Sonlight Core H Week 5C (mostly vacation) Dec. 26, 2016 - Jan 1, 2017

Sonlight Core H Week 5C

 (mostly vacation) 

Dec. 26, 2016 - Jan 2, 2017

My Christmas present from Dd this year- a Wood Thrush

Hello Friends!

The family Christmas party was held on the last day of the year, Saturday, this year in Indiana.  Dh had Monday and Friday off this week! (Plus, Monday Jan 2nd!)  We spent half our time in Michigan and the other half in Indiana, on our family farm, the other half.  Indiana in January is like October in Michigan. 



 It was nice having a break from the cloudy, soupy Michigan weather to enjoy the sunshine of Indiana.

With my new vacuum in hand, Dd cleaned out two vehicles for us.  She really likes our new cordless vacuum and got busy breaking it in!  That is a double gift--the gift of the vacuum, and also the gift of Dd doing the cleaning!  

We had a few warm days--the chickens got to get out and free range

We did lessons on Tuesday, and specifically worked on our BiblioPlan Medieval Companion.  We are WAY behind in our BP Companion compared to where we are in our Sonlight Core H.  BP isn't something you can rush through; you must take your time and slowly read through it.  My goal is to try and catch up.

The "D" family hosted the "Girl's Club" this month, on Wednesday.  Dd made a big batch of No-Bake Cookies to share with the group.  They played 'Mafia' and had a great time together.

Thursday Dd and I packed the van and after Dh got off work we headed south to Indiana.  It was after midnight before we finally arrived at the farm.  The first three hours of driving were very difficult with all the snow on the highway---especially around the state divide between Michigan and Indiana.  

Dh got to hunt Friday morning and evening---but, he didn't see anything but squirrels!  The wind was so gusty that most things hunkered down and stayed in.  Meanwhile, Dd and I helped Giz with her preparation for the big Christmas party.  I was glad we could be of help to her.

The party on Saturday went well.  It was nice to see everyone, as we generally only see them once a year and it is fun to see how everyone has changed over the year!  Dd played for hours with Norah and Charlotte (maybe 2 & 4 years old?).  Uncle Greg got Dd a Star Wars blanket and Star Wars watch.  Uncle Jeff got Dd a bundle of Civil War books.  Uncle Jeff is a history teacher in a public school, whose major passion in life is the Civil War, so he always gives Dd the best Civil War books!  Giz and Grampy gave Dd some Star Wars "Rey" clothing, to help out her Rey costume that she made.  Dd didn't like the pants and top she wore under the fabric costume, so these items should help her improve her costume.  Oh- and Giz found two pairs of Star Wars socks!  One pair is dark gray with black Republic symbols on them, and the other pair is of R2D2...cute!

Sunday we packed up the van, cleaned up the farm house, ate lunch with a big group of family, and then headed back home.  Luckily our arrival was before 8pm, so we could go to bed at a decent time and not at midnight again!  It is a seven or eight hour drive between our Michigan home and our Indiana home!

 Academic progress for the week:

History:

BiblioPlan Companion Medieval History, Vol II.

Ch. 34: The Spanish Armada, the Counter-Reformation: Completed

(This concludes our Medieval BP books, and we move to the Early Modern texts next.)

DVD:
America, The Story of Us
*Really fun, visually exciting DVD of American history---many library's have this---recommend!

Audio's:

1. Stella Bain by Anita Shreve: Completed

This was a seven hour audio, we heard one hour previously, this trip we heard six hours to complete the WWI story.

Goodreads summary: An epic story, set against the backdrop of World War I, from bestselling author Anita Shreve.

When an American woman, Stella Bain, is found suffering from severe shell shock in an exclusive garden in London, surgeon August Bridge and his wife selflessly agree to take her in.

A gesture of goodwill turns into something more as Bridge quickly develops a clinical interest in his houseguest. Stella had been working as a nurse's aide near the front, but she can't remember anything prior to four months earlier when she was found wounded on a French battlefield.

In a narrative that takes us from London to America and back again, Shreve has created an engrossing and wrenching tale about love and the meaning of memory, set against the haunting backdrop of a war that destroyed an entire generation.

Our barns at the farm

2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull by James Rollins: In process (1 hour in)

Goodreads summary: “The name is Jones. Indiana Jones.”

