October already?

   Wow, has it really been a whole month?  It is amazing how quickly time goes by when one is busy and enjoying the busyness. Let's see how much recap I can do without making this post a total bore.  We have mastered greater than and less than < >...woo hoo!  Who knew that would be a tricky thing to teach?  Actually, that wasn't as difficult as explaining how to write in expanded form. I'm still not sure he really "gets" it, but at least he was writing the right answers.  I know I sound pathetic, this is first grade math after all, if I can't teach this how will I ever explain quadratic equations?  My wonderful husband lovingly reminds me that I have a few years before I'll have to worry about that, thank goodness! 
   My favorite part of homeschooling is that we can go anywhere, almost anytime (the toddler has to nap eventually).  Our recent outings have included a trip to the pumpkin patch and a tour of the local firestation.  It's amazing the questions that can be provoked in the minds of these darlings when standing beside an enormous engine.  It is also amazing how it always seems that my children are the ones who seem to find just the right button to set off the siren (when everything appears to be disconnected). 
   I plan on adding some pictures following this post, but the clock is getting ahead of me and if I am going to be of any use tomorrow, I better turn in for the night.  Looks like the pictures will have to wait another day.

a bible lesson

     I just love the innocence and faith of children, it is both funny and refreshing.  Lately, my son's curiosity of God and heaven has seemed to be "awakened".  Recently, while driving to the YMCA for some fun-filled energy-burning football-throwing, chase, and unwind time, Aidan began questioning me about who was going to make it to Heaven.  This really seems to be a concern of his lately.  The conversation unfolded as follows; "Mommy, since Madison came to church with us, does that mean she knows Jesus now and she'll go to heaven?" "Well, baby Madison is probably getting to know who Jesus is and since she's a kid she will difinitely go to heaven, but it would be a good idea if Madison could keep coming to church and getting to know more about Jesus." "Mommy, I should  invite all my friends who don't know Jesus to go to church so that they can go to heaven, right?" "I think that would be a great idea." "But they got time cuz they're just kids, not like old people, we have to ask them right away because they might die soon huh Mommy?"  "Well, let's just hope they don't die too soon baby." 
    Continuing this same train of thought later in the day, Aidan questions both Daddy and myself.  "Daddy, you said that just your Spirit goes to heaven, but that's not right is it Mommy?" "Well, actually baby it kinda is.  Your skin and body will die and go into the ground, but all of your thoughts and feelings and everything that makes you who you are, that goes to heaven." "What about my bones?" "Those die too baby, you get a whole new body."  "But, I like my body."  "We will get an even better body."  "Will it be a different color?" "Maybe."  "Well, as long as I don't have a mustache."  At this point Daddy asks, "Don't you like mustaches Aidan."  "What? Hair all over my face. Gross. No!"
     Over the course of the past few years, I have been praying for some serious wisdom when it comes to raising my beautiful little boys into becoming men of God.  In times like these, I am overjoyed that I am the one who's available to answer these questions.  No matter where this journey takes us, I know that I will never regret the knowlege that is being poured into these little vessels.  I'm not really the kind of mom who determines what her child will be long before the child is out diapers, but it is my desire for them to know Christ, and accept the love of our Father God, and trust His Spirit to lead them along whatever path they choose to travel.  I just remembered one more statement that Aidan said to me just today. He said, "Mommy, everyone doesn't know Jesus, do they?" "No baby, they don't." "Then we should tell them about Him, right?" "Yes baby, we should." "That's a lot of people though so maybe we could make some signs that say, Worship our God." I just love this little boys heart!

Another week

    Hooray, we've done it! We finished another week. We actually seem to be getting the swing of this.  Sometimes I actually wonder if it is supposed to be this easy.  I have to say thank you to you well-wishers out there as well as those of you who have left me words of wisdom  and nuggets of advice (Christine, Robin, Julie). I welcome any suggested reading, and will try to explore suggested websites.  I am learning  that the library is one of my best friends, everything is a learning opportunity, don't always stress about the schedule , and allow school to fit into your day, not the other way around. 
    Lately, my boys seem to be fascinated with sharks so we have been reading some interesting facts about sharks. Random, yes, but they enjoy it, so that's what matters.  While driving down the block yesterday we pass a school bus.  Aidan screams out "Mommy, daddy says that whale sharks are as big as a bus. Is that right?" Well, not really knowing for sure the answer to this, but knowing that they have been reading about sharks, I reply, "Well, if Daddy says it, it must be true." Today I read the shark book and actually saw an odd sketch of a whale shark in a school bus.  Just some useless information for all you out there....who knew I'd be learning too?

trip'n with monkeys

Capitalizing on Daddy's time-off from work, we took another field trip! Yes, two field trips and we are only in our second week.  (Who's wanting to attend my school)?  To be fair, this is our first vacation of the year, so we all needed the down time. Also, the trip was to the Zoo, so there's tons of knowledge to be absorbed in those surroundings. Like for instance; "Mommy, are lions mean? Are these snapping turtles? Does that mean they won't bite me if I pet them? Will this big goldfish bite me if I touch it? What do monkeys eat? Does that tree bark taste like a  lollipop to them? Why do they have such funny butts?"  After the endless question and answer session, I actually looked forward to a meal at McDonald's.

