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

Wordless (almost) and Wildlife Wednesday

As many of you know, the last few weeks, we have been raising butterflies here at the Home to 4 Kiddos.  We released them on Monday at a local nature center.  We were so happy to find out that they built a beautiful butterfly house, complete with everything the little creatures could possibly want-- their favorite flowers, plants, etc.  It is safe from all predators and screen enclosed, so we know that they will live out their final days (they only live for 14 days as butterflies) happy, safe and free.  We were all very sad to release them, but were also happy because now we know that they will lay their eggs and continue the cycle without being in any danger.  Kiddo #4 would like to write something-- I was the most sad to see them go but I'm also happy that they are very safe where they are now:)

Here is a little photo journal from when we first got them to when they were released:

Please take a moment and vote for my blog by clicking on the image below.  It would mean the world to my family and I.  Thank you SO much.  It is such a close race.  It is over on the 13th at 4pm PST.

Linking up today with

Also 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 and  Living Well Wednesday, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices, Look What We Did and Do Small Things With Love and Wordless Wednesday Bloggers and A Sorta Fairytale

TOS Review- Christianity Cove

Today I am reviewing 100 Simple Service Projects and Freedom Ride by Christianity Cove.

100 Simple Service Projects for Children ($19.95) helps parents encourage a generous and giving spirit in their children.  Children can make a difference!

It begins with easy, doable projects to take place in the home.  It is true that everything begins in the home, kindness and giving included.

My children offered to clean my van and helped around the house.

The next chapters cover giving of oneself in the community.  My children gave some of their clothing and toys to our church's flea market.  My older children are volunteer helpers during classes at our church and over the summer as they are needed.  Kiddo #2 will be a group leader at VBS.  We also donated books to our library.

The last chapters introduce the reader to giving on a national and international level.  I like that information is provided to help discern legitimate charities from scams.  This is unfortunate but necessary.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I have printed a hard copy and will continue to refer to it.  My children range in age from 9-15 and it appealed to each of them.  I think adults could benefit, as well.  There are so many ideas and suggestions for volunteer opportunities, many of which are creative and wouldn't ordinarily come to mind.  :-)

I also reviewed Freedom Ride ($29).  This is a book geared toward teens and addresses issues they may face and questions they may have.

There are three sections in the book:
1) How to get started: building a sincere and awesome relationship with God
2) How to behave: keeping it real all week
3) How to grow: getting beyond the self-esteem wars

Although geared toward a youth-group, the activities were easy to do as a family at the dinner table, during evening prayer time or even with a lesson during the day.

There are activities on prayer, just "talking" to God and developing a relationship with Him.  The compassion challenge was a good one on learning how to put oneself in another's shoes.  I really liked the cards and journal ideas in the last chapter.

With a little improvising (for a family setting) and preparation ahead of time (some supplies needed), this book will give you and your teens much to think about as they grow physically and spiritually.

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- June 11

It is time for our weekly recipe share!  :-)  My children and I look forward to your submissions every week!

Kiddo #4 baked a new cookie this week, a recipe that she actually came up with herself!  She called them "Happy Heart Cookies" and they were REALLY good!  :-)

Dough
2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons light packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour

Beat the butter, powdered sugar, brown sugar and salt in  large bowl. Add the egg; beat until well blended. Add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.

Shape the dough into a disc; wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least a hour or until firm.

White frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons milk

Stir powdered sugar in first, butter second, vanilla third, then milk in a large bowl. Then add in pink food coloring (optional)

Take a heart shaped cookie cutter and place in dough. Place the cut outs on a greased cookie sheet.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Then frost the cookies with frosting. You can decorate the cookies with chocolate chips.

ENJOY!

Now for today's features:

Granola Bites from Coffee with Us 3

Peanut Butter Ice Cream from One Tipsy Chick

Healthy Reese's Peanut Butter Cups from Stephanie Blue

Raspberry and Blueberry Smoothie from Claire Justine

Philly Cheese Steak French Bread Pizza from What's Cooking in the Burbs

I am asking one last time for your vote of support in the Circle of Moms blog contest.  There are less than 3 days remaining.  Please take a moment to click on the image below.  It will bring you to the voting page.  It is just one click on the "vote" button next to my blog's name.  That's all there is to it.  Thank you SO, SO much.  It is such a close race.  I couldn't have made it this far in the contest without all of your support!  :-)  :-)

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 and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Crafty Spices, Better Mom,Create with Joy, Thursday's Treasures, Tasty Thursdays and Wonderful Food Wednesday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Tuesday How to Party and the Tried and True Recipe Party and Kids and Mom in the Kitchen and Family Fun Friday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop andAll My Bloggy Friends and Hearts for Home Blog Hop and Foodie Friends Friday

Apologia Year-End Round-Up

I am joining Sarah for her Apologia Year-End Round-Up.

I really enjoy their curriculum, so I was happy to write this post.

Kiddos #3 and 4 worked on the Zoology 3 (Land Animals) this year, while Kiddo #2 worked on Zoology 2 (Swimming Creatures).  Kiddo #1 studied Chemistry.  We also did a review of Zoology 1 (Flying Creatures).  We are definitely looking forward to next year!

What a year full of learning and fun.  This is a science curriculum that really knows how to interest kids-- making it hands on, full of activities, projects, experiments and crafts.  We also did trips to the zoo and nature center to correspond with our studies.  Here is just a small portion of our year in Science in photos:

Kiddo #4 working in her Zoology 3 Notebooking journal classifying reptiles and amphibians

Kiddo #2 doing an experiment from Zoology 2 to see if a layer of blubber helps insulate from the cold

Putting the "map-it" stickers in place

determining if fresh water and salt water both freeze

lizards or snakes?

a fun elephant craft

and a trip to the Circus

learning all about birds

and fun bird activities

a trip to Assateague

more fun in notebooking journals

Chemistry experiment

a visit to the National Zoo

and to our local one

as well as the Aquarium

more hands-on Chemistry

and lapbooks galore

facts to research and pictures to color

visits to even more zoos

and demonstrating wind currents

Wow, we accomplished a lot! (and these are only a fraction of our science photos! lol)  We are grateful for these science materials, all they have to offer and how much we fun we had!  :-)  We plan on continuing our journey over the summer because true learning never ends.  As long as the imagination is sparked, creativity fostered and innovation allowed, children will *want* to know more.  It becomes a pleasure instead of a chore, It becomes real, it becomes a part of them, something they want to continue and embellish upon.  To accomplish this with science is so necessary for our children.  It *can* be so fascinating and awesome if we just let it be!  :-)