This is our log of our Homeschooling activities and our family in general. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:38:00 -0500 Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:38:00 -0500 Oh wow!  That is what I said when I opened my mailbox a few weeks ago to find the latest TEACH magazine! Marriage! My first thought is what can they discuss about marriage and homeschooling?  Well, after a few weeks of having my magazine, I admit that I am only half way through it.  BUT not because I don't want to read it or some other lame excuse, NO!  Because there is SO MUCH GOOD STUFF in here!  I mean really.  This is the BEST one so far.  I have been reading and rereading each story, each article everything.  This has been a very touching and needed topic.  And what does it have to do with Homeschooling.  Well teaching our children is part of what we do, right?  This is one thing, one subject that is not heard much in our topics for homeschooling, but should be.  With having a daughter engaged and planning her wedding, this is the magazine that I am sharing with her.  Lots of great advice, ideas and suggestions are here.  Well, what can I say.  I am heading off on a 3 week business trip, away from the family--BUT I am bringing this and my scriptures with me, to learn, grow and come closer to my Lord---and rejuvenate my marriage. Thank you TEACH for all that you do.  Keep it up, you are the strength when I need it, the Beacon of Light that keeps me going. Debra T http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/678076/ Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/678076/ Lately it has been very difficult.  Trying to juggle our family that is.  I graduated our first child--B in January this year and immediantly signed her up for Junior College.  What started out as an exciting event and her signing up for 5 courses, has become a drudgery for her, and she is down to 2 courses now. I know she is excited about growing up but other things have become more important to her and it has been hard to deal with.  She wants to get married to her boyfriend.  I am not sure exactly why, if it is because her best friend has gotten married and is now having a baby, or what.  So, here I am not super happy about it, and trying to help her plan it, although on a very slim budget.  My second dd--A, is very upset by all this.  We are homeschooling her for her High School years, after being in PS for 1 1/2 yrs.  We got off to a rocky homeschooling start, and we have just never got into a groove yet.  She is such a social butterfly and she needs constant interaction with friends or she feels depressed.  We have become closer in our relationship which has been nice, but this wedding thing with her sister has hurt their relationship.  I am struggling to keep her going in her school work.  She has a two day a week job now, which has been nice, as she likes the money she earns from it. My ds-CD is showing signs of needing attention.  His PS grades have slipped drastically.  We are now checking and rechecking homework daily and trying to stay on top of things hoping to motivate him to get those good grades we know he can get.  His attitude is also changing and I am not sure if that is due to him turning 13 or what.  He is making good decisions in everything but school work.  His attitude at home suffers a bit, and he likes to pick on the little kids here at home.  Life gets hectic when he gets home from school. As for JET and ET, well homeschooling has had its moments lately.  We seem to not get a whole lot done, and with ET its more just teaching basic facts of life.  getting dressed, brushing teeth, holding pencil etc.  That is fine, but it is so hard to give him the attention that I know he deserves, with all that is going on in our house.  Decisions are having to be made here.  Life changing events are taking place and I have been offered a HUGE promotion at work--that of General Manager.  That will mean more time away from home, some traveling and of course the raise, although that is not what is motivating me to do this.  It seems that we hug more, and I try super hard to spend as much of the free time I have at home with each one of the kids.  I just know that homeschooling is going to suffer because of this.  The younger two kids are going to go to PS next fall, but I will keep homeschooling A to finish High school.  So---off to help with the wedding plans, finishing high school and getting through this last year of homeschoooling the little kids.  Homeschooling has been such a joy in my life, but I truly hope and plan to stay active in the movement and all of my friends that I have made through out our homeschooling years, after all--I am still homeschooling, even if it is just one kid. Debra http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/678074/ Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/678074/ Hi, We are running $20.09 special to kick off the New Year! Plus, this great deal, Lorrie's book, Teaching Children Responsibility.  FREE EBook! Please go to this website:  http://www.teachersbookshoppe.com  You will see the details of the 2009 promotion we are running on the home page. You can take advantage of the following: Subscribe to TEACH Magazine for 1, 2, or 3 Years for an unbelievable price of $20.09 per year  (Savings of up to 23% off!) AND You can choose any bundle from our list of topics such as Character Training, Child Training, Homemaking How Tos, Marriage, Godly Women, Family Dinners, Quiet Times, Prioritizing, and Chores for only $20.09. Each of these is valued up to $110.00 and regularly sell for $34.97. But right now they are each only $20.09! Place My name (Debra Tangren) in the Notes section when checking out so that you get the free ebook we are offering.  