I truly feel called to homeschool.  But I am frazzled and frustrated and just aching for some me time.  I'm not trying to whine and gripe and complain, but I feel so close to my breaking point. :-(  I know it will get better, and this is just a small 'season' out of the big picture, but man oh man.

DS is doing well with MFW Kindergarten.  He enjoys the lessons, the coloring, cutting, READING, freedom to be outdoors, and whatnot.  He can focus and learns well, but he always has to be making noise, always moving, always something.  I know there's got to be a way to channel the energy, and it doesn't always bother me - not by a long-shot - but today, it is. :-(  Whistling, humming, singing, tap-tap-tapping his pencil.  I haven't gotten on to him about it, and I'm grateful that he's home instead of at school - because I understand that this is how he needs to be to learn.  I don't totally "get" it, but that's OK.  I just wish there were a couple moments of quiet.  When he gets too rowdy, he's awesome about snuggling up on the couch with me to read and settle down... but I can't spend all my day on the sofa with a book (believe me, I'd love to!)

The other issue that's draining me is my youngest DD.  She's got some medical issues, and at the moment is so uncomfortable that she must be held constantly.  I don't mind holding her, but the crying, hitting, kicking, biting, and general fussiness is exhausting.  It's so difficult to try and work with DS or older DD and deal with her.  Sometimes she's content to sit at the table with markers, but usually she wants to snuggle.  Going through a big-time jealousy phase, too, which I don't understand entirely.  I've tried focusing 100% on her in the beginning of the day - but it doesn't keep her from wanting me constantly even after that.

I love these goobers of mine, and I recognize that I am part of the 'problem' right now.  The kids are who they are; generally well-behaved, good-mannered, absolute pleasures to spend time with.  I am completely on edge, and I don't know why.  DH is starting up a side-business, necessitating him to be at the office (his "real job") 10 hours a day, then spending about 6-8 hrs at home doing the on-the-side stuff.  I'm trying to be as supportive and encouraging of that as I can, but in the meantime feel like I must be all the more "on" around the clock.  We are blessed to be able to homeschool, we are blessed with overall healthy and happy kids.  I'm just ready for a break... even if it's just a cup of coffee at Starbucks after everybody is sound asleep in bed.  A break, a little encouragement, a little peace and quiet...

I created a little chart for my oldest two children, to help them see what needs to happen during the day, and give them options for 'free time'.  I opted to leave off any kind of chores and self-care activities (except for feeing the hamsters), because the children are really pretty good with their morning and evening routines and need minimal prompting.  Anyway, just thought I would share what I've been up to.

The spaces are as follows: feed hamsters, reading, science/discovery, writing, math, and art - all 'mandatory' during the day.  The next 6 are puzzles, television time (only 3x/week), computer time (they have an old computer with no internet access and a few educational games), gardening, block time, and music.  There are also 4 empty boxes, allowing the kids the opportunity to plan part of their week, too.  Now, by no means is this ALL we do, nor do we ALWAYS do everything - but it's a good way to let them keep track and self-direct.  When they complete an activity, they color in the circle.  The first thing DS did this morning was draw some small airplanes in one of his empty boxes - he has a book with dozens of paper airplane designs, and he wanted to be certain he spent some time every day working on them.

Anyhow, it's working out nicely for us now.  I imagine it will morph and change as time goes on.  When the kids are a little more proficient at reading, I'm certain I'll start using words on the pages.  I'm sure it would be a good idea to implement that now; might be something I add onto the charts next week......

What a wonderful change of pace, after a very cold, very icy winter!  Just a week ago it was snowing, and this afternoon it is almost 80 outside!

Our narcissus bulbs have sprouted outside; only a third of them returned, but we already have 3 blooms.  The kids have so much fun going out to count the flowers.  DS, who has been growing some plants indoors, is thrilled with the opportunity to water the garden outside.

A few days ago, we picked up a 10x12 6-person tent for $10.  We weren't sure if it was complete, so DH and DS spent the evening before yesterday putting it up in the backyard.  The kids keep asking when we'll let them sleep in it; I've told them they can go out for a nap anytime they want - but that's not good enough - they're ready for an official, outdoor campout!  I imagine that will happen in a day or two, as we're planning on taking it down by the week's end.

