A day in the life of our homeschool

So, here goes... a day in our homeschool. I would say "typical" day, but there is never a typical day, because we switch things up, go to co-op classes, enrichment activities, field trips, and meet with homeschool groups. We have a field trip coming up soon to go to... a COOKIE FACTORY! We are super excited about that, as we will get to sample their moravian cookies and see how they are made. We are going on one to the transportation museum, plus we are going to the Alamance Battleground one day in October to get a very Colonial Williamsburg type experience- meeting blacksmiths, schoolteachers, spinners, and more. We will even see a cannon fired! Aidan is thrilled about that.

First off, here is what our homeschool area looks like. It is a section of the playroom. The picture on the left shows you that there is a bookcase full of books(this is 1 of the 2 we have upstairs), a Thomas chair the boys sit on to look at books, the plastic bins with craft supplies and math manipulatives, a map of the U.S., a dry erase board (which we use every single day for most subjects!). On the picture on the right, you see 2 desks. The smaller one is for our 3 1/2 year old, Preston. The larger is for Aidan, our 6 1/2 year old. We have a multiplication chart, 100 number chart, chore chart, calendar, and weather chart.

Now, here is how our day went today.

I first woke Aidan up...who happened to be camping out in his tent in the playroom. Life is good. :)

Somewhere around 7:15

We started with an art project, and then went on to math. We use Saxon 2, which is manipulative heavy. The lesson today was on drawing pictures to represent addition and subtraction problems, plus reviewing calendar work, graph work, addition, and basic fractions.

After our normal lesson (which takes between 30 to 45 minutes), he got to play around with tangrams/pattern blocks.

Around this time, Preston woke up and was ready to learn! He may be 3 1/2, but he tells everyone he is homeschooled. He loves reading, math, pretty much everything. Here he is, reading from an easy reader.

After breakfast, it was time for history. This is Aidan's favorite subject. We use Story of the World and we are currently studying ancient times-middle ages. We had an encyclopedia reading today and we read a book set in the time period of ancient India, entitled The King's Chessboard. Aidan also went back to last week's work to finish a project from the Byzantine empire.

Aidan then did some reading from two of our Abeka readers, his Handbook for Reading book, as well as his seat work for Language 1 and Letters and Sounds 1.

After a snack, we needed a break... so we headed to the Burlington area to Joe Davidson park for playground fun and a nature walk.

The boys loved hiking through the woods and discovering different trees, rocks, mushrooms, and even a little stream of water. After a nice walk through the woods, we found a bench to sit on and eat our picnic lunch. The boys were very tired when we were through and ready to go home. We ran into another homeschooling family there, learning about the phases of the moon. The woman, who will teach Aidan's geography co-op course, had the same idea as I did- to do some learning outside.

We went back home and it was time to read! I read the boys a book about too many toys, and Aidan read a Henry and Mudge book. Aidan also used Explode the Code online.

This usually takes place in my bed. :)

When all of the subjects were completed, we headed down to the .....

POOL!!!

So, that is one day in our lives. Every single day is different. Some more stressful, some more exciting, but each a blessing.

1st Grade!

So, today the school bus arrived nice and early to take all of the neighborhood kids to school... It was the first day back for the local schools, but we started back with our school work 3-4 weeks ago (so we can break when the weather is nice and cool). We are loving homeschooling right now! Today we did our schoolwork, went to a bowling playdate with our homeschooling group, and spent an hour at the pool.

Our school choices this year:
Math- Saxon 2
Reading- Abeka, Explode the Code Online, Phonics Pathways, HOP
Spelling- Hooked on Spelling
Science and History- Well Trained Mind choices (classical)
Electives- Hooked on Spanish, Abeka Health
Classes- Homeschool Gymnastics, Art, Geography, and Music
And lots of trips to the museum, zoo, and LIBRARY!

