10 more Days

So much has happened and continues to happen as we continue on with life and keep it as normal as possible and continue to prepare for the move to Surrey.

March 1-6 was the World Master indoor Track and Field Championship. For those of you who are not familiar it is like any other track meet except for the fact that all athletes are over 35. Watching men an women in their 80's and 90's compete in running, throwing and Yes even pole vault is pretty amazing. The experience as a volunteer for this even was more then i could ever have imagined it would be.

Over the Spring break we were able to visit with my brothers kids and also had my friend Daniel and his 3 kids stay with us for a few days. Rebecca really enjoyed having the extra kids around even if they were all older then her by at least a couple years. The house sure was quiet when everyone was gone!

Rebecca is continuing on with her schooling (grade 2 and not even 7 yet) I think we maybe be able to reach the half way mark before I leave her for 2 months. We have never been apart for more the a couple of days at a time so not seeing her until the end of April when I come back for her birthday will be extremely hard. I am not sure if I will be able to leave her behind when I head back to the coast and can't see her again until the end of May when I return to see her Year end Dance adn get her ready to return to Surrey with me.

The move is something Exciting to say the least. So much is happening for the better. I will continue my education (day care management and ECE Assistant) and then my friend Amanda and I will be able to open a fully licensed Childcare facility. We have many plans for the future including (in about 2 years) a fully functioning Christian Daycare and Pre-school center.

Now it is time to get Rebecca off to another dance class!

Oh I wish I were a Glow Worm....

"Oh I wish I were a glow worm
Cause I glow worms never glum
How can you be glum
When the sun shines from your bum?"

I feel trapped. This not being able to walk up and down the stairs thing dosnt work for me... I can't go out because we have stairs that lead out and I can't go to my own space because my own space is at the bottom of the stairs inside... It makes me feel so exposed and bummed... Poohy.... I just want to get better now... Thinks Heel shopping is in order once I am better.

Life must go on!

This Weeks Topics
Bible Study:
Math: More About Shapes
English: Pronouns
Socials: Land and Water in Canada
Sciences: Natural Structures

Two more weeks Until Until Mid Year Review

Where is time going? We are so busy with school and other activities that it seems like time is flying by. I'm finding it hard to believe that in two weeks Rebecca will be doing her Mid Year Reviews. She continues to work hard although today was a bit of a rough day. A little cranky maybe a bit under the weather. She lost her second tooth today and was so excited but she was still cranky. I personally continue to work on organizing my fundraiser Event for Diabetes and am very excited and continue to pray that God will help guide everything into place.

This Weeks Topics:
Bible Study: Moses
Math: Money
English: Capital Letters
Social Studies: More about Community Workers
Science: Reuse and Recycle

Let the Busy Bee's Do their thing....

So we have started yet another week of school.. Crazy to think that today marks 11 weeks already. Man do we ever have a busy week.

Today was simple yet full... I guess that's to be expected when you take on home schooling as way of education for your child. Tuesday We have to get school done and I have a meeting to attend in the afternoon. Wednesday brings Dentist in the morning (which fits in nicely with Social Studies this week), Throw some school into the middle and head off for Dance in the late afternoon. Thursday brings, of course, more school and the start of Tennis. This of course is something Rebecca is very much looking forward to. Friday we are making popsicles as part of science which should be fun. Rebecca got really excited when she heard this part of the school week plan and feels the need to share it with everyone she sees...and quite loudly I might add.

This Weeks Topics:
Bible Study: Jacob and Esau
Math: 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's
English: Sentences
Social Studies: Health Workers
Science: Changing Materials

Dance, Tennis, Swimming and Turkey...

This week will be busy so I figure I will write my blog for the beginning of the week tonight instead of Monday as per the norm.

Rebecca is getting excited about all her new activities that will be coming up. Starting this week on Wednesday she will be taking Combo Dance (ballet, Jazz and Tap). She has been talking about joining dance for some time now and after meeting a friend of my bothers in AB last weekend who happens to be a dance instructor Rebecca is more drawn to it. This very kind young girl gave her some ballet shoes, a dance suit and some custom CD's full of dance music. This of course only lit the fire to dance that much more. I am sure this will be a very rewarding experience for her and who knows where it may take her.