He’s back. Everyone’s favorite globe-trotting, tomb-raiding, wisecracking archaeologist is finally at it again–hurtling headfirst into high adventure and relying on his wits, his fists, and his trusty bullwhip to get him out of deep trouble. But the man in the jaunty brown fedora and battered leather jacket is no ordinary digger in the dirt. From the fabled lost Ark of the Covenant to the legendary Holy Grail, he’s salvaged the world’s most amazing artifacts, while beating the baddest villains and defying the most breathtaking odds. 

Now it’s 1957, the atomic age is in full swing, and McCarthy-era paranoia has the nation on edge. But for Indiana Jones, the Cold War really heats up when his latest expedition is crashed by a ruthless squad of Russian soldiers. Commanded by a sword-wielding colonel who’s as sinister as she is stunning, the menacing Reds drag an unwilling Indy along as they brazenly invade American soil, massacre U.S. soldiers, and plunder a top-secret government warehouse. Their objective: a relic even more precious–and powerful–than the mythic Ark, capable of unlocking secrets beyond human comprehension.......

Sophie was willing to go on hike after hike with me this week at our farm.  This is one of our big fields.

Busy Hands/ Home Economics: 3 hours

Baking: Wed and Thur were Dd's baking days!  She made 3 batches of No-Bake Cookies!

Sewing: 2 hours

Vacuuming: 4 hours- house and auto's

Cleaning Auto's: 4 hours

Wrapping presents: 3 hours

Chicken Care: 3 hours

Kitchen/Dishes: 1 hour

Party Prep for Giz: 3 hours (setting tables, making food...)

Art: 

4 hours watercolor, 3 hours drawing

Dd has been doing watercolor painting this week; I think she gave Giz one of them for a gift.  She also did some drawing in her new sketch book with her new pencils!

Writing/Typing/Language Arts/English: 4-5 hours

Dd spent two days on the typewriter, typing up her story---one that she wrote.  I've not read this story, it is something she is doing on her own.  She has been enjoying the typewriter a lot this week!  Hours of typing---good thing I enjoy that sound!

FUN BOOKS:

(I didn't give her any Readers for the week; just let her read on her own.)

Eldest (the Inheritance Cycle #2): by Christopher Paolini

Goodreads summary: Darkness falls ...Despair abounds ...Evil reigns ...Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. 

It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall - one that puts Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life .

A wonderful book, full of fantasy and suspense. 

Dh and I found this section of holes...perhaps a mice den?

Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson
Goodreads summary: James Patterson returns to the genre that made him famous with a thrilling teen detective series about the mysterious and magnificently wealthy Angel family... and the dark secrets they're keeping from one another.

On the night Malcolm and Maud Angel are murdered, Tandy Angel knows just three things: She was the last person to see her parents alive. The police have no suspects besides Tandy and her three siblings. She can't trust anyone -— maybe not even herself. 

Having grown up under Malcolm and Maud's intense perfectionist demands, no child comes away undamaged. Tandy decides that she will have to clear the family name, but digging deeper into her powerful parents' affairs is a dangerous -- and revealing -- game. Who knows what the Angels are truly capable of?

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: COMPLETED

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

I always like finding woodpecker holes--I found a few this week!

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016. 

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

.............

Sonlight Core H Week 5B Dec. 19-25, 2016

Sonlight Core H 

Week 5B 

Dec. 19-25, 2016

Hello Friends!

This was a big week, between the Christmas Band Concert, the Christmas choir, going to the movies to see Rogue One, "V" family party, three days of migraines (Tue, Wed, Thurs), and, of course, Christmas itself!  We got a few things done academically too!

We had two extreme's for our weather too--snow, snow, snow---then on Sunday the wind started up and brought in some warm air.  I was glad Dh was able to get off after half a day to pick Dd and me up and drive us to the high school where the bands were to play.  

The week started with me finally getting whatever bug Dd had been fighting, but it only kept me down about 24 hours.  Tuesday was Dd's concert--she played the Tenor sax in the Beginning Band, and the Alto sax in the Intermediate Band.  The program had lots of different bands and quartets and specific instrument groupings---like a 'flute ensemble' and woodwind groups....hours of listening pleasure.  We didn't stay for all the bands; Dh had work early in the morning.  It was a fantastic show.  I recorded it and will post it on YouTube and share a link here for any friends or family wanting to see it.

Can you see what is eating under our feeders?

