I am so excited!  I just received most of our curriculum for next year!  I LOVE going through all of the books and lesson plans and planning out our school year.  It reminds me of buying books in college.  I used to like the start of a new semester and looking at my new (or used) textbooks.  Don't get me wrong.  I enjoy my summer vacation as much as the next person, but I crave structure and my summer is sorely lacking in that department.  So, I'm looking forward to having some structure and purpose to our time. 

We use My Father's World and really like it.  Caitlyn will be Exploring Countries and Cultures and Jacob will begin MFW Kindergarten.  We're all going to learn Spanish together, too.  I'd also like to schedule a volunteer day once or twice a month but I haven't decided where or what yet.  If you have any thoughts on ways a 4 year old and 7 year old can volunteer, I'd love to hear them.

Oh, and today is Jacob's 4th birthday!!  Happy Birthday, little buddy.

Have you ever taken the personal assessment that uses the animals: Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever and Beaver to describe your personality and strengths?  I did in college and I came up as a Lion.  No surprise back then.  I was pretty demanding and strong-willed; both of which were strengths and weaknesses.  When working on group projects, I automatically assumed the leadership role and others let me assume it.

Thirteen years later, though, I've looked at the same assessment and am not so surprised to see that I'm now more like the Beaver.  Introverted, problem-solver, likes things to be "just so", sticks to routines, conventional...you get the picture.  Some of those traits I had as a Lion, but I no longer have the need to be in charge, to be dominate or even to be right.  I'd much rather be polite than be right...a Beaver trait.  I'm not as daring or as much of a risk-taker than I was as a Lion.  Though I'm not certain and haven't put a whole lot of thought into this, I would chalk this change in animals up to two things: God working through my rebellious nature and being a mother.

With my daughter, I try to push her into the Lion role because I was that way as a girl.  However, as her mother, I'm leading more as a Beaver.  And all the while, she's showing more signs of being like a Golden Retriever.

The following is a conversation that took place this past winter between my daughter and me.

Caitlyn: "It's snowing outside, Mommy!  Do we get a snow day?"

Me: "Well, when we're finished with school, which should be in a couple of hours, you can go have your 'snow day'".

Caitlyn: "You mean we don't get snow days?"

Me: "Technically, no."

Caitlyn: "Awwww..."

With only one week and one day left of homeschool curriculum, I keep trying to get Caitlyn to do more than one lesson at a time.  Of course, she won't no matter how much I explain to her that we can be finished sooner.  Oh well.  I really enjoy homeschooling, but I'm so ready for my summer break to begin!  Unfortunately, it won't be much of a break for me because I'll turn around the following week and begin my hectic summer session of teaching online for two colleges instead of just one.  I'm very thankful that I can help my family financially and stay at home while doing it.  I've learned excellent time-management skills in the process!  Now, if only I used them more!