On October 22nd Little Miss will be starting a 4 week Tennis Program for young children. She is also very excited about this and it will give her something a little extra before swimming starts in November... Yup three very physical activities and all at her own choosing. I am very proud of my girl for wanting to try two new things as well as get back into swimming. She has also been talking about an Olympic Prep Diving program for Children. I told her we will talk about it some more after more lessons and she can possibly join up next year. We can only do so much at once right?

So off we go on week 7 of school and prepare ourselves for Thanksgiving and yet more new adventures.

This Weeks Topics:
Bible Study: Joseph
Math: More Addition and Subtraction
English: Sentances
Social Studies: Service Workers
Science: Objects and Materials
Art Projects: Lots of Autumn and Thanksgiving art for us this week...

A piece of me just died...

Yet another week has begun and on somewhat of a sadder note. Yesterday at church we were given the news that due to the financial burden that is a very small church in such a terrible economy, our Pastor and his wife and their family will be leaving us for a year to seek funding. Over the last few years my Pastors Wife and I have become very close and so have our children. There were many tears shed yesterday at the close of the service with the note that next Sunday which will be the 5th anniversary will also be our final service :(. It's hard to wrap my head around but yet understandable. We are unable to make it next week as we will be in Edmonton for a few days visiting my younger brother. We will continue to pray and keep our faith that God will lead us in the right direction and the church family will be back together sooner rather then later.

On somewhat of a lighter note... Week 5 has begun in our schooling journey. The playroom/schoolroom had a major clean up job done yesterday afternoon and we are now actually able to conduct lessons where it was meant to be done in our home (no more sitting at the kitchen table). Rebecca has also started her spelling and scored 100% on her first spelling test.

The theme of the month: For the rest of September and through November and October we are learning about Autumn. We will be talking about all things that have to do with Autumn including changing leaves, Canadian Thanksgiving, and touch very little on Halloween as we don't really celebrate it.

This Weeks Topics:
Bible Study: Cain and Abel
Math: Addition and Subtraction Facts to 6
English: Proper Nouns
Social Studies: Out and about (1)- Transportation
Science: Healthy Eating
Art Projects: Healthy Foods Mobile, Farmer craft and more I'm sure...

God Give Me Patients

Tomorrow is the end of another week. Can't believe we are completing a month of school already. It was a little bit of a challenging week with lots of interruption, but we made it through without to many tears (on both our parts).

Grandpa was home this week which meant Rebecca wanted to be his little shadow as usual. She has grown very close to her grandfather without any other constant father figure in her life. I love watching their relationship grow and know that what they share will always be extremely special. Despite wanting to be by his side the entire time he was home she did get her work done even if at moments it felt like I was pulling stubborn teeth.

On Wednesday we were able to head to Williams Lake to share in the opening week of a wonderful new church. Lake City Baptist Church will truly be a blessing on that community as will the wonderful pastor and his family. It was nice to see some faces I have met briefly in the past and get to know them on a deeper level. I was able to sit down with other moms who not only share in spiritual beliefs but also home school their own children. One mother in particular was wonderful to speak with. She has been homeschooling for 13 years and has about 13 more to go. Her oldest is now in college and away from home and the youngest just started Kindergarten. When asking for advise she simply said "have patients". Such wise words from such a strong woman. These were words I truly needed to hear. Although it can be sometimes I know that I must continue to put my trust in God and allow him to take control and grant me with patients to deal with anything this world will through and me...even if its my 6 year old telling me she hates school so that she can find away to go spend time with Grandpa.

Week 4

Today we started week 4 with a bit of a struggle. Rebecca's grandparents were back from their trip which made it so that she really just didn't want to work this morning. After her grandparents went out she headed downstairs for a nap. She woke up from her nap in much better spirit and finished up the last few things she had before having something to eat. She smiled at me when I thanked her for sitting down and getting it finished and was very proud of herself for doing her last page without any help.

Topics of the Week:
Bible Study: Noah's Ark
Math: Addition and Subtraction using factors of 0 and 1
English: Nouns/common nouns
Social Studies: The Community
Science: Living things - The way they move and look
Art: Noah's Ark Paper craft

Wow... Three Weeks Already?

