Bringing Home a Dog

For a couple of weeks now, the Jedi and I have been talking about adding a dog to the family.

We have been researching breeds and rescue organizations and discussing what would make a good match for our family as well as what changes in house and routines would need to happen for the dog to be safe and well cared for in our home.

Here are some of the characteristics we are looking for--

• good with children
• trainable
• a good watchdog
• hypoallergenic
• medium in size
• 2 to 5 years in age
• from a rescue or adoption agency

When you put those parameters into effect, there's only a few breeds that might work. Oh sure, there's lots of great breeds out there, but only a few that we can get through a rescue or adoption agency. (And while I don't have anything against a legitimate breeder, our family is about adoption, so that is the preferred approach.)

• greyhound
• standard poodle
• standard schnauzer
• labradoodle or other poodle blend

Of those, greyhounds seem like the best fit....except that they aren't generally watch dogs from all the info we can turn up on them. I really want a dog that will sound like a wolfhound when someone comes to the door of the house. And it seems like they have to be leashed and supervised outdoors at all times to keep them from taking off in pursuit of something.

So, I've been researching the amount of care a standard poodle would take. I'm especially concerned with the grooming aspect. Understand, I'm not talking about maintaining a show cut on a poodle. Not only is that impractical, it also isn't the 'watchdog' look I'd be after. Check out these 'pet trims'...

Those don't look like fru-fru show dogs. Those look like loyal family dogs. That's what I want.

We put in an application for Zoboo. We still have a lot to do in the house before he comes home, if our application is accepted. But look how wonderful he his and read his write up on Petfinder.

Homeschool Convention: Saturday Options

(link to master schedule)

My final selections are in bold.

Saturday 8:30-9:30

>>>(Toa) Sentence Diagramming: The Amazing Language Tool p77
We use language to express all sorts of complex ideas. The better we understand how language works, the better we can express our own ideas and understand those expressed by others. Sentence diagramming gives us a powerful tool for understanding how language works. It can help us clarify our own writing, and it can help us fully grasp the writing of others. As one young student of diagramming said, "When you diagram, you make a sentence give up all its secrets."
Elizabeth O'Brien will demonstrate that sentence diagramming is not only useful for learning the basics of grammar, but also for analyzing complex ideas. Join Elizabeth as she brings historically significant and artistically rich sentences to life.

(Teen Track) Why Does God Allow Bad things to Happen? Evil and Suffering p76
The #1 question that students have for God often leaves them (and us) speechless. Why does God allow evil? Where is He when it hurts? In one of his most impacting sessions, John provides clear teaching on these tough questions

(General) Teaching Textbook Bias through “48 Liberal Lies” and “Patriot’s History” p76
Bias in college, high school, and elementary grade textbooks is common, and so pervasive it is often not recognized as bias a t all. Using over a dozen case studies from existing textbooks, this session will examine different ways books employ bias and how to counteract it or guard against it.

*(Parenting) Discipline That Works, When Consequences & Time-Outs Don’t p76
Instead of being drawn into power struggles, yelling and giving meaningless consequences, Kirk will show you 10 ways to discipline with dignity so kids listen to, respect and trust you. Stop the whining, complaining and tantrums. Get kids to listen when they are loud in the car or interrupt on the phone.Teach kids to control their own behavior (self-discipline) so you don’t have to “make them” behave.

(General) Keeping Your Kids Pure in Mind and Body p77
Raising children in our society today and keeping them pure is a real challenge. When children are young, we need to begin to stress the importance of purity, and shape their values. Several practical ideas are given on helping to protect your children's minds, and encouraging their physical purity.


(Sweetling) Beautiful Mystery: The Truth about Purity Revealed p83
In today’s world where purity is mocked, sneered at, and vastly misunderstood, Amber Gallagher will unveil the mystery behind why purity is such a vital and sacred requirement from God. There are doors that can only be unlocked using the key of a pure life. She will teach you effective ways to
convey this inspiring message to the young men and women God has placed in your life.

Saturday 10-11 AM

>>>(Sweetling) How We are Lied to, Cheated and Manipulated by Statistics (+Why We Should Care) p85
Because statistics are based on mathematics, they are very appealing in our evidence-based culture. Unfortunately they are often employed to sensationalize, confuse and make false assertions seem true. In this session you will not only learn several fascinating techniques that are used to manipulate statistics, but you will also learn the power of honest statistics and how they have saved millions of lives. You will leave this session knowing how to teach children to look at statistics in a more critical way.

(Teen Track) Understanding Islam p84
Islam is the second largest religion in the world. In this session we will explore the basic beliefs of Islam, see how they compare and contrast with Christianity, and consider important strategies for reaching our Muslim neighbors.

*(Parenting) The Secret to Successful Discipline p84
Correcting misbehavior and establishing a preventive "misbehavior firewall" does not have to be difficult or drawn out. Nor does it require complicated methods of delivering consequences. In fact, behavior modification doesn't work on human beings. Come find out from John the simple principles behind effective discipline, principles your great-grandmother could have taught you.

*(Parenting/General) Improve Attitudes, Learning, and Relationships by Discovering Roots of Problems p85
Children (and even parents and entire families) can go through seasons when reoccurring problems get the best of them. Perhaps motivation is waning, apathy has set in, children are picking at each other, and learning has gotten harder. Discovering the problems’ roots allows you to make changes that can more likely result in permanent improvements. Would you be surprised to know that every problem can be assigned to one or more of just five issues? It’s true! Come and be refreshed with this practical problem-solving approach.


(S and E) Building the Perfect Reading List–How to Find Great Books for Students of All Ages p87
In an engaging presentation that is as much class discussion as lecture, Adam involves the audience in a lively debate on the definition of the classic. In the process, listeners are encouraged to consider the moral and ethical nature of reading, and invited to suggest candidates for a “class list” of all-time great books. This presentation teaches three important tests to apply to any book in order to determine whether it is worthy –and suggests some reasons why you should even care.So, which books belong on your student’s reading list? Come listen and find out!

(Sweetling) BibleMesh Biblical Languages: Why You Should Teach Your Teenager Hebrew & Greek –And How to Do It p89
In this session we will discuss the value of teaching Hebrew and Greek in a homeschooling context as well as introduce the BibleMesh Biblical Languages online course. We will demonstrate the benefit of a reading-oriented, inductive approach that teaches vocabulary, grammar, and reading fluency directly from the biblical text.

(Toa) Raising Dangerous Sons in a Safe and Mediocre World p90
Let’s face it! Most men today are yellow-bellied, Lilly-livered weenies. They may wear tall Stetsons, drive fast cars, bungee jump from bridges, collect souped-up power tools, and carry big black Bibles, but they’re weenies. They flex their biceps and proclaim their faith, but when the economy collapses, the newest pandemic hits the scene, a family crisis arises, or the going gets tough...they play it safe.
Truth is: God wants your sons to leave the heavily-populated, safe waters and live dangerously. He wants your sons to trust dangerously, work dangerously, and love dangerously. But, that doesn’t come naturally. Everyone around them, from the talking heads in the media to pastors in the pulpit, keep repeating, “Play it safe.” Here’s a secret: dangerous living leads to joy, family happiness, and real success while safe living results in worry, family failure, and heartache.So join Todd as he encourages you and your sons to GET DANGEROUS.

Saturday 11:30-12:30

>>>(S and E) Teaching the Tools of the Historian: Teaching Your Children To Search For the Truth in History p99
Participants will learn what tools historians use to evaluate, analyze, and form judgment of the past. Learn how you can use the different stages of your children’s lives in your favor as you teach them history. This is an interactive, engaging talk where the audience will play short games to experience the learning process. We will watch a sample Socratic discussion between a 14 and a 12 year old. Parents and teachers will be given concrete lessons how they can teach critical thinking skills to kids, for ages 3-129.

(Teen Track) Putting Ideas to the Test: Tools for Christian Discernment and Conversation p92
This generation encounters more ideas each day than other generations would in a lifetime? How can we evaluate them? What questions should we ask? And, how do I respond to someone who deeply disagrees? John shows how to test worldviews, and how to lovingly and truthfully respond to those who hold them.

(Parenting)  “You’re Not the Boss of Me!” Motivating Strong-Willed Toddlers & Teens p93
How do you motivate a child who looks right at you and doesn’t listen? What about a teenager who has shut down or defiant? Your child was born with boxing gloves on, ready to fight. Well-meaning people tell you to clamp down on and get control of your child. But you don’t want to crush his
spirit or create more defiance. Instead of constantly creating power struggles, we'll show you how to enjoy a respectful, motivated child who is confident, persistent and purposeful. Society needs our
kids. And you can enjoy them. I'll get my own strong-willed son, Casey, answering questions
in this class. One of my favorites.

