Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Sad Signs of Summer Ending!
Have you noticed the crickets are chirping? And that the evenings and mornings are cooler with the afternoons heating up? Have you seen all the stores with their back-to-school stock in? And the garden centres selling their mums? These are all the sad signs of summer ending!
Two months ago, I was actually wondering what I was going to do with my kids for 2 1/2 months of summer vacation! I must have been out of mind!!! Here we are two months later, and I can feel the familiar tension building up in me as another school year approaches. I usually feel like I've been dragged into autumn kicking and screaming...sometimes literally when the alarm starts going off again at 6:30am. But it isn't always about losing my sleep, it's putting back on the mantle of educator and all the pressure that comes with that. And working part-time in my younger children's school while homeschooling a high schooler full-time isn't exactly a picnic, either! So, I will soak up whatever is left of summer and put off thinking of school as long as I possibly can! Of course, my son laughs at me when I can't help but sneak a peek at all the new school supplies in the stores! 
Our summer has been so different but good! Tori, who is 16, got her first full-time job working at a golf and country club. She works on the maintenance crew and her mornings start at 5:00 am. It is hard phyical labour, in sometimes extreme heat. I am so proud of her for persevering! She is quite pleased with the money she's made as well.
Belle, who just turned 13, has had a very full summer at a Christian camp. She has been through a week of leadership camp, two weeks of being a leader-in-training, two weeks as a camper (hard switch there!), and will finish out with a week on the kitchen staff. She stays out at the camp when she is on staff so it is a new experience with her being away. She has grown up a lot over the summer, sometimes going all "teenager" on me which I am not used to when it comes to my sweet Belle!
With the girls gone most of the summer, that has left a lot of time for Hunter and I to be together. He has taken two weeks of swimming lessons...which he passed with flying colours, and just finished a week of vacation Bible school. We have gone to the wading pool, the beach, and spent a lot of time at a friend's pool. He's become an extremely good swimmer. His biggest and proudest accomplishment this summer has been learning to ride a two-wheeler! I feel like a proud mommy bird whose baby has learned to fly!
As for Ron, he finally went back to work full-time at the beginning of August. This injury has been a long haul and it's not over yet. He will have a second surgery done in October since he still cannot straighten his leg. He is still in quite a lot of pain and his knee is tight and swollen. The financial stress is ongoing and very draining.
Well, that pretty much sums up our life to date! I will not think of the "s-word" until the very last minute I have to....then you will hear me kicking and screaming!!!
|
•
Comments (0)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Thursday, June 15, 2006 In the Home Stretch!!!
I can't believe it, but I can see the end in sight....our first year homeschooling!!! It has gone so fast. And it has been more successful than I'd ever dared dream! It was a hard year, homeschooling and working, but it's been a satisfying year. I can't give you a run down of all the blessings because there isn't a list. I'm just thankful that we survived.
We used ACE which I am familiar with so there was no bumbling around trying to figure out what we were doing for our first year, no trying to figure out the curriculum, not even any doubts as to whether I was even doing the right thing in taking my kids out of the public school system. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak.
Tori has gone from a 70's average to a 90's. Her attitude and behaviour have improved by leaps and bounds, and she is actually a joy to be around. A lot of time, energy, and prayer has been invested in her this year. The Friday Group has been awesome for her, and she has had the opportunity to make some money by babysitting for a family around the corner on a regular basis.
Belle has done wonderfully well in her new Christian school. They also use ACE so we ran on their academic schedule at home. Everyone loves her at school and she has fit in extremely well. She is thankful that she is around other people who share her faith but she does still miss her public school friends. Next year, I'll have to make more of an effort to get her together with them. They were a good bunch of girls. Belle also made Honour Roll and has an average in the 90's. It has been a great learning experience for me working in the school one day a week. I work with the teens and there is never a dull moment in that learning centre! 
As for little mister Hunter, I had to let go of my grand notions of homeschooling him!  It is so different teaching a boy. He was very unfocused and undisciplined, easily frustrated and impatient. After a few months, I decided that my homeschooling year with him would be a success if I could just teach him to write his name! Well, mission accomplished!  He does love to be read to and he loves putting together puzzles with me. Since he was four, though, I really wasn't going to push him. The hardest thing I did was leave him once a week with my girlfriend as babysitter. Although I liked working in the school, it is a long day and hard for me to be away from him. I've never had to leave any of my children before to work. Next year, I'm hoping to work three mornings instead of all day. As for his schooling in the fall, he had his entrance test this week and passed so as long as there are some other kindergartners, he will go to Belle's school. He will only go four mornings a week. It will be perfect for him since he needs to be around kids more.
