Lessons in Homeschooling

I'm learning a new lesson in homeschooling today.

*Schedules are good but not written in stone. *

I got up nice and early this morning, thanks to my wonderful husband, and was able to go out for a nice brisk walk/run around the neighborhood. I came back, checked email and did a few things around the house. I woke the boys up a little later than normal... well really just Sean, Ryan is always up at the crack of dawn on his own. All was going well until Elizabeth started "cranking". She woke up too early this morning, I think. I fed her some cereal but she continued fussing so I nursed her and now she's laying here on the living room floor fast asleep. We're WAY off schedule now! haha!

I started fretting a little bit, thinking, "oh no! we've got to get school started! We're running late!" Late for what?! One of the reasons I started homeschooling was to get rid of our stressful schedule. So now, I'm sitting back and "being still". It's Friday after all!! I was planning for an easy day of review. Anyway, if I wake her up, she'll be extra cranky and we wont get anything done regardless.

I'm going to go grab a cup of coffee and go find a nice devotional to read. I think I'm going to like this homeschooling stuff. ;)

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Homeschool fun!

I'm finally forcing myself to sit down and let you know how homeschooling is going this week. So far, pretty good. We've had a few bumps in the road but we're getting through them. It's just still so new to all of us. The boys learn together for Bible class, Science and History (we do Science and history every other day: science one day, history the next) and Sean listens in while Ryan does phonics. Then of course, grammer, reading and math are done separately, taking turns.

I'm adjusting, daily, what we are doing still though. I think today I finally got the right timing down for subjects. I had all the subjects spread out evenly through the day but I quickly found out that after lunch, the boys are pretty much useless on the learning front. Bible is always first, it's fun and makes for a good warm-up for the day... plus it reinforces its importance. ;) Then we do phonics, grammar, and then math and break for lunch around 12... it was originally 1130 but the boys wanted 12 so they can watch SpongeBob *rollseyes*. I only let them watch tv for lunch, to unwind a bit. After lunch, we do a quick poem that has some physical movements to it and then science (or history) since they are fun. We had our first experiment today - we're learning about Birds (from Apologia Science link here) and how they fly. Then Sean does his spelling/penmanship (I've combined the 2 - he writes his spelling words and works on cursive) and we do reading. Ryan has been pretty much done after Science because his work doesnt start until next week but normally we are finished sometime around 1:30 or 2 (depending how much resistance I get from the boys).

That's a quick look into our day, we've been very busy and it is an adventure! I'll keep you updated on how we're doing! I'm beat! so I'm off to bed. Good night all!

PS! did you know it's supposed to get close to 90 here tomorrow!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!! I think we're going to be homeschooling surrounded by fans. (stop rolling your eyes at me!! I know it's hotter there!! ;) )

Family Photos and other news

Finally! We got a family portrait done!! Can you believe it, after all these years!? haha! Family, you'll be getting your copies soon ;). We got a lot of different poses. They actually gave us one extra, we got one of Elizabeth on her own since we already have the boys' school pictures by themselves from last year.

So here you go, here's your sample.... the real ones will be in the mail. Hopefully soon :)

(I think this one of the boys is my favorite)

(Elizabeth doing her cabbage patch impression)

(unfortunately I have to say this one is my least favorite, but meh, guess it could be worse)

(the munchkins all together)

(I love this one!!)

(I actually, believe it or not, like this picture)

We start school on Monday (the 17th)!!! I've been scrambling this week trying to get all the loose ends and planning put together! This should be a fun adventure for us! I cant say the boys are overly thrilled with the idea of starting school. They want summer to last "forever", they said the other night. Me, on the otherhand, I'm grateful everyday that God has given us the opportunity to be able to homeschool. These are such precious years!

I'll keep you all updated on how things are going through the year, what we're studying, etc. This week, basically, will just be getting familiar with everything and what we need to do. You know, normal first week of school stuff. :)

Well I should get to bed! It's late and we have church in the morning. It's so hot and muggy tonight, I'm not exactly looking forward to going upstairs. I know, our mere 80 degrees isnt anything to the weather a lot of you are having this year but muggy is muggy, no matter how you look at it... especially when your A/C is an open window and a fan. HAHA!

Elizabeth Dances

I caught Elizabeth doing this today. She starts her music and then dances away... so cute!!!