Game 1 - All Stars Tournament - 11-12s

 
 (Photo:  SSLL All Stars, 11-12s, July 9, 2011, by Rod Nelson)

Josiah's All Stars team did a great job in their first tournament game!  They won 5-0.  You know, as a mom and spectator, I haven't decided if I prefer the games that are close and you win with all the excitement and adrenaline... or if I prefer the games that are cut & dry & it's pretty obvious who has the upper hand.

(SSLL, announcing the teams, 7/9/11, photo by Rod Nelson)

Today, South Skagit Little League definitely had the upper hand.  So much of the game is dependent upon the pitchers.  Our starter pitcher went 5 innings - which is fantastic pitch count-wise for a little league game.  They can only pitch 85 pitches in one game.  I think our lead pitcher didn't get to 85 - but he only has to take three days rest (vs. four if they pitch 85).

(Josiah Nelson, #44, 7/9/11, photo by Rod Nelson)

They played the Burlington team.  They went through 4 pitchers.  Only one of them really had much merit.  It makes you wonder how the rest of the tournament will go for them - because a pitcher can only pitch so much and then they have to rest for so long...

I was glad to see that they bring brought in umpires from the district.  Sometimes umps get a lot of grief - at least behind their backs for their calls and/or their strike zone.  It's really interesting to watch the strike zones... esp. when you have such a size difference in kids!  Josiah's strike zone is considerably different than some of his mates.

(Josiah Nelson, 7/9/11, photo by Rod Nelson)

It was great to see Josiah hit well today!  He hit & got on base each time :D
(In general, it can be frustrating when you get home and are doing the post game talk when you realize that the boys (Josiah/Jedediah) are frustrated with the fact that they struck out once or twice in a game...  but it is a great chance to talk about real life & how real life doesn't always go the way you want it to - even when you're trying your hardest!  I love teachable moments - very homeschool!)

(Josiah Nelson, Pitcher, 7/9/11, photo by Rod Nelson)

Josiah came in for the 6th inning as the closing pitcher.  I could totally see it in his nerves.  It's different coming in as a closing pitcher.. esp. when you are ahead in the game.  You just knew that Josiah knew that if he screwed up this one inning... that it could cost them the game.  Ending the game as a pitcher (and as the pitchers mom!) has a totally different feeling than if they start the game!

I have to say, it's pretty crazy watching this particular team play.  This is the first team Josiah's been on that has had this much talent.  They have 13 kids on the team... and they are all truly starters.  It's tough to see kids sit out knowing that they are normally starting & playing the entire game!  I think they truly do have a chance to go to state... though that's in Vancouver at the end of the month.

Fun Fact:  Josiah has worn #44 for the last three years in the All Stars Tournaments :D

They play again tomorrow - and then I think on Tuesday.  Their tournament goes through this coming Saturday.

It really does work to study!

It all started about 4 years ago. I had been hunting in eastern Washington with my father in law. We were up on the side of a mountain and the ignition broke in the van we were driving. We were literally stuck on the side of a mountain, but I had full reception on my cell phone. So I called Zindra and she picked up the appropriate parts and headed east. By the time we got everything switched out and the car running it was almost dark. The boys asked if we could go for a little hunt and so we did, nothing happened but we walked out in the woods trying to be quiet(which doesn't happen when they are 7 and 5). So we get home and it is late and I was tired so I decided to sleep in the next day. I got up around nine and Josiah begged me to call Granddaddy and see if he wanted to go hunting, he said whenever you get here we will go. So I got out to his house about 10 and to the hunting area around 10:30. So by 10:45 I had shoot a deer with Josiah standing next to me and the dream was born.

Fast forward 4 years Josiah had been talking about being able to hunt and carry gun. I told him he had to take the hunters safety course and pass it. So we looked at the requirements and what he had to do to take the test. We found that he could take the test on the Internet and then do a field course and pass a small quiz.
I called and scheduled the time for the field test and I told Josiah he had 6 weeks and 15 chapters to complete and a test to pass. He buckled down and got through all of the chapters without much prompting. It is amazing what an 11 year old will do with the proper motivation. Now it is time for the practice test. We home school and do not take many tests much less multiple choice tests. The first practice test he missed 17 questions out of 75 it was a fail he could only miss 15. So I had him read some of what he missed and he took it again and again he missed 17. The next day I sat with him and did the practice test and went through the questions we only missed 5 but I was helping. So he took it by himself again this time he missed 11 great he passed but to close for comfort. I went through the test and found his errors and taught him the answers. We had to go run some errands so he got a break and came home and took the real test, he took the test and I had to pay $15 for this one and Zindra was getting annoyed because I was taking to long to tell her if he passed. I finally submit it and Josiah missed 2 questions 2 he passed with a 96 Yeaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Now the field test, we had to be there at 8am(come on I am unemployed I do not do 8am) So we get halfway there and forget the paperwork to prove he had passed so we go home and get the paperwork and get the test a little late. Josiah passes and the 15 question quiz and we listen to an hour of conservation and an hour of sportsmanship. Then we do the field test which requires to carry a loaded gun(dummy rounds not live) and go through obstacles. Each obstacle they unload go through the obstacle with the action open and reload. They had a fence, a log, a boat and a ditch. Josiah did great with everything his loading and unloading, muzzle control, and handing off the gun to somebody else. The only thing he forgot was to keep the action open which was closed 7 of 8 times. Each time was worth 2 points so he lost 14 points for an 86 but passing was an 80, so he did it Josiah is now official and can carry a gun and buy a hunting license. I am so proud of him and all of the hard work he put in to be successful and pass his test.

