Last week of school 2017

Chad and Tom went to Matteson before breakfast to meet with Chad's good buddy, Brian.  Tbone has been wandering a bit this morning.  He caught a rat and shot it in the trap after his chicken chores.  He is the only kid that finished his math book early.  He also read almost a book a week.  Proud of him for that.

Aziza is writing phonograms: a drill she has done for two years.  Why?  It seems the minute we stray from the basics, all is lost.  Same with multiplication facts.  She can do 144 in 7 minutes at her best.  I think that is a victory for the year.

Abi can't stop talking about her business.  She has it all written down in a little yellow spiral notebook.  First step: convince Dad to let her spend her savings on a camera lens.  Mmm.. not going to happen.   Dad has great start up advice.  I wonder where she'll be with it all in five, ten years.  I think she has what it takes and I encourage her that she is following in her aunts' footsteps.  Three aunts have had successful small businesses.

Bethan can't wait to take the CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature test when she turns 13 for college credit next winter.  She is digging in to deepen and widen her understanding. 

Last week we explored Brookfield Zoo-one last field trip-- with my mommy's group.  It was so windy, Aziza's hat flew into the fountain.  The babies loved the fake dino that roared just as much as the real animals, I think, because it was so huge.  The zoo is free for homeschoolers!  Yea, we have to come back this summer.

Thomas told me that in the movies they are always active but in real life, they sleep most the time.

Tom tried to move our group faster the whole time until we got to the monkey house.  These two were last to leave and said, "Do we have to go?" 

Now girls, don't be crazy in our skit!

Pilgrims waiting to dock at shore

Do Clep not Debt! Save hundreds.

So my grand experiment after risk and trial has finally succeeded.  As a homeschool mom, I had the opportunity to try something unusual.  I chanced to ask my 13 year old to take a high school level course with the goal of  her taking a college level transfer credit test.  Well she failed once, but today we celebrated her passing the Biology Clep test!! She gains 6 credits and saves $500+ in future college costs.  Wow!

I just want to encourage all you parents out there to try this.  It is an easy process.  It encourages your child, saves their time, and will save both of you so much money in the future.  Do Clep not debt!!  

BTW: The U of Ph only hosted the exam.  You can send the credits to whatever institution your child wants to attend (or even consult them first to make sure you don't waste your time taking unneeded classes).

Of course the celebration would not be complete with out Pierogies!!!

Pierogi Heaven (Wells and Lake St.) was awesome.  Wish I could make that kraut!  Sweet onion and bacon on meat and spinach, potato and cheese Pierogies.  Yep getting in touch with the roots!

And since we were downtown, just Rosebud and I.....We finished out the day with a stroll through the Art Institute...