The First Week of Homeschool

(GRRRRR...I tried to post this yesterday, but blogger wouldn't upload my photos!!!)

August 18th officially marked our endeavor into homeschooling our boys. We aren't sure how long we will home school...we're taking it one year at a time. So, Jonathan is in kindergarten and Jacob is three. Jacob has been the most challenging part because he so wants to be able to do everything that Jonathan does, but really isn't able to yet. He tries though.

We are following the book The Well-Trained Mind (it is a classical education "guide" if you will). Formal classical education doesn't start until 1st grade, but you can start in kindergarten with the basics...handwriting, math, and phonics.

Curriculum:

Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser (they teach continuous stroke which makes it easier to transition to cursive writing...so wish they would have taught Jonathan this in preschool since we are having to redo a few letters!)

Math: Singapore Math (I love math and really want my kids to love it and maybe even excel at it too...they teach multiplication and division together, since they do go together!)

Phonics: An Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading (the boys are both do this...why not let Jacob learn his sounds right?)

We start with a Bible lesson and then go on to the other three...I let Jonathan pick which to do first, math or handwriting, then we do the other and then phonics. I will have to do another post about what I am going to do with Jacob, after I see if it works.

I would have to say that I enjoyed the first week, and that I can honestly see us doing this for at least a few years, if not all the way. I am not sure if we can afford it though, me being at home and not working. We will have to see.

Here are a few snap shots of the first day.

Here they are at the table working on handwriting and tracing lines.

Here they are being horizontal and vertical lines.

Here they are learning phonics.

I love that I can teach on the floor!

I am trying to implement a rest time for Jonathan during Jacob's nap. He normally piles up with me to watch some TV. I am trying to be more proactive about the TV time. Don't get me wrong...I turned out OK and grew up watching a lot of TV and I think there is a place for TV, but I am starting to wonder if the attitudes we are getting from our boys are coming from the TV. Hmmm??? So, I will let you know how the rest hour and a half goes. Today, it went tell. Jonathan went to his bed with some mazes, which he loves, and a few books. He did great! I slept, showered, and worked on the computer a little.

So, I imagine that my schedule will change a hundred times or so. Once I get it tweaked a little I will post it.

Jacob's Funny

Jonathan: How many planets are there? 7?
Me: No, there are 8.
Jonathan: What does Pluto make?
Me: Pluto would make 9, but it isn't a planet anymore.
Jonathan: Why isn't Pluto a planet?
Jacob: Because Pluto is a dog!!!!

Melt My Heart (x 2)

I just finished our Bible study for the morning with the boys. I am using a one year Bible for children and as asking them questions after I read them the lesson for the day. I started at the beginning even though it is August. Today's lesson was about Adam and Eve being sent away from the garden because they had sinned. After the lesson, I prayed for us that we could stand strong when tempted and that we would try our best to obey. I also prayed for the boys to have kind hearts and loving hearts when their friends came over in a little while. After I said the words "kind hearts and loving hearts", they both, at the exact same time, sat up on their knees and kissed me on my cheek, one on each side! I started to cry and could barely finish the prayer. I am truly blessed! Thank you Lord for these sweet boys and for the chance to be home with them!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for...

1. Manly Man working so hard for us
2. second chances (and third, and fourth...)
3. the right to home school my children
4. homeopathic allergy relief "medicine"
5. friends who really know me
6. Jacob's laugh that I have to get on tape because it is just way too hysterical!
7. my family's health
8. health and dental insurance for all of our upcoming things that need to be taken care of (next on the list...wisdom teeth out for me...if I can be brave enough)
9. Jonathan randomly hugging me, kissing me and telling me he loves me
10.God not giving up on me, even when I don't believe Him...Lord help my unbelief!

A Pseudo-Mistreatment

The Nester sponsored another mistreatment party and I am a day late. Always my luck, but hey, I got it done!

This was Jacob's bed. It didn't have a comforter or even a quilt or blanket that "covered" it the way it is "supposed to." I didn't order the matching stuff to go with his brother's bed because it was a little expensive and because we are hoping to get bunk beds soon and change their room to a fire fighter's room theme-y thing.

I decided to finally get him a "real" comforter and found a reversible one (navy/red) at Kohl's for only $20 (on sale)! I got one for Jonathan also. I have been wanting to have some sort of bed skirt, but not ruffles...they are boys. I haven't wanted to pay for one though. Honest. I got some stuff from my mom's house last weekend that has been there for about a year now. In one of the storage tubs was a set of navy blue twin sheets.

That poor flat sheet didn't stand a chance. I just tucked and made a flat pleat and safety pinned it in two places and wala....(how on earth do you spell that word?) I had a bed skirt!


All in all, I am pleased with it. It will work for now, until we do the bunks and don't need a way to hide stuff under the bed!

***Side note....I showed Jacob his new bed.

Me: Jakey, come look at your new bed.
Jakey: Wow, it is even bigger!
Me: Now you have real big covers.
Jakey: That means Daddy can't poot in it!

Makin' Mama Proud

I haven't enjoyed the Olympics as much this year as in the past. Perhaps it is because they are just way to darn late to stay up for. Yes, I am that old! I have always liked watching the gymnastics...it is as close to ballet as the Olympics gets so, in some way, it is nourishing to my soul. I watched the last 8 or so miles of the women's marathon this year...that was inspiring! I have enjoyed running, but I highly doubt that I will ever run a marathon. But, never say never. The diving competition is also pretty intense...I always fear a head being cracked open on the board...it has happened! I have seen a few minutes of fencing, rowing, indoor cycling this year.

I think I spent more time this year watching swimming. Perhaps it is the sheer power that swimmers seem to possess as they push through that water for anywhere between 20ish seconds to 15 minutes. I watched the men's 1500 meter race...30 lengths of the pool...that is intense. Perhaps my intrigue comes from the fact that my swimming skills are sooo bad! Maybe it is because my boys took their first swim lessons this summer. I do know one thing however. I was captivated by Michael Phelps and his push to make history this Olympics. I remember him going for it in Athens and not making it, but still doing a remarkable job. I found myself drawn to the TV to watch his races, cheering him on every stroke. I was filled with so much pride for him, like he was my own boy. I watched the interview that Bob Costas did with Michael Phelps and his mother, Debbie Phelps, after the 8 gold medals had been won. I was taken back by the way that Michale looked with so much honor on his mother. I believe that he is just as proud of her as she is of him. He searched for her during every race, every medal ceremony. He gave her his flowers, as if paying tribute to her for everything that she has done for him. It was beautiful. I can only hope and pray that one day, my boys will look on me with a little bit of pride and a whole lot of love!

Manly Man's Monday

Thanks Manly Man for all you do for us. Thanks for loving me through it all. Thanks for putting up with me, especially lately. I know it has been a bumpy road, but I love you and love being married to you!

Thanks for a wonderful birthday trip to the mountains. It soothed my soul...you and the mountains. And, I loved that we finally found that old store...if only we could find the water falls!

I love that you took the day off to come to the boys' "show" that last night of music camp. I love the way you hugged me when you saw me for the first time in 5 days. I still love you even though you forgot to notice my new hair cut and color when I got home.

I loved drinking coke from a bottle with you and having that yummy burger. I really loved finding that gas for only $3.45!

I'll miss you this week. Remember, you are doing it for us all and in the long run, it will be worth it. I love you! Here's to some good lasagna coming your way!