Kindergarten Homeschool: I Think We Are Ready

I have spent the better part of today finalizing my preparations for ds4’s first day of Kindergarten tomorrow.  We are doing a little 8 week “mini-school” for the summer.  Ds4 will be following My Father’s World Kindergarten program.  It took more than a little prep time on my part, and lots of reading and re-reading of instructions in the teacher’s guide (lack of sleep last night?  getting old?  just a blonde thing?) but I think I am ready!

I incorporated the MFW curriculum into the workbox system I had set up for ds3…it is more for me than for it’s intended purpose of getting the student used to independent study.  I will be working with ds4 on all his lessons…using the workbox system just helps us remember what to do in what order.

Basically the MFW Kindergarten day is broken down into three parts:  Daily activities, including a 100 chart and calendar; reading lessons and activities; and a special activity based on the letter and theme of the week.  So I labeled three of the workbox boxes accordingly.

In the daily activities box I have the 100 chart and craft sticks, the blank calendar and a marker.  In the reading lesson box I have the resources for tomorrow’s (day 1) lesson…flashcards, workbook page, etc.  Each day you do the same activities (for that day), just with a different letter each week.  Clear as mud, eh?  In the special activity box I have books about the sun…on day 1 you research the theme of the week and this week’s theme is the sun.

It’s not as hard as I’m making it seem, I think I’m just tired and hot.  But you get the idea…I hope.  So here we go…bring on day one!

Kindergarten Homeschool Planning: One Decision Made

I mentioned in my previous whiny homeschool planning post that I was burned out and wanted a complete curriculum this year to help ease my pain.  Well, the dream came partially true.

I ordered My Father’s World Kindergarten for ds4.  I know, he is only 4yo, but he has been doing preschool stuff with us for 2 years now and is really ready to move on.  I am a little worried about how this may put him behind age-wise if he ever does go to a public school but I’ll burn cross that bridge if/when we get there.

I am quite pleased so far with this curriculum.  I ordered the basic set which includes some flashcards, student work materials and a pretty detailed teacher’s guide.  All I have to do is gather materials for each week’s lesson.  For example, week one focuses on the sun so I need to get some craft supplies and books that the guide lists we will use.  There is also a great message board on the MFW website that has lots of extra activities to incorporate into the plans.  And that is exactly how I get myself into trouble, by finding all these fun looking extras and thinking I have to do them all with ds or else all is lost.  Somebody stop me! 

I’m going to start things on Monday and work with the boys for 8 weeks this summer.  First time we’ve ever done that, but I really feel ds3 needs some more work with math and writing.  I’ll post the things I’ll be doing with ds3 next.  Spoiler alert:  the dream did not come true with ds’s school. 

Disney Trip Report: Day 5

By the time I finish with all these trip reports we’ll be back on vacation again lol.  Okay, day 5.  We had been to all the parks by now and had that wonderful luxury of just picking any old thing we felt like doing, without worrying that we were missing out on anything, kwim?   So we decided to spend the morning in Animal Kingdom.  The AK closes early as a rule so a morning visit is a good idea anyway.

The older boys and I walked right on to It’s Tough To Be A Bug, the 3d movie housed inside the big Tree of Life.  Dh and ds4 waited patiently for us.

  Dh looks tired already lol.

I love waterfalls.

I also love this guy.  Dh and the older boys went on the midway type rides at Dinoland and ds4 and I explored the Boneyard.  When AK first opened the Boneyard was just a big sand box with dinosaur bones hidden all around for the kiddos to find.  But it was also hot hot hot!  I’m glad to see Disney has improved on the concept…greatly improved.  Now the Boneyard is a gigantic playground with lots of bridges and tunnels and slides.

This is a very fun place for your little guys to burn off some energy and just have, well, fun. :)

Dh and I switched off and I took the older boys on Dinosaur the ride.  Ds2 asked the cast member if the dinosaur bones on display were real or copies…they are copies.

Time for a treat break!  Frozen confections are the best for beating the heat.  We were right next to the auditorium where they have Nemo the Musical so we decided to check that out.  We had never been before…let’s remember, I have all boys.  Mention the word musical and they run for it lol.

It was really good.  The actors/puppeteers even come out into the audience occasionally.  And all the high wire stuff kept my boys’ interest.