We have also begun - slowly - looking at new property.  We found a lovely home on 5 acres that would be *perfect* for a homeschooling family.  There's a woods, a lake and creek, a pool, and an entire third-floor finished attic with huge dormer windows that would be *perfect* for a classroom.  If DH's on-the-side business is a huge success..............

In about 6 weeks, DH and I will have the opportunity to go to our first Homeschool Convention.  I am so excited; there are a couple of speakers that I am looking forward to hearing (one is the developer of the "My Father's World" curriculum).  I also can't wait to see what some of the vendors have to offer.

I am really struggling with putting together just the right program for DS.  I am drawn to the variety and affordability of the Earlybird Science program (I have enjoyed their math), but from what I can tell online, the science program is workbook only.  I love a hands-on approach; that's not to be said that I can't do my own hands-on things, I suppose.

He is also really grasping reading; he can sound out quite a few words, and write several as well.  We are far from fluent though.  I am wanting to borrow the "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" (I think that's the title), from a friend soon.  I have heard good things about it, and am ready to truly have a reader on my hands.

I have also GOT to get a grasp on efficient organization for homeschool things around here.  Oh, the mess of games, art supplies, books, etc!  There are many more things I want to add to our collection - but not until we get some things organized!

I've started making smoothies...  I purchased a bag of assorted frozen fruit, as well as some fresh fruit 'staples' -- also juice, vanilla yogurt, and spinach.  Yes, spinach.  Adding a cup to a cup-and-a-half of fresh spinach leaves to a smoothie doesn't add an ounce of "spinach taste" - yet it gives the smoothie an extra nutritious boost --- and a delightfully frightful green color.  Mr B thought that was beyond cool.

They really enjoy adding their selected fruits to the blender in the morning.  A couple times they've gotten it "wrong" ("Mommy, this tastes too banana-y!" or "Eww, that looks yucky.")  They'll usually eat a good amount anyways - but if they don't, I finish it off.  GREAT way to get fruits and vegetables.

We're also going through a very, very tight money phase right now.. (part of why we're using frozen fruit, LOL).  I've been googling cheap recipes, and I've got $8 cash to last me through the 5th... and another $14 in my bank account.  We should be pretty good on groceries till then - but I'm crossing my fingers that I won't need to buy any gasoline!  A friend tried to give me a 'starter' for "Friendship Bread" - and I had to turn her down almost purely because I didn't have the right ingredients on hand, nor the finances to buy the few items I would have needed, when I'm not *positive* I've got enough basics to last the next week-and-a-half.

Anyway - back to cheap meals.  My health-nut friends will probably cringe at last-nights meal, but it was really quite tasty... and I'm sure if you used veggie dogs, or anything besides the 99 cent cheapy dogs it would be healthier, LOL.

Cheap Meal 1 (CornDog-in-a-Dish):

• In a 9x13 pan, spread the contents of a 28 oz can of Baked Beans. (Drain a bit of the juice - cost: $1.12)
• Chop a package of hotdogs, and place them on top of the bean layer, leaving no exposed beans. (I used 1-1/2 packages - cost: $1.48)
• In a seperate bowl, mix a box of corn muffin/corn bread mix, according to package directions.  Spread this evenly on top of the hotdogs.  (25 cents for the muffin mix - plus 1 egg, and 1/3 C milk)
• Bake at 400 for 30-40 minutes, or until cornbread is browned and cooked through.  Serve with ketchup and mustard.

It's like a giant corndog, LOL.  Really pretty good, considering the cost and short ingredient list.  Ended up costing 71 cents per person, and we've got left-overs for lunch today. :-)

And in final news.  Why is money so short/what's going on in my life?  (In addition to having to repair a lawnmower and replace a dishwasher and having a car in the shop) I am having my 4 wisdom teeth removed on the 6th of July.  We have a considerable amount to pre-pay.  It looks like we'll make it, but maaaaaaaaaaaaaan.  I'm not looking forward to 1) the expense and 2) the procedure.  Boo!

Though I've seen this suggestion several places, it was the Keeping the Home website/blog that really encouraged me to create a Master Meal Plan for the family.  Here is ours:

Monday

Breakfast: Muffins, Fruit, Milk (plus coffee for me!)

