Cousin Camp 2015: On the Pond

I promise my intentions to post more pictures have been good.

There has been so much going on!

This time around I want to share some of the beautiful pics Mom took of our adventures on the pond.

There are actually 2 ponds on The Farm. The one in the pasture is residence for frogs and a few hot cows (ew). The one closest to the house (pictured above) is quite lovely.

Even in the driest of summers it has still kept a level of water just right for fishing. It is filled with frogs, turtles, variety of fish and all manner of flora and fauna.

The rains that we've experienced lately has left the The Pond full to the brim.

We hadn't even begun Cousin Camp before The Cousins were begging to take their first turn about the pond in the rubber boats my parents keep for such the occasion.

We let them lose the first night after supper. It was a lovely clear evening. The frogs had just begun their song.

The rubber boats have seen better days. We sent Josiah into the pond in one of the, well...less sturdy boats. He happens to be an excellent swimmer and we knew that he would survive if suddenly plunged into the murky depths.

Yup. I'm that mom.

It wasn't too long before we realized that this boat wasn't going to float.

I'm just sayin.' Any water apparatus that can bend in the middle is probably not a safe place for 6-year-olds.

Thankfully, this boat wasn't going anywhere.

Maddy (who celebrated her 11th birthday that week) informed me that she was older and could now operate and paddle a boat on her own. I didn't want to tell her that the reason she hadn't been allowed to operate a boat before now had nothing to do with her age.

She's just Maddy. She spent 5 minutes paddling around in circles.

Her cousin, Cade, had to finally rescue her. I don't believe she asked to paddle her own again.

I'm the king of the world! Or at least this pond.

Raft wars?

It was just a peaceful evening. I have to say that the little one in the back of the boat (Brynn - age 10) actually had strep throat. However, we didn't know she had strep throat until the next day.  She was a trooper.

Easy living.

Eventually the crew got tired of waiting around for their turn to paddle about in the boats and jumped in.

 

 Josiah showed Alex the backstroke. Kinda. He did more showing out that anything.

 

Not sure what the hand is raised for. Alex is our world changer. She is probably asking if the pond is ecological sound.

 

 It was a nice evening for all.

With a lovely moon...

And even lovelier faces...

The kids spent lots of time in the pond. Ama (my mom) even got in as much as she could. My sister-in-law got these pics.

She did have to be pulled to shore. I think the next item on Dad's list of "To Build" is a dock.

It's these kind of experiences that they will remember. I'm glad.

I have more pictures to post! Just not tonight....

A TOS Review: Homeschool Planet

You might have heard that I am not the most organized girl in the world. That would be true.

Most of the time, I wander about my day looking as if I can’t quite remember something. Which I probably have.  However, let it be known that I am a Master Planner. I can plan a party down to the last toothpick.

My issues with Homeschool Planning is that….it’s at home. Frankly, I didn’t have this kind of trouble in my own classroom. At home I get so distracted. I also have really good starts and not so good finishes.

Another problem is that I like things to look pretty. Which is probably while I tend to favor paper planners. I can doodle and scrap to my heart’s content. I also like to have carry it around with me to swim team practice and whatnot.

I’ve tried several online planners. Some with more successes than others. I recently had a chance to review Homeschool Planet. It is an online planner from the folks at Homeschool Buyers Co-op.

 

Homeschool Planet  is an online scheduler, planner and calendar. There are more moving parts that I can’t possibly describe it all.

Right now I want to let you know my experience and what stuck out at me.

We are currently in a little bit of a lazy summer. There presently isn't a whole lot to schedule. Other than Swim Team practice (Josiah) and plenty of reading (me).

I decided to go ahead and start planning for fall. I was able to specify what day I wanted to start and then finish.  We generally have a 4 day school week because of my husband's work week.  The program allowed me to check the boxes I needed. There is also a handy tool that added any holidays. I could also go in and manually check off any days off.

Under the Subjects tab I was able to go in a set up our course work. There was even an option to specify which subjects are core.

I was able to choose how I wanted to track Josiah's hours.

I doubt that many of you will be has happy as I was when I discovered that I could change the theme of the planner. I picked something blue and peaceful!

Now that I had something I liked to look at it was now time to set up Josiah's information.

I started by scheduling in his Swim Team Practices. It allowed me to even pick a identifying color. I was able to plug time and how long the practice lasts. It keeps track and adds them to Josiah's school hours.

I then begin to start planning Josiah's subjects for the fall. This is the screen shot of his science assignments. One of my very favorite parts is that I can add website information, extra assignments, pdf files and more! I included a website in this particular block of assignments that Josiah can explore.

I also have the option to send Josiah's assignments to him via email.

If you are like me there will be days that "stuff" just doesn't get done. Homeschool Planet has a reschedule. You can just move an assignment where you want it to go!

This obviously isn't my screen shot. Who are all those people? I'm just using it for show and tell.

Another favorite. You can add a resources. No more trying to remember that one site. You know. That one. I am in love.

 

 

Here is a look at the calendar in all its glory. You can see that it is very well done.

 



 

There are so many neat bells and whistles. There is a widget for a shopping list and a widget that allows you to plug in a daily Bible verse or quote.