*(Me) The Case for Once a Month Cleaning p95
It’s not only the schooling aspect of homeschool life that proves itself challenging — often the logistics of maintaining our homes keep us struggling as well. Come listen to descriptions of different types of home management possibilities that work better alongside a lifestyle of home education. Let’s think outside the box when it comes to cleaning! Options including once-a-month cleaning, once-a-month decluttering, and weekly cleaning will be covered.

*(Sweetling) How to Build an Amazing Homeschool Transcript p95
There is only ONE secret ingredient to giving credibility to a homeschool transcript. If you don’t  know it, author Jean Burk will share the answer in this incredible lecture. As parent/teacher/principal and primary record-keeper you may not know where to start or what to include. Discover the insider criteria that Harvard uses to judge applicants and why summer break needs to be more than just a vacation. Learn the differences between AP, Dual Enrollment, and CLEP courses and the pros and cons of adding them to your schedule. Find out about the 3-Tier credit plan, so you can correctly build a portfolio that will impress any admissions counselor. If your kids are planning to go to college, you cannot afford to miss this engagement!


(Toa) Building Quality Compositions: Sentences, Paragraphs, and Essays p98
Discover the easy, step by step approach to forming quality compositions at any grade level. This workshop will provide you with a complete discussion of the structure of sentences, paragraphs, and/or essays. Plus, Stephens will show you how to get your students to write quality compositions in no time.

Saturday 1-2 pm

>>>(Me) Open I didn't pick out any workshops this hour so that I could make any final purchases or visits to the vendor hall.

(Teen Track) Keeping Cool underFire: Handling Objections with Grace and Truth p101
As Christians, we're called to give a persuasive yet gracious defense for our beliefs (1 Peter 3:15). Thankfully, doing that doesn't require that you memorize an encyclopedia of pro-life answers to every objection hurled your way. You just need to memorize three simple questions that can make a world of difference in your next conversation. Before you know it, you'll be out of the hot seat and into the driver's seat--where you belong!

Saturday 2:30-3:30

 >>>(Me) 10 Exits off of Overwhelmed Highway p111
Are you running on a treadmill, racing like crazy but getting nowhere? Does it feel like you just cannot keep up? Does each new day seem to pile more and more on you, and you can barely keep your head above water? Do you hit the ground running when you get out of bed, and keep a frantic
pace all day until you drop at night, yet never finish the workload? Come find out some guaranteed, tried, tested and true ways to get off of Overwhelmed Highway and onto Sanity Street.
(Teen Track) THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS: FACT OR FICTION? p108
The Christian faith is built upon the historical resurrection of Jesus. There is compelling historical evidence that Jesus existed, died, was buried, and appeared to many people after the third day. This talk is based upon Sean’s book Evidence for the Resurrection (co-written with Josh McDowell)

(General) Worldview Overview: How to Do this Worldview Thing in Homeschooling p109
This seminar is a favorite of John and his audiences: worldview education made easy and interesting. An engaging demonstration of why worldview thinking is crucial for every Christian, including a complete introduction to worldview thinking and a contemporary look at the major worldviews that compete for our allegiance, as well as the basics for help students develop a truly Biblical worldview.

*(Sweetling) 10 Things You Need to Teach Your Daughter Before She Graduates p110-111
When you’re choosing what to teach your daughter it really boils down to what matters and what doesn’t...or what your daughter needs to know tolive happily ever after. The only problem is that everyone seems to have a different answer. Experts stand on every street corner shouting something different, “They need to know state history...master advanced algebra...and speak a foreign language.” It’s enough to give a well-meaning parent a headache and an ulcer. After all, what if you forget to teach her something important, dooming your daughter to a life of misery and failure? Problem solved. During this hour, Todd will cut away the tall grass and share with you the top 10 Things You Need to Teach Your Daughter before She Graduates that guarantees happiness and success.


(Toa) Paragraph Writing Skills Enhanced with Manipulatives called “WITS®” p112
A flow chart, The Progression of Written Communication, introduces the pathway students have traditionally used to gain the knowledge and skills associated with writing. Reasons why many  students struggle to reach competency are listed and explained. Research about the use of manipulatives is presented to explain why and how WITS® manipulatives do assist all students in developing writing skills more quickly and easily. Components of WITS® that correlate with research are noted as participants learn how color-coded, visual and tactile symbols on WITS®correspond to writing conventions such as indentation, sentences, capitalization, punctuation, elaboration, sequence, organization and the “5Ws”. Using one WITS® tile, attendees participate, in a “hands-on” manner, in building a paragraph, and from using a series of WITS® tiles observe how longer compositions can be built. Why these writing “tools” enable learning and assist the student  and the teacher in the process of brainstorming words, creating variety in sentences, and supporting grammar initiatives is demonstrated. The presenter illustrates how these versatile manipulatives are  used to teach writing with outstanding results. By participating in the process and observing compositions being built upon this system of learning, attendees can assess the importance of the  WITS® as assistive “tools” in establishing lifelong writing skills.

(Sweetling) 5 MORE Online Careers for You and Your Children p112
Veteran home school mom of 7 and award-winning Internet business owner, Rhea Perry, reveals 5 MORE online careers anyone can learn with their children at home. These are completely different from those mentioned in her other workshop.

(Toa) Awana for Homeschool! p113
For years, homeschooling parents have appreciated Awana®–both as a strong Bible curriculum for ages 2-18 and as a great weekly ministry experience for their kids. And while we continue to recommend our church-hosted clubs to homeschooling families, we are also excited to introduce the option for homeschooling families to purchase our curriculum directly. But that’s only the beginning! Awana for Homeschool will also feature specific adaptation helps designed to maximize use of our curriculum in your homeschool. Plus, we will invite YOU to be part of making this new option even better as we enhance it in the future with tailored teaching tools.

Saturday 4-5 PM

(Teen Track) Can anyone be Right about Anything? The Case against Moral Relativism p114
“Who are you to push your views on me?” If you're a Christian, you've heard that said many times. Indeed, at both the street and academic levels, moral relativism remains the single biggest challenge to a Christian worldview. Beginning with Kant and the empiricists of the 17th and 18th centuries, objective moral rules were either considered non-existent or unknowable. Now, it seems the only thing our tolerant culture won’t tolerate is you claiming to be right! Indeed, the very definition of tolerance has been turned on its head! In this session, Scott will trace the history of the relativistic worldview and suggest tactics Christians can use to expose its intellectual shortcomings. Although relativism is used to silence dissent, its bark is worse than its bite. When subjected to scrutiny, it self-destructs!

***(Toa) Six Reasons Why Your Student Won’t Write—And, no, I’m not Going to Blame You p115
Description of Session: Do your middle school or high school students dread writing essays and reports? Do they freeze up and quit writing or make it as painful as possible for everyone? This is unnecessary (which is a nice word for crazy-making). Sharon Watson has successfully guided many students from hating writing to loving it—or not hating it as much—and she shares five eye-opening reasons why your students might have such a negative attitude toward writing. But wait! There’s more! You’ll discover proven, practical, and interesting ideas to help you overcome those reasons and get your students writing essays again.

Homeschool Convention: Friday Options

(link to the master schedule)

*my favorites of the options, the one or two I've narrowed my selection to. I'm bolding my final choices.

Friday 8:30-9:30

>>>(Parenting) The Secret to Successful Discipline pg 23
Correcting misbehavior a nd establishing a preventive "misbehavior firewall" does not have to be difficult or drawn out. Nor does it require complicated methods of delivering consequences. In fact, behavior modification doesn't work on human beings. Come find out from John the simple principles behind effective discipline, principles your great-grandmother could have taught you.