Lunch: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Cheese, Veggie, Water

Dinner: Beef, Fruits and Veggies, Water or Tea

Tuesday

Lunch: Egg Salad Sandwiches, Cheese, Veggies, Juice or Water

Dinner: Pork (generally pork chops), Veggie Casserole, Bread, Water or Tea

Wednesday

Breakfast: Cereal, Yogurt, Juice (plus coffee for me!)

Lunch: Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Fruit, Milk

Dinner: Pasta with Homemade Sauce, Veggies, Bread, Water (this is usually a busy night, so a relatively easy meal!)

Thursday

Breakfast: Biscuits and Jam, Yogurt, Milk (and again, coffee!)

Lunch: Grilled Cheese, Fruit, Veggie, Milk

Dinner: Chicken, Fruits & Veggies (generally salad), Water or Tea

Friday

Lunch: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Veggies, Milk

Dinner: Grilling Day!  DH picks the meat variety in advance.  Fresh Veggies, Fresh Fruit, Water or Lemonade.

Saturday

Breakfast: Eggs, Bacon, Fruit, Milk, Coffee (this is a meal Daddy joins us for!)

Lunch: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Cheese, Veggie, Water

Dinner: Homemade Tortilla Day! (Quesadillas, Burritos, Soft-Tacos, etc).

Sunday

Breakfast: Breakfast Casserole, prepared in advance on Saturday (I will be adding some of my favorite recipes shortly!) :-)

Lunch: Generally eaten with friends or family; left "open" (or LEFTOVERS lunch)

Dinner: DH's Choice

I also try to keep an assortment of snacks on hand... Carrot sticks, strawberries, crackers, cheese cubes, broccoli (my kids actually LOVE broccoli...), apples, etc.  They don't graze all day, but having things washed, cut, and available makes for easy snack preparation. :-)

I also don't always plan out my meals in advance.  Sometimes "chicken" is baked chicken... or chicken stir-fry, or chicken-pot-pie...  For the most part, I can buy enough of the right stuff at the grocery store by following this master plan -- rarely do I find the need to run to the store mid-week to pick up extra 'whatever.'  It's been a huge help already, and now that I'm homeschooling, I imagine it will come in even more handy as my time is changing structure...

And to think I was so wishy-washy!! :-)

Yesterday was a frustrating day - but in hindsight, I crammed too much into it; especially too much outside-the-home activity...  School early on, then to Krispy Kreme for a free dozen doughnuts, then to Grandma's house, then home for lunch, then to the Zoo, then home and playing outside, and the evening???? kind of went to pot, LOL.  I need to remember that *home* is where I need to be... where my energies need to be.  Outtings and activities are fun and have a definite time and place -- maybe once I get my MOTH schedule together I'll be able to handle them better. :-)

School started a little later than "usual" today.  B is just flying through the "Creation" series.  N sang songs along with us, and did some coloring and cutting, too.  And now, with Lou napping, and schoolwork behind us for the day, B and N are peacefully playing with our 'accidental' Lauri puzzles. 

I'm not sure why, but instead of my days getting crazier since starting (and granted I'm only on day THREE!), everything just seems so much more peaceful.  Everybody seems more content.  I'm sure part of it is the one-on-one, undivided attention that B and N get.  And, the house generally speaking is getting and staying cleaner longer. :-)  Why didn't anybody ever tell me how COOL homeschooling is, LOL? :-)

Since we started homeschooling in June, I guess I'll have to figure out what to do once we're through the curriculum.  I don't want to completely STOP homeschooling for several months; in fact, a year-round schedule really seems ideal (with one-week-breaks here and there), but I just don't know!!  I've kind of thought about taking the "summer" off (though it will probably be winter or spring...), and focusing on some really cool things --- like maybe developing art skills, or doing science experiments (Singapore EarlyBird Science seems beyond cool).  I'm finding that I'm much more of a "planner" than I'd previously realized. :-)

I just can't believe how good "life" is right now.  That my kids are so content, that my house is so quiet...a nice, yet still busy quiet.  Life is good.  Really, really good. :-)

We ate lunch with my ILs yesterday.  We were going to wait a bit before we told them about our homeschooling plans, but we have a 4 year old. :-)  The first words out of his mouth as he went bounding through their door were: "I've got an ant farm! And a butterfly garden! And lots of books, and these things, like with numbers? And math......." and he trailed on.  DH told them that we'd purchased some curriculum and were planning on homeschooling through the Summer.  And they changed the subject.  Homeschoolers are crazy, dontcha know? ;-)

Later in the afternoon, MIL started asking me a few questions... was it a full curriculum, was I piecing together my own things, and so forth.  I told her specifics about what we had purchased, and mentioned that I was doing supplemental math - "Singapore Math."  Her lone comment was "Hm.  Singapore Math.  Well, I hear the Asians are pretty good at that kind of stuff." LOL!

