Weekly Wrap-Up: Return to Co-op Classes

Last year, we stepped away from our weekly co-op classes.  Rosie needed extra time with me in a certain subject.  We decided not to return to that particular co-op because we were required to attend all classes.  Due to the mandatory policy, I felt like we had little room for anything else in our schedule during the week.

We weren’t going to return this year for the same logistical reasons.  However, there is another co-op near us offering enrichment classes.  We can enroll in as little or as many classes as we like.  At the last minute, I decided to enroll Chloe in my friend Sarah’s essay writing class.  It meets in the afternoon.  It’s a perfect fit for us…the girls still do their daily work in the morning and then we go to class.  Rosie is part of an American Girl History class that meets at the same time as her sister’s class.  This semester Rosie is studying what life would be like for Kaya (her favorite American Girl Doll).

Thursday, we had our first field trip of the year.  We visited an apple orchard with good friends (don’t know if I can post pictures of the kiddos but this is my friend Mary).  It was a lovely drive & beautiful weather. Between our two families, we purchased 5 bushels of apples for canning.  

The girls & I were so excited to learn how to can!  I remember canning with my grandmother (mostly beans, tomatoes, and jams), but I’ve never canned on my own.  Once we started, I realized the process wasn’t as intimidating as I imagined.  We came home with 5 quarts of peach applesauce, 4 quarts of blueberry applesauce, 15 quarts of applesauce, and enough pie fillings to bake 5 apple pies!  We froze the pie filling. 

Rosie finally finished her shark lapbook, yeah!  I have to silence the controlling part of my personality as she finished it.  I showed her how to arrange the pieces to make sure everything would fit.  The sitting back and letting her put it together is the hard part!  I wanted to jump in & tell her my opinion!  I even wanted to glue the pieces down (neatness factor).  Oh, that’s so pathetic of me!  What would she learn if I did all of that for her?  Of course it looks great the way she finished it & I couldn’t be any prouder.

Chloe really enjoys learning about the human body.  She drew and labeled a cell in her science notebook.  I remember doing & enjoying the same thing as a 7^th grader.  I told her so but I don’t think she shared my enthusiasm. J

We ended our week at Wilderness at theSmokies.  Love that place!  My husband had a conference at the convention center & scored us free tickets.  The girls had a blast.  Normally I ride all of the slides with them (love water parks!), but I’ve had a head cold that’s left me somewhat light headed this week.  The two don’t really mesh well, so I planned our school for October & prepared my Sunday school lesson while they enjoyed the water

I’m linking up to the Weekly Wrap-Up over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers!

~Abby~