Tim Hawkins - The Government Can

Thought this was so funny!!!

Dancing with The Stars Fall 2009

Alrighty!!! Let's see if I get it right again this year.

The contestants for my FAVORITE show were announced today. I'm excited that it's almost September only for that reason!! Amanda decided that she wanted to play soccer this year so it looks like I'll have to tivo the Tuesday night show of DWTS. Wonder if I can watch it on my phone???

Anyway...

The complete cast for Dancing Season Nine

Mya, singer:Who is she??? I looked her up and couldn't find a picture that I could post on here without feeling ashamed!!

Melissa Joan Hart, actress: She's still around??? Wasn't she the "teenage witch"?

Michael Irvin, former Dallas Cowboy:WOOOOO HOOOOO!!! The Play maker!!! Guess who I'm picking to win??

Ashley Hamilton, actor, comedian, singer-songwriter: George's son, does he have the same charisma as his Dad?

Aaron Carter, singer: hhmmm...he might be able to do this.

Kathy Ireland, former supermodel-turned-businesswoman: I'll say she's a maybe.

Debi Mazar, actress:OK, forgive me, but I look at her and think something nasty is going to come out her mouth.

Natalie Coughlin, U.S. Olympic swimmer: She's an athlete, she's the woman I'm picking for this year.

Louie Vito, snowboarder:?

Chuck Liddell, ultimate fighting champ: I wouldn't mess with him...

Donny Osmond, singer: ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Wow, we will never hear the end of it.

Tom DeLay, former Republican congressman: He's a politician, of course he can dance, around anything you want him to!!

Macy Gray, singer: Not sure about her. She might be able to get with it.

Joanna Krupa, model and actress: Sorry, models tend to go first.

Mark Dacascos, Iron Chef personality: I love Iron Chef!!! We'll see.

Kelly Osbourne, reality star: WHAT?? Now this'll be interesting!!!!

I hope this season is good! I've been looking forward to it.

My Student

It's week 3 of Darcy's Not Back to School Hop. Here's my student! My one and only student! God blessed me with 2 children but they are 10 years apart. The oldest went back to college today and Amanda won't start for 2 more weeks. We didn't home school Michael. He attended the same school that my husband and I did.

When God laid it on my heart to home school Amanda she was beginning 3rd grade. So we are not a "seasoned" homeschool family. We're still learning about it.

I can't imagine the stress and responsibility of teaching more than one student! I freak out over the one I have!!! However, we are looking forward to gettin' started. Happy School year y'all!!!

School Room Week

It’s another week of Not Back to School Blog Hop at Darcy’s. So I’ve posted a few pictures of where Amanda does school. 

Here at Cooper Academy we don’t have a “classroom”. The first year we decided to homeschool we set everything up in our bedroom. When the oldest took off to Gospel for Asia we turned his room into a classroom/bedroom. Now he’s back attending college and living in his room. Last year, we used the living room/dining room for our school. The great thing about homeschooling is you can do it anywhere! There were times we even took things outside!

Above is our curriculum closet. It’s full of curriculum for this year and next year. I’m trying to keep a bit ahead so the cost isn’t so bad.

Here’s our couch. This is where Amanda and I sit, have our bible study and do our silent reading. This way I get a little sit down time and check out some good books.

Above is Amanda’s computer. It’s where she does her math, Spanish, webkinz, typing and searching for anything Jonas Brothers.

She has her desk in her room where she will whiz thru Spelling, Reading, English and Handwriting. This will be the first year for her to actually use it for an entire year. We are trying to get her to work more independently. It seems as though she thinks I should be sitting right beside her in case she has any questions. Does anyone else have this issue?

And last but not least, the Teacher’s desk. This piece of furniture belonged to my Mom. It’s a mess right now since we are trying to get ready for the big day. I started planning the first lesson for Science Co Op. I’ll be teaching  the first two lessons in Apologia Botany and thought I would get a head start on it.

I hope you enjoyed our little classroom environment. It isn’t much but it’ll work!

Not Back to School Blog Hop: Curriculum Week

After catching up on the all of the laundry that we had, going to the grocery store and doing the yard work I sat down to browse through some blogs. I ran across Darcy's and thought I would join in. I have to admit that our lessons plans have pretty much been done since May. I like to plan ahead and buy little pieces of curriculum at a time.


We began homeschooling Amanda when she entered into the third grade. After much prayer and research we choose to use Bob Jones. I know, I know...textbooks, but it works for us. I like the Spelling in their curriculum. You have workbook pages to do, a list of words to study, a writing prep and a section that gives you information about a word for each week.

One thing Amanda doesn't like to do much is read. She had trouble in the beginning reading but has come such a long way! In fact, she's a pretty good little reader. The reading book and workbook are great! This year starts Vocabulary which is in the back of the workbook.
Handwriting is something Amanda needs to practice on! This year she will have to do much more in cursive than just the pages in this book.
What can you say about English? Bob Jones does a good job covering this subject. I did, however purchase a English Handbook from Rod and Staff.
Botany will be done in our Co Op class this year along with Spanish. We've already studied Apologia Astronomy and Land Animals. Everyone agreed that we loved this curriculum.
Ok, this is what we sit down and do this first thing in the mornings. Yes, it's reading the story and doing some little page in the workbook. But it's easy to come up with hands on projects with the lessons in the book.
Last year, we veered off and tried the Beautiful Feet American History, WE LOVED IT!! Which was pretty much the whole reason we took off on our vacation. Next year, we'll pick some place out of this subject to go.
Something new we are going to try this year is Art. I've tried to incorporate some throughout the years. I'm hoping that with an actual curriculum Amanda will be able to enjoy some sort of Art.

We did switch from Bob Jones Math to Teaching Textbooks.

Piano lessons are still on Friday along with Spelling Test. I've enjoyed sharing our upcoming school year and reading about others. I love to see what others are doing and to get some good ideas!! So, what does your 2009-2010 year look like???

vacation 2009

This year we took a family vacation to different parts of the east coast. Amanda had studied American History so we headed to Washington DC. Here's a picture of when we set out on our journey.
We hit Memphis sometime on Saturday and couldn't resist driving down Elvis Presley Boulevard.
I was "in love" with Elvis in the 3rd and 4th grade. His house is behind the tree. It isn't as big as you would think.
Tennessee is a beautiful state!! We all "awwwed" over it as we drove thru the mountains. Guess we needed to clean the windshield before taking the picture, ooops.
Here is Amanda's favorite part: Miley Cyrus' house in Thompson Station, TN. or at least the gates. It is gorgeous in this area!!!
Amanda knocking on the White House Gates.
World War II Memorial
I really thought the Lincoln Memorial would be much bigger!!! But it was still impressive!
The Constitution of The United States of America.
This was probably my favorite part of the trip! The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
Judy Garland's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz. We watched this movie for 2 years, it was Amanda's favorite.
We made it to Jamestowne, Va. This is a statue of Pocahontas.
We ended our trip on Wrightsville Beach, NC. Mike and the kids enjoyed the Atlantic Ocean. I was a bit skeptical. I laid out mostly. I have this thing about not being able to see the bottom where water is concerned. We had a FABULOUS time! I'm so glad we were able to take this time to get away!