This morning we "officially" started.  I love the My Father's World kindergarten curriculum.  Love it, love it, LOVE it.  I love how receptive B was to the learning - and how N had to be in on all the action... not that I didn't expect that. ;-)  He did want to make sure he wouldn't miss "CyberChase" - his favorite PBS show.  It didn't start till 11, and we began school at 8... I told him repeatedly that we would be done well before the show - but he wasn't content until I set the timer... just to make sure he wouldn't miss it. :-)  He's watching it contentedly right now... having finished school more than 1.5 hours ago, LOL.

Our BOX arrived yesterday.  Ant farm, butterfly garden, books and books and books... Lauri toys and puzzles and many other absolutely delicious items.  An error was made, however, and Rainbow Resources sent me a 4-pack of dinosaur puzzles instead of the 4-pack I ordered.  (I quickly phoned them, purchased the 4 they sent, and will be receiving the 4 I ordered sometime in the next couple of weeks).

I had visions of homeschooling in my head, which involved actually taking the time to do Lesson Plans, and be all prepared to tackle things in a logical manner.  However, my son was ready to party down with his new treasures. :-)  He literally spent an hour with his Cuisenaire rods and their accompanying book.  The dinosaur puzzles were worked, and reworked, and reworked again.  Our math manipulatives were engaging and exciting, and B took great pride in showing N how to use them properly.  He pointed out which numbers were odd, and which were even - something he learned in preschool.  Although bedtime is usually around 8 p.m., we were all up till nearly 10 o'lock.  Imagine my surprise when Mr. B came bouncing into our room at 6:30 this morning, begging to "do more school!"  He was especially eager and insistent to do work in the Singapore Math (Earlybird) books.  He ate a quick breakfast, pulled out the colored pencils, and listened to me explain how to do the various pages.  He went through 2 complete weeks of lessons, and was ready to do more - but we decided together to instead work on some of the Lauri puzzles and save some math for later.

The MFW (My Father's World) kindergarten curriculum looks wonderful.  I am hoping to begin it on Monday (June 4).  I have been working on a spreadsheet to plan several appropriate field trips throughout the months, as well as make certain I order ants and caterpillars at the appropriate times.  We have an open invitation to a friends' farm - which will fit in perfectly with the horses lesson.  The aquarium, dinosaur museum, planetarium, and botanical gardens will fit in nicely throughout the weeks as well.  Of course I don't want to "over-do it," but then, I've always been a Mama that's made regular trips to the zoo, art museum, science museum, and more.  I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew - though I must say, the MFW curriculum is so nicely laid out that I *think* I'll be able to handle it. :-)

Ready or not, here we come!

These last few days/weeks have really thrown me for a loop.  Last weekend, we spent 12 hours round-trip in the car to visit DH's grandfather.  This Memorial Day, we spent another 12 hours round-trip to go to his funeral.  The children were good most of the time, and slept for the majority of the trek, giving me ample time to think behind the wheel.  I thought about the Mom I am, the Mom I want to be, and what I need to do to get there. 

When we got home last night, I sent DH straight to bed (it had been an emotionally exhausting time for him), and I spent the next 3 hours playing outside with the kids, getting them ready for bed, and then nursing the baby while reading blogs --- and as much as I could about the MOTH schedule from the Titus2 website.  Over and over again, I read about the importance of getting up early.  I know that I've needed to do this, but I have always, ALWAYS had an excuse.  I have three children - the oldest of whom is just over 4... it's been about 5 years since I last slept through the night!  Well, I went to bed at 9:30 last night, committed to waking up at 6:30 this morning.

6:15 rolled by, and the excuses started rolling through my mind... 

"Lou's asleep beside me; if I get up, I'll wake her *or* she'll roll out of bed!"

Put her in her crib.  (check!)

"But I just drove all the way home from Missouri, and I'm EXHAUSTED!" (I was!)

