Why English Will Have to Wait

We've recently returned from a much needed two week vacation. We were out of town from September 16th to October 1st. Our homeschooling began early in August and we worked extra hard to get ahead. I knew the week before we actually left it would be futile to even attempt any traditional lessons. Instead our lessons that week were more on the line of how to plan, pack, clear out the garden, and budget time. Being the 'smart mom', I knew also to allow us the week AFTER vacation to get back into the routine. We had groceries to buy, clothes to wash, things to put away, spaghetti sauce to make, people to visit, etc. It sure made what I call "re-entry into the real world" much easier!

Yesterday was our first day back to our "regular" homeschool lessons. It went well and hardly seemed like we had been away for a month. We have naturally fallen into a pattern of Bible, History, and Science first. Then a break for brunch. (because neither of us really dig eating when we first get up) After the break we get back to Language Arts and Math and whatever else needs to be covered for the day.

Well, that's the "plan" of our schedule.

Reality??

Not necessarily so...but that's alright with this homeschooling momma!

Why?

Because all around us we can find learning opportunities. I happen to believe that there is more to life, learning and schooling than what we find in our textbooks. So, today when K was eating her lunch she heard all sorts of noise and rustling out the front window. She discovered that our dogwoods were full of robins and a few other feathered friends that were snacking on the red berries. Being birds without hands and manners, they were just landing and jerking the berries right off the branches in a frenzy. Then, K remembered that she bought peanuts for the chipmunk and the squirrels. So, she grabbed the bag and made a large pile in the middle of the garden and a small pile on the rock. She sat down and waited. Eventually our little chipmunk stuck his head out of his hole and stared at her. She just sat still making little chirping noises and quietly telling him it was safe. He mustered up his courage and came out to start stockpiling for winter. K has been sitting outside for about 45 minutes just watching him and the birds. Quite the nature show for my animal lover and a front row seat to boot.

She was so excited, she asked me to join her. Which I did, with my camera, of course.

click for the larger image...he really is rather cute!

English will wait a bit longer than "scheduled", but it will get done. K will have a story to share with her dad and her brothers and whoever else will listen. In my mind, it was the better choice.

Back to the routine....

Well, it's a week later then I had hoped. However, today we got right back into our routine. After taking an unexpected extended break due to sickness on both ends of my "scheduled" December break, I was so looking forward to hitting the books with K, getting back to regular cleaning chores and cooking. Sure, I cooked during the past 6 weeks. It just doesn't seem the same though, if I'm not trying to schedule it around math, spelling and laundry.

Now, while I must admit mentally it felt great to be back in the saddle, I just need to say....it's exhausting!! Morning came too early and it took hours before I really felt awake. Only to find myself ready for bed a few hours after that. Of course, I'm still up. My brain just went to bed.

K did terrific. Now, she may try to deny this, but deep down
she really does like school!

THE END

PS. Don't tell her I said that.

what kind of day is it??

Let's check out what kind of day it is in our neck of the woods.

Ah...yes, it's a wonderful, sunny, windy, fall day. I'll take it over a rainy one anyday!!

Flags aren't the only thing flying and flapping about in this neighborhood...

What's this?

Hmmm....

Are we surprised to find this girl on the other end of the string?

So...what kind of day is it, really??

It's a "I don't have a kite, but I going to use this trash bag and have mommy feel so sorry for me that she forgets that I have schoolwork to do!" kind of day.

What kind of day is it in your neck of the woods?

Homeschool Open House

There is a great community for homeschool moms online that's filled with encouragement, information and even laughs. You can find it right here...The Homeschool Lounge. Right now they are having an Open House and many moms are sharing a little about their homeschooling plans for the year 2009-2010. There are even prizes to win!! Personally, I have my eyes set on a few of them. I'll share that at the end.

First a little about us....for those of you just stopping by for the first time. I'm Tammy and I've been a homeschooling mom for over 15 years. I keep forgetting exactly how long...I just know when you get to this point you just say for over 15 years and that gets a little respect...sometimes! (ok, not really...) I'm married to Mike and he's been supporting our sometimes wacky experiments and group projects for....wait for it.......over 15 years!! (what a co-inky dink!!) Our first three children are boys and they have all since graduated. We are down to just one lovely student...Miss K. It is different homeschooling just one child...but I feel that I have had such a well rounded career. (First time homeschooling, homeschooling with toddlers, homeschooling multiple children multiple levels, homeschooling children with learning delays, homeschooling while pregnant, homeschooling with a baby, homeschooling high schoolers, now just homeschooling one child...wow, that is well rounded!) I can relate to just about everyone out there. Over the years we have changed our styles, our curriculum and our schedules. I try to find what works for each child and do my best to encourage the gifts God has placed in my children.

