Left to Tell - A Book You Won't Be Able to put Down

A friend recently recommended that I read this really good book called "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust." She had a copy and let me borrow it last week, and I finally began reading it today. Twelve chapters later, and I am totally amazed and awed by this woman. Her name is Immaculée Ilibagiza. Her story is one of love, faith, hope, fear, anguish, anger, survival and everything in between. She survived the Rwandan Holocaust, hence her book title "Left to Tell." How can I recommend a book that I haven't yet finished? Well, I don't think I need to finish it in order to recommend it. It's just that good. It has been hard to put down today. As I read, it's like I'm right there with her, feeling her suffering and frustrations. Even in the worst times, she turned to God. She prayed and prayed for hours, days, and months. There is much to be learned from her experience, one being that discrimination in any form cuts deep to the heart. If your looking for an intense, eye opening book to read this summer, this is the book for you. It might just change your life.

Midway Village Museum

On May 5th we visited Midway Village. It was our first time going, so it was interesting.

Here is a description taken right from their website:

"The museum is a Victorian Village (1890 to 1910) of 24 historical buildings filled with artifacts of the era as well as several beautiful 19th century gardens. Interpreters in authentic period dress are available seasonally for guided tours. The main museum building holds a number of permanent exhibits reflecting Rockford's history and culture that include The Girls of Summer: Rockford Peaches of the AAGPBL, Queen City of the Prairies: Rockford's First 20 Years and The Missing Link: Socks, Monkeys and Rockford's Industrial Past."

Every 15 minutes a bell rings, which signals when it's time to change stations. We visited a barn where we learned a dance. We also checked out the law, bank, church, blacksmith, and store buildings. It's a nice place to visit if you are studying this time period.


You can view photos of our day here.

Our Curriculum for 2009/10

Well, we are officially ready for our next school year. I have finally placed an order for the rest of our curriculum. I am so excited to start! During the summer, we will continue with spelling, reading, and some math. We usually start our school year with the cores sometime in July. I like starting early. It allows me to take breaks throughout the year without out feeling guilty. This is especially helpful for me since I've been going to college. When the semester starts to get rough and I need study time for myself, I can ease up on my teaching duties at home and not feel like I'm failing my kids.

Here's the line up-

Drake grade 6:

• Sonlight Core 5 (5 day schedule) Study of the East - includes History, Readers, & Read-Alouds
• Horizon's Math 5
• Growing With Grammar 5
• All About Spelling
• Wordsmith Apprentice
• Wordly Wise 3000 5
• Apologia Science Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day
• Handwriting Without Tears Cursive
• The DK Illustrated Family Bible
• Rosetta Stone Spanish

Ava grade 2:

• Sonlight Core 2 (5 day schedule) Study of the second half of world history. Fall of Rome to present- includes History, Readers, & Read-Alouds
• Horizon's Math 2
• Sonlight Language Arts 2
• Modern Curriculum Press Phonics Level C
• All About Spelling
• Explode the Code books 5/6
• Wordly Wise B
• Apologia Science Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day
• Handwriting Without Tears Printing
• The DK Illustrated Family Bible

Extras:

• Mark Kistler's Draw Squad
• Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry 1 (I just had to get this. It looks very informative. I'll be taking come chemistry classes next semester; why not study it with the kids too right?)
• Story Starters by Karen Andreola

Almond Milk

I recently learned of almond milk from the same friend that gave me the oatmeal recipe. I picked some up at the store the other day, and was quite impressed by the taste. It's nothing like the chalky or clay-like taste of soy milk. It's good! The kids like it too!

Then, just the other day I was reading through the blogs I follow on google reader and noticed Roni had a post on how she made her own almond milk. She also found a way to use the almond meal to make Honey Almond Bites! Be sure to check out her videos and recipes they all look great!

Now if I could only find where to buy So Delicious Coconut Milk. I learned about that from Eat, Live, Run, another awesome blog I follow.