Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up November 16

Can't believe another week has come and gone.  Thanksgiving is next week!  I know it's a week earlier than we've been used to the last few years, but it really seems like it came out of nowhere, didn't it?  :-)

In my life/homeschool this week: Sunday night, literally out of nowhere, I was hit with a bad bug.  Down for the count bad.  I was so grateful that hubby was off on Monday for the holiday and he took over with the kids for their crazy Monday schedule (Chemistry for Kiddo #1, Sewing and IEW writing for Kiddo #4, music lessons for Kiddos 1, 3 and 4).  I just got an occasional "where does Kiddo have to be and when?" or "what time is pickup."  He did great, lol, and I am so very grateful that I could stay in bed.

Before I got sick, I did manage to post some photos from our weekend here in my Monday post.  They included canning cinnamon apples, which made the house smell so good!  I posted the recipe on my "Try a New Recipe Tuesday" post.  You can see it, and all of the others that were shared here.

Monday was also the day we as a nation remembered our veterans.  I hope you can take a moment and read my Thankful Thursday reflection on my husband and all those who have served here.

Tuesday is another busy day for the kiddos.  After their schoolwork is done, Kiddo #2 had his piano lesson, all 4 kiddos had their homeschool bowling league and the afternoon ended with their Italian lesson.  This week, we learned to introduce others and made up some scenarios with different vocabulary words.  We also continued to practice our numbers up to 100.

Wednesday morning, Kiddos 1 and 2 have their online class.  There is only a couple of more weeks.  The semester went by quickly.  I am signing them up for the class that this same teacher is doing next semester.  He really has a great personality, keeps them interested and they are learning a lot.  Wednesday's post included these and some other photos.

Thursday was a productive day, with everyone finishing what mom put on their checklist. (we are finding that checklists are working out really well.  They can do their work in any order they like and pace themselves accordingly.  I am finding that it in itself is a great lesson in time management and self-discipline).  Can my own checklists count as my favorite resource this week?  Because they definitely were!  :-)

We had a Thanksgiving prayer service for the children at church this afternoon.  It was beautiful and I think all of them really enjoyed it and got something out of it.

What I'm reading: (hanging my head in shame, lol)- nothing this past week.  Between being sick and trying to catch up with everything and get homeschool lessons done, I didn't get to do any recreational reading.  Definitely have to work on this over the holiday!  :-)

What I'm praying for: our military, their families, our nation, those who are unemployed, sick or suffering, my family, for others who have asked for my prayers.

A quote or photo to share:

Kiddo #1 took this photo of Mittens.  I just love what he did with the lighting.  :-)

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 Favorite Resource

Thankful Thursday- November 15

This past Sunday (observed on Monday) was Veteran's Day.  And this soldier's wife cannot go without marking the occasion and taking a moment to acknowledge the veterans in my life and thank them for their sacrifice.  Freedom isn't free.  Never has been.  Never will.  It is a constant struggle.  When we become complacent with the freedoms we have is when we are the most vulnerable to lose them.  We must be on guard, vigilant and willing, like the many before us, to stand up for what we know is good and right; to never let anyone take away the rights we have been given by God, for which millions have fought and lost their lives to defend.  Freedom, in one form or another, is what brought the majority of our ancestors to these shores, whether it be from religious persecution in the 17th century or from dictatorship and oppression in the 20th.  It is what this nation was founded upon, fought for and cherished for over two centuries.  Let.Us.Never.Forget.

Thank you to my dad, my uncle, my cousin, the many in our family who have already passed away, and to my husband, who continues to serve today.  I also remember the families who remain behind and support the troops, maintaining their homes and keeping their children secure and safe.  They all have done their part and even if it isn't said very often, I know that the heart of this nation is forever indebted to our military and their families.

My husband in Iraq

Hubby and Kiddo #4 3 years ago on Veteran's Day

and with Kiddo #1 in his Civil Air Patrol uniform  :-)

What are you grateful for today?

I'm sharing with these lovely ladies: ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH , A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, Spilled Milkshake, Miscellany Monday, Women Living Well Wednesday and Raising Homemakers.

Wordless Wednesday- November 14

Some random shots from the first couple of days of our week....

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless 

P.S.  If you like my photos, today is the last day to cast your vote for my blog in the "Best Photo" category of the Homeschool Blog Awards, as well as best Homeschool mom blog.   I would greatly appreciate your support!  Thanks!  :-)  Here are the links: For best homeschool mom blog and best photos.   Just click on the dot beside "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click on the "vote" button.  :-)

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- November 13

It is Tuesday again!  :-)  And that means it's time for our recipe share.  :-)  I always look forward to what delicious surprises you will all link up each week.

