Thankful Thursday- August 30

Today I am thankful yet again for the enormous sacrifices that were made (and continue to be made) on our behalf by our military.

You see, we visited the Naval Air Station Wildwood, an aviation museum that was once an active naval base in World War II.  Three authentic WWII airplanes were flying in today and would be open for walk-throughs.  Not that the museum itself isn't wonderful enough, but what an awesome opportunity!  I have never even seen a B-17 or B-24 up close, let alone climb inside them.

Just seeing them approach and roar to a stop in front of us was breathtaking enough, but to actually speak to a broze-star awarded veteran who served upon one of them brought it all into perspective as well as climbing aboard.

My children could barely fit and I wondered how 11 men could not only fit, but work under very stressful combat conditions.  What they must have endured in those planes is mind-boggling and gave me an even greater respect for that generation to which we owe so much.

Linking up today with Red Oak Lane, Raising Mighty Arrows, NOBH and A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings and Field Trip Friday

Wordless Wednesday- August 29

Some random photos from our vacation.  And yes, I drew the design on the shell.  :-)

  

Happy Wednesday, all! Linking up today with Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy , Living Well Wednesdays, NOBH and Favorite Things

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- August 28

Vacation edition, part 2

We have a few more days here at the beach!  It has been a wonderful vacation so far.  The kids are having much fun!  :-)  Luckilly, like last week, I have looked up a recipe on my computer to share with you this week and look forward to all of the recipes that you will share, as well.

My Hashbrown Casserole has gone over really well at home with my family and with friends when we take it to pot lucks or get togethers.  You can add some chopped ham for variety, which we have done several times.  It adds a nice flair.

1(2pound) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

1(10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup.
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½  teaspoon  ground black pepper.
½ cup chopped onion.
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, softened
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray on 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, butter, salt, pepper, onions and cheese. Gently mix and pour into prepared pan or dish. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes.




Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows, Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday, NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things and Modest Mom

The Kiddos and I wish you a great week!  :-)

Make Life Meaningful Monday- August 27

On Saturday, I officially became the mother of two teenagers!  Wow.  :-)  Don't know quite where the time went.

Happy 13th birthday, Kiddo #2!  He came into the world a whopping 3 ounces shy of 11 pounds (oh boy, what a horrific delivery that turned out to be, lol), but he was well worth it!  :-)

(holding up his head at only a month old)



A happy and pleasant baby

who turned into being an incredibly smart and witty young man.  His patience with his younger siblings is nothing short of amazing, whether it is in inventing games to play with them or finding really creative ways to help them with their lessons.

He is a very loving and funny kid who is also now officially taller than his mama.  sniff, sniff.  ;-)

Happy birthday, sweetheart!  Dad and I are thanking God for you!  You are a special and precious gift.

We had a fun day yesterday (he loves being on vacation on his birthday) and chose waffles and ice cream as his birthday lunch. (one of the fringe benefits of being at the shore, lol!) 

got to spend some time in the pool

my mom even found a small family-owned bakery that made delicious homemade donuts.

Hope you had a fun day, kiddo!  :-)

Linking up with On, in and around Mondays and Inspire Me Monday in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle and Monday Mingle

Our Curriculum 2012-2013

I still am tweaking and making some last-minute purchases, but this is what our curriculum so far looks like for this coming school year:

Kiddo #1:               

Saxon Algebra I
Apologia Chemistry (taking a class)
Apologia Astronomy (this coupled with the Avaiation studies he'll be doing with Civil Air patrol)
Wisdom Books, Bible and some Seton for Bible studies/Religion, perhaps an online class, as well
Sonlight and supplemental materials (notebooking, etc.) for American History coupled with
State studies for geography
The novels from Sonlight and the notebooking for reading/writing
Easy Grammar for English
High School Finance (taking a class)
Italian

Kiddo #2:                

Saxon Algebra I                                
Apologia Oceanography
Wisdom Books, Bible, and some Seton for Bible studies/Religion, perhaps an online class, as well
Sonlight and supplemental materials for American History coupled with
State studies for geography
Novels from Sonlight and the notebooking for reading/writing
Easy Grammar for English
Finance (taking a class)
Italian

