School updates for my youth

I write often about what the littles are doing, yet not much on what Ryan, Connor and Cailin are doing. 

But they have been busy...

Connor has completed Life of Fred: Advanced Algebra.  He is now starting BJU Geometry.

He has found that he loves teaching and has been teaching the younger group of kids math using Life of Fred; Butterflies and Cats, during our history group meetings.  Liam has also asked him questions about different math concepts and so he's now "teaching" him math too.

He's been enjoying working out in the gym this year with Barry and Ryan.  Recently a member of the bishopric commented that he seems to be "beefing up"...that definitely made him quite happy!

Discussing with the girls about patterns

 He's been actively building his library.  He's acquired a few books authored by Stephen Hawking, his favorite author and scientist-- A Brief History of Time and The Universe in a Nutshell.  John Gibbon is another well liked author.  He's purchased In Search of Schrodinger's Cat and In Search of the Double Helix. He has a few others he gathered at the library's free table.  He's just like his dad, he loves books and wants a large library of his own!  (His snake, Ty-ken  has recently shed his skin, which is on the bottom shelf.)  For Christmas he got a bunch of Issac Asimov sci-fi magazines.

Currently he's working on his science fair project on "How different weather conditions affect the accuracy of the GPS", but previous to that he started using Glenn Kimber's  How and Why God Created Things--Chemistry.  Once he's finished with the science fair project he'll start back on this where he's searching the scriptures, other science textbooks, internet and scientists in creating his own book of chemistry.  His greatest achievement for this past semester was completing the Key of Liberty class.  He had many requirements he choose to accept to complete the class and earn the flag shown below. 

Award Requirements:
Memorize and recite The Declaration of Independence (Excluding the 27 injuries of the king.) 
Read "The Mayflower Compact"
Watch John Adams and Johnny Tremain
Read these books and discuss them in class:  The Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang
     The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty
John Adams: Reluctant Patriot of the Revolution by Leonard Falkner
The Making of George Washington by William H. Wilber
Give a Class Presentation on his chosen colony
Fulfill the requirements of the United States Heritage Award
Complete 6 writing assignments (he complete 10 of 11)
Memorize the 10 commandments
Memorize and be able to place the 13 colonies on a map.

Ryan, when he's not crashed out after seminary...:) is busy with his college class in Calculus.  This has been a butt-kicker of a class for him.  He's never really had to work hard! at math before, it's come quite easy for him in the past, but I believe he's met his match.  He's even accepting a tutor...in fact gladly receiving help from Bro. Rick Fisher.

His first test wasn't so great, a C-.  but the 2nd test score was  89%!!!  Yeah!!  In the end he pulled a B in the class!!  Oh so happy!  In one week classes start again at NRCC and he'll be finishing this class along with a computer programming class using C++.
He's still working on life skills. He just finished reading Temple Grandin and Sean Barrow's book The Unwritten Rules of Social Relations. We are now beginning a new book on helping young adults with autism called Preparing for Life. 

He has chosen to learn about physics (much to the delight of Connor) so he'll be prepared for physics classes for his chosen major at college. So he too is now reading Stephen Hawking's books and will soon start on a Great Courses video class on physics.

The only class he needs for his "transcript" is an English class.  He's got a list of classics that he's reading and writing about.  He's not really happy about it, but after reading the book he finds he actually likes it. So far he's completed Catch 22 by Joesph Heller, The Count of Monte Cristo, by Dumas, The Walking Drum, by L'Amour and A Wizard of Earthsea, by LeGuin, and Robinson Carusoe.  He liked some of them so much so, that he read on his own other works by the same author (namely Heller's books).  He still loves!! fantasy, but he's branching out somewhat.

He's also working on reading and discussing more about the Constitution and founding of our nation.  He enjoys these discussions with Barry.  His last "elective" class is COOKING...it's the only way I can get him to learn how. He's made cookies, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, rice, grilled quesadillas and sandwiches, soup and eggs--anything that he will actually eat, and thus prepare him for life as a missionary or on his own.

Cailin: there's my little kitty, Pumpkin!

Cailin's been writing, reading, writing, reading, writing, and reading some more.  Right now she's writing a book...a sequel to one of her favorite Warriors books that doesn't "finish" the way she likes.  She too, has been actively working to complete her library of Warriors books (and any others she's come across and likes to read.)  She says that she's tired to forgetting to return books in to the library and having to pay the fines so she'd rather just own them and never have to pay another fine again! Cailin: I don't want to have to pay money anymore because I don't have any. I don't want to pay money because we can't get to the library quickly enough. Grrr

She still struggling with math, but with Uncle Brian's help, I think we're going to get over this bump in the road, just to hit another, but, she's a fighter...she will prevail, I just have to inspire her to accept the fight!

