Allergies~yuck.  Been struggling for the past week with them.  I sure hope it rains tonight and tomorrow to wash a bit of it out of here.


The kids did do some fun things this week.  Diamante poems for one thing.  Some creative writing, art, reading, etc.  Much more fun that just the regular grind of the last few weeks.


We're also just SO ready for Spring Break, which we'll take the week after Easter.


I promise to be more diligent about getting here and updating things.  Between March Madness Basketball, allergies, school, and life I've not been on the computer at night as much.


Workouts lately?  
Saturday, March 17~Balletone; Trudie Styler's Pure Sculpt Arms


Monday, March 19~Jessica Smith Ultimate Bootcamp, Total Body and Upper; Jessica's Lower Body workout from her 10 MS Special K DVD


Tuesday, March 20 ~Petra Kolber BREATHE Cardio


Wednesday, March 21~Ellen Barrett Power Fusion; Trudie Styler's Pure Sculpt Arms


Thursday, March 22~Petra Kolber's Elegant Strength (warm up, yoga for upper body and core, core, stretch); Kathy Smith Ageless Total Body Turnaround, Cardio Balance section


I've also been walking Tucker for a mile or so most days.

I wish you could see me doing my happy dance.  I'm so, so glad the weekend is here.


We had our first co-op after a two week break. Wes and Maddie have PE (Shorter actually lest us use Barron Stadium where they play football) and Skits/Improv together.  Then Maddie is taking Debate while Wes is in Foods/Show and Tell. It's funny that the youth wanted to do Show and Tell, lol.  Today they had to talk about their favorite toy as a child and bring a favorite food from childhood to share.  Next week they have to dress as a Super hero!


Tyler is finishing up his year of Astronomy.  He is also taking PE and Survival Skills.  


After all of that(I got up at 6am and exercised and then went out for my Bible Study with Wes before co-op at 9), I came home, ate lunch and CRASHED for a 30 minute nap. Then it was grocery shopping, dinner, and getting Wes off for a weekend Scout camping trip. Now I'm looking forward to more basketball and simply enjoying being home.  


One thing I've noticed is that when we get really busy, the fun things are the first things I drop with homeschooling.  We've been grinding it out with Algebra, Pre-Algebra and Math, and regular Science, History, etc.  But we've gotten away from fun projects. Next week I'm dedicating some time to do those things that make home learning unique and fun!


Workouts:  Thursday~Denise Austin Shape up and Shed Pounds (30 minutes of low impact; 20 minutes of stretching and body weight exercises)


Today~Ellen Barrett Tone Every Inch (30 minutes of resistance training using a resistance band and weights together and 5 minutes of light cardio as a warm up).

Yikes, I've not posted in a bit.  We've been busy this week for sure. Wes had an orthodontist appointment, Ty's been fighting a cold, we had piano, scouts, etc.  In between it all, we've been out as much as we can walking the dogs, enjoying the weather, and playing soccer with Tucker,  You read that right~Tucker LOVES to chase a slightly deflated soccer ball.  He also "dribbles" it with his paws~it's hilarious.


I had to teach Wednesday night Bible Study at church tonight so I've been working on that too.  I'm glad it's over for sure.  It was fun but I'm always tired after working on a project like that.


We start co-op again on Friday so plan to spend tomorrow getting the last bit of this weeks work done and then enjoying some March Madness Basketball.


Workouts!


Friday, March 10  Joy Bauer's Slimdown (cardio and weights)
Saturday, March 11  Ellen Barrett Zen Sculpt 


Monday, March 12  Jessica Smith 10 Pounds Down Total Body Tune Up (cardio and weights)
Tuesday, March 13  Petra Kolber BREATHE II (blend of cardio, yoga and tai chi)
Today  Ellen Barrett Yogini (yoga/pilates blend~body weight strength workout)

The inspection went well; the car battery is faulty but will be replaced for free; the sun was out and it was warm; and my family is all together.  My life is blessed.


Tomorrow the Maddie and Wes have a bowling activity with the homeschool teens in our HEART group.  Seems like a good way to kick off our weekend~spending time with others who love Jesus.


Today's workout:  Caribbean Workout Chi Ball workout(cardio); Crunch SuperSlimdown Pilates/Yoga blend.

This is just for my Dad. He wanted to see a picture of Tyler with "Green Machine" on the blog.  That's the Pinewood Derby car Tyler and Tom worked on and came in second place with!  You probably can't tell but the car is resting on a Pinewood Derby trophy display.

Happy Hump Day, as we used to say about Wednesdays.  Two work days down and two to go~at least for our school week.


Today we seemed to be stuck in a rut, just grinding it out.  I couldn't put my finger on it and then realized:  Parsonage Inspection. That yearly event is tomorrow afternoon so we have been picking up a bit more, cleaning a bit more, etc.  They don't come to check my housekeeping, lol, but it's a nice excuse to get some extra things done.


I took the kids to piano and we also have church tonight.  I'm looking forward to watching some basketball tourneys this week/weekend too!!


Today's workout:  Ellen Barrett Fusion Flow.  Deceptive strength workout using only body weight and I know I'll feel it tomorrow.

Not been into blogging the last few days, don't know why.  When I get like this I think it's good to just throw some praises out there.


1.  The kids and I have been doing a fabulous Lenten study for our Bible Study homeschool time.  It's called 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton.  It's been a blessing.


2.  Tyler has been doing some science experiments and been a bit more proactive with his work.


3.  Wes is in a new phase in his Algebra and is doing really, really well with it.


4.  Mary Madison is taking off more and more with her geography knowledge. She has said for years it's boring and she's "bad" at it but is now realizing its significance and her own abilities.


5.  The weather is warming up.


6.  I have wonderful, supportive homeschooling friends (online and in "real life").


7.  I just have wonderful, gifted, funny kids.  Not perfect or without flaws, but I love the young men and women they are becoming.



Monday's workout:  Jessica Smith's 10 Pounds Down Better Body Blast; dog walk 


Tuesday:  Ellen Barrett Barefoot Cardio

The rainy season continues. We had some pretty strong storms on Wednesday night and are having them tonight too.  I don't mind rain, but don't like the thunder and lightening.  Compared to the people in other states, I feel blessed.


Wes finished his math book today~he has 10 to get through in his packet to have completed Algebra. It's amazing how much better he's gotten at word problems, praise God.  


Tom and Tyler went to Astronomy today and then on a hike at Berry College.  They have a 2.7 mile hiking trail there that simulates the distances between the planets in the solar system.  The rest of the day was spent finishing up school work for the week and then Tom and Ty finished his car for the Scouts' Pinewood Derby tomorrow morning.


Wednesday's workout:  Slim Series Tone it Up


Thursday's workout:  Ellen Barrett Self Slim and Sleek Fast~warm up and ballet cardio; Chris Freytag 2 Week Turaround Cardio (low impact); 10 minutes yoga; dog walk




Today's workout:  LBN Strength training; Ellen Barrett Grace and Gusto for light cardio; 1 mile dog walk