Celebrating Passover

 

This was a good meal. I had such a wonderful time preparing for Passover this year. The girls and I studied from Exodus and it was beautiful to talk about this miraculous story. We have the plagues down pat (the girls used play dough to mold a plague while I read to them) and then they brainstormed everything important we need to understand about the story. They came up with a really thoughtful list including these few, "Do things the first time you are told. Be humble, not hard hearted. Slavery is never good, fight for freedom."

 

I don't think I've ever had pure grape juice.... everyone loved it! I had found a script and added quite a bit to emphasize the connection to Christ and the Resurrection. The girls prepared the Charoset and did a great job reading along.

 

We watched The 10 Commandments... Maria was a little confused at first... why is he kissing his mom like that? Of course, it wasn't his mom. But it was good to compare it to the real story too and see that Hollywood tends to not get everything quite straight.

 

Oh how I love you Grumpy Cat.

Behold... Egyptian Kane Chronicles Obsession

 

We dedicated a wall, but it already is too small and we're branching out to the sides.

The girls wrote and typed these.

 

 

 

Anubis... can't wait to see if Sadie ends up with him or Walt. I vote Anubis.

Ombre. The kiddos did all the color mixing.

Sobek. He was actually in the 10 commandments with Charleston Heston. The kids were way excited they knew who the statue was!

 

Maria wanted her Pharaoh with glasses.

Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak!!!! The Sphinx.

 

 

We did a little study on organs in our bodies and made canopic clay jars. Almost done with the 3rd book!!!!!!!

Homeschool....Yup.

I've always believed in the public education system. I still do. One day I hope to teach in public schools.

However, with all the benefits of having a child in school, I've found we've run into a few hiccups.
My kids not being challenged enough, testing testing testing as opposed to learning, no more hands on learning, lots of worksheets.

Most of it, I can deal with. But one thing I can't deal with is being unfair.

If you are going to bombard my child with worksheets, then at least grade the content properly. Christina is an excellent reader, writer and excels in the language arts. She is highly creative, uses great vocabulary and has received numerous awards the past 2 years in the subject. Just because you might be looking for a certain answer, doesn't mean the answer she gave is wrong. She thinks outside of the box and I want to encourage that AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!! I loooooooooooove to hear her thoughts and take on matters because she comes up with splendid ideas.

Anyways, long story short. She got an 89.4% in her ELA grade (language arts) and the teacher wouldn't round her up. I asked her if she thought Christina was just an above average, B quality, student in the subject. The teacher didn't write me back for a month, when she did she didn't properly address me in the email- which is ironic seeing as how picky she is in grading and said quote "If students aren't happy with their grades they need to work harder and apply themselves more."

Can we all improve? Yes. Can we all try harder? Sure.

1. Christina was fine and couldn't care less about the grade. 2. I on the other hand was livid. Does not putting a # sign by her class number on her worksheet, being marked off a point with 4 points possible, make Christina not understand the content? 3. Does reading 300+ pages a month count for nothing? Actually is does count for nothing. Homework cannot be graded and the points go toward citizenship grade.

What is Christina supposed to work harder on? More worksheets? Her year writing folder had about 5 unfinished pieces in it. Her writing journal had about 5 total entries... in a WHOLE year almost. Let's be fair. If you want more, you have to have more to work on.

No art. Barely any science and when it is, it's not hands on. Done.

Don't get me wrong. We'll be back next year. But I'm HIGHLY looking forward to spending some quality learning time with Christina. The teacher was a very very very nice individual and Christina loved her. When I went to clear out her desk... awkward... understatement... the teacher was really sad. She was telling me what a brilliant little girl I have and how quickly she learns. Yes. I know.

One more problem though. We're not allowed to request teachers by name anymore. Our school is really annoying. Like beyond annoying.

Carson's 2nd Birthday!!

 

We had headed down to Sacramento to celebrate Carson's birthday! It was fun to have all the cousins together!!!

 

We enjoyed some great food and great company to match!! I was so proud of the girls too. They are such thoughtful little helpers. They watched kids, picked up trash, helped pass out cake and set up napkins. The make my heart sing. Elijah is right up there too. He didn't nap at all, all day... and yet he was just chillin'. Enjoying the cars, baseball bat and chips.

 

Carson and Eli. 

Maria and lil' Derek. Carson was in love with the girls. He kept on wanting to give them hugs. They were so excited to do so too! Eli loves his sisters, but he is not overly huggy with them. He likes his distance. So they were happy to have a baby to pamper with squeezes and kisses.

Our attempt to get all the kiddos. It was a wonderful weekend!! Although, I am done with driving the pass for a little bit! :)

Sacramento With Yaya and Papa

Yaya and Papa spoiled us with a trip to Sacramento. It was perfect. We started by having a picnic in Willam Land Park. Actually, it was the first time I was ever cold in Sacramento... but it was just because we were in the shade.

We even enjoyed a woodpecker sighting.

I love my girlies and I love their little friends that always accompany us on fun times!!

The girls were all about these photo opps.

 

Spring was definitely in the air. Gotta love California. It is the motherland.

 

Elijah loved the animals, but he really loved his dump truck ride.

Thank goodness for the extra set of arms!!

 

After Planet of the Apes I'll never look at them the same way.

The kids looooooooooved the carousel. It's so magical!! And this one played great music. I think it was Journey.

 

We ended the day with fun pool time... Hyatt House is the best hotel ever. So comfy, great breakfast with fresh omlettes.... and it's free!!! The pool is the perfect temp and never seems crowded. Plus, we're seconds away from The Old Spaghetti Factory and the Temple!!!