Today I am finding it kind of hard to wrap my head around the fact that we have completed 3 weeks of school already and with very few hiccups to boot. I think it helps that my girl likes to learn. I find it very interesting how things I thought she would have problems with she has been getting right away while things that seem so simple she just can't quite grasp. Is this normal? With a little extra push she gets through it and by the end of the subject week she is understanding it and eager to move on to the next topic. I look forward to the many more ups and downs as this is a learning experience for the both of us and with all the love and support I have been getting from other homeschooling families I am determined to prove everyone wrong who said I couldn't or shouldn't do it.

Tonight we will be headed out to a wonderful new thing that our church has started doing, FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. Every Friday during our Focus on the Family Topic we will have the chance to join our church family for a good family friendly movie and snacks. This is defiantly a better alternative to the movie theater: On average for my daughter and I to attend a movie at the theater is around $50 where as this family fun night is just a $1 a person for a movie, snack and the company of good friends.

Tomorrow I am thinking a trip to the local pool sounds inviting as I have some free passes and after that i have church song practice and then I think we may set up camp in the living room for the night and watch movies and have snacks in the comfort of our own home.

Total cost that I must put out this weekend for tons of fun.... $6 ... Now that's what I call Cheap entertainment.

The memories we make together as a family are the most important ones. It is important to enjoy every moment with our children that we can before they get to old and cool to hang out with mom!

Colorful Fish and Homemade Biscuits...

Today was a wonderful day in. We haven't been having the greatest weather with off and on again rain and clouds so most of the morning was spent indoors and gave the perfect excuse to make plaster fish and a nice yummy warm lunch.

For the fish I used a great kit that I picked up for real cheap at our local Dolaram(man I love that store when it comes to buying craft supplies). The plaster was simple to mix and very quick drying which meant decorating the fish could come quickly for my impatient 6 year old. I allowed her to paint her fish however she wanted and the paint that came in the kit was quick trying and easy to clean up to.

For Lunch today I made some baking powder biscuits with some added flavor. I mixed the regular dry ingredients of flour, baking powder and salt but also added some VE Cheddar chives and Bacon dip mix and some grated cheddar cheese. After that I added the milk and made my dough rolled it out and cut the circles using the rim of a glass. We also had some yummy mushroom soup we a bit of grated Cheddar cheese on top, This is another meal my daughter just loves.

A Quiet Labour Day

I decided other then finishing up a few things that Rebecca missed last week we would not be doing any schooling today and would just enjoy the day off. We were able to watch movies and did some shopping. I am looking forward to all this week has to offer and getting back into the weekly routine. I will make sure to share more of our wonderful meals throughout the week and hopefully get some pictures of some of her art. We will also be taking a trip to the Swimming pool for some much needed swim time and planting and herb garden as part of this weeks science lessons.

This Weeks Topics
Bible Study: Creation
Math: Review of the Numbers 1-10
English: Rhyming Words
Social Studies: Responsibilities and Rules
Science: Liveing things - Their Growth and Needs
Art: Plaster Fish, Potato Stamps

Tastey Science and a Yummy Alternative to KD

Today is the last day in Week 2. We enjoyed learning about our family and looking at our family tree. As I promised my daughter got a very special science project and was able to have a couple friends over to share in the fun. We finished up our unit on the 5 senses and made yummy Reese Peanut Butter Chip Cookies. The kids had a blast and mommy enjoyed the finished product.



We were also able to enjoy one of my daughters favorites for lunch. I don't much care for Kraft Dinner so I make my own Macaroni and Cheese using Cream of Mushroom Soup, Real Cheddar, celery and red peppers and throw in whatever Epicure flavor I may be in the mood for (today was Epicure's Red Garlic Sensel).
I am greatly looking forward to the long weekend and spending more time with our family and heading into week 3 on Tuesday . I hope you all have a wonderful and Tasty Weekend.

Another Week Begins

As we start another week of school I am filled with excitement for my daughter. The fact that she is so eager to learn brings a great deal of joy to my life. I grow more and more excited and joyfull as I watch her grow and discover and learn with such ease. We shall see how the rest of this week plays out with new lessons and and tasty science project for later in the week.

This Weeks Topics:
Bible Study: Adam And Eve
Math: Ordering, Sorting and Sequencing
English: Short and Long Vowel Sounds
Social Studies: My Family
Science: The 5 Senses
Art projects: A Standing Family Tree, A Family of penguins, Popsicle Stick Frames,

The End of Week One

Today we ended the first week on a high note. We had our weekly review and all was well. The first week jitters are done and I anxiously await what the following weeks have in store. I am looking forward to many more highs and even the lows this wonderful journey that my daughter and I are able to take together.

