Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up June 15

What a busy week!  I am looking forward to it all slowing down just a bit.  :-)  Here in PA, parents are required to put together portfolios of their students' work and have those portfolios evaluated by a certified teacher before submitting them to their school district.  I am an evaluator, so the last couple of weeks have been a bit busy, as I was finishing up the school year with my 4 kiddos in addition to doing all of the evaluations.  I have really enjoyed getting to meet/see such wonderful moms and their children and have been impressed with how much work they all have accomplished.  And, my kids always like evaluation time because it means lots of extra playtime with friends as their moms and I review and discuss their materials.

I wanted to thank everyone who voted for my blog in the recent Circle of Moms Contest.  I am so humbled to have tied for 1st place!  WOW!  :-)  You all are terrific and my family and I are so very grateful for your support.

On Friday, the kiddos did some woodworking kits.  They did really well, making boats, windmills, wind chimes and a bird house or two.  It was a lot of fun and I always enjoying seeing how uniquely they paint and envision each of their projects.

The weekend had us enjoying the last few days of our butterflies.  I always love doing that project with the kids.  It is so amazing, not only to see the miraculous transformation of the insects first hand, but also that of my children, who are so excited, enthusiastic and nurturing.  And, yes, I get as emotional as they do having to say "goodbye." :-)

When Kiddo #1 was born 15 years ago, my husband gave me a rose plant that we planted under the baby's bedroom window.  What a rose bush it has become and hubby surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses from it on Saturday.  

On Monday, after Kiddo #4's sewing lesson (she is making herself a summer sun dress.  It will be done this coming Monday.  I can't wait to show it to you!), we went to our local Nature Center to release our butterflies.

We are so blessed that they built an amazing, enclosed butterfly house.  It has everything a butterfly could ever want, as well as everything my children wanted for their butterflies-- their remaining days in safety and enjoyment, free of predators, etc.  I posted all about it with lots more photos here.

On Monday, I also posted about a "year end round up" post about our year in science.  It is full of photos.  You can see the rest of them here.

On Tuesday, I hosted my weekly "Try a New Recipe Tuesday" linkup.  There are always such wonderful recipes shared.  If you haven't yet seen them, or would like to see how Kiddo #4 made her "Happy Heart Cookies," you can click here.

We are definitely slowing down with our schoolwork, as most schools around here are done for the year.  I will have the kiddos do some "basics" over the summer, as especially with the advanced high school math, I don't want them to lose any of their skills, but it is going to be slower paced and more relaxed.  :-)  I also have some day trips in mind to make it extra special.

Friday morning, we had a visitor in the yard.  Kiddo #3 was able to get these photos with his camera.  

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party