We are more than half way through the school year and its going rather well. I had a bit of hick-up in December where I questioned our history choice for a bit. I spent some
time sampling other history curricula, only to end up back where be started
before the Thanksgiving break. Thankfully, I didn't get off track for
too long; this time. I guess these times of question are good, even when
nothing changes, because it gives me a greater sense of confidence about what we are using. We
did start doing one thing differently. I am using the quotes at the
beginning of each chapter of Synge
for Dictation practice and ironically I have seen a big improvement in
the boys spelling. Therefore, I am going to continue with this and
scripture memorization with Scripture Typer for the remainder of the year, in lieu of the spelling and grammar worksheets we had been using.
On our trip to Florida we took the time to listen to three audio books; two were from the Classical Kids collection that produced Beethoven Upstairs that the kids love to play over and over again. They were Halleluiah Handel! and Mozart 's Magnificent Voyage. The one on Handel is interesting because it picks up where Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery left off using the same main supporting character. It stresses the power of music to empower people. Mozart was a bit more a fantasy. The kids enjoyed both but Beethoven is still their favorite.
The third audio was our first audio from the famous Jim Weiss, "Galileo and the Stargazers". I found his voice tolerable and the book certainly kept the boys attention, but I was irked at the stories historical inaccuracies, particularly regarding Archimedes. They seemed to try to bring the story into modern times sacrificing accuracy in the process.
Speaking of history, Chris read the boys a true treasure this month, The Apprentice by Pilar Llorente. My friend Brandy had recommended this as their families favorite book on the Middle Ages/Renaissance, so I didn't pre-read. The story takes place in Italy and revolves around a young boy who is apprenticed to become an artist. The story was so enthralling, I found myself asking them to wait so I could listen. Finally, I had to sit down and finish it myself one night. One the main characters has the most Christ like, in his approach to life, I have ever found in children's literature. I wish more books would stress such incredible positive character modeling for children.
Lance read Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright for his independent read this month. I'd found it on an odd list of books I wouldn't read, books I liked a lot and ones I'd never heard of; the later being the most useful. It a simple, yet entertaining, book about a summer break spent exploring and making new friends. If your children need video game entertainment, they'll hate this book. If they enjoy the simple pleasures of traditional everyday life of kids they should enjoy this thoroughly. I'm happy to say my darling boy did.
I took another chance this month and let Jared read Stuart Little by E.B. White for his independent read again without pre-reading. I had seen the movie years ago and Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White is a family favorite, so I took the chance. From Jared's review it was definitely a bit more suspenseful. His only real complaint was the the foot didn't finish, it left him hanging he felt. In my eyes that turned into a great thing, when he decided the only thing to do is write the sequel. I'll let everyone know when its in print.
In my never ending attempt to find good historical fiction, I stumbled upon a comic/graphic novel version of Don Quixote, called The Last Knight by Will Eisner Much to my chagrin this was a favorite of all three boys, so much so that I became over familiar with it as they read it aloud to Titus, again and again. I'm not a big fan of comics/graphic novels but it made me familiar enough with the story to realize I had no interest in reading the original (Think Disney vs. Grim Brothers Cinderella, sometimes Disney's version is better or at least less graphic and offensive.)
We decided to go as a family to Jared's annual cardiologist check-up in Florida. Since we were going as a family, we drove. To keep our sanity, we left after Chris finished work on Wednesday and stopped a little over half-way in Savanah, GA. We actually made great time, hit the local Panera for dinner and went to sleep. (BTW I am now addicted to their Iced Green Tea :-P). Day 1 done.
Day Two, we ate at the hotel and headed out early. We stopped about an hour out from our destination to meet with my parents for lunch at Tijuana Flats. There too I found a new favorite dish, the Non-tortia. Yay me! I was two for two. The kids ate but mainly enjoyed conversing with their grandparents. I was enjoying the interaction too, so I completely forgot to take any pictures.
Next, we were off to drop off three kids at the Paray's and head to the Cardiologist with Jared. Going to the cardiologist, is like visiting family for us. This visit we got good and bad news. The good news is that Jared continues to do well. The bad news left us completely crushed, our doc was having to retire early and close his practice. After some tears on all sides, we decided that our best choice for future check-up would be so go to Boston to see the cardiologist we worked with during Jared's surgery. It will be a longer trip but as Chris pointed out there are a lot of neat places we could visit.
We returned to the Paray's a bit contemplative but the house was too busy with kids and friends to be that way for long. Miss Cynthia even came by for a visit. Tia Mae had read "Egg boys" mind and made Adobo and pizza for the rest. Next, it was time to leave Tio Denise to study while we checked into our room at the Fountains.
Day Three was under the guise of if we are going we might as well.....go to Legoland. I had arranged for us to get the homeschool rate and made sure the Paray's had no school that day, not a common combination. This trip was in part for Titus' birthday and in part so that Matthew could finally go before he was no longer considered a kid for admission purposes.
The weather could not have been more perfect for our visit. The girl and I got all turned around on the boat ride (multiple times). The boys enjoyed the cars and the Fireman show. As a bonus I was able to sign everyone up, but Amber, for one of their Mind-storm robotics classes. Chris stayed with the kids, Mae, Amber and enjoyed the peace and quiet found wandering what was left of the Cypress Gardens gardens. We finished the day by Titus and I sneaking a carousal ride on the way out. I think he enjoyed his birthday vacation. By the end of the day everyone was pretty wiped. Mae had wondered why they closed at 5pm, by the end of the day we both agreed it was because they liked the parents. Needless to say no one was really up to cook, so we just ordered pizza, took short walk around resort and went to bed.
Day Four we stayed put at the resort. The kids wandered around, practiced baseball, swam, played basketball and the such. Mae and I took it easy watched them and talked. It was another beautiful day weather wise and company.
Day Five was time for farewells, everyone had to get back to life. Parting is always such sweet sorrow but God willing we will see each other again in only a few months. We had planned on stopping halfway again, but circumstances changed that made it necessary for us to push through. Thankfully, we still managed to get home by 9pm that night, tired but in one piece. On the upside we got to listen to more of our audio books and I was able to finish all the books I had brought to pre-read. More about that later.
Oh, and on an aside I had a wonderful birthday the Thursday we got back. The kids were great during the day and then Chris and slipped off to try a new (to us) restaurant downtown called Sitti. We got a parking lot right out front, and a perfect table to people watch, as we talked and ate dinner. The food was absolutely fabulous. It was Lebanese fare, similar to Turkish restaurant we had eaten at in the past but with a slightly different twist on everything, like crushed pistachio paste in the Baklava. In fact it was so good, Chris said we'll have to come back for his half birthday, his real birthday is too far away and we even know what we are going to try next.