This pic is from ds2’s camera.  This bird flew right in front of me…I was tasting feathers, folks.  At least he didn’t fly over me and leave me any presents. :P  Okay, we were done with AK and went back to the hotel for our afternoon water play.  It is soooo refreshing to take that break.  That is the A #1 reason for staying on Disney property imo.  After our break we decided to visit MGM one more time.  Ds3 wanted to ride Rock N Roller Coaster.  Now quite a few years ago we went to Disney with my brother and his wife.  My sil cried on the Rock N Roller Coaster ride.  Plus there have been reports of people getting sick after riding.  So I hadn’t even let ds2 ride until last year.  And of course when the little boys and I rounded the corner to return to the ride and greet ds2 there was an ambulance!  I about had a heart attack until I saw ds2’s grinning face.  Now you understand my reluctance to let ds3 anywhere near this ride lol.

Yep, just tall enough.  So dh and ds2 took him on.  And he loved it!  He said he was “rocking out” the whole time.  :)

We rode Toy Story Mania again and then dh and the boys hit The Great Movie Ride.  Ds4 and I hung out and waited for them.

Check out my ring!  It’s Sleeping Beauty.  The boys actually found it on the street and presented it to me. :)  That was the end of our day.  And the end of our trip!  We decided to pack it up and head home a day early.  It had been a wonderful time and we were anxious to get home and recoup.

This was the last pic I took…a boy, his balloon and his Webkinz.  The End.

Busy Week

It’s been a busy week, for me at least.  I ordered some school materials for ds3 and ds4 and have been making up tentative plans as I await all the packages.  It’s all still a bit overwhelming to me so I am taking it a bit at a time…I have decided I will do a mini-school or “bridge” or review or whatever you want to call it with the boys over the summer.  So I am only putting into stone the plans for the next eight weeks.  I am hoping this little transition time will bring ds3 up to par with his math and writing skills and get ds4 used to a more structured school time.  And get me over my “teacher’s block.”

On top of all this we have 3 graduations to attend this week!  My nephew has his tonight, my niece tomorrow, and ds1’s girlfriend’s is Saturday.  Geesh I’m old.  We also had a bday party this week for my nephew…got some great pics I’ll post later of ds4 and the bday boy.  They are only 5 months apart in age and were so cute at the party and amusement park we went to afterwards.  Oh, and I hope to have another book review up as well.  Sorry I didn’t get to Cats On Tuesday this week.  I really need to schedule my blogging better.  Oh dear, this post is quickly getting more and more random…must stop now!

Disney Trip Report: Day 4

Give it up for day 4!  Woo hoo!  By now we had been away from home for 8 days and no major meltdowns.  Life is good. :)

We started off our morning in the Magic Kingdom.  We rode the train around to Toon Town and the fun begins.

Goofy’s Barnstormer is a roller coaster ride designed with little guys in mind.  It has drops and twists and turns but they are quite gentle.  Ds4 does not like loud or dark rides, but he decided to give this one a try.

This is something new I’ve seen around Disney…the attraction “gate keepers” blowing bubbles as you enter.  Very cool.  Check out ds2’s shirt…he rocks. :)

Ds4 is excited!

He loved it!  This pic is from the second time he rode!  Another daredevil in the making.

Toon Town is home to Mickey and Minnie’s houses and Donald Duck’s boat.  Oh I wish I had a mailbox like Minnie’s.  And her kitchen is as cute as can be.  This is probably the last year I will be able to drag ds in here lol.

On to the races!  The Tomorrowland Speedway is tons of fun…but kinda smelly and noisy.  Just keeping it real.

Ha ha, we beat you!

Buzz Lightyear’s ride is great.  Ds4 didn’t like it last time (remember the loud and dark rule) but this time he did great.

Ds3 wanted to ride by himself.  My little guy is getting too big!

Thankfully ds2 agreed to keep dh company.

We hit the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and the big boys went on the Stitch ride and then we hit our favorite lunch spot in Magic Kingdom…Starlight Cafe.  We love listening to Cosmic Ray while we eat.

They have a great variety of food, from rotisserie chicken to soup, sandwich and salad, to burgers and hot dogs.  A little of everything.

Dh and the boys wanted to ride Big Thunder Mountain so ds4 and I hung out at the playground near Splash Mountain.  It was so funny…there were three grandmas there watching the kiddos and clapping and cheering every time someone came down the little slide.  They would learn the child’s name or just say “Yea for little pink shoes!”  The kids ate it up of course! :)

 

We went back to the hotel for our afternoon rest and found a towel butterfly on the freshly made bed.  How cute.  Ds4 grew quite attached to it and actually brought it home with him.  Sorry Pop Century, just add it to my bill.  And quit making such cute things.   Thank you.