This is one kickoff promotion you're not going to want to miss out on!  We're so sure you'll love our products that we know you'll want to share them. Hurry though -  this offer expires on February 4th. Debra Tangren http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/651045/ Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/651045/ Well this was dd17 first week of college.  I am not sure still what to think of it.  Today I asked if she had all her homework completed.  LOL  Its kind of sad not KNOWING what she is learning.  I have always been involved in her courses and knowing what she is doing.  In a slight way I am little jealous, and want to go back to college myself.  She is taking---US History --WW2 to now.  AstroBiology (I call it Astronomy).  English Literature.  Pilates.  She takes the bus down twice a week and is gone all day on those days.  (Its about one hours bus ride each way to the nearest Community College.  She earned all her money to pay for tuition and books, supplies and I am very proud of her. She has cut her works hours from 4 days a week to 2 days a week, with an option for a 3rd day here and there. My baby is growing up! Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/649645/ Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:48:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/649645/ ..while trying to organize the house is very difficult.  I have decided last week that my dd6 has too much furniture in her room and it is causing huge clutter problems.  So I told her three things had to go and she got to choose them.  I will take them out of her room tomorrow while she is in her workshops at the Charter Homeschool school tomorrow morning, that way it is not to tramatic.  I am also going through toys again and taking a huge load to the thrift store---gotta get this out of my house.  I worked on the living room on Saturday and it looks great except for the toys.  So that whole room will be done by tomorrow as well as her room.  Getting school work done in the mean time is off and on and we take lots of breaks.  We sometimes don't even get started until around 10:30 or 11, due to them sleeping in.  They have always been late to be kids, and late to wake up---so I try and take advantage of the morning time to pay bills, catch up on things or sleep myself ( I work 3  swing shifts a week and dont get to be until about midnight those nights), so I need it sometimes.  I always plan more then we ever get to--but I do try to get to it all eventually.  I have had to lock up the computer (sign off) each time I leave it so my ds5 doesn't get on--he can get online and to games, pbskids and nickjr by himself--and I don't mind it sometimes, just he would be on it ALL the time.  I also told the kids today--no tv and until the sun goes down tonight, again they will watch tv all day--and things I dont like (Disney, Nick Jr---and not the fun kiddy stuff in the day, like Backyardigans--but what I call junk TV--Hanna Montana and other stuff I dont know the names of that I think are way to old for a 5 and 6 yr old.  I wish that I could block it all.  Anyways, there break is over now,  so I better get off here now. Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/645071/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:09:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/645071/ Ok--so the dd17 is all registered and has chosen her classes for her first semester at college.  She is taking an English literature course, Astronomy, US History since 1870 and a Pilates class.  She will be taking 11 or 12 units total and working a part time job --2-3 times a week.  I sure hope that all goes well.  She starts next week and has her bus pass taken care of for the month of January.  We are still in the planning stages for her Homeschool High School graduation.  I will let you know more when that comes around. Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/645063/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/645063/ I am graduating my first homeschooled and oldest daughter. AHHH!  How has this happened?  It seems it was just a year or so ago that we pulled her out of public school and started homeschooling her.  It has been 7 years now and 3 states.  What a whirlwind but exhilirating time.  She has already registered for the local junior college and starts in three weeks.  She is finishing up her coursework this week for graduation.  Although we have discussed a few months ago a graduation party, we haven't finialized any details as of yet.  I want to do something special, have a "senior party" and graduation ceremony, prom etc.  The church has a prom night, so that part is taken care of although the dress part will be fun to get.  She has no homeschooling friends, and only a few church friends, so the party will be small, and I am still unsure what to do with a graduation ceremony. I would love for her father and grandparents to come.  We just had her "portraits" done over at Olan Mills this week, and that was fun.  She has done so well---graduating with a National Honor Society member, taken more credits then was needed to graduate.  