This year we switched our math program from Math-U-See (used Alpha last year) to Saxon 2 this year. The boys like Saxon much better. I say boys, because Preston sits there and counts, skip counts, and answers the questions with his brother. He also insists on reading his brother's 1st and 2nd grade reading material, annoying Aidan greatly. :)

I am really looking forward to a great year. Last year I was not at all confident, but I am learning more each year!

Mother's Day reflections

I am sitting here in a quiet house... Joel has taken the boys out for some Mother's Day shopping. It has given me a peaceful house, which is nice- for a while. My family often comments on how crazy it seems at my house, but I truly cherish the noise. The sound of raucous laughter, the running feet, the barking dogs. It may be chaotic, but it is my chaos.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I think back to those hospital trips...those tiny little babies that I would be entrusted with. I remember turning around in the car as we left the hospital when we brought Aidan home and seeing the car seat with him in it. It hit me...he was MY son. Up until that point in the hospital, it was all very dream like. He would be mine to protect, nurture, and raise. When his little brother joined us 3 years later, I felt so blessed. They certainly grow quickly, but every stage is so special. Play-dough food brought to me for tasting, pictures to admire, swings to push, and books to read. I could fill pages with the every-day moments that fill my day, and my heart.

I hear them in the driveway now. Bring on the noise! I am so very blessed...

I am on a roll!

I am getting in shape! Since last Monday, I have spent every day on my treadmill. I took Saturday off, so I have so far done 7 out of 8 days. I have dropped 3 lbs. Only 8 to go!!!

I absolutely abhor exercising, but I love my bikini more than comfort any day of the week. So, I am officially on a roll.

On another note, I sent my resume to Burlington Christian Academy. Gulp. We'll see if I get a response, if they are even hiring... I would like to teach for a year, see if I like it before I devote a Master's to the subject. I could bring in some money, the boys would get a 90 percent tuition break, and it is a good Christian environment. I hope to hear something in the next week or so. It would definitely be a change for us all, but it would be a nice change, albeit temporary (hopefully a baby will come one day). If it doesn't happen, that is OK as well. Aidan has been a bit lonely without any friends around and I would like him in school...just not public school.

Finally, we have bought land and we are listing our home this week on MLS! I am super excited about moving, our cool house plan, and our proximity to my mom. After yet ANOTHER break-in for the neighborhood (2 in 2 weeks, 4th or 5th in a year), I am ready to GO! :)

Preston, my 3 year old!

Well, this post is a tad late. Preston turned 3 years old on Groundhog Day (Feb 2nd). We spoiled him rotten, of course. Joel took the day off and we started the day at Bob Evans for breakfast. After a nice meal...

We went to Build-A-Bear! Or, in our case, Build-An-Owl and Build-A-Puppy. Preston made a cute dog, which he named....Rocket! Yes, he is obsessed with Little Einsteins. Aidan made an owl, named Hedwig, demonstrating that my children watch too much television. :)

On the following Saturday, Preston had a birthday party with our family. We decided on a Little Einsteins theme, so of course I made a cake shaped like Rocket.

We did a treasure hunt for musical instruments, which the kids played when the hunt was over. They did a craft, played together, and it even ended with their cousins spending the night!

I cannot believe my baby is 3!!!

A stolen quiet moment...

The boys and I played a few rounds of Candy Land while Greg napped and then they decided to get on their costumes and play Harry Potter. They are casting spells on one another in the other room. I have a minute to myself!

So, I have definitely adjusted to having little Greg around. He is a good baby, doesn't cry much, and the boys get excited when he comes. I think this will definitely work out! Slowly, but surely, our debt will be g-o-n-e. Then we can save up and move to Chapel Hill in a few years!

I have been considering the summer lately...what part-time camps to put Aidan in and whether or not to homeschool year round. I will (of course) give him a break in the spring and in the summer, but 3 months off? I don't think that is the best idea. He wants to do soccer camp and I am going to sign him up for a wilderness camp (hiking, fishing, etc), and perhaps a VBS. I don't know if we should just continue on with math and reading, or with everything. I don't want him to be burned out but I don't want him to forget things either. I would like a nice balance.
We will definitely have lazy days and a lot of time on our gigantic waterslide in the backyard, but 3 months seems a bit endless for doing nothing. :)

Tired, tired, tired...

