Life with the Three Stooges

Our First Successful Homeschooling Week!!

We have just recently decided to homeschool our three children. It is a decision we are completely happy with and extremely excited about! We definitely feel that this is what God has called us to do!

Even though we are excited...getting started was scary. My children are young still, but definitely need lots of guidance and activities throughout the day to avoid major boredom and trouble! My 3 year old daughter, Haven, was recently diagnosed with ADHD ( I could have told you that without the diagnosis!) and we have lots of challenges with her just day to day. We are strongly against medication because we believe she is exactly the way God made her, and she must learn to deal with her weaknesses and her strengths with His guidance.

So when our first 'true' week of homeschooling ended, I was thrilled that it ended so well! Everyone is happy and the kids are already showing progress in their attitudes toward each other and everyone around them! What a blessing this is!!!

This month was Asian/Pacific Islander month on Lackland AFB, so I thought, "What better time to teach the keiki (children) a little about their Hawaiian heritage?" We had sooo much fun this week, that I didn't even want to stop to take pictures! (imagine that) I thought I would share some of the things we did and learned with you throughout the week! It was blast! It looks like all fun and games but we managed to sneak in lots of academics as well. Gavin, as of last week, is reading THREE new words!

We, of course, started by taking a flight to Hawaii.

~helping the other passengers find their seats~

~the en route movie Lilo and Stitch~

~being greeted with Aloha by two of the beautiful native girls (wink wink)~

~Luau fun and games: 'Poi' eating contest and Pin the Apple On the Pig~

~Lei making~

~Fun with Fire Sticks and Fire Dancing (look for video soon!) while enjoying their new favorite drink: Pali Punch~

~surfing at the Beach Boogie Party~

~Coconut bowling for Paula the Pineapple~

~Playing with the last reigning King and Queen of Hawaii (King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani) ~

~being serenaded by a local boy, a.k.a Daddy, while learning some important Hawaiian history and facts~

~up close action of an erupting volcano!~

~a beautiful luau feast (sans food at time of photo) and my other mother's day gift: bamboo from my mama!~

~being allowed to pout in a hula skirt: priceless~

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1:57 AM, May. 21, 2008 .. Posted by crazybusy

Wow, I am so very, very, very impressed that you did all of this in your FIRST WEEK of school! Awesome job! That looked like a ton of fun! What child would not love to be on a pretend airplane and really get to watch a movie en route!? So cute!!!! That Pali Punch looks delicious- my mouth is watering! Welcome to homeschooling & HSB! :) I think you're a natural.

Thanks for stopping by my blog- I am SO sorry to hear you've just been through a miscarriage. It's such a hard, heartbreaking thing to go through. I really don't think you're ever the same afterwards- your outlook on a lot of things changes, some even for the better. I know just how much I appreciate the ones I DO have and the little one in my womb now more than ever. And then there are the scars that remain too. I understand the emotions you're going/ you've gone through. HUGS!!!!!!

Love, Alyssa

WOW!!

11:41 AM, May. 21, 2008 .. Posted by bbullard

For someone who has only recently begun to homeschool, you have accomplished quite a bit--taking advantage of a teachable moment, completing an informal unit study, and most of all, freeing yourself from textbooks! Like crazybusy, I am very impressed! I wish I had been so daring and open to the learning experience, rather than conforming to what I thought was school, this early in the game.

You mentioned in your profile that you were seeking inspiration, mentoring, etc. It sounds as if you could lend some of that elsewhere--we all have something to share, and I know I could stand to learn from someone with creativity!

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8:56 PM, May. 24, 2008 .. Posted by arkimi1

How fun! It looks like after one week you are pretty much a homeschooling pro.... keep having fun and loving on your kids....