Homeschooling journey

I remember telling my mom back in 2001 that I wanted to homeschool my kids someday.  Little did I know that I was still eight years from having my first child. 

I have been praying about homeschooling.  And as time came closer and my child grew older, the thought of homeschooling brought out some insecurities.  

How cool would it be to have a tiny school house as this?

I had fears like:

• I can't teach her. 
• There is too much on the line. 
• I didn't have what it takes. 
• I'm not smart enough. 
• I didn't like school so what makes me think I'm going to like this?
• What if I totally mess this up? 
• The program I want to get her in fills up to fast and I don't have a chance. 
• What am I going to do with the twins during homeschooling time? 

And on and on...

I've come to learn that those fears and insecurities are totally normal.

With a lot of prayer and my husband's full support I went with my heart and decided to take on the challenge of homeschooling my daughter. 

The program I have been interested in called Classical Conversations (or CC for short) actually had few openings!!!

I felt this was God's push for me to homeschool.

I love CC's mission statement:

 "To know God and make Him known."

We are on our eighth week of CC and this program has been perfect for us. I go to school with her on Mondays. 

She has seven kids in her class. Her tutor totally rocks. (She's called a tutor because I am the teacher!)

I have really enjoyed being apart of her class time. 

She was learning about a crayfish here. Her face says it all.

We do school at home (or outside)Tuesday-Friday; usually 10:30-2;30. We are pretty flexible. I have found this works better than having a super ridged schedule. 

I have found a good rhythm. The more I stick with that, the better it is.

I'm kind of geeking out over laminating, copying and printing out stuff. So if you need anything copied or printed off I'm your gal!  :)

Geography has been amazing. This cycle we have been learning about includes Africa, China and India so far. 

She can locate rivers, mountains, seas, deserts and cities on a black and white map.

She has been able to read bible stories and gets so excited when she hears of Jesus at the Sea of Galilee because she knows where that's at.

Math is going well.

 She catches on pretty fast. This math program has blocks to help her get a visual and I've seen the math light bulb go on in her mind using these blocks.

 I wish I would have learned with blocks like this.

Daddy (aka  The principle) made us a chalkboard! These boys have been doing really well during school time.

And then she teaches them what she has learned from my lips. Man, that will keep you accountable. 

 There have been a few days when nothing seem to go as planned and no one is up for the task. I found out that getting frustrated gets us nowhere, It's during those times that I just decide to ditch the routine.

 So we'll pop popcorn, drink yummy drinks and READ. She reads to me and I read to her. I make sure she reads at her reading level and a bit above her level. 

We also do a lot of sketching and drawing. We've been working on 3D images.

She will pick up paper anywhere and make up a picture for us. I hope her love for drawing continues.

Every Monday she has to do a presentation at school. She can not wait until the next Monday when she can do her next presentation.

One week she talked about her pig "Oinky" that she wants to have some day. Yes, she drew that picture with only a tiny bit of help from me.

I know if I make a picture of something I'm studying I retain it better. So I'll have Ruby pick something she'd like to draw. Here is her animal cell.

                                           

This is a little clip of her doing the timeline song. It's a pretty amazing song!

It's from creation until recent day. This is a song I catch myself singing throughout the day or Ruby will wake up in the morning singing about the Hanging Gardens or India's Gupta Dynasty!

During her phonics I'll read my daily devotional out loud. I love when she ask questions about it.

On special days the principle shows up with yummy hot chocolate with extra marshmallows of course! (I know the principle preeetty well :) )

There have been days I've caught Ruby snuggled up in her bed with a pile of library books. 

I hope she continues to love reading.

Oh did I mentions she's learning Latin. Before this I'd had never heard of a declension.  I'm thankful it's all done to music. In fact, most of her work is learned through song. 

Genius, I tell ya!

This last week she started learning the tin whistle. She will learn how to identify basic rhythms. pitch, scales, theory and simple songs.

As unsure as I was going into this, homeschooling has turned out to be much better than I thought. 

It's a perfect fit for our family and Ruby and I have grown so much closer. It has challenged our relationship and made it better.

I love being the main influence in her life right now. I love seeing that light bulb go on when she gets something.

I love knowing how she learns best and learning right along with her.

I'm there during the tears and the silliness. 

I'm thankful that I'm in tune with her enough that I know when I can push her in subjects or back off.

And I'm thankful that there is more than one way to educate well.

So far this year, its been good!

just a hop, skip, and jump away

 

It kind of went like this...

 

I have been thinking about sending her to school since she was born. Not really too fond of the thought as I'm sure most parents aren't. Or are they? Yeah, a break sounds good. Lord knows I NEED a break but...

...I'm not super stoked about this.

 

Where will I send her?

 

Will I send her?

 

Public or private?

 

I want to be settled somewhere so am I in the school district that I want.

 

Until I figure it out, I'll just teach her at home.

 

OK, just push it off.

She's only two years old...

Three years old...

Four years old...

 



Through prayer and many parents recommendations, I finally decided to send her to a bible teaching preschool called Wee Wisdom.

 



March 1st this year I was talking to a friend telling her that I decided to send Ruby there. She was excited and said that her daughter was going there too (which is Ruby's very good friend).

 

Sue asked when I signed up and I said, "Yeah I probably should do that"

 

She looked at me concerned and said, "I think you should call today!! They fill up really fast!"

 

 

Really? It's March...



 

I took her advice and made that call.

 

I got the LAST spot! Thankful, I took whatever time she had. It was two days a week 12:30-3:30pm. Which now I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

  Whoa, I'm so new to this signing your child up super early stuff.

 

I think it was a God thing. Ruby is in the same class with her best friend and I think this year will be a really good learning year for Ruby.



Ruby turns Five

From the moment we got that phone call while we were in Target and found out we were pregnant with you.

 

  The time I will never forget when I first felt you move inside me.

 

 That moment when I first heard you cry.

 

 The first moment I got to nurse you, and that moment they let us take you home from the hospital...

 

Was the moment I became a mom.

 

 

That moment has been nothing short of life changing. completely phenomenal, and the most incredible amount of joy I've ever experienced.

God is so good, and has continued to shower his blessings on us.

 

Ruby, you are beautiful inside and out and I couldn't be a prouder mother. I'm so thankful that you're my precious daughter. What a beautiful thing.



 

 

And here we are, FIVE years later!

Happy birthday beautiful girl!!

 

 

 I love how this little lady is turning out. Molding her heart is what is most important to Tim and me. We can't take credit for all of it. We know that God is doing a mighty work in her during these years and we see the fruit from that!

 



Ruby is saying some really funny things. She is learning a ton of stuff and she really enjoys it. Here are