We've been busy learning "outside the box"

Like many homeschooling families, we don't just study a text book.  In fact, this year, we have NO text books as we are using computer based SOS.  Having our core subjects on the computer has its advantages--first, if we are away from home, it is much simpler to take a laptop vs 7 text books, and second, the girls are getting keyboarding and typing experience.

 We also use other resources for our schooling, such as scouts, youth group, volunteer work and 4H to name a few.  Last weekend, Rebecca and I went to Stewart MO for her to compete in the state .22 shoot which she and her fellow county 4H team had qualified for.  It was a huge event, and I do mean huge.  60 kids at a time shot their .22 on the range, and there were several sets to go through.  Meanwhile, other areas of the range had trap shooting, archery, pistol, hunting skills, air rifle....all going on at the same time.  Some kids were involved in several different activities. 

She shot the 4P (positions) which are standing, sitting, kneeling and prone.

The white boxes ahead are their targets.  She was number 23

Thru 4H and my husband, she has learned gun safety and maintenance as well as shooting.  She is now my snake shooter here on the farm.  Snakes can be a real problem when you have chickens and rabbits.

 I was impressed with the kids, their skills and their behavior.  I think I also lost some weight that day!  1/4 mile walk from where we parked to the club house, then a 1 mile hike to where she had to register to shoot.  Many families took wagons to haul all their guns and gear in, however, no wagon will fit in my little car, which isn't much bigger than a wagon!  It was chilly and overcast, but the rain held off until after we were finished.  We should get the results in a week or so as to how she and her team did.  I am confident that if she had to hunt for her own food, she could do it.

Meanwhile, my one publicschooler, Emily, was also learning outside of the classroom.  I pulled her out of school for 2 days so she could take an online class and a 2 day workshop and testing for the American Heart Association.  She passed with flying colors, and is now one of the  youngest (16) American Heart Association Instructors.  She can teach various CPR levels, all the first aid classes, blood-borne pathogens and more.  She can teach her own classes or assist me when I have a large class that requires a second instructor.  The instructor workshop is one that many adults do NOT pass, so I am proud of her.  

More camp

Sunday, Emily leaves for "Deeper Life" at Mission Lake Christian Camp.  The twins leave for a week of scout camp.  Emily will be a camper, but the twins will be helpers.  Emily will be gone all week, but the twins only spend every other night at camp, as it is actually day camp that they are helping with (spending the night every other night is just for the teen helpers).  I'll probably get confused, and pick up the wrong kid at the wrong place on the wrong day....  This is probably a test and I will fail at it....

We passed the second phase of 4H for the year. (Phase 1 was contest day in March).  Last Sunday we had the first shooting sports contest, and the girls turned in their projects.  I think this year we have 2 or 3 projects going to the state fair and or interstate fair, in addition to Emily doing her speech at state.  2 of the girls are also on the state archery team, and one is an alternate for the BB team.  Next, we have the small animal show.  That is always interesting, taking a vehicle full of cats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and what nots to the fair.......2 years ago a chicken got loose, and last year a cat broke out...Hopefully this year we will not have any escapees....(yeah, dream on..something WILL get loose...)

As for our homeschooling (we go year around) the girls have been working some on math, in the garden, and on science and reading.  We are combining our reading, language and history, as I have the girls reading true historical books, then writing a book report on them.  I am splitting the time between the 3 subjects and the grade.

The garden continues to grow.  I think Duke has finally figured out to leave my garlic alone (the lab was pulling it up as fast as I was replanting it.  He wouldn't eat it, just kept pulling up the plants then leaving them).  I have been very impressed with the raised beds.  Today I found some more herbs on clearance, so will get them in the ground tomorrow.  I am watching kids tomorrow (in split shifts) and one of them loves to "help" plant in the garden.  If only kids continued to "love to help" when they are teens the way they do when they are 2 or 3 years old!

I've been spending a lot of time this week working on my new business--rearranging my outlines some and buying some more equipment.  I've had real good luck on ebay this week--found a couple of CPR manikins for $40 that are in new condition.  The same ones in the catalog are now $87.  So, got 2 for less than the price of one, and free shipping.  Next year Emily will be old enough to take the instructor class as well, then we will have another one to help teach.   That will also give her some business experience, as well as the science and health she will learn while doing it.  I also started a second site, for my new business, http://qualitycprandsafety.blogspot.com.  Take a peek and let me know what you think of it.   Since I am doing my own scheduling, this will work out great with homeschooling.  I can schedule what classes I teach around or homeschooling or vice versa.  My goal is to work my way up to about 12-15 hours of teaching a week.  It does seem though, to come in spurts, but that is mainly due to word of mouth after a class.

We all passed!

I am very proud of my girls. Tonight the family went to training to learn CPR and AED for first responders. I was rather familiar with it, as many years ago I was an instructor for the American Red Cross. It has changed since then. It is much simpler now, and less to remember. JD did not need to take it, as he just took it again a couple weeks ago at work (plus, his card from taking it during his EMT class is also still valid..). Tonights class was through the American Heart Association.

It was however, the girls first time to take the class. Emily (who is a cadet at the fire department) did very well, and earned her advanced card.

The twins being younger (and are not yet cadets, but would like to be in the future), earned their basic CPR and AED. Since JD did not need to take the class, he worked with them during the class and they did very well.

All they girls were able to properly demonstrate for an infant, child and adult.

All 3 girls will be getting 4 hours credit in Science (health) for homeschooling, as well as being able to use in Girl Scouts.

Needless to say, I am very proud of them all. Many adults have not taken and earned their card, let alone 11 and 13 year old kids. I encourage everyone to go and take the class. It saves lives!