Friday, March 2, 2012

Freedom Friday - My Week With the Boys - Free Stuff



Our Main Homeschool Area:



In my life this week… I sorta find it funny that I always scratch my head over the first two questions on this list - why? because, our homeschool pretty much is my life! In my life this week - I've had wonderful encouragement and enjoyed blogosphere with you lovely people and some great twitter friends and I did homeschool with my boys. It doesn't bother me that this is my life - this is what I choose for my life. It's awesome. 
In our homeschool this week… We've stayed home most of the week - gas prices are ridiculous - can I get an Amen? 

We did several projects - I'm teaching Cooking 101 and sharing posts with y'all on Tuesdays here and with my friend Carrie from YLOL
Our link up (open all week) is "Kids in the Kitchen" - We hope you'll stop by and link up recipes to share with other families - We believe food is healthier when cooked at home and in the importance of bringing the family back to the dinner table - Please join us! 



This week a couple of things we made in the kitchen at our house: 


Strawberries are in season in Florida - yum! 


I'm fixin' to get our Cooking 101 curriculum typed up in a pdf for y'all
(fixin' is a perfectly acceptable term of speech in the south
- in case you're wondering about that)
The boys are learning to use fresh veggies, plan meals, budget food
and more - we enjoy every minute spent in the kitchen together! 

Bragging on my boys- they are getting really good at this! 
I love that they get excited to spend time in the kitchen with me and they get excited about science too - love that!
 (It usually happens in the kitchen as well)


Our favorite budget friendly healthy meal
- beans and rice topped with freshness! 
We slow cooked the dry black beans all day - they are learning how to 
season food with herbs - both dried and fresh. 

Science project:  The Greenhouse Effect 
inspired by World of Science by MasterBooks 


We went to the flea market this past weekend and met the nicest people! 
Local peeps to the Venice, Englewood, Sarasota FL area - pop in to visit 
Vic's Coins and Collectables  at the Dome Flea Market
They gave each of the kids an old foreign coin to research and let 
them take pictures with this super cool WWII German helmet
 and photo of wicked Hitler himself - they were very kind and 
supportive of our homeschool endeavors!
Homeschoolers learn wherever they go! 
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Implement a 
Cooking 101 class in your home! Your children will love learning about that meal your grandmother used to cook - it's a wonderful way to pass on family traditions - get the kiddos to open up and share what's on their hearts - and kitchen math is great way of using every day math! 
I am inspired by… (this is gonna be a fun surprise each week)



For those of you who don't know Aurie - she is a pastor's wife,  a homeschooling mama to two girls, and a supportive blogger/tweeter
She inspires me as she sets her goals with 3 in 30 and goes after them hard each week. She inspires me because she is always checking in on the other moms (as many do) on twitter to see how they are doing and offer a kind word. She inspires me because she and her sweet family are seeking to adopt through fostering - and that is a subject near and dear to my heart! I hope you'll hop over and "meet" her if you don't already, you'll lover her.
Please pray for her family as they embark on this journey to foster and adopt a medically needy child
My favorite thing this week was… Well, giving that shout out to Aurie Good - It was just on my heart and honestly - I'm tickled about it - I really hope you'll help cover her family in prayer! I just know God is preparing a special child for their family. Learn more about adoption and share it with your church group via the new movie - just released - Rescued - it's a touching, well made documentary about the church's call to care for the fatherless. 




Things I’m working on… I've been participating in the 3in30 Challenge group & these ladies are all inspiring and encouraging!
My Goals for March with 3 in 30: 


1. Diet - focus on protein and vegetables, less sugar, drink water
I need at least 3 big glasses of water each day
Reach for fruit instead of sweets - less wheat products 


2. Physical/Health - some of you know I'm battling RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) I'm ready for my healing - please join me in praying for it! 
Begin PE curriculum with the boys- swimming 1x each week, walking 3x each week, and at least 1x other (yoga, dance, bike) 


3. Writing - I have a couple of particular projects in the works - I'm working towards actually earning some money and fulfilling a dream. 
I will: spend 1 -2 hours 3x each week on my main writing project
I will: spend at least an hour on educating myself by reading and research 2x each week (beginning w the book I just bought) 


A photo, video, link, or quote to share… I love the homeschool blogging community! There are so many great FREE Resources. 