So this year even if we do not get a deer we still have a hunting story to tell for this year, the year Josiah passed his test

TOS Planner November: Amusing Mathematics

The Old Schoolhouse Store has come out with another monthly module to accompany the original planner.

The November Module: Amusing Mathematics is an addition to the TOS Planner. You do not have to have the original planner to be able to use the November Module.

The November Module: Amusing Mathematics, lives up to it's name! You can use Amusing Mathematics all year round. It may have come out in November, but it is not have a November theme (Thanksgiving, Turkeys, etc.).

What's inside? Tangrams, musical math, patterns, math jokes and more mathematical games. Coloring pages and copy work for the younger ones and soduku and worksheets for the older ones. November recipes for Mom. It also includes the answer keys.

Cost is $7.95
Lots of fun filled activities for - everyone in the family. Supplement your regular homeschool materials with something fun (& educational)!!

Click Here to visit the schoolhouse store.

Family time with Tangrams out of Amusing Mathematics:

Homeschool Library Builder

Homeschool Library Builder is a quality webstore put together by a couple of homeschooling moms whose motto is "Fill your bookshelves without emptying your wallet." They sell new and gently used books as well as some literature based curriculum. Great books for a fraction of the price.

Since becoming a homeschooling mom, I usually look for the best prices I can find, especially on books. Normally there are a couple of issues that I have when shopping for books online. Amazingly enough, Homeschool Library Builder has taken care of both these issues!

First, things are usually hard to find. At Homeschool Library Builder (HSLB), you can search through their books by categories, such as: age, subject, curriculum, holiday, christian fiction, reader and many more.

Second, I usually hold my breath when I go to look at the cost of online shipping! Not at this store! The cost of shipping is based up the dollar value of your order. An order up to $25 is only $4.50 shipping via Media Mail. That's unheard of! Priority mail and international shipping are also available.

Right now, through November, they are having a special where there are $1, $2, $3 and $5 bargin bins. You could get 25 $1.00 books and only pay $4.50 shipping!

Sign up as a member for free and here are some of the benefits you will receive:
*Newsletters - by email you will find out about future specials and sales.

*HSLB Marketplace - A place where homeschool families can advertise their products for free!

*Fundraising options - As a member you can use the service as a fundraising option. HSLB will donate from 20% to 40% of your sales to your organization.

*HSLB Frequent Buyer & Referral Program - Members receive 1 book point for every dollar they spend. 15 book points is worth $1.00 off of a future purchase. For every member you refer who makes a purchase, you will receive 15 book points. Let HSLB know that you have a link on your blog and you get even more points!

*A 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee.

Let 'em know I sent you! zindra@yahoo.com

Visit Homeschool Library Builder at www.hslibrarybuilder.com

How much time do we spend schooling???

My schedule with the kids feels a bit out of sync this year. Although we are covering a lot and enjoying quite a bit of it.

The older two, 7 & 10 do two or three workbooks (math, english, etc. dep. on the kid). They are supposed to do so many pages per book per day. That's just an easy way for me to keep track of progress.

The younger two, do schoolwork as well. Not nearly as structured. They do a lot of coloring, cutting, pasting and playing with playdough. Jaden does some bookwork, but not much.

Then I have tons of extra school material this year. I am a product reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse. I have so many products to review... it's like Christmas a couple of times per week. There are some not so great products, and then some that I adore.

Right now, we've added All About Spelling to our schooling. Hands down, it's the best spelling program I've tried yet. My "can't sit still" hands on, 10 year old LOVES IT. No traditional spelling lists... hands on... repeat til they get it.... He's so getting it. My 7 year old asks to do more... uh, yah! We are doing it at an accelerated rate because I have to get through a certain amount of material to do my reviews. So, you can see this throws a wrench into my structured bookwork.

Then we also got this amazing kids programming class... Logo Adventures. It uses a particular program... Josiah and Jed are having tons of fun learning basic programming. Fun and educational.

So, I'm in the middle of trying to find a balance. We are having a good time... and with Rod off of work, it turns out that it is nice to be a TOS reviewer, because I didn't have cash to buy school material for this year. Funny how those things work out.

Let's see we try to spend from 9 to 12 doing regular schoolwork. Then we normally take the afternoon off. We do our together stuff like All About Spelling, Spears Art (another product of many) and Logos Adventure after dinner a couple of times a week.

We are not really traditional, but i'm keeping track of hours through homeschool tracker, and we are WAY above "suggested" hours... so I feel pretty good about it all.