Our peach tree is about 4 years old and this was the first real harvest! We still have lots left on the tree and they are SO good - and raised without a fungicide - something we have been told cannot be done in Texas...
The Boytim Bunch
Friday, April 29, 2011
Learning my Camera
Since having a little "class" on Sunday with Lacie Verret, I have ventured out to learn how to use my camera in manual mode. I did pretty well with my still film camera, but could not make out a lot of the language in the digital book and the camera has so many darn "modes" and buttons - I was a bit afraid of going off autopilot.
So, while I am still in auto focus mode for most of these pictures, I have ventured out to picking the ISO and WB... some good, some not so good...
Jack showing me his peach juice covered hand
Card and Daddy working on the wall - this is another step towards our front porch being done! YES!!!
It is so wonderful having handy men around the house!
One of the not so good...
Jack and Jay loved playing in the extra dirt daddy brought down
Something was off here too - not sure what, it just seems too bright..
So, while I am still in auto focus mode for most of these pictures, I have ventured out to picking the ISO and WB... some good, some not so good...
Jack showing me his peach juice covered hand
Card and Daddy working on the wall - this is another step towards our front porch being done! YES!!!It is so wonderful having handy men around the house!
One of the not so good...
Jack and Jay loved playing in the extra dirt daddy brought down
Something was off here too - not sure what, it just seems too bright.. The color on this one was better
Another Katie picture - I did not take it, so I know she must have. Yes, the glass in our door has fingerprints - someday it won't and I will wish it still did :)
Another Katie picture - I did not take it, so I know she must have. Yes, the glass in our door has fingerprints - someday it won't and I will wish it still did :)Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Church
At least some of The Church :)This beautiful picture was taken by Lacie Verret of Lacie Verret Photography :)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Beware of Being Behind
By a math teacher who developed a homeschool curriclum - this is the math Katie uses and Steve Demme is a wonderful teacher :)
Beware of Being Behind
The most common myth that I am regularly addressing at fairs, on the phone, and in emails, is that someone’s student is behind.
I often diffuse this by asking what the scripture reference is that determines what age a student must be to take Algebra 1 or Geometry or begin studying fractions. Is it in 1st Hezekiah or 2nd Assumptions? There is often a pause, then a light begins to dawn, and the look of consternation from wrongly surmising their child is behind, is replaced with a look of relief when they realize he is right where he needs to be.
Now if you have an 18 year old that is still counting on his fingers I recommend you consult a learning specialist to determine if there is a problem. But in 20 years will it make a difference whether your student is studying fractions when he is 10 or 12? The primary indicator is a child’s readiness and math background, not his age, or God forbid, his grade level. Perhaps the root problem is not the student, but an insecure parent? While I am at it, most studies do not support putting children in school at 5 years old. Neither is it in the law given at Sinai, that children must leave home at 18 and enter college.
All three of our college graduates were 20 when they entered college, and they did fine. In fact I think they did better with a few more years of maturity than they would have done as an 18 year old.
This is not to say children can’t being formal schooling at 5 or enter college at 17, but please trust your instincts and teach and train your children according to what you know about their abilities and readiness.
Math-U-See does not have grade levels because so many older students have to go back and redo these levels. Most of these older students were moved through successive math classes based on their age and not their achievement. There’s never enough time to do it right the first time, but there is always enough time to go back and do it again. Please let your children move at their own pace and not some man made standard from one of the worst math nations on the planet, the good old USA.
Protect your children, those precious individuals that God has placed in your care, from state imposed guidelines and raise them and train them in the way they should go.
Beware of Being Behind
The most common myth that I am regularly addressing at fairs, on the phone, and in emails, is that someone’s student is behind.
I often diffuse this by asking what the scripture reference is that determines what age a student must be to take Algebra 1 or Geometry or begin studying fractions. Is it in 1st Hezekiah or 2nd Assumptions? There is often a pause, then a light begins to dawn, and the look of consternation from wrongly surmising their child is behind, is replaced with a look of relief when they realize he is right where he needs to be.
