Some things are worth paying for.

About 6 months ago, Jason and I read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  It's a great book, I highly recommend it.  Since reading it, we have been on the lookout for ways to cut spending.  We have a hypo-allergenic, non-shedding dog.  Sounds wonderful doesn't it?  We love it but there is one drawback.  She needs a hair-cut every 6 weeks or so (I can stretch it longer) and it's over $50 every time.  I decided I HAD to learn how to do it myself.  A friend came over a few months ago to show me what to do and it didn't seem too bad.  Still, I've procrastinated doing it myself.  Every time a haircut has been needed, I've gone ahead and paid for it....until today.  My dog desperately needed a haircut and I needed to put the money elsewhere so I set out to do it myself.  Dog grooming is a long process.  First comes the bath (I don't mind that part), then comes the blow-dry and brush (that part is okay too), then comes the cutting.  I couldn't exactly remember what my friend showed me since it has been so long.  I just started clipping and cutting.  The poor dog seemed to hate every minute of it and I didn't like it much either.  By the end, I was exhausted and covered in dog-hair (sort of negates the benefits of a non-shedding dog); my bathroom was also covered in dog hair, and the poor dog was bleeding a little on the stomach where I had somehow nicked her.  I felt terrible.  How does she look after all that?  She looks like she is going to need another hair-cut in about a week!  Next time, I don't care what I have to give up, I'm taking that dog to the groomer! :)

Education Choices

I haven't updated for awhile. I have so many things I want to write about but I haven't found time to write about any of them.  The past few weeks have been full of study and research for me as I gear up for the next school year. I've attended several education conferences and classes trying to learn all I can. This will be my 5th year homeschooling and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to help my kids (and myself) get a great education. I've been reading a lot about classical education based on the trivium model; it fascinates me as it is very different from the modern way of educating (read wiki article here). I've been reading Leigh Bortins book "The Core" which explains classical education in a way I can actually understand and makes me want to try it.  Classical education appeals to me in many ways but I'm still trying to decide how much I want to follow it.  I've been consumed with making curriculum decisions for next year.  This is always fun yet overwhelming.  I love reading what curriculum other homeschoolers use so I'm posting my curriculum choices for all my homeschooling friends out there.

Math
Teaching Textbooks (our main text)
Critical Thinking Activities and Patterns
Math for Smarty Pants
Math-It

Writing
Institute for Excellence in Writing (this is an amazing program)

Grammar
Easy Grammar for Hunter
Essentials of the English Language for Kayla

Spelling
Spelling Plus --Maybe...I tend to abandon spelling after a few months.  Maybe this year will be different.

History
Story of the World, Volume 3: Early Modern Times--We use this as the text for our History Club.

Foreign Language
Rosetta Stone Spanish
Getting Started with Latin
This will be my first year trying to add  foreign languages to our studies.  I can't promise it's going to work out, I never seem to have enough time to do everything I want to do.  Jason is SO excited that I'm finally going to give Rosetta Stone Spanish a try.  He bought it a couple years ago.

Fine Arts/Music
Themes to Remember
Discovering Great Artists
Drawing with Children
Piano lessons for Kayla

Science
I don't know what we are going to use yet. In past years, we've participated in a co-op but we couldn't fit it in this year.

P.E.
Nothing formal right now unless you consider Ninja Warrior training formal! :)  Rope swinging is probably the main form of exercise my kids get.  After one season of soccer, we decided to put-off spending time and money on team sports for awhile.  The kids have fun playing baseball and basketball with Jason, not to mention the regular jumping jack competitions he challenges them to! :)

Group Classes
We LOVE getting together with friends for classes and clubs.  This is our group stuff this year:

History Club--We read our history text at home and then meet twice a month with friends to do activities based on the readings.  We rotate who hosts the club meetings and plans the activities.  Last year we studied the middle ages and the kids had a blast shooting arrows like Robin Hood and dressing up like knights to participate in a medieval tournament.

