Stray homework and at the shelter...pieced together

I am working on lesson plans today and trying to get ahead a bit.  New books have been coming in and I am trying to piece things together.  I was excited about a literature book I found a goodwill.  Then I found the teacher's edition for only $3 online.  The TE came in and it doesn't match the student text.  Some things match but not all.  I found the correct edition on half.com for less than $2 and ordered it.  As we wait for this to come in I am finding similarities in the older edition I can use.
The story "Stray" by Cynthia Rylant for example.  I can use the helpful information in the TE to do this and in the student text there are comprehension questions.  Then I went digging online and found a self-test and worksheets that match this story.
The story will work particularly well for us as we just signed up last week to be volunteers for the local animal shelter!  Oh what fun we have had already!!  Lately we have had alot of snowdays up on our hill and haven't made it to the shelter.
Just another way to link our homeschooling work with life! I love it!
eta: in continuing to find more and more for this unit on Egypt...more worksheets!!

to scan or not to scan...

The social studies workbook came in today's mail. I found that the pages are perforated so I thought I should probably tear it out and maybe make a small binder with the pages. That way we can still use it next year with Emily and then the following years with the other children. So I tore the first 4 pages in the chapter we are starting in and scanned them on the printer and made copies for Jacob to write his answers.


And I think I want to reorganize his big binder. I think we may need to move to a Volume 2 for this semester. His binder is jam packed (neatly though). But I want to get some manila file folders and hole punch them and categorize his papers by subject. example: Egypt, Weather, Fractions, Equations...I think its kind of our way of doing a lapbook that I keep reading about. But instead of cutting and pasting pictures it is making more of a portfolio of his learning.

Tomorrow I will get the materials to do this...and we may take time to put this together.

Ancient Egypt hasn't changed much since 1999.

I am finding that Jacob really likes the textbooks rather than the way we have been homeschooling.

So I was at Goodwill the other day and found a social studies textbook. Thumbed through it and noticed that it had some of the same things we were studying this year. Don't know what grade level it is so I bought it...I mean for $2.99 I am not overspending. I get home and do a search and it is a 6th grade textbook. What luck I had!! Glad I decided to buy the book. Then I get online and I found a brand new workbook to accompany it on ebay for $3.87. This is on the way right now. So I was sharing with my mom about my great finds and she says "yes, but how old is the textbook?" I think it is 1999. But you know....Ancient Egypt really hasn't changed that much since 1999! Don't you agree?? LOL
I found the next book in the series for 7th grade too on my paperbackswap.com I really don't need teacher editions to these books either b/c if I can't figure the answer easier than him then I shouldn't be homeschooling. I don't have teacher editions for any of my books. I have some answer keys on my math curriculum.
Not only did I score on the social studies books, but I also was able to use my book credits to get science books for 6th and 7th grade (weather, tornadoes, planets haven't changed much over the years either...and I am not buying books from the 40s. Yes, I will let them know about Pluto, as if they don't already know about what happened to this planet's status) and I found literature books too.

Today when I was working on the lesson plans for this new social studies book I found an accompanying website to this textbook with plans already made for me!! Woohoo!!

Ancient Egypt

We are working on Ancient Egypt still this week. We started this about 1 1/2 weeks ago and are really enjoying this.
Jacob is working with dad on making a pyramid...they drew it out to scale and made a blueprint for it so far. Since he is just returning to his computer privileges I can put his assignments back into his emails. Much easier for me to copy/paste a video link for him to watch. Instead of typing printing all of the articles for him to read..now he can read it online.
These are the first 3 videos for today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaInDIv3-V8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyFtHnJw-xY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWFpA_CjZGU

He is also being given another project to work on where he is a museum curator for Ancient Egypt
artifacts and exhibits. Instead of making it like a diorama though we are going to put it on a poster board or a science fair type of board.

http://www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=26440


Tomorrow I think we are going to do this one tomorow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFZS1U-w4EA And touch up on just some of the basics of Egypt and work on notecards based off of this video and put together a short paper on Egypt. This will cover his social studies, writing and language for the day all in one activity.

