The Sights, The Sounds, The Bookfair...Oh My!

After I got my table cleaned off, I couldn't resist setting everything up and taking a photo or two. If you would like a tour then stay with me, if not this is your exit.

I stayed with MFW for another year. I did not spend as much money as I thought I would. Thanks to talking with the Hazell girls. They were very helpful and saved me a ton of money - which if I ordered from online would have spent most of my budget. I got the lesson plans and the next semester's math books. As you can see I chose Creation to Greeks which will start our 4 year chronological study. I am thinking about adding Mystery of History and/or Story of the World 1 on cd.

I was able to spend time speaking with David about Beloved's school timeline before high school. He will actually miss the 4th year of the chronological study and this has been driving me up the wall. He said I should get 1850-Modern a semester early and have him read about that time period during the semester and over the summer before high school. He won't do the program, but will at least be familiar with the subjects. He will complete a 4 year study in high school - its required to graduate. I believe that I will get 1850-Modern next year so I can spread out the reading and have more time for rabbit trails and interests over the next couple of years. I think this will be a better fit for Beloved.

David was a speaker at Blue Mountain Christian Retreat. They recorded his talk, called "Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated Lord to Thee" (11 cd's). I have enjoyed listening to this in the car. He gave his testimony and told some of his adventures as a missionary in Russia with five children, two in diapers after the collapse of communism. I only wish I could walk in the faith this family has.

I invested in IEW's Teaching Writing: Structure and Style - a teacher's seminar on dvd. I was relieved to hear that I can continue to use Writing Strands. I think this will be a blessing to all of us in the long run. I was beginning to look into attending a co-op for writing class, but really have no time or money for it. Andrew Pudewa is easy to listen to and very clear in the information given. I watched the first lesson and am excited to try it out on the boys.

I found a couple of sweet deals. One was the Adam's timeline, the Annals of the World and an autobiography on Archbishop James Usher. This has not been published in English since the 17th century. The timeline is extremely detailed beginning at Creation (young earth) 4004 BC and goes through 70 AD.

Then Vision Forum had an unbeatable deal. Offering History of the World (10 dvd lecture), BC and AD (40 cd lecture), Providential Battles I & II (8 cd lecture), and Sabers, Spears and Catapults (4 cd lecture). Conference special $150! Incredible, I got biblical worldview and military history. Bet you can't guess which one Beloved opened first.

I visited at the Rod and Staff booth with the sweetest Mennonite lady. I picked up a book called Handbook for Creative Teaching. It is loaded with practical tips and advice. It even has a chapter called Jesus, Balance Scales for Teachers. I am sure this will not be in my university classes. I have been reading it as often as I am able. I also picked up our spelling books.

Faithful went with me on Friday. He tried to get a job as a runner, but you have to wear long pants and he was in shorts, so he hung out in the chess corner. Saturday was very busy. Beloved and I had the scout show and then went to the rest of the bookfair - he played chess at both places.