Larriland Fieldtrip

One of our homeschool co-ops sponsored a field trip to a local farm called Larriland.  We had a great time!  We had a hayride to a pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin.  The children got to go through a hay maze.  We drank some apple cider.  It was just a fun day to celebrate fall.

All My Children

All my children will eventually start wearing things I don't like.  However there are three things that I will stand firm on not allowing them to wear.

Number 1-Yoga Pants
I understand that Yoga Pants are comfortable.  I want to be comfortable too.  That being said however pants that have another title with them are designed for doing a certain activity.  Suit pants-  worn while wearing a suit.  Sweat pants-  worn while sweating.   Pajama pants- worn while sleeping or preparing to sleep.  Yoga pants-  worn while engaging in yoga (or at least working out to some degree).  Why is it that young people have decided that wearing yoga pants everywhere is the best thing for them to do with their life.  Men are visual creatures.  It is hard for young men to think pure thoughts when things (girls walking around in yoga pants) pass by in places where such things are not needed.  Yoga pants have a place.  It is called on a yoga mat.

Number 2-Boots
Boots have a purpose.  They are to protect your feet or allow you to do some task easier.  They also usually say what that purpose is in the name of the boot.  Combat boots-for combat.  Snow boots-for snow.  Hiking boots-for hiking.  The list goes on and on.  Why then are young girls wearing giant rubber boots all over the place.  Are they going wading in a pond.  Maybe fishing.  I used to wear giant rubber boots to clean the pig pen. I don't think that is the case though.  And what about the giant fuzzy boots (UGG).  Those boots look like the same ones worn by antarctic explorers and eskimos.  Rule should be-If your boots look like they are made for driving a sled dog you can't wear them in a shopping mall.

Number 3- Men's Skinny Jeans
 I don't really feel like I have to explain this one.  Seeing men walking around looking like they couldn't find pants that fit so they borrowed their little brothers is not cool.  They need to go away.  I think I looked more manly when I had to wear tights for a play in middle school.

So these are a few fashion tips from me.  Honorable mention goes to women and girls with writing on the rear of your pants.  The only thing a word in that place is going to do is make people stare at you which is not the way to go through life.

Justin Bieber Hair

Luke approached me this evening after his shower to ask if I would comb his hair like Justin Bieber.  This is new territory for The Smead Family.  This is the first time one of our children has taken such a liking to a "superstar."  I obliged him and combed it that way but it really isn't long enough.  He then put on his vest and beaded necklace so that he could be sure to dress the part.  Here is the result of our "Bieber Fever."

As The World Turns

As the world turns and people go about their daily lives I can't help but consider the wonderful place that is Michigan this week.  Wonderful because well it always is but especially this week if you are a sports fan.  This past Monday the Lions won to go 5-0 for the first time since 1956.  That is before the first Super Bowl and well before any of the current players were born.  The Lions hosted the Bears on Monday Night Football for the first time in 10 years.  What makes this week wonderful is that they are home against the 49ers this coming Sunday too.

I just got done watching the Tigers win game three of the ALCS.  With the win that means that three games will be played in Detroit over the course of the next week.

Last but not least we arrive at the college football scene.  This week also brings us Michigan vs. Michigan State.  As a fan of the good school I look forward to this and have since childhood.  As a young boy my siblings and I actually were forced to wear green for the family picture one year. This upset us because that was Michigan States color and we hated them.  Even though Marlene likes green I don't hold that against her.

So this week as the leaves change I miss Michigan.  I would love to sit with a cold Vernors and watch my hometown teams on the biggest stage.

Ocean City Vacation

We took a mini vacation with our dear friends to Ocean City.  It was a great weekend together!  We visited Assateague Island where we waded in the VERY cold water and saw wild horses.

We spent a nice day on the beach.

We fed our children to Jaws...

Then we finished out the weekend at Fish Tales Restaurant...

We had a great time!

2011-2012 Curriculum

Kindergarten~Age 5

Calendar Time
English: ABeka Phonics and Zaner-Bloser Handwriting
Math: ABeka Math K
Social Studies: ABeka Social Studies K and Sonlight Core A
Bible: Sonlight Core A and Window on the World
Science:  ABeka  Science K
Music: ABeka Music K
Art: ABeka Art and Readiness Skills
Health: Included in ABeka Science and Social Studies
Physical Education: Co-op
Foreign Language: Spanish at Co-op

Preschool~Age 3

Calendar Time
ABeka Letters and Sounds, Numbers and Skills, and Arts & Crafts
Rod and Staff Preschool Activity Books
Before Five in a Row
Sonlight P3/4
Various hands on activities reserved only for school time

Homeschooling "For Real"

This year marks the first year of "official homeschooling" for our family.  We have homeschooled Luke "unofficially" for preschool for the past two years.  We decided to take the plunge this fall and do the "real thing."  So far, things are going better than I could have hoped.  What an answer to prayer!

Eli is following in big brother's footsteps and beginning preschool this year too.