End of Summer

Well, I obviously don't blog much anymore.  Maybe that will change with the kids going back to school?  Maybe not.  Now that the kids are older, it's just so much harder to blog without stepping into their stories and privacy.

We had a lovely but busy summer.

• Our daughter got married!
• Camping with our church family
• Cabin with extended family
• Time at the beach
• Church
• Jobs, Appointments, errands
• And all the normal life stuff...cooking, cleaning, laundry, yard work, etc.

And now we are headed back to school.

1. Janae - Homeschooling.  Senior Year.  She is working and focusing on the few remaining credits she needs:  Government/Econ (City on the Hill program + Notgrass), English (British Lit), and Biology.
2. Zach - Grade 8 @ GMS
3. Mark - Grade 7 (Learning Support) @ CMS
4. Micah - Grade 6 @ GMS
5. JH - Home with me for 1 more year.  He's doing Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and has an IU13 Special Ed Teacher.

As the kids head back to school, I'm hoping to get caught up on things around here that need done.  Not homeschooling any of the boys should help, but we'll see.  I also want to do some canning now that I've finally found lids a few weeks ago.  And I imagine JH will need plenty of attention as he withdraws from having his brothers with him every day.  I'm also looking forward to the humidity breaking and fall weather (but not winter so much).

Have a lovely day!

Blessings,

~Karen

School 2020-2021

 As I mentioned in my previous post, our schooling is currently on Plan B.

So, for those of you who are curious as to what we are doing, here's the basic plan (off the top of my head, not necessarily exclusive to this):

Janae: 

*    History & English - Notgrass World History + Grammar

*    Math - Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 + Dave Ramsey Foundations High School Math (co-op)

*    Science - Environmental Science (Co-op)

*    Foreign Language - Rosetta Stone Spanish + Spanish @ Co-op

*    Digital Photography (Art)

*    Phys Ed (Biking +)

Zach & Micah - Local Private School

Mark:

*    English/Language Arts - Continue Working with Tutor

*    Math - Developmental Math

*    History - Focus on United States Geography + Wonders of the World @ Co-Op

*    Science - Daily Worksheets, Abeka Health

*    Cooking - 2 classes @ co-op

*    Phys Ed, Art, Music

John:

*    All About Reading - Pre Reading

*    Potty Training

**As always, subject to change...

Dreary Days

Winter has been rather dreary here...not terribly cold but not warm.  Hardly any snow, but damp.  I think I read that we've only had 10 sunny days since the beginning of the year.

I see that I last posted on January 3rd.  At the time, I had all sorts of posts rolling around in my head.  Now I can't remember any of them.  I do seem to remember wanting to post on my "Word of the Year" for 2020 which is Faithful.  Maybe I'll do that yet.

Life continues to roll along.  This week Autumn got her wisdom teeth removed.  I'm strongly considering sending the boys all to school next year and resuming my original plan of only homeschooling high school, so I've started talking to schools about doing evaluations and what not to see about making that happen.  Part of me feels like I "should" feel guilty about sending them back to school as if I failed.  Part of me feels relieved at the thought of having some extra time to things around here that need done.  Another part of me feels some trepidation at having to once again deal with high anxiety over homework every evening.  But I never really felt "called" to homeschool like some people.  It's just something I evaluated every year and did what seemed best per child per year...so I'm okay with however it works out for next year.  We will see how this develops as we continue, but so far it has changed one thing...I'm not looking at curriculum for next year!  I will need to do this for Janae, but she's my third high school student so I pretty much know what I do for them.

In the spectrum of large family living, I'm frequently thinking of what style of dress I want for my oldest son's wedding...while simultaneously gradually potty-training the youngest son.

In January we dropped OT and added weekly tutoring for one son.  He continues with ST as well.  We are working on adjusting meds for another son and resuming talk therapy as well.  We had taken a break after his last counselor unexpectedly quit.  We are in the midst of our winter semester of our home-school co-op.  I'm supervising/teaching Typing this time.  These things are necessary, but do take a lot of time and driving...I'm glad we bought a car so I don't have to take the big van everywhere.  :-)

Considering how many viruses have been around, we've been relatively healthy.  Four of the kids did get mildly sick and we've missed and canceled a few events/appointments, but still, it's been relatively mild compared to what I've been hearing from others. 

