I'm a Mother of 2, seeking a stronger relationship with God, to be a better mother, better wife, and follow the plan and path set before me. Remember, I'm just a woman (that makes a lot of mistakes). http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:49:00 -0500 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:49:00 -0500 Well, my hubby and I have decided to put our girls into a charter school this coming fall.   I am a bit torn.  I feel like this is a wonderful adventure for them.  The selfish me is thinking about all the extra time I will have.  I will be able to better care for our home and my family.  On the flip side...I will feel distanced from them.  I won't be in their everyday learning.  I think I will feel like I am missing something everyday.  I was getting very stressed about schooling and getting it all done within state standards.  So I think for my health this will be a good year too.  After that...who knows.  My older DD is also torn.  She wants to go and be with friends but she also is scared and wants to stay with me.  My younger DD I think is a bit more adventurous...although a bit slower to warm up to people.  I have a feeling the first day will be hard. I also have dreams of doing a little schooling at home in the off hours.  But realisticly I'm not so sure that will happen.  How much homework with they have?  How much 'still' time will I get after they have been at a desk all day?  Will I know what they are studying and be able to grow off that?  I can dream...and then see what reality is like. ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/704650/ Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/704650/ It has been so long since I have been here to post or even to just read other blogs.  Things have had their ups and downs this year.  It is March and the weather is nice.  Need I say more?  Anyone else out there get that early summer fever in their homeschool house? My hubby and I have agreed to school outside the home next year.  I think I will still add things.  I've really fallen for the lapbooks and just haven't had time to do them with my older DD.  There are so many things on the internet to enrich a child's education.  I think I'll like not being the teacher full time.  Now, both DD's got into a new charter school here in town.  DD1 loves the idea of a math/science centered learning.  But now we found out that DD2 got into the other charter school here.  This one is more service centered.  Do we put the DD's in 2 different schools or have DD2 follow DD1?  I wish I knew more of what DD2's strengths were.  I know DD1 is math and science loving...but is DD2 also?  It's hard to say yet.  She likes doing worksheets that are more game like.  I haven't noticed a tendency toward numbers or letters.  She likes doing the science things with us but what kids doesn't like hands on action?  It's something I have been praying about.  I just don't know...and we need to answer by the 26th.  I think hubby wants the girls to go to the same school.  They are in different levels so they may not see each other all that often.  It would probably be easier since it's one pick up and not running from one school to the next.  So after I have dumped my random thoughts...I'm off to play with the girls-outside!! ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/669766/ Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/669766/ So one more week until T can change her earrings.  She is so excited.  She did hook them on something while she was at Grma's.  They were red and we washed them for a few days and they look great again.  I feel like she just getting so big! In other news...we actually printed out a page that lists the presidents in order.  I think it will be something we will talk about but not cover in depth yet.  We are still working on early civilizations.  But with all the president stuff going on I thought we could at least talk about it.  She did go with us to vote.  A is still working on letters.  We are trying to do one every week.  We have been doing lapbooks from lapbooklessons.com.  We finished J this week.  She is also getting better at her number writing and letter formations.  She still doesn't 'name' the letters well yet.  As for me...I set that wonderful loose weight resolution.  This year though, DH and I got an at home working out set.  It has DVD's and bands to work with.  Also a modified balance ball.  It's been a real workout!  I have lost about a 1/2 inch from my waist already...we are on week 2!  I also feel like I get more done in the day since I'm up at 6 am now...and I do feel like I have more energy...in the morning anyway.  By night I'm falling asleep by 10 pm.  Sad! Off I go...DH wants to do some music work with T yet tonight.  So they need the computer for the music lessons.  ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/646026/ Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/646026/ So a few things I should mention.  T's ears are doing great!  They look really cute.  She doesn't complain when we 'wash' them and she turns them just as the lady said to do. My SHMILY is going well.  Maybe a little lazy.  I got hubby a Kit Kat.  It is still something I don't get him often and the surprise was nice.  Other wise we have had a little fun...things to please him.  I think I will try the tattoo idea tonight;-)  As for school...we were working on the 12 days of Christmas and are already behind.  I hope we can catch up over the weekend.  A is on the letter H-honey bees.  I thought it was fun that T's reading book actually had and article on butterflies and then bees.  You know, lapbooking is sort of addicting.   I actually like the learning and putting the folders together.  I hope the girls like it as much.  We have gotten a bit of snow now.  I actually sent the girls out even though it was only 7 degrees.  I think getting out (even when it's really cold) is good for you health...barring any lung illnesses. I think that's a bit of a recap. ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/633521/ Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/633521/ OK, so I know there are some moms out there against ear piercing-hubby and I thought it was best to let the girls decide (after age 6).  So T finally got brave.  We went once at her 7th birthday but she got scared.  This week she squished a spider on her own and for some reason that seemed to give her the confidence she needed.  So tonight we went to the mall and I was very surprised that it went to well.  There was only one lady so each ear was done individually.  She didn't cry and she held still.  They look great! Hubby said she looked older today.  I do think they make her look a bit older...but she also got new glasses that are of a design that is older looking.  Her old glasses are pretty scratched.  So we will keep these as the inside, no horse play ones and the old ones for everything else.  I don't know if other moms feel this way, but my heart breaks a little for A.  Being the younger girl she sees T do all these things and her turn has to wait and it may not seem as exciting when she gets there.  It's been hard for me.  I grew up with a brother and so there were different firsts for each of us.  I am trying to remember everything so A can do them all in her time at about the same age.  I am trying to be fair but it's hard when things keep changing.  I also have to say that my heart aches a little for my babies.  90% of the time I wish I could keep them small (babies).  But I know God sent them to me for my growth as well as to train them up for His will.  I just hope I am doing a good job.  Night ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/630694/ Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/630694/ So...I actually got up and went a shoppin'.  It wasn't actually that bad.  I got a few things but no real bargins for me this year.  I have most of my Christmas shopping done...usually do by Thanksgiving.  It's easier to buy over a longer period of time then to shop in just a few months.  I might end up giving more and spending more but it doesn't affect the budge as badly. Other wise we have been relaxing.  Playing games (board ones) as a family.  Snuggling and watching a movie for the last 3 nights.  I think we are now caught up on the movie watching.  I don't think I could handle another kid's movie now.  It has been so great just spending time together.  No rushing around...though we haven't exactly been home.  I am Thankful for family time...along with health.  I think those are my top ones right now.  Although, we all know each and everyone of us could have a very long list of Thank you God for... ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/625560/ Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:23:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/625560/ OK, so I have a little extra weight...so does my hubby.  I guess marriage does that to ya.  I was watching an infomercial this weekend and saw this 'great' weight loss and get fit system.  I am really temped to try it.  The total cost would be around $120.  Thing is, we have a gym membership that we hardly use.  The new system would be paid for in about 6 months of membership dues.  The only thing is...would we do it?  It looks so doable on the TV, but is that real life?  I do know that I am sick of carrying the extra weight.  I've started seeing a Chiropractor even.  I don't feel much like doing the 12 days of Christmas in this body.  Not like the new system would make me great looking over night but it might make me feel better.  I guess it all comes down to whether I'm fed up enough to stick to a system like this.  I know hubby is willing to try it.  Would it be tacky to use this as a gift to us for Christmas?  Now I just thinking out loud now. ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/623790/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:15:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/623790/ I have joined in the '12 days of Christmas'.  If you want more info, check out Dandelion Seeds here at homeschool blogger.  It's all about bringing the spark back into your marriage.  I better get back to teaching the kiddos-it is a school day. ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/620373/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:31:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/620373/ OK, a few things here.  I had been suffering from a sinus infection for about a week when I finally went into the Dr.  I am on a strong antibiotic.  I use medicine sparingly so this is sort of a big deal for me.  My family has been great during this.  Hubby took a day off to help with the girls and schooling.  He helped do some cleaning over the weekend and probably again this weekend.  The girls like to help mom but I think since I can't do everything with them they have been a little at each other-which doesn't help me.  I am feeling a lot better, but still have that pressure feeling under my eye and into my jaw. So school has been slow this week and so T hasn't wanted to engage really.  I hope next week will be better...or it's going to be a LONG year. I think I mentioned the lapbooks I started with A.  Well, we all worked on pumpkin lapbooks over Halloween.  We have yet to get them put together completely...but I think it was fun.  Who knew there could be 500+ seeds in one pumpkin? Other than that...we are doing Alright.  I do need to go to sleep and I hope to kick this thing very soon. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/616262/ Fri, 7 Nov 2008 22:31:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/616262/ I haven't been here to read or write for a while.  Life happens! Last Friday the girls and I went to the apple orchard.  We had a grand time!  There were so many apple trees and berries could be picked.  There was a small petting farm and a HUGE play area.  I was telling my hubby that we should start going there every fall.  The girls didn't want to leave. My hubby was playing cards with T last night.  He did a little trick on her and she actually said, "that was bunk."  I had to hold back a laugh...hubby uses that a lot.  It's fun to see the girls use terms the right way, especially when it's slang and just funny coming from a 7 or 4 year old.  A uses the "do I look happy?"  That's one I say when the girls aren't obeying. Other than that, the usual life craziness.  Sometimes I feel we are doing too much, yet I know many more families that do more.  I guess I haven't found that balance.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all the classes, clubs, activities, school work, and functions we 'have' to do.  But once you say yes to something, how can you turn around and say no or admit you took on too much?  Is this pride? ~J http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/610694/ Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/watkinsway/610694/