(Teen Track) UNDERSTANDING INTELLIGENT DESIGN pg 22
In this session we will explore the most recent scientific data in cosmology, physics, biochemistry, and biology that point toward an Intelligent Designer. David was right that the heavens give us knowledge about God (Ps 19:1-2). Those who open their minds to the possibility of an
explanation beyond the natural world will find the design hypothesis best accounts for the scientific evidence. This talk is based upon Sean’s book Understanding Intelligent Design (co-written with William A. Dembski)


(General) 12 Genius Qualities to Encourage in Your Children pg 24
Are you one of those asking where today’s Edisons and Einsteins are? Have you been curious about what geniuses have in common and how we might recognize the qualities in our children? Tom Armstrong’s research resulted in an encouraging list of twelve basic qualities of genius (e.g., curiosity, playfulness, imagination). We’ll examine the list (you’ll probably be surprised), define the qualities, and consider how we can encourage these qualities in our children

(Sweetling) Dark Matter, String Theory, Big Bangs, and Quantum Mechanics p24
Science, many believe, portrays matter moving in spiritual ballet with tender, mystical qualities like energy. Life flows from, and through, and to cosmic ripples of organic energy and quantum fields of green upon which we gaze. Is this so? Are we just energy in organized motion? And is the universe just one of many parallel universes? Is existence itself only the vibrations of multidimensional  quantum strings? How can nothing go ‘bang’? In this lecture, Dr. James Wanliss, university professor and space physicist, explores several of the strangest theories found in physics. He will
examine the implications of some of the more recent theories, showing how biblical principles can be used to learn the difference between theories that are potentially useful from those that are vain philosophy and science falsely so-called (1 Tim. 6:20).

*(Sweetling) The Eternal Argument Applied p28
Now that you know what the Eternal Argument is, it’s time to use it! During this workshop we’ll use three books (To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, and The Hunger Games) and study them through the lens of Robin’s framework. Many are scared or reluctant to attack these books, but the
framework gives teachers a way to do it without compromising their family ‘s values. We’ll discuss HOW to teach a book! You’ll come away with a complete understanding of how the Eternal Argument works and how to make your literature study at home or in class more meaningful!

(Sweetling) The Homeschooling Edge: A Professor’s View on College Prep p29
Description of Session: Do homeschoolers have advantages at college? As a professor, Dr. Reynolds came to realize that homeschooled students were likely to be at the top of their classes. But why?
Dr. Reynolds will share her observations and experience, and discuss ways your children can arrive in college with the “homeschool edge.



(Sweetling) Come and Listen, if You Dare! Etiquette for Teens p30
Why do you need to know etiquette to succeed? Do you want to find a Wife??? Or a Job??? Proper Etiquette could very well change your life! Etiquette is so much more than which fork to use? It affects every single aspect of your life. Did you know that proper etiquette and being well educated are in direct proportion to each other? How comfortable would you be in a room full of Senators, a room full of Doctors...wait what about a room full of girls? Have you ever gotten that “sick” feeling in your belly when you feel a little unsure of yourself, or uncomfortable in a certain situation. When you master “social etiquette”, you won’t have to fear unfamiliar situations anymore. You can go anywhere, be with anyone and be perfectly comfortable, confident and at peace. Come on, listen and learn. You’ll thank me later.

Friday 10-11 AM

>>>lunch/vendor hall

(Teen Track) Marriage Matters: How to Defend Marriage in Today’s Hostile Climate p31
The truth is, marriage was redefined decades ago in our country, and that has created a climate in which it is more difficult than ever to stand against perversions like so-called "same sex" marriage. Christians need to know more than what they are against when it comes to marriage. They need to
know what they are for. This session presents why God's plan for marriage makes so much sense in the real world.

(Sweetling) NEW! Throwing Light on the Dark Side: Good vs. Evil in Contemporary Youth Literature p31
Storyteller/Author/Recording Artist, Jim Weiss explores the current fascination with the Dark side in the Narnia, Harry Potter, Twilight Series, etc.; provides perspective using historical precedents from the Bible and classic literature; explains why we find villains so fascinating; and offers ways to use
moral conflicts in literature and films to guide our children in their real life ethical decisions. (For teens and adults.

(Toa) How to Identify those Rocks your Kids are Bringing Home p32
“Help! My kids are bringing home tons of rocks. What do I do with them? How do I help them to identify what they have found so I can stop the clutter?” That is exactly what this seminar will do! We will cover the basics of rock collecting and identification. You will learn some easy and
straightforward steps to identifying rocks and minerals. You may even find yourself really getting into this wonderful hobby.

(S and E) The Writing Toolbox: How to Imagine, Organize, Write, and Evaluate Great Essays p32
Essay writing is more than just an academic exercise. A well-designed writing cycle encourages creativity, teaches orderly patterns of thought, and helps students master the mechanics of formal writing. Join us to learn how you can use each step of the writing process to build strong students.
(Middle-High School)

*(Me) 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life p33
Do you have ideas, hopes, and dreams for what you want to accomplish in your life, but you feel like you’re being held back by a lack of personal discipline? Are you easily overwhelmed by your big ideas or projects, and you just don’t know where to start and how to make real progress? Do you
find yourself making “all-or-nothing” plans for transforming your life, and then three days later you crash and burn under the weight of your plan? In this workshop, popular blogger, bestselling author, and homeschool mom, Crystal Paine, will give you the tools and practical steps you need to begin
transforming your life from the inside out so that you can find calm instead of chaos, order instead of being constantly overwhelmed, and peace instead of persistently feeling like pulling your hair out!

(Sweetling) Learn the Greek Alphabet in an Hour p34
Latin and Greek are valuable additions to any student’s academic program, but Latin is far more popular. One reason is that Greek uses a different alphabet. But the Greek alphabet is the basis of the Latin, and learning it is not as hard as you might think. Regan Barr gives you a quick phonetic
introduction to the Greek alphabet, teaching the letters in groups that make logical sense. This highly interactive workshop has frequent “pop quizzes” for the audience, and helps you determine if perhaps you might like to learn Ancient Greek.

*(S and E) Three Keys to a Great Art Education (all grade levels) p35
Discover the simple keys to unlocking your child’s God-given talents in the visual arts. All children can excel in the visual arts with encouragement and teaching methods that address both the expressive and technical aspects of art. Learn how you can give your child a great art education at
home by focusing on awareness, creativity, and well timed instruction in the basic principles of art!

(Me/General) Research That Will Change the Way You Teach p35
What makes some teachers so much more effective than others? How much of it is personality and how much is a matter of skills anyone can learn? Kristen and her husband have designed this workshop to share some of the most compelling research on effective teaching. Practical and
encouraging, come expecting to change the way you teach.

(Sweetling)  How to Write Apologetics Fiction p37
In this session, author Keith A. Robinson outlines his approach to writing this new genre of fiction that weaves apologetics arguments into action/adventure stories. This workshop is a MUST for anyone interested in becoming an author or interested in learning how to repackage apologetics arguments to reach a larger audience

Friday 11:30-12:30

***(Sweetling) The Best Kept Secret to Free College: The PSAT p42
Imagine throwing away seven trash bags full of college offers! It happened to my family and it could happen to yours. How? The PSAT. Contrary to popular belief, “P” does not stand for practice. In reality the PSAT is a scholarship qualifying test, and it can write you a ticket to just about any
college. Discover the 3 little-known secrets about the PSAT and 11 steps to success! Learn how to get colleges begging you to enroll and pick up the tab at the same time.

(Teen Track) The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to engage the Culture p39
How can Christians bring moral clarity to issues like abortion and embryonic stem cell research? How can they use science and philosophy to present a gracious and persuasive case for the pro-life view? Scott uses humor and hard-hitting logic to argue for the truth of the pro-life view and
suggests three key questions that must be answered by biblically-informed Christians on the single greatest moral issue of our day

(General) Study Like a Genius: Unlocking Your Brain p41
All learning is founded on one key—the ability to take in information and then remember it. Most people are never taught how to effectively learn. Each school year, students spend countless hours studying, only to have the information seemingly disappear when they need it most. Whether a
parent or student, in this interactive and practical session, you will learn how to use study tools such as speed reading and memory techniques which will radically change the way you learn. We promise you’ll think differently.

(S and E) Asking the Right Questions–Teaching Literature with Socratic Discussion p41
Adam shows aspiring classroom leaders five ways to lead students naturally and effortlessly into quality discussions of any book. He demonstrates each of these techniques through live discussion of a beloved American classic, and teaches audience members how to try them at home immediately.

(Sweetling) How You (or Your Child) Can Be a Published Author p44
It is easier than ever to become a publisher author. If you have something to say, write it down and tell the world. Author,Carol Topp will show you how to do it quickly and inexpensively. As the author of Business Tips and Taxes for Writers, and other titles, Carol will explain the process to
become a published author. Co-presenter, Rachel Coker, will discuss how she became the youngest author published by Zondervan.

