52 Books: Week 1

This year I am doing a challenge that I love! In addition to the usual exercise, eat better, be more spiritual in my life and prayer life, I am taking on Susan Wise Bauer's plan to read 52 books in 2009. Last week I started this quest by reading James Patterson's Mary, Mary. This novel is part of Patterson's series of Alex Cross novels. I started reading this series about 5 years ago when E was a baby. One of the English teacher's at my school really enjoyed reading them and suggested that I might enjoy them too. Overall I do find them to be a good read. I think they are darker than Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta books. However, the personalities seem to stand out more. In this novel, Cross is as real as ever. Patterson does a good job of supplying details so that a clear mental picture is posed to the reader. It does amaze me that the same author that writes such suspensful books also writes the sweet and often sad books such as Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. Next week-not a clue what I'll read, but I'll be back with a report soon!
M

Monday, Monday......

Well, today was back to school day for the munchkins and the mama! Overall it was a good day, but a bit sticky with all the post school activity...homework, swim, swim, piano etc. Oy! Thank Heavens (and Nana) for takeout. I was just thinking that it has been almost two years that we were leaving Belfast to come home. Funny, but I still think about some aspect of it two years on. I'd go back tomorrow!
Michele

Look=three days in a row!

Go figure. I've blogged three days in a row. Monday is back to school day. I finished grading some papers that needed grading for awhile now. Woo hoo! Tomorrow I need to go out to school to get ready for Monday. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things with a positive attitude! Pray for me! Today we went to Brown Co. to see the dr. All is well. It makes for a very long day. We also had "tea" with my mom and dad. yum-o. See, tonight is just NOT the stuff that blogs are made of!
Night!

Day 2!

Good morning! I can't believe that Christmas break is coming to a close. We are starting our week today with Harold and the Purple Crayon. We pre-read it last night before bed and DS really enjoyed it. We will be having a short week with it I think. Today we are going to be doing our own "creative" drawing to see where we end up-just like Harold. I just need to figure out what to use for long paper. DS will also narrate the story to me for his notebook/lapbook. I want to try to get some copywork in too. Because DS does not like to write I think we'll just keep it simple and have him write the title out. I think we are back in the swing of things again for piano lessons. 2 nights of practice without much fuss. We'll see how it goes. We need to get going again on reading. I think we'll do that sometime today.
Yesterday I read the first chapter in Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and did the Bible study that goes with it. I liked the study but found that doing a whole chapter didn't allow me the chance to really get into the book. I'm working on a new memory verse, so maybe I'll take chapter 2 more slowly. It's going to be a busy day. I've got tests to grade, a couple of insurance phone calls to make, planning for the 17 year olds b-day party, a bit of shopping, and I need to take some pants to be altered. Go figure! I'm off to see what my flylady step of the day is! Have a wonderful day!
Michele

Our FIAR Week

We are having a ball "rowing" Mrs. Katz and Tush this week. Next week we will be trying a lapbook. Not sure at all how that will turn out! We will be rowing Harould and the Purple Crayon
Our plans (very subject to change)
Day 1: Language Arts: Talk about the setting of the book. DS will also do a narration (and illustration if he wishes) of the book.

Day 2: Art: Creativity: DS will make a "thought" drawing like Harolds. Talk about vanishing points, observe outside and make a vanishing point drawing.

Day 3: Science: Take a moonlight walk like Harold. Make a list of things that we saw. Make a list of things that Harold "saw".

Day 4: Science: Watch online video at homeschool share about making crayons. Make a chart for lapbook describing the steps.

Day 5: Math: Talk about fractions: whole, one-half, one-four using pie illustrations. (use pies from HS Share)

A Challenge for 2009

Another great idea from the folks who gave us "The Well Trained Mind". Susan Wise Bauer has a post about reading 52 books in 52 weeks. While I can't promise that my books will be fine lit (I'm still in grad school burn out!), I think this sounds like a challenge I'd love to do! What about my book loving friends? Book club? Come join me. I'm off to have a bubble bath while the boys are shooting one another with Nerf guns. I'm taking James Patterson with me!
Michele

www.susanwisebauser.com/blog

Happy 2009!

There are so many things that come with a new year-most notable the idea of change and hope. As I was laying in bed this morning (awake way too early for my taste) I s tarting thinking about the changes that I want to make this year. I'm saying changes, not resolutions, because we know that NO one keeps resolutions for a whole year (well the crock pot lady did!). What I want to do this year:
1. Stop feeling rushed and overwhelmed by life. I want to learn to enjoy things more, to focus on joy. To enjoy my son.
2. I want to spend more time in prayer and study.
3. I want to follow Flylady again. This worked so well when we moved into the house and I have gotten away from it. I'm starting over today at step one. I'll have a shinny sink soon!
4. I want to blog everyday. I think I feel better in general when I write.
5. Exercise, eat better and lose weight. I want to learn to take care of me this year.

So, one blog post down-364 to go! I'm off to download flylady's baby steps!
Michele