Classics for FREE on Amazon

Please Note: Though free at time of posting, prices may change at any time. Please verify that the “Kindle Price” is $0.00. If you see a price for “Prime Members” or “read for free”, then the book is NOT free any longer.

 The Christmas Stories of Charles Dickens:

A Christmas Carol and 13 Other Classic Stories (Illustrated)

Christmas Short Stories (Illustrated)

Stephen Leacock

A Christmas Story: The Story of three Wise Men

William J. Locke

Blessings
Chareen

PS If you do not have a Kindle you can still read these books.  Download the Free Kindle Reading Apps for your iPhone, Windows, Mac, BlackBerry, iPad, Android or Windows 7.

HSMJ 18 - Behind the scenes Gorilla Visit

The Home school Mother’s Journal began as a single post on a Friday morning over at The Homeschool Chick, and turned into a link-up for homeschool mothers across the blog-O-sphere to share a piece of their journey with one another each week. The link party is open from Friday to Monday so join me in The Homeschool Journal and lets encourage one another on our homeschool journey.

In my life this week…

 
In our home school this week…

• We continued our Expedition Earth journey and visited Nigeria.
• Nigeria has one of the largest diversity of butterfly's in the world and Wednesday was Akira Yoshizawa 101 birthday so we made an origami butterfly with simple step by step video and photographic instructions from Origami Way.
• As a follow up to our visit to Science Works two weeks ago we watched A is for Adam and D is for Dinosaur. I would love to buy the books.... We also read The Magic School Bus in the time of the Dinosaurs.
• As a follow up to our visit to Egypt we watched Joseph and the coat of many colours,and I found two more interesting books.
• We have continued with Abeka math and Sir N is starting to get the hang of the teen numbers.
• We have been doing the letter 'V' in language and continued working our way through Fun Tales.  I am really enjoying listening to him read aloud.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Do you use your iPad in schooling ?  Have you seen iPads for Education ? Have a look around their Apps page there are eighteen categories to look through.
• For more educational apps take a look at: iPad educational apps for preschoolers and iPad Educational Apps.
• 15 Grammar Goofs to Avoid over at Aussie Home school.  EXCELLENT post. 
• March Calender over at Home School Share Blog.
• Saving the Day over at Home School Share Blog.
• 10 Writing Truths for Teens over at  In our Write Minds.

I am inspired by…

• Homeschool in Freedom: Throwing Out the Rules by Susan Lemons over at Home preschool and beyond. Excellent encouraging article that makes you think about your preconceived rules of homeschooling. do you need to follow them ??
  Here is a sneak peek: Many homeschoolers, especially new homeschoolers, live under a self-imposed set of “rules” based on their perceptions of what homeschooling should be. These unspoken “rules” are often based on our experiences with public schools. These “rules” often hurt us and our kids...... Make sure you head on over and take a read and be encouraged.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• On Monday we spent the afternoon at the Steamrail Open Day looking at vintage trains.
• Tuesday saw us go on a midnight adventure in the sea.
• Wednesday saw us sleep in and go to a friends house for a play date and some origami.
• Thursday was my Dad's Birthday and we did a short trip to the library to collect many reserved titles.
• Friday we went to WORZ to visit the three gorilla's behind the scenes to finish off our Expedition Earth Nigeria Unit (definitely a great perk for being married to a Zoo Keeper).
• Counting down the months, weeks and days

My favorite thing this week was…

• Listening to Sir N giggle as he watched an original version of The Three Little Pigs.

What’s working/not working for us…

• LATE bed times .....

2012 in 2012

• Read about this idea over at Behind the Scenes and was really intrigued.  I think I will give it a go.  Won't make 2012 I don't think but it will definitely help me de-clutter.

Opening Balance	What	This Week	Balance
3	Thrown Away	0	2
0	Sold	0	0
170	Donated	0	0
3	Returned to their owner	5	8
	Running Total out of the goal 2012		194

Questions/thoughts I have…

• What are some fun interesting FREE things you have done with your children ?

Things I’m working on…

• I had so much fun going to the Steamrail Open Day on Monday that I have been poking around Visit Victoria website planning other trips for us to do this year such as: Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit, The 2011 Gertrude Street Projection Festival, Melbourne Open House and Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 

I’m reading…

• To Keep…or Not to Keep…the Home over at Visionary Womanhood.
• Renewing the Mind over at Good Morning Girls
• A book review on Good Girls guide to great S*x over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. 

I’m cooking…

• I'm being inspired by Jamie Cooks it Up !
• Suya (Nigerian Chicken Skewers)
• Jollof Chicken and Rice Traditional Nigerian Dish
• West African Benne Cakes 

I’m grateful for…

•  Friends who encourage me with fun food and fellowship.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

• Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction. - Anne Frank 

We went to see the gorilla's behind the scenes at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Blessings

This post is linking to:

Linking with

Grateful for Grace: What We're Learning

Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers

The Homeschool Chick

My Dad My Hero My Friend

 --MY DADDY-- 
Author: Carolyn Ford Witt

You were the strength of my existance
My guide at that young age.
You tried to be my teacher
My father-and my sage.

You brushed the dirt off of my knees
And checked the bruises there
And taught me to express myself
In a way that would be fair.

You taught me things to sustain me
Through every step of life
You tried to always protect me
And hide all kinds of strife.

                                                    You made your daughter strong enough
                                                     To face each problem here
                                                     That's why, I'll always love you,
                                                     Thank You, My Daddy dear.

Happy Birthday My Dad 

 I Love you more than words could ever say.

A Prayer for My Dad

Lord, Shepherd my dad today 

In green pastures let him lay 

To still waters guide his way 

Restoreth his soul, I pray 

Lead him in the paths of right 

Through the valley give him light 

When he's afraid ease his fright 

With Thy rod and staff lend might 

 Prepare a table of spoil 

Annointest his head with oil 

Give to him a cup that's royal 

Let goodness follow his toil 

And Thy mercy cease never 

May he dwell in Thy house forever 

This I ask in Jesus' name, Amen

Poem source: Poem Hunter.com
Psalm 23 

I love you my Dad and am proud of you and look forward to many more 4x4 adventures with you !
Love
Chareen