Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts

Returning to Routines

Getting back to normal, whatever that may be in our house, is my primary goal these days. The main part of TESOL, is over. I still have a paper to write and a practicum to deliver next week. But the everyday class and crunch is officially done.

I'm thrilled to be back in the saddle as mama of this home. I'm working on cleaning up and reorganizing the messes that I and other created over the last couple of months. And since we had suspended the last two weeks of homeschooling, due to the volume of papers I had to write, I'm playing catch up with lessons. Still...I am happy and thankful for both taking the class and finishing it!

The thing that I really enjoy about homeschooling is that I get to spend serious time with both my kids. EJ astounds me at the level of conversations that we can have together. Z man is still working on focusing and completing work, but I love the smell of crayons and reading books with him. So teaching is really more time to soak them in and enjoy who they are.

Our mornings generally start out with lots of chores and breakfast. Right afterwards, we congregate into the living room with our bibles. Each of us takes a seat on couches and chairs. Quiet worship music is put on. And then all three of us individually take some time to read or look at our bibles.

One of my favorite moments of the day is when I can pray with them individually. Many times its my moment to declare who they are in Christ over them, to plead for help in character needs, to confess where I may have slipped as mama over them, and to thank the Lord repeatedly for the joy that they are in my life.

Yea, its good to be getting back into the groove again!

Posted in: , on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 at at 2:22 PM 1 comments  

Jonah, the Turtle


In case you were wondering, we really did have a live turtle in the upstairs bath tub. Jonah, went back to the "wild" last week.

It turned out that, the newest girl who moved in with us, became quite attached to the four legged reptile(?) or amphibian(?). She fed it, took it out for walks, let it roam her room, and more.

Since I wasn't a huge fan of touching it, her casualness about the turtle, helped the children to really enjoy it even more. The kids (and I) learned that turtle could eat bananas, apples, green lettuce, and more. The biggest draw back (besides the fact that he was living in our tub) was that he needed 12 ours of UV light, something we could not give him.

So, after 2 weeks of exploring and enjoying, Jonah the turtle, EJ and his newest "sister" brought him back outside and let him go in our backyard! Overall, it was a fun experience!

Posted in: on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at at 8:00 AM 3 comments  

I Guess I'm Not Doolittle After All

Diesel (the cat) ate one of the butterflies for lunch yesterday. But shh...don't tell the kids. They haven't fully noticed it yet. It turns out one of the girls (living with us) found the said butterfly dec*pitated. Pour little guy!

We got 8 more cocoons in the mail today. My MIL is the one who is sending them to me. She planted milkweed to attract caterpillars. Then she captures the cocoons to give out to fascinated family members.

I'm passing on some of my bounty to a couple other homeschooling families around here.

So, far we are still hanging onto the turtle. But CJ left me a very concerned note this morning, worried that he was dead too. Jonah must have been sleeping... because I found him quite active this morning when Diesel was continuing his efforts in friendship.

Maybe when we are done exploring the turtle, we should pass him on to another family too.

Hmm... which gets me to thinking.... can I pass my cat on for a bit? Or how about the kids? Just for an afternoon or two or four....

Posted in: , , on Thursday, September 04, 2008 at at 1:17 PM 0 comments  

Doolittle, Noah, or Pipi Longstockings ... You Decide!

I am thinking of renaming my blog to "It's NEVER a Dull Moment in this House!" Okay, I'm not seriously going to rename it that, but if you would go through my archives or if you happen to receive our bi monthly newsletters, you would find that I tend to say that phrase alot. Because, well... its just true.

The fact is, having an interesting home is part of my make up. If I didn't get to enjoy people, personalities, kids, color, animals, food, and more my life would be sad. And frankly, I think I'd be depressed.

I'll have pictures soon, to prove the following. I just need to wrestle the camera away from my husband right now. He's in the middle of an intensive internship and his end project will include a picture display (or something along those lines).

So - what's the title have to do with this post?

Well - let's see. Right now, I am feeding the following in our home

7 people
1 cat
2 butterflies
random hummingbirds
and....

a turtle.