Later this week we will turn to the more modern side of Egypt...foods, cultures, religions, apparel, traditions, architecture...those type of things.

PaperBack Swap

Hey everyone, I wanted to let you know of a great program I have found.  Its called PaperBack swap!  I have gotten myself hooked reading the Beverly Lewis series of books...they are Amish Fiction.

Here is how it works:
I have books that I have read and were just collecting dust.  I wanted new books to read.  I took my old ones and input the ISBN numbers to my account.  The picture comes up to post the book.  When someone wants the book they send a request to you if its still available to send.  You accept.  Mail it.  They receive it...you get a book credit.  You use that book credit to request books from other people.  You don't have to pay for the book to be sent to you.  But you do have to pay shipping to send your book to the requesting person.  Media mail runs about 2 dollars.  Not too bad!
When you sign up you get 2 credits to get you started!  Sound good???  I am going to attempt to put the widget in my sidebar.

Egyptian style

As we get started again for this semester we are diving into pyramids and Egyptian cultures and histories.  Tuesday we did an easy Ancient Egypt passage and learned how to outline the paragraphs in topic and sentence form.  Yesterday he completed a word puzzle with Egyptian gods and pharaohs and 2 algebra lessons. He also had two articles that I found from the Smithsonian magazine about Egyptian archaeology and King Tut.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/egypt-topten.html

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/kingtut.html


After reading these articles he is doing a writing summary on what he read (we are working on reading comprehension).  I will pick which article that he is to write about without him knowing.

I found a Roman Numeral Math worksheet
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/02/lp276-03.shtml

He is still continuing to finish 2 Percy Jackson books...hasn't read in them for a bit.  Hoping we can get finished with them soon!

Tomorrow we are going to go check out two books on ancient egypt from the library and work with those.

New year is coming...oh wait its here!

haha...
I am looking forward to getting started again in this new year!  We did several days of work through the Christmas holiday time.  The other 3 were home from school but Jacob still managed to do 2-3 lessons in math on most days.
While the other kids are supposed to go back to school tomorrow, they are home sick with the flu and sinus infections.  Elizabeth will find herself back to school by Thursday but Jesse and Emily will be home for the rest of the week I think.

I am hoping to get more hands on and field trips in this semester for Jacob.  I am still contemplating a Saturday school that I found at Vanderbilt.

A brand new year with new challenges

 Going to do this a second time...

Emily's diagnosis came as a big surprise to us in December.  An even bigger surprise was the fact that she was pumping 9 days after diagnosis!!

Her purple pump really is the most beautiful pump I have ever seen!  Not sure if I will order this for myself.  But I really do like it.  I am thinking of going "clear" for my next one in April.  We shall see though.

She has taken to the pump really well.  No more shots is the main thing.  Emily and shots did not mix very well with her.  But they didn't stop her either.

I think one thing that I would love for people to walk away thinking about is that Emily's diabetes is so different from her brother Jesse's.  Both of their diabetes is way different from Elizabeth Anne's diabetes.  And I know this may be alot for most people to understand but all three of their diabetes is WAY different from someone else's aunt that had 2 toes and 4 fingers due to complications from diabetes.  I hear this so much from people.   Not as much anymore as I did when it was just me with my diabetes or when it was just one child.  Now that we have 3 children the amazement that people have usually takes over before they can speak about their family history of diabetes. :)

We are a blessed family.  And while I do get overwhelmed at times, it isn't that often.  We really have a great thing going on here and its true that God doesn't give you more than you can handle.  And we are handling things very well here.

A brand new year with new challenges

 Going to do this a second time...

Emily's diagnosis came as a big surprise to us in December.  An even bigger surprise was the fact that she was pumping 9 days after diagnosis!!