So, I think that pretty much sums up our year. I am so looking forward to being off, spending time at the beach, getting some rest and relaxation....oh, and sleeping in....and not making lunches....or keeping a schedule....and driving Belle to school....and.....!!!
|
•
Comments (0)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Monday, November 7, 2005 The Miracle of Motivation!!!
Last
week was another busy week for Tori. She had six PACE tests which
are unit tests. If she fails, she has to repeat that unit.
It is a disappointment but it is something I love about the ACE
curriculum! It is mastery-based. You cannot go on and learn
unless you know what you are doing. A far cry from public school
these days where they don't even fail kids even if they don't know what
they are doing.
And just so you know, a "pass" in ACE is 80% or
better. A higher standard of learning and achievement.
Another thing I love!!
But back to Tori....two of those six tests had me very nervous: Geography and Science.
You would swear I was the one taking the tests with how stressed out I
get!! She passed the other four with no problems.
Geography she scrapped by the skin of her teeth! 
But Science was the one we dragged our feet on. She had failed
through the whole unit which was on atoms, elements, compounds, and the
periodic table, etc. She was convinced she was going to fail, and
truth be told, I was too. I just didn't want to admit it to
her. I gave her encouragement and extra study days but we were
still not hopeful. Then....one afternoon, she was looking through
the Christian bookstore's latest CD flyer. She was moaning about
not having any money to buy her favourites. I reminded her
Christmas is coming, and then....I was hit with a brilliant idea!!
I told her I'd buy her a new CD if she made 100% on her
Science! Amazingly enough, she jumped at the idea. I was
really surprised. She sometimes gets excited about things and
then it fades into nothing. But she studied harder than I'd ever
seen her. She took the test at Jamie's amidst the cacophony of
three toddlers. Again, truth be told, I was just going to be
happy if she passed! But.....drum roll please.....she made
98%!!! I am SO thrilled that I am rewarding her despite missing
the 100.
Thus, the miracle of motivation!!!
|
•
Comments (5)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Fractions, Atoms, and Hormones!
I
think there is a problem when the weaknesses of the teacher are the
same weaknesses as the student. Math and Science continue to be
the bane of Tori's existence as well as mine. It doesn't help
when the student is lazy and not willing to learn....and the teacher is
hormonal. Not to mention, a problem with a boy that is spilling
over into our school day. Needless to say, this is not our best
work week.
I must say though that she has passed three tests
this week with scores in the 90's. Unfortunately, she didn't pass
Math so she is repeating it.
But, for all that, I must praise the LORD for this
peace and happiness I have despite the dreary weather and the trials
and tribulations of teen life. Thank you, LORD!
|
•
Comments (0)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Saturday, October 1, 2005 Why I love Homeschooling...!
My
oldest daughter, whom I am homeschooling this fall, went to public
school for nine years. It was a great school and there were no
major problems. It was small and the kids all grew up together
staying in the same classes every year.
Last
spring, Tori told me on the way to school that she'd received a pretty
good grade on a test. I complimented her on it and said that was
great. She said, "No, it isn't". When I asked her why not,
she said that the kids make fun of people who are smart. I said,
"Well, it's better to be made fun of for being smart, than to be
stupid". "I'd rather be stupid!" she said. I was surprised
at that mentality. She had been a good student until Grade
7. From there her grades had gone downhill. She was lazy
and unmotivated and apparently peer pressure had a lot to do with that.
This week, my daughter has passed four tests with
flying colours. When she took her final test of the week on
Thursday, I graded it right away. I couldn't wait to tell her she
had made her second 100% of the week. Tori actually did a happy
dance! I was so pleased that she was pleased with her performance.
So, the thing I love about homeschooling is that it
eliminates competition and peer pressure in the classroom. My
daughter can freely reach her full potential without being made fun of
for being smart. Now, THAT is something to smile about!!!
|
•
Comments (1)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 ACE...oh, how I love thee....!!!
.....let
me count the ways!!! First, I love that it's
self-instructional. Tori can do her work anywhere, any
time. I don't have to prepare lesson plans so that leaves me lots
of time to spend with Hunter and clean the house (oh, joy!). I
love that she can go at her own pace. If she is struggling with a
concept, we can take the time for her to slowly get through it.