Oh the fun! We found a box turtle in the parking lot of our church. And because everything is a teachable moment in my mind, I persuaded my dear husband to bring it home with us. Currently, Jonah (named by the kids of course) the turtle lives in our upstairs bath tub. He is fed a healthy diet of green leaf lettuce, dandelion stems, grass and water.

He is quite comforted by the crazy sounds of our house, which include many loud romps to the bathroom by the kids and their friends. Diesel, the cat, has chosen to make friends with him, a decision that was not talked over in detail with Jonah. But, I think that the butterflies are relieved that Diesel chose the turtle over them! The hummingbirds are excited beyond words, as they were a bit tired of having the cat jump at the window when they were trying to drink. The nerve of that cat....

Who knows what will be next in our house. Unfortunately rodents tend to not really make it in our home, as I have a fetish with mousetraps. But large bugs, if kept whole when they die do make great lessons to teach on. Snakes are a definite no for me as well. I guess we could always trap one of the local bunnies that enjoyed the cabbage we grew in our garden this year!

Never a dull moment in our house..... never!

Posted in: , , on Tuesday, September 02, 2008 at at 11:34 AM 4 comments  

Gimme A Book

When I look back at my childhood, the one thing that I remember the most was all the books I read. I inhaled books, sometimes reading 2 a day. In fact, I distinctly remember my mom sending my brother and I out to play, I would stuff a book down the back of my pants and slip out the door. Within minutes I had found a shaded tree and was lost in my newest novel.


It wasn't more then a day or two after I had brought EJ home from the hospital, that I remember holding him in one arm and in the other, reading out loud, a book to him. At that time it wasn't a children's book, in fact I have no idea what book it was. But I had every intent on having him learn what the melodic sound of listening to someone else read, was like.

When Z man entered the picture, I was a little worried. I didn't have the opportunities that I had with EJ, to read to him from the very start. But soon, those worries washed away as I would hold, again, now Z man in one arm, a book in another, and EJ curled up next to me. Yea, Z man was getting it too.

The biggest collection of anything we own in this house, are books. Bright colorful ones, long and in depth ones, serious or silly, we have quite our own little collection.

Of course a trip to the library, usually yields upwards of twenty or so books, to lug back home. But, oh what awaits us when we sit down and open those first few pages.

This morning, EJ and Z man snuggled up with Diesel the cat, I was off working on something else. I found them like this, EJ reading to Z. Both engrossed on what was to happen next. I stood with a satisfied grin on my face. They got it too!

Posted in: , , , on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at at 1:24 PM 6 comments  

Homeschooling, Feeling a Bit Artsy, and Too Cute

I've been struggling with homeschooling lately. Mostly because it is hard to get back on track when you've had holidays, people staying with you, and out of the country trips. My sweet EJ takes it all in stride, especially when we do double time! I really do love watching him learn though!

Z-man is certainly the second child. Anything EJ's doing, he wants to try as well. Unlike his brother, he's not too thrilled with getting his picture taken!

In all my spare time (yea right!), I've been in the mood to mod podge something. So I took our brown ugly can that held every colored pencil imgaginable and slapped some color onto it! How fun! Now, I'm scanning the rest of the house to find something mod podge worthy.


Since, I didn't find anything to mod podge fast enough, I decided to get a handle on the countless pieces of artwork that coat the fridge in our house. I decided that I was limiting the amount of artwork to three pieces per kid. Then I made fancy name tags and had the kids help me make their own magnet clips to hang with.

Here is one of EJ's clip. Very simple and yet fun.


And in case you were wondering what exactly do we during our homeschooling time. Well, here is one of EJ's most recent works. We polled everyone living in our home about what kind of animals they grew up with. Then EJ made a pictograph.


His four sentences, which you can barely read here are the following:
The dogs are first.
The cats are second.
The fish are third.
The birds are last.
And seriously, what mother couldn't resist a face like this one? I told you he doesn't mind posing for the camera!