Her purple pump really is the most beautiful pump I have ever seen!  Not sure if I will order this for myself.  But I really do like it.  I am thinking of going "clear" for my next one in April.  We shall see though.

She has taken to the pump really well.  No more shots is the main thing.  Emily and shots did not mix very well with her.  But they didn't stop her either.

I think one thing that I would love for people to walk away thinking about is that Emily's diabetes is so different from her brother Jesse's.  Both of their diabetes is way different from Elizabeth Anne's diabetes.  And I know this may be alot for most people to understand but all three of their diabetes is WAY different from someone else's aunt that had 2 toes and 4 fingers due to complications from diabetes.  I hear this so much from people.   Not as much anymore as I did when it was just me with my diabetes or when it was just one child.  Now that we have 3 children the amazement that people have usually takes over before they can speak about their family history of diabetes. :)

We are a blessed family.  And while I do get overwhelmed at times, it isn't that often.  We really have a great thing going on here and its true that God doesn't give you more than you can handle.  And we are handling things very well here.

Our thoughts for everyday

I stumbled across a blog yesterday that pretty much sums everything up for me.  As you read this realize that I do this times 4 in our house.  The Princess and the Pump  (borrowed post with permission)

Do You Know How Lucky You Are?

Do you know how lucky you are?

If you've never had to pierce your child's flesh.

If you've never entered your child's bedroom with baited breath, waiting to know they are alive before you exhale.

If you have - but know that that possibility is remote and highly unlikely. 

If you don't see your child's blood every single day.

If you can feed your child without thinking twice.  

If you don't have to count every morsel that goes into their mouths.

If you can send your child to school without any extra care, notification, preparation.

If you can let your child go off to play at a friends house with any added stress or explanation or directions.


If you can sleep for more than 3 hours at a time.


If the medicine cabinet on your bathroom is still functioning and has just about enough room.


If you don't have a sharps container in your house.


If your pharmacy does not know you well enough to call you by first name.


If you don't have to BEG your insurance company to give you 
enough supplies to keep your child healthy.


If you don't visit a hospital every 3 months.


If you don't worry when your child falls down when playing or falls asleep in the car that he or she is actually passed out from a hypoglycemic episode.


If you don't carry around an enormous amount of medical supplies every where you go.


If you don't know what normal blood sugar is.


If your life has never been divided into before and after.


If you never spent a week in the hospital learning to keep your child alive.


If you don't fear a simple cold or a 24 hour stomach bug.  If you'd never even imagine that it could land you in the ER.


If you don't have to FIGHT so that your child can be like everyone else.


If you don't know what insulin smells like.


If you don't know how to fill a syringe.  

If you don't juggle carb counts, carb rations, ISF's, and IOB information at the same time. 


If you have no idea what any of that means.

If you've never had to hold your child down to give her a shot.  Multiple times a day.  Every day.  

If you've never listened to your child cry and scream, "NO!  Mommy, Don't hurt me."


If you've never had to answer your child when she asked, "Why me?  Why am I different?  Will it ever go away?"


If you don't stare death in the face every day.


If you don't really know anything about Type 1 diabetes.


Do you know how lucky you are?  Do you know how much you take for granted every day?  Do you know how much easier life is without diabetes?


Do you?


Before April 27, 2009 - I didn't.  I had no idea.  I had no idea how lucky I was.  


I had no idea how easy meal times were.  I had no idea how simple it was to get my child a glass of juice or milk.  I had no idea what a "bad cold" or "illness" was REALLY like.  I didn't know anything about carbs.  Or insurance.  Or needles.  Playing, dancing, going to school... it was all so easy.  


I had no idea.  I took so much for granted.


But now....


Now I'm on the other side.  

And do you know how lucky I am?

I know how to fill a syringe.


I know how to give a shot and insert a cannula.


I know how to count carbs and calculate insulin doses.  


I have insulin to give my child.


I have a pharmacy staff that is caring and kind.


