Did you know . . .?

Okay, I feel a bit silly here, but I am going to risk it.
You probably already knew this about mechanical pencils, so just humor me while I share my newfound knowledge with the world.

Recently my daughter bought some of these type pencils at Kroger in the marked-down section. She has enjoyed using them for her school work and writing her books.
Today, she surprised me by taking off the eraser and emptying out the contents saying, "Look, Mom,
I found out where the lead comes from."

When I got over the shock of such an incredibly clever thing that had been hidden from me all these years - You know I wasn't born yesterday, but I always thought you had to buy those packages of extra leads. Sure I read instructions and labels, but maybe all of mine were given to me without packaging or labels. Well the secret is out now! - I explained to dear daughter that those were actually spares and showed her how to replace one.

I had to check out my "older" models just to see if maybe this was a new thing, but NO even my old ones have that feature. Who knew? Did you?

My kids thought I was crazy. I was so excited - snapping pictures for my blog and wondering how many other people did not know.

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2, . . .

It's almost time to blast-off into a new school year for us. Even after a long drawn out 2012-2013 year, we are excited to start again.

My shiny new teacher's manual

The day after Labor Day, I will be teaching a 7th grader and a 4th grader. When we finish this year, we will have completed My Father's World's Multi-Age Learning Cycle.

• Exploring Countries and Cultures
• Creation To The Greeks
• Rome To The Reformation
• Exploration To 1850
• 1850 To Modern Times

We had also used MFW Creation From A To Z and Adventures in My Father's World. We absolutely love this curriculum. We used another curriculum for one year, but quickly came back.
Next year, we will go through pretty much the same cycle, but it gets more in-depth as Hannah enters High School, the following year.
But hold on! We're not there yet. Let's just take it one year at a time, okay?

Our school room

complete with watchdog

Teacher's station

Just some of our books

For our other subjects, we use Spelling Power, Intermediate Language Lessons, All in One English, and Right Start Math.
Hannah still practices Ebaru Violin and Handbells. Josiah is learning keyboard and percussion.
We also enrolled in ICC (Institute for Cultural Communicators) again this year for communication and leadership skills.

My Memories of May

This is our lonely homeschool room. Where are the kids? Hannah often goes up to her room to work on some of her assignments in piece and quiet. Josiah is probably outside chasing a bug. Tboy might still be at public school. We're not stuck to this table all day. Thank goodness! We do our reading on the couch or I read to them at the table while they eat. Even spelling and math and English are often done on the couch or even outside. Yay for home school.

Hannah and I were in the Spring Handbell Concert. Josiah did not participate this session, but Hannah is still very much into it. It really is a lot of fun.

The guys went bowling with some friends. They seem to have had a good time. I wasn't there. I'm glad Theron took them for some special time, though.