If she wants to do extra work, she can rush ahead.
I totally love that when she is sick, her work is
suspended. There is no class going on without her. There's
no work or projects she'll have to catch up on. When she's well,
she can pick up right where she left off!
I love that they have such a high standard for
passing tests. It makes the kids feel successful when they get
such high scores. And if they fail a test, then they just repeat
the PACE, learning more the second time around.
Hmmm, I'm sure there are more reasons why I love ACE. But I'll let you off the hook for now.....!
|
•
Comments (0)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Tori's First Tests!
Well,
this week is the real test of our homeschooling to date. Tori had
three PACE tests in Math, English, and Etymology (Spelling). We
were both very nervous but she had studies. Math is her worst
subject so that was the one I was worrying about. But then, I had
to remember, that I'm NOT the student. This is Tori's education
and she needs to take the responsibility for it. Well, her scores
were as follows:
Math 85%
English 100%
Spelling 94%
We were both thrilled!! It was nice to see the
smile on her face. Of course, by supper when I tried to praise
her in front of the family, she was very nonchalant and cavalier about
it.
Today was her Geography test. And
unfortunately, it didn't go so well. The test turned out to be
tricky and she just didn't know her stuff well enough. So, I
guess she'll be repeating this PACE. But she'll learn.
|
•
Comments (1)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Sunday, September 11, 2005 The Rest of the Story....I mean, the Week!!
I
went into this week with NO expectations but if I had had some, this
week would have exceeded anything I could have imagined! Praise the
LORD! Tori settled right into homeschooling like she's been doing it
for years. She worked hard, and totally amazed me.
Wednesday, Hunter had his appointment with the
therapist and dietician at the hospital. I left Tori with lots of
work to do. We were gone for about two hours. When we
arrived home, she was out on the deck swing doing her work. She
had completed four subjects! I was impressed.
Thursday was my first day of working in Belle's
school. It was hard being on my feet for such long periods of
time. Being a SAHM allows me to sit down whenever I want.
There is a lot to know as well, the kids, the procedures, lots of new
names and rules. I got in "trouble" for wearing too short a
skirt. LOL It's to be BELOW the knee. I was very
tired by the end of the day.
Thursday was also our 15th wedding
anniversary. Ron took me out for a lovely dinner. We ate on
the patio of the restaurant and enjoyed the beautiful evening
weather. After he took me shopping for flat shoes for work!! 
Friday was Tori's first time going to Friday
Group. This is a group of teens who get together every week for
drama, music, and art. Tori was reluctant to go but came home
raving about it. I'm so pleased. She ended the week with
four quizzes in her school work. 
As for Belle, she had a great week in her new
school. She loves the uniforms and I do too. Other than
it's extra work for me doing laundry and ironing! She made
friends very quickly and feels a part of things already. She is
also getting to know new procedures and has caught on quickly to a new
way of learning. I think it will be a good year!
|
•
Comments (4)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Tuesday, September 6, 2005 Our First Day Homeschooling!
Today started off great! I had set up a schedule for myself and
posted it above my alarm clock which was set for 6:30. (Maybe “great” is too strong a word for waking that early when I am NOT a morning person!) I gave myself time to listen to the news and wake up a bit. I did my devotions for homeschooling moms, then went down and woke up Belle. I got ready and made her lunch. We both had extra time so the morning wasn’t rushed. I took first-day pictures of her in her new uniform. She looks so adorable! I’m so proud of her. In case, I didn’t mention, my youngest daughter, who is 11, is attending an ACE school. It is her first year so there are big changes in store for both my kids. Anyway, I woke the other two kids before I left. I thought I’d only be gone for half an hour. I wanted to make sure Belle felt comfortable before I left her there all alone! As soon as we walked in, one of the girls she had met back in May, came right up to us, and proceeded to show us the ropes. She saved a seat for Belle in Opening Exercises. I thought I would stay for that which is usually only 15 minutes. But….the first day involved many procedures, changes, and instructions including a tour. Before I knew it, I was leaving the school at 10:15….two hours from when I’d left the house! Poor Tori!