Thursday, our friends, the "V" family had a pile of us over to their house for a little Christmas party.  It was lovely to sit around and chat with the other mom's while the kids played games.  They were suppose to make paper ornaments, but the older kids preferred to play "Mafia."

Star Wars' newest film, Rogue One, turned out to be a disappointment for us.  We can honestly saw we have loved the other movies, but this one was very bleak...so much death that it was beyond feeling the loss. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but we were united in our disappointment.  Dd was particularly disappointed in the soundtrack, and something about how they didn't do the music right in the beginning...they broke from their usual format, or some-such-thing.

Here is a closer look---

Church on Christmas was particularly lovely!!!  Dd had been practicing our two songs that we did with the choir.  The whole service was 'special' after 'special.'  Of all the churches I've ever gone to, this one has the most musical congregation!  There are four women who play the piano and choir in rotation, a 'stringed instruments group,' and various choirs and solo singers.  In some of the churches we have visited, many of the musicians take on the role of being the entertainment for the audience to watch; but the musicians here, 90% of the time, invite the congregation to sing with them and they just lead.  The difference being that it FEELS like we are all together in our singing praises to the Lord, as a group, as a united voice of worship.  When our church sings, the sound is so surprisingly loud (in a great way) and harmonious.  It really is such a blessing to me to find a church that has this quality so well in hand and done right. It is very hard to describe.

Meet Harry and Sally!  These two opossom's stayed in a big bush that was covered with snow (think mini igloo) for a whole week.  They came out to eat seeds a few times each day!  So cute!

Presents were mostly books this year! Dd and Dh both got quite a lot of them!  I got an upgrade on my vacuum; that Dd has been enjoying so much!  That makes the gift twice as awesome since she may be more willing to help with the vacuuming!!!  She took the new vacuum out on Monday and cleaned out two cars! Without being asked!  She just likes it so well she has been looking for places to vacuum! Yay!!!  I splurged on myself and bought a new purple (eggplant color) blanket!  Dh splurged on himself and got a few socket, socket driver, pneumatic accessories, and upgraded drill bits.  Dh bought me two dvd sets--- the complete set of Miss Marple with Joan Hickson!!!! and Vera, another British show I enjoy. Dd gave me a watercolor painting of a Wood Trush--really nice, and a crocheted sweater/poncho..awesomely soft!

 Dd had been begging for some cowboy boots for two years, and they were on sale in the fall, so I bought them then (with her trying them on first), and then hid them away in my closet for her big gift.  She is loving them!!!  So happy she got something she loves so much!  Plus, they are great for doing chores and taking care of chickens in!  She looks like a real 4-H girl now! She also got new art supplies--drawing pencils and sketch books...

Our Christmas dinner--we splurged on a case of real Rootbeer! Dh cooked a whole turkey, asparagus, GF stuffing from scratch, Sweet Potato mash, gravy from scratch, and root vegetables.  What a lovely meal!

Academics this week:

The BBC Manual: Turning Your Bedroom into a Bible College by Gregg Johnson

pg 52-57

Typing/Language Arts: 4 hours

Dd got her hand-me-down typewritter out and started back, full-force, into typing again!  This week she typed up a long letter to her dearest/oldest friends; the LeFeb family!

History:

Sonlight Reader:

The Ghost of Tokaido's Inn by Dorothy Hoober: COMPLETED

Goodreads summary: 

While attempting to solve the mystery of a stolen jewel, Seikei, a merchant's son who longs to be a samurai, joins a group of kabuki actors in eighteenth-century Japan.

BTW: for book reviews or summaries, you can go: http://www.goodreads.com/

and type in any book you'd like to read about.

Story of the World, Vol 3, Early Modern Times:

ch's 9-16

Kingfisher History Encyclopedia:

pg's: 258, 265, 247, 260, 261, 274, 254, 255, 264

Sonlight Timeline & Mapping:

Week 4 & 5

BiblioPlan Commentary, Medieval, Vol II:

Ch. 33: Queen Elizabeth and William Shakespeare

BiblioPlan Advanced Maps:

Week 32: The Changing Church

Week 33: First Colonies in North America

DVD:

AMERICA: The Story of Us

**Dd actually asked me to check this out again, as it is so fun to watch!  Check your library and see if they happen to have this fun history dvd collection---your kids will actually love watching it, and you will too!**

With all the snow we've rec'd these past 3-4 weeks, we've had ALL sorts of visitors to our feeders!!!