When I made the decision last night to GET UP, I KNEW about the driving.  Not a good excuse!

"But I want to sleep another 10...15...30...45... minutes!"

Will I really be more rested in 10 minutes than I am now?  Not likely!

Well, Philippians 4:13 started running through my mind... "I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me!"  It's just GETTING OUT OF BED, YOU WIMP! I told myself. :-)

I woke up DH for work, started a pot of coffee, and decided to begin my morning with Phillipians.  I hit Chapter 2, verse 14 and figured it was the applicable verse for my life... "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world..."

Good deal, I thought.  I can get up without grumbling.  (What a wimp I am to want to sleep in till 7:30 every morning!)

Well, then I got to chapter 4... approaching my 13th verse.  For some reason, I had never paid much attention to verse 12.  "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."

Talk about a humbling moment.  If anyone knew suffering, it was Paul.  HE could do ALL THINGS through Christ in the midst of suffering.  What in the world made me think that getting up early was such a bad, horrible punishment!

Anyway, it is now approaching 7:30.  My husband and I shared a quiet breakfast together, I spent time in prayer and Bible study, the baby is up and changed, the older two have eaten and gotten dressed.  I decided to put on a long (ankle-length) skirt -- one of two I own that are this modest.  And I can't begin to tell you how fulfilled I already feel.  Any other day, I'd be just starting to roll out of bed, with a 4 year old tugging at me, a 2 year old calling for me, and a baby nestled up beside me.  Why on earth have I fought this change for so long?

It's been a CRAZY few days.  Lou is finally over her breathing issues; they disappeared just as quickly as they started.  In other news, however, we made a spur-of-the-moment trip out of state to visit DH's dying grandfather.  12 total driving hours, in a 36 hour period.  Exhausting, but well worth it! :-)

Sunday night I finally ordered the curriculum.  I've been kind of wishy-washy on the homeschooling thing.  I so want to homeschool B; everything about it is 110% appealing to me.  But, I do love his teachers that he would have in the Fall. For private school, it is everything I could possibly want.  I think I'm ready to take on this new, fun challenge, though!!

Anyway, as planned I ordered the MFW kindergarten curriculum, Singapore "Earlybird Math" (1A and 1B), a planner/organizer for me, and a few puzzles and books for N - who will probably be homeschooled 'by default' as she's involved completely in whatever her big brother is involved with. :-)  B can't WAIT for his ant farm - right now that's his biggest anticipation.

I still feel as though I have so much to do to get ready for school.  We are planning on starting in June, or when the curriculum arrives - whichever happens first!  Going with a semi-casual approach; I don't want to burn either of us out -- but I want to make sure that he understands what it means when we're "doing school."  I just feel like we've got to get rid of some stuff... and organize some stuff... and just take control of the house in general before undertaking this new challenge.  Hopefully I'll be ready when the time comes! :-)

This week has been a whirlwind... so many doctors visits, so many prescriptions, so many things to keep track of.  With B and N at their grandparents house, DH and I spent many meals eating 'quick' - sandwiches, bowls of cereal, that kind of thing.  Yesterday he ran to the store and stocked up on fruits and veggies (and popcorn) -- if we were going to eat 'quick' it could at least be healthy. :-)

Well, we missed church today... and this afternoon, the phone started ringing... and ringing... and ringing.  Friends brought us lunch from a neighborhood deli; another brought DH and myself dinner, and fresh strawberries and popcorn chicken for the children (who are now home).  Another is on her way with a big pot of homemade soup.  Our refrigerator and freezer are PACKED - with enough food to eat at least 8 meals.  If you count leftovers (and there WILL be leftovers), we probably have enough to last us 2 weeks.  I can't believe it; it's so touching and wonderful and unbelievably helpful, and just WOW.  Later this week a dear friend has promised to take B and N out to the park, since I can't get out in this wind with Lou's breathing problems.