Friday 1-2:00 PM

>>>(Parenting) 10 Ways to Stop Defiance, Disrespect & Meltdowns p47
Nothing is more frustrating and embarrassing than a child being defiant or melting down in public. H
ave a little one who looks right through you and says, “No!”? Have a teenager who defies you or rolls his eyes? Have a child who refuses to go places? Kirk will show you how to stop a meltdown in
public without losing it yourself! You will learn how to turn emotional power struggles into opportunities to build trust and teach self-discipline. You will be blown away by how practical these strategies are
 
(Teen Track) Defending the Unborn p46
Abortion is one of the most hotly debated topics in America. This lecture explores how science, philosophy, and theology all support the value of the unborn from the moment of conception. We will
explore how to respond to the most common objections to pro-life.

*(S and E) History via the Scenic Route p50
Are you tired of force feeding history to your children? Does history make them yawn? Or, do you have one of those hungry-for-history type students that would devour far more than you could ever dream up to provide? Diana Waring will take you on an extraordinary learning adventure as she
shares with you how to make the facts come alive and the learning go deeper! Join Diana for her "sit-
on-the-edge-of-your-chair-insuspense" history approach, using literature, music, art, science, cooking, and more, that has captivated homeschoolers across five nations.

Friday 2:30-3:30

>>>(General) Don’t Just Read God’s Word Together, Devour It as A Family! True Family Discipleship Every Family Can Do In 20 Minutes/Day p56
Cultivating a Bible study and prayer habit that involves and transforms your whole family may be simpler than you think. How can you, as parents, lead your own children regularly into in-depth Bible study, Scripture memorization and prayer and find fun ways to share how God is applying truth in
your lives? The National Bible Bee will share how just 2 cards per week and 20 minutes a day can begin to fulfill your desire to grow your family in God’s Truth.

(Teen Track) Call for Courage:Why this Virtue Will Make All the Difference in this Generation p54
This session will explore what worldview tests can't measure: it's one thing to know truth; it's another to live truth. Our students live in a culture which faces a crisis of ethics. How can we raise a generation that will do the right thing when they are encouraged everywhere to compromise and live for instant gratification?


(Sweetling) Creating Android Applications for Teens p57
Has your “techie” teen asked about writing smart-phone applications or other computer programs? How can they learn about these cutting-edge technologies when Mom and Dad are still trying to figure out the TV remotes? There is hope! Computer programming topics can be self-taught with
the right materials. Join Chris Yust for a live demonstration and discussion about the tools and technologies needed to write your very own Android smart-phone applications. Students will get a first-hand look at a Java development environment and walk-through of the Android development
process. Chris will also briefly introduce the latest KidCoder and TeenCoder computer programming courses. Give your student a chance to e mbrace Computer Science as a hobby or career

(Toa?) Getting Kids Fired Up About Words---Discover Morphology p57
Did you know that English spelling reflects both sound and meaning?
Mastering a language as large as English requires understanding how words are formed. Learning the meanings of roots, prefixes, and suffixes will transform vocabulary development, spelling, and  reading. Participants will not only discover how English words are built, but practical ideas for
integrating this information into their homeschools. While taking a new look at the structure of words, we will play games, demonstrate how to introduce words found in history, math, and science, and discover how fun learning vocabulary can be. You will leave this workshop inspired and hungry for more. Each participant will receive a detailed handout that can be used with students of all ages.

(General) Training Young (and old!) Brains to Retain–Learning that Lasts p58
Throughout American history, sixteen year olds successfully taught multiple grades multiple subjects.
So why do we struggle at home with three students?

(S and E) Writers Have Audiences: How to Move Tweens and Teens from Social Media Posts to Essays p61
College professors agree: Incoming freshmen do not understand that written communications have audiences. Today’s students write in short bursts on sites such as Facebook, and they do not know basic persuasive and expository skills. In one short hour, Sharon Watson shares practical
writing activities and assignments that truly will enlighten your students and improve their writing abilities. You can use these proven activities at home next week

Friday 4-5 pm

 >>>(Parenting) "The Talk": Preparing Students for a Culture of Sexual Brokenness p62
Our culture leads students into sexual brokenness in so many ways. How can we help students understand God's design for their sexuality? Often, despite our best intentions we create a sense of fear or false promises that will challenge their chastity later on. In this talk, which is for adults only,
John will offer insight on how to, and how not to, talk about this difficult topic with students.

(Teen Track)Five Bad Ways to Argue About Abortion p61
Pro-life advocates present compelling arguments for their position based on science and philosophy. Nevertheless, many critics ignore the scientific and philosophic case that pro-life advocates present and argue for abortion based on self-interest. That is the lazy way out. If we care about truth, we
will courageously follow the facts wherever they lead. Here are five common mistakes people make arguing for abortion and how you can refute them.


(Sweetling?)The Princess Within: Teaching Your Daughters How to Live Like a Princess from the Inside Out p64
Amber Gallagher will use her Bible study/purity retreat curriculum, The Princess Within: Living Like a Princess from the Inside Out to show you how to inspire a young lady to want the true beauty of a
good heart as opposed to the shallow representation of beauty the world promotes. Amber will cover topics such as The Great Legacy Love Affair, The Qualities of a True Princess, What to look for in a Prince, The Purity of a Princess and Building a Castle of Dreams.

(General) FAMILIES LOVE TRAVEL–ON THE CHEAP! p67
Does your family have Cabin Fever but your budget is slim? Take a Vacation without Breaking the Bank - 10 proven tips to save hundreds of dollars. -from Michele Z, the Family Travel Mom who's been to 5,000 places...on a budget!

(Sweetling) How to Ace the SAT p67
Test-prep Guru Jean Burk will share her secrets of SAT success that have helped hundreds of students raise their test scores as much as 600 points! Learn how to find shortcuts in test patterns and save time on all types of questions. Math, Writing, and Verbal sections are all covered in this once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity. If you have kids in high school, you can’t miss this seminar about preparing them for the SAT!

Friday 5:30-6:30

>>>(Sweetling) Transcripts Made Easy: The High School Transcript as a Marketing Tool p68
A high school transcript may be the most important piece of paper created during your student’s homeschool experience. More than just a list of what your student studied or an outline of the grades received, it’s like a résumé — a marketing tool that should highlight your student’s strengths and
skills. Join us to learn how to select the best format, effectively name classes, decide on weighted grades, and present information in a clean, professional style that is easily comparable to others. You’ll might find yourself getting fan mail from college admissions counselors who appreciate
your work!

(Teen Track) The New Spirituality:Engaging with New Age, Eastern Religions,& Neo-Paganism p68
Spirituality is "in," but today's spirituality is a buffet approach to various ideas that are rooted in ancient Eastern religions that have been "westernized" by celebrities and bad books. This seminar presents how to recognize and respond to this worldview.


(S and E) Cat and Dog Theology (A Bible Curriculum for 7-12th Graders) p69
One simple joke can change your child’s life. Here’s the joke: “A Dog says, ‘You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, you must be God.’ A Cat says, ‘You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, I must be God.’” That joke represents much of Christianity around the
world today. Without realizing it, many believers think God lives for us—and it’s killing our Christianity.
The “Cat and Dog Theology” message has been changing adult and children’s lives for years. It is currently being taught in the underground church in China as well as in Indonesia, Taiwan, the Filipino diaspora, Southern Africa, South America and Russia (just to name a few)! Now this life-
changing material is available for the first time in a homeschool curriculum!
Check out what this 30-week Bible curriculum (for 7 -12th graders) can do for you and your child!

(General) The 3Rs & Beyond-Discover a Homeschool Approach that's Effective for Your Family p70
What exactly do you want your kids to learn? With a myriad of teaching styles and curriculum options available to you, it's helpful to take a step back and think through the building blocks of a quality education. Sarita guides you to think through the basics and beyond to help you determine how to shape your homeschool with your ultimate goals in mind.

(Sweetling) 5 Online Careers for You and Your Children p71
The Information Age is changing everything, including education. In this session, home school veteran Rhea Perry explains 5 online careers anyone can learn with their children to operate a successful business from home and build true financial freedom.

Friday 7-8 PM

>>>(Sweetling) What Colleges Don’t Tell You: 4 Secrets to Save Time and Money p74
What does a student need to be successful today? For many families, answering the college question is a difficult task. Often the overall cost, time required, inefficiencies, and negative college environment are too great an obstacle. In this session, we lay out four proven tips to avoid the traps that prey on most traditional students. These tips can be used immediately to begin saving money and time on college and, most importantly, give your student a huge head-start on the competition. Is it possible to get a college degree without debt? Or to own a home debt free by age 25? We’ll show
you how to do both by revealing the secrets colleges won’t tell you.

