The Newest in Interactive Game Systems

We jumped into society this summer and purchased the most popular game system out there right now, the Nintendo Wii. For those of you that are unaware of what it really is, I will tell you briefly. This is I believe the first game system that you can literaly run, jump, box, play a real tennis game, and so much more! It took me a week and a half of going from one game seller to the next just to get my Wii Fit Board. I love it. Now I have someone that will hold me accountable for my weight loss/gain that can't pass judgement on me. The Wii Fit Board is loaded with excersizing tips and information. My posture is better and I have a pretty good awareness of my weight vs. strength levels. Unfortunately, the Wii Fit does not cater to children as well. I have to tell my children that gaining weight and growing is actually in their best interest. The Wii Fit is only programmed to celebrate at weight losses. So when my child gains 2lbs. and grows an inch, the program will respond concerned and ask why, while adding a tip on how to lose weight or something of such.

All in all, for you homeschool moms out there, it really is a great way to take care of yourself if you get the Wii Fit Board and game. It is nice to have something you can do anytime and will hold you accountable without anyone knowing what your measurements actually are.

My Trip to Germany

My last post was about not being able to travel. I should have added anymore. Having children is great, but with finances the way they are when having them, traveling sort of go's on the back burner. I did get to go to Germany when I was 17 as part of an exchange student program. I loved it, and this is probably what sparked my love of travel. I visited many of the cathedrals, the Feirnsetuerm, and Muenich to name a few. My favorite was the visit to Trier (the oldest town in Germany dating back to 12BC).

If I could, I would send my children for an experience in another country. I really began to understand a real appreciation of my country. The scenery was very different over there. It was hard to communicate because my German language skills was not so good. People are not as naturally polite. I had to look real hard for water that didn't "sparkle". Milk was purchased in a box and tasted like really thick, creamy butter with the same consistency that milk we have has.

Don't misunderstand me. I am only trying to say the things that made me appreciate America. It was a great learning experience. I hadn't traveled much outside of my home state before this. Anywhere one go's, there are differences. Even in America. Maybe even within ones own state they live in.

Getting out of my home helped me see the world and remember the differences that we all have. I now am a better person because I know that these differences are what make us who we are. It is very interesting also to see how other countries do things. The medical system, government system, and even agriculture is managed very uniquely. I wonder at times if the every day American could learn from how other countries do things and improve on our own system by comparing and contrasting the way we do things against the way others do them.

Traveling

I really wish that I had the opportunity to travel. I would love to go to Italy some day, or even Scotland. There are so many things to be experienced out there. Things like walking across the London Bridge, or visiting the Eifel Tower. The encyclopedia has so many good ideas of places to visit, only I haven't been able to figure out an easy way to pay for traveling. Guess I'll just have to let my imagination take me where I want to go. Maybe I will get to go somewhere grand one day. Better yet, maybe my children will grow up and pay my way for a great, expensive, family vacation! Do you think that will ever happen?

Camping

We just went to the most beautiful campsite I have ever been to in my life! There were miles of creek for the children to play and hike through. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking! I was having so much fun enjoying the freedoms of nature that I didn't take any pictures. Mmm. Maybe I could describe the experience. When we arrived I almost didn't want to stay at the site that my husband chose because it was the farthest from the out-house. After biting my lip, I looked up. There was a forest covered hill right in front of me, and forest beyond the campsite. This site was by far the most private one for the whole campground. There were only two other campers in the whole campground. I was truly in heaven when we chose to stay here. We had some friends come with us, and that proved to be the most fun of all. My friend and I went for the first nature walk, looking for firewood. We went into the thick forest to find many fallen trees just a few yards away from the camp. This would have been great had the men remembered to bring axes. We had a great time though eating toasted marshmallows, smores, homemade chili, baked potatoes, and some Indonesian food another friend cooked from her experiences on the mission field. The children had alot of fun being free in the forest. I am glad we went, and hope to go again next year.

Annual Assessment

Well, I did it! Or my son did I guess. We went for the annual evaluation to see if I did a good job at schooling my child for the year. He has an excellent reading level, testing 3 whole grades above average. I love the teacher that does my assessments, because my son left with such a good self-esteem. I did learn that he is not a phonetic speller. The teacher said that some people just aren't. I really don't understand. I have been teaching phonics since before I began homeschooling. This is something I will certainly be researching. It just doesn't seem right. In any case, we did a good job this year, and are greatly inspired for another year of homeschooling.

Blueberry Picking

Just think about it. The cool breeze blowing off of a pond near by. The evening sun beginning to set. Spending time chatting with some of your closest friends, while picking blueberries with your children laughing not far away. The blueberries were the biggest, juciest, ripest berries of the season. The caretaker suggested going down closer to the pond for the bigger ones. They weren't really any bigger than the ones closest to him, but I took his advise anyways since the area was much prettier than the congestion of the noisy parking lot. My children had a great time too! They had more fun giving their berries to our friends though. I didn't care, just being out picking has a certain sense of peace to it that words just can't describe. It sort of reminds you of all the things in the world that go unappreciated. Produce is readily available in the supermarkets. The general public doesn't have much time to experience harvesting crops, or sowing a garden. It really is sad. They are missing a great thing.

My Favorite Math Curriculum

I have so far used two different math curriculum's. The one I am using right now is by far my favorite. Math U See uses blocks for manipulatives. They really take the time to make sure each child really understands the math that is being learned. Algebra and fractions are not just taught as a level in math. They are integrated into every level of the curriculum so that when the student reaches the time to learn them, it won't be such a shock. Being brought up in a school system that waited until 8th or 9th grade for algebra, did make it very difficult to understand. I feel confident that my children will not experience this. One other thing that I love about this curriculum is the fact that each curriculum level comes with a DVD showing an instructor teaching each lesson. This gives the homeschool teacher the ability to observe the class with the student so that each lesson can be reinforced. I love this for the really hard concepts that I don't quite know how to get my child to understand. The instructor is great in his way of explaining to the students at their level of thinking. Over all, this is a great math program to use, and I highly recommend it to anyone in search of one that takes the time to explain each math concept until it is understood.