Choi Kwang Do and other homeschool fun!

This has been a week full of LIFE! Plenty of learning, to be sure, but a lot outside the boundaries of traditional subjects. Biggest example: we had a “staffing” about two children for another possible foster-adoption! {See Monday’s post to catch up!}

Enrichment classes:

Choi Kwang Do

The girls started back to enrichment classes this week. They’re both taking Choi Kwang Do and loved their first class; they’ve been practicing together since. Kathryn is taking the LEGO mechanics class she really wanted, and assisting in a kindergarten art class. Lindsey is taking a Bible class on Genesis, plus a home design class she’s super excited about.

Band class went well last week, so Kathryn has been a little more motivated to practice her flute this week.

The basics:

We did our regular math assignments, and Kathryn and I did our history and science readings. Because of the different paces each girl has been doing, they are now almost up to the same time period in history. Lindsey still has a love/hate relationship with the Dave Ramsey finance course she’s doing — and I’ll be posting a review of that in the next week or two. For literature, Lindsey is reading Little Women, but having some trouble getting into it, despite Kathryn’s assurance that it is a wonderful book.  Kathryn finished Blue Willow by Doris Gates, set during the Depression.

history books

Fun extras:

If you have anyone in the house who is interested in astronomy, don’t miss the post with our favorite astronomy resources! That’s something Kathryn does a bit of every week.

Kathryn has been attending rehearsals for a Purim play, coming up next month, where she’ll play one of Esther’s handmaids. We’ve been having fun babysitting our little “Peanut.” (In fact, I published this post with a baby in my lap — but it was already written. How do you moms with littles do this all the time?!) Kathryn has been helping more often in the kitchen. This afternoon, I’m hoping to squeeze in an art project!

weekly011813

**Oh, and one more thing I’m excited about: this 2:1 Conference news! Will you be there? I’d love to meet you!

Linking today with:
– Homeschool Mother’s Journal at iHomeschool Network
– Weekly Wrap-Up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
– No Fear Homeschool High School at The Daisy Head
– Collage Friday hostess Mary at Home Grown Learners

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22 responses to “Choi Kwang Do and other homeschool fun!”

  1. Zephyr Hill Avatar

    Two of my favorite books! Of course everyone knows about Louisa May Alcott’s books (my very favorite is Old-Fashioned Girl), but maybe not everyone knows about Doris Gates’ wonderful books. I just finished setting up the library of kids’ books for our grandchildren in the Narnia addition we’ve been doing upstairs. Here’s a link in case you want to know how much room 800 books take up! Hooray for Ikea “Billy!”

    http://mimiswardrobe.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/the-cair-paravel-library-is-open-for-business/

    Tell Lindsey that yes, Louisa May Alcott’s books can sound a tiny bit “preachy,” but Little Women is a wonderful story about, basically, real people because it’s based on her own life. She’s Jo, if that helps to get into it. I know you know that; I’m just trying to encourage Lindsey! 🙂

  2. Lindsey Avatar

    Oh my goodness, Blue Willow was my favorite book as a kid! I completely forgot about it!

  3. Mary Avatar

    Jamie! I’m so excited for you — just read the 2:1 news. This is great!

    I think 2013 is going to be a great year for your family 🙂

  4. Eddie - The Usual Mayhem Avatar

    They have a house design class? My daughter would be over the moon to attend one of those! I’d be interested to hear more about it as the class progresses.

    What’s involved in a “staffing” meeting? Not an entirely idle question, as we’ve given some thought to adoption ourselves.

  5. Jamie Avatar

    Mary,
    2013 may turn out to be crazy, but yes, I hope it’s great, too!

  6. Jamie Avatar

    Love, love, love how the room came out!! I’d have been over the moon for a place like that when I was a kid!

  7. Jamie Avatar

    In short, a staffing is sitting down with our caseworker & the kids’ caseworker and going over ALL the paperwork and details so that we can make an informed decision.

  8. Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers Avatar

    Yay! I’m excited about that 2:1 news, too! Can’t wait to see you again.

  9. Jenn Avatar

    That baby is adorable! I’m not sure I could get anything done with such a cutie in the house:)

    Did Kathryn like Blue Willow? I just picked it up at a sale and thought my girls might like it.

    I loved Little Women, but it was a bit of a challenge for my youngest so I read it out loud for all of us and then she checked out Little Men to read for herself. She seemed to enjoy it more that way and thought that Little Men moved a little faster. I think that they are both great books. And though I usually don’t appreciate the movies very much, the Little Women movie with Winona Ryder is actually really good!

  10. Ellen, the Bluestocking Belle Avatar

    Tiny Girl really enjoyed Blue Willow! Glad Kathryn is reading it, too.

  11. Giggly Girls Avatar

    Oh I hope she starts enjoying Little Women. I just love that book. I’ve never heard of Blue Willow it looks right up my alley. I’ll have to give it a go.

  12. Annie Kate Avatar

    I love Blue Willow…and we thrive on Little Women and the other Louisa May Alcott books. I’ve read a lot of them aloud.

    We also loved the Dave Ramsey finance course and giggled our way through it. Dave’s so funny as well as wise! My 10 year old fell in love with him and now listens to his audiobooks! I wrote about this course here: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.com/2011/05/review-personal-finance/

  13. Melissa Avatar

    looks like a fun week – love the enrichment class choices!!

  14. Theresa Avatar

    I am going to tell Allie about Blue Willow–she loves the 1930s and historical novels!

  15. Aadel Avatar

    Ok – I have to ask. What is Choi Kwang Do? The girls are excited because I told them if we found a dojang nearby our apartment they could take Tai Kwon Do *in* Korea!

  16. Jamie Avatar

    Aadel – Choi Kwang Do is suppose to be super good for your health, and focuses on self defense but it’s a non-contact, non-competitive martial art. More about it here: What is “choi kwang do?”

  17. Tricia Avatar

    So sweet that y’all get to take care of a baby!!! And I am thrilled for you about 2:1. Congrats! What a great week of basics and extras 🙂

  18. Jamie Avatar

    Thanks, Tricia! I’m pretty excited about the opportunity at 2:1!!

  19. Chandra Regan Avatar

    So many exciting things going on in your lives right now! How is Lindsey enjoying her last year of high school? We LOVE the flexibility of the homeschooling. I’m so glad that we started this up last year! It’s been the best thing ever! What a blessing! Thanks for sharing about yours!

  20. Jamie Avatar

    Awesome, Chandra! I’m glad it’s going so well for y’all!