As always, I continue to read as much as I can sneak in.  But right now I'm blanking out on what I've read since I last posted.  I know I read "Detached" which was a fascinating story of a man who was diagnosed with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) written by him from his perspective.  I recently purchased "20 Life-Changing Choices Adoptees Need To Make" by Sherrie Eldridge.  I've been blessed by Sherrie's writings and am finally starting to add her books to my collection after years of wanting to do so.

Randy and I went out for the evening last Saturday night while our friends kept the kids.  It's always nice to get away for a few hours and be able to talk without interruption from anyone other than a waiter or cashier.  :-)

And my final random thoughts...I'm looking forward to warmer weather and spring flowers.  I've been thinking about Lent and whether I want to "give up" anything this year...but nothing has come to mind so far.  Fasnacht Day is late this year so I guess Easter is late as well.  It will probably snow in March since we haven't had much yet.

Blessings!
~Karen

2019-2020 School Year/Curriculum choices

Yes, it's that time of year again.  Time for school.  The schools in our area start between next Monday and the day after Labor Day, depending on which district you live in.

We chose to start homeschooling August 1 (although not full-time...we still have some days that have other summer plans).  As we plan to take a trip to the Smoky Mountains later this fall, I want to start getting days in.

This year I have 4 kids in school.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that our kids are transitioning to adulthood...seems like they were just all here around me.  But it's good.  And necessary.  And right.

So...what are we using for curriculum this year?

Janae (10th grade) - Math - Teaching Textbooks (Algebra 1 and Geometry).  Science - Conceptual Chemistry (through our Co-op).  History - Notgrass American Voices.  English - Notgrass American Voices + Progeny Press Literature Studies + a co-op class on Creative Writing/Research Paper.  Health - PACES + supplemental materials.  Foreign Language - Rosetta Stone Spanish.  Phys Ed.

Zachary (6th grade) - Math - Math U See Epsilon.  History/Social Studies - Study the Constitution (1 Semester Co-op Class).  Second Semester to be determined.  English - PACES Word Building, Literature & Creative Writing, English*  Science - Apologia Astronomy (Co-Op).  Other:  Typing (Co-op), Phys Ed, Art Music

Mark (5th grade/Life Skills) - Continue working with tutors and therapists, Five in a Row Curriculum (a curriculum that uses literature/stories and addresses all subject areas), Continue working on building basic reading and math skills.  Life skills such as hygiene, cooking, etc.  Co-op classes include a Spanish class, Art class, and Science class.

Micah (4th grade) - Language Arts - PACES English, Literature & Creative Writing, Word Building*, Math - Teaching Textbooks, Social Studies - PACES*, Science - Answers in Genesis Life Science.  Co-op classes:  Literature/History, Math, History.  Other:  Phys Ed, Art Music

*In regards to PACES, I find them very fundamental so I do edit and subtract/add information as appropriate for our church/family value system.  My boys do well with them as they have learning challenges.  The system of having material broken into 12 thin booklets (instead of larger textbooks) works well as it is less overwhelming.

And that's our plan for this year.  As always, things are subject to change as needed.
~Karen

November Randomness

November 23rd...only 32 days until Christmas...and a week after that is the new year.  Where did this year get to?!

Yesterday we enjoyed spending the day with my family.  We also celebrated my Dad's birthday as well as 2 of my brothers' birthdays (I'm having trouble with what the proper punctuation is for that).  Before going, some of the kids enjoyed watching some of the Macy's Day Parade.

Normally today I would get out my boxes of Christmas decorations and decorate.  But with Thanksgiving falling so early this year, I decided to wait until next weekend.  But this morning I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and second-guessing that decision.  Autumn is working today, though, and she usually helps me so I will wait for a day that she is home.

The kids did minimal school work the week of Haydyn's adoption as I was spending some time doing a bit more thorough cleaning than normal, so today (or at least this morning) we will be doing school work.  I will also be mentally thinking through if there is anything that we need (like jeans or snow pants) that I should be buying this weekend with all of the sales.  This afternoon (and/or Monday afternoon) I will probably do some online shopping.

The sky is getting lighter as I type...it's a beautiful, cold, clear morning just as last night was cold and clear with a full moon.