Variety Class--This is a class I started to force me to get to some subjects my kids enjoy that I wasn't finding time for.  Last year we focused on fine arts, music, geography, and some creative writing.  This year we may do things a little different, I'm still figuring it out.

Classical Conversations Essentials class--This will be new for Kayla this year.  It is a weekly class that focuses on English grammar, writing, and math.

How are we going to fit all of this in?  I have no idea, I'll get back to you on that one.  How am I going to afford all of this curriculum?  I'm still figuring that out, donations are accepted. :)

Although homeschooling is time-consuming and challenging, it is the most fulfilling thing I've ever done.  I truly love this lifestyle for our family.  Eventually I'll write about my homeschooling journey--how I went from thinking it was strange and crazy to actually deciding to do it myself--but that is another post for another day.

Ninja Warrior

I can't believe this is the first time I'm mentioning "Ninja Warrior" on my blog since it's such a big thing at my house.  Maybe it's because I don't have much to do with it.  Also, we didn't have any photos until today, only video footage.  Kayla took a public speaking class today and she had to write a presentation to share with the class along with a visual aid.  Jason snapped these photos when I wasn't around.  The basement is in an atrocious state but I'm posting the pictures anyway.  One of these days I'll put some video footage on here to show what Ninja Warrior is really like.  Here is Kayla's speech:

Hello everyone! My name is Kayla LaFroth and I would like to tell you about something neat we do in my basement called “Ninja Warrior.” This is my basement.  

 My dad has put up wood-structures, ropes, a castle, and more! At least twice a year we do something called Ninja Warrior. My dad got the inspiration for this from the Japanese show called Ninja Warrior! There are four stages of obstacle courses that you try to pass. Each stage gets harder as you go along. If you don’t pass a stage, you are eliminated.

There are obstacles such as the Cliffhanger, 

  

  the Swinging Bars, 

the Can Walk,

the Peg Board,

 and The Tarzan Swing.

We invite friends to come do it and only the best make it to the end. If you complete all 4 stages, you receive a medal and $20.00! My dad films us as we go through the stages and edits it into movies that we call seasons. We have done 5 seasons so far, each season getting harder than the last one. Doing this has helped to increase my strength, balance, and overall physical fitness. Ninja Warrior is challenging but also very fun. Maybe some of you could join us for Season 6!

Harpers Ferry

A few weeks ago we visited the historical town of Harpers Ferry, WV where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet.  This town changed hands between Confederate and Union forces 8 times during the civil war.  It is also the place where the abolitionist John Brown led a raid.  The kids love to visit this place, not because they are interested in the history, but because they love to play in the river and eat ice cream afterwards! :)  The river is full of goose droppings and it is a painful place to walk barefoot, but if you can get past that and remember to wear your water shoes (I'll be bringing mine next time), you should be fine! 

Learn more about Harpers Ferry here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Ferry,_West_Virginia

What a mess!

Have you ever accidently let a piece of paper slip into a load of wash? You open the washing machine and find tiny shreds of paper stuck on everything, it’s a royal pain. Well, today I did something a million times worse-- I somehow let a PULL-UP slip into my load of wash! The mess I found upon opening my washing machine is difficult to describe. A million—no, make that a billion—particles of super absorbent polymer all over everything. IT WAS A DISASTER!!!! I don't wish it upon anyone!

Book Review--Les Miserables

I just finished reading the unabridged version of Les Miserables, 1488 pages. I read an abridged version in college and thought it was absolutely wonderful. I imagined the unabridged version would only be more wonderful. This is what I expected when I began:

• To finish the book in less than a month and most likely in less than 2 weeks.
• To love, love, love it, as much as Jane Eyre if not more.
• To be moved and inspired.

 What was the reality?

• It took me almost 6 months to read. That sets a record for the longest amount of time it has taken me to read a classic.
• I loved parts of the book but I felt extremely irritated and annoyed at other parts.
• I was moved and inspired but not nearly as much as I expected and mostly because the feelings of irritation and annoyance heavily overshadowed the positive feelings.

