Lazy Thursday

So we are now finished with our year end testing. If motivation was low before, it has hit rock bottom today!
The scores from yesterday's testing is about what was expected. Everything was at or above grade level, except spelling and reading. Since we have been dealing with vision issues, and reading has been hard, confidence is low.

Our goal now is to regroup, review and build some self confidence. Luckily, tomorrow I head to the NCHE Convention and book fair. I have a list of spelling and reading curriculum I want to look at.

Since we are heading into summer, I am going to take it easy and do some basic review. Explode the Code and reading as well as some online work should take us to Fall.

The tester recommended Spell to Write and Read. Alas, I have heard nothing but how hard it is for the teacher. Every used book sale I attend has a ton of these available. In addition, it costs $100. Too much to spend on something sight unseen, which might frustrate both of us and end up being sold as used!

Luckily, I have a great friend who has the program, and is going to let me look at it. Maybe if I can look through it and get a feel for it, I will know if it is something I will be able to manage.

That is the nice thing about going to the book fairs. It gives me a chance to get my hands on the books, open them and see what is involved and whether or not it will fit our needs. Plus, they usually give a discount at the book fairs, which is always a bonus.

So, I keep telling myself that this is the great thing about homeschooling, that I can meet each child where they are in their learning curve. We can review and relearn as needed. And, we can forge ahead in the areas where they are achieving at a higher level.

We sure couldn't do that in public school! Glad we are homeschooling!

Testing...testing

Today is year end testing for Amanda. Actually, year end testing is only taken by the kids, the results are the indicator of my abilities/shortcomings as a teacher. So, while Amanda is nervous, I am stressed.

I think as home school Moms we always are harder on ourselves than others are. I tend to compare myself to all my home school Mom friends and what they are doing with their kids. Some are very organized and diligent and their kids are in every activity.

I tend to be more relaxed, and I enjoy that, but when I hear about some of the other kids and what they are doing and the tests they are taking, I think my kids will end up on the street corner selling pencils from a cup.

I think I lose focus on why we chose to home school to begin with. I love being with my girls, even when they are fighting like cats and dogs. I love the sense of accomplishment when they finally "get it" or take a new interest and run with it.

I have a hard time remembering that God is in control of all of this, and I have to pay attention to what He and the girls are telling me about which direction we need to head. I think this is hardest with Amanda, because she is all over the board on where she is academically.

I supposed this is no different than any other job. I think if I was out in the "real" world I would probably be comparing my performance to others doing the same job. But in this one, I have to remember that my kids are my kids, and theirs are theirs. What they do wouldn't mesh with mine, and what we do would probably send their kids running back to public school.

Maybe the value of our more relaxed days will be seen in their later years. I hope they will remember this time and all the trips, fun activities, times we struggled through a subject with success, and have happy memories.

In the meantime - pray I pass today!

Spring is Springing

Well, it is April 6th, I have kept up so well with my blog! <insert sarcasm here>

It is going to be a beautiful day here in NC. I am looking out my front window at the spring green trees and the sunshine. We might actually have to go out later!

We are still homeschooling, and have started new curriculum for Amanda. We started Teaching Textbooks for her math - level 4. I wanted her to do one lesson, but she actually had FUN and three lessons. We can only pray this enthusiasm lasts!

Today we are starting My Father's World. I think she will like that as well, since it is all laid out day by day and she can see what is expected.

It is also seriously time to think about a garden. We didn't plant one last year, but this year begs for fresh tomatoes and corn. We just need to find a tiller we can borrow.

Painting has almost been completed in the family room - soon to be craft/school room. We chose "Frosted Lemon" and it really is a pretty color. We still need another gallon to finish, and then I have to rent a Rug Doctor and get the carpets cleaned. Hoping all this will be done next week sometime.

Off to the library later, and to CVS, The day of a homeschool mom!

Another Year, Another Day

So it is now 2011. How did it get to be 2011? Wasn't it just 2010?

I never believed the adults when I was a kid, who said time goes faster the older you get. Seriously, they were right!