Cailin: the first book is missing due to it being loaned off.

She too, is writing her own science book.  She's researching about plants.  She was inspired by the "medicine cat's" knowledge of healing plants and she wanted to learn more about them.  So far she's researched about different types of fruit trees and primitive plants (moss, fungus diatoms, mushrooms etc.)  She got very tired of the "textbook' type science books.  Real books hold so much more enjoyment and learning possibilities.  Of course, using the textbooks to find information is good, so she won't get rid of them (not that I'd let her.)

She's caught a new breath of vigor in her piano playing and practicing.  She's often at the piano.  She's bound and determined to master  Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven, along with other songs her piano teacher gives her.  We love to hear her practice.

     " Liam dared me" says Cailin in regard to the colorful wig!!!

Cailin's words:

I'd like to add something. Most people think I only like to read about cats, but that's not true. I like to read pretty much anything, as long as it isn't to frightening. I like fantasy, non-fiction, (I don't tell many people, but I love to write reports,) historical fiction, um....animal fiction? and also...fiction. I don't know about sci-fi yet, due to the fact that I don't have anything appropriate to read. Most people my age don't read much sci-fi...
     But, I don't just write about cats, either. And it wasn't that I didn't like how the last book of the series ended, it was that I didn't think it tied the ends up properly. And I was curious about the aftermath. So I made my own.
    I like to write about fantasy and wild animals. Currently, I am writing a book about wolves (fiction....I'm not good about writing non-fiction books...yet) and it's going well.

A Blessed Merry Christmas

I know it's been a good Christmas season when I get sad about taking down all the Christmas decorations.....this year must have been great, because, I even shed a tear.

Our Christmas Eve festivities were wild and crazy this year.  Before our nightly traditions were participated in, Barry stole me away for a nice lunch out....just the two of us!  What a super treat!

Back home I prepared our Bethlehem Dinner.  We ate on the floor near the tree,, and that must've been just too much excitement for these kiddos to uphold because the only time they were quite and sitting was when I took this picture.  The excitement of the night was nearly consuming them. 

Cailin as the angel, Connor was the inn keeper, Liam is Joesph and Delaney is Mary.  Ryan and Bree, well they just filled in any gaps as they came up!  Usually, as we come to this part in our traditions--acting out the story of Christ's birth. they get a little less stir crazy and more spiritual, but this year, they could barely control their excitement!   It really was fun to watch, but the noise was getting a bit overwhelming.....I think it's time for these silly ones to go to bed.  Of course I know they won't actually sleep, but at least we'll have some quiet for a bit of time.

.....

They were quite excited that they were able to get up at 5:30 this year.  Barry had to be off for work by 6:15 so opening presents time came early....I was told that this was one of the best years ever, in regards to the gifts Santa brought.  Santa got it right this year, hurrah!  Barry was called to a home where he heard one of the kids go off on the parents about how horrible his presents were....he came home so grateful for happy and thankful children.  ( he was called for another reason, but the 5 year old was continuing his rants of dissatisfaction in his presence.)


After all the gift unwrapping, Barry headed off to work and the kids and I headed off to Ben and Maleah's home for a country breakfast.  Ryan was quickly put to work setting up their new Xbox system.  I loved seeing him in his element.  All his insecurities vanished and he was in control of the situation.  Evening brought time with Granny and Papa, as they came over for dinner...and then the big day was over. 
My goal was to have a peaceful  calm and spirit filled Christmas season.  I think (with a few exceptions) obtain my goal.  I hope the others had a good Christmas too.

 
Cailin's thoughts: The Christmas Season, that is, before Christmas, was a little too busy for my taste. It was a lot of fun, though, going to the Christmas parties and such.
      Christmas Day was fabulous. We had a fun time laughing over receiving boxes that seemed to be only that--a box, but it wasn't, of course. I received a new soccer ball, three of my favorite series of books, a bookshelf (thank you!!!), some jewelry, and a little board to organize my hair clips and such.

