had the 'TRY US Arkansas and the U.S.-Mexican War' exhibit. We enjoyed watching the film that explained the history behind the U.S.-Mexican war and enjoyed seeing the artifacts, which included: war uniforms, weapons, posters, maps, flags and paintings.



Over all, we felt that the Arkansas Old State House Museum was a fun way to spend some free time in Little Rock. It costs nothing but your time and is a wonderful place to learn about a time gone by.


Quick Links:
Department of Arkansas Heritage
Arkansas Roadside Travelogue
Visit my other field trip reviews through my Homeschool Series Post


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Buzz Words: Arkansas, Museum, Little Rock, Field Trip, Attractions, Fun, History, Vacation, Travel, Review, Kids, City, Downtown, Homeschooling, Children, Homeschool, Outing, Family, Parenting, Photos, Fotos, Pictures

Labels: Arkansas, art, field-trip, Field-Trip-Foto-Friday, fun, history, homeschool, parenting, photos, teaching

HE MOLTED!!! I am just so excited. Can you tell? We were worried about our little hibernating fuzzy-wuzzy yesterday. He had been eating like a tiny little cow, and then all of the sudden, he started turning a bit gray and stopped moving. I was worried that the plants we were giving him weren't what he needed. I was wrong! Today we checked on him again and inside our plastic bowl there was a tiny little ball of 'fur' and 'cap' that used to cover his body and head. Look beside him in the above photo. He's the cutie-pie on the leaf there... and beside him is his leftover ball of fuzz. This afternoon he is still snuggled up on the same dead leaf... but he isn't red and black any more like yesterday's photo. He is REALLY black and REALLY fuzzy! He looks a lot bigger now. I guess the little guy wanted his winter coat on with the change in temperature this week.

We haven't ever raised a caterpillar before, so we are just tickled to see these amazing changes right before our eyes. I can't wait until he (or she?) becomes a Leopard Moth. They are the prettiest moth I have seen around here. I was so glad that we found this caterpillar. It was another of our "God Moments". Leopard Moth caterpillars are cute, too: big and fuzzy and black! Hope I can keep up with him in the spring when he starts eating again! My poor little desert willow is nearly bald from all the leaves we have picked off of it. It was only a tiny plant to begin with.

Stop in for more updates as our fuzzy man changes.


Quick Links
Part 1 of our Caterpillar saga


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Buzz Words: Homeschooling, Moth, Insect, Nature, Photos, hibernate, Homeschool, caterpillar, Caterpillars, Bugs, Teaching, Texas, Life, Kids, Parenting, Fall, Education, Science, Observation

Labels: bugs, fun, homeschool, nature, photos, science, teaching, Texas

We are officially in the Texas Flyway (the path in Texas through which the stately Monarch butterfly makes its way to Mexico where it hibernates for the winter). Did you know that Monarchs migrate and hibernate? Amazing stuff!

Today we counted 54 Monarchs - 'King of the Butterflies' - around town when we made our way to art class. The cold front had them all hiding yesterday. The day before we saw only five and I was beginning to think that most of them were already close to the Mexico border. I was happy to see some of them today, but I sure hope they get to Mexico in time to beat the cold weather. They are so beautiful. Friday we counted 87 or so while we ran our errands for the culture fair. Thursday we counted 49 just in our neighborhood alone! They were flying high in the blue sky... one by one, drifting along with the breeze, orange wings glowing in the late afternoon sun.

You can't really tell from our pictures (silly butterflies just wouldn't be still... and they were so high up that it made taking photos really difficult!):







Tomorrow we will probably make a butterfly to send to a student in Mexico. They celebrate the return of the Monarch every year there where the butterflies overwinter. The deadline for sending a hand-made butterfly to Mexico with Journey North has past, but I'm sure I can find a friend who knows someone in Mexico that needs some encouragement. Journey North has an amazing program that does this each year - all while teaching kids about our friends in Canada and Mexico. The Monarchs won't get stopped at the border and asked for their passport. They are truly free. Be sure to bookmark Journey North next year and participate in the Monarch migration tracking and fun. You can also help them track the journey NORTH in Spring!

We have enjoyed our studies about butterflies and moths immensely. Not long ago, we caught a leopard moth caterpillar and are planning to raise it until next spring. We have been feeding the little guy desert willow and chaste tree leaves, but today (after our cold front that got into the 40's yesterday), he is sleeping. He hardly ate a thing all day. Here's a picture of our prickly friend:



A friend of ours brought us some web worms also. We played with them and set them free on a pecan tree. I need to take the kids out to go check on our wormies tomorrow. We didn't get a chance to go out today for a walk because we were busy with art class and school.

