Homeschooling

I have wanted to do a post about homeschooling for a while. I am a big believer in it. We are in our 15th year. I would be lying if I said it was perfect. It's not. It is good though. We started the year SUU girl was in 2nd grade, Johnathon was in 1st, and Hobbes was in Kindergarten. We have had some stellar years and not so stellar years. The last several have been pretty bleak at times. It is difficult to be a working mom and a homeschooling mom. Things are getting better.

2007-08 and 2008-09 were supplemented by our participation in a co-op which kept the homeschooling option viable for our family. We had a fabulous group of families that participated with fantastic children that all got along well. It was pretty perfect. We met together on Thursdays. We divided the children into 3 age groups: the littles, the middles and the olders. The moms took turns teaching history, english, or science. It was well structured thanks to Teri Ebert who wrote the 4 year plan and has instituted it for many years much to the benefit of many families and my family in particular. Not only have my children learned much, made great friends and had some spectacular learning experiences, it is through our co-op, or group school, that we ended up with our fabulous neighbors--longtime co-op friends, the Capozzoli's.

My partner for those two years was my forever friend, and homeschooling mentor, Danielle. There is no better partner in the homeschooling world. She picked up a lot of slack for me lots of times. Which I appreciate. Here is a picture of her teaching the littles about plants. Since the
whiteboards were occupied indoors she had the presence of mind to use the tree as a bulletin board so the children could see the words she was teaching them about. She is a brilliant teacher. All of the moms in that co-op were truly remarkable women. Our association with them for those two years was an enormous blessing educationally, socially and spiritually. They continue to touch and bless our lives in countless ways. I miss being with them. I miss group school Thursdays.

This year I felt that we should opt out of co-op. I knew that I was dividing myself too many different ways with work, daily homeschool, life in general, and grad school. I am at peace with the decision.

The whole point of this diatribe is to give a little background to my next great goal. As I have mentioned, we have been a little lax with our home school and I need to crank things up a notch or two or ten. So, this post is an announcement that I will be doing atleast a weekly homeschool post. In the spirit of goal setting that was launched by my daily blogging goal, I am determined to return to the ranks of disciplined, daily homeschoolers.... More tomorrow.

Vision

Children are the best thing ever invented.

Zorro was telling me about his day to day. He went to the "food store" (Wal-Mart) with Dad and got peaches and pears and bananas. Bananas that change from green to yellow and ones that change from yellow to green.

I like looking at life through his eyes. Maybe that's because he's wearing goggles. Upside down.

Game Night

Emily. Robin. Dona. Joey.
"Perudo"-a very fun game.
Game night.
Ahhhhhhh--just what I needed.
I wish I had thought to take pictures.
Next time.
Thanks gals.

Sylvia

You know how people will say, in reference to little children usually, "If I could just harness his energy...."? That's how I feel about my mom. "If I could just harness her energy"... I wouldn't even need all of it, just some of it.I could get a lot done with just a very small portion of her energy. She runs circles around me. For example, in this picture from Disneyland she is trying to encourage us all to march enthusiastically with Mickey and the band. Enthusiastic. Now that is a word that begins to describe my mother.

I have noticed a little bit of a strange phenomenon about my mom and me. The more energy she exudes the more lethargic I get. It is like a counter balance. I don't really understand it but it is interesting. Family dynamics are fascinating. Even though I have been an enormous brat to her for an embarrassingly large portion of my life, she would still do almost anything for me. I don't deserve her.

Sarah

I have a sister.
Just one, biologically speaking.

I waited a very long time for her.

12 years.

I adore her.

But

She doesn't read my blog.

I read hers.

Faithfully.

Daily.

Everyone should.

It is spectacular.

She is very witty.

She writes about Tess and Adelle. Six-layer cakes, half marathons, life in Texas, chocolate,
the tooth fairy and hell.

She is amazing.
But she doesn't read my blog. Or if she does she makes no comments.

Which is it sister?

A funny letter from Johnathon. It might be the funniest one he has ever written. (I will preface it by saying that I forgot to write to him today. Not so much that I forgot him--more that I forgot what day it was).

Dear Mom
If I were to say that I was really discouraged, would it mean me getting more mail?
Because I'm really not at all discouraged but if it means more mail than maybe. maybe I am. Actually, I can't really complain because I'm having more success than ever this last week. We extended 8 baptismal commitments, which for this area is freakin' amazing. My comp is a superb missionary and he only has 2 months left. I only have 3 so we're a good team. I'm doing great. Unless of course I'll get more mail if I'm not. Than I'm not.
love,
John

p.s. I did get the package on friday I think.

I am thinking that I will write him a letter.

A view in my room

I am happy to report that I submitted preliminary draft 2 for my Introduction to Information Organization Class. It was at a ridiculous hour, but it is turned in.

Sometime about midway through the assignment I stopped to take pictures of the view from my books. I study best down in my room where the distractions are fewer. Although I must say I like a good distraction now and then.


My life is pretty good.

I like my little corner of the world.

I am content here.

Not that I'll mind finishing grad school. (University of North Texas--Library Science)

Or occasionally leaving this space behind for a little trip out of town, or that pilgrimage in Spain, or out to lunch with a friend...I'm not picky.

And as a side note-- these little 5 hour energy drinks do work. So, if you ever desperately need to stay awake to finish a paper and your usual drug of choice is Dr. Pepper but you can't drink that because you gave your brother a promise that you would not drink Dr. Pepper for 46 weeks in honor of his 46th birthday last October and so far you have not broken that promise, and you're not going to because a promise is a promise after all, here is your answer. The bottle does say that there are no side effects but it is 5:00 in the morning and I am thinking in run-on sentences....