Weekly Wrap-Up: The one with the first full week of school

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Weekly Wrap-Up

Happy Friday, y’all! I’m really glad it’s Friday. It’s been a crazy-busy week. My poor husband took off and we did school anyway. I told him we needed to, before he took off, because we’ve had so many activities that have kept us from our regular schedule. I don’t think he was especially disappointed, though. He had some things on his own to-do list that he was able to get done while we were in school and he even got to go play golf with his dad, which he hasn’t done in forever. They couldn’t have asked for a better day for golf, either. I don’t think it got out of the 70’s all day, which is unseasonably cool for July in the South.

homeschool week 1

Monday, we hit the books pretty heavy. With the history curriculum we’re using this year, the first week is information week (with project weeks to follow), so it’s a lot of reading and listening to CDs. Thank goodness the kids are older with longer attention spans – and, thank goodness it was interesting!

Josh and Megan found much of it interesting, as well (as opposed to only me), and seemed to retain quite a bit. They were even excited about planning their recap activity yesterday – which hasn’t been done yet because we got behind due to an unplanned doctor visit on Wednesday. We’ll get there, though.

We had a really exciting week with science. First, we made a DNA model.

DNA Model

Then, seriously, what could be more cool than extracting your own DNA? And, who knew you could do so with regular, household products? Okay, clearly someone knew because it was in our science book, but we found the whole thing fascinating.

DNA Extraction

I’m typically a big fan of reading through all the directions first. However, for this lab, there were a lot of steps and the last time we did a lab with a lot of steps, I found that it helped just to read and complete one step at a time. Not a bad plan, but I still should have read through all of the directions first. If I had, I would have realized that there were two different steps that required a mixture to sit for at least 15 minutes.

Android_Photo_July_29__2014_at_0333PM (1)

If I had read that part first, we’d have used that time to listen to some of our history CDs.  As it was, the kids were quite happy that I didn’t read through all the directions first, though, because they used the time for a 15 minute break. Honestly? That break was probably good for their brains. Plus it gave them a chance to check their texts from friends who aren’t back in school yet, since I had to resort to confiscating electronic devices during school on Monday (and plan to continue the practice through the school year).

Electronic_devices_in_my_possession._It_s_what_I_should_have_done_two_hours_ago_and_when_I_wil_do_every_school_day_from_here_on_out.__fb

So, I mentioned that we had an unexpected doctor’s appointment on Wednesday. At this point, I’m not sharing any details because the child in question has asked me not to and I totally respect that. It’s nothing serious, but not something to be taken lightly either, and we are awaiting some test results. I would appreciate your prayers that the tests come back okay and recovery progresses normally.

Brianna starts cosmetology school on Monday and she’s very excited. She’s also in a play, with performances toward the end of the month. They’ve practiced three nights a week for the last month, so she’s been very busy.

Megan was moved up to Gym 4, which is an invitation-only class. She’s so excited! She ultimately wants to on the competition team, so this is an excellent step in that direction. One of the team coaches teaches the class, so she’ll be learning the things she needs to master in order to try out for team.

Josh has a performance this weekend. Not many kids could commit to this show, so he’s getting a lot of playing time, including both guitar and some drums, which has him very excited. All in all, it’s been a pretty exciting week around here with lots of good things to look forward to next week.

And, I am having an online Pampered Chef party. I love that stuff! I use the kitchen shears nearly every single day. Seriously. I love those little mini-spatulas, too. They’re what I always use for cutting and serving brownies or taking cookies off the baking sheet. If you want to order, you can do it all online and your order will be sent directly to you. Just click either of the previous two links to go directly to my show. It closes next Friday. Happy shopping!

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Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.

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12 Comments

  1. I really need to get my butt into gear and write a wrap up post, or any post for that matter! I loved reading yours though and it seems like you are all totally on the ball this term. We used the same history program a few years ago and my guys loved it. She (the author) is totally nuts but in a good way!! Have a great weekend Kris.

    1. I’m glad to hear that your family enjoyed the curriculum. I’ve heard many good things about it.

  2. The DNA model looks great, and tasty! I’m looking forward to having a science program with labs this year!

    Praying all is well with the test results.

  3. Prayers for your child and for you. I know it’s more stressful for us moms when it’s a kid than when it’s us.

    I love that RSO has edible experiments!

  4. Prayers definitely going up – that waiting period is no fun 🙁

    I’m so impressed with your kids! They’re really excelling and coming into their own. Bravo to you all!

    ‘ll take a look at your party. I’m a Pampered Chef nut too. Their knives are awesome! The spatulas too, oh and I adore my hand juicer.

    1. Thanks for the prayers, Cheryl. I was hoping to hear something today so I wouldn’t have to worry about it all weekend.

      I don’t think I have any Pampered Chef knives. I’ll have to look at those.

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