School starts, camping ends

Well, we started today....the first day of school! I wish I could re-create the excitement that I always felt leaving for school that first day. I can't of course....it's just not the same when you're home. But, I think I did OK. We set the alarm for 8:00, went to Purgatory Park for our morning walk (we haven't done that since last school year), the morning was GORGEOUS, and I was organized and well prepared. They even got a couple of books that they hadn't seen before. Greta was 'over the top' excited when she saw her beloved checklist for the day. David started cold....not very excited to dive in again. But, I think my expectations were small today, and he warmed up nicely by the end.
Highlights for me....David reading and not wanting to be interrupted, losing playtime because he couldn't put his book down. I never thought I'd see the day and I was so proud and excited. I hope we can find LOTS of good books to keep him interested and excited about reading.
Another highlight....their excitement about Science. They were glued to my side as we learned about the 'Period Table of Elements' today. I still can't believe it...that was very unexpected for me. I hope their enthusiasm doesn't fade. Also, our walk this morning. In spite of some nasty back pain I'm experiencing right now, I LOVE getting out with them in the morning and starting our day with a walk in the park. Also...their attitudes today. They were enthusiastic, willing to work, and excited to learn. Hooray!
Low point...overscheduling our day. I shouldn't have let it get so long!...especially when I knew that their friends were waiting to play.

Now, I'm off to find a calendar for the wall....have to get all of those hockey practices, field trips, etc...scheduled. Or, we'll all fall apart!

Unfortunately, as school begins, our camping experiences will slow down and end. We had a 3 day weeekend last week at Sibley State Park...absolutely beautiful. This weekend, we'll have another 3 day weekend at St. Croix State Park. Organizing school, the house, and our trips has been tough for me. Especially since my back started hurting so much. But, this should be our last weekend. At this moment, I'm not looking forward to it much....still coming down from last weekend and wondering how I'll get it all done. Hopefully, that will change! So far, we have had a really good time together in that camper....I think we'll spend around 30 nights in it by the time the summer is really over. Wow!

Preparation......what's that?

Today was an unusual day for me...I don't like to be 'home' all day without leaving. Today was different....my back is aching. It hurts in a way that it has never hurt before...I can barely move and I have been on the verge of tears for days from the pain. I have been continuing my 'usual' daily tasks, wondering if this my new way of life. I've been praying that I don't have some sort of 'back problem'. I've seen people dealing with chronic back pain, and I don't want any part of it. However, after 6 days without improvement....I don't know what else it could be. But, today is different. I have agreed to care for kids all day today. First, a family of 3, next another family of 3....no break in between that I knew of. Well, the first kids played and played. I was somewhat limited in what I could do because of pain, and couldn't be out getting groceries, etc. So, I was stuck at home. I decided to get more prepared for Monday....our first day of school. I thought I was somewhat prepared....I WAS somewhat prepared. But, today as the kids played, I searched the internet for info, prepared the first 5 lessons for history, and the first 2 weeks of science. It felt great to be fresh, to have handouts printed out, and considered our schedule. Is THIS what people who prepare in advance feel like? This is great!! Oh...and a side effect of all of this 'sitting around' and preparing stuff?.....My back pain is significantly better. I think my pain level has gone from about a 9 to a 4!! Unbelievable! I'm considering jumping on the treadmill tomorrow....I know it's probably not the best idea. But, I desperately want to keep exercising. I hope the pain is even less tomorrow, and I can be back to normal. I have been praying for a quick recovery....if this continues, my prayers have been answered with a very big yes :-)
Oh, and preparation? I'm considering giving it a shot more regularly....maybe even weekly! Tomorrow, we're off to camp for a 4 day weekend.

Changing my image

It seems no matter how I try to 'improve myself', I always end up right back where I started. Sometimes it takes longer than others, but 'major' change doesn't seem to happen. Perhaps this because of how I see myself.

I have always wanted to be a runner. Well, not always....when I joined the Navy I didn't want to be a runner. They made me be a runner, and I found that it was easy, social, enjoyable, and THE MOST EFFECTIVE way for me to keep weight off. So, I jumped in with both feet and it worked.

That was many years ago. I realize now that I am much older, and my 'picture' of myself as a runner varies from "gazelle" to "cow"....neither of which will end up being the truth. My goal....to change the vision to a vision of health and JOY! I am so thankful for my amazing friend....who meets me, runs with me, walks with me, takes breaks with me...whatever. Together, I hope we can meet our goals, and I hope I can change my 'vision' of who I can become as a 'pseudo-runner'!!

Setting a date

One of the advantages/disadvantages of homeschooling is that there is a CHOICE about when to start school in the fall. My preference, of course, would be to wait as long as possible. BUT, I feel the pressure of all that needs to be done. I don't want to be doing school in June if at all possible. This year, the kids seem to understand that, too. They wanted to start early until they realized that their best friends in the neighborhood would still be 'free' and available during the day. It's tough. Even I haven't pushed them since I feel like summer just started, and they are just starting to experience the joy of running back and forth to each otehrs' houses, share lunches 'wherever'. Summer always starts with a different kind of craziness. Not at all the relaxing days I envision during the school year. There is spring soccer, hockey, tennis and golf. Summer vacation happened early this year, which required LOTS of planning (but was really fun!). And so, it feels as though we have all really only had 3-4 weeks of summer. The house is finally coming together, feeling more clean and organized. I am feeling less stressed, and even started reading a book.
But, sooner or later, we need to get back to business. And so, we've set a date. We'll be starting on Monday :-).