On the topic of her breathing problems...  they seem to be getting better... most of the time.  She is resting peacefully in my lap as I type this - chest smoothly gliding up and down, nose clear, cough non-existent.  The nebulizer treatments are getting easier... most of the time.  But we still have challenges.  And she still has moments where she sounds so rattley and wheezy that I wish I could cough for her.  Tomorrow we have another appointment with her doctor, and maybe we'll get some good news.  I know we have prayers going up not only across town, but from friends throughout the country.  I have faith that things will be fine, but things are difficult in the meantime... off and on.  God's been so good to us though.  When I've felt ready to fall over at 2 a.m., I find the energy to keep going.  When 6 o'clock comes earlier than it should, I've been blessed to have a husband willing to give medicine or rock a baby.  And now - when dinnertime rolls around, food preparation is as difficult as asking "Do you want lasagna or pork chops?"  I am so grateful for the BLESSINGS we have (friends), and I look forward to being able to return these kind acts.  Every person that drops by leaves with a couple dozen fresh-cut roses - it's a very small gesture, but all we can do at the moment.  I truly hope they all understand how very, very much they mean to us...

Tuesday: Daughter N (age 2) went to the doctor for coughing, etc.  Saw the PA -- Diagnosis: allergies + ear infection.  2 prescriptions.

Tuesday: DH went to his doctor, experiencing same symptoms.  (2 different doctors, 2 different clinics).

Wednesday: I went to my doctor (different doctor).  Pulse rate: 95.  Temp: 96.8.  CBC?  Completely normal.  Diagnosis: allergies.  3 prescriptions.

Wednesday: Son B (age 4) went to his doctor - same symptoms.  Saw the pediatrician.  Diagnosis: allergies + ear infection...  Told for the 4th time that this isn't contagious. 1 prescription.

Thursday afternoon: Daughter Lou (8 mos) starts wheezing, coughing, and having trouble breathing.  To Urgent Care After-Hours Clinic.  Nebulizer treatments, chest x-rays, etc.  Diagnosis: double ear infection.

Friday: Lou back at her pediatrician.  Diagnosis? VIRAL INFECTION settled into her lungs.  Home nebulizer, steroids, antibiotics, cough medicine.  That's right, 4 prescriptions.

Anybody that knows me knows that I truly hate medicating my children.  I'm thankful for medical advancement, knowledgable doctors, effective treatments... I truly am.  And I'm glad that we're able to take advantage of all of the above.  But I just hate medicating my children.  Especially the baby - who is so jittery, hyper, and go-go-go on account of her medicines...  My little Sweetie, who would nap 2-5 hours a day, is down to one 15-minute nap...  She went to bed at 9 last night (LATE for her) and was ready to PARTY at 4:00 a.m.  Of course, she's still wheezing up a storm, and we didn't sleep much at all over night, keeping an eye on her, and I'm glad she felt good enough to be awake --- but I truly think she could use the rest.

In other news, I'm sooo grateful for the support network that we have.  My parents live just 30 minutes away, and they took the older 2 children overnight (and again for this evening) so we could focus on getting Lou her nebulizer treatments throughout the evening.  People from church have emailed or phoned us, offering to bring food, or help with the older kids, or just sit with Lou while DH and I nap.  We've had cookies, doughnuts, coffee brought by - and no doubt would have even more.  I'm so grateful for my family and extended church family.  Friends from the Internet have been a huge source of information from me, helping me navigate the scary waters of breathing treatments for Lou.  I'm also so grateful that I'm able to stay home with the children and juggle all these appointments - plus next weeks rounds of follow-ups.

If I could just figure out how to thrive on 2 hours of sleep a night, I'd be completely set.

I am so grateful for the internet - I can't imagine trying to sort my way through this 'new world' without the resources, reviews, information, and more that I've been able to find online!  A good friend of mine told me about the "Rainbow Resources" website - turns out I can get everything for MFW from their site - plus a little bit more - for less than I would have spent at MFW!  I also came across a terrific site - homeschoolreviews.com, I believe - that has incredibly helpful reviews on different curriculums.  Anyway, *for now* I'm ditching the Horizons Math - K and am instead opting for 2 of the Singapore Math books for beginning math students.  The price is unbelievable (less than $8/book!), and the reviews are fabulous.  I don't know if we'll be using it forever, but it sounds great for starting out!

