Why One Should Refrain from Doing Science Experiments in Front of Young Children

Yesterday, after Catherine had finished her Science experiment, I asked her to clean up. As usual, she did so right away. A little while later, I heard some noises in the kitchen and assumed that someone had decided to help me with the dishes. However, when I heard giggling coming from the kitchen, I knew that this was not the case and that I needed to check what was happening. As I entered the kitchen, Patrick scampered out. Finnian remained standing on a stool, happily mixing water and food coloring in the clear bowl that his sister had used earlier. Needless to say, Finnian was not happy to see me bring an end to his Science experiment. As for Patrick, he was happy that I never found him in his typical place of refuge, on his sister's top bunk, hiding under her comforter. May God bless and watch over my boys!

Catholic Vote

Catholic Vote
HT: Totus Tuus Family and Catholic Homeschool

Continuing Our Impossible Challenge

When you outgrow the space in your home, sometimes the only option left is to grow up. With this in mind, my husband and a friend installed cabinets above a large desk and more cabinets in our kitchen this summer. I am thrilled as I finally have a place upstairs in which to store many of our learning materials.

Now, I need to focus on moving two of my children into a "new" bedroom; or maybe, I need to first focus on teaching them how to keep a bedroom clean.

Smart Martha Comes to Tacoma

Tami Kiser, Smart Martha, will give a seminar in Tacoma, WA on September 27 from 9:00 to 2:30. Smart Martha Seminars are designed for "busy mothers seeking to live out their vocation as God has called them in today's busy society. Smart Martha Seminars are the result of many years of studying the great home organizers of our time like the Fly Lady, the Side-Tracked Home Executives, the Messies, the Confessed Home Organizer, and many others. It is also the result of living the homemaker vocation seriously for over 20 years with 9 children in tow. The designer and presenter, Tami Kiser, is an author and speaker who resides in South Carolina with her husband, children and many pets."

Tami Kiser has been interviewed on Catholic radio and an article about her seminar appeared in the National Catholic Register.

Space is limited to 50 people, so please register soon if you would like to attend.

Please visit www.saintjosephhomeschool.com/newsletter.php for more information and to download a registration form.

August Read Alouds

Library Picture Books:
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman

Geography ~ Canada (CHC inspired):
O Canada by Ted Harrison shares interesting information about each of Canada's provinces. We enjoyed reading about the polar bears that visit a certain province each March.
A Prairie Boy's Winter by William Kurelek

After Lunch Read-Aloud:Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling (fits in with our study of Canada)

Nighttime Read-Aloud:Guns for General Washington by Seymour Reit (American History)
The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds (American History)

Sarah Palin's Acceptance Speech

Yeah! Go McCain!

It looks like Sarah Palin (the Governor of Alaska) is McCain's VP pick! If this is true, McCain has my vote!

Her youngest was recently born with Down Syndrome. Sarah Palin is truly incredible!

New Skirt Photos

As promised, below are photos of my eldest sewing and wearing her skirt. For some reason, I did not take photos of my second eldest. She will have to be the model when we make shorter, twirly skirts.

New Skirts

Thanks to Kimberlee's Girls Skirt Tutorial my two eldest have new skirts. However, due to the fact that I was feeling lazy, we made a couple of changes. First, we gathered the waist, instead of making pleats. Second, I did not measure the length or the width of the material and so the skirts are longer and narrower. Third, I only had double-fold bias tape on hand, so the waistbands are narrower. Both of my daughters were happy to wear their skirts to Mass yesterday. They are hoping to make two more skirts with my assistance in the near future.

Thank you, Kimberlee!