word play

Will brought this assignment home from (public) school yesterday, and I loved it!  Such a great idea; one I'll have to remember to use in the future...  Since I've been using this last trimester as a practice run for homeschooling, and since Will is repeating the first grade, I didn't see much benefit in spending a lot of time/money investing in a curriculum.  But I've been trying to make mental notes of Will's learning style in the hopes of coming up with something cohesive and relevant to his needs.  I plan on spending more time this summer actually researching specific curriculums and writing up more structured lesson plans for next year.  And I'll be honest, I'm not looking forward to that part of homeschooling.  I'm much more interested in colorful typography!  *B

fingers crossed

Our lease is coming to an end shortly, and so we've had to make the difficult decision to stay or leave.  Rent here is expensive, and the apartments here like to think they're just as good as houses...  Brad has a promotion in the works, but we're waiting for official approval.  And so, we've been house hunting.

No, we're not quite in the market to buy and we won't be for a while longer.  We're simply looking at homes to rent.  And it is a nightmarish process.  But, miracle of miracles happened and we found a darling little place, that just happens to be nearby, on 1.5 acres!  With a chicken coop, gardening beds, and indoor hot-tub!!  And get this, the owner is LDS (well known, used to be in our Stake) -- and for a minimal deposit (that we will get back if Brad's promotion does not go through), he is willing to sit on it for two months until we are able to move in!!!

And so now we wait.  Patience is sooo not my virtue.  *B

coloring cutie

outdoor playschool

After (public) school, we had an impromptu picnic at the park across from Brad's work.  Will continued his education by learning how to weave flowers ;)  Elsie played (princess) pirates, while Timmy threw and/or ate rocks...  Sometimes Mother Nature is the best teacher.  *B

flower fest

This past weekend we drove around looking at beautiful barns and fields of flowers.  I really do love it here!  *B

just smile

Pretty sure this picture was captured during one of many diaper changes.  Thank heavens for smart phones that distract busy hands!  And thank you, DesiTim, for your candid documentation ;)

Last week was one of those weeks.  You know, where the baby's bowels decide to revisit the newborn days, resulting in mountains of laundry.  Where it's sunny one day, and raining hailing the next.  Where everyone has a crazy case of cabin fever due to said crazy weather, but you can't leave the house in fear of said baby's bowels.  That, coupled with the fact that it also happened to be Spring Break, which alone necessitates some form of creative expression and/or forced enjoyment.  All this followed by a week where you volunteer to teach Scouts, and spend two days frantically coming up with something to educate/entertain eight 9 year old boys.  A week where you finally tackle aforementioned laundry, and attempt to restore some sort of "normal" routine, all whilst brain-storming about food storage and day-dreaming about your future home plan/site.

Good times!  *B

Springtime

fine-tuning

I love school performances!  They always make me teary eyed.  There's just something about seeing a group of kids, singing/dancing their little hearts out, that is so sweet.  It always reminds me of how proud our Father in Heaven must be of them, of us.  It is at times like these where I can feel of His love for all His children so strongly.  Hence, the teariness ;)

I've really enjoyed having Will in public school part-time.  He gets to participate in activities, enjoy some time with his friends, and spend some time away from me.  I might ruffle some attachment parents' feathers when I say that I believe it's important for children and mothers to have time away from each other.  I believe the time Will spends in school helps foster his sense of individual worth.  And school gives him the chance to practice what his parents preach.

It's a fine line, but I know that public school AND home school can both drain Will and energize him.  It's my job as his parent and ultimate teacher to figure out the appropriate amount of each.  And for now, this part-time schooling seems to be a good fit.  It's the best of both worlds!

Together, they can make such sweet music.  *B

Conference weekend

I loved Conference this year!  It seemed like all the talks were meant for me...  And we started some fun traditions this year: Conference boxes/cups and 72 hr. food kits.  The kids helped decorate their own boxes, and helped color the tags for the Conference cups.  I think having them involved in the process helped them to get ready for what could have been a long weekend...  And I really do think that the activities were engaging enough without being too distractive.  I plan on doing the same thing for each Conference, it worked so well!

Each box had the following:

• folder full of Conference related coloring/activity pages - one page per talk rule
• snacks - one per session rule
• new coloring pencils
• pencil sharpener
• pencil case
• clipboard
• glue stick
• silly putty

Brad and I decided on five words we wanted the kids to focus on for the afternoon sessions.  This year our words were: Atonement, repentance, baptism, reverence, and service.  I blew up some Conference squares, cut out the words we wanted to use, had the kids color them, and then used double-sided tape to stick them to clothespins to attach to the cups.  Each cup had a different treat inside, and you're allowed to eat a treat every time you hear a word.  During the morning sessions, we played Conference bingo with stickers - I didn't want them getting high on sugar in the early morn ;)

We also used this weekend as an opportunity to put together our 72 hr. food kits.  The plan is to rotate through them every Conference.  So come October, we'll use Conference weekend to restock our supply while snacking on the items from April's kits.  I'm really not the most organized person (ask my mom), but it does feel nice to get some things in order...  And I'm excited for next Conference!  *B

birthday boy

one

I can not believe my baby turns one tomorrow!  And I can not believe how much he melts my heart.  He could not have come at a better time; he was just what I needed.  It was by far my most difficult pregnancy, and he was by far my most difficult baby.  In all honesty, he came at one of the most difficult times in my life.  But I learned a lot through it all, and I know I'm stronger in part because of him.  He kept me going when all else seemed lost...  And nowadays he is a complete joy!  Once we figured out that he was basically starving and suffered from exhaustion, and once we addressed those needs appropriately, it was like a light switched on and he has not stopped shining since.  I can always count on him to make me smile and lift my spirits.  He has saved me since day one.  *B

backseat drivers

why we homeschool, part II

I have really enjoyed our afternoons lately.  Before, when Will was in public school full-time, I felt like the afternoon blended into the evening.  I'd wake the littles from their naps, rush to school and grab Will, then head home to finish homework and prep dinner.  It was stressful for me, and for the kids.  I felt like Will needed a decompressing period...  And there just wasn't enough time in the day for it.  As soon as Brad got home from work, we'd eat and get to spend a few moments together.  But bedtime always seemed to sneak up on us and I felt like Will still hadn't reconnected/recharged from school.  Nowadays our afternoons are much more peaceful, and we actually get to spend time together as a family.  Home has become not only a place of learning, but also a place of restoration.  *B  

new beginnings

      

   

    

It's been a rough week...  But, I am grateful for Spring and what it represents.  And I'm especially grateful for the Atonement that makes fresh starts possible, regardless the mess.  *B

Spring snow

why we homeschool, part I

[source]

I'm not necessarily anti-schooling, but I definitely think the public school system isn't for everyone... I feel like it's an institution that tries too often to fit square pegs into little round holes. And there is nothing worse than feeling like a bad mom with a troubled kid, especially when you know neither is true!

Will is on his third year of public school, and I've had to develop a thick skin. But it is so very hard to watch his confidence waver and watch him doubt his own self worth because he is incorrectly labeled by his superiors. Little boys are little boys, and accidents happen. Tolerance is practiced when convenient, simply because there's no time for it. And I don't blame the schools for trying! I know how hard it is teaching a primary class of five for two hours; I can't imagine what it would be like to be a full-time school teacher and I give them props for trying.

I remember when I was in school, being told that school was my REAL home... My mother calls it glorified babysitting  But when your kids spend more time away from home, then you are allowing the babysitter to discipline your child the best they can. And sometimes their best isn't necessarily the best.  *B

baby steps

We love our silly little (climbing) walker!  *B

sweet is the work

learn at home

[source]

Yesterday marked our first official day of homeschooling.  We've been struggling with public school since day one.  I've felt a gentle tug to homeschool for a while now, and I've been putting it off for various reasons.  Our current living situation is less than ideal, but I can't sit around and wait for perfection!  I don't think the transition will be that difficult. We've been doing quasi-homeschooling ever since last summer anytime there's a break in school....

For now we're only homeschooling part-time.  I send Will to school in the morning and then I pick him up after lunch/recess.  He's a very social kid (extrovert), and he really needs to feel connected to the community.  My original plan was to teach him the basics and send him to school for things like music, P.E. and library.  But that just didn't work with our schedule (aka. Timmy's naps).  And I'm ok with that, because I'd like to use this last trimester as an adjustment period, for both of us.

Depending on the grade level, and how involved I want/can be, I might end up enrolling him in public school for certain subjects, too.  Or maybe an online or virtual classroom.  I would love to be a part of a group so we can supplement our school days with field trips, etc. as well.  I'm leaning towards Montessori-based learning, so the current plan is to intersperse required works with free time.

I honestly don't know how long we'll be homeschooling.  I'm not going to commit to a specific time-frame.  I'm just going to take this a year at a time, and we'll go from there.  *B

it was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Some background: Will had asked prior to filming if he could sing a silly birthday song.  I said no, because 1.) we already sang a silly birthday song in the car, and 2.) I hate how disruptive/distracting it is.  Call me over-reactive, but I think it's borderline rude...  I don't like how it detracts from the special occasion; whether you're at someone's birthday party, or on someone's doorstep singing Christmas carols.  It's one thing to sing silly songs for fun, as a family or with your friends, but when it's time to perform I think it's only appropriate to sing appropriately.

And so, on Elsie's special day, Will chose to ignore my request and that's why you hear his name called out.  And then he blew out her candle.  And so, if you look up 3/11 on our calendar, you won't see "Elsie's birthday" written on it.  Instead, you will notice William's handwriting, declaring it to be the "worse day of my life" - the day he lost his cupcake.

You have just witnessed my parenting in action.  *B