(Sweetling) Literary Keys–Unlocking the Meaning of Classic Books p74
Come listen to the story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his famous poem Paul Revere’s Ride. In the process, you will discover the surprising power of two literary elements –setting and context–
to deepen your understanding of classic books. Based on the idea that every book is product of a certain time and place, Adam shows how to use these details as keys for unlocking the meaning and significance of any work of literature. Even if you’ve read the poem a thousand times, you might come away with a new perspective –and new vision for your work as a teacher.

(Me) I  Quit! p75
"I Quit," you've decided. You can't quite discern whether God wants you to homeschool or not.
Maybe you're burned out, fed up, feeling inadequate, or just plain tired of it all. But, whatever the reason for quitting, deep in your heart, you're still wondering, "Maybe I should stick with it."
In this workshop Susan Kemmerer, a homeschool mom of 20+ years, looks at five reasons why moms quit homeschooling, as well as some solutions to those things that rob you of your joy and motivation to homeschool. If you’re looking for reasons to continue when you’ve got nothing left to give, then this workshop is for you.

Homeschool Convention Options 2013 Thursday

Do the happy dance! It's time to look at workshop options for the homeschool convention! I've broken the options into their timeslots AND I've put who/what the interest might be for each topic.

 I've also put the page number where each workshop description can be found in the 177 convention schedule guide if we need to refer back to the name of the speaker, info about the speaker, etc. (The info about the speaker is listed before the description of the workshop...so scroll up!)

It's almost like I'm organized.

(ps--I don't know why some of the titles are in all caps. Suck it up. I'm not retyping them.)

Thurs 3:30-4:30

This is the option I'm going to--

• (Parenting)  Stop the Yelling, Lecturing & Power Struggles pg2

• Do you need help calming your explosive household? Tired of yelling at, negotiating with and bribing your child? Do you want your child to take responsibility for his school work, chores and attitude? It’s time to stop the yelling, arguing and power struggles with toddlers and teens. How can you expect your kids to control themselves...if you cannot control yourself? Moms, it’s not your job to manage everyone’s emotions and make everyone happy! We’ll show you how to create stress - free mornings, school, dinner and bedtime. We promise you will laugh and leave with a dozen practicalstrategies that really work

(Teen Track) SHATTERING THE MYTHS OF EVOLUTION pg 1
 Despite its overwhelming cultural influence, Darwinian evolution is in crisis. In this session, we will explore the most comm on evidences offered in favor of evolution. When these “evidences” are examined closely, it turns out that the case for Darwinian evolution is rather weak.


 (General) Homeschooling: The Environment for Genius pg 2
In 1957, psychologist Dr. Harold McCurdy investigated the lives of twenty geniuses like John Stuart Mill, John Quinc y Adams, and Blaise Pascal. He wanted to find out if there was something about their childhoods that made them become geniuses. In the end, he found three things that all of them
had in common while growing up. What’s fascinating is that these three elements are typically present in the lives of modern homeschooled children. In this talk, Dr. Jay L. Wile will present the details of the study and its conclusions, while Diana Waring will share anecdotes and practical
advice that will help you incorporate these elements into your homeschooling experience. They don’t promise that you will raise geniuses, but they do promise that your homeschool will be better for it.

(S and E) Designing Your Own Lit Program–a Scope and Sequence Workshop pg4
Many parents are dissatisfied with the books assigned in box curriculum sets and yet, they feel inadequate to strike out on their own and create effective reading programs for their children. Adam puts these fears to rest with an inspiring lesson in scope and sequence development. Presenting a step-by-step procedure that is accessible to even the busiest teachers, Adam makes a powerful case that it’s not how many books you do, it’s how well you do them! Come listen and be set free from the “tyranny of the booklist.”

(Sweetling) The Best Micro Businesses for a Teenager to Start This Week.  pg 6
A teenager can start and run his or her own micro business to learn a lot while earning some money. Presenter Carol Topp, CPA has counseled dozens of teenagers starting a business and will discuss ideas and pitfalls to avoid. Co-presenter, Rachel Coker, an 18 year old homeschooled student will share how she started her micro businesses as a published author and photographer. Parents are welcome to attend and may get a few ideas too!

Thursday 5 -6 PM

The option I'm going to--

• (Sweetling) FREE COLLEGE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS pg14

• Are you ready to make $500 an hour? Although it sounds too good to be true, it’s possible to earn this much in scholarships for college. Author Jean Burk will teach you two important concepts: how to get into the college of your choice and how to find the scholarships to pay for it. You will learn methods of receiving substantial scholarships that go beyond tuition and may include room and board, graduate school, and money to study abroad! Unlock the keys to finding free college at your fingertips!

 (Teen Track) Foundations of a Pro -Life Worldview: Whose Rules Should We Play by? pg 8
While the street-level debate over abortion rages on, a serious intellectual discussion about the foundation for human rights continues almostunnoticed. What makes humans valuable? Can secularism provide an adequate grounding for basic human rights? How do natural rights differ from
merely positive (legal) ones? These questions are foundational and must be addressed persuasively lest the dehumanizing ideasof the ivory towerbecome true for the culture at large. In this session, Scott addresses the underlying worldview assumptions that both academic and lay people bring
to debates over abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning and why the Christian worldview in particular does a better job accounting forintrinsically valuable human beings, fundamental human rights, and objective moral rules.


(General) Writing Your Own Curriculum: You Can Do This! pg 13
Developing curriculum isn’t hard to do if you have a template to follow. In this workshop, we’ll talk about how to take any subject, determine the essential topics within that subject, and then teach them at varying skill levels. We’ll also look at safety nets you can use to double-check yourself so
that you can develop coursework with confidence. Come join us in this practical workshop, and be sure to bring a notebook!

Thursday 6:30-7:30 

(Teen Track) Pro-Life 3.0: The New Challenges to the Dignity of Life:Cloning, stem cells, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, euthanasia. pg15
Being pro-life today is more than being against abortion. We must know why we are FOR life, and what that looks like in the face of the various bioethical challenges today.

(Sweetling) Three ‘Missing Links’ Your Child MUST Know About! pg18
“Ida”, “Ardi” and “Lucy”! They may not be names familiar to you, but they should be. If your child continues their studies at the collegiate level they will most likely hear how the fossil evidence shows overwhelmingly that man has “evolved”. And the evidence that will be used most probably will be
one of the three, if not all three, of the ones mentioned here. Using only secular sources Carl will show you how to teach your student critically/biblically evaluate the actual evidence for these “ancestors”. You will be surprised at what the evidence truly supports.

 *One of the two options I'm torn between
*(Toa) Multisensory Grammar pg19

Words of the English Language are traditionally classified into parts of speech based on meaning and usage in a sentence. The parts of speech– nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, pronouns, adverbs, conjunctions, and interjections- are the ingredients of a sentence. Some parts of speech are essential to the structure of a sentence. Other parts are used to add interest and to extend information. To understand the structure of a sentence, students need to know the parts of speech and their usage. Mere memorization of the definitions has little transfer to written expression.
Multisensory Grammar uses an engaging color -code system to introduce and reinforce the parts of speech in a sentence. Patterns of color are used to help students compose original sentences of varying lengths and complexities. This session will introduce several parts of speech and provide
additional follow-up practice activities to reinforce and encourage written expression.

(Sweetling) Hands-on Website Design for Kids pg19
Have your kids ever asked how they can create their own web pages? This is a great introductory Computer Science topic that can be offered by nearly all families, even if you consider yourself a computer novice. Join Chris Yust for a discussion on how your students can quickly learn the
fundamentals of HTML. We’ll have a live demonstration of the simple tools and techniques that everyone can use to make their own creative websites! Chris will also briefly introduce the latest KidCoder and TeenCoder computer programming courses. Let's spark a love for computers in
your student!

*Second of the two options I'm torn between--
(S and E) How to Get Your Child to Write an Essay Without Complaining (Middle/High School) p 20
This workshop provides you with an easy to use, step by step process for writing essays.
Stephens will explore different ways to engage your child in writing essays without complaining. Using four, easy to use methods, your child will be writing essays in no time!