The boys are all ours and the youngest girl. Our oldest son is in the middle next to his beautiful wife. They are expecting our first grandbaby next month!!


So, what are we using this year. I have fallen in LOVE with My Father's World curriculum and this will be our third year using it. I have never used a set curriculum this long before...but it works with K and we both enjoy it!! We are now studying Creation to the Greeks. We use Apologia for science and AGAIN I cannot not say enough good stuff about their books. It's also been three years for this series and each year has been an incredible learning experience for K AND me! This year we are tackling Zoology 2. For math we use Singapore and Calculadder. Other things that we are using this year are Explode the Code, Wordly Wise, several items from The Critical Thinking Company, Spelling Power, and The American Girl Body Book. Click on any of those links to read more about them.

Here's a glimpe into our school room. This was last year, but not much has changed...except for some new books and a little rearranging on the shelves...oh and my computer is now sitting where you see that basket on the table.

We've already had our first day of the 2009-2010 school year and you can read all about it and see some pictures here. Sometimes the best plans....nevermind....you know what happens with the best plans. Check it out and see for yourself!! Also, if you want to see other homeschool posts highlighting last year you can click here!

Oh and about those items that I am hoping to win.....

I'm hoping to win either:

#2 $50 gift certificate to Rainbow Resource

#11 Reach for the Stars Writing program

#12 Set of Circle C Adventure books

Yes, I'd be happy with any of those or even one of the other prizes.

Wish me luck!!

First Day....

We usually start school at the beginning of August. Now try to imagine all the feelings running through me as it's mid-August and I don't even have all my curriculum! It's on order and should be here this week...whew! However, I was going all kinds of nuts the past few weeks and decided we would start today. Yes, today would be the first day of the 2009-2010 school year. :)

Last week, I spent extra attention on the house and all the little fine details...like laundry! I wanted the week to start off on the right foot. No need for me to be trying to juggle back to school routine and piles of stinky laundry.

I labored on a new system...a schedule of sorts. I'll report back at the end of the week on that...but I have high hopes. I also decided that since we have some important things coming up in the next few weeks that will interrupt our daily schedule, that we would start with an abbreviated schedule. That and the fact that not everything is here, yet!! We are covering most subjects, but leaving out history, science and art until mid-September.

Yesterday, we spent some time with family swimming and visiting and eating dinner together. It was a beautiful day, but I was a bit eager to get home and finish up some of those fine details. I love the first day of school and even though K was trying her best to be very cool about the whole thing, I knew DEEP DOWN she was excited, too.

So, I got home and started the last load of laundry and made myself clean the kitchen before bed. It was rough...but I knew that starting the day with a clean kitchen was an important step to a great first day.

The plan was to get moving early, have breakfast together, take some pictures and to get started. That was the plan....you know how PLANS go, right?

We got up 30 minutes later then I was hoping. Then we found out the dog had gotten out of the back yard and was walking down the street....so we had to chase him down. It really wasn't difficult...he is old and seriously wanted to come in and have water and his morning treat. In fact, looking back I actually heard him barking on the front porch while I was still laying in bed. ;) I heard him and thought..."WOW, that bark sounds really close." So really all along he was wanting to come in...but somehow saying "we chased him down" sounds more productive. So, let's stick to that version! We chased the dog down and then started breakfast. This was around the time that I found out K was running a temperature. Yea, way to throw a curve ball into our PLANS!

However, like I suspected....DEEP DOWN she REALLY was excited about the first day, meaning we were moving ahead like planned. I'm so glad I stayed up last night cleaning the kitchen, because DEEP DOWN I know that's the only reason why she felt like starting school today.

Let's take a look at our first day....

Here's a look at our table in our school room. Doesn't it just scream, "I'm ready for the first day of school?"

I've assembled the cast of characters in our 'first day of school breakfast'. Since I used Trader Joe's Multigrain Mix with no preservatives added, I had to add some chocolate chips...to make it healthy. Ok...really the mix is wonderful on it's own....but it IS the first day of school!

See...I knew she was excited about school.

Truth...I got her laughing about something else and snapped a picture.
Notice the thermometer... temp. 100


Already on her math.
The cards are part of the new system.
Notice the thermometer....temp. 100.9



Our first day went very well in spite of lazy bones, escaped dogs and fevers!!