January Sky Watch

Look what we saw in the early evening sky this week!

My son and I were so lucky to be able to see both Jupiter and Venus shortly after dark.

Jupiter is in the upper left highlighted in yellow and Venus is below the moon on the right, in the red triangle. 

This time I even remembered to get my camera (yeah mom!).

To join in the fun, go to EarthSky and see what to look for

each night of the year. If you blink you'll miss them, don't wait!

Spring is Coming Soon

With Spring comes Easter!

So I've started my spring crafting early with these pretty little Easter Egg ornaments. They came out so cheery and sweet, I think I'm going to make some more in different colors. You can see more ornaments and crafts for sale in my Etsy shop.

Life of Fred, Our Favorite Math Books

My son has always had a knack for math. He enjoys patterns and geometry. When he began learning math, everything was new and exciting and then we hit a wall. All of a sudden the textbooks wanted him to do pages of the same problems, just using different formulas to arrive at the same answer. He didn't get it, didn't even want to understand it. He knew how to solve the problem, so why did they want him to waste time doing it ten different ways?  I know how he felt. I was the same way in school. If I arrived at the correct answer, why did it matter how I got there?

Then one day while I was reading posts in a gifted forum, I noticed many references to "The Life of Fred" math books.  I purchased the first one in the series at the time "Fractions". I read the 1st chapter and was intrigued. The best way I can describe them is as an interactive literary math journey.
My son who was six at the time, read it in bed over three days. He loved it! He read it again and again.

I have since ordered three more books including two from the new elementary series that was just completed. Now, I must tell you, these are not ordinary math books and what they have become in my son's world are so much more. They are a continuing story that points out the use of math in daily living and asks the reader to participate along the way. At the end of chapters, are problems for the reader to solve.

Included in the story are also many other facts relating to literature, history and science. Reading these books have sparked my son's interest in so many other areas! Most recently in writing. Currently he has begun writing his own book (adapting Fred's style) typing on the computer. He now has five pages complete. This from a boy who until now, would spend an hour or more writing three sentences!
Needless to say, I'm thrilled.

The best part, is that the series will carrying him through college level math. I'm sure we will do other things along the way, but I know that these books will always be good for when boredom and burnout sets in. The author does have biblical references occasionally but as a secular home educator, I did not find them to be an issue. So if you have a child who is bored with pages of problems and who likes to read, I highly recommend "Life of Fred"!

*This is not a paid review. I purchased the books myself. Just sharing great ideas!

Sweetheart Pins.

New in my Etsy shop, sweetheart pins for Valentine's Day!

Here We Go

So it's 2012. How, when or why it happened, I don't know.  The New Year completely caught me off guard and now I feel like gasping for air and begging for part of 2011 back again. I wasn't finished with it yet, I didn't end it on a high note or any note. It's just gone.

I want so much to believe that 2012 will be a better year for everyone, but my gut tells me I'll be clawing my way through it as well. Between the economy, the election year and personal family health troubles brewing, I think most of the country, like myself, will still be struggling to keep our heads above water.

My son and I will start world history study this year, with the nomads up first. Perhaps their trials and travels will inspire me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I'll also keep creating things to sell in my Etsy shop and hope my pet sitting clients are still traveling and in need of my services.

Florida is suppose to get the coldest weather so far this winter tonight, maybe even freezing and that always cheers me up and makes me more creative. I know, you guys up north think I'm crazy, but I find it hard to do crafty things when it's eighty plus degrees out. Valentine's Day and Easter are coming soon, so I better get to it!  Wishing you all the best 2012 you can have, and that we all survive it.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Hope all your dreams come true and your day is filled with joy.

A Tour of The Christmas Tree