(Sweetling) How can my homeschool student “start a business” to learn valuable life skills and develop income while at home? pg 19
This session offers a quick guide concerning how to give your child an opportunity to experience “business” firsthand before leaving high school. At the age of eight, I developed a business that assisted elderly people with a specific function in their household that they could not or did not want to perform anymore. Three years later, I sold that business to another young “entrepreneur”
and developed a lawn business in a well-off neighborhood.
Three years after that, I sold that business, creating a marketing firm that still exists today and bringing in tens of thousands of dollars before I left high school. The lessons I learned from th
is business, along with the opportunities it afforded me in my high school years, gave me the jump-
start I needed into my life path. God used the “business” aspect of my homeschool experience to grow and develop me spiritually

Two for Tuesday: Chef Sweetling

We try to periodically do a kid's cook night. I'd like it to happen once a week, but the reality is more like every other week.

Still, it's a great tradition. Not only is it a great learning experience, but it's a real confidence builder for each of my children.

Sweetling and I were at Meijer on Saturday. We were on our way home from a women's self-defense class and had gone in to look for an ink cartridge for our color printer. It was lunch time, and we were hungry, so we decided to swing through the grocery section to look for a few yummy food samples.

Little samples of baked salmon were being given out...along with a 10% off coupon, a little fish-thickness measuring ruler, and a pamphlet on easy, fool-proof fish cooking techniques.

Meijer didn't have the ink cartridge we needed, but at Sweetling's request, a large "family" pack of a salmon fillet weighing 1.3 lbs came home with us.

Baked Salmon

Ingredients:

• salmon
• seasoning of choice

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 450.
2. We lined a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. I have no idea if this is necessary, but I didn't want to be scraping fish chunks off the baking tray.
3. Place salmon on tray. (I know this is complicated, but just bear with me.)
4. Season. (I just put out all my seasoning blends and let Sweetling go at.)
5. Bake for 10 minutes per 1 inch thickness. (We baked ours a little longer, because we had never baked fish before and I was worried it would be underdone. It wasn't. In fact, we overbaked ours a tiny bit and it was a touch dryer than it could have been.)
6. Sweetling served her fish with butter noodles, microwaved broccoli and cheese, and homemade corn muffins....

Homemade Corn Muffins

Really, Sweetling made these before making the fish. She cleaned up her mixing area while they were in the oven. She also started the water boiling for the butter noodles. When they came out, she put them in a basket lined with a tea towel and put another clean towel on top of them to keep them warm. By that time, her noodles were ready to go in the water. Then she seasoned her fish and popped it in the oven. She got the broccoli in the microwave and turned off the noodles while the fish baked. The timing would have been perfect if Mommy hadn't insisted the fish stay in the oven well past its bake time. In the end, she looked up the proper internal temperature for cooked salmon and stuck a meat thermometer in the fish to prove to me that it was just fine.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (we keep buttermilk frozen in 1/2 cup amounts. We thawed the buttermilk in the microwave for this recipe.)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. 
3. Add wet ingredients and stir with wooden spoon till combined.
4. Spoon into paper lined muffin cups.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.

Two for Tuesday: Pork Chops with Fruit Stuffing and Cookie Dough Ice Cream

The first recipe is part of a quest to find at least four but preferably six delicious and easy crock pot recipes for the Mondays where we're gone all day at co-op. (I don't see how work-outside-the-home mothers manage dinner every night, I really don't.)

The grown-ups in the house liked this recipe. The kids in the house thought the stuffing was "strange". I don't know yet whether the recipe wants to become part of our regular menu or not.

The original recipe came from Pillsbury Slow Cooker Recipes, which came home with us from the library. I modified it in a vain attempt to better customize it to my family's taste. I also increased the amounts from the original.

Pork Chops with Fruit Stuffing

Ingredients--

• 1 1/2 cup diced dried apples
• 2 cups chicken broth OR 1 1/2 cup no salt added chicken broth plus 1/2 cup water
• !/2 to 1 cup apple juice
• 6 Tbs butter
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 (6 oz) pkg low-sodium stuffing mix
• 6 pork chops
• vegetable oil and butter for frying
• Mrs Dash

Directions--

1. In large pot (my biggest saucepan wasn't quite big enough), combine diced dried apples, 1/2 cup apple juice, chicken broth, butter, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and stir in stuffing mix. Remove from heat. (Add a tiny bit more apple juice if needed to moisten.)
2. Heat a little vegetable oil and a pat of butter in large skillet. When hot and bubbly, but before the butter browns, add pork chops. Fry on high heat for a minute or two on each side, just enough to brown them. Season with Mrs. Dash.
3. Pour 1/4 cup apple juice in slow cooker. (Just enough to cover the bottom). Place pork chops in slow cooker. Top with stuffing.
4. Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours.
5. To serve, transfer stuffing to a serving bowl and fluff with a fork.
6. Good with sweet potato fries or baked sweet potatoes as a side dish!

 Cookie Dough Ice Cream

In our house, we make our own ice cream. We make one or two gallons a week. (And when I say "we", I really mean the Jedi does it all.) It's not that much more expensive than store bought. It's certainly more delicious, and we get to experiment with all sorts of flavors!

This came from Toa of Boy's request for chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. I picked up refrigerated cookie dough from the store, thinking that refrigerated cookie dough had been pasteurized and was safe to consume raw. I was wrong. The Jedi noticed all sorts of "do not consume unbaked" warning labels on it. Luckily, I found a great substitute recipe on Allrecipes. (This doesn't include the directions or the ingredients for the ice cream itself, just the mix in!)

I changed nothing from the recipe except to double it for my ice cream loving family. The amounts below are for the family-sized batch!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 5 Tbs brown sugar
• 3 Tbs white sugar
• 4 Tbs softened butter
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 Tbs water
• mini-chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Cream butter with sugars until smooth. 
2. Stir in vanilla and water.
3. Mix in flour until well blended.
4. Stir in mini-chocolate chips. Yeah, I didn't measure. I just poured and stirred until it looked right. You have to use the mini-chips though, because the regular sized chips get way too hard in the ice cream.
5. Turn out onto parchment paper and shape into a rough log.
6. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours then cut into chunks to stir into the ice cream. (We also at that time added extra mini-chocolate chips to the mix-in process.)

It's not February

One of my rules for myself is that I'm not allowed to make sweeping decisions about my homeschooling process or curriculum in February. I'm not the most rational, level-headed person in February.

Ok, I'm not the most rational, level-headed person ANY time of the year, but especially in February. I'm tired, depressed, cranky, and ready to throw in the towel in February.

But it's not February, and the Homeschool Convention is coming up in less than a month, so I'm looking at curriculum for next year.

The only thing I've really sort-of picked out is an art curriculum. See how decisive I am?

I saw this curriculum from Artistic Pursuits at the Homeschool Convention last year. I didn't go for it, because Sweetling was way over-booked with her curriculum choices and I thought Toa wasn't ready for a formal art curriculum.

Next year, I think Sweetling is going to be putting a lot of her focus on languages next year and she has asked me for some help finding some non-language options to round herself out. I showed her the sample pages of the second high school book of this curriculum and she really liked it. She's taking a pretty well rounded drawing class at co-op this year, so I feel comfortable skipping right into book two. 

I showed the curriculum and the sample pages to Toa of Boy, and he asked, "Why didn't you get this for me *this* year?" So, I think he's ready to go to a formal curriculum. He doesn't want to do the upper elementary curriculum for 4th and 5th grade. He wants to skip right into the junior high books. So, that's what we'll do.






 
I'm also considering starting first year Latin with Toa of Boy, and maybe with Sweetling too, if she doesn't take Latin 1 at co-op. Memoria Press is the publisher of choice for this. I just have to decide if I want to pony up for the complete package which includes and instructional DVD or if I want to try to bare bones it. Toa of Boy does NOT want to do Latin. He is NOT interested in learning any language other than English, not even his native Spanish. I'd love to be able to do a trial run on this. I'm pretty certain its a confidence issue for Toa of Boy and that once he sees that he can do it, he'll change his mind about it. Still, it doesn't sit well with my unschooling heart to purchase a big curriculum in a subject that my child is set against. The jury is still out on this subject.

Toa of Boy still struggles some with his speech. He doesn't want to try a second language, because he's still wrestling with his pronunciation of English. The Jedi says this is a very valid consideration. Sweetling came down the stairs, read over my shoulder, and, genius that she is suggested ASL as a second language for Toa.

I do want to get Famous Men of the Middle Ages for a family read aloud. We've read through Famous Men of Rome this year, and everyone has enjoyed it. 

I'm also toying with Memoria Press's Geography books. Just you know, flirting with them. Seeing if they'll buy me a drink.


 And Everyday Mathematics has worked really well for Toa this year, so I think we'll continue with that next year.

