Teaching Textbooks Testimonial

I purchased a used Teaching Textbooks Math 4 with CD's and have been so please with the curriculum. The lectures are thorough. The questions clear with just the right amount of challenge. I have never, in my 8 years of homeschooling dealt with a company demonstrating such amazingly high integrity. I had some issues with my used cd's and the company stood by them, treating me better than fair! Keep up the great work Teaching Textbooks - You are Impressive!!

Snapshot Summary #12

Thursday

30 - September, 2010

I work with Abigail on All About Spelling

10:00 AM snack time

1:00 PM means guitar practice for Cob. The book he's working through has him listen to an audio lesson as he learns the new technique. I just love to watch him practice. His feet come off the ground and swing.

Friday

1 - October, 2010

Grandma Rose and Aunt Judy visit!

Sunday
3 - October, 2010

Paul and Michelle (neighbors) hosted a wonderful Autumn Party at their house. There was a great spread of healthy snacks, hot cider, cupcakes for the kids to decorate with frosting and sprinkles (then eat of course), gourds to decorate with glitter paint, pin the squirrel in the cutely decorated fall leafy tree hole, and bobbing for apples. Michelle demonstrated the art of apple bobbing, then the kids had at it. It was really nice to meat some of the friends that Michelle talks about. I felt honored we were invited. The whole family had an awesome time. Oh and they had a camp fire too!

Other neighbors, Amber, Jim, Sienna, Conner and Penny

Monday

4 - October, 2010

Can you tell I have been cleaning out everyones closets, dressers PLUS all the bins and baskets, waiting to be put in the bins?!?!?!? The result is pictured above. I could not believe how overflowing each bin was. I stayed up until 2 AM on Saturday to finish everything! Well, I got the bright idea to give Renee a mini heart attack when she arrived. It was just before she and the children were due to pull in that Mary and I made up some tags for the clothes bags with Matt, Michelle, Henry, Melvin, Dawson, Jason, Grandma, Frank and Lisa. One tag for each bag. Then Jacob asked Aunt Renee if they would mind taking a few items back to Florida since they would be back that way at the end of November. hee hee!! It didn't fool her for long, just long enough to have that mini heart attack. Poor Renee, just what she needed after all the stress of traveling. She said Frank and Lisa were the give away. She just couldn't imagine why I would be sending them clothes.

Ah! my wonderful sister her six above average arrived! How can I describe the fellowship we enjoyed, the activity that surrounded us? All I can say is I was blessed by each of them. When Renee left that evening to attend a meeting with David and the elders of their commending assembly I really enjoyed each of my nieces and nephews. The children all played so well together. Everyone played quietly during family time. When I asked them to put on their pajamas - up they went with not one word of complaint!

Drew reads over his scripture selection for family worship.

Listening to Papa tell the Bible story.

Worship through song!

Tuesday

5 - October, 2010

Dress up time with the cousins.

Everyone found something to put on for dress up (escept Abram I think). Here they are all gathered around waiting for Abi to play a song on the piano.

Everyone found something to put on for dress up (escept Abram I think). Here they are all gathered around waiting for Abi to play a song on the piano

I don't think I have every seen a cuter unicorn!!

Precious Sophia

Wednesday
6 - October, 2010

I had a lot of wonderful help making Meleah's Birthday cake. She chose an Angel Cake. Lydia sifted the flour and powdered sugar together for me. Meleah and Abram helped me slowly add the sugar to the softly peaked egg whites. Then I had to kick everyone out to fold in the sifted mixture. I was afraid they would stir instead of fold. The cake turned out very yummy. I actually missed out on the candle lighting and singing. I also didn't get a single picture :-(. Renee, if any of yours turn out you will have to send them to me and I will add them to this post.

Thursday

7 - October, 2010

They started off far apart, Chloe asking Sophie if she could read her a story.

Before long they were close together sharing their love of books!

After supper I took the older three to Awana as Uncle David spoke to the children there. It was a blessing to go and be a part of all the organized games. The Bible memorization in the program is fantastic! I enjoyed Uncle David's charge to the children. I also got Julia on my lap for a nice long spell - bonus! Then I got to meet my blog buddy Tonya's son. What a nice young man. It encouraged me, just to meet him.

Friday
8 - October, 2010
David, Renee and crew took off impressively 5 minutes ahead of schedule at 7:40AM. We flew around making the house a bit more presentable, then headed off to copy works. I got my needed copies made for our science, well, our science co-op if you can call it that. My friend Tonya and I are taking turns reviewing a lesson from:

We hosted today so, as I was saying. . . We got the copies made and headed to stringed instrument lessons for Mary and Cob. Then ran into Kephart's on the way home so Cob could replenish his guitar pick supply. Abi went into work with Drew since I was driving the car, which only has buckles for 5 so we stopped to pick her up and got home just after (yes I know, I was late) Tonya and her four children arrived. We had a great lesson review and got our bone project started. Then we had a nice lunch together. Then the children played while Tonya and I sat and visited.

Until next week or next summary!!

Our New to Us Van

Sunday our van kept overheating on the way home from church. Long story short it was a blown head gasket. When Drew took it in they hooked up the diagnostics machine to the transmission they found it was on its way out too. Drew checked Craigslist Tuesday, I think, and found a 1997 8 passenger Dodge Ram Wagon for $995. Drew did an internet search to see if he could find out any information about the guy selling it. When he did it brought up His picture on facebook and since I was logged in, it brought up my account. It showed we had one friend in common. So I called my friend and she told me of this man's godly character. How he raised three daughters that love the Lord. She worked with him at her church on a musical worship team. Anyway, Drew and Jacob went to have a mechanic check it out today. The mechanic said there was 950$ worth of immediate work to make it safe. Then another like 450$ of optional work. So when they got back to the man's house he said he was curious to look at the list. Drew said he was a super nice sincere guy. The man told Drew "you have a pained look on your face, you will not insult me, make an offer." Drew proceeded to offer him $600 and he said how about $500! Drew drove away less $500 with the gain of a title and bill of sale. So we hope to drop the van off in the morning at the mechanics and soon be driving around in style, well if you consider a 1997 with a bit of rust - style! hee hee. I sure am thanking the Lord!!