What went wrong? How could I not love this book that is so beloved by so many people? The fact of the matter is, I do love the story. Jean Valjean is a character to remember and reflect on and try to be like. The story is a classic that everyone should read but please, READ AN ABRIDGED VERSION! It pains me to say that. This is the first time in my life I have recommended an abridged classic and I wish I didn’t feel that way but I do. As I read, I felt like I was pushing my way through thick forests of historical side notes and unnecessary diversions, trying to get back to the beautiful story, it was very frustrating. And I love history, I devour history books, I don’t know why it bothered me so much. As soon as I finished the book I went to the used book store to pick up an abridged version. Why? Because the story really is that good and I wanted to find a version that I could recommend to others. I was actually tempted to edit the book myself to make sure nothing important was missed. I so wanted to love this book but I didn't. (Big sigh).  Read this story, but try to read a version that is 900 pages or less.

I wrote this a couple weeks ago but never posted it.  I'm posting it now but adding that this book did affect me in a good way and I'm feeling its effects at the weeks wear on.  Every time I've been faced with the choice of doing the right thing even though it's hard and I don't want to do it, I've thought of Jean Valjean and it has inspired me to do the right thing, even when it's hard.  Wonderful story.

Mothers

I've been wanting to get on and post the happenings of the LaFroths lately but I just haven't found time to download photos and write the posts.  So, I'm just posting a clip to a little video I saw today and loved. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbYLKVgwztY

I love being a mom, I really do.  It is a dream come true.  Some days are hard, some days are exhausting, some hours are exhausting, and sometimes I feel that I just can't do all that I should be doing.  But...I wouldn't trade this life for anything.  There are wonderful days, wonderful hours, and priceless moments to treasure forever. 

More Stamping

I finally had my friends over for a card-making party. I say finally because I used to do this all the time when I was selling stamps and I meant to keep doing it when I stopped but this is the first time I've actually managed to do it. :) I meant to take pictures of the party but I was too busy stamping so I'm posting pictures of the cards we made instead.


First, the bird card. (Yes, I posted this previously, I’m modifying my post). I like this card because I almost created it. That means I didn’t exactly copy it. I used other cards for ideas and came up with a quasi original. I need more cards for men, I think this works.

Second, the car card. I saw a really cool car card on my friend’s blog: http://www.insteadoflaundry.blogspot.com/ and I HAD to buy the stamp set. My dad has spent years fixing up an old Ford and this was the perfect set to make his Father’s Day card with. I also wanted to make wedding cards with it because my Dad often drives the bride and groom off in his sweet vehicle with cans trailing behind.

This is a picture of my cute Dad with Ol’ Henry, it looks black in this photo but it is actually burgundy.

This is the same card modified to be a birthday card.

I made the next card at a friend’s Close to my Heart party and liked that I could also use it for boys so I decided to make it at my party too.

Of course I do love to make girly cards too!  This was my favorite card. You can’t see the crystal effects on the balloons in the picture but it looks snazzy in real life.

More girly cards:

It was a fun party and I want to do it again soon. I just don’t want to do all the prep work again soon! :)

Kayla begged to make all the cards with me the next day. We spent a few hours stamping together and had a great time.

Anyone need to buy a card? :)

Kayla & Hunter in the Ward Talent Show

American Girls in New York City

Kayla and Olivia at Times Square

Kayla and I started reading the American Girl books together when she was in Kindergarten. We started out by reading "Felicity" which was a great introduction to the Revolutionary War and the founding of our country. This series of books is so great for familiarizing children with different eras in US history--Revolutionary War, Civil War, The Great Depression, World War II, Pioneer times, etc. We have had so much fun doing history clubs based on these books. Initially, we weren't interested in the dolls but Kayla eventually wanted the dolls to remind her of her favorite characters. The dolls are expensive but thanks to Santa Claus and Oma, she has been able to collect 3 dolls over the years--Felicity, Elizabeth, and Kit. For several years she has wanted to visit the American Girl store in NYC and we were finally able to go this year for her 10th birthday. She chose to do this instead of having a birthday party with friends. We couldn't have done it without Oma's help, she gave us the train tickets. Kayla had to use her own money for all of her purchases--birthday money really came in handy. We were so happy that Kayla's close friend, Olivia, could join us for our special day.