Take a Free virtual field trip to historical Philadelphia with Theresa 
Thank you Theresa for sharing your IRL vacation with us! 

My favorite FREE resource: 


Watched free video's by Founders Academy this week was about 
Property rights and my boys were all over it: 


There is a free reading list and links to 

They are learning so much from our GeoMatters Curriculum
combined with the above resources! 

For more Fun Free Homeschool Links: Check out Freebie Friday








The Homeschool Mother's Journal Mustard Seeds 3in30 Challenge





16 comments:

dmauton said...

I know what you mean that homeschooling is your life. I feel that way too. Thanks for the great links and I will be praying and supporting you as you go through this months 3in30.

Jeanine Byers said...

Awesome homeschooling links and great goals for the month!

And how sweet that you gave a shout out to Aurie. I love her blog, too, and have appreciated her presence at my blogs, and her encouragement!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the amazingly sweet words my friend. I am so totally blessed by you!!

Anonymous said...

I didn't know anyone else says "fixin'"! Good for you. :-) Love the idea that homeschool is life. We're actually on spring break because Grandparents are down for a visit
- yea! As we were driving around talking, one of those teachable moments popped up. My 12yo son said, "You always find something to teach about, don't you?!" Great chance to encourage that life-long learner goal. :-)

Chaos Cottage said...

I love your title, accidental homeschooling mom. I feel the same way. My daughter was in Christian school through fifth grade. While in the fourth grade, my hubby's company closed down and we experienced unemployment for three years! But the biggest blessing from that has been my homeschooling my daughter. I may have never experienced it, if it weren't for that. He just started work January 3rd but we plan to continue to homeschool indefinitely. Daughter and I are both enjoying it so much. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Unknown said...

I was wondering what that 3 in 30 link-up was! LOL How nice!

AMEN! about the gas! ((sigh)) I think we're going to be spending more time at home! As busy as we've been it sounds like a positive! LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Gidget said...

Your Cooking 101 couldn't have come at a better time! I've been trying to teach Rex using Cooking for Dummies, but it just doesn't start with the basics enough - and, given that he has a mom that not only hates to cook, but also doesn't understand it, well..... this little chef in training is in trouble! I can't wait to see what you've got cookin' for us (hehe)

Sounds like you guys had a wonderful week!

MomLaur said...

I love hearing about your week! Looks like it was as fun and educational as always! you inspire me lady :0) Great links at the end too! Let's catch up soon!

Rebecca said...

I always enjoy your wrap up....and what a blessing you are to so many! We didn't 'do' a lot for school this week...I really wish we lived closer....but, I'll see you soon! Sending hugs and pinning your science experiment now!

Jenn said...

Beautiful week with beautiful food and those beautiful boys!! Thanks for all the resources and links you've shared with us:) I'm with you when you say homeschooling is your life. I don't think I can separate life and school for us either... life is school at our house! Praying for your healing from RA.

k balman said...

Great week. I cannot wait to meet you in 2 weeks and drive with you to SC. Thanks for linking up with FreBEE Fridays.

Anonymous said...

beans and rice is my favorite comfort food! And topped with fresh salsa--yum!!!

I will definitely pray for your recovery from Rheumatoid Arthritis!

Thanks for linking to my posts!!

Aurie inspires me too!! I am fortunate to live near her and to have met her irl and plan to spend more time with her and her girls!

Amy S said...

What a really fun week! Praying for your RA.... Your cooking with the kids looked so fun!

Onlythemanager said...

I love when boys learn to cook! Your future daughters-in-law will appreciate this.

Tami @ ThisMomsDelight.com said...

Praying for your arthritis. It doesn't sound fun.

Anonymous said...

Cooking 101, I can not wait to see it. I totally agree with you on getting the kids in the kitchen. My two cook a lot, and I have had others ask me how I taught them. Easy, hand them a recipe and supervise. You have a neat blog I WILL be back to visit.