Time marches on...last year my "word of the moment/year" was "Hope".  I've started thinking about that again.  The word that's been coming to my mind is "Strong".  I've contemplated "Courage" as well, but "Strong" keeps coming to me...as when Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians, "When I am weak, then I am strong"

"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I don't delight in all of those things...but I'm working on giving thanks in all circumstances, I'm inspired by the men & women who persevere in their faith under great adversity, I'm convicted of my own shallowness.  And I'm very aware of my weaknesses.  There's a song by Legacy Five from many years ago with the line "Strong in the strength of someone else" (referring to God)...so that's "my" word for the coming months/year (I don't feel bound by a calendar year...I have a "word" until I have a different one).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Homeschooling - Year #5 - Part 2

Part 2 - Year 5 Details

So this post is for other homeschooling moms who, like me, are curious about curriculum and that sort of details.  So here is the breakdown...classes included but not limited to:

Autumn - Grade 11/12

• Math - Dave Ramsey High School Curriculum and Abeka Business Math
• Language Arts - English III (British Literature with a focus on Shakespeare) and English IV (The English Component of Notgrass Government and Economics).  Easy Grammar.
• Science - Abeka Biology (Homeschool Co-op) and Microscope Lab
• History - Notgrass Government and Notgrass Economics
• Other pursuits will include Violin/Piano, Cooking/Baking/Food Prep, Phys. Ed.

Janae - Grade 8

• Math - Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra + Algebra
• Language Arts - Progeny Press (4 Units starting with "Swiss Family Robinson") + Easy Grammar
• Science - Apologia Physical Science (Homeschool Co-Op)
• History - Pennsylvania History (Homeschool Co-Op)
• Language - American Sign Language (Homeschool Co-Op)
• Art History - Overview of Famous Artists and Famous Paintings
• Other pursuits will include Home Ec, Piano/Voice, Phys. Ed.

Zachary - Grade 5

• Math - Last year we did Teaching Textbooks 4.  I wasn't convinced that he had mastered division, so we switched to Math U See for this year.  We are focusing on mastering division.  I'm hoping to then switch back to Teaching Textbooks, but Math U See may be a better fit for how he learns.
• Language Arts - Progeny Press (4 Units starting with "Across Five Aprils), Writing (can't remember the title), BJU Spelling, Grammar
• History - Countries & Continents (Homeschool Co-op), Ancient Wonders of the World (Homeschool Co-Op)
• Science - Daily Science + Apologia
• Other:  Soccer (Homeschool Co-op), Art, Music, Cooking

Mark - Grade 4 (Life Skills)

• Time4Learning.com
• All About Reading
• Math-U-See
• History - The Story of the World - Book 2
• Science - Homeschool Co-op, Daily Science
• Other:  Art, Music, Cooking, Phys. Ed.

Micah - Grade 3

• Math - Math U See Gamma, If we get through that, we will finish the year with Teaching Textbooks 3
• Language Arts - BJU Reading & Spelling
• History - The Story of the World - Book 2
• Science - Homeschool Co-Op + Apologia
• Other:  Art, Music, Cooking, Phys. Ed.

So that's the overview.  I also plan to do a health curriculum with all the kids.  And I'm sure there are some things that I forgot to list since I'm just trying to remember everything without actually looking.  :-)  Everything subject to adjustment and tweaking as the year progresses.

~Karen

Homeschooling Year #5 - Part 1

Part 1 - Our Homeschooling Story 

This past Monday we officially started school.  That means school every day.  We've dabbled over the summer...some math here, some handwriting there, a museum here, a cooking project there...but now we're officially switching from "summer mode" to "school mode".

As you may know, I had no desire to homeschool.  None.  Our kids went to a local, Mennonite school and we liked that.  I was looking forward to the day when all of my kids were in school and I could clean a room without having another room destroyed in the process.  :-)  But when my oldest was in Jr. High, he started petitioning me to homeschool him for high school.  The plan had been for him to switch to the local Public School.  I finally caved and agreed to try it for one year.  So for 2 years, I homeschooled a high-schooler.  Since he was self-motivated, that went pretty well.  He worked hard and ended up graduating in 3 years instead of 4.

My daughter also decided to homeschool for high school.  So year 3 was supposed to be all of the kids were finally in school every day/all day except for the two oldest who would do their work under my supervision, but basically independently.  At the last minute, we decided to add our son who has some special needs and was in a Life Skills class.  But that's okay.  We can do this.  So Year 3 had me homeschooling 3 kids.  And then, Surprise!  A month into school, a little guy joined our family.  Homeschooling with a baby had not factored into my plans...but there it was...so we did that.