We have used the Umbrella school--North Atlantic Regional High School, which is an accredited private homeschool.  It is based in Maine and has been a wonderful program for my dd17.  I am so proud of her accomplishments and her hard work.  She has overcome so much in the past few years inlcuding her broken knee, surgery and recovery.  Although it looks to be more surgeries etc for her she puts on a smile and keeps going.  Her plans are to someday be a Public School teacher, getting her English Degree and teaching Middle to High School level children.  What a star!  I am so proud of you sweetie. Love Mom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/641297/ Sun, 4 Jan 2009 21:10:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/641297/ another year (2009).  I feel like we are just starting school for the school year, although I do see growth in what the children have learned so far.  This year has been one of hectic caous.  Ok, I think I spelled that word wrong.  I am trying to get more organized.  I have totally cleaned out my room, well the things from the floor, under the bed and dresser tops.  I filed paid bills away.  I feel much better.  I have also got the kids to clean their rooms and all is well with that.  Except for dd6 who insists on messing things up before we get one day away from clean rooms.  We are trying to teach her to keep things cleaned and put away things after using them.  This is a toughy.  Since she is still growing and gaining her wonderful personality, I am also finding that she is hyperactive, disorganized and also destructive.  In the past week she has found permanent marker and written on my bedroom furniture, walls and even my lightswitch.  She has cut her hair (again) and who knows what else she has done that we haven't found out yet.  She is one child you have to watch all the time.  Most of these things happen when I am not home--I do work outside the home 3 evenings a week.  So, our family is trying to adjust to an overzealous child.  Since none of the other 4 older children are this way, it is something new to us to have to be on the lookout for.  My dd15 just finished a puzzle (1000 piece) and dd6 tried to pick it up and ruined it.  This is not the first time this has happened, but since it is happening to other children (stuff being ruined) I have told the older kids they must be on the watch also, it can't always be put on me.  I am going to try something new this year with school work, and make a new schedule, trying to get the younger two kids into some sort of routine.  Mondays: We are going to focus on writing, reading and games---with gymnastics as PE. Tuesdays: Focus on writing, reading and social studies. Wednesdays: They go to their charter school workshops (this next 5 weeks will be math games and writing--lapbooking, storytime) no other school work other then reading at home. Thursday: math day, writing and arts and crafts, with maybe library time and reading. Friday: focus on writing, reading and science and maybe parkday. Saturday: will try and be a catch up day if possible. I am going to try this for the month of January and see if it works better then what we have been doing.  My work schedule is changing here real soon and so trying to get the younger two in routine is critical, especially with my 3 upcoming trainings (total of 4 weeks away from home, spread over 3 months). Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/641291/ Sun, 4 Jan 2009 20:56:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/641291/ Hello dear friends and family,   Welcome to the New Year 2009!  Although this blog is a quick one, I do plan to be more active this year.  I have found that I need to release my inner thoughts more, so this is the first of hopefully a more detailed and active account of the happenings in our household. Love to all Deb http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/638912/ Thu, 1 Jan 2009 17:45:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/638912/ Hi there! What a busy 2 weeks it has been around here.  We went to my parents house for New Years.  The girls went to a Youth New Years Eve dance and had a blast---the rest of us went to bed early.  Dad took ET and CD off to do "men things"--not sure what that was, but they were definetly bonding .  David took JET to the Sacramento Zoo and had a great time with his brother and sister and all the kids ---so all the cousins minus ET were there.  Here is the bunch:   We also got to visit my Aunt and a few cousins to catch up on what that side of the family is up to.  So our 3 day trip was a whirlwind of visiting family and friends and then running back home.  We have taken down the Christmas tree and unwrapoped all the gifts.  CD and I have reorganized his closet to accomodate his things and he also got new laundry hampers toHOLD HIS CLOTHES in, as well as JET getting a fluffy pink one.  B and Amee have redone their room (taking apart the bunk beds) to make two beds.  They ended up taking out a desk and sewing machine--now in the garage to make room for it all.   We are back to school this week and JET has been doing well with it.  She really missed not doing school for 3-4 weeks. I will post later what we have been up to with school.  Deb and Half dozen http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/459443/ Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/4SeasonsLearningAcademy/459443/