Lastly, we have the second half of the America the Beautiful curriculum for Toa. We're still working through the first half and it seems to be going well. So we'll continue it into next year.

Oh, and science. Toa and I are still reading through Apologia's Anatomy. We love the short hands-on "Try This" experiments that are interspersed through every chapter. We're not going to finish this book by May, so we might continue it into next year. Toa loves learning about the workings of the human body.

What I haven't decided on is language arts for Toa of Boy.

I have a few options that I'm considering, but none that I'm really sold on.

First, Toa of Boy really wants to do the same sort of vocabulary that Sweetling is doing. That's because Sweetling and I put her vocabulary list up on the fridge along with space for a column for each of the two of us. We can each score a point for using one of the words in a sentence throughout the week. Sweetling buries me. (She inters me in fact.) Toa wants in on some of that cream-the-Mommy action. So, it looks like I'll be starting him with Vocabulary from Classical Roots.

After that?

He still needs work on his spelling. Do I want a separate spelling book for him? Or do I just want to use his vocabulary words as his spelling list? I can't find a curriculum that's a good fit for him. Logic of English was *perfect* for him this year....but where do I go after that? The traditional spelling workbooks are so boring. If I, as a Mom and a teacher, look at them and go 'ewww', how can I in good faith buy them for my visual-kinesthetic son?

(edit to add: I found All about Spelling which looks promising. I'll put it on my list of things to check out at the homeschool convention.)

What about grammar? I looked at Rod and Staff, but they look dry and tedious. We're so not slogging through a grammar text. We LOVED Michael Clay Thompson's curriculum when we used it two years ago. I looked at it again last year, but the next level looked to similar in content and appearance to the level we had just completed. That's not good when you're a young active boy. When you're a young active boy, the school subjects better present NEW content. Otherwise the immediate, and justified complaint is, "I just DID this!! Do you mean I have to do this AGAIN?"

Writing and Composition? I'm considering Writing Strands. I've heard great things about IEW, but their website looks complicated and expensive. We don't need a set of DVDs. To quote Toa, that's just "blah blah blah".

And reading. Why does every reading curriculum suck the joy out of the experience of reading a good book? We're just going to read and enjoy some good books, thank you.

I'm trolling for good suggestions and feedback on spelling, grammar, and composition....and Bible study!  I'd appreciate some help.

Thank you!

Two for Tuesday: Weekly Menu

Once or twice, I've tried to plan out my dinners for an entire month and do a once a month approach to grocery shopping. It looks great on paper. At my house, it falls apart in practice.

For one thing, life happens. Things come up. There's a last minute schedule change. Etc. Etc. Then what I had planned for a Wednesday doesn't work, so I'll shift Friday's dinner to Wednesday. Then come Friday I don't feel like making Wednesday's lasagna from scratch, so I'll shift Sunday over....and the whole menu just becomes a mess of penciled in arrows.

For another thing, once a month grocery shopping doesn't work for us. There's always a few ingredients I forget. Or there's a few fresh ingredients that must be picked up a day or two before a meal is cooked. And anyway, we need milk, bread, and eggs each week. The once a month approach becomes one big headache of a grocery trip, followed by lots of little annoying trips.

 Don't get me wrong. I know many families use a monthly meal plan and a once a month grocery trip and it works great for them. I'm not knocking the system.

It just doesn't work for me.

But, planning a weeks worth of dinners, that does work. I sit through Toa of Boy's Tae Kwon Do class on Tuesday, plan my menu, pick out recipes, and make up a grocery list. (Mostly. Mostly I do.)

Wednesday morning is my grocery run. My grocery run used to be Thursday mornings. But there's often still trash cans at the end of the drive from the Thursday morning pick up, and I got tired of backing into them with the van, so I switched grocery shopping to Wednesday. It was a good decision.

Here's this week's menu. Two of the recipes are from a couple books I grabbed at the library. Sadly, over half the recipes in each book seem to call for cans of condensed soup. Since I went looking for new recipes which are lower in sodium, this was a disappointment. Still, I found a couple which I want to try, and internet links for them as well!

Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie (this does have a can of soup. I haven't yet reworked it. Campbell's has a Healthy Request soup that's a tiny bit lower in sodium.)

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: (potluck) Pecan Chicken Casserole from Taste of Home Potluck

Saturday: Kielbasa Spaghetti (no recipe, just a picture for inspiration)

Sunday: Kid's Cook? I had this brilliant idea to have the kids cook dinner. But I haven't told my brilliant idea to my kids yet, so no recipe has been picked out for this day.

Monday: Pork Chops with Spiced Fruit Stuffing. This does call for chicken broth and stuffing mix, but I can purchase no-salt added chicken broth and low sodium stuffing.  Came from Pillsbury's Slowcooker Recipes


Lastly, I leave you with one other new recipe. I made this Almost Lasagna for dinner tonight, and it was quick and yummy. The recipe calls for cooked pasta, but doesn't include the cooking time in the instructions. However, if you get your water going first and then start browning your meat, you can toss the pasta in as soon as the water comes to a boil. The pasta should be ready by the time you've browned your meat and mixed your eggs and ricotta. I did throw extra Italian spices in with my meat as it browned and in with my ricotta cheese mixture.

Two for Tuesday: Potatoes

I don't even care that it's Sunday. Sue me.

 I'm posting my Two for Tuesday recipes up anyway because if I wait for Tuesday, I won't have time to write.

Anyway, potatoes and I have a love-hate relationship. I love potatoes. They hate me and refuse to cook. Really. Not even in the microwave. Our relationship is that disfunctional.

The fact that I cooked two yummy potato dishes this week is nothing short of amazing. I want to write down the recipes so I remember them. They both originally came from All Recipes, but I modified them to reduce the sodium and to match the ingredients I had, so these are the modified versions.

Leek and Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 leeks, sliced and rinsed
• 1 quart broth or stock, low or no-sodium
• 1 Tbs cornstarch
• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups milk
• 3 thick slices Velveeta cheese
• Mrs. Dash to taste 
• shredded cheddar cheese for garnish

Directions: 

1. In a large pot, melt butter. Cook leeks until tender. 
2. Stir cornstarch into 1 cup of broth so that there are no lumps. Add to rest of broth and again, stir out lumps. Add mixture to pot while stirring. (When I made this soup last week, I used some ham drippings I had saved from a previous dinner and added enough water to make 1 quart. This was far from a low sodium option, I know.)
3. Add the potatoes and bring to a boil. Add Mrs. Dash to taste. Pour in the milk, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until potatoes are cooked through. Add cheese slices and stir until melted. 
4. Serve and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese.

 (This next recipe was originally "potatoes au gratin" , but the Jedi won't eat any dish with a French name.)

 Cheesy Potatoes

Ingredients

• 6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
• half an onion sliced and separated into rings (or 1 whole onion)
• LOTS of Mrs. Dash
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 cups milk
• 2 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400. Butter a 2 quart casserole dish.
2. Place a layer of potatoes in the casserole dish. Season generously. Place another layer. Repeat. When you've used half the potatoes, place a layer of onion rings. Then continue with seasoned layers of potatoes.
3. In medium sized sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for at least one minute. 
4. Add milk and stir until thickened. Season to taste.
5. Add cheese and stir until melted.
6. Spoon sauce over potatoes.
7. Cover with aluminum foil and back for 1 and 1/2 hours. 

Last Minute Chili

The scenario:

A friend was coming over for lunch. I felt like making chili and baked potatoes. Toa of Boy is allergic to raw tomatoes and to chunks or pieces of tomatoes....so that rules out most traditional chili recipes. I slept in that morning, and then would up throwing together some pantry staples to make this chili.

The result:

Easy and tasty. Just the way I like it.

Ingredients:

1 jar LaRosa's spaghetti sauce (it's smooth and so safe for Toa and it does not give the chili too much Italian flavoring.)
1/2 jar of water
2-4 tablespoons chili powder
1/8-1/4 tsp ground cumin
dash red pepper flakes
dash black pepper
dash cinnamon
1 lb ground turkey
1 small onion, chopped
1/2  orange bell pepper, chopped
2 cans light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Directions:

1. Mix the spaghetti sauce, water, and spices in a large pot.  Bring to a very low simmer. (I didn't measure the spices. I just sprinkled and dumped and tasted. The chili bas was a tad too spicy so I sprinkled a bit of sugar into the mix to bring down the heat.)
2. Drain and rinse kidney beans. Add to the pot. (While I have been trying to avoid canned beans because of their high sodium content, this week I was feeling lazy. I thought if I rinsed them well, that should help.)
3. Brown ground turkey in a skillet with the onion and pepper. When meat is browned and onion is translucent, add to the pot.
4. That's pretty much it. I let the chili simmer while I scrubbed, pricked, and microwaved a few potatoes. I served it with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. The chili can be served over the baked potatoes or the potatoes can be a simple side dish for a bowl of chili.