Year 4.  The oldest had now graduated.  But our one son was having some challenges (which I'm not going to go into in this forum. 😊  So we decided to homeschool 2 of our sons in addition to our high-school aged daughter.  About February, I decided that I was not doing this very well...this balancing of kids at school and kids at home.  So by the end of last school year, we made the decision (for varying reasons) to pull all of the kids home for this year. 

And that brings us to this year.  Year #5.  This year we are homeschooling 5 children from 3rd grade - 12th grade (yes, my daughter also plans to graduate a year early).  Mid September we will start our Co-op classes.  We will see how the year goes...and by February will be thinking about the next year!

And that's the story in a nutshell.  I kind of fell into this.  And it's good.  A different path than I had expected, true, but it's where we belong at the moment.

~Karen

December already?!

I can't believe how this year has flown by!  I'm sitting in my living room.  The kids are tucked in bed.  The Christmas tree is glowing as most of the lights are off.  "The Voice" is providing me with background music.  I just checked and I need to blog 4 times to tie last year's amount.  Not sure how I got out of the habit of blogging regularly...perhaps it's just the press of life...and the ease of just checking facebook and getting lost there instead of in blog world?

Today I finished reading "The Women Who Flew for Hitler".  It was a very interesting book contrasting two amazing women.

The promised update:

My days are full:  homeschooling, laundry, meals/meal prep, driving to a appointments, squeezing in a bit of Young Living business, keeping the books for Randy's business and our personal finances.  Randy is busy driving his truck and providing for us and keeping up with the never-ending tasks around the house.

Josiah is working full time and biding his time until he is old enough to get his CDL.  Autumn is working hard at her schoolwork (homeschooling) and is an immense help to me at home.  Janae is in Jr. High.  She loves to read and listen to music, particularly along the lines of Toby Mac and Mandisa.  Zach and Mark are both homeschooling with me this year.  This makes their schedules much more flexible as we need to work in various regular appointments for both of them.  Micah is in 2nd grade and takes pride in choosing to like whatever sports team the rest of us are not cheering for.  :-)  Baby is a delight to our family...and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Animals...we currently have a dog, 2 steers, and two flocks of laying hens...and older flock and a younger flock.

We have been working at eating healthier.  Unfortunately, while I have done lots of research and have great ideas, I'm not as far down that road as I could be simply because it takes time to sit down and menu plan, make grocery lists, and shop.  It's a continual struggle and a continual area that I'm working on.  I am also trying to make healthier choices for myself (as I sit here eating red & green m&ms).  Today I even drank 40 oz. of water!  Zach drank 64 oz.  In the taking care of me department, I'd also like to get back into walking on the treadmill.  I did well for about 4 days, and then stopped again...another thing to figure out how to fit in.

Homeschooling:  We are at a new Homeschool Co-op this year.  The fall session wraps up this Wednesday.  We have been enjoying it!  Winter session starts in January.  This Co-op has a Performance Night after each semester.  So that's this week as well.  Otherwise, the kids' schooling is going fine.  For the most part the curriculum choices are working out.  I probably should've gotten Zach a level more difficult in Math, but I'm hoping to finish this level and then start the next level.

Appointments:  We continue to have appointments with various therapists (occupational, speech, psychologists), chiropractors, dentist/orthodontist, doctors (mostly for physicals).  We also have the appointments associated with foster care.  At the end of the year I like to add up all of the mileage for all of these appointments and see how many miles I traveled!

Young Living:  I've "accidentally" ended up with a (very) small business.  So I'm trying to support others in their Young Living journey by offering some online classes.  Right now I'm doing about 1 class a week, but I will probably take a few weeks off over Christmas.  (If you want to learn more about these, you can find links on my business website or follow my Facebook page.

Well, this has gotten long enough!  I hope to be back and see if I can top the number of posts from last year!  :-)

~Karen

And it is August!

I really don't know where the time goes.  Really!

So.  August.  August is freezing and canning.  August is a trip to the beach to wrap up the summer.  August is school starting again.  I am not ready for school to start.  No, I love having my kids home.  I may not love all their crazy shenanigans though!  Now, to be fair, when school does start I will enjoy the quieter moments, but overall I enjoy our crazy family life.