Today was interesting and exhausting... I decided I would make some extra money for our family by taking in another child. I watched a 9 month old today. It is amazing how much it altered our day. He crawled everywhere, put everything in his mouth, and needed to be watched like a hawk. While he was a good baby and didn't cry much, the boys were definitely affected. Preston closed himself in his room, said he was sad and said that the baby couldn't come in. Aidan told me in the evening that he was upset that I didn't pay attention to him like I did to the baby. While he took 2 naps, those naps were used to do homeschooling. We did not have time to play while he was here. After he left at 4, the boys and I sat down and played a game of Harry Potter Clue. Then, time for dinner and a trip to the grocery store.

What I realized today is that homeschooling is so much work and I really probably cannot take on more responsibility. With housework, cooking, homeschooling, errands, doctors and dentists and various appointments, my schedule is crammed full. Perhaps a summer gig with an older child will work, but I don't have a lot of free time as it is. And, when I had him on my hip, Preston was on the floor. It is still his hip. Silly? Perhaps... but, he is my baby until I get pregnant. I don't want another person's baby to usurp that position.
I will give it a good solid week- until next Friday- and see how I feel.

Need to pull out that denim jumper...

So, I am attending my very first homeschool event today. I do not know many homeschoolers who are normal, save for my high school friend, Barbie. I know there are many who are still cool, but whenever I meet one they seem to be a bit off.
When we went to Gymboree last week, I met a homeschooling woman with her five kids...wearing- a bonnet and a prairie type dress. So, needless to say I am a bit curious to see if I will fit in. I do not own a denim jumper or a modest...anything. Nor will I. EVER.
It is like high school all over again, although I don't even know if I want to fit into the crowd. I am going for Aidan, not for myself. It just seems a bit surreal... I always thought of myself as someone who would drop her children off at school, grab a Starbucks, and have a bit of a break at home or at a job.
Now, my days are nothing like that. They are NEVER quiet. Preston has decided napping is no longer for him and likes to make as much noise as possible as I try to teach Aidan about space, Hammurabi, and how to become a better reader. I wake up, spend all day with them, and then crash after they go to sleep.
I often wonder how much I am helping versus how much I am losing my mind. I KNOW that our public school is not the answer, but sometimes as my patience is wearing thin I question my decision.
I miss going to school, having a life, having conversations with people. Now I talk to my children, sometimes my mom, my husband, and my sis. I do not know a lot of people, do not get out often enough, and have become Mommy. Not Eva....just Mommy. Mommy. MOMMMY!!!! He took my toy, MOMMMMMY!
Don't get me wrong, I have good and bad moments. When I see the boys play nicely, when I experience them having fun, learning, being silly I love it. I guess some days I am so tired. I miss being Eva.
Unfortunately, making any friends at a homeschool group won't cure that. There, I will just be Aidan and Preston's Mommy. Perhaps I'll grab a Starbucks on the way. And some earplugs.

New Year, New Resolutions...

So, it is a new year once again. Happy 2010! It is the time to make resolutions, although whether or not one will be able to maintain the resolution after the first week is a different story. So, I am attempting to make and keep some resolutions, because we should all strive to become better people. So, here are mine:
1.) Get organized!!! I feel as though I do not have a firm grasp on paperwork, books, and the nursery. The rest of the house is not too bad, but I need a better system. This includes organizing the hundreds and thousands of pictures I have. Daunting, yes. Rewarding? Definitely.
2.) Be on time. This is hard. I seem to always arrive 10 minutes late, at least, wherever I go.
3.) Walk my dogs every day. Since we have a fence, it is so easy to let them use the backyard, let them in, and forget they need to use their muscles. I will start with at least once a day and move up to twice once the habit is formed. Right now, I walk them but not daily.

So, these are the main ones. If I can think of more, I'll add to my list. Wish me luck!

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!