Field Trips

It seems this is the week of field trips for our homeschool. Tuesday, after joining MomsNext (a part of MOPS (mothers of preschoolers)), we had lunch.  While we were eating lunch I received a text message from a friend inviting us to go with them to see a Bugs 3D movie at the Science Center.  We are so glad that we went.  The movie was very educational.  The Science Center had a fire demonstration that the kids thought was really cool.  Yesterday, we took another homeschool family (new to Singapore) to Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve.  We were hoping to see some monitor lizards.  This must be the time to go..monsoon season, must make the tide really high.  It was great, because they were all right near the builidings.  (in other words, we didn't have to take a long hike in the heat to find them).

We went to have lunch at Bollywood Veggies (an organic vegetable farm).  It was D-lish!  The kids enjoyed it, too.  As we were getting up to pay, a gentleman walked up to us & asked if we would like a short tour.  Absolutely!  He was brilliant, he talked to the kids and asked them all sorts of questions.  We had a great time..until we got too hot & were bitten by mosquitoes.  (even though he gave us each a piece of citronella grass to carry).

Today, we went to the Pompeii exhibit at the National Museum of Singapore.  It was really good.  The kids & I both enjoyed it.

 On our way to the museum, we were held up in traffic because of Thaipusam.  It's a Hindu festival.  It's not something you get to see everywhere.  It's only allowed in certain countries, due to the dangers involved in the piercing of skin. It's a real eye opener.

Tomorrow, we will go with the homeschool network to the Land Transport Authority Gallery.

It's been a busy week, but it sure has been fun. Many moments of confirming that lessons aren't only taught in a classroom.

I'm going to try to post some pictures...I'm new to this blogging thing, so I don't have a clue how it will turn out...

Back to School

                    Since we live in Singapore, we follow the American school calendar here. (that doesn't even make sense). We follow the Singapore American School's calendar.  So it's Sunday night, and I need to be getting the kids workboxes ready for them to start tomorrow morning.

We have been reading Little House on the Prairie at bedtime.  We finished it tonight, and I read the first chapter of Farmer Boy.

I'll start our day tomorrow teaching a little about Martin Luther King, since his birthday is this month.
I also want to start reading about Corrie Ten Boom.

Most people want to know what curriculum we use:

Science: Apologia-Botany
History: Story of the World-Middle Ages
Math: MathUSee
Geography: Trail Guide to World Geography
Handwriting:
Bible: Champion's Walk Camp Kanakuk

Perplexor

I use Sue Patrick's workbox system, if you aren't familiar take a look at her site. www.workboxes.com.
I bought 2 of the Trofast shelves at IKEA with 12 of the small white bins.  I made numbered tags for the workboxes in colors that the kids like individually.  Then I change them up for the holidays.

The first 4 boxes we work on together.  Then they start working (hopefully) on their own.  I will put in an assortment of things in their boxes.  I use File Folder games to help with learning the Books of the Bible, or telling time, or spelling words.  Sometimes I put in a tag that says "practice guitar 10 mins"; or do 10 jumping jacks to work out those wiggles; or "write a letter to Gammy"; or worksheets from puzzles/crosswords.  Then they have reading...I like them to read to me.  We have a reading corner set up for this time.

I will try to post some pictures of our classroom, to give you a better idea how our classroom works.

It's a New Year

It's been well over a year since I've posted.  Not that it was a bad year, by no means...just busy.

We went to Texas again in June. My sister & her 2 children came back with us.  They were here three weeks..seeing the sights.  We toured them all over Singapore, and spent 4 days on Nikoi Island, Indonsia.  Fabulous!
October- Prince Charming's parents & sister arrived.  Then we flew to Sydney, Australia for 1 day; then to the South Island of New Zealand for 15 days.  We had 2 caravans (motor homes) to tour the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
Halloween was spent with friends trick or treating.
November: Thanksgiving with friends at our house.
December: a 4 day trip for the prince, princess, & myself back to Nikoi Island, this time with a friends.  Christmas eve dinner with friends, Christmas day-quiet at home watching the classics. New Year's Eve dinner at our house with friends.

IBC WEM Christmas luncheon

I was able to attend the Christmas luncheon on 4 Dec 2008; put together by the women of our church. We rented the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel. It is always fabulously decorated. It takes a lot of work & effort to put it all together, months of planning, and many hours. I was able to help a little with the nametags, and then the decorating. (what talent we have in our midst!)

It was absolutely beautiful. It was great to spend some time with some good friends and not to mention beautiful ladies! We were blessed to hear our previous pastor's wife, Lana Packer, speak about God always being with us.

going home for Christmas

We have been counting down the days for months...the time is drawing nearer. We leave Singapore on 14 Dec and arrive in Houston the 17th. (No even though it is a long ways, it doesn't really take 3 days to get there (like Kaylea thinks, at the moment). The kids don't know we are stopping in Hong Kong to go to Disney for a couple of days! I don't know who is more excited me or Clint :) I cannot wait to see their faces when we drive up! I think they'll be in shock! If it leaves Kaylea speechless, that will be a first! We are busy packing our suitcases, most of them empty (i look forward to going to Wal-Mart). We are looking forward to seeing friends & family, as many as possible. We will be in USA until 16 January.

Thanksgiving with Friends

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at our home. We invited some of the guys from work, (their wives were all back in the USA). It seemed overwhelming at first, my first complete thanksgiving dinner. (the wives weren't around to share with the task of the side dishes). I planned it all out, went to the grocery store 3 times, finally it was coming together. I burned the first pecan pie a little bit too much for guests, but not enough that we couldn't eat it. :) I was cleaning out the oven, where it had flowed over. I must have leaned on the door of the oven, because then it wouldn't close. This was at noon on Thanksgiving day (dinner planned for 7pm). I still had another pecan pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, and dressing to bake. I called Clint at work in a panic, because I couldn't get it closed. I went & got him from work, brought him home & within 2 minutes he had it back on & closed. He showed me how, so if I ever did that again. My prince charming rescued his damsel in distress! Everything turned out real well. Kaylea set the table, complete with placecards for everyone. Clint deep fried the turkey outside(i tell you that's the only way to do it in Singapore, with these tiny ovens).