So here in the bottom line. This is a fantastic planner. I have decided I can have the best of both worlds. I am going to do my best to take advantage of this great planner. I can have my small paper planner to carry around with me so I can appease my doodle beast.

There is a 30-Day Free Trail available for Homeschool Planet. Go check it out!

You can connect with Homeschool Planet via the following social media outlets. Click on the banner to read more reviews.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolbuyers
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hsbuyerscoop
Google+: https://plus.google.com/112069021534542740249/about




 

Cousin Camp 2015: We've Been Framed!

Generally, I post our Cousin Camp adventures by days.

I'm not going to do that this time around. I've been going through the pictures and I'm all confused.

I can't remember when we did what.

I'm still catching up on that nap...

Today I want to share just a few of the pictures from our Dress-Up photo shoot.

My Mom, as usual, worked her picture taking magic. She took all the pictures from Cousin Camp this time around. Except for the ones that I posted on Facebook from my camera phone.

For Cousin Camp this year (Mystery at Raccoon Manor), everyone had been assigned a different character and they got to dress up from an assortment of goodies we had gathered.

Mostly, we found the dresses at a Thrift Store (with the exception of a few of Mom's rather sparkly ones). The girls made their own headpieces from bits and pieces I had assembled and we ordered the boys hats and bow ties. The boys jackets came from some tuxedo suits that a friend gave me. We did have boas that I had purchased from Hobby Lobby. I think one I found at a Thrift Store.

I tried to talk the boys into dressing up their outfits with a few feathers....nobody paid me any attention.

We had trouble talking Cade (age 13-on the right) to dress up as anything. Don't worry. I was perfectly content with letting him pose in his OU t-shirt and Basketball shorts. He eventually decided that he could manage throwing on a pair of jeans, turning his t-shirt inside and out and putting on the hat. You can see that nobody else had the same kind of reservations.

The Group. We do have just a few posers in the bunch.

I mean. Really.

We could probably take this bunch on the road. As what. I'm not sure.

The girls. They were all over this. Mom had them stand over in Dad's metal gathering spot. He is going to take that stuff to the scrapyard. That's why we can see what looks like random refrigerator shelves. It takes talent to look classy amongst scrap metal.

They were told to make pouty faces. I'm sure their parents recognize these particular expressions.

More poutiness. Just a note about the bird perching on Maddy's head. (left) I found that in the clearance wedding stuff at Hobby Lobby. We attached it to one of those stretchy headbands I found at a dollar jewelry store in Branson. I was pretty sure that either Maddy or Payge (age 6) would think the bird was awesome.

This is one of my favorite pics. Just coolness.

Is this a group or what? By the way. The stuffed lion you see in Alex's possession (middle) is her prop. Her character (Miss Prentiss Nightingale) ran off to join the circus. She is a lion tamer.

Just a little advice on wrangling up costumes. Just in case you ever have the need to dress your children, nieces and nephews up for a mystery party photo shoot at a farm way out in the boonies of Missouri.

1. Check to see what you have first.
2. Never spend too much on a costume. Search the Thrift Stores or ask a friend.
3. Sometimes you just might need the hint of something. I made pirate tutus last year for Cousin Camp. Obviously for the girls. They were still talking about them this year. We all know that lady pirates didn't wear tutus. But we added some black leggings, party hats and attitude. It worked.

4. We let the kids dress themselves for this photo shoot. We just laid everything out and they got to pick out their own outfits. It was fun to see how everyone interpreted  their own character.

I would give some advice on taking pictures, but that isn't my department.

Just don't drop your camera in the pond and try and aim for your subject.

That's all I got. Not that I've dropped my camera in the pond.

I couldn't find my camera for most of the week. Actually. I still can't find my camera.

I'll share some more of Cousin Camp pics soon.

A TOS Review: Prasso Ministries

 

It is becoming increasingly important for me to help Josiah establish a healthy devotional life. Both my husband and I place the study of God’s Word in the highest priority. Beyond that, I am also lead a Bible study group for our teens at our church. I am always looking for a study truly focuses on discipleship.

This summer, I was blessed with the opportunity from Prasso Ministries to review the Teen Prasso Teacher's Manual and Homework Manual.

The lessons are intended to encourage teens in their faith. We all know that we live in a world full of distractions and a culture counter to what God says in His Word. Not only must we challenge our kids with His truth, but we also must teach them how to apply it in their days to day lives.

You can use the study a couple of different ways. It can be used at home or in a group. It is a good fit for homeschoolers, as well.

 

 

The Teen Prasso Teacher’s Manual is comprised of 13 weekly teaching lessons. A Key Verse is introduced along with a Message Goal. For example, the key verse in Lesson 1 is Proverbs 4:25-26.

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

Ponder the path of your feet;  then all your ways will be sure.

The Message Goal is “help students understand that starting on the right path and staying on the path will lead their life in all the right directions.”

A story involving two brothers (Brandon and Derek) is introduced at this time. They are attempting a hike through a remote area of the Rocky Mountains.

