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April 22, 2008
Yupdates
Because I know you like to be in the know.
Homeschooling: Still chugging along. I have been using A Beka, 2nd grade for Czarina, and PreK for HeroBoy. But, I'm bored. The math format is not great. I get what they're trying to do- make it interesting by covering several different topics on one worksheet- measuring, time-telling, money, etc. But it ends up being too scattered. I'd rather take one point, teach it well and make sure she really gets it, then move on! So, I've ditched the math curriculum for the time being, and I am working from a standardized 2nd grade math test. Using that as my guideline, I'm systematically going through each part, making sure she knows how to do it all. I won't let her forget what she's already learned, but I think this "unit study" method is working better. Since she's ahead on reading, we're moving on to grammar, learning about nouns and such. It just makes more sense this way. HeroBoy is still in the game, but well, his heads not in it. He's in the outfield, looking at bugs and clouds. I think next year, he'll be more into it, so I'm not stressing too much.
BohoBaby: I'm trying y'all, I really am. But it just cannot retain it's priority status for very long these days! I want it to! But something always pushes it down the list. Kids getting sick, a holiday, etc. There's pretty much nothing specific holding me back, but just life in general. So I've just got to figure out how to get it back on track.
Grocery Game: I'm saving tons. My average weekly spending is $75, which is half of what I was spending preGG. Besides spending less, I also HAVE MORE! That just blows my mind. I have a wonderful stockpile of stuff. I like to just open the cupboard and stare sometimes. Besides our improved financial and pantry state, it's also mentally satisfying. I am thrilled by my wily coupon wielding. It's like working a jigsaw puzzle, or solving a math problem. (which, I realize may not sound fun to anybody but me.) And I've learned a lot about how much things should cost, which is important, too. And have I mentioned my filing system? Oh, it's gorgeous. I have a 3 ring binder, with main categories and subcategories, and pages and pages of coupons in clear plastic photo pages. It's a work of art. It's alphabetical, and brand specific. It makes it really easy to find and file any coupon. I wuv it, and I'm gonna marry it.
Church: We've missed several Sundays now because of sickness or traveling, so this is slow-going, also. We've been hitting the Episcopal church a good bit, but I'm not settled yet. I keep hoping a good Presbyterian CREC church is just gonna fall out of the sky on our heads, but that's not likely, eh? Wah. We really need to get this part of our life sorted out, because things still feel off-kilter, like we're living among boxes. There's no permanence yet to living here, and I NEED SOME FRIENDS!!! It's sad that I look forward to smalltalk with the Walgreens cashier each week, because SHE'S THE ONLY WOMAN I SPEND ANY TIME WITH. Sorry, didn't meant to yell. I'm just lonesome.
Okay, that's a brief rundown of things behind the scenes of the Sift. I know, fascinating! You didn't know my life was that spectacularly exciting, did you? You should try living it. It's almost too much!
The Daily | By WonderGirl | 11:45 AM
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Comments
Have you checked out the Alpha Omega curriculum? (http://www.aop.com/home/) I'm planning on using it with my daughter in the fall, although A Beka holds a special place in heart since that's what I grew up on.
Hurray for GG success! I still have yet to see the coupon train -- which makes me sad because I really want to try GG to cut back on our monthly grocery bill.
Posted by: Alison at April 22, 2008 2:03 PM
I know. This coupon train thing did NOT work. I had two going, and they never made it to me, which is frustrating! I've got too much going on to track them down every time, so I think I'm just going to hop on one that's already established. GG has some running, so that's an idea. Don't let that keep you from trying out the Game!!!
Posted by: WG at April 22, 2008 2:11 PM
i am guilty of derailing the train. I need to mail it off. I am so sorry. I actually think I need to be taken off the list because I am really bad at turning stuff back in on time. Seriously. I want off. I am really shamed right now.
Posted by: ash at April 22, 2008 2:22 PM
Thank you for coming forward, sister dear. I promise I won't beat you over the head with my coupon file. (Much.) If you really want off, I'll take you off, but you can have a second chance if you want. ;)
Posted by: WG at April 22, 2008 2:36 PM
I just sent you an email about math. I had been using Saxon for the kids and loved it thru 3rd grade. Now...not so much. I was just looking up reviews of math curriculum last night. If you find something you like, I'd love to know. Only things I've looked at so far were the LifePac math (and didn't care for it) and Houghton-Mifflin (which I hope to get an up close look soon.)
Posted by: Kathy at April 22, 2008 10:48 PM
I love math. So much, in fact, that I used to beg Jon to let me do his Algebra homework for him. How pathetic is that!
If you do get the coupon train up and running again, please save me a seat.
Posted by: hollie at April 22, 2008 10:49 PM
my newspaper doesn't have all of the coupons gg says it should :(. i'm trying to figure this thing out!
Posted by: jill at April 23, 2008 8:22 AM
Thanks for posting this. It was fun to get caught up :0)
Posted by: Brandy at April 23, 2008 9:13 AM