This week I am sharing the recipe for cinnamon apples that we canned over the weekend.  Boy did the house smell good!  :-)

Canned Cinnamon Apples
Peel, core and slice apples

In a pot, mix 4 cups of sugar (you can use 3 cups if you don't want a thicker syrup), 4 cups of water and one tablespoon cinnamon.  Add apples.  Bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and boil gently for 5 minutes.  Can at 5 pounds of pressure for 8 minutes.  I did this with my pressure canner, but read for those who do not have one, can process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes.

There are only a couple of days left to vote for the blogs nominated in the Homeschool Blog awards.  I would very much appreciate your vote and support in the two categories in which I was nominated.  You can vote once a day per computer.  Thanks SO much!  :-)  Here are the links: For best homeschool mom blog and best photos.   Just click on the dot beside "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click on the "vote" button.  :-)

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, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday

Make Life Meaningful Monday- November 12

A wonderful Friday was followed by a fun and relaxing weekend.  On Friday morning, I took the kiddos out to breakfast and the rest of the day looked something like this:

On Saturday, we continued our laundry and even canned some cinnamon apples.  I'll post the recipe tomorrow for Try a New Recipe Tuesday.  :-)

Sunday was another good day with church and watching our football team lose.  :-(  But, it was great to spend it together nonetheless.  ;-)

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

There are only a couple of days left to vote for the blogs nominated in the Homeschool Blog awards.  I would very much appreciate your vote and support in the two categories in which I was nominated.  You can vote once a day per computer.  Thanks SO much!  :-)  Here are the links: For best homeschool mom blog and best photos. 

And the winner is.........

Since I already owned this book before Sharon was kind enough to send me two (one for me and for the giveaway), I am delighted to be able to have TWO winners!!!  :-)  I wish I had one to send to each of you who entered.

Here is Kiddo #4 selecting the winners (from inside a bag she made in sewing class  :-))

The winners are comments #1 and #23, Monique and Maria.  CONGRATULATIONS!  I will be emailing you to request your mailing information.

Thank you to all who entered!  I hope you have a blessed Advent and God bless you!

P.S.  Please don't forget my little blog in the Homeschool Blog Awards voting which is going on right now.   I would much appreciate your vote and support in the two categories in which I was nominated.  Here are the links:

For best homeschool mom blog and best photos.  Thank you SO much!  :-)

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up November 9

Friday is upon us again.  :-)

In my life/homeschool this week: Mondays are always our crazy days: chemistry class for Kiddo #1, Sewing class for Kiddo #4, music lessons for 3 of the kiddos, writing class and then a meeting at church in the evening for Kiddo #4.....Glad that's only once a week!  :-)  I also posted about the kiddos trick or treating.  You can see them and their costumes here.

Tuesday was the first day back for our homeschool bowling league.  What an awesome turnout.  The kiddos had a lot of fun and got right back into the swing of things.  We also had our Italian class that they (and I) are really enjoying.  I also hosted my weekly recipe linkup and shared my sugar cookie recipe (yummy!).  You can see it and all of the other recipes here.

Wednesday was a pretty subdued day, with the older kiddos having their online class.  Kiddo #4 always likes to include her dolls in our lessons.  :-)  We also got some snow and they just loved being out in it.  Is there anything better than seeing your children's faces for the first snow?  I posted more pics here.

Thursday was a to the grind kind of day, getting all of their work done, but of course, there has to be something to lighten it all up.  What fun would homeschool be if you couldn't do it in your slippers?  ;-)

I'm planning some fun for the kiddos on Friday.  Stay tuned....  :-)

A photo or quote to share:

this very large hawk visited us for several hours last week.  He was so incredibly large.  When he spread his (or her?) wings, it was breathtaking.  He did have a squirrel that he was feasting on (see under his claws?), so the kids got a real and up-close lesson in animal survival in the wild.  Kiddo #1 got better photos than me.  I will have to upload one of his to share, too.

What I'm praying for: healing in our nation, our military, those who are unemployed, ill or suffering, my family.....

P.S.  Kiddo #4 will be doing the drawing tonight for my first giveaway!  If you haven't already entered and would like to, you can do so here.

P.P.S.  My blog was nominated in 2 categories in the 2012 Homeschool blog awards.  I would much appreciate your vote and support.  Here are the links:

For best homeschool mom blog and best photos.  Thank you SO much!  :-)

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap and Friendship Friday