First Day of School

Last Day of School

As I begin to pack away the teacher’s guides and paperwork from this homeschool year –tears well up in my eyes.  A sense of relief washes over me, I made it through another year.  I can’t believe we made it.

Second and third grade are done and next year we will tackle 3rd and 4th grade and be starting our 5th year of homeschooling.  The sense of accomplishment is overwhelming only because I thought more this year about quitting than I ever have.  I’ve sat with my husband late at night discussing the local Christian school and all the benefits –including a break for me.

Running this on-line ministry mixed with homeschooling and managing my home has been an overwhelming challenge.  The days stack on top of days and my to-do list seems impossible sometimes. The kids and their education come first and as a result the guilt of not keeping up with friendships, making the time to exercise or keep the house as clean as I like, burdens me.

And then there’s all my fears…my biggest is if I’m good enough at this.  Are my kids being as well educated as their public school counterparts?  Statistics show that homeschoolers do overwhelmingly well on state tests and entrance to college exams but I’m not so sure that’s happening in my home.  I don’t want to fail my children and so I feel pressure to ride them a bit to make sure they are reading, writing and doing arithmetic to the best of their ability.  And when we hit rough spots and attitudes, I shake my head and the discussion about the local Christian school begins again.

While I found this year to be one of the most overwhelming for me in the area of time management and major lack of sleep {which led to me literally quitting blogging for two months last December and January–I thought I was going to pop from all the pressure}, I believe it has been the most fulfillng yet.

For the first time, my children made real friendships with other homeschool children and I connected on a deeper level with other homeschool moms.  I am sad to admit that I have purposely not pursued friendship within the homeschool community because I was afraid of being judged for my parenting and potentially held to a higher standard because of this blog.  My fear of new friendships have stunted our homeschool years and when I started this year with open arms –allowing myself to be “known”, I found real moms who are a total joy to talk and laugh (really hard at times) with. And this has been such a gift –a gift the Lord knew I needed this year. 

Some of Lexi’s Classmates – they really need to lighten up a little

Alex’s buddies

A science experiment  –dissecting – ewwwwww:

The curriculum we tackled this year was a perfect fit for us.   I have received emails asking me what we used this year —so here’s the run down.  We loved everything we used !

Math: Saxon –my son began the videos this year and it’s pricey but a welcomed break!

Reading, Writing, Spelling –Sonlight (we LOVED this change from Rod and Staff –it fit our style much better)

Phonics for Lexi (2nd grade): Explode the Code

Spelling for Alex (3rd grade): Spelling Plus and Dictation by Susan Anthony, 1,000 words towards spelling success

History, Science, Latin, Art and Music - Classical Conversations – this curriculum includes a Tuesday morning class with other homeschoolers (as seen in the pictures above).  We did science experiments, memorization work, painting, music, singing and other fun activities.  And yes – even I attended the class.  Mom’s stay with their kids during this time. We LOVE this class!  Next year Alex will attend their afternoon class where he’ll use the Excellence in Writing curriculum.

Extra Science and History – Rod and Staff (next year we will be changing to Apologetics Science and The Story of the World for history by Susan Wise Baur)

Cursive Writing: Handwriting Without Tears

When I reflect back to September of last year and compare it to where we are today, I can see amazing growth mentally, spiritually and emotionally in both of my children.  I’d love to brag on them but I’ll spare you the details –I’ll just say that it’s enough to give me peace knowing we are on the right track and we shouldn’t change a thing.

If you have questions about our homeschooling – check out some of  my past videos here where I discuss the benefits, challenges, how we structure our day and other thoughts on homeschooling.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”~ 3 John 1:4

Chime In:  Did you homeschool this year? How did it go? What did you like and what will you change?  Share with us your favorite currriculum!

Walk with the King,

Then we moved to a new home and began Kindergarten and 1st grade!

 Then last year was our 3rd year of homeschooling.  (previously our children did virtual school – as you may note the computers. But now we use a new curriculum and they attend a class with other homeschoolers once a week.) This was 1st and 2nd grade.

 And then this past Tuesday – our 2012-2013 homeschool year began!!!  Alex caught me in the bathroom fixing Lexi’s hair – a typical morning ritual in our household!

 Oh my look how grown up they are *tear!  This year they are entering 2nd and 3rd grade!!!
 

I savored our first day of school – it was so fun!  And looking at these pictures just convinces me all the more that I must treasure this time with them – because I’m going to blink and they’ll be 18 wahhhhhhhhhh!

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you to day are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Walk with the King!

I’ve had many emails asking me for more details about how we homeschool, how we get socialization in and more! So yesterday I shared our curriculum and Classical Conversations homeschool group pictures and today here’s a picture gallery from our year!

Our Homeschool Room – it’s a wee bit messy – but you get the idea !

Sometimes we work in the school room but many times we work at the kitchen table or at the kitchen desk where it’s easier for me to assist the kids while getting some of my housework done .

And sometimes the kids work on the couch in the living room!!!  My son does a lot of work in here because he is more of an independent worker than Alexis.

Here are some of the outside activities we participate in.  Alex has played Flag Football on the public school team for 4 years.

Alex has played basketball with public school kids for 4 years also.

Alex has taken Karate for 2 years.

Alexis has been in Gymnastics for 3 years and swim for 5 years – this was her first year to not do swim.

Alexis started piano this year and LOVES it!  We have an amazing teacher who comes to our house!

And the kids are in a Sunday evening Word of Life program at our church called Olympians.  They just received these awards this past Sunday night for saying all of their memory verses, doing their daily devotions, doing service projects and book reports.

All of this keeps us hopping!!!   So tell me – what activities are your kids in that you enjoy?

Walk with the King,