Books, books and more books!

Our first school year is slowly coming to a close here. I cant believe it's only been a year!! (I mean that in a good way.) It's amazing to thing that only a year ago we were battling bus bullies, Sean's stomach problems and frustration over homework lasting all night long. A lot has happened in this past year! I've learned a lot. The boys have learned A LOT - if I may say so! Ryan started the school year out just barely reading the word CAT and now easily reads on a 2nd grade level. Sean's reading has improved greatly!! He still has a few hiccups now and then but he is having a much easier time and is enjoying it a bit more (though he wont admit it ;) ). Both of the boys are able to read from the King James Bible which just impresses me so much! They enjoy it and even ask, "can we read from the Bible today?"

All of our school books have arrived for next year. I was going through the grammar and math workbooks I received from Christian Light Ed. Even the BOYS are excited about these!! The work in these books is a better match for the boys than what we are using this year. The lessons are shorter and not as much as a grind. Poor Ryan has been struggling this year with all the "seat work" he has to do during the day - and I shortened it drastically from what it actually plans for him to do. Sean struggles too for that matter but Sean is a bit older and also more used to it with being in public school for a while.

The news lately has had several very slanted articles on homeschooling lately. Using irresponsible parents as examples of the "norm" and painting a bad light. I can vouch on with first hand knowledge how much better homeschooling is than public school. The boys can't get away with "hiding in the crowd", glazed over eyes during lectures and just mouthing words during recital. Funny story: Ryan is the master of just "mouthing" the words and not actually saying anything when reciting things in a group and especially for singing. Every morning we do phonics drills: Sean, Ryan and I. We read through cards saying as a group things like "E-W says "ew" in flew." Both of the boys hate it! Haha! It only takes 5-10mins but it has helped Ryan get the foundation he needs and Sean's reading and spelling has improved greatly! Anyway!! As we're going through the cards Ryan starts just "mouthing" the words and not saying anything. I laughed and said, "Ryan! That's not going to work when it's just you and Sean saying these words - I can hear when you're not saying anything" Silly boy!!

Well I better go! Elizabeth's not feeling so well today and needs lots of cuddles. I'll end you with some pictures of Elizabeth making an absolute disaster of herself during breakfast the other day.