Posted in: , , on Monday, March 10, 2008 at at 8:57 PM 6 comments  

Winter Stick

I think I have established my love for mail, in previous blogs. So, I'll spare you the details on my little obsession. Of course, if the mama enjoys something, likelihood is so will the kiddos.

Part of our homeschooling routine is to send letters to family and friends once a week. EJ has his own stationary that I made on the computer. Each week, we sit down, he dictates and I write. I have found that this is really good for EJ for two big reasons. The first is it keeps him in contact with the people he loves dearly. The second, is that it helps him to organize his thoughts in a constructive way.

I found this neat idea somewhere along the way, about sending a tube of goodies in the mail to friends. So, today EJ, Z man, and I put together what we termed as a "Winter Stick."

I took a tinfoil box and taped it up real well, inside and out. Then put decorative paper around it.

Next, I filled it with little goodies, like pencils, stickers, tattoos, etc.

Of course, EJ and I sat down and wrote our letter. Z man got in on the action and decorated his letter for the friends as well.




What goodie box doesn't include a treat or two????

I rolled everything up and placed it in the box. Then taped it up real well, adding directions on how to open the box.

I added an address and some stamps, and will be putting it in the mail tomorrow!!!Hmmm... I wonder where its going to???

Posted in: , on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at at 4:49 PM 7 comments  

Babel On...

EJ and I read and discussed the Tower of Babel today. I read my version, then he read his. Then he drew a picture about it in his Notebook. After that we were instructed to build one.
Here are the instructions. Give child (who happens to be 5 years old!!!) toothpicks, clay and a firm piece of cardboard. Have child make small balls with the clay and build the Tower of Babel.
Friends, Mama was having as much of a problem with Babel, as EJ was. This was our pitiful final product.

Only three stories high (in toothpick world) and leaning a bit to the left. Hmm...
You try it!

Posted in: , , on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at at 11:15 AM 3 comments  

My Morning

(As part of homeschooling, I have been having EJ dictate to me in a journal once or twice a week. I purposefully ask questions and draw things out of him so that he can "write" his story, letter, etc. This is his story of our events this morning.)

When I woke up, mommy told me that I was going to get a check up and a shot. She did not know that I would get FIVE shots. It was not a fun morning.

We went to the doctors office. First they weighed me and checked how tall I was. I was 40 lbs and 42 1/2 inches tall. I was like, "WOW!" I was amazed at how tall I am and how much I weigh. Then they took me into the room. It had pictures of stuffed animals. Next they checked my ears by doing a "beep, beep" contest. They checked my eyes by me looking at the shapes. I got them all right.

Then the doctor came, when the nurse was all done. The doctor was a girl. There were two doctors. When they came in I was amazed, "why were there two doctors?" The doctor made me do a couple of hard things. But I was okay doing them.

She listened to my heart. She looked at my ears, my mouth, and my eyes. And she asked me a couple of questions. Like, "Can you tell me what shape or letter this is? Can you walk on your tippy toes?"

The last thing that happened at the doctors was a different nurse came into my room. First she checked my blood by pricking my finger. Then she gave my FIVE shots.
I did not like getting the shots. It made me cry a lot, kinda. I don't think I was very brave.

At the end of the doctors visit I got a lollipop and a sticker. That made me feel really super duper happy! Z got the same thing I got, too! Z liked his lollipop.

And that was my trip to the doctors office.

Posted in: , on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 at at 11:49 AM 5 comments  

We Have Lift Off!!


Well, I've told you about the battle to homeschool, the decision, and the choice, here, here, and here. Now, let me tell you about how its actually going. I can sum it up for you in three words.

Great. Fun. Awesome.

I love it. Our home is finally getting back into a groove, but a new and improved groove. Structure, learning, a routine, oh, do they ever do glory for my heart! And the kids hearts too.

I think EJ has only said 100 times in the past week, "I love my, mommy. She's the best mommy in the world!"

Now, I am not saying it because I think I am the best mommy, or for that matter even close to it. But our home is a bright, cheerful and happier home when I am doing constructive things with my kids. Homeschooling is the icing on the cake for me.