Speaking of school, this year I have 5 students.  My oldest graduated so he is finished.  I plan to homeschool the 10th grader, 4th grader, and 3rd grader (age-wise.  Developmental delays and learning challenges put him on more of a 1st grade level though).  Our 2nd grader and 7th grader will continue attending our local Mennonite school.

For those of you who are homeschooling and curious about these things, this is roughly what we are doing in the curriculum department.  **always subject to change as the year goes along as needed.  **all subjects studied may not be listed (because I'm going off of memory, not actually looking!)  :-)

10th Grade

1. Teaching Textbooks Geometry
2. Progeny Press Literature & Writing + Grammar
3. Astronomy
4. Ancient World History, World Geography
5. Home Economics - Cooking - Traditional Mennonite Cooking (using books including Mennonite Girls Can Cook and The Mennonite Cookbook)
6. Photography
7. Switched-on-Schoolhouse Office Applications II
8. Music - Violin
9. Physical Education

4th Grade

1. Teaching Textbooks Level 4
2. Progeny Press Literature
3. BJU Spelling
4. Grammar
5. Daily Handwriting - Traditional Cursive
6. Science - Apologia Botany, Daily Science
7. Story of the World - Ancient History (Geography included)
8. Cooking - Cookies (at Homeschool Co-Op)
9. Other:  Physical Education, Music
10. Draw-Write-Now (Handwriting, Art, Social Studies)
11. Typingclub.com 

3rd Grade - Special Ed

1. Language Arts:  All About Reading, All About Spelling, Daily Handwriting (Printing)
2. Math - Math U See - Complete Alpha & begin Beta, complete if possible.
3. Science - Daily Science
4. History - Daily Geography, Social Studies - Famous People in a historical context
5. Time4Learning.com (Language Arts, Math, Science)
6. Draw-Write-Now (Art, Handwriting, Social Studies)
7. Other:  Physical Education, Music
8. Occupational and Speech Therapy
9. We may also do some work with the Five In A Row program which teaches lessons in social studies, science, language arts, math, and art through literature.

We may also do some special units based around holidays.  Each of the students will also be taking some of their classes through our local homeschool co-op (I'm trying a different one this year).

I hope to take a field trip to Hershey this year (Chocolate World, Hershey Story, possibly auto museum).  We may also do a field trip to the Ephrata Cloister and/or the Hans Herr House.  We'll see...

This is my fourth year homeschooling.  The first year I homeschooled 1 student and had 1 preschooler (age 4-5), The 2nd Year I homeschooled 1 student and had a kindergartner home part of the time.  Last year I thought I was homeschooling 2 students with no preschoolers, but a baby arrived in our home mid-September changing those plans a tad bit.  This will be the first time I'm homeschooling with with a toddler and (2) Elementary students.  Should be interesting!  I'm sure we'll get into the swing of things after a week or two!

Actually, all of the homeschooled kids have already started dabbling with this year's school work and I (think I) have everything ready for the first week.

Now that I've typed all of this I'm actually starting to get excited for the school year!  :-)

Enjoy your day!

~Karen

Homeschooling 2016-2017

As I wrap up the school year (we'll be finished by Memorial Day), I was thinking about the homeschool year...and I'm not sure if I ever documented what we're doing this year.  Decided to document the main subjects so here...

Josiah - Senior Year.  Josiah only needed 1/2 credit of math and 2 credits of English to graduate.  So this year he is taking Business Math, English III, English IV, Physical Education, Government and Economics.  We used Abeka Business Math (Nice...but expensive).  We do our own curriculum for English III and IV including Daily Grammar and Progeny Press along with some other things. We used Notgrass for the Economics.  