But Belle had a fantastic day. The kids at school were so friendly and included and talked to her like she’d always been there. She felt right at home. She loved the work and even said it felt more like camp than school. Camp, of course, being fun and a reason to look forward to the next day! I’m so pleased and I’m praising the LORD for preparing her way. I think this school will be the best decision we’ve made in her academic career. Once I got home, I set Hunter up with a movie, and I sat down to begin homeschooling Tori. She was very down on herself and I tried encouraging her. She looked very glum and unhappy. Later when she was working, there was a lot of sighing going on! I’m not sure if it was for her benefit or mine! LOL But she stopped after awhile and went right to work. We
started off with a “Get to know Tori” survey where I asked all kinds of
questions about her favourite things. Then, I had her write a letter to
herself about her expectations and feelings about the coming year. I told her she could be as honest as she liked, she just wasn’t allowed to write “I hate school” a thousand times as she wanted. I didn’t read her letter. I gave her an envelope and it is sealed only to be read on the last day of school in June. Thanks, Rosemarie, my very helpful cousin, for that idea!
In regards to school work, we started the day
with only with four subjects: Math, English, Social Studies
(Geography), and Etymology (Spelling). She got 20 pages done in total, which I was pleased with considering we got a late start and it’s the first day. She is learning a whole new way of learning so it will take time to get into the swing of things. Over the next three days, I will add her other three subjects: English Literature, Career Studies, and Health Science. Next week, we’ll add regular Science. She has a really heavy workload. I’m feeling overwhelmed for her. I was pleasantly surprised at how hard Tori worked today. There were times she was down on math but she persevered and even postponed silent reading to correct it and get it done. She did great today! I’m so proud of her. Keep up the good work, Tori!!
Later in the afternoon, she had silent reading for 45 minutes. I gave her the choice of working on English Lit or reading a book of her choice. She chose a book I bought for her at the homeschooling conference and book fair Ron and I attended last May. It is a compilation of short stories about teens written by teens. She seemed to enjoy it. Silent choosingreading is only half an hour but she was doing so well with her school work that I gave her some extra time to read as a reward. I’m sure she’ll roll her eyes at that statement! I didn’t start Hunter’s lessons today since things were squirrelly this morning. I plan to get Tori going in the morning, then spend and hour or so with him doing various educational activities. He was good today and played quietly, pretty much leaving Tori alone. It is quite an adjustment for him having her home. He kept asking when school would be done for Tori. And several times he asked when we were going to somebody’s house. Homeschooling is putting a definite restraint on our social lives. I don’t think I’ll get to his lessons until next week. Tomorrow, he has his appointment at the hospital to see the therapist and dietician. Thursday, he will go to a friend’s with Tori. Jamie has graciously agreed to take care of them for the day while I work one day a week at Belle’s school. Fridays will be our day to run errands and get together with friends. Tori will be joining a group of teens who get together every week for art, drama, music, and social times. It
is called the Friday Group and is run by a wonderful, giving Christian
lady who has more creativity in her baby finger than I have in my whole
body!
Besides running back and forth to school, and homeschooling a teenager,
I went shopping, baked a cake, washed, dried, and put away three loads
of laundry, emptied the dishwasher and reloaded it, swept and mopped
the floor, and had two devotion times. I am so content with what was accomplished today! The day went better than I could have hoped for. Thank you, LORD!!! Even though I am the "teacher" now, I learned some things today too. I know the LORD will be there for me every step of the way. I
read several encouraging passages of Scripture and ran across a
devotion in my email box yesterday that was straight from the LORD! Another
awesome thing was that one of the verses my brother-in-law gave at
prayer meeting last week, sort of became my homeschool motto. Today, in my devotions, there was that exact same Scripture verse! How cool is that?!? I
am also thanking the LORD for my awesome friend, Jamie, who has been
praying like mad, supporting me, and sending me encouraging cards
today….oh, and listening to my frantic rantings and raving doubts for
months! Jamie, you are a jewel!
On a more practical note, I also learned that schedules are not written
in stone. I must be flexible. A character trait I am
constantly preaching to my darling husband. In public school,
life revolves around school bells. At home, life revolves
around….LIFE! People call as you are walking out the door to pick
up kids, school buses and traffic don’t go at your rate of speed,
friends drop in for lunch unannounced (not that I consider that a bad
thing!), the washing machine sprays water all over the basement floor,
and kids aren’t always in the most cooperative of moods.
But, the most wonderful thing is……tomorrow is always a new
beginning!!
|
•
Comments (2)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, August 17, 2005 The Curriculum Is In!!!
And
it is not only in....it is inventoried, categorized, organized, and put
away! Tori's binder is full and ready. We could start
school tomorrow! I love being on top of things. And I'll
enjoy the...moment! LOL
|
•
Comments (0)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Monday, August 15, 2005 Excitement High...Hopes Dashed!