I have a top rate children's hospital to treat my child.


I have a closer family.

I have deeper relationships. 


I have enough supplies to keep my child alive and healthy.


I have been humbled by something bigger than me.


I have a school and teachers who love my child and care for her like she's their own.


I have learned to ask for help.


I have learned that I can't do it all.


I have learned to cherish the good days.


I have learned to enjoy the moment.

I have learned how fragile life is.

I have learned how strong I really am.

kudos to Hallie and her little Princess!!

Our thoughts for everyday

I stumbled across a blog yesterday that pretty much sums everything up for me.  As you read this realize that I do this times 4 in our house.  The Princess and the Pump  (borrowed post with permission)

Do You Know How Lucky You Are?

Do you know how lucky you are?

If you've never had to pierce your child's flesh.

If you've never entered your child's bedroom with baited breath, waiting to know they are alive before you exhale.

If you have - but know that that possibility is remote and highly unlikely. 

If you don't see your child's blood every single day.

If you can feed your child without thinking twice.  

If you don't have to count every morsel that goes into their mouths.

If you can send your child to school without any extra care, notification, preparation.

If you can let your child go off to play at a friends house with any added stress or explanation or directions.


If you can sleep for more than 3 hours at a time.


If the medicine cabinet on your bathroom is still functioning and has just about enough room.


If you don't have a sharps container in your house.


If your pharmacy does not know you well enough to call you by first name.


If you don't have to BEG your insurance company to give you 
enough supplies to keep your child healthy.


If you don't visit a hospital every 3 months.


If you don't worry when your child falls down when playing or falls asleep in the car that he or she is actually passed out from a hypoglycemic episode.


If you don't carry around an enormous amount of medical supplies every where you go.


If you don't know what normal blood sugar is.


If your life has never been divided into before and after.


If you never spent a week in the hospital learning to keep your child alive.


If you don't fear a simple cold or a 24 hour stomach bug.  If you'd never even imagine that it could land you in the ER.


If you don't have to FIGHT so that your child can be like everyone else.


If you don't know what insulin smells like.


If you don't know how to fill a syringe.  

If you don't juggle carb counts, carb rations, ISF's, and IOB information at the same time. 


If you have no idea what any of that means.

If you've never had to hold your child down to give her a shot.  Multiple times a day.  Every day.  

If you've never listened to your child cry and scream, "NO!  Mommy, Don't hurt me."


If you've never had to answer your child when she asked, "Why me?  Why am I different?  Will it ever go away?"


If you don't stare death in the face every day.


If you don't really know anything about Type 1 diabetes.


Do you know how lucky you are?  Do you know how much you take for granted every day?  Do you know how much easier life is without diabetes?


Do you?


Before April 27, 2009 - I didn't.  I had no idea.  I had no idea how lucky I was.  


I had no idea how easy meal times were.  I had no idea how simple it was to get my child a glass of juice or milk.  I had no idea what a "bad cold" or "illness" was REALLY like.  I didn't know anything about carbs.  Or insurance.  Or needles.  Playing, dancing, going to school... it was all so easy.  


I had no idea.  I took so much for granted.


But now....


Now I'm on the other side.  

And do you know how lucky I am?

I know how to fill a syringe.


I know how to give a shot and insert a cannula.


I know how to count carbs and calculate insulin doses.  


I have insulin to give my child.


I have a pharmacy staff that is caring and kind.


I have a top rate children's hospital to treat my child.


I have a closer family.

I have deeper relationships. 


I have enough supplies to keep my child alive and healthy.


I have been humbled by something bigger than me.


I have a school and teachers who love my child and care for her like she's their own.


I have learned to ask for help.


I have learned that I can't do it all.


I have learned to cherish the good days.


I have learned to enjoy the moment.

I have learned how fragile life is.

I have learned how strong I really am.

kudos to Hallie and her little Princess!!

Our sad day...

