Weekly wrap up/japan update/Curriculum review

This week has been a mixture of juggling school while watching the news.  Its difficult for any of us to concentrate with our friends lives in jeopardy. 

Contrary to news reports, the dependents are NOT being evacuated.  The military is assisting them with with a VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE.  It is not mandatory.  They are not forcing everyone to leave.  There are some that are opting to stay.

Hopefully, I'll find out in a few hours where and when they are sending my friends.  We've heard they are being sent to three different cities on the west coast, Seattle is one of them.  I've offered our home for those that need it.  We'll work out space somehow!!

We've managed to do the basics and even a little science and history this week.  I'm totally surprised we got that much done. 

I knew that Princess needed to start learning her mulitplication table and I've been dreading it.  It took forever for her to memorize her addition/subtraction facts.  I finally got the addition/subtraction storybook from http://www.citycreek.com/.  Only took a few weeks for her facts to be memorized!  I was sooooo grateful.

Today we started her multiplication facts.  I went ahead and ordered the cd rom and flashcards for the multiplication facts.  I love the cdrom and so did Princess!!  She knew her one's and zero's and today learned her 2's and 3x3 and 3x4.   The stories are fun and engaging and there are songs and games to play.  It makes learning the facts fun.  Much more interesting than doing the flashcards everyday!!  If only we'd had this years ago when I was learning them!!

I'll tell you that it is pricey.  The cdrom was $44 and the flashcards were extra.  I didn't purchase the teacher's guide or the workbook.  I didn't find them that useful for the addition facts so I didn't bother spending the money.  Each of the flashcards has a picture of the story on it for the kids to remember the story and answer.  I had thought that it would be difficult to remember all of that, but it wasn't.  The girls really enjoyed learning their addition/subtraction facts.  With four children to get through multiplication facts, I figured that the investment was worth it.

The Writing Menu-what a success!!  The girls had a great time doing their assignments this week.  I did figure out though, that if I'm working on teaching them something in history, science, or geography, I need to wait until the following week to do the writing assignmnet.  It just didn't work out well this week.  I'm extending their assignment until next week so they can complete their writing assignments. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Evacuation from Japan

This Link has the video from the co from Atsugi Naval Air Station regarding the voluntary departure of families of military members from Japan.  Please, note, that this is voluntary, not a mandatory evacuation.

Japan

First, thank you all for your continued prayers.  Japan still needs them as do the service members and their families.  The Rear Admiral in Yokosuka (pronounce Yokoska) just put out a message that time outside should be limited due to low radiation levels.  Also, vents to the outside should be closed if at all possible.

We lived in Atsugi, which is also under the warning.  I'm sure that Zama and Yokota are also under warnings. 

The area is still being hit with huge aftershocks.  A 6.0 hit an hour ago.  The family members are getting extremely nervous, with the continued aftershocks and the radiation warning. I'll tell you also, that the members that are married to the Japanese are stating that the Japanese think another big one is coming.

I hope this map helps you understand where the troops are stationed in Japan. 

I have a friend whose a missionary, that's trying to get her and her kids out of Japan.  They are collecting donations to do so.  If you are interested in helping that way, please let me know and I'll send you the link

I also wanted to say thank you for all your prayers when the tsunami was bearing down on us.  Thankfully, even though I'm on an islans, we're well enough inland in the Puget Sound and on the east side, so we didn't have any affect here.

Thank you all and God Bless!

Japan cont'd

Our friend's husband, Minoru, has been found safe in Tokyo.  He was able to finally get through to his wife and we are so grateful.

And now, more problems.  The Nuclear reactor is not cooling.  Sea water is being used as a last resort.  Please continue to pray.