EJ loves to learn, which only makes the entire process wayyyy fun. And our curriculm is easy for me to do. I don't feel overwhelmed with a lot of work.

So far, I feel like I am actually a better mom, when I am teaching them.

Posted in: on Saturday, September 08, 2007 at at 1:28 PM 4 comments  

The Decision to Homeschool...final post


Well, I've walked you through my decision, my insecurities, my face off with God here and here.

Now, for the fun part!

Now that I am fully on board with homeschooling, deciding on how to choose a curriculum has been fun. I will admit that it was a tad overwhelming still, because there. is. so. much. out. there.

But, still I was looking through different eyes now. I was looking at what was best for EJ.

Here are my goals for EJ this year:

math - this is more of year of strengthening his skills, he knows a lot, but could use some sharpening

reading - ooh, I am so excited b/c I really believe that by the end of the year he will be reading more then just simple books - start him at a first grade level this fall

writing, science, history, art - use a unit study curriculum

bible - incorporated in the curriculum, focus on his heart with God

manners - sharpen this area

discipline - recognize his age and stage and begin teaching him more then just correcting

I chose to do a couple of different things. First, I decided to use My Fathers World, First Grade curriculum. It is a unit study that is bible based. He is beyond kindergarten level for reading, so I felt that he would be more challenged in a first grade program. However, I am not so thrilled with their math program. So, I purchased the K - Saxon math. I am really excited about this program because I think it will thoroughly strengthen his math skills! As for manners, I purchased a book called Manners, Please. Which has 20 lessons on correct manners. This will be good to use with Z too.


And finally discipline...well, I am beginning on my own end reading, Shepherding A Child's Heart. I am doing the bible study on my own and am praying that it will help me with my own frustrations. After that I hope to get a copy of For Instruction in Righteousness. This seems like an awesome book that can help with teaching right from wrong in a biblical way.

You know, I feel so much more confident on what is chosen here. In the end, I began to see that choosing to homeschool EJ is giving me the opportunity to cater to his needs. I can mix it up a bit, doing a first grade unit study program with a kindergarten math program. It's what's best for him!

As for Z, well, he turns three in about 2 weeks. I have so many fun things stored up from when I taught EJ preschool things that I don't need to do much more then use what I had before. Plus, since the major part of EJ's schooling is a unit study I can include Z in that as well!

Oh and btw - we have field trips set up too, already! But, I won't bore you with those details right now! I'll save it for when we actually go!

Posted in: on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at at 7:00 PM 7 comments  

The Decision to Homeschool, part 2


Feeling fairly confident that this was the path that we were to be on, with education, I began to do what any new homeschooler does, educate myself.

I started with reading up on things. First, I familiarized myself with the states regulations on homeschooling. The good news is that I have about 2 years until I need to start reporting to them. This means I should have a better idea of what I am doing by the time that I need to answer to an "official."

Second, I read the book, The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child, by Linda Dobson. This was a good book for me, because it helped me to look outside of the educational box. It also showed me that every homeschooling mama out there has good and bad days, weeks, months, and years. But the kids still learn and can go on to college.

What I didn't expect in all of my research was the big case of, "I'm not so sure I really want to do this," sickness to come on. It started with feeling weary as a mom. Then it turned into, thinking that the majority of the population out there sends their kids to school by this time of life. Moms get a break! And I am signing up, to not have that break. Good grief....

My oldest son is an amazing child. He is smart, really smart. He loves to learn, loves to ask questions, loves to talk, and loves to be moving. He is 5 and he hasn't gotten the reserve of a 30 year old down yet. I don't understand why! LOL. But, he has also been my child that has pushed so many of my buttons at once, that I have called his daddy at work and begged him to come home. He's my child that literally had behavioral therapy at age 2, because he was already pented up with frustration.

Being a mom to him has been good but much harder then I had ever thought it was going to be. And now, I am choosing to homeschool him??? Am I nuts?

As if questioning the direction of God, wasn't bad enough. Then I started getting questions from those friends and family who weren't so sure of our decisions. And through the course of their questions, I started to doubt our decision even more.