Now if you have an 18 year old that is still counting on his fingers I recommend you consult a learning specialist to determine if there is a problem. But in 20 years will it make a difference whether your student is studying fractions when he is 10 or 12? The primary indicator is a child’s readiness and math background, not his age, or God forbid, his grade level. Perhaps the root problem is not the student, but an insecure parent? While I am at it, most studies do not support putting children in school at 5 years old. Neither is it in the law given at Sinai, that children must leave home at 18 and enter college.
All three of our college graduates were 20 when they entered college, and they did fine. In fact I think they did better with a few more years of maturity than they would have done as an 18 year old.
This is not to say children can’t being formal schooling at 5 or enter college at 17, but please trust your instincts and teach and train your children according to what you know about their abilities and readiness.
Math-U-See does not have grade levels because so many older students have to go back and redo these levels. Most of these older students were moved through successive math classes based on their age and not their achievement. There’s never enough time to do it right the first time, but there is always enough time to go back and do it again. Please let your children move at their own pace and not some man made standard from one of the worst math nations on the planet, the good old USA.
Protect your children, those precious individuals that God has placed in your care, from state imposed guidelines and raise them and train them in the way they should go.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Katie's Piano Recital 2011
This is a piece Katie composed - she calls it Mystery at Comowait
Yes that is Jack coughing in the background and at some point my 2 year old Jay yells "Ezra!!" (Ezra is the piano teachers 10 year old brother that comes over with her and plays with Jay - Jay thinks he is the bee's knees :)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
More Katie Shots
Found these on my camera also - I know I did not take them, so Katie must have :)
Shocking - the Boytim children are not always happy...
Card chats with Jay
Don't ask because I have no idea what is on her face - probably smoothie from breakfast!
Bella and her protector Lily
Peek-A-Boo
Shocking - the Boytim children are not always happy...
Card chats with Jay
Don't ask because I have no idea what is on her face - probably smoothie from breakfast!
Bella and her protector Lily
Peek-A-Boo A day at Restoration Farms
Spent some time a few days ago with some of our younger friends at Restoration Farms (the older girls and their mom were at orchestra practice). You can check out Restoration Farms link in my sidebar - they are a local farm striving to provide healthy meats, eggs and dairy.
This poor peacock is a bit confused.. he is really trying to impress that banty rooster :)
My boys enjoying some of the farm equipment
Card gives pony rides - he is helping Lydia this go around
and the little babies are taking turns pulling each other in the wagon
Bella rides the bike while she waits for her turn on Walker (the pony)
Jay is trying SO hard!
Lydia takes a turn pulling the babies (and Jack helps by bringing up the rear)
Bella's turn on Walker - thanks so much Sarah for getting Walker all ready for them to take rides!
A day's harvest...
This poor peacock is a bit confused.. he is really trying to impress that banty rooster :) 
My boys enjoying some of the farm equipment
Card gives pony rides - he is helping Lydia this go around
and the little babies are taking turns pulling each other in the wagon
Bella rides the bike while she waits for her turn on Walker (the pony)
Jay is trying SO hard!
Lydia takes a turn pulling the babies (and Jack helps by bringing up the rear)
Bella's turn on Walker - thanks so much Sarah for getting Walker all ready for them to take rides!
A day's harvest...Made in Water
These two have been "made" in this pool.. it is now waiting for the third little blessing to arrive in it :)
Growing up
Card wanted to be sure I put this on the blog - and mentioned that he now looks just like one of his buddies - Boaz Miller :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Girls
In their new dresses. These two were made by the Allison girls - Katie helped make another t-shirt dress with them so she and I can start making them on our own...soon.... we hope...
The girls did such a great job with these though - Katie and Bella love them!
The girls did such a great job with these though - Katie and Bella love them!
Katie Behind the Camera Again
Katie has been getting behind the camera more and more these days. She really enjoys action and nature shots it seems..
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Park day with friends
Spent the day with the Schnakenbergs today - had a great time!
All our children are in love with baby Stephen - the youngest Schnakenberg (there are 7 so far)
Out to the "bluebonnets" which were not their best this year. 
The Schnakenberg clan
Bella and her friend Lydia
All our children are in love with baby Stephen - the youngest Schnakenberg (there are 7 so far) Out to the "bluebonnets" which were not their best this year. The Schnakenberg clan 
Bella and her friend LydiaThe kids really prefered taking picturs under the pavillion
Bella and Lydia swinging
King of the hill...
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