Maybe I was too quick to call this blog "Three for Today"...because our "Three" has become "Four" and today it has become the reality of its occurence.  Last Monday we took the phone call of Emily being positive for the GAD65 antibody.  So, knowing that she would have the repeat blood test on the 13th I went ahead and had her A1c checked yesterday.  Thinking I would have the results by Friday and ready for Vandy on the 13th.  Well, the results came in today at a bit of a surprise.  Her A1c is elevated but caught at a good time.  It is higher than Jesse and Elizabeth's but not too terribly high.  The consult was sent to Vanderbilt (hopefully they got it done today) and I picked up doctor's orders for Emily to start testing her blood sugar throughout the day in order to get a good look as to what is going on with her numbers.  Stopped at Kroger to pick up 3 cases of capri-suns and 3 packages of pb crackers for low blood sugars.  Delivered to the school.  Educated Emily on how to do diabetes at school and let the nurse know what we needed to do.  Then I headed down to the department of human services.  I know that to get on the children's special services program I must first be denied state health insurance for the kids.  So I went and picked up the paperwork to get this started.  This program will help us with the kids deductibles and copays.  Hoping it won't be too long that the process goes quicker.

But for today will somebody find me a big rock and keep me hidden for just a little bit?

Our sad day...

Maybe I was too quick to call this blog "Three for Today"...because our "Three" has become "Four" and today it has become the reality of its occurence.  Last Monday we took the phone call of Emily being positive for the GAD65 antibody.  So, knowing that she would have the repeat blood test on the 13th I went ahead and had her A1c checked yesterday.  Thinking I would have the results by Friday and ready for Vandy on the 13th.  Well, the results came in today at a bit of a surprise.  Her A1c is elevated but caught at a good time.  It is higher than Jesse and Elizabeth's but not too terribly high.  The consult was sent to Vanderbilt (hopefully they got it done today) and I picked up doctor's orders for Emily to start testing her blood sugar throughout the day in order to get a good look as to what is going on with her numbers.  Stopped at Kroger to pick up 3 cases of capri-suns and 3 packages of pb crackers for low blood sugars.  Delivered to the school.  Educated Emily on how to do diabetes at school and let the nurse know what we needed to do.  Then I headed down to the department of human services.  I know that to get on the children's special services program I must first be denied state health insurance for the kids.  So I went and picked up the paperwork to get this started.  This program will help us with the kids deductibles and copays.  Hoping it won't be too long that the process goes quicker.

But for today will somebody find me a big rock and keep me hidden for just a little bit?

Tour kick-off is set for tomorrow!

The Middle TN ADA's Tour de Cure kick-off is tomorrow night at the Blackstone Brewery in Nashville!  Our family has been invited to participate in the event since the kids are the youth ambassadors!  Today I received a call from Greg asking if either I or Judge would mind talking about the kids and the diabetes in our home.  I said, "Sure HE will!!" LOL  I can talk but would rather not talk in front of big crowds!  I let him know of the new development in our brood with Emily testing positive for the GAD65.  I thought it may be appropriate to add that in for Judge's "speech" and be able to touch base on how important diabetes research is to not only our family but to others as well.  The monies it will take to fundraise for our Tour de Cure in order to aid in that research endeavor.

Tour kick-off is set for tomorrow!

The Middle TN ADA's Tour de Cure kick-off is tomorrow night at the Blackstone Brewery in Nashville!  Our family has been invited to participate in the event since the kids are the youth ambassadors!  Today I received a call from Greg asking if either I or Judge would mind talking about the kids and the diabetes in our home.  I said, "Sure HE will!!" LOL  I can talk but would rather not talk in front of big crowds!  I let him know of the new development in our brood with Emily testing positive for the GAD65.  I thought it may be appropriate to add that in for Judge's "speech" and be able to touch base on how important diabetes research is to not only our family but to others as well.  The monies it will take to fundraise for our Tour de Cure in order to aid in that research endeavor.