I mean, we are talking about kindergarten here, right? Shouldn't I be leaving that sort of education to those who were trained for this? Am I really qualified to teach my son?

This sent me into a talespin when looking at curriculums. Have you seen the amount of curriculums out there? I am not joking it is overwhelming. And now, I felt I needed to prove to family and friends, that I CAN teach my child and he will get the best education out there, no matter what it costs! So, perhaps I should consider the most expensive boring curriculum out there....

I am just being honest here. It's ugly, I know.

So, here I am a heap on the floor, struggling with myself, my expectations, my time, proving myself to others, me, me, me.

Enter God...

I've never heard the audible voice of God. At least not yet. But I did hear Him recently through a gentle rebuke from a close friend. Her words to me, were "Fire, all I hear is , I, I, I. What about EJ and what's right for him? What about him?"

Well that pulled me out of it, quickly. The pang of conviction was strong in my heart. I realized where I was doubting God and overlooking my son. And almost as soon as I began to repent, I felt as though the knot of anxiety in my body, began to wither away slowly.

Curriculums became much easier to decide on, because I prayed and because I began to look at them through what was right for my EJ, not everyone else, including me. And confidence began to rise up in me. I am choosing what God wants me to do and what I believe is right for my child. This is good.

God, being God, has slowly been renewing the joy of motherhood (and as a wife too!). This homeschooling thing, is the right path. I know it!

Up next... goals for the year and what I am excited about this school year!

Posted in: , on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 at at 9:17 PM 2 comments  

The Decision to Homeschool

Well, I know that I have talked about it a bit, here and there. And that there are many of you who know me in real life, but are 8 hours away from me. I can't just sit down and talk with many of you like I used to. So, I want to tell you why I am choosing to homeschool! Here you go...

I remember within a few weeks of having EJ, someone said to me, "What do you think you will do for schooling, when it is time?" Oh good grief, I had just had baby, who was seriously ill, went through NICU, a c-section, my husband laid off, and a host of other issues. The thought of how I planned on educating my newborn son five years from now was the furthest thing from my mind at that time.

So, I answered it this way... "Who knows. But I can tell you this, I don't want to send him to public school. I pray that the Lord will give us the finances to send him to a private christian school. And the Lord would have to totally change me to EVER consider homeschooling!!"

Why, oh why, did I ever say that last sentence? It was as if I was challenging Almighty God, Himself, to change me and make me do something that I was seriously afraid of!

As time went on, I found that I was not a good "play mom." You know what I am talking about? The kind of mom who gets right down on the floor and plays and pretends and makes cars fly off of ramps, scrambled eggs in the pretend stove, and dresses up. Yea, it wasn't quite working for me.

I found I was quite the goal oriented kind of girl, even as a mom. I LOVED sitting down with my son and teaching him his ABC's and 123's. And fortunately for me, my son LOVED learning about them. And so, our play time as mother and son, was more teaching time. He never knew the difference!

Slowly, I started thinking that I may be cut out for this whole homeschooling thing after all. So, I went against the grain (particularly with my family) and I opted not to put him in preschool. I mean, he's never had a problem with socializing (EJ - can talk anyone's ear off, trust me!!). And all the kids in church and in the neighborhood loved playing with him. Plus, I wanted to be with him. I wanted to have him home. I wanted to be the one who was seeing him grow. And well, honestly, I wasn't so sure I could trust someone else to do the job.

Listen, a 4 year old is not learning algebra or trigonometry. ABC's, 123's, colors, shapes... I can handle that. And so I did. I taught him all the preschool things, without a curriculum, just on my own. He loved it. He still loves it.

Well, it became time to make a decision on kindergarten. I prayed. CJ prayed. And then I prayed again. "God, what do you want us to do for EJ's schooling?"

Quietly, I felt the nudge to keep him home. And thankfully, I felt the Lord encourage me to revisit him yearly with the decision.

Up next, insecurities, choosing a curriculum, and are you sure, God, you want me to do this???

Posted in: on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 at at 9:35 PM 4 comments  

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