Outside of the Box

I've been homeschooling the boy going on three years. It’s been a rewarding experience and I would recommend that every parent, if the opportunity allows, should homeschool.
For Kindergarten, I used a reading program and printed things off of the internet from free websites. He started reading at four and now reads very well.
 For 1st grade, he's been using Calvert. Calvert is a curriculum that comes in a box with everything you will need for the school year. It covers all the core subjects along with Science and Social Studies. It's an excellent curriculum and I have seen the boy flourish since we've used it. I would recommend a boxed curriculum for new homeschoolers who aren't on solid footing and need extra guidance.
However, I have for a while now felt that this boxed curriculum isn't for us anymore. So we are going outside the box. I am officially ECLECTIC! And I Love it!

I have poured over my text choices and have decided on the following:
Singapore Math - Math
First Language Lessons - Grammar
Wordly Wise 3000 - Vocabulary
Writing with Ease - Writing
Spelling Power - Spelling
Explode the Code - Phonics
Noeo Chemistry 1 - Science
The Story of the World 1 - History, Geography and Literature
Drawing with Children - Art

We start using these this month.  I homeschool year round. If you've used any of these, feel free to leave a comment.

African Diaspora Reading Reading Challenge 2010

I happened upon this challenge by BrownGirl Speaks, and decided to participate.  I haven't been much of a reader in 2009. I used to love reading.  But like many other things, I allowed life to get in the way.  I'm hoping this will get me back into books again.

Here's the jist of it from BrownGirl Speaks:
The African diaspora speaks mainly to the dispersion of African descendants in the Americas and Europe due to the Atlantic slave trade…..So, for this challenge, books read will be by Black authors and set in Africa, North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean Islands, and Europe.

Now, for guidelines:
*This challenge will run from January 1, 2010-December 31, 2010
*Crossovers are allowed
*Fiction and nonfiction hard copies or e-books from any genre (no audio books)
*Participants should visit different geographical regions in their reading (i.e. not all African American or Afro-Brit or Haitian or any one group representing the diaspora)
*Levels of participation
Novice: commitment to read four (4) books
Versed: commitment to read eight (8) books
Scholar: commitment to read twelve (12) books

For more info, go to BrownGirl Speaks

I've decided to go in the Novice category. Only four books, i know.  But I want to start slow.  I hope to read more. 
These are my first two:
1.  White Teeth by Zadie Smith. It's been sitting on my bookshelf  for years.  I started reading it but never finished.
2.  If They Come in the Morning by Angela Davis.  I got this from my dad's collection after he passed away but never got to it.

Resolutions

I hate resolutions. So I won't make any.  Let's just say "Change will come."

How Does Your Garden Grow? part2

Remember this post back in August? Well it's finally update time! 
It was a rocky start to this garden.  My seedlings all died. So I just threw caution to the wind and planted all of the seeds in the bed.  As a result, many did not survive.  The insects got to many of them before they even had a chance to grow.

 I spent weeks reasearching an organic insecticide.  Finally, I decided to go with the soapy water mixture and some Neem.  Many people aren't familiar with this plant.  It's a tropical plant mainly grown in India and has many uses.  It's great for the skin and also has quite a few health benefits.  After some research, I found out that Neem is actually a great insecticide and also can boost garden soil!

Here in The Bahamas, on the island of Abaco, there is a company that grows and sells Neem products.  So I went to the local retailer and bought the Neem Seed Cake.  It's what's left over after the oils have been pressed out of the Neem seeds.

 I wrapped about 2tbs. of the cake in a piece of cloth and soaked it in a gallon of water overnight. I used this water to make my soapy water mixture.  My remaining plants just thrived!  It really works.  The bugs stopped attacking them.  BTW, it stinks to high heaven!

Here's what I've been able to grow so far.  I've just sown some additional seeds on the weekend.

Cantaloupe

Carrots

Cucumber

Lettuce

Beets

Tomato

Brocolli or is that Cabbage?.....

Leeks and Onions

Corn

I'm also growing watermelon, cauliflower, spinach, eggplant and sweet pepper. Hopefully my next update will include some actual vegetables!!

Working Outside Today

The weather here is perfect. It's a cool breezy day. Perfect for hanging clothes on the line and subtraction. So we decided to work outside today.

Long Time No Post

I know,it's been a while since I've posted anything here. I cannot say it's because things have been super busy and I just have so many projects that I cannot find the time. Nope, I won't lie. I just did not blog. I did have things to blog about but, just didn't bother. Sorry.

With that out of the way, my birthday is tomorrow. Yippee!!!! 35 and strong!! Remember a few weeks ago I talked about my weightloss goal for my birthday here? Well I've lost.......drumroll please.......ZERO pounds!!!!! Yeah....

It's okay. I still love myself. I have a good life. Loving husband, beautiful children, good friends and family. Things.....are....GOOD! and I thank my Heavenly Father for that. So COME ON 35 I'M READY!!!!

How Does Your Garden Grow? part1.

I've wanted a garden for a long time now. Years in fact. So ever since we've moved to Sapphire Ridge (about 2 months now) we've talked about setting up a garden. Finally, this weekend we did it!

I did some research on the Internet to find out where the best location is. All of them stated a spot that gets lots of sun. This was the perfect spot in the backyard. It actually gets more sun. This was taken in the early morning.

Next we got our materials. We decided that the bed would be 4x8 ft. Those are actually 8x10 ft. boards. We also got 4-4 ft. 2x4's. We have to fence in the bed because of the furry friend Roxy. She likes to dig.

Next, we got to digging. By we, I mean dear, strong husband. I did pick up and throw away the large stones, weeds debris etc.

After a lot of hard work, we ended up with this! I'm so excited!

Next, we had to add the posts and the chicken wire, to keep Roxy out. This is the finished product. See all the sun it gets. This was about midday....

The sides can actually open. I have 2 ft. of space to sit/kneel and work the soil. As long as Roxy doesn't jump on the wire, this should be sufficient.

Next, we have to prepare the soil. That'll come later.