Our Joy His Glory

Closing ceremony...



Since we joined late in the year,  the girls are really looking forward to next year when they will be able to attend family camp, overnight at the zoo, enjoy more crafts, attend cooking classes, etc.

Here are a few videos of my cuties singing: First up, Edy Rose...   Edy singin' from Leslie Hale on Vimeo. Joy's turn...   Joy sings the Doxology from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

 Our CC years are divided into three cycles and this year we focused on American history.








Each class shared a section of memory work.  My class shared math.  Check out the video: Apprentice EOY Celebration from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

Unless you live under a rock, you've seen all of the ALS ice bucket challenges.  My family has participated and we've enjoyed supporting this great cause. Here's the girls' challenge:   The girls' ALS ice bucket challenge from Leslie Hale on Vimeo. ********************************************* Y'all don't forget to get your post ready to link-up tomorrow for What You Wish Wednesday!  I am sharing a couple of features and we have a big announcement about the link-up!  I hope to see y'all tomorrow!

These girls just love to boogie...


dancin' divas from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

Edy's facial expressions coupled with AG's dance moves...priceless!

*can't believe I used the word diva--not a fan, but I guess it works.

In one of my previous posts, I promised a video of AG singing "Summertime".  I also included a video of Edy singing it.  I crack up when she says, "and the cot says, 'Hi!'" (and the cotton is high).  And, I couldn't leave out Miss Joyful--she's smiling like crazy and just starting to coo a bit.  Enjoy!

  "Summertime" by AG from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.
 
  "Summertime" by Edy from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.
 
"Smiles" by Joy from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

I've been meaning to post this video since Easter.  It's too cute...

Dancing with Uncle Corey from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

Remember a few weeks ago, I attempted my first vlog.  Soon after I finished recording, AG brought me her iPod to watch her very own Christmas Home Tour.

I'll warn you, it might make you a little dizzy and it gets super silly towards the end, but it gave us a good laugh!

Yes, this is my first vlog.   Well, I guess it's a vlog.  It's a video commentated by yours truly posted on my blog.  Does that count?

Some of you are going to scoff when you see my video's topic:  Christmas Home Tour.  Go ahead, scoff away!  I make no excuses.  I like this time of year.  You will never hear me say, "Can you believe that Walmart already has their Christmas stuff up?"  Nope, not gonna happen.  I LOVE IT!

*Okay, one excuse   I decorate our church so it's nice to have mine finished so I don't have to cram in a bunch of decorating after Thanksgiving.

I had to post it on YouTube because Vimeo wouldn't allow more than 500MB.  You won't be able to view the video in Reader.  If you want to check it out, you'll have to visit my actual blog.  Here it is:



So....what did you think?  Not about my skills as a videographer or my accent or my ramblings.   What did you think about the video on the blog thing?  What about the Christmas decor?

I am looking forward to all of my blog buddies' Christmas home tours.  They're always fun for everyone.

In a few weeks, I'll be posting pics of our home, possibly the outside too, and linking up on the tours.  Looking forward to it!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!!!!!!!

I promised you the pig racing video.  Here ya go:

This morning, we started school around 9:15.  We got started a little late due to our school pictures.

First, we began with The Pledge of Allegiance, The Pledge to the Texas flag, calendar and weather, Bible/memory verse, Reading, Phonics, Handwriting, Math, Art,  and then review.
 In an earlier post, I wrote about reading The Well-Trained Mind:  A Guide to Classical Education at Home.  I suggest anyone that is contemplating homeschooling to read this book.  Very informative, empowering, and a ton of resources.  If you are wanting to research classical teaching methods, it's a great resource.

In WTM (The Well-Trained Mind), the authors suggests several books for teaching students that are in the trivium stage (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) of learning (beginning learners).

Here's a list of the different books we are using.  I got them all on Amazon for very inexpensive.

ART:  Draw.Write.Now.
BIBLE:  The Bible (KJV for memorization purposes), The Jesus Story Book Bible, The ABC's of Church History
MATH:  Saxon math and manipulatives, workbook supplements from Dollar Tree, flashcards
PHONICS:  Modern Curriculum Press Level A Phonics
READING:  The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, workbook, BOB books supplements/flashcards
SCIENCE:  From Mudpies to Magnets

For Edy, I got several books on shapes, numbers, counting, letters, and flashcards to give her something to keep her actively learning while I am working with AG.  She participated in our morning routines, songs, rhymes, and memory verse, too.



For now, this is the plan.  I'm sure that over time things will change.
Check out this video of AG learning her short vowel A poem: