This Week in the Olive Grove

Well, our formal academic studies are over for the year.

• We finished reading aloud The Struggle for Sea Power, Dr. Dolittle, and Just So Stories.


• The boys finished their assigned silent readings for literature, history, science, and nature.


• We got our last spelling words for the year into our notebooks.

After I finished reading the last history chapter I asked each of the younger three to share some things that they remembered learning this year.  I gave them each three spelling words bee-style, and three mental math problems.  Then I said, "Congratulations, you have just been promoted!"  This was followed by many high-fives until I made them stop, because they were hurting my hand!

J~Man has his first LEGO-Robotics competition tomorrow.

Now it is on to the boys' birthdays, Thanksgiving, Advent, our wedding anniversary, and Christmas.

Of course, the learning doesn't stop: there will be plenty of reading ~ aloud and silent, poetry, music, art and handicrafts that go with the season.

Keeping Advent

Advent begins on 29 November this year.  That is in only nine days. 
Here are a few links to help prepare for this season of preparation:

at O Night Divine


at A Ten O'Clock Scholar

and check this out...


at Advent Conspiracy

For the Beauty of the Earth

I absolutely love this poem/hymn!

I love the traditional tune by Conrad Cocher;



but John Rutter's choral composition is wonderful as well.



We will be learning this this week.

Project Christmas: Week 10

Wow, only two weeks before Advent begins and 40 days until Christmas Eve!

Here is what yet needs to be done:
fill Operation Christmas Child boxes
turn in CBD order
make Advent calendar
buy Advent candles (yes, I forgot! again)
get rosemary tree
sign, address, and mail cards
buy stockings (we get new felt ones every year and decorate them for St. Nicholas Day)
get supplies for ornaments
make a decision about a tree
plan for family picture
continue decluttering and organizing in preparation for decorating

This Week in the Olive Grove

This Week:

• We finished memorizing our verses from Psalm 139.


• We finished reading Now We Are Six.


• Lulapalooza finished his Bible Reader.


• Toodles finished her Bible Reader and Flower Fairies of the Autumn.

  Next Week:

• We have 2 stories left in Just So Stories.


• We have 1 chapter to go in The Story of Dr. Dolittle.


• We have 8 more readings in The Struggle for Sea Power.


• J~Man has one more chapter to read in Men of Science; Men of God


• Lulapalooza will finish reading A Picnic on the Island for literature and Snakes and Stars for nature.


• They will each have one more spelling list.

Then we are finished with formal academics for the year.

The Extras:

• J~Man and his partner completed their robot for the upcoming LEGO-Robotics competition.


• Sgt. Elf bought a bunny.


• Toodles helped me prepare 20 boxes for Operation Christmas Child.


• Lulapalooza finalized plans for his birthday next week.