Swimming Fun!

I really hate it when there is a holiday on a Monday, now I feel like I don't know what day it is. But, it is Tuesday, and on Tuesdays we have our playdates. Since it is already scorching hot here in sunny Florida, playdates mean swim dates. Over the weekend my husband, the kids, and even Lucky enjoyed the nice cool pool. Biscuit is 80 pounds so she only gets in once in a while, though she does love it. It is too hard to get her safely in and out of the pool, to let her swim every time. Lucky only weighs like 8 pounds.

Over the weekend, DJ and I also discussed his math. He has been using Saxon 54 all year. It was given to me after we could not find a math program that really suited his wants and needs. He likes it, so I will stick with Saxon. However, I did not realize what the 54 numbers actually meant. They mean the end of fourth grade and beginning to halfway through fifth grade. Not exactly what I intended, so starting yesterday we went ahead and decided to begin Saxon 65. That way he is at the end of fifth grade and beginning to middle of sixth grade by the end of next year. It is kind of confusing, but I know I used the Saxon textbooks when I went to school and didn't have any problems on Math standardized tests. I have gotten all the books through Algebra, so we are sticking with it.

Next week is the end of our regular school year. Caitlin will continue with Head of the Class through the summer months. I want her to complete first grade, and begin second grade on time in the Fall. She has actually done double curriculum for first grade by the time she finishes, because she completed the other one already. Head of the Class is going to be her main curriculum next year for Second Grade. Because we didn't find Head of the Class until January, that is why she is finishing up First Grade over the summer.

Happy Memorial Day

Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express

Each year I have posted the Regal Summer Express movie campaign. In years past these movies were offered for free, but this year they are not free. It still will only cost you one dollar admission, on the available dates, which is close enough to free for me. There are movies at the end of June, and July plus we are having family visit from NY, and this would be an affordable day event. If you would like to check out the available dates and movies for Florida, just click the link. If you live outside of Florida, just enter your state or zip code to find participating Regal cinemas in your area.

Free Easy Drawing Lessons

I forgot to post yesterday, jeesh! I do try to post everyday, but since we are nearing the end of the school year there isn't much to say. Well I always have lots to say, but sometimes it isn't worth sharing, LOL!

We continue with review, and completion of lessons. We have a lot of extra time for Art, and to discuss next years lessons. Yes, I actually discuss with my kids what they hope to learn, or would like to learn. Of course that might not be the main focus, but I try to accommodate. For example, DJ absolutely hates the writing and language arts workbooks we have been using. Not just the workbook, but any workbook on these topics. I have to admit they are rather mundane and boring. He of course has a writing blog, as a lot of you know. This has helped him blossom immensely in his writing abilities. I used to have to fight with him, now it isn't such a struggle, minus the workbook. Anyways we were talking, and for next year which will be sixth grade, he is going to write and illustrate a children's storybook. He has already started thinking about characters and themes. I found a free website that offers simple how to draw lessons, for him to use in his storybook. Now I just have to figure out how to be sure no one borrows his work once he posts it. That is a ways off, so I have time to research. I have listened to other blogs say people borrow, or steal their work all the time. I do not want this to happen. If it is real good I might have it copyrighted, of course I am getting way ahead of myself.

How do you get your kids to enjoy writing? Some kids love it, and others dread it. Do you have some helpful tips to share? I would love to hear them. BTW I have not figured out a way to avoid the boring Language Arts book. If anyone has any ideas how he can learn it without the workbook, I would love to hear that too. Maybe some of the game websites I have archived will do the trick.