My Day at Co-op

This is not atypical.

1. Running late. About to call the other teacher for our 9am to let her know I'm running late, when the phone rings. It's the other teacher. Her youngest son has just shot himself in the eye with a plastic pop-up thing. She won't be making it to the 9am class.

2. I pull into the parking lot at co-op at 9am. Maybe 9:01...but who's counting?

3. First class, "Fun and Games". We play two rounds of four corners followed by half an hour or more of "Fruit Salad"....except we make it "Candy Bag" in honor of Valentine's Day. It's a variation of musical chairs. The boys in the class turn it into a contact sport. My take on this is....no blood, no tears--next round!

4. Kids are super-hyper by the end of "class". Fix this by handing them chocolate and sending them on to their next class. 

5. I eat a bag of sun chips during a member meeting so I have something on my stomach to take another dose of cold meds.

6. Turn in my photocopy request. Take a pair of crutches out to the van. Pay for pizza with money I borrowed from Sweetling. Make arrangements for Sweetling to attend the lazer tag outing on Wednesday.

7. Grade the Christian Life papers from my high school Life Skills class. Try not to feel too hypocritical doing so, when the spiritual maturity of some of the youth is so amazing.

8. Defeated by trying to sort five different colors of papers into 12 separate stacks. Rescued by a good friend who just took over and did it for me.

9. Pick up photocopies. Meet up with Toa of Boy. Make sure Toa gets his pizza and then drop Toa off with another great mom who offers to let Toa eat lunch with her and her boys.

10. Eat two bits of my sandwich and spend the rest of my lunch time setting up for Amazing Race.

11. This weeks challenge for Amazing Race is way too time consuming and unfun. Compensate by putting little chocolate candy bars on top of each stack of papers for the "Road Block." The students, being the awesome and terrific group that they are, take the terrible challenge on the chin and knuckle down and do their best without complaint. Eat an orange while they labor unjustly.

12. End of class is chaos. In retrospect, I know how I *should* have handled the scoring system, but hindsight is 20-20. My very patient aid in the class goes into 'damage control mode' and does ALL the clean up.

13. Head to my high school Life Skills class well after the start of the next class period. Ironically, the homework being handed in is on time management.

14. Have a nice, free-flowing discussion about what the students discovered in keeping their time logs for a day.

15. Went over the next week's assignment on Project Management. Used reorganizing my kitchen cupboards and baking supplies as an example. Made sure to put "Get help from my friend Jackie" on the list of project steps. At least I'm honest.

16. Talked about the sort of projects the students might complete for their Project Management assignment. Gave one young man permission to build something in Minecraft for his project.  Release the class early.

17. Trying to organize the mad stack of papers I have from Amazing Race. Realize that there were 11 students in class today, and I have six copies of this week's homework assignment that got left behind on the tables after class. Spend the end of co-op trying to touch base with as many Amazing Racers as I can spot. Each one assures me that they put their homework for the week in their backpack. Resign myself to emailing the homework to the parents.

18. Meet up with Toa and Sweetling. Collect all our stuff. Go and sit and shiver on the playground till three o-clock so that Toa can play with his friends a bit.

19. Leave co-op.

20. Stop at Walmart for more cold meds. Toa requests bananas. We're also out of juice. In the produce section, Sweetling finds leeks and remembers a recipe from her manga cookbook that calls for leeks. We leave Walmart with cold meds, juice, bananas, leeks, asparagus, two loaves of French bread, and a box of bakery cinnamon rolls.

21. Next stop is the library. Toa has two Captain Underpants novels on hold and ready to be picked up. I have two Downton Abbey books ready to be picked up. Sweetling checks for the third book in a manga series she is reading, but it isn't in.

22. Home near 5pm. Many trips are needed to unload everything from the van. I start water boiling and toss pieces of chicken in the microwave to thaw. The menu for tonight will be chicken alfredo, grilled asparagus spears, and cheesy garlic toast.  My sister calls and I burn the garlic toast to a crisp in the boiler. The asparagus spears get cold while I'm draining the spaghetti and dealing with the alfredo sauce, and I set off three smoke alarms in the house. No lie.

23. Sweetling miraculously makes it out the door in time for her 6:30 black belt class. I give Toa a blueberry brownie and sit down to watch last nights episode of Downton Abbey.

24. It turns out the episode was a two hour episode. Time to get Toa a snack. He shows me his castle he is working on for his Lego Designer class at co-op.

25. Get the week's school lessons for Toa typed and printed with a cup of hot chocolate and half a cinnamon roll to sustain me while I work.

26. Tuck Toa in. Type half of this. Tuck Sweetling in. Type the other half of this. Tuck Mommy in.

Good night!

Sweetling's First Dance

I will have everyone know that I have permission to post a few photos of Sweetling at her first formal dance. When one lives with a black belt, obtaining permission before posting pictures is always wise.

After my fail attempt at putting Sweetling's hair up the week before the dance, we phoned a friend for help. Look how awesome it turned out...

She had a cute little bun on the other side too.

She and friends gathered to get ready together, though I have to confess that we caused a good friend to be late to the gathering :(

Still, they all got ready in time and looked wonderful.

And, as a Mommy, it's my job to post a couple more pictures of my girl's dress.

There were lots and lots of pictures that two of the mom's very, very kindly burned onto two CDs for each parent. But I'll restrain myself to posting two of my favorite group shots.

And my favorite candid shot of Sweetling...

Time Management

I t just occurred to me, I could do this just in an email to Christoper Robin. I'm looking for some time management help. Not only am I not getting to the extra stuff I need to get done, I can't get through the _normal_ stuff that's on my plate.

Where does the time go? I don't know. That's why I'm keeping a log for the next couple of days.

6:00-wake up. Dress. Put away groceries to the downstairs pantry. Put last nights pots and pans in to soak. I'm already starting out the day in the hole.
6:30- work on Amazing Race. Not finished.
7:30-Give up. Hungry. Make and eat breakfast. Read chapter for Sunday school. Praying for an attitude adjustment for myself.
8:10-Corralling children for school. Telling Toa that yes, school really is supposed to start at 8.
8:50-Tossed a load of towels in the wash. Made phone calls to try to find dried gourds, to no avail. Brushed teeth.
9:20-Logic and vocab with Sweetling. Also transferred laundry, help Toa with math, watered the plants. Sliced up an apple for snack. Sent an email for Amazing Race. That's how I multi task.
10:35 School with Toa. Did Science and History.
11:30 More school with Toa. Math.
11:55 Lunch break! Unloaded and reloaded dishwasher.Pizza rolls for Susan. Tostitos for Toa.Spinach salad and chips and salsa for me. Doctor Who for everyone!
1:05- lunch extended with hot fudge sundaes. don't judge me. it was heggy's and i was weak.To make up for my weakness, I cleaned the pots and pans I put in the sink this morning.
1:43-Spelling with Toa. Transferred laundry. Cleaned some old icing containers. Did the second part of history with Toa. Quick music lesson and 15 minutes of a read aloud with Toa.
3:20-Laundry. Decluttered downstairs some. Have a stack of art work that I don't know what to do with.
3;55-Food again. Check Facebook. Everyone else is one their own for dinner. Straighten my hair.
4:45 -Leave for tutoring.
7:05 -Home from tutoring. Grab a light snack. Change for Tae Kwon Do.
9:00--Back from TKD. the plans for the next hour and half include: Making a cup of hot chocolate. Transferring laundry. Tucking in Toa and putting pictures on my blog. getting a shower. Tucking in Sweetling.

 Actually, today went pretty well. I still have work to do for co-op, a pile  of papers on my desk, and a kitchen counter and a sewing machine both suffering from the 'flat surface' syndrome. but I got school done and hired Toa to clean the bathroom.

School Conversation

Late in the afternoon, Sweetling comes out of her room, enters the kitchen, and asks if we are going to do logic. Especially if we are going to do logic involving distrubuted popcorn.

Toa of Boy, in the living room, calls out, "I want popcorn!"

I say, "It's not real popcorn. It's logical popcorn. Like the unicorns."

Sweetling adds, "It's more popcorn in the metaphorical sense....with transitive verb crackers."