So whats coming up this weekend. A time to hopefully relax a bit and get ready for the next week of lessons. some grocery shopping and another wonderful Sunday with our church family. This Sunday happens to be the first Sunday that Rebecca is allowed to partake in the Lords Super. This is another wonderful thing that I am looking forward to shareing with my precious gift from God, another way to help her gorw into a strong intelligent woman of God.

Liveing and Learning and Helping Eachother Grow!

As we continue on with day 2 and 3 I can see the wheels in my daughters head turning. Rebecca is one of those children that loves to learn and is always asking questions about everything and trying to figure out her own way of doing things. I smile As I watch her, as she goes about doing what has to be done. Sometimes things are not so easy, You know those momments when you just want to scream? But I wouldn't change anything. My little girl is growing and learning and teaching me along the way. I find I have learnt more about life in the last 6 years of being a mother the the last 26 years of just being me.

I am taken back a few years ago My daughter and I had just finished breakfast and now she is running around making siren noises pretending she is an abulance and that everyone she meets is sick and she has to help them.... She she comes running over to me and tell sme i'm sick and shes a doctor and then she rubs my arm and kisses it and looks up with those big brown eyes of hers "its ok mommy", she gives me a hug and then continues on her way. I also Remember a time when she was about two. I figure she maybe sits still ummm never......LOL no she dose but its rare and almost uncomfortable because its not something we're used to around the house. So needless to say after a few minutes of silance I decided it was best to go check on her..... I looked in all the rooms and then notcied a light on in the bathroom and the door was closed..... I opend it ato see what she was up to and there she was washing the toilet with Grandmas brand new toothbrush. I gave her some money and told her that she needed to give it to Grandma and apologize for using her toothbrush as a scrub brush. It's momments like these that make me so happy to be a mother. Some of the best times are when nobody is in the room and she is sitting their happily watching TV laughing her head off because whatever it is in the show is extremely funny to her and nobody else knows why.... Around the age of 3 she was waiting to watch Madigascar so I went out to help her start the DVD. Anybody that has seen the DVD knows that when you press play the Crate with the girafe falls over... Rebecca Saw this and just burst out like it was wrong not to.... She felt that it is was her duty to climb into anybox she could get her little body into and fall over. It's amazing how the simplest things (a cardboard box for example) can keep a child occupide for hours. Sitting here refflecting back on what has been a rollercoaster of a ride for the past 6 years I relise I wouldn't change a thing. Why would you wnat to when you have something so precious. I can not look at being a parent as a job but rather a privledge that God would trust me with such a precious gift.

When i feel down I think about her hugs and kisses and smiles. Her laughter brings more joy then the sun. I could never imagine a day without my precious angel.

Day 1

Today we started our lessons. I was a little concerned on how this would work out with house guest leaving, but they were off bright and early which meant that it didn't have an affect at all. Rebecca was eager to get started and as a reults she was able to get her work done early and head out for a walk to collect objects for our next math lesson. Will she be as eager tomorrow??

This weeks Topics:
Bible Study: To be determined
Math: Comparisan
English: Beginning and Ending Consonants
Social Studies: All About Me
Science: My Body
Art Prjects: Hand Butterflies, Finger Print Bugs, Twig Frames, Plaster Foot Prints

If you would like instructions and Material Lists for any Art Prjects that we Do throughout the year please do not hesitate to ask.

Off On A New Adventure

I'm the single mother of one absolutely amazing little girl. My daughter Rebecca is 6, this means the start of grade one and all sorts of new challenges. After much thought and consideration and countless hours of prayer, 3 years to be exact, I decided this year that I would go out on a lim and try my hand at homeschooling.
This will be no easy task but it is one I a bound and determined to go whole heartdly into with God's guidence, a solid lesson plan, and much support from other homeschooling moms that I have come to meet over the last couple years. I am greatly looking forward to the time I will be spending with my daughter helping her learn what is required by the Province and adding in the little extras that will make it a wonderfully fun and excitieng experience for her and I both.
I plan on using BC Mum as a way to share our accomplishments throughout the year and as a way for me to just get out what I need to get out at the end of the day.