Monday was a special day at my house. My husband, after four years of full time college took his last class. He is now a college graduate!
Four years of full time school and full time work has been a sacrifice for my husband and for are whole family. I am so proud that he kept to it and did what he set out to do, get a degree, and now he has one.
Having a degree is such a great accomplishment and I am so happy that my husband was able to do this even though he got a late start on a college education.
Congratulations Dear, your hard work paid off and I am so proud of you!
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Going Back
I registered the kids for school today.
The oldest three are going back to our parish school next year.
This was a tough decision for me but after a lot of thinking and praying I feel this is the best for our family.
The first thought that came to my mind was am I giving up? This is not some project I am working on, these are my children and doing what I think is best is not giving up in my opinion.
I think this year has been great for the kids and me. We have become closer, I have learned patience, and I have seen what my children are capable of academically. My favorite part is no homework, which will be missed.
I am so grateful to have met such wonderful families who are so supportive. I consider them my friends and I know we will continue to be even though we won’t be homeschooling anymore.
Our decision came down to what am I capable of. I have learned that I do not hold up to my own standards when it comes to teaching, and I don’t have the desire to do so. That may sound harsh but it is the truth.
I just want to be mom again. Teach my children the things that I am good at teaching and leave the rest to the professionals.
Another big part of this decision is the arrival of the new baby. Oney will be three and I will have a newborn. I look forward to just having babies in the house while the older kids are at school. It is the time where I can focus all my attention on the littlest ones.
I trust our parish school and the teachers, that made the decision a lot easier. My children have always been happy there. I do not look forward to the homework, but I think this year of homeschooling has taught me how my children learn and I think I am better equipped to have the patience and understanding it will take to get them through.
I have so much admiration for families who homeschool, it is not for everyone, but those who do it and do it well are very special people in my book.
I will treasure the last moths of homeschooling my children. I will also treasure the traditional school days my children have in their future. We have learned so much and met people who we will always cherish. This is a bittersweet change for me but I am confidant things will be alright.
The oldest three are going back to our parish school next year.
This was a tough decision for me but after a lot of thinking and praying I feel this is the best for our family.
The first thought that came to my mind was am I giving up? This is not some project I am working on, these are my children and doing what I think is best is not giving up in my opinion.
I think this year has been great for the kids and me. We have become closer, I have learned patience, and I have seen what my children are capable of academically. My favorite part is no homework, which will be missed.
I am so grateful to have met such wonderful families who are so supportive. I consider them my friends and I know we will continue to be even though we won’t be homeschooling anymore.
Our decision came down to what am I capable of. I have learned that I do not hold up to my own standards when it comes to teaching, and I don’t have the desire to do so. That may sound harsh but it is the truth.
I just want to be mom again. Teach my children the things that I am good at teaching and leave the rest to the professionals.
Another big part of this decision is the arrival of the new baby. Oney will be three and I will have a newborn. I look forward to just having babies in the house while the older kids are at school. It is the time where I can focus all my attention on the littlest ones.
I trust our parish school and the teachers, that made the decision a lot easier. My children have always been happy there. I do not look forward to the homework, but I think this year of homeschooling has taught me how my children learn and I think I am better equipped to have the patience and understanding it will take to get them through.
I have so much admiration for families who homeschool, it is not for everyone, but those who do it and do it well are very special people in my book.
I will treasure the last moths of homeschooling my children. I will also treasure the traditional school days my children have in their future. We have learned so much and met people who we will always cherish. This is a bittersweet change for me but I am confidant things will be alright.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
We're Back
The first day back to school went well. The kids got down to business and did not complain. Lil D actually said, “I kind of missed school, is that weird?” If he is my son than yes that is weird, but I am glad he still likes school.
Miss is getting much faster at Math and is doing pretty well. I don’t think we will need an outside tutor; she has the hang of it now.
The blog The Homeschool Classroom has a post-called My Favorite Things: The Link Edition. One of the links was to a site with a free online reading assessment.
You can have your children take the reading test and you get the results back immediately by e-mail.
I hope our school days continue to go as smooth as today. We have five more months until summer vacation, but I won’t let the kids know that I am counting down the days.
Miss is getting much faster at Math and is doing pretty well. I don’t think we will need an outside tutor; she has the hang of it now.
The blog The Homeschool Classroom has a post-called My Favorite Things: The Link Edition. One of the links was to a site with a free online reading assessment.
You can have your children take the reading test and you get the results back immediately by e-mail.
I hope our school days continue to go as smooth as today. We have five more months until summer vacation, but I won’t let the kids know that I am counting down the days.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Kindergarten
Bug will be starting Kindergarten next year. I am torn between homeschooling her and sending her to traditional school.
I remember Kindergarten like it was yesterday. I loved everything about it. Miss and Lil D loved Kindergarten too.
I remember when I started the first grade; I walked into the room and was disappointed. Where was all the colors and happiness of Kindergarten? I remember thinking first grade was missing color.
Back to Bug and Kindergarten, I am wondering if I should send her to school for Kindergarten and them start homeschooling her in the first grade. I don’t want her to miss out on everything Kindergarten offers. I don’t know if I will be able to give her that experience at home.
I also don’t want her to feel left out. Her brothers and sister will be home and she will be at school.
I don’t know what to do, or what will be best for Bug.
I remember Kindergarten like it was yesterday. I loved everything about it. Miss and Lil D loved Kindergarten too.
I remember when I started the first grade; I walked into the room and was disappointed. Where was all the colors and happiness of Kindergarten? I remember thinking first grade was missing color.
Back to Bug and Kindergarten, I am wondering if I should send her to school for Kindergarten and them start homeschooling her in the first grade. I don’t want her to miss out on everything Kindergarten offers. I don’t know if I will be able to give her that experience at home.
I also don’t want her to feel left out. Her brothers and sister will be home and she will be at school.
I don’t know what to do, or what will be best for Bug.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Our First Day of Homeschool
Today was our very first day of homeschool.
The kids woke up and got right to work. It was a challenge in the beginning because Bug and Oney did not realize that all the toys I put in the living room meant that they actually had to stay in the living room and play.
After I got the little ones to understand what school meant and how they had to behave, things went more smoothly.
Lil D was very focused and did his work in a flash. Miss took a little more time with her work. She did get upset once; she thought I was going to get mad because it was taking her a longer time to get through some of her subjects.
In Miss’s old school she was rushed and was never able to finish. That meant at least three hours of homework for her and I to do when she got home from school.
I must admit I was becoming frustrated with her use of time. I was in traditional school mode that put strict time limits on the work Miss was doing. I called Big D to share my worries about my abilities of being an adequate homeschool mom. (It was my first day and I got a little case of the jitters)
Big D reminded me of the reasons why we are homeschooling in the first place. I went to Miss and explained that she was not in a race and that she needed to focus and take her time.
Miss felt better and used her time more wisely. She picked up her pace and got to work.
We ended with our Viking unit study. The kids enjoyed picking out a Viking name and writing a poem. When we finished with the unit study I looked at the clock and saw that it was only one in the afternoon.
School went by so fast and we still have most of the day to go. Although the beginning was a little bumpy and I was a little nervous, I think the day went well. The most important thing I learned today was to go with the flow. Teach my kids the way they learn best. If one child takes longer than the other there is no reason to panic.
Our very first day of homeschool is over and we all made it. I think we all had a lot of fun too.
Lil D, fast and furious
Miss working hard
Bug practicing the letter O .
Oney hanging out and getting banana split pie everywhere. (Yes, I gave him pie to keep him happy for a few minutes. It was my first day, sheesh!)
The kids woke up and got right to work. It was a challenge in the beginning because Bug and Oney did not realize that all the toys I put in the living room meant that they actually had to stay in the living room and play.
After I got the little ones to understand what school meant and how they had to behave, things went more smoothly.
Lil D was very focused and did his work in a flash. Miss took a little more time with her work. She did get upset once; she thought I was going to get mad because it was taking her a longer time to get through some of her subjects.
In Miss’s old school she was rushed and was never able to finish. That meant at least three hours of homework for her and I to do when she got home from school.
I must admit I was becoming frustrated with her use of time. I was in traditional school mode that put strict time limits on the work Miss was doing. I called Big D to share my worries about my abilities of being an adequate homeschool mom. (It was my first day and I got a little case of the jitters)
Big D reminded me of the reasons why we are homeschooling in the first place. I went to Miss and explained that she was not in a race and that she needed to focus and take her time.
Miss felt better and used her time more wisely. She picked up her pace and got to work.
We ended with our Viking unit study. The kids enjoyed picking out a Viking name and writing a poem. When we finished with the unit study I looked at the clock and saw that it was only one in the afternoon.
School went by so fast and we still have most of the day to go. Although the beginning was a little bumpy and I was a little nervous, I think the day went well. The most important thing I learned today was to go with the flow. Teach my kids the way they learn best. If one child takes longer than the other there is no reason to panic.
Our very first day of homeschool is over and we all made it. I think we all had a lot of fun too.
Lil D, fast and furious
Miss working hard
Bug practicing the letter O .
Oney hanging out and getting banana split pie everywhere. (Yes, I gave him pie to keep him happy for a few minutes. It was my first day, sheesh!)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Now That's Talent
Friday we spent the evening at Miss and Little D’s school. It was the night of their talent show. Last year Miss sang You Can’t Get to Heaven on Roller Skates. This year she sang Work it Out from High School Musical 2. It was a bit of a difference from last year, but she did very well. It made me realize she is growing up, still my sweet innocent baby girl, but still growing up.
Lil D did something a little different. Before I tell about it I need to go back a couple of weeks to give the whole story.
This was Lil D ‘s first year in the talent show. I was curious as to what he was planning to do. The conversation went something like this…
Me~”What do you plan on doing for the talent show?”
Lil D~ “I am going to do my Irish dance.”
Me~ (puzzled, because he has no dance training and I had no idea he knew what an Irish dance was) “What Irish dance?”
Lil D~ “This one.”
Then Lil D proceeds to do a 7-year-old rendition of River Dance. He folds his hands across his chest and starts kicking his legs. It was like River Dance meets Russian Dance.
Me~ “Oh.”
Here was my dilemma, I felt like one of the parents or friends of a contestant on American Idol. Do I say the dance is not that great and crush his dreams, or do I let him do what he wants and stop being so dramatic over a child’s talent show? I chose to stop being dramatic.
Among the other things I keep in my minds inventory, I pondered on how I was going to help Lil D’s performance. Do I dress him as a leprechaun? Do I get him a tall furry Russian hat, should he wear tights? After a couple of days with these oh so important thoughts going on in my mind, Lil D comes up to me as I was doing the dishes.
Lil D~ “Hey mom, want to hear me say the ABC’s backwards?
I say sure, expecting this to be a little joke and he is going to say CBA. But no, he rattles off the whole Alphabet backwards. I asked him to say it again but slower this time. He does and sure enough he knows the whole Alphabet backwards. I asked him how he learned that and he said he just knows how. My first thought was, he’s gifted!
Like any proud parents Big D and I asked him to do this for every family member and friend that we came across.
I could not have been happier when Lil D announced he would be saying the ABC’s backwards for the talent show. That meant no Irish/Russian dance while wearing tights.
Friday night Miss did her song looking cute as ever, doing a little dance as she sang. After a few dancers, piano recitals, and singers, my Lil D came out. He announced what he was going to do and then he did his ABC’s. I could not help but notice the people in front of us look at each other with wide eyes. When Lil D had finished he came to sit down by us. The lady next to him was telling him what a great talent he had. Lil D then told the lady that he could also spell his name backwards, and he did.
Maybe I went a little far telling myself that Lil D is gifted. I am genuinely impressed by his ability to say his ABC’s backwards. My children make me proud everyday, weather they can sing, dance or do any other talent kids may have.
Lil D is a gift to me and I think I will still say he is gifted, even if it’s a thought I keep to myself.
Lil D did something a little different. Before I tell about it I need to go back a couple of weeks to give the whole story.
This was Lil D ‘s first year in the talent show. I was curious as to what he was planning to do. The conversation went something like this…
Me~”What do you plan on doing for the talent show?”
Lil D~ “I am going to do my Irish dance.”
Me~ (puzzled, because he has no dance training and I had no idea he knew what an Irish dance was) “What Irish dance?”
Lil D~ “This one.”
Then Lil D proceeds to do a 7-year-old rendition of River Dance. He folds his hands across his chest and starts kicking his legs. It was like River Dance meets Russian Dance.
Me~ “Oh.”
Here was my dilemma, I felt like one of the parents or friends of a contestant on American Idol. Do I say the dance is not that great and crush his dreams, or do I let him do what he wants and stop being so dramatic over a child’s talent show? I chose to stop being dramatic.
Among the other things I keep in my minds inventory, I pondered on how I was going to help Lil D’s performance. Do I dress him as a leprechaun? Do I get him a tall furry Russian hat, should he wear tights? After a couple of days with these oh so important thoughts going on in my mind, Lil D comes up to me as I was doing the dishes.
Lil D~ “Hey mom, want to hear me say the ABC’s backwards?
I say sure, expecting this to be a little joke and he is going to say CBA. But no, he rattles off the whole Alphabet backwards. I asked him to say it again but slower this time. He does and sure enough he knows the whole Alphabet backwards. I asked him how he learned that and he said he just knows how. My first thought was, he’s gifted!
Like any proud parents Big D and I asked him to do this for every family member and friend that we came across.
I could not have been happier when Lil D announced he would be saying the ABC’s backwards for the talent show. That meant no Irish/Russian dance while wearing tights.
Friday night Miss did her song looking cute as ever, doing a little dance as she sang. After a few dancers, piano recitals, and singers, my Lil D came out. He announced what he was going to do and then he did his ABC’s. I could not help but notice the people in front of us look at each other with wide eyes. When Lil D had finished he came to sit down by us. The lady next to him was telling him what a great talent he had. Lil D then told the lady that he could also spell his name backwards, and he did.
Maybe I went a little far telling myself that Lil D is gifted. I am genuinely impressed by his ability to say his ABC’s backwards. My children make me proud everyday, weather they can sing, dance or do any other talent kids may have.
Lil D is a gift to me and I think I will still say he is gifted, even if it’s a thought I keep to myself.
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