So,
I go down to the courier's shipping centre which is WAY across
town. There's a big box but smaller than I had anticipated.
My son, being the perfect gentleman, carries it out to the van. I
looked at the forwarding address...and lo, and behold, it is not from
my daughter's umbrella school....it's from Airmiles!  It wasn't our curriculum, it was a Winnie-the-Pooh musical train. Well...my son is happy! 
|
•
Comments (0)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Monday, August 15, 2005 It's for REAL!!!
This
morning, I am unpacking all my homeschool supplies, on my brand new
bookshelf...before I got distracted by the computer...and it hits
me! I am offically a homeschooling mom!!! I've read a lot
of about it, talked a lot about it, read a lot of books, but as I get
my little schoolroom set up, it's finally sinking in! It is scary
and exciting all at the same time! I would probably be a lot more
excited if I hadn't missed my curriculum this morning. I had a
notice from the courier this morning. Dang! I'm too excited
to wait for him to come back so I'm going to go down to the office
depot and pick it up later today.  I can't wait!
|
•
Comments (0)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Saturday, August 13, 2005 New Bookshelves and a Giddy Mom!
I
know it's absolutely silly to be so incredibly giddy about new
bookshelves...but I can't help it!! My wonderful husband put them
together today. We have one in our bedroom for my personal
library, and one in our new schoolroom. It was so fun to unpack
some of my homeschool things. I still have a lot more books and
school supplies to unpack. I might even need another
bookshelf.
I am passionate about books and can't stop buying them! I think I may need to go for therapy!
|
•
Comments (6)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Friday, August 12, 2005 Waiting for Curriculum
Two and a half days of testing were done, the workload was prescribed,
the cheque sent in, now we....or at least, I am....anxiously awaiting
the first quarter of our curriculum.
We are using A.C.E., Accelerated Christian
Education. It is self-instructional which is exactly what I need
at this time in my life. I will be also homeschooling my
pre-schooler, and working in the Christian school one day a week where
my youngest daughter will be attending. It is going to be a busy
year! With the LORD's help, I think I will be up for the
challenge!
|
•
Comments (2)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, August 10, 2005 Preparation
I have a problem with being obsessive/compulsive. So, when I
realized we would be homeschooling for sure and for certain, I threw
myself into the job of researching. In two months, I'd read five
homeschooling, read countless websites, joined a homeschool support
group, attended meetings, went to a homeschooling conference and book
fair, and met, emailed, called, and generally harassed numerous
homeschooling moms. I almost feel like a professional and we
haven't even begun yet! I can't wait for September 6th!
|
•
Comments (1)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
Wednesday, August 10, 2005 The Journey Begins
I
should have known better than to never say never!! One of my
close friends decided to homeschool her two girls for a year. I
admired her greatly but knew homeschooling was NOT for me! I told
Irene I would never homeschool in a million years! Well, here we
are a few years later getting ready not only to homeschool but to teach
a high schooler! You know when you say "never" it's like waving a
red flag in front of a bull when it comes to GOD and the devil.
After nine years in the public school system, I am
taking my girls out. Their school has been wonderful and I have
driven them across town for two years to continuing attending there
when we moved. But now that Tori is about to enter high school, I
cannot in good conscience let her go. There are many reasons why
not. She is not in a good place spiritually or
academically. The public high schools are rife with humanistic
and evolutionary teaching that goes against what the Bible says.
And not all but a lot of high schoolers have NO respect for authority,
are into drugs, sex, alcohol and basically wasting their lives
partying. I want more for my daughter!
So, after a lot of prayer, we decided to put our
kids in a Christian school. Alas, life is never that
simple. Tori decided she would rather die than go to the academy,
my sister said give her a choice, and before I knew it....we were
planning to homeschool! I will have my 14 yo and my 4 yo
preschooler home with me this year, while my youngest daughter goes to
school. So, this is how it begins...!
|
•
Comments (1)
• Post A Comment!
• Permanent Link
|
|
|
|
|
About Me
Disclaimer: This blog is mostly a personal diary about our homeschooling adventures, my time with family and friends, and a record of my journey with GOD. If you want a peek into our lives, you are always welcome. But if you get bored, please feel free to move on to greener reading pastures! May the LORD bless you and keep you!!
Links
• Home
• View my profile
• Archives
• Email Me
• My Blog's RSS
Friends
|
Page 1
of 1
Last Page | Next Page
|
|