Autumn - Freshman Year
History - Notgrass American History - I love this curriculum, but it is pretty challenging so my kids haven't been quite as thrilled.
English - The Notgrass incorporates American Literature into it's history so we get English as well.  She also took a class on "Research Paper" at Co-Op and I had her use Daily Grammer as well.
Math - Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1.  I love TT!  I love that it grades it and I don't have to.  And it teaches her as well.  :-)
Science - Environmental Science at our Homeschool Co-op/Online
Foreign Language - Spanish I.  We started with DuoLingo and then switched to Rosetta Stone.
Other:
Home Economics I - Cooking and Baking including cooking out of a cookbook that corresponded with our History/English.  It has a recipe from each state...some are definitely better than others!  :-)
Digital Photography & Design - Various design projects including a photo book she made of her trip to China and our family calendar for 2017.
Switched on Schoolhouse Office Applications I - I liked this...but software changes so often that a few times we ran into situations where what it wanted her to do was no longer an option in the software.
Physical Education
Music - Violin and Piano
She took a class at Co-op this spring called "quilting"...although it was actually piecing/sewing/knotting...I need to talk to our evaluator.  I'm not sure if this is art (quilt design) or home ec (sewing).

Mark
Mark was in Life Skills for his first two years of school, so we are still really working on basic education.  I'm so thankful that our evaluator is also taught special education!
Math - We worked through a workbook of "Developmental Math", then proceeded to Math-U-See Primer.  Once we completed that, we started "Math-U-See" Alpha.
Language Arts - We completed "All About Reading" Pre-Reading and began  "All About Reading" Level 1.  We worked on handwriting using "Daily Handwriting" and/or "Draw-Write-Now" and/or various other copy work.
Science - A co-op class in the fall (Insects) and spring (Our Body)
I supplemented Math, Language Arts, and Science with an online program...Time4Learning.
History - At this level we don't do a lot with history, but we did a unit on Pilgrims, Native Americans, and Regions of the United States using "Draw-Write-Now"
Art - Incorporated in "Draw-Write-Now" as well as "All About Reading, Pre-Reading"
We also worked on Social Skills, Physical Education, Safety Education, and Music.  His therapies (Occupational and Speech) work with him on his Language Arts, Math, and Art skills as well.

I'm currently starting to get their Portfolios together for our evaluator and am working on objectives for next year so that I can submit everything to our school district at the same time.

Sad

Here it is, the last day of summer vacation.  The kids are actually still sleeping (finally sleeping in!)...but I will have to wake them up soon as Mark has physical therapy this morning.

I love summer.  I love the relaxed nature of it.  The having my kids home with me.  (The fighting...not so much!)  I love not having to pack lunches or worry about homework.  I love the freedom to do whatever we want when we want to (for the most part).  I love warmer weather and the colors of the flowers.  I love all the green out there!

Nevertheless, fall is fast approaching, the nights are getting cooler, the corn stalks are turning brown...and with it comes the new school year.  No doubt next week I'll be blogging about how much I enjoy getting things done without interruption!  :-)  but for now, I'll just be rather melancholy...

Yesterday the kids and I went to Blue Marsh Day Use area to hang out with the boys' youngest biological sibling (and his mom and one of his sisters).  It was such a beautiful day!  In the afternoon we went to the pool with a few friends.  Lovely!

So...this year:

Josiah - Grade 10/11.  He has a full schedule this year...but his goal is to work hard and graduate a year early.  This year he will be learning  English II, Biology, Chemistry, World History/Geography, Geometry, Consumer Math, Business Computer Skills, and completing Spanish 1 (he did the first half last year).  He will also continue working part time as his school schedule allows.  He will be doing his Biology and Chemistry at our local Homeschool Co-op.

Autumn - Grade 8...her last year at our small private school.  So we and she will need to make a decision about her schooling for high school...the local public school or homeschooling are her options.  She will also be getting braces in September so will have regular orthodontic appointments to add to her schedule.  :-)

Janae will be in 5th grade this year.

Zachary will be in 2nd grade.

Mark continues in the Life Skills class.  After a summer break from therapy, we will be resuming that as well.  Occupational for sure.  Physical will depend on today's evaluation.

And...my baby, Micah, goes to Kindergarten.  I really can't imagine...  Anyway, as is the practice at our school, kindergarten is 2 full days/3 full days.  So he will go every Tuesday and Friday and alternating Wednesdays.  He is very excited!

Randy continues to work hard to support us.

And as for me...well, I've thought a lot about this coming school year.  And all the possibilities now that I will have all of my children in school.  And I came to this conclusion.  The house still needs cleaned, the laundry still needs washed, and food still needs cooked, the bills still need paid.  We will still be meeting with our Family-Based Therapy team.  So, I'm hoping to be able to do all of these things more efficiently (as in, without interruptions) and thoroughly (more than a lick and a promise as the saying goes) and go from there.  I will continue taking kids to appointments.  I will continue to go shopping (groceries don't seem to last very long with these growing children...neither do jeans!)  I will continue with our foster/adoptive parent support group (coffee & play group).  I will help out at school as needed but not commit to any regularly scheduled volunteer work.  The only thing I have added (at this point) is offering to help out the Release Time program at our church as a substitute.