Electives:

Drawing/Art: 10 hours this week

Watercolors: Painted me a Wood Trush, and Dh a Christmas Tree! 

Music:

Alto Sax: 1:00 hour

Tenor Sax: 1:00 hour

Violin: 40 min

Piano: 2:00 hours

Sang, choir, at church (two songs), plus the practicing we did at home: 1:00 hour

Chores: 10 hours

Chicken Care, Laundry, Dishes, *vacuuming!*, cat litter, major bedroom clean-up this week, especially in her closet.

Sophie!  I spoiled her this week and added extra stuffing to her dog bed!

Fun Audio:

(Star Wars) Vortex by Troy Denning

Goodreads summary:

In Book Six of the bestselling nine-book Star Wars Fate of the Jedi series, the suspense crescendoes as the Skywalkers and their treacherous Sith allies race against time to discover the origins of the mysterious Force-entity known as Abeloth. When they begin to uncover secrets better kept hidden from mortal minds, no one is surprised to see the uneasy partnership erupt into violence. But they are surprised at where the investigation leads: to the home of the reclusive Fallanassi, who may hold in their hands the future of the Jedi Order itself.

Fun Books:

Eragon (book 2) by Christopher Paoline- In Process

Fever Code (Maze Runner Series #5) by James Dashner- In Process

Busy Hands:

baking and cooking this week...perfecting her No Bake Cookie recipe, plus spent 4+  hours baking with Dh for his co-workers (he gave lots of cookies/fudge..to his co-workers).

We had a lovely, quiet Christmas!  Dd checked out a Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble Christmas music for me to enjoy all week!  I watched Prep & Landing repeatedly!  Not to mention other holiday movies like: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf, The Polar Express....so fun!  We don't have any hook-ups to watch tv, so we check out, or own, what we want to watch.  

............................

SL Core H Week 5A Dec. 12-17, 2016

SL Core H 
Week 5A 
Dec. 12-17, 2016

Dd in our church's Christmas play on Sunday

First some Christmas pictures, then update, then our academic progress for the week.

Our tree is up, and so are all our decorations!  Most of the decorations are one's we have made ourselves, or are gifts, or are song birds.  We make or buy a pair of birds to add to our Christmas tree every year, and write the year (or sew it) on each bird, so we can remember which year it came along.

Some close-ups of our tree-

Hello Friends!

We had a good week, and finished two books!  Last week Dd was sick, and as I am typing this (following last week), Dd has a new fever and is sick...again.  Now you all know why we homeschool year round!  I'd much rather have a flexible schedule and not stress when life throws curve balls!!!  I have been fighting the fever too, but as mom,  you know how it goes.

SNOW and wind chills that are -10 to -20 degrees.  



It is so cold and miserable that a opossum has taken up residence in a bush beside one of my feeders, and it comes out each afternoon to eat black sunflower seeds each afternoon.



  It is very unusual to see opossum's out in the middle of the day as they are usually nocturnal.  

We had a Mourning Dove this week, which is highly unusual for our feeders.  

Zeus, being the tough-guy!

It was snowing so bad on Wednesday night that our church canceled the Olympians program, which was going to be a mini-Christmas party.  I was so thankful to not have to drive in all that snow!  We had already made it in for Dd's music classes, and arrived home ten minutes before the snow started falling again.  

"You lookin' at me??"

With all our time inside, Dd made a lot of nice things this week.  She asked me to get my tub of old sheets and fabrics down from the attic on Monday so she could start on a Greek dress.  She worked on it for hours, and I thought it looked done, but she says she still has more to do on it.  She did some wire pieces, bracelet and forehead head pieces like in the LOTR movies that the elves wore.  This week was a piano week, and she composed two songs and recorded them on her electronic keyboard after using the piano to write them.  Dd had a good week--very creative week.

Mini-Updates:

Sophie--my dog is doing well, so far.  That is the hard thing about cancer--it always is brewing where we can't see it.  She doesn't pop up and follow me from room to room as much; which is a huge deal, as she use to be neurotic about that.  But, being tired more often isn't too bad.

