By afternoon

Crystal clear skies and unexpected warmth led to time outdoors loving on the horses and bouncing on the trampoline.

Our Current Weather

Snow with a chance of more snow.

Seamus and Oliver on snow watch. Yes, Seamus is lying on top of Oliver.

Today in Home Education

We took a six week break from Latin. Because of that we have started back at chapter one and are reviewing. This has made for some wonderful Latin time. The kids always enjoy going back because the work is relatively effortless. The review is good too. Besides reading passages in Latin in ease (such a boost for moral) the kids get a thorough review of past vocabulary and grammar. Yesterday we started chapter one and today we finished it.

Here's Tuesday:

Meditation
Parables From Nature read aloud
Latin
Math
World History
Chemistry
Penmanship
Logic
Spelling

While the older two were writing in Latin (yes, I love that they are, enough that I'll write it again, the older two were writing in Latin) the youngest did phonics and penmanship. She does Math when the older two do, though not for as long, and she sits in on History and Science. In the afternoon she gets another read aloud, currently book one of The Boxcar Children.

Today in World History we are starting a set of DVDs from The Great Courses, aptly named World History. As our study of Roman History involves a lot of writing and map work, my plan is to keep World History relaxed and go for exposure. We'll also continue reading from Van Loon's The History of Mankind.

From chickens to this...

Yesterday my youngest took two empty gel caps (she's in charge of putting digestive enzymes on the cat's food and had saved the gel caps) and inside one of them she put a small piece of cat food. I was curious but went on with what I was doing. A few minutes later she called me over to see her dinosaur nest. On top of several silk flower petals she had place both gel caps.

"This is my dinosaur nest. Look, it has two eggs. One is fertilized, one isn't!"

This is not defeat

But it is a new year and we need our table back. This beautiful puzzle was a gift from Uncle David and Aunt MT. It's All The World's A Stage, by Christensen. We couldn't bear to take apart what we'd accomplished so it was carefully laid in the box until next time.

Aaaaaaa!!!

NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow! I'm so unprepared. Ha. Like I could prepare for the madness of both adults and all three children participating.

I have been helping my children, utilizing the stuff available on the young writers site. (Oh yeah, I'm expecting brilliance from myself, especially after having used "utilizing" and "stuff" in the same sentence.) Here are our word count goals:

• Ayeka: 15,000
  
• Aku: 5,000
• Sasame: 1,000
• Steve: 50,000
  
• Me: 50,000

I've committed to writing a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. I feel there are a few other commitments I need to make, now, while sanity has its hold.

• I will feed my children at least one hot, home cooked meal per day.
• I will continue to home educate 5 days/week, with the emphasis on Latin, Math, and Writing (Science and History may just get the month off.)
• I will continue my Latin studies though I am going to adjust my schedule and allow two days for each assignment instead of one.
• Oh, there should be more, but panic set in when Anneliese told me this morning, "Tomorrow is NaNoWriMo!"

What can I let go for this month? Or rather, what am I willing to openly confess I will let go?

Hang Tags for Hats

These are for my dreadlock hats. What do you think?