I hope you are enjoying the critters in your area. We love bugs in the 'Bee' family. In case you wondered... that is. We have a relative that is an entomologist. Maybe one day we can go see their 'collection' of interesting little creatures. I feel a field trip coming on!



Quick Links
Insect Links
Green Moth and a God Moment
Butterfly Field Trip
Homeschool Carnival: Bee Edition


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Buzz Words: Homeschooling, Moth, Butterfly, Nature, Photos, Insects, Homeschool, Monarch, Caterpillars, Bugs, Teaching, Texas, Life, Kids, Parenting, Canada, Fall, Migration, Mexico, Education, Science, Observation

Labels: bugs, family, fun, homeschool, nature, photos, science, teaching, Texas

Psalm 37:25 ~ I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

The TEACHER OUT OF SERVICE day is going well. There has been no argument (other than over sorting laundry this morning when we first woke up). There has been a lot of housework done. The kids have actually enjoyed themselves while doing it all! I even heard them singing together while they did our lunch dishes. We warmed up leftovers from Mexico, Italy, Japan and Madagascar in the microwave. All but the Mexican tasted much better the first go-around. The vanilla fruit-salad from Madagascar was getting a bit 'strong'. We threw out the last bit that wasn't eaten. Mommy has been upstairs doing bills, checkbook and laundry... and soon some school plans for tomorrow. Later I have to go return our library books and go to the bank to get an ATM card.

This brings me to my blog topic today: Finances and Faith. No one wants to talk about money (at least those who don't have much of it). Money tends to be a really personal topic and everyone has an opinion. However, money is a necessity - just like food and water... because without it, you don't have food or water!

Why am I going to get an ATM card at the bank if I don't have much money? The answer is simple: ATM cards make it much harder to accumulate overdraft fees! We are going to really buckle down and try and prevent the needless fees (late fees, bank overdrafts, ATM fees, library fines, etc) that tend to bleed our account dry needlessly.

After moving back home, we realized that the raise my husband was getting would only cover our medical expenses (because his company changed his health plan and is taking an additional 250$ a month out of his check for it). We doubled our housing payment by purchasing a home, too. Even though we don't have state income tax here in Texas, we pay a pretty penny for property taxes (to the tune of nearly 5K a year)... so we actually are not coming out ahead. It does cost a tad less at the grocery store here than it does in Arkansas (we don't have produce taxes in Texas)... and we have a lower sales tax and restaurant tax than the county in Arkansas we lived in. However, the fact remains that we added bills and didn't really increase our pay like we had anticipated. Thus the crunch is on to find a way to budget where there's not any left-over. I'm sure there are many of you out there in homeschool land who are in the same shape. I'd love to hear your tips on how to get it done without having to move out of your house and under the nearest bridge.

Since we moved, we have been really slow about tithing. In fact, we have decreased what we normally would tithe by perhaps 85-95%. I justified this off by saying that "surely God would understand if I am 'moving' and in a state of flux with my bills for a while". Strange thing was... I still had guilt. Not guilt because of our church... but guilt because I know that tithing is an issue of FAITH and TRUST in God. My guilt was based on my responsibility after reading God's scripture. In fact, the only place in the Bible where God asks you to TEST Him is Malachi 3:8-12, and it happens to be about TITHING.

Malachi 3:8-12 ~
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

Ouch. And I knew this verse... before I justified not giving what I should. So I guess a panic attack over lack of funds to pay bills isn't such a harsh punishment for poor stewardship. After all, it is His money, not mine. Maybe (as a brother in Christ said last night in our small group Bible study) we should not ask how much we should give back to God... but how much of HIS should we keep for ourselves.

So today was bill-paying day. Normally, I would leave myself enough to get by for two weeks (until the next payday). Even if sometimes the 'enough' is still very slim. But this time, I stood on the cliff of faith and jumped. There wasn't enough to tithe my 10%. I did it anyway. Amazingly, the panic is gone and I feel peace instead. I'm not sure how less than 100$ can last for 14 days with two kids to feed and a vehicle with only 1/2 tank of gas... but I know that with God all things are possible.



I'm going to have to just believe that He's got this whole thing worked out for us... in advance.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I don't think that believing is going to be hard. I have seen Him working in my life for such a long time now. How could I not believe? And why should I worry? Read below what God has said about worrying about our provisions:

Matthew 6:24-34:
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I can't wait to tell you about how God managed to keep us in the black in the next 14 days. I'm sure He's got another miracle up His sleeve for me.