They were created differently!

Over the last week, we have been discussing our routine for the school year. They have mixed emotions. They are excited about some things, hesitant about others. But, today....I was explaining that I was going to make a checklist of activities that they should be engaged in when I am working with the other. NO DOWN TIME, NO WAITING AROUND is our new motto! David looks less than excited about the prospect...almost like he can't really picture what it will be like. Greta, on the other hand squeals "OOOoooooooh....A CHECKLIST!!! I LOVE CHECKLISTS!!!" She goes on to explain possible ways for me to organize these activities. Should they have their 'own' checklists? Should it be one page with a column for each? OOOooh the excitement of all the possibilities!!!!! How is it that this girl, who loves organization so much....could have come from my womb? I just pray that I can 'feed' that....and hopefully learn a bit myself!!!

Starting Again/Pre-school prep

I am not a blogger....or a writer of any kind. I've attempted this sort of 'record-keeping' before, and here I am again....starting over. I know that the chances of this 'fizzling out' over a short period of time are really good. Still...I'm going to try.

I hope to keep a record of our homeschooling days, primarily. But, am hoping to also keep some sort of journal of my own thoughts and feelings as we journey through life together.



I've been trying to use this summer to prepare for school. We'll be using a couple of new things this year, and keeping some things that worked from last year. In a nutshell....here's our curriculum....



http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/ (writing program...Student Writing Intensive). We're starting with Level "A". The kids are dreading it. David especially hates writing. I've spent some time getting acquainted with the program, watching the videos "for the teacher", etc. I am so fresh and full of excitement about all of the possibilities for the new schoolyear...praying that God will help me stay on track.



http://www.easygrammar.com/ Grammar program.....not sure if we'll do this daily, but I see a need to work this into our lives!



http://www.totallanguageplus.com/ I am especially excitecd about this program....ALL of the language arts stuff revolving around a BOOK! We (they) have a reading assignment from the book each week. We're starting with 'Pippi Longstocking' (recommended). Since I have so many Language Arts things going on this year, not sure when we'll work this in...maybe over Christmas break, maybe as an 'add in'....not exactly sure, yet.



http://www.mathusee.com/ Our Math program....it's been working so far. I am considering doing a trial month of "Aleks" math (online program) over Christmas break, but we'll see. I am a little concerned that math-u-see doesnt' provide enough 'drills'. We need to add this in...although the kids are through their multiplication, they still have to 'think' when asked what 9x6 (or other multiplication program) is.



http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/ This is our history program. We will be basing our history largely on read-alouds and the projects from this program. We'll be focusing on the Revolutionary War time period in American History this year. They will be making a lapbook throughout. We did this with 'Explorers' last year, and it was a highlight for them, so we'll keep the program again for this year!



http://www.spellingpower.com/ http://www.sequentialspelling.com/ No change in spelling programs from last year...but, I am considering 'scaling back' and not requiring it daily.



http://www.realscience4kids.com/ I purchased the entire year...3 books....Chemistry first, Botany, Physics. I need to accept the fact that it is unlikely we'll get through all three.



http://www.bibledraw.com/ This is the "Picture This" Bible curriculum we started at the end of the year and the kids LOVED it!



http://www.homeschoolart.com/ This is a curriculum I purchased for art....hoping to incorporate it once a week, but will be forgiving about this. They will also be attending a "parent lead" art class that was phenomenal last year.



"Typing Instructor 4 Kids".....an online typing program. I need to be more consistent with this. It's a skill that, if mastered, will help them with EVERYTHING ELSE they need to work on in school!!!



Spanish.....I can't remember the name of the program....but, it's one of the few things they can work on independently online. Hoping to be more consistent with this.



Handwriting....purchased a couple of inexpensive handwriting drill books. Also encouraging them to follow their "calligraphy' books...in hopes of developing neater handwriting.



Classes/field trips.....we'll be doing a gym class every other Friday. On opposite Fridays, we'll be attending "Academy" in Chaska (3 1/2 hours of classes led by parents). Very social, very fun for them. Tuesday afternoons will be our "Parent lead art class"....also a huge hit. We'll be going to homeschool days at Orchestra Hall and the Children's Theatre. We're also hoping to take advantage of all the great Homeschool programs offered by Three Rivers Park District. This, combined with all of the other great field trip opportunities, make it difficult to follow a strict 'school schedule' at home. It can be difficult to decipher what is "best" each day.....there are so many choices. :-)





Read-alouds.....lots of ideas here.....we are currently reading "Poppy" and I am reading "Johnny Tremain" and "A Wrinkle in Time" in order to figure out if these are appropriate choices for my kids this year. I just received an order of "Graphic Novels". They are historically based..."The writing of the constitution", "The Boston massacre", "The Boston Tea Party", etc....or science-based "The Digestive system", "Photosynthesis", "Louis Pasteur", etc.



My goal for the year? TO WAKE UP AND START OUR DAYS EARLIER!!! We are night-owls and late sleepers. When spring came last year, it seemed we never were able to really wake-up and 'think.' When we started doing 'daily walks' to start our days, everything improved. The down side to this? We were often gone for the first hour (sometimes two hours) of our day! That's a HUGE chunk of the day....and it meant we were often still working on school late in the afternoon. If only we could wake up earlier....we would be so much more efficient!!



Now, I just need to decide WHEN to start! Monday? hmmmmm..... I would like that, but it would take away precious playtime for the kids. They adore the neighbors (and so do we).