The Message part of the lesson is scripted out and makes it easy for the leader to keep to the point.  The Message is also interwoven in between certain sections of the story. I found this was really affective for my group. I could address key points without having to backtrack.

The Teacher’s Manual is well done. There are some really helpful tips for leading good discussions. I know that many of us have lead a discussion with a group of teens and asked what we felt were thoughtful and (possibly) life changing questions. Only to be met with….crickets.

One of my favorite part of the manual is a list of suggestions on how to deal with a diverse group. For example, anybody familiar with The Debater? Those are the students whose seem to just want to argue with every point. The authors remind us that we are in control and ultimately we just need to move on. Some debate is healthy. We all know when it isn’t.

I don’t have trouble with that in my house. My son is more of The Daydreamer. “What? We weren’t talking about football?”

The Teacher’s Manual also has a teaching outline available. This is certainly helpful if you do use this study in a group.

 

 

The Homework Manual is used right along with the Weekly Lessons from the Teacher’s Manual…only there are daily devotions to go right along with the lesson.

Let’s say that on a Monday we read through Week 8’s lesson on Anger. The accompanying group discussion questions is at the back of Chapter 7 of the student journal. (Not to worry…all of it is laid out for you in the Teacher’s Manual..its easy peasy to follow).

However, every day that week there are a set of activities for the student to all pertaining to Anger. The activities include everything from copying out scripture, answering specific questions about scripture and doing some real soul searching.

I love, love this Homework Manual. I found that it got right to the heart of the matter. I love that there is so much Scripture to read and to write.

Obviously, if you are using this in its entirety for a group you will need a copy for each child. I used it both at home and at church. I only had one copy of the Student Journal. I just verbally touched on some of the key points and used the discussion questions in the back when using it with the church group.

I am perfectly okay with Josiah having to double dip at home and at church. It’s good for him!

The Homework Manual is cleverly illustrated and has a nice layout. My only complaint is that the font was just a bit difficult for my dyslexic boy.  It wasn’t impossible and I did the majority of the reading anyway.

A few final thoughts…

I understand what kind of time and effort goes into writing a study like this. My husband and I have written several children, teen and adult discipleship studies in our time as pastors. I found this one to be very well done. I feel that it hits on some major issues that teens struggle with daily. In fact, I have been blessed personally.

I love the daily study aspect. It is important to keep the Word in hearts daily. We’ve also been able to have some great discussions that had nothing to do with football!

We are going to continue using it at church. We’ve had a few weeks of special events and extra things going on. I look forward to getting back to our study.

 

 

 

 

 

You can connect with Prasso  Ministries via Facebook.  Click on the banner to read more reviews.

 

Cousin Camp: Mystery at Raccoon Manor - The Hangover

Strep Throat and Asthma and Rain...Oh my!

All of those things made an appearance at Cousin Camp in one form or another this year.

This year was not my most prepared by any means. I was still recovering from vacation (only Americans have to 'recover' from Vacation) and company and general "blahness."

Let me assure any doubters that pulling off a week like this takes WORK. This next year, mom and I have decided to start in January.

At present, I am sitting in my favorite corner of my couch. I am blurry-eyed and suffering from some sort of strange rash. I just assigned some math work for Josiah. He looked at me like I was asking him to identify an ancient relic from the forbidden planet. "What is this MATH of which you speak?"

Despite my cousin camp hangover (brought on my too much fun and coffee), I want to take the time this week and share some of our adventures.

At the end of cousin camp my mom handed me a disc with 857 pictures on it.

These aren't including the pictures I took on my phone everyday and posted to Facebook. I wanted to assure my siblings and their spouses that their children were having a good time and had not been eaten up by the pond monster or captures by aliens.

I won't share all the pictures.

Frankly, I am surprised I am able to type at this point.

Our theme this year was "Mystery at Raccoon Manor." We decided to give it a 1920's vibe. I created character for all the kids and searched the internet for period photographs that my Mom could use in Photoshop.

Here is the story.

Lady Prunella Tambling Goggin, an eccentric aristocrat, has built up her family fortune by investing in odd and unique formulas and notions. She has recently discovered the invention for the Amazing Growth Serum…a magical formula garunteed to make you taller and help hair grow back She  suspiciously went missing while she was writing her will. All of her relatives and friends of her estate are suspects to her disappearance. All of the suspects are invited to her estate (Raccoon Manor) to prove their innocence, find out who is responsible for Prunella’s disappearance, and discover to whom Prunella left her fortune.

 

I was Lady Prunella. We made a short video.  It was a hit.  Payge (age 6) wanted to watch it every day.

 

 

I had a good time with Josiah's (age 13) character.

 

Dr.Jones Looneydig is an archeaologist who, unfortunately, has made some controversial claims; including the bizarre theory that Darth Vader actually played for the Minnesota Vikings. He wants Lady Prunella to fund his next archaeological dig. He hopes to prove that King Tut was, in fact, Lando Calrissian. His appeal for more money hasn't gone well.


I even created a newspaper containing clues.

I have just a few issues. Haha! Issues. We can go so many different directions with that one.

Over the next couple of days I want to share our adventure....in between doctors visits and swim meets.  I really just need a good week of long and productive naps.