Kiddo #3          

Saxon 6/5 Math                            
Finish Apologia Zoology for juniors and then begin Apologia Astronomy for juniors
Wisdom Books, Bible and some Seton for Bible studies/Religion
Handwriting without Tears "Can Do Cursive" for 5th grade
Sonlight and supplemental materials (lapbooking, etc.) for American History coupled with State studies for geography
Easy Grammar for English
Seton Phonics
Italian

Kiddo #4                  

Saxon 3 for Math
Wisdom Books, Bible and some Seton for Bible studies/Religion
Finish Apologia Zoology for juniors and then begin Apologia Astronomy
for juniors
IEW English/writing class for 3rd grade
Handwriting without Tears Cursive Handwriting for 3rd grade
Sonlight and supplemental materials (lapbooking, etc) for American History
coupled with State studies for geography
Italian

and whatever else strikes our fancy to add or change along the way!  ;-)

"Extras"-- The kiddos all take music lessons weekly and participate in a weekly bowling league.  They also will be attending monthly Homeschool Art classes (Art History, Art Appreciation, etc.) at the Philadelphia Art Museum in addition to Homeschool science classes at the Franklin Institute.  Both museums do wonderful hands-on experiences for the kids based on their individual grade levels.  We are looking forward to them.  We are also planning some fun field trips.  :-)

Phew, I am getting tired just typing it all out, lol!  We are enjoying our time at the beach before getting back to the grind.  :-)

Linking up with ihomeschoolnetwork

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up August 24

Vacation edition  :-)

We are here enjoying our time in Ocean City, NJ.  The weather has been beautiful.  We are blessed to be staying in a place that is literally right on the boardwalk, so the beach and ocean is right there and the sight of it is nothing short of breathtaking.

I posted some more photos in my Make Life Meaningful Monday post here.

On Tuesday, we visited the zoo and were so impressed that it not only operates on donations only, but with its beautiful and unique layout and magnificent animals.  I posted many more photos of them here, on my Wordless Wednesday post.

I also hosted my weekly recipe linkup.  Come check out all of the delicious recipes that were linked up here.  If you have one to share, please join in!  It will be open until next week.  :-)

On Wednesday, we had family visit.  My aunt had come down with us on Saturday and my cousin, uncle and aunt came to spend the day with us and take her home, as she had to go back to work on Thursday.  :-(  I posted about their visit and so many other things for which I am grateful on my Thankful Thursday post here. 

On Thursday, the kiddos and I went to a different amusement pier for their "2 Ticket Thursday" special.  My parents' pastor also came to visit for the afternoon.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of him, but we did enjoy spending some time and sharing a meal with him. 

We also did a special craft out on the balcony this afternoon.  I purchased some really beautiful shells (I wouldn't be able to find that many nice ones on the beach, lol) and the kids got to paint them.  They did a really nice job.

I think Friday will be fishing with Pop for the older two guys and perhaps a visit to the beach with Mom and Nan for the younger two.  Whatever we do, I'm sure it will be fun.  And, we're counting down to the Kiddo #2's 13th birthday and my husband coming down to join us on Saturday.  :-)

What I'm reading: LOTS of books!  I already finished 4 novels and am starting on a 5th.  There is just something about the sea air, lol!  :-)  I am also keeping up with my reading for my online Bible study.

What I'm praying for: those who are ill, suffering, out of work, our military, our nation.....

A quote or photo to share:  "Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."-- St. Francis of Assisi

"One man with courage makes a majority."-- Andrew Jackson

Linking up with Create with Joy, Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weekly Wrap-Up

Thankful Thursday- August 23

As I am enjoying vacation, I am thankful for many things....

The absolute beauty of the beach at dusk

and animals at the zoo

for my parents for renting such a nice place for us to stay

that family was able to come down and spend some time with us on Wednesday

My kids who never fail to make me smile

Kiddo #3 made us an awesome PowerPoint presentation animating the Noah's Ark story and he also won his little sister four stuffed animals in the arcade.  The pic below shows two of them.  I was so proud of him for thinking of her like that.

my hubby who is back home working very hard and whom we miss very much,

and of course, the Lord, through Whom all things are possible (I bought this plaque in the Christmas store on the boardwalk)

Linking up today with Red Oak Lane, Raising Mighty Arrows, NOBH and A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings