Five...

That's how many weeks of homeschooling we have left. Five. Five long weeks. This time of year, every year, I suffer from burn out. I don't know if it's because we've been going for 8 months now, and we need to let our brains rest? I don't know if it's because the beautiful Spring weather beckons us to lay aside our books? Nah, it's not the weather. Today is cloudy and stormy, and I still dread the school hours today. Yesterday, I started thinking of a plan to shorten those five weeks. I haven't thought of a good plan yet. And then there's the dread of testing. Love it or hate it; we are testers. I both love it and hate it. Well, love is a little strong. I like it and hate it. I worry have I taught them enough? Will they do well? Will they bomb? I'm worn and weary I'm telling you. Worn and weary. But in five weeks, I'll find Summer Bliss! The countdown has begun....

The many faces of homeschooling...

This is a typical day.....

"I have to finish this worksheet before break."

"I just read this. What is the answer?"

"Aaaaugh! The pressure! Can't. think. of. answer."


"Oh yes. I have it now. Break time here I come!"

And we go through this almost daily....

First Day...

Today was our first day of school. Moose. That little fellow can be so full of life and love...and such a handful all rolled in one little 8 year old boy. That face looks innocent enough. Our first day of school didn't go so well. Moose took forever to complete the simplest task. Too long to do his math. Too long to do phonics. Too long to do spelling. Moose is a piddler. A dawdler. A daydreamer. And dare I say...a bit lazy. He has a tough time in our home, because nobody else here is a piddler, dawdler, or (sigh) lazy. By lunch he was in tears, and I was contemplating why I homeschool.

At the start of the day, I took pictures to commemorate the first day. Making memories as The Bob would say. Fep, always compliant and a real people pleaser, took her picture without fault...

Moose on the other hand...



And...



Oh my....


At the end of the day, when the books were put away, and the talk was had over why it's important to be diligent, I looked at these pictures, and they made me giggle. And I needed a giggle. And within that giggle and laughter, I was reminded why I homeschool....

Am I ready?

It seems like just yesterday that I was lamenting over being ready for school to end. Just a couple of weeks ago, I made the final decisions on what our curriculum will be this year. I blinked and summer was gone. And tomorrow we'll begin our 7th year of homeschooling. Suddenly, I feel old. But I will do as the title of this textbook states. I am.....

Two short, too short weeks...

I cannot believe how quickly this summer passed by. It seems like I wrote this post only yesterday. Now, I have lamented and thought and lamented and thought, and I have down our choices for this years curriculum. And for those who don't homeschool, you might not understand lamenting over curriculum, but I'm tellin' ya, we homeschoolers lament. We lament often...

Fep will be entering 6th grade using:
Bob Jones for reading and history, Rod & Staff for English, A Reason for Spelling, copy work for penmanship, Teaching Textbooks for math, and A Beka for science and health. How's that for a smorgasbord?

Moose will be entering 3rd grade using
McRuffy Press for phonics, reading, English, and writing. Rod & Staff for Math. Bob Jones for history. A Beka for science.

I've bought and ordered our curriculum, and I'm waiting for August 10th our anticipated start date. Let the fun begin!

Cartoon Classic

I saw this cartoon at HSingmama's blog. I just thought it was a classic. When I showed it to The Bob, he said, "You know there's a lot of truth in that." And he thought it was funny, too. I have to admit, I've had a conversation or two somewhat similar to this. I don't bake my own bread, we've seen our fair share of Disney movies, and instead of Batman or Power Rangers, you can insert Spiderman and Star Wars. I don't know why we try to measure ourselves up against other people's standards and convictions instead of just following our own? Why don't we just pursue what the Lord has for us and not what the Lord has for our neighbor? Anyway, I do love this little cartoon.

Star Wars + Legos = Spelling Test

I've mentioned as of late that I'm so ready for this school year to be done! At this point, it doesn't take much to humor or amuse me. We use A Reason for Spelling for our spelling curriculum, and at the end of the week, we play a little game where you move from start and hopefully end up at the finish line after spelling each word correctly. On Friday, Moose and I were sitting down to play our little spelling game, and I said, "Moose, you need to get a pencil or color or something to mark off your spaces." Then I see this....

"Spell the word right and no one gets hurt."

He had it under control. Because really, what says spelling test more than a Star Wars Legos Action Figure???

This post is linked at:

Emily's Tuesdays Unwrapped

Bird Nerds...

I follow a lot of home decor blogs that have bird theme attached to them. Nester is huge on this. Even her blog name is birdy. But this post is not about home decor. It's about my family's love for REAL birds. We like to go...BIRD WATCHING. I think it to be a lost art in today's high tech society. Now. You've got to get those pictures of Jane Hathaway from The Beverly Hillbillies out of your head. We're not that nerdy. We look like this.... It started with Fep in the 4th grade. We homeschool and last year A Beka's 4th grade science had a bird study mixed in. Fep loved it. So between that and the encouragement of fellow bird nerd Aunt Heathahlee, Fep was destined to become a young bird nerd. I think she can just about out identify her Aunt Heathahlee. She can also track sounds, knows much more than I do, and is constantly trying to get picturesof her fine feathered friends.

People and friends, other than Heathahlee, don't understand our love for one of God's little beauties. When is the last time you stopped to admire them?

Summer Tanager (not to be confused with a cardinal)...

(taken by me at our house)

Painted Bunting...
(taken by Fep's bird friend, Mr. Jeff)

Rose Breasted Grossbeak...

(taken by Heathahlee, aka The Bird Whisperer)

There are so many other birds. So many. Grab your binoculars and get out there and enjoy these beautiful little creations.

What is this sickness?

So, my last post was a bit of a rant. I'm not sure if I like that? I like everything happy here in my bloggy world. But seeing as I'm on the subject of homeschooling, I have to tell you I am so ready to be done with this year. I long for summer. I dream of summer. I'm like those kids in High School Musical 2 who at the beginning of the movie are tapping their pencils on their desk, looking around anxiously, and chanting "Summer. Summer. Summer." Yes, I think when we finish, I will break out into song and dance for no good reason.

However, as ready as I am to be done with this year, I'm excited about looking at curriculum for next year!? I can't wait to pour over homeschooling catalogs, visit our local homeschool bookstore, and decide what curriculum my children will use next year. I dream of a "perfect year" with no outside interruptions, children who happily complete their work in a timely manner, a Momma Teacher who is always patient, and finishing all our work before I'm sick of it (like I am now). Think of it as Stepford Homeschooling. Anyway, what IS this sickness that has me so ready for summer break I can barely stand it, but has me all excited about looking at curriculum and dreaming of our term in the fall? It's a strange, strange sickness, I tell you ;)

Yeah. I'm one of those people.

I homeschool. I'm one of those people.

One evening several days ago, I had someone approach me and say, "So, you're one of those people that homeschools......" I thought, "Oh boy. Here we go." Actually, he turned out to be very friendly, but not all conversations concerning homeschooling end that way. Why is it that homeschoolers more often than public schoolers or private schoolers have to defend or explain their reasons for their choice of education for their children? Really. Why is that? I live in a community that is filled with homeschoolers, so much so in fact, that when I meet people who public or private school that seem fascinated or even disturbed that I homeschool, I find it odd. Really. Why is homeschooling so fascinating? Why is it disturbing? Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It is a HUGE responsibility, and it involves a lot of sacrifice. So, why I'm often labeled "one of those people" I just don't get it?