Connor's thoughts on Christmas this year...Hmm, what to say? Christmas was good this year. It seemed to sneak up fast, but that's because I didn't really pay much attention to how close it was until a week before. The best present I got this year was The Illustrated-- A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking. It's a great book too. The youth did the usual gingerbread house building contest. Alan and I did D-day beach, with lots of mike and ike's and with licorice blood, a bunker, designed by yours truly, and a tank designed by Alan. That is the extent of it.


Ryan's thoughts-- Christmas was great yet at the same time just normal. I really liked getting the Temeraire books.

Ahhhh, these two couldn't be any cuter.

Barry's thoughts-- Too bad that the flower did nothing to enhance my looks. Oh well.  I enjoyed Christmas so much this year. I think that the secret to our success was not injecting the holiday season with needless stress. We cut back on a few things and also put a higher priority on family time. By doing this it made all the activities run so much smoother. It also helped us keep the spirit of Christ in our home.

 

Delaney thoughts--   It may not have snowed but it was the best Christmas because we had family and I was sad when it ended.

Liam's thoughts--  I liked it because I got a Captain America suit and I got a shield with it!  That is what I wanted.  I liked how we had the Bethlehem dinner.  I liked that because Laney was happy and all of us were happy.  That's all!

Pumpkin, Delaney and Cailin's kitten having fun playing in all the wrapping.

Bree loved the concept of unwrapping gifts!!  I don't know if we could get a way  with just empty boxes all wrapped up next year....but we sure could have this year!

Briannne got a kitchen play set this year....Liam's loving it quite a bit!!

She's is eating like a kitten....even since Pumpkin has started eating from a bowl on the floor Brianne has been quite intrigued by the way she eats.  She will get down flat on her tummy and watch him eat.  Now she's begun to eat like him too.  One day she even dropped all her food on the floor and then asked to get down.  Instead of just walking away, she fell to her tummy and started to eat.  It reminded me of the movie The Christmas Story....you know, the one "you'll shoot your eye out, one!"

Having fun playing in the Christmas snow....It's sad, I can't remember what day it snowed.  As I'm writing this in the 1 Jan. Christmas was only one week ago and I don't remember if it was Christmas day or the day after that the snow came....Nevertheless, they had a great time.

Delaney's still trying to get acquainted with her bike....and comfortable with it too.  She'll get there!  We'll soon have her riding all around with the wind in her hair!

Although he get cold quite fast, Liam loves to be out playing with the big kids!

Watch out super heroes....I have a couple of them myself!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens --Book Group

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was the perfect choice for our book group meeting for December.  As a family we greatly enjoyed reading it.  Especially since Dad was finished with his school studies and he could join in the nightly readings too.  We had some great doctrine oriented discussions....and what makes a person 'good' type discussions too.

Rachel lead this discussion.  She read another book by Dickens, a short story entitled The Magic Fish-bone. This was delightful, full of many laughs, plus the kids got to see a litter side to Charles' writing style.

We learned that the sending of Christmas greeting cards began in the Victorian era.  Although wood engravers produced prints with religious themes in the European Middle Ages, the first commercial Christmas and New year's card is believed to have been designed and printed in London, England in the 1843, the same year that Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol was published.  So, that's what we did. We recreated some beautiful Victorian styled Christmas cards.

The younger group spent some time talking about similarities and differences between the Cratchits and Alicia's family (from the Magic Fish Bone).  They also discussed how each of the ghost looked and if their appearances were meaningful and/or symbolic.  Of course we discussed what they learned...and Scrooge learned, from each of the 4 ghosts.  (Don't forget Marley was a ghost too!)

The older group had some fun during their discussion time  finding different literary devices that Dickens used in this book.  Metaphor, Simile, Hyperbole (Cailin's fav!) and Personification.  They also learned about the British money system before 1971.  Before decimalization in 1971, money was divided into pounds, shillings and pennies. Connor especially enjoyed figuring our how much money Bob Cratchit earned per year if he earned 15 bob per week.....not a whole lot!  that's for sure!

The ghost of Christmas present talked of many yummy things to eat. Filberts and Norfolk Biffins (which Rachel and Gayliegh  didn't know by name), were mentioned, so once they  found out that filberts are a type of nut and Norfolk Biffins were a type of apple, they just had to share baked apples for our cooking activity/treat.  (We weren't sure what they were either!)  Mmmmm, oh so scrumptious!  The sister missionaries even stopped by and we were able to share with them.  As the day was exceptionally cold and windy it was a great way to warm up....for all of us!

Now we're on to The Hobbit!