mommy down time

O.k. so I skipped a day, but after I let you know what happened, perhaps you will understand.  This week has been tweeked a little because my wonderful husband finally got some vacation time.  Whenever this happens, I throw in a year's worth of appointments ie. doctors, dentists, etc... in one week.  Therefore, Aidan got to have his first visit to the eye doctor on Monday.  The plan was to see the doctor then come back home and work on school a bit before heading to various other things that I get to do (by myself) while daddy is home with the boys.  Well, I wasn't anticipating Aidan getting his eyes dialated. In other words, no school for at least two hours.  In my world, that translated, "no school today at all." So, we picked up yesterday, well actually daddy did. Yes, you heard me, (or read me) correctly... daddy did school!  In fact, I even squeezed in a nap! Can you believe it?  Yes, the boy is still alive and daddy is too.  Apparently, the experience went pretty well for both of them. Well, except for the occassional, "Mommy doesn't do it that way."
   So, that brings us to today....day 7.  Today was amazing! Maybe it was because I got a much needed break. No, not from homeschool (although that was a nice surprise), but a break from being the "do-it-all mom." Then again, it might have been a result of daddy's incredible influence over the mind of my firstborn.  Whatever it was, I am thankful.  We began with reading (which he flew through). Then moved on to English and Math, took a small break for lunch, flew through handwriting, and ended with more reading. My wonderful darling was like a teacher's dream today.

Our first Friday

Hooray! We made it through our first week, and we are all still here. Yesterday, Aidan was asked, "What school do you go to?" He bent his head, hunched his shoulders and mumbled, "My mom's school." I know that I have very good, valid reasons for doing this, but sometimes I worry. Am I taking away something special from them? Are they going to grow up to be anti-social? Will they hate me for this later? Sometimes being a parent is just plain tough.  No, I'm not doubting my decision already...I am committed to this for at least a year. I predict that I am going to enjoy this so much, that I would never consider doing it differently. Are you laughing? Well, I think my parents are, but then again there were seven of us....I'm not even going to touch that.

Day 4 (diaper disaster)

Pop quiz: What happens to a diaper when washed with a load of clothes in the washing machine? No, I am not talking about the reusable kind. I'm talking about the good ole' disposable, reliable, luvs #4 diaper.Before today, I had no reason to know the answer to this question, but as fortunate as I am, I now know.
    Today I decided to begin school after the baby went down for a nap, thinking that by having one less distraction, things would be a little easier.  This very well might have been the case if I hadn't decided to do laundry with the assistance of my 1 year old (Nolan).
    Everything was going as planned...all three boys were fed, lunch was cleared, and the baby put down for a nap.  This is the point in my day where I am educated to, "the effects of a disposable diaper in the washing machine." Before heading upstairs to begin today's lesson, I decide to quickly throw the clothes in the dryer (assuming this task will take about 3 minutes tops).
    The load set before me, is a load of darks, so instantly I know something is wrong. "What are all of these gooey clear-colored dots all over these clothes?"  Thinking that perhaps the boys left a small ball, or toy in their pocket, I begin pulling the clothes back out of the dryer and shaking them. Ten minutes later, the shaking continues..."Where is all this stuff coming from?"  Then I see it, the culprit, a size 4 luvs disposable diaper (or what is left of it).  Twenty minutes later, I am joined by Aidan (my firstgrader), "Mommy what are you doing,....ooooo yuck, what is all this gooey stuff all over the floor?"
     By the time we got started on our curriculum, the baby's nap was half over and I was being bombarded with requests and demands from 4 year old (Brycen).  However, I did not neglect this special moment to use as a science lesson.  "A diaper can only hold so much mass before it combusts."

Day 3

August 26, 2009

Today we went to the library. Kind of a little field trip, I guess. Took things a lot more relaxed. I don’t want to overwhelm him the first week, so instead of our regular reading curriculum, we read a book that interested him, on his grade level. We skipped handwriting for the day and did the other two subjects from the curriculum. It was a very pleasant experience. The other boys seemed to enjoy the outing as well. All in all, I’d say it went rather well.

Day 2

August 25, 2009

....The adventure continues. After 15 mins of very little work, he was ready to quit. "I just want to be lazy, I don't want to do this any more." To which I reply, "O.k. you can be lazy. You can sit on this couch, with no toys, nothing, until you are ready to finish this small lesson and then you can play. "You mean I can't watch t.v. or play on the computer, or nothing?" "Nope, you want to be lazy...you get to, and when you are done and you realize how boring being lazy is, we will finish this lesson and let you do all sorts of other fun stuff. Ten minutes later…”O.k. let’s finish, I’m ready Momma, I want to do it now.” Twenty minutes later we were completely through for the day, it’s like he got an adrenaline rush.

Day 1

August 24, 2009

Beginning our first day of home school. So far, I have learned that...1. 6 year olds can't concentrate long enough to do all the curriculum in one setting, breaks are a necessity. 2. It is important to have multiple ideas to keep the younger ones occupied, one idea is not enough. 3. Expect to have at least one diaper change and two potty breaks in an hours time.