School Daze!

School is rolling . . .and the summer night life continues! We've had many evening activities the past two weeks, but we haven't let them interfere with our school. Well, maybe just a little. I use August to get us in the groove, if we have to take a day off that's ok. By September, we're moving!Me, actually preparing the night before:)!
Rachel is doing what she calls "real science" this year! In our school the 3 R's are essential. Their science in elementary school only consists of nature readers, unless they have a specific interest of their own.
Rachel is in junior high and is using Apologia's General Science. I found this book fascinating, and I quickly read the first four chapters. I'll have to steal it on the weekends now so I can stay ahead. Rachel loves it too! Experiment 1.1 - Density in Nature
P.E. has also become an important part of Rachel's day! She enjoys her morning jog, and sometimes an afternoon swim at Grandma's.
Every day we have a 5 minute math quiz. Each student works at his level, we have so much fun doing this together! I've enjoyed seeing Garret double the amount of problems he can do in 5 minutes in just two weeks of school!

We're praising the Lord for giving our family the option to home educate. Our days are far from perfect and so is our family. But Praise the Lord, we have the opportunity to be together as we pursue our relationship with Christ, develop our character, and gain an education.

The Orchard

We're anticipating our first harvest. We're well aware of the dust it will bring, but still it seems fun to think of the equipment that will be in and out of the orchard harvesting our crop.

The boys - walking out to the orchard in their Sunday best!

Here comes the water!

A Victory!

From the HSLDA E-lert Service...

A Great Victory for California Homeschoolers

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

In a unanimous decision, the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District today ruled that “California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education.”

Today’s decision stands in stark contrast to the opinion this same three-judge panel issued in February, which would have made California the only state in the union to outlaw home education had it remained in effect.“It is unusual for an appellate court to grant a petition for rehearing as this court did in March,” said HSLDA Chairman Mike Farris, “but it is truly remarkable for a court to completely reverse its own earlier opinion. We thank you for your prayers and give God the glory for this great victory.”

When the court vacated its earlier decision on March 25, 2008, it invited interested organizations to file friend-of-the-court briefs. “I have never seen such an impressive array of people and organizations coming to the defense of homeschooling,” said Farris, who was one of the attorneys who argued the case on rehearing along with Alliance Defense Fund attorney Jeff Shafer, who represented the father. The father was also represented by Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation.California’s three largest homeschool organizations, California Homeschool Network, Homeschool Association of California and Christian Home Education Association joined together in one brief to defend the right of all parents to homeschool. HSLDA, Family Protection Ministries and Focus on the Family also joined in a separate brief. Numerous other private organizations came to the defense of home education as did California’s governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction.

We are extremely grateful to all of the organizations who worked tirelessly to protect and preserve homeschooling freedom in California. We are also thankful for you, our members, for your prayers and support during this trying season.The freedom to homeschool is a precious gift from God. But keeping it free requires vigilance and perseverance. We must continue to work together diligently to preserve this precious freedom in California and elsewhere.

Sincerely,
J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

Ice Cream Social/Hymn Sing

Sunday evening - Back to School NightThis was an old event brought back by our family this year. The first Back to School Night I attended was here at our home, when it belonged to Mary and Jim.
The evening was spent with young and old offering our voices to the Lord in song.
Grandpa Gil.

Lilly and her special friend.
Our pastor's wife brought all the children together for a story and some songs.


The home made ice cream, cookies, and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ closed our evening on a very sweet note!

Itsy Bitsy Spiders!

Check this out! (Sorry for the out of tune singing, I didn't know Wade was recording these little guys!)

Our Week

Our week was incredibly busy! Following are some highlights! Monday was an unusual day for our family as we almost all went separate ways! The boys were invited to a birthday party, Rachel to a friends house, hummm!! I saw an opportunity and took it! I made a phone call and soon had arrangements for Lilly to play at a friend's house too! After I dropped off each child, I hit the road for Pleasanton. I enjoyed a nice visit with my friend Aparna, and a nice lunch date with our husbands! After visiting their office we did a little shopping and then had to call it an afternoon. The C. family gave the boys a science set. Bret spent two days building different things and getting the motors to work. He is definitely his father's son!
Can you say fried? My computer died this week! Wade replaced the video card and it's running for now. He bought me a new computer, which I apparently approved in my sleep! I have no memory of him telling me he was buying the computer, or me telling him which credit card to use! Apparently both happened! So, who is more clever? Me, for coherently communicating in my sleep - or Wade getting me to approve this $$$ purchase without my knowledge!!
Rachel is now a Safe Sitter! She spent two days learning the ins and outs of babysitting! I wish I would have had a class like this! She learned how to communicate with parents, how to discipline children, what to do in an emergency, etc.
As with most things in our small town, there were many familiar faces. This made the class more enjoyable and comfortable for Rachel.
The volunteer staff.
Rachel, receiving her kit!
Ouch! Bret was helping dad kill wasps on Thursday! He only got bit, not stung - so no worries! Living out here will make a man of him!

Miss Lilly, all ready for her doctor appointment. Today was her Kindergarten physical. She really enjoyed all the attention, and did great with the shots! Afterward, we celebrated with lunch at In and Out Burger and a trip to the mall. We browsed a few stores, visited her cousin who works at Roger's, and finally purchased a new pair of tennis shoes! Looks like she needed them!!

Kittens at Play

Pictures say a thousand words. . .