Chickens---I've been sharing a lot of tasty snacks for them.  We had frozen deer organs (after baking them) and I purred them and they loved them!  They are inside their coop, with their heating lamp, staying warm. "Pauline" had a pile-up of poop on her back-end, so I brought her in and washed her bottom until I got the big clump washed off.  Then I towel dried her, and found she was still too wet to go back out with the other birds.  I actually used my blow-dryer to get her back 'pantaloones' all puffy and dry.  She didn't put up any fight to any of the procedure...oddly enough?!  I guess she knew I was trying to help her?  So, that is something I can add to my resume in the future!  They are all doing well stuck inside; which is better than I hoped or expected.  One day this week we only got 4 eggs!  So the amount of eggs they lay varies greatly now-- from 4 to 13 daily.

Giz: Spent most of the week in hospital...procedure done...and potential improvement in her health.  She is so looking forward to her upcoming Christmas party!  

My mom: could still use prayer!  She has had the hardest two weeks.  She moved into a new care facility last week, and had to do so much of the move oversight at her old apartment.  She has really been through the wringer.  As this is a public forum, I won't say much about this situation, but she really needs prayers for the Lord to provide PEACE, CALM, and CARE for her.  I pray for the staff and other residents to be very kind and loving to her, as this transition has been VERY taxing.  I wish I could say more, as my heart is extremely concerned, but I will put her privacy above me.

Christmas Count-Down:

I got all but two cards done!  I spend a lot of time on drawing on each card, so it took me a few weeks to complete my cards.

Academics:

Bible:

A Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas

This week we read the chapter on: The Early Years of Jesus Christ"

with our Bible and Believer's Bible Commentary:

Jesus' birth: Matthew 1: 18- 25

Luke 2: 1-39

Matthew 2: 1-23

Holman Bible Atlas

pg 216-218

I really like seeing so many of the pictures of this book, and getting an image of where we are talking about..but much of the info is general knowledge for us.  Nice to have though!

What the Bible Is All About by Dr. Henrietta C. Mears

"UNDERSTANDING LUKE"

pg 466-473

We finished the chapter on Understand Luke that we started last week.  I have to say, as we have spent Dd's whole life doing bible study together, it gets harder to find material that helps us understand this material in new ways, or deeper.  You can imagine how many times we've read some stories (like Jesus' birth), but this book, this chapter was really good; i.e. new information for me.  It really helped me to see Luke differently/better.

Here are a few highlights from this chapter:

"Matthew presents Christ as King, to the Jews.

Mark presents Christ as the servant of Jehovah, to the Romans.

Luke presents Christ as the perfect man, to the Greeks." pg 460

"Luke alone tells the story of the visit from the shepherds (see Luke 2:8-20)" pg 461

"Luke is the Gospel for the outcast on the earth. It is Luke who tells of the good Samaritan (see Luke 10:33), the publican (see Luke 18:13), the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-24), Zacchaeus (see Luke 19:2) and the thief on the cross (see Luke 23:43).  He is the writer who has the most to say for womanhood (see Luke 1-2).  Luke records Jesus' compassion for the woman of Nain and the depths of His mercy for the woman who was a sinner.  His regard for woman and children is shown repeatedly (see Luke 7:46, 8:3; 8:42; 9:38; 10:38-42; 11:27; 23:27).

Luke alone tells us about the bloody sweat in Gethsemane; the walk with two disciples to Emmaus; Jesus' leading His disciples out as far as Bethany and that as He lifted up His hands and blessed them, He was parted from them.......

Luke tells us more of the prayers of our Lord than any other Gospel writer.  Prayer is the expression of human dependence on God.  Why do so many in the Church appear to be working, yet so  few people appear to be reached for God? Why does there appear to be so much activity, but so few are brought to Christ? The answer is simple: There is not enough private prayer.  The cause of Christ does not need less working but more praying." pg 462

Dd's Bible assignments (independent):

The BBC Manual by Gregg Johnson

(Turn Your Bedroom into a Bible College)

pg 52-57

But Don't All Religions Lead to God?

Chapter 8

She attended church, but no Sunday School, and no Olympians on Wednesday

Dd performed in the Christmas Play! She was a very good shepherd and had a joint speaking part with two other shepherds.

Dd and Agnes napping on the floor with Sophie (not pictured).

Psalm of the Week:

Psalm 61:

Hear my cry, O God;

    listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,

    I call as my heart grows faint;

    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

 

For you have been my refuge,

    a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever

    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[b]

 

For you, God, have heard my vows;

    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Increase the days of the king’s life,

    his years for many generations.

 

May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;

    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name

    and fulfill my vows day after day.

