How We Do What We Do

I've already posted about why we home school, so I guess I'll take some time and explain how we home school.

First, I don't believe there is any one right way to school at home. Every family is different and each has to determine what fit is best for them. Since we began this with Bethany many years ago, we have changed some things around a bit as the family dynamics have changed, but overall I think I have kept the same schooling style.

I am one of those moms who likes to follow a scope and sequence. I like to know what school kids are covering in a certain grade and I like to do the same. I guess in that respect I am not very daring!!! I like to be accountable in some sort of way!!!

Now, when it comes down to how I cover material and how long I spend on certain material, I like to mix things up a bit!! Cause that is how I roll!!!

For some subjects we may use a standard curriculum (math usually works this way) and for others I may plan learning activities that are way more exciting than text and workbooks. I'm sorry but workbooks can be down right boring!! They can serve a purpose, but for me, most of the time, they just scream "busy work".

As an example, we are currently studying insects and butterflies. We are using a zoology text but branch out with information from various websites and so forth. We will also visit two butterfly shows ( one this spring, one summer); plant a butterfly garden and collect insects and butterflies for a display (actually Bill and Anna do the collecting and the displaying).

This study will last a few months. Other topics we cover may last only one week or even a day. If Anna knows enough about a topic and becomes bored, we go on to something else.

Do we school every day during a typical school year? No. We cover some things before traditional school starts in August and some things after traditional schools end in June. I guess you could say we school all year. We most often take time off around her meets that are scheduled and try to do field trips or cover things that relate to the areas that we are traveling to.

The one subject Anna covers everyday is Bible. So, if we are field tripping it or gone all day for some other reason, Anna knows to get this done. Cause, I tell you, that book has the most important lessons she needs.

Our Crazy Christian!!

This picture was taken last spring but it gives you a good idea of what we are up against in this household. Just a little gesture of licking the marshmallow sends his sisters into a giggle frenzy.He comes up with the craziest stuff sometimes. Not flamboyant. Just subtle stupid humor that gets to us (in a good way). We realized about 3 years ago that his talent was just too big for just our immediate family. So, we sent him to school!! At school he has a much bigger audience. This in itself thrills him to no end! Fortunately, we have not had any notes from the head master concerning his antics. Oh, maybe one, when he wore the child size 6 shorts to gym class!! I just wish someone had taken pictures.



Last year one of his coaches referred to him as a "free spirit" and at first I was a little offended. Now, after thinking about it for a year, I would have to agree and it is something we have known for a very long time. Bill has always told the kids to "Be Their Own Bear" and we are certainly proud of how this cub turned out.

Ransom Note

EASTER BUNNY:
We have your friend, Peter. We will peacefully release him under the following conditions:
The following items will be left in the purple basket by the fireplace: Lindor Dark Truffles, Reece peanut butter eggs, Cadbury Orange Creme Eggs, Starbuck Gift Cards, and Multi Color Milkbones.
Refusing to comply or leaving cheap substitutes such as Peeps, Necco wafers, jelly beans, or Palmer chocolates will result in the gradual destuffing of your friend.

Planting Season

I think every kid should experience growing a garden. It is one of those 100 things that every child needs to do before they grow up. Anna had a friend over in the fall and she noticed a small pumpkin sitting on our kitchen counter. The friend was in disbelief that we grew it in our own yard!! She thought pumpkins could only be grown on huge farms and bought at the market!!

This week we had some warm dry weather so Anna Leigh enlisted the Grams to help her plant lettuce. Grandma and Grandpa offer the best gardening wisdom so we are very fortunate to have them right in our own backyard!! Actually, they offer some of the best wisdom in regards to just about everything so we are super lucky that they live right next door!!

Anna will probably plant tomatoes, peppers of all varieties, zucchini, yellow squash, wild flowers, and of course pumpkins (with Gramps!) as the planting season continues. I'll keep you posted with garden updates!

March Madness!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I do mean BASEBALL!!!

Don't get me wrong. We do love us some NCAA basketball around here but March, for the past 12 or so years, has been the start of baseball in our household.
Since Christian has decided not to pursue baseball in college, this, sadly is our last year.

No more cleaning the dirt stained white pants.
No more tripping over the baseball bag by the back door.
No more sitting in 40 degree weather watching a double hitter.
No more watching my boy play a sport that he is so talented at.

I'm going to miss this. Terribly.

A Little Green for St. Patrick's Day!

Remember when I mentioned that practically no holiday around here goes unnoticed? Well, Bethany was home this weekend and she and Anna Leigh whipped up a batch of these little tasty morsels!! Candy coating on a mint chocolate oreo - these are way better than twix!! Add a cup of coffee and - Oh My!! I'm thinking if we just change the color of the sprinkles, we could have these for every holiday!! Hey, we have yellow sprinkles. Isn't the first day of spring on Friday?? I say we "celebrate"!!

Computer Time!!

Sorry, I can only say I'm sorry for the lack of posting over the past two weeks. Seems like when I have a moment to sit down and let the creative juices flow, this happens:
People plop themselves in my computer chair and then refuse to get up. Not only the people who live in this house full time, but also, the peep, who is away all week and comes home on the weekend! You know who you are.
I'm thinking about putting the most uncomfortable chair in the house in front the computer desk. Maybe this will cut down on the loitering.