I though the holidays were busy

So my new college course starts July 8th.  I am excited for it but it will be an intense class that is geared right to my degree (business).  The class will end September 13th and then the second class will begin October 7th and end December 13th which will end up being barely a week before I will deliver the baby via c-section.  This will conclude my semester and I plan on taking the next class off to be with the baby.  My only fears are I for the most part free school and find the things I need when we come to what we want to learn at the time.  However with a new baby I need to actually figure out some plans so the kids can have some structure when I am down and unable to make them.  I can already smell my printer getting hot now!  I will say I am very lucky that my 8 year old is very advanced and will be able to help "teach" the others and explain their lessons to them.

I am also wondering if I should actually try to invest in some type of full curricula if that would be easier on us.  My oldest is very good with reading and following directions so as long as nothing is to bone dry she would fit with all curricula.  However my 7 year old still can not read and needs something that is very attention getting in order to get her in the mood to want to work.  I will also have a new kindy that will need to learn the basics of letters, numbers, and colors so that will not be to big of an issue.  Any suggestions of curricula would be awesome though!

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The garden is producing!

The kids are so excited to see what we grew from seeds! To be honest no mater how many times I have a garden it still impresses me.  I actually pulled a zucchini off while it was still small today and boiled it with cabbage and potatoes for dinner. It was amazing! I'm using the jalapeño and the banana peppers to make Cowboy Candy (a sweet/hot canned pepper). The kids just munch on the tomatoes and cucumbers! 

I love real life learning! Teaching a skill that WILL be useful in life no matter the way they choose to live. Miss blondie my 7 year old said when she grew up she was going to have a huge farm and grow her own food and hunt so she didn't have to work. :)

Summer Learning

It is hot out! That means we are spending a lot of time in the nice cool library reading books. Our library had an awesome reading program going on right now that has incentives for reading. The kids have already earned coupons for several free snacks from several places in town. They have loved the ice cream on these hot days.

Do you school all year? Do you go full force in Summer like you do the rest of the year? We tend to school all the time. There is always something to learn! Though we do tend to relax a bit in the summer and do more real life learning. We are able to get outside more and explore the world around us unlike when we are stuck in the house in the winter. We do keep some curricula in the mix to keep them on key with structure so they do not get lazy or backtrack in their learning for the new year.

I do have a request for my readers though... I am looking for a bet simple yet effective reading program. I preferred it not be online though. I have tried Hooked on Phonics as well as Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  Both were a fail for my very reluctant reader. I think something with pictures to help context words would be great and keep her interest. If you have any recommendations please let me know as we'll a links to buy if possible!

Swimming season is here!

This has to be by far my most favorite time of the year.  I love to be outside and even if it is blistering hot the cool water is the best thing ever!  Plus this year I am lucky enough to live exactly 1 mile from the spring which has crystal clear water.  It is a bit chilly at first but feels great when its 100 degrees out.  Not to mention there is always learning done in the water.  The different types of rock, fish, plants, and how a spring works and keeps cold when lake water gets warm with the weather.

Garden Love

So I planted a garden in early spring.  There were a few times I didn't think it was going to pull through.  We have had some high winds and flooding rains, but we are still at it.  It is so rewarding to see something you started from seeds grow so beautifully.  Not only are the plants thriving and growing but we have already gotten to eat some of the cherry tomatoes, although they are almost the size of a plum!  We have zucchini and yellow squash growing and till be ready to pick with in a week.  The banana peppers and jalapeno peppers will be ready to pick any day.  Everything else is growing at a good pace, can't wait to try it all though!  Do you garden?  What is your favorite part?