Math:

Math U See: Geometry

4 A, B, C, D, E

Science:

Apologia: General Science:
Module 2: Air

completed everything--test 83%

text pg 41-50

student notebook: 28-34

review: 328-334

History:

Story of the World

Ch. 6: New Colonies in the New World

Ch. 7:  The Spread of Slavery

Ch. 8: The Middle East

BiblioPlan Companion: Medieval History Vol II

Ch. 32: King Edward VI, Queen Mary I

(ANOTHER FANTASTIC CHAPTER!  SUCH A GREAT BOOK!  I really learned a lot about the children of Henry VIII's !!!

pg 664-680

BP Advanced Maps:

Wk: 27: The Reformation Begins

Language Arts:

Dd wrote letter to Addy and Lexi

Word Roots by The Critical Thinking Co.

pg 53-56

SL Language Arts page "Wk 5"

Mom's Binder for Mini-Book Reports:

Wrote summary for: Out of Many Waters : completed

Read Aloud:

OUT OF MANY WATERS by Jacqueline Dembar Greene: Completed

Good Reads summary: Set in 1654, against the backdrop of the Portuguese Inquisition, this historical novel tells the story of 12-year-old Isobel. Escaping from the monastery where she and her sister have been held, she stows away on a ship in hopes of finding her parents again. Braving loneliness, storms and privateers, Isobel is befriended by a group of passengers and becomes one of the first Jewish immigrants to settle in New Amsterdam. 

***I really liked this book a great deal!  Very good and touching!****

One of the earlier pictures of our deck table...which got doubled in snow by the end of the week.

Believe it or not, there is even more snow as I type!

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER by Barbara Robinson: Completed

(Warning: This book has some things that I had to edit on the fly....they picked on people because they were over-weight, and there were a few instances of using the Lord's name inappropiately, that I had to edit, and just a few places, here and there, that I just skipped over. We did LAUGH a lot at the funny parts, and touched by the tenderness in other parts...but this is a perfect example of a "READ ALOUD" where the adult reading can edit and skip to get to the gems of the story, and it IS worth the work to get to the good parts!

Good Reads Review:

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale—the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating--has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

As a reviewer commented: "In the end, this is not just a funny book, but a powerful story of redemption. Through most of the book, I can't stop laughing, but by the end I am always reading through tears, even after having read it eleven times." Anita Silvey, in her guidebook Children's Books and Their Creators, agreed: "The book is great fun and continues to be enjoyed by readers each holiday season."

Reader:

The Ghost of Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler

Good Reads Review:  While attempting to solve the mystery of a stolen jewel, Seikei, a merchant's son who longs to be a samurai, joins a group of kabuki actors in eighteenth-century Japan.

Fun Reader:

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

**Dd is really loving this book, and asked for Christmas, one of the set we were missing.  We own three of the four books in the series, and wants to make sure we have the missing one here before she gets to it!

Good Reads Summary: One boy. One dragon. A world of adventure.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

Music:

Class: Beginning Band: Tenor Sax: 1:30 hours

Class: Intermediate Band: Alto Sax: 1:30 hours

Class: Piano with Mrs. March: :30 minutes

flute practice: 30 minutes

Alto Sax: 1:30 hours

Piano: 6 hours

Composed & Recorded two songs

Art:

Drawing, various pieces, but a really nice dragon: 2:30

wire sculpting: 4:30

sewing/dress (Greek) sheet: 6:00 hours

She wore this--it went on/above her forehead...pretty.  She also made a braided leather head piece that she used a wire and a hot glue gun to attach to it, to wear as another head piece.

The gag / cheesy wreath that Dd made last week.

Home Economic's:

Baking cookies with Papa (Sat & Sun): 7:00 hours

Busy Hands: A VERY busy week!

Dd turned a leather skirt into this thing to wear on her forearm.  It holds her two throwing knives.  

This is how she tightens it to stay tight on her forearm, it is fitted to her arm... I didn't even ask her to model it for me, just thought I'd show it here.  It took her about 4 hours to complete.

She turned an old sheet into a dress---with long sleeves--I'll post a picture later.

Chicken Care, each day

Dish Duty

Physical Education:

Walk in the snowy woods alone: 1:00 hours

Exercises at night: 30 minutes each night: 3:00 hours

A good week---and now she is back to being sick with a flu.  Let's pray she gets better faster this time!  I pray you all have a great week!

This is a pillow my mom made for my Dd---she keeps it on her bed.  It says: "No one is rich enough to do without a friend."

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