To see a picture of the vehicle go to the link below and scroll down to Tuesday.

http://thetribetalk.blogspot.com/2010/11/snapshot-summary-17.html

Bathroom Update #7

When Drew's Mom and Dad came last Sunday Drew put his dad right to work helping him install the tub surround! Drew said he just didn't have the guts to do it on his own and he was glad he didn't try it because it was truly a two man job.

Thanks for helping Pa

Here is the surround all braced up and waiting for the glue to dry.

Here's another angle of the bracing. I thought the bracing was super inventive!

Snapshot Summary #11

Monday

20 - September, 2010

I am really enjoying our science time this year. The book is full of "Try This" boxes with activities that reinforce what they are suppose to remember. This is a picture of the "Try This" box on mummification. This is the control apple. Unfortunately the test apple which was "embalmed" with baking soda and salt was not uncovered early enough to look much different. We started the experiment a couple days before leaving for Kentucky. I guess I should have put them both in the refrigerator. Really, most of the experiment are good ones, You gotta believe me on this one.

Tuesday

21 - September, 2010

Mary, Jacob and Abi had their first Autumn semester piano lessons! They are so excited to be back at the piano.

Wednesday and Thursday - I am amazed that we are staying on schedule so well. I put our entire school day on google calendar. Jennifer gave me the idea and it has worked great! I have a separate calendar for each child. Each calendar, therefor each child has a unique color. Once I have worked out all the bugs I plan to post the whole thing on the wall like I did last year. My laundry seems to be getting further and further behind and I am not sure when to fit it in. I may have to give up posting these updates so I can fold laundry :-).

Friday

24 - September, 2010

A very full day! Mary and Jacob had fiddle and guitar lessons from 9-10 AM. I took the younger children to a nearby park to play. It was a cold windy morning and I had not packed enough jackets so everyone was in and out of the van to warm up. I had to use the restroom, took Chloe with me. . .Abi was in and out getting a my sweater for Abram. . .Then it happened! The keys got locked in the van. Everyone had gone back to the play equipment and there I was, trying each door in turn in vain. "Well guys" I announced, "we are about to embark on an adventure." We were suppose to pick Mary and Jacob up at 10 AM about a mile from the park. It was now 9:40. I estimated we could walk it, if we really booked. Of coarse, my emergency cell phone was locked in the van with the keys. A kind hearted citizen noticed Chloe's bare legs, did I mention it was really chilly and the wind was blowing? Well, it was really chilly and the wind was blowing, so seeing Chloe's bare legs this kind lady gave us a ride to the lesson. Mary and Cob's teacher very kindly let me call Drew who informed me of a hidden spare key. Then the teacher drove us over to the park, found the key and voila, we were off to our friends house for our science co-op! Tonya did a great job reviewing our first lesson. Then the kids all built a cell using jello for the cytoplasm, a gum drop for the nucleus, jelly beans for the mitochondria, skittles for the centrioles, fruit roll ups for the ER(endoplasmic reticulum), sprinkles for the ribosomes. . . What a great cementing activity. We got home and Chloe was asleep so I carried her up, then some neighbor boys came over to play and stayed for homemade pizza. About 6:15 I headed out for a ladies bible study and truly enjoyed the fellowship and encouragement from God's word.

Chloe and Abram played SO nicely together Friday after Chloe woke up from her nap. The held hands and Abram led her around. They played legos, puppy and in the sand box. I am so thankful when the children enjoy each other. It does happen!

Saturday

25 - September, 2010

I took Mary, Cob, Abi, Baruch, and Chloe to visit Great Grandma while Abram helped Drew build some shelves in the bathroom. Grandma Ruth inspires me every time I visit with her. She has an insatiable curiosity, a zeal for learning and a love of playing word games!

UPWORDS with Grandma!

While others napped

A visit to Pikes Peak before heading home

We got home about 7:25. Drew put those at home to bed while Mary and I made the monthly Wal Mart run, as well as the weekly Aldi/Sam's Club run. The new menu plan has helped me stream line my shopping lists but we still didn't get home until 9:45! Drew came down to help unload while I put away fast and furious. I was exhausted when I climbed in to bed about 10:45 PM!

Sunday

25 - September, 2010

I woke up with a BIG BAD headache! UGH! I shuffled down stairs and chopped an onion and stuck it in the crock pot, then put a roast on top. Rubbed it down with s/p first. Then made my way back up stairs to bed. Cob was so sweet, he brought up peppermint oil for me to rub on my temples, a big glass of water, and an ibuprofen, all of which I gladly accepted. Drew took everyone to church. About 10:45 i rolled out of bed feeling SO much better. I fried an egg for myself, which improved my headache even more. I was so thankful not to be battling that headache while Bill and Mary were here! I did manage to get a nap in while Grandma loved up the non-nappers!

Grandma loved up some of the nappers too!! (after their naps) That Grandma just loves good lovin'! It was really cute, Chloe was giving Grandma all kinds of good loving. When I produced the camera - in shot Abram from who know where.

Abi got this great sewing box from Aunt Dawnie. She brought it down in the afternoon and made an announcement that she would do any mending for a penny. I quickly produced the pair of jeans she is carrying. She put a nice neat patch on them. I felt too guilty to just pay a penny so gave her a substantial tip.