I was going to add photos to this post...but I need to leave the house in half an hour and everyone is still in bed...so I guess I'll save the photos for another post!  Have a good day, y'all!

February rolls on

We are approaching the midpoint of February.  I have great hopes that, just like every other year, spring truly will be hear before long.  The school year is starting to wind down (we're in the 3rd quarter) and I'm starting to feel the pressure to make sure Josiah makes it through this first year of homeschooling with his grades intact and prepared for 10th grade.  I've also started looking at curriculum for next year.

It's also the time of year when we need to prepare to file our taxes.  So this week I've been focusing on getting my ducks in a row as far as our 2014 financial records.

Everyone actually went to school today.  Amazing.  Zach was home sick on Monday.  Janae was home Tuesday and Wednesday.  She is now on Azithromycin and it's amazing how much better she is feeling!  But I expect her to be tired today when she comes home from school.  Last week Josiah & Janae were both off school Thursday and Friday.  So it's been awhile since we had a normal schedule.  Because of the illnesses, Mark's normal therapy schedule was adjusted.  So we had Occupational Therapy this morning.  And he'll have Physical Therapy tomorrow.

We continue to work on our latest house mini-remodel.  We were hoping to get a lot painted last weekend, but then Randy was sick, so while he did get the ceilings painted, we didn't get as many walls painted as we had hoped.  We hope to get some more painting done this weekend.  I am getting ready to have my closets back...but I know that the change will be worth it once it's finished.  In my head I'm frequently thinking about how I'm going to reorganize our stuff (clothing, games, office supplies, etc.)

Well, it's about time to take Josiah to co-op...gotta go!  Have a great day!
**And when I published this, noticed it is post #1200.  I'm rather amazed that I've posted that many times...

Homeschooling

Josiah is homeschooling this year.  He had started working through his grammar book, health book, and on his art lessons in July/August.  He started "for real" on Thursday when his siblings went back to school.  I'm enjoying having him & Micah here with me during the day.

For those of you who wonder about curriculum and such:

• English/History/Bible - a combination study from Notgrass Company studying US History and American Literature and how religion affected people in the US.  Lots of great books to read and papers to write.  Lots of critical thinking.  Also studying grammar.
• Math - Algebra 1 - Teaching Textbooks.  I've heard mixed reviews on this...so we're trying it.  And if it doesn't work for him (seems to depend on how your brain works) we will try something else.
• Science - Apologia Environmental Science - at the local Co-Op meeting one day a week with daily, on-line assignments starting September 4.
• Phys. Ed. - Physical Activity.  Currently focusing on Road Biking as he has a big ride coming up.
• Art - We are currently working on drawing.
• Music - He will continue to work on his bass guitar skills
• Foreign Language - Rosetta Stone Spanish 1
• Health - Currently focusing on First Aid

So we will see...I said that we can try it for one year and then re-evaluate.  So far, so good.

First Day of School

Mark is all ready for his first day of Kindergarten.  At our school, Kindergarten children go either Monday/Thursday/alternate Wednesdays or Tuesday/Friday/alternate Wednesdays.  Because Mark has some challenges, he will be going every day.  He will miss a few hours every other week when he goes to occupational and physical therapy.  He will have speech therapy at school.

Autumn is now in 7th grade.

Janae is in 4th grade this year.

Josiah is in 9th grade.  As our private school only goes to 8th grade, he has chosen to homeschool this year.  He had started art, health, and grammar already.  Today he added history, English, and Bible.  In a week or two we will add Science and Math.

The whole crew.  At first it was quiet with only Micah and Josiah here, but Micah soon started making lots of noise to fill in the gaps.  I remember Micah & Mark doing the same thing last year.  There is usually a week or two (or more) of the preschoolers adjusting.

The first picture that I took of Zach had him looking away from me (as is typical when I try to photograph him).  Mocha was the ticket to getting a great smile and eye contact.  :-)

 

Everyone came home with smiles on their faces so the year is off to a good start!