I feel like I've got so much to do to "get ready" for schooling.  We have an awesome "extra room" in our house that we've never quite known what to do with; we do have our dining room table in it (takes up about 1/3 of the space)... but now I know what the rest of it will be - our school room!  It is currently occupied by a bookshelf full of toys and books, a couple cabinets, and several drawers full of TOYS.  I'm hoping to clear out a bunch of the stuff and give the room a more academic (yet still fun) focus.  The room has a very large window, with quite a nice ledge in front of it.  I'm hoping to hang some attractive curtains, and place some pillows and a cushion up there on the ledge, along with a basket of books, to create a cozy little reading nook.  I want the space to be inviting, peaceful, free from distractions, yet have an engaging atmosphere, and be a place where we can make a mess, or dance around to music, or whatever. :-)

And now, a little story about my family

This weekend, we took the two oldest children (DS - 4 and DD - 2) to see the Salute to Superheros.  It was a production by our Philharmonic - incredible music performed by a live orchestra, plus choreographed routines by super heros throughout the music.  Salute to the Common Man was amazing, as was their composition that included all of the military songs for the different branches of military. They rocognized active and retired military, and talked about how the real superheros in the world are the ones that serve the community and nation in daily life. 

My DS sat on my lap the entire time, snuggled up, and tapping along to the music.  Every now and then he'd ask about a costumed character (Batman, Robin, Darth Vader, etc).  I'd whisper information into his ear.  He told me, about halfway through, that the drums were really overpowering the rest of the orchestra, LOL.  With DH's and my own interest and involvement in music, it should come as no surprise that we're raising a little music critic, LOL.

My DD sat patiently in her own seat for about the first 40 minutes, then she started getting antsy to leave.  "Mama, can we please go now? I'm done with music today..." she whispered in my ear.  I told her we were almost done (it was an hour production), and that we would be leaving shortly.  So she did what any other unoccupied and bored 2 year old would do... she removed both of her shoes from her feet, and played with them as though they were dolls.  Through Superman, one shoe went flying around, while the other shoe jumped up and down on her lap, anxious for rescue.  As StarWars played, her shoes battled it out "Ow! That hurt me, you meanie old shoe!"  I was very impressed with her creativity and patience. :-)  They are so easy to take places - I hope that this continues as they grow. :-)

Afterwards, we had a big party on the lawn in front of the concert hall - DH and I took turns flying the kids around, playing tag, chasing birds, and otherwise having a terrific time.  I am so grateful to be able to share these kinds of experiences with them, and can only hope that homeschooling will provide us with countless more adventures.

My son (age 4) has been in school since January - a wonderful little private school only 3 miles away.  As a preschool, he goes 4 days a week, 3 hours a day.  Younger sister (age 2) has been begging since day one to join him, and as it does her, it pains me to drop him off every day.  He has learned so much there - good and bad.  And of the good things?  Not a single thing I couldn't have taught him myself (though he has learned a few clever songs that I am unfamiliar with).

Growing up, I spent my first educational years in private school.  Then public school - then homeschool - then back to public school.  Of all my educational experiences growing up, homeschool was my favorite by far.  My husband, on the otherhand, has only ever experienced public school.  Active in Scouts and other extracurricular adventures, he had a very good life.  His fondest childhood memories are those spent earning badges with the help of his parents and scout leaders, and enjoying the world around him through nature hikes, camping trips, and other outdoorsy things.  Since the birth of my oldest 4 years ago, I have pursued the topic of homeschooling off and on with my DH - but generally met with resistence.  He had no doubt that I could be an excellent teacher for the children, but afterall.... aren't homeschoolers weird?!  Until I pointed out how much he learned outside of school, and how much he learned with his parents' help, and how he had an active social life outside of school, did he begin to warm up to the idea.  (We haven't told his parents yet - what fun that will be, ha).

So where does that leave us now?  My son's school is letting out for the summer in 2 weeks - though for us, school is over for good.  School in the "traditional" sense, anyhow.  After much researching, questioning, and exploring, I am ordering the "My Father's World Kindergarten - Deluxe Curriculum Package" along with "Horizons Math - K."  My daughter, who will be 3 in the Fall will begin an informal Preschooling alongside him.  (I will purchase a few of the preschool items from MFW - though we have quite a few at home, already).  The baby will simply be along for the ride. :-)

I can't wait to begin.  Along with the curriculum, I hope to supplement with music (between DH and myself, we own and can play 5 instruments - time to dust them off!), foreign language (german, spanish, latin, ASL, and of course english are familiar to the two of us), and of course multiple trips to parks, the zoo, science museum, art museum, pool, and more.  Let the journey begin!