Pool time!  Oh it was a bright and sunny day and this pool didn’t have much shade.  Yes, we went through 2 whole tubes of sunscreen on this trip.  The kids couldn’t understand why we kept reapplying the stuff…”But I already went through this!”

Ds4 and dh.  Too cute. 

Ds2 launches ds3 in this one.  Ds3 has yet to get the hang of going under without holding his nose.  Hopefully we will work out that bug with this summer’s swim lessons.

Oh no!  Eaten by a shark.  We visited Epcot again in the evening and ds and I had more fun at the Living Seas.

Outside Minnie’s butterfly garden ds2 and ds4 decorate some planters for seeds the volunteer’s were giving away.

Another beautiful day filled with magical moments.  Our most relaxing vacation yet.  Wish I was there right now.

Book Review: On Gold Mountain by Lisa See

I love Lisa See’s books.  I am super excited that a new one comes out Tuesday.  While browsing around I found a book she wrote that I did not know about…On Gold Mountain is the story of her family’s journey from China to America, or “Gold Mountain.”  It details the lives of her great-great-great (I may have one too many in there :))grandfather and his children from his 4 wives.  A family member asked See to write the story and she did a superb job of researching her family’s history and retelling it in her own wonderful way.  Some of the history is fictionalized of course as records were lost and family members’ recollections differ or were “lost in translation.”  Nonetheless it’s a great read.  See is quite adept at mixing history and fiction in a way that keeps the reader turning the pages.  I can honestly say I learned a lot reading this book.  See holds nothing back, and is quite honest and frank even in telling her own parents’ story…sometimes too honest and frank lol.   I couldn’t believe her parents were still talking to her!  There are lots of old pictures too and at the end See tells of her trip back to the family’s hometown in China and meeting her cousins and other relatives still there…very interesting.  It’s a long book, but well worth it imo.

Disney Trip Report: Day 3 Pop Century and Epcot

Before we had the extra trip to Jacksonville tacked on to this vacation, this day was supposed to have been our first day at Disney…now it was day 3!  But it was our first in our resort hotel, the Pop Century. 

Who can resist a giant Rubik’s Cube? 

I have lost my notes from this trip, my ds2 has my camera and memory card (lucky bum is on his way to New Orleans with my brother to see Jim Gaffigan) so I’m kinda winging it here…don’t blame me if some of my recollections don’t jive.  :)  I remember we left our Embassy Suites hotel and checked into the Pop Century.  We had to wait a little while for a room to be ready and I want to say we ate lunch in the food court while waiting.  Oh, and the boys checked out the arcade.  Can anyone say Guitar Hero?

Ds2 and ds3 (aka the guitar playing flamingo lol.)  After exploring the hotel a bit we headed back to Epcot.

The boys and I outside of Spaceship Earth.

We went on Journey Into Imagination a cute ride starring Figment.  After the ride you can play in the Kodak interactive area.

Outside the ride is an area with “jumping water.”  It cycles back and forth between those red rimmed pads.

Oops, got too close!

 

 

We split up for some reason and ds4 and I got to spend some quality time together.  We went straight for Living Seas.  I love the manatee exhibit.

Here is ds at the “KidCot” station where he got to decorate a cutout of a shark and a dolphin to wear around his neck.  Well, most of the time I wound up wearing it. :)

After we gazed at all the wonderful sea life we  went to Turtle Talk With Crush, a fun interactive show where Crush from Nemo is displayed on a screen and actually interacts with the audience, answering questions and all.  It’s super cute.  In the waiting area ds and I took a quiz about sea life on some computers and had fun watching these rays.  Sometimes it felt a little odd to separate as a family, but in retrospect I really enjoyed these alone times with ds4.  Not so much because we don’t have these times enough at home lol, but because he got to do just what he wanted, got to go at his own pace and I think enjoyed himself more.

Here we are as we were leaving the park.  See my necklace lol?  We only hit the one park this day and headed back to the hotel for some watery fun.

Ds was not impressed at all with this kiddie area near the main pool, so we joined dh and the big boys in the big one.  Another wonderful, relaxing and magical day with my family.  :)