Here is the report of our round-trip to New York in less than 24 hours:

3:30 a.m. Wake-up and drive to the train station in D.C.

4:30 a.m. Panic because we can't figure out where to park at the train station and our train is leaving at 5:00 a.m. Interesting note: We saw several rats running around the streets of D.C. at that time, a little unnerving I must say.

5:00 a.m. We make it on the train just in time (yes, we eventually figured out where to park).

8:30 a.m. Arrive in NYC. The store doesn't open until 10:00 a.m. so we eat breakfast at McDonalds and enjoy walking around the big city.

10:00 a.m. Enter the 4-story building and make our way to the 3rd floor to visit the doll hair salon. We've heard the lines can get pretty long so we sign-up right away and only have to wait a few minutes.

After the dolls are fixed up and looking beautiful, we head over to the photo studio where the girls have their pictures put on the cover of American Girl souvenir magazines.

The girls go window-shopping until lunch. They want to use their precious dollars wisely. They carefully plan where every dollar is going to go.

12:30 Birthday lunch in the fun cafe. The dolls have their own special chairs. We have fun reading the table talkers. I can't figure out how to turn the flash on my camera, it somehow got turned off and I can't rely on my usual automatic setting. Hence the poor quality of so many of our photos!

Everything about this place is adorable, even the bathroom!

4:00 Our shopping money is just about gone so we decide to leave the AG Store and enjoy NYC. One big problem--we are loaded with shopping bags.

We divvy up the bags and think we'll be okay. They aren't too heavy...until we walk about a mile, our hands really start to hurt! We think to ourselves..."If we can just make it to the famous Toys-R-Us we'll be okay. We can put our bags in the shopping carts once we arrive."

We finally make it to the biggest Toys-R-Us and discover, to our dismay, they don't have shopping carts. I guess they figure people are walking around NYC so they are only going to purchase what they can carry. I don't know but we were pretty disappointed, we were counting on some hand relief!

Fortunately, we are able to put our bags on a shelf while we ride the giant ferris wheel. There are all kinds of different ferris wheel cars--Scooby Doo, Princesses, Cabbage Patch kids, etc. The only car the girls don't want is the Jimmy Neutron/Spongebob car, of course that is the car they get! :)

5:30 p.m We are exhausted and ready to go home. Our train doesn't leave until 9:00. We take a taxi to the train station anyway, maybe we can hang out there for awhile. Guess what? Penn Station in NYC doesn't have ANY place to sit! We finally collapse on the ground but we quickly realize that isn't going to work for 3 hours. We check to see if we can change our train tickets. We can for about $300, uh...nope! We learn that we can store our packages for a small fee which we gladly pay. Freedom!

6:25 p.m. The girls are ready to go back to the AG store that closes at 7:00. We decide to take a taxi to save time but end up sitting in traffic. We bail out of the taxi and run to make it to the store just as it is about to close. While making our final purchases, we realize we have been robbed! Okay, well, that is what we thought at first. We actually just spent all our money without realizing it, I guess that can happen easily in NYC! :)

We use the remainder of our time to walk back to the train station, grabbing a bite to eat at Subway on our way.

9:00 We board the train to go back to D.C. The girls have a great little set-up on the way home.

They make a doll hair-salon on the train and I even put rollers in the doll's hair. My dreams of being a beautician are finally realized. :)

Eventually, the girls fall asleep.

12:30 a.m. We arrive in D.C. and make the final trek to the car with our purchases, those bags are really feeling heavy now. As I drive home exhausted, fighting to stay awake, I ask myself...was it worth it? Yes, definitely.

The next morning the girls set-up a doll hair salon in our kitchen using the cool new chairs, hair-kits, and aprons they bought. They actually didn't buy any new dolls, just doll stuff. These girls have so much fun together, we wish Livy still lived in our neighborhood.