So, today, we start back on our homeschool journey. I don't know who is dreading it more, me or the girls. Our weekly Morning Grace Bible study starts back next week, and co-op starts next month. Once we get all that going again, it will be easier to keep to a routine since time will be limited.

Katie is taking guitar lessons every other Monday, and both girls are playing Upward basketball. So, we have practice on Monday and Thursday nights, a 2 games each Saturday. This, with church on Wednesday and Sunday will keep us moving.

I am looking for an activity for Amanda. we probably ought to start piano lessons for both girls. I have the books and it is not like I can't teach them the basics. Just lazy I guess.

I am thinking that karate or tae kwan do might be good for Amanda - for her focus and self control. Gymnastics might be good as well.

Since I started Weight Watchers again, I am taking the couch to 5K challenge. Not sure I'll get to a 5K, but hey, it's worth a shot. I am trying to find info on the kid's triathlons for NC. I really think Amanda would do great with those.

Along with all this brain strain and exercise, I need to declutter and reorganize the house. We received Home Depot gift cards for Christmas, so I am hoping some painting will occur soon.

The biggest challenge is getting the finances in order. Everything hinges on the money, sadly. Having things eased up so we could plan for activities, vacations and things would be nice.

Spiritual growth needs to occur as well. Gosh, that's a lot!

The Home Stretch

Well, I have finished shopping. Last night I got everything wrapped. All my cards and packages have been mailed. And, there is a week to go before Christmas!

I used to love to shop all year long as I found things on sale. Since we have completed Financial Peace University, and I am using the envelope system,, I am planning for next year.

I am going to cash my little paychecks for teaching at Morning Grace and put that into the Christmas envelope. Once we get to sit down and work on the budget again, I am hoping to plan for a set amount of cash to go into the envie each pay period.

This will allow me to look for bargains and get things as I go. There are many times I find just the perfect item for someone and it is not in the budget to get it at the time. Maybe the envie system will help that.

I still need to get some yarn and make someone special a scarf. I think I will trek to Michael's today.

As for school, we have kind of ditched it this month. I alternately feel guilty and feel excited that since we homeschool, I have the luxury of doing this. We do need to do some language arts work today, and read.

I also have a Christmas around the World study. Once I get the things printed, we can work on that.

It is fun to see Amanda's excitement about Christmas. But, we need to stress the real reason for the excitement at this time of year. The greatest gift of all - Jesus!

A Woman's Prerogative

Yesterday Katie and I were headed back from guitar lessons. I can't even remember what we were talking about, but I had changed my mind about something. I said "It is a woman's prerogative to change her mind".

It got me thinking that we rarely use that saying. We also rarely hear the phrase, "A woman's intuition." I wonder why?

Have these fallen by the wayside due to the feminist movement? Is it bad to denote a woman as different?

I know that the first one has been associated with women being flighty, but don't we sometimes change our minds after careful thought?

And the second, what is wrong with using this? It has been my experience that I see things through a different lens than my husband. Often times I "get a feeling" about a person or a situation that turns out to be true. Things that would not be obvious from the surface or initial facts.

I think the feminist movement has devalued the inherent uniqueness of women. I think we have been made to feel less or uneducated if we willingly embrace that we are different. We need to embrace the gifts God gave us just by being women!

I think I will listen to my intuition more and see where it leads me!

Frigid in the South

Okay, I know it is Christmastime. But really.17 degrees in North Carolina? With a high of 39? I mean, really?

We were supposed to attend the Homeschool Christmas Event at Latta Plantation http://www.lattaplantation.org/ . They offer great events - learning experiences in the main house, crafts etc for $5 per person.

However, most of it is outside, and I am not sure I am up to trekking around in 39 degree weather today - even if it is sunny.

The other option is the library. We like to go there to "do school". It is a nice change of pace. Amanda and I work on book work at a table, and Katie works on the computer in one of the comfy chairs by the window. We generally take home books on a new subjet of interest.

We have yet to start reading A Christmas Carol. Luckily, it is not a very long book. And our unit study is easily adjusted to the days when we can actually work on it.

The local public schools are in until 12/22. We will start our official Christmas break next Monday. Of course, Katie still needs to catch up on the SOS lessons, so she may still be working...