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Buzz Words: Homeschooling, Life, Faith, Money, Finances, Scripture, God, Trust, Bills, Belief, Jesus, Christianity, Devotional, Inspiration, Charity

Labels: faith, money, personal

We had a blast at our culture fair this weekend. Here's a cute shot from the fun. I'm totally wiped out, though... so I'm sorry for not blogging, but life is just a little hectic when you are doing a major school project. Plus, we had my sister in town this weekend (who was a huge help), and we had church and small group today (Sundays are always busy).

Since last Thursday we have made our displays (including matting art and school work for show and painting some background illustrations), got our costumes finished, practiced our reports, bought some last minute items for our table, gathered some things from home for show-and-tell, and mom spent from 6am Saturday to 9am cooking! I made 'Tempura', 'Edamame', 'Sticky Rice', and 'Miso Soup'. I was so proud of the kiddos for their performance. My reluctant participant (Kaden) was the hardest one to get to sit down and stop talking! They said they were nervous, but you couldn't even tell. It was so fun to listen to all the kids' reports and learn about so many other countries. I also enjoyed eating everyone's interesting foods. I think our co-op leader is going to make us a recipe book soon with all the great dishes we were served.

Tomorrow is a TEACHER OUT OF SERVICE DAY around my house. I'm going to clean house, take library books back, and read with the kids... and maybe nap... and read my Bible... and stare at the ceiling some. I'm looking forward to it!

Next week the Homeschool Carnival will be here on my blog. Because we all know that I need some more things to add to my to-do list, right??? Remember to email me your old high school yearbook photos if you are brave enough.

Have a super Monday! Hope to have the energy to blog again soon!


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Buzz Words: Homeschooling, Culture, Asia, Kids, Fun, School, Homeschool, Parenting, Japan, Presentation, Teaching, Geography, Learning, Kids, Food, Art, Education, Costumes

Labels: art, family, food, friends, fun, getting-it-done, homeschool, lesson-plans, motherhood, parenting, photos, teaching

It's that time again... busy time! You know that when you see a photo of my lunch in here, that I have much more important things to do than blog. However, seeing what other homeschoolers are eating has always been an interest of mine... because not only do I have to wear the hat as Mom, Teacher, Secretary, Principal, Janitor, and Administrator for my little school... I also have to take on the title of COOK! Getting a good lunch crammed in to your already full day is sometimes hard. We eat too much canned soup if we are really cracking the books. Here's an example of a 'quickie' family favorite of ours... Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!

Speaking of food... I have put a few recipes on my food blog for you this week! It isn't the prettiest blog, but the recipes are great. One day, I'll have the time and money to get the site re-designed. Right now, it is my back-burner blog (a recipe collection of our family's favorites).

While you imagine the warm smell of my soup drifting in your kitchen, I'm going to be getting busy on my list. We have a lot of stuff to get done in the next three days! I told my husband this morning before he left for work that I felt like I was "over-scheduled". In layman's terms, that means OVERWHELMED. It would be nice to have a week when life wasn't going 100-miles-an-hour, wouldn't it?

MY BUSY LIST

• Sister coming in town this weekend (clean house)
  
• Culture Fair Saturday - finish projects, practice oral reports, look up recipes, cook & prepare our table's decorations, make Kaden's costume
  
• Benefits enrollment at husband's work (tedious scouring of medical plans & enrollment today)
  
• School today and Friday (and friends over to play today)
  
• Payday (update checkbook and pay bills)
  
• Grade papers and get caught up with paperwork
  
• Get SWAP partners assigned and set mail date for the HSBA Swap
  
• Start data input for Homeschool Series update

I'll see you in here tomorrow for Field Trip Foto Friday. Next Monday night, all the Carnival of Homeschooling email entries will start coming to me, too. Be sure you enter a post if you are a homeschool blogger! In a few more weeks, I'll be updating my Homeschool Series post and adding another year's worth of curriculum, books, Konos memories, links, and field trips. I might even have a fun photo from our culture fair to share next week!

Have a great Thursday! See you tomorrow!


Quick Links
My Homeschool Lunch (the first in the 'series')
My Homeschool Lunch 2


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Buzz Words: food, lunch, homeschool, soup, blogging, photos, meme, home, mommy, motherhood, parenting, getting things done

Labels: blogging, food, getting-it-done, homeschool, motherhood, parenting, personal, photos, teaching

The 7 entries for our Fall Five Kodak Printer Give-Away that we had on the 14th of this month swelled to 19 in just one day! Seems like everyone else is just as bad of a procrastinator as I am. I had a good time with this project and I hope you did too. I think that everyone deserves a printer. Too bad there's only one! I wanted the judging to be unbiased, so there were five of us that voted. A few of my "judges" didn't respond fast enough, so I felt like 5 of us was enough to get a sample of unbiased opinion. Seems that the vote is in!



The WINNER is Jacque Dixon of "Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths</