Izaac Clapping (August)

Nature Walk

This morning I threw open the windows first thing and stood for a moment to let the cool air pass over me. With weather like this I couldn't see missing the opportunity to go on a nature walk in order to make a Reptile Groups poster, so when it was time for science I picked up the baby and the three amigos and I headed out under the brilliant blue sky to look for reptiles. The only reptile we ended up seeing was a northern fence lizard but other insects, animals and plants also captured our attention. We petted the miniature donkeys and goats - Izaac half-laughed, half- winced at the big, furry animals and Elijah yelled out about the well-fed, brother and sister donkeys "look, they're both gonna have babies!"

Under rocks and pavers we found roly-polies, worms, fire-colored centipedes and "termites" as the boys insisted on calling the almost-microscopic white bugs (I don't know what they are?). We found (more) clams by the pond and frogs as small as a fingernail. The sky was so blue and the grass so green and the breeze so fall-ish I could have sat by the pond all day, holding my sweet baby, watching my boys explore and startle then laugh.

As we walked together, we figured that the best thing about homeschool is being together. Yes. Being with each other, especially on days like today, is priceless. The sound of the wind in the trees, our laughter echoing off friendly hills and into ravines, crickets singing of autumn.

I heard someone once say enjoy the little things, because one day you'll look back and they'll be the big things.

What a day!

What a day! I must have taken a hundred deep breaths between 1:30 and 3:30pm - conservation center and library - but we did have fun even so. Joel had quite a "selective (SELECTIVE) hearing" issue today which accounted for most of my deep breaths, Elijah had a few of "those" moments (I tell you, those lamaze classes helped me in more ways than one) and Izaac just wanted down! At the conservation center, we explored the displays, books and toys that centered around our science theme - reptiles! - and enjoyed each new discovery. Then. The resource room. Those poor conservation ladies probably thought I was a teenage mom with too many kids - my baby was whining, my four year old was doing wheelies with the stroller and my five year old was bouncing back and forth from reading to whining - and for goodness sakes all I wanted to do was get a few posters! I practically inhaled the dust from that conservation carpet to stay calm.

The library was fun (I won't bring up the two bathroom breaks, the poopy diaper/clothes or the spit up all over the floor). Fun yet interesting. Joel doesn't understand "I'm sorry, honey, you can't get 25 books remember because the manager made a new rule that people can only check out 15 books", so that left me bending awkwardly over the little kid table to sort through the books while holding a very heavy baby (who was leaning toward the floor) in one arm and a bulky diaper bag on the other shoulder; my hair was disheveled; I should have worn a belt; the tag on my shirt was scratchy; and let me just tell you, thank God for the fruit of self-control, or I would have lost it! Thankfully the kids fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep when I put them in their beds and the Lord gave me a beautiful rain and a quiet hour to myself.

I wouldn't be telling the whole story unless I told you that I thoroughly enjoyed these boys today (deep breaths or not). Though Joel was a bit "hard of hearing" he was also absolutely hilarious and sweet! Elijah brought tears to my eyes during his spelling assessment, when I saw how hard he was trying and how well he was spelling and then how proud he was of his accomplishment (and soccer sticker). Izaac is still the best baby ever, especially when he is allowed to roam freely and Elijah always says, "Izaac is the world's most favorite baby."

This morning, when Joel was at the table painting and I was on the floor beside him feeding Izaac, somehow the conversation came up between Elijah and I that I am smart. Joel tilted his head like a college professor, pointed his paintbrush at just the right angle and gave a little half-smile. He then kindly said, "Hm. But you're not smarter than me, Mom."

I am loving homeschooling! Moms who stay home or read to their kids or teach them anything at all already "homeschool" in a way, so to me homeschooling feels like the natural progression for our family. I sometimes refer to myself as being "in kindergarten" because I'm re-learning so many things - I should be a genius by the time the kids all graduate (*cough* it's a stretch I know).

Elijah and Joel and I aren't the only ones learning in this house, I'm convinced Izaac is learning more than all of us put together. He has explored every inch of our house already and has found some favorite toys - crackling paper, rolling wheels and electronics. He also loves books! Especially books that require the reader to make animal sounds. I love to watch him pull up, let go and stand by himself for 3-5 seconds at a time. He brings endless joy to our family and it's safe to say he is adored.

My camera batteries are dead but I'll try to post some pictures soon.

What a day!

It feels like I've finally settled into a curriculum that fits our family and covers all the bases. The McRuffy Math and Phonics and Reading have been great - the boys look forward to their math lessons and Joel is beginning to read. With Science and History, I have been improvising each day but hope to find some time to lay out a long-range plan and get all my materials together, that way I won't have to scramble for ideas every day; although in science, whatever we learn about goes into our nature journals, whether it's animal pics cut out of a magazine or drawings with crayon.

When I started out the school year I didn't know what language arts really was and I had a few different ideas; now I've decided to scratch the term "language arts" and replace it with Penmanship, Spelling (Elijah) and Phonics/Reading (Joel). My main goal for penmanship is to teach them the correct formation for each letter, so I am zeroing in on their "problem letters", concentrating on one until they grasp it before moving to the next. We are use the whiteboard often to make giant strokes, practice letters and play "teacher" (they seem to retain it better when they have to teach it); we make crafts for the particularly tough letters and it helps them grasp how the letter is made and each day (well, beginning this week) they trace a sheet full of the letter we're working on. They trace a vocabulary word (our new one is "holy - belonging to the Lord") as well as their name (four to a page).

We made mailboxes with 3675 on them (I'll post pics later) to help them learn our address - plus it was a fun craft and it's always great to get special notes and pictures!

P.E. is definitely a work in progress now that Izaac is no longer content to sit and watch yet unable to walk yet (soon, though). We go outside and I find ways to help them use up some of their energy.

More later on how I am keeping track of finished work, books, papers, lesson plans, etc.

Field Trip to the Conservation and First Week of School

Hummingbird Celebration was at the Conservation Department this Saturday so Paul and I loaded up the kids for some more education on the world's smallest bird. Not only did we learn more about the little buzzing creatures but we also had a fun family day (I love those!).

The first week of school went wonderfully and what an education I'm *cough*... the kids are getting! While they're learning about kindergarten things, I'm learning how to organize, schedule, teach; be consistent, flexible and relaxed. I realized very quickly (the second day of science) that learning about one animal a week wasn't going to cut it, so we're learning about a new animal each "class" along with review of the old ones. Science and history (which I also had to change - we are now learning about indians, per the boys request). The boys are excited about the new things they're are learning and all the crafts and discoveries they're making. Today we discovered Freshwater Flat Clams in the pond! Paul broke one open and pretended to eat it - I thought the boys were going to turn white - and when we came home we learned all about them (even how to cook them haha).

I think one of the funniest/"poor baby" moments this week happened after we had made our "iPhones" out of construction paper and foam squares. Joel asked me,

"Mom, when are we gonna make the covers for these things?"

"What covers, honey?"

"The covers - you know - that make the phones work like yours."

It nearly broke my heart (and made me laugh, simultaneously) to tell him that his phone was pretend. His head fell, his shoulders slumped and his phone dropped to the floor - talk about a let down! Can you imagine, a fake phone?! Who would ever want one of those! But, he's better about it now and will be practicing his phone number on it tomorrow.

So many wonderful things have happened in school this week and I'll share more soon in another post. One more thing, I just have to say homeschooling is a blast!

First day of school

Today was so, so, so much fun!! After breakfast we spent time with God, then did math (the boys didn't want to quit), went outside to play soccer for p.e. (the weather couldn't have been any more perfect); snack, language arts and science came next. We learned about the Ostrich - the world's largest bird - and then discovered the cassowary - the world's deadliest bird!

It was such a blast spending quality time with the kids today; I didn't realize how distracted I'd been until I was able to forget about all my other responsibilites and put my entire focus on the boys - doing projects with them, teaching them, learning and laughing along with them. At one point this morning tears came to my eyes as I was resting in the grass and Elijah gathered me in a one-sided huddle, with his face close to mine he began whispering his next soccer strategy and I realized, "wow, I would have missed this moment...". I have no doubt Paul and I made the right choice for our family. And even though it's only the first day, I have a feeling that even through the rough times, many more beautiful memories will be made to treasure for a life-time.

What a wonderful first day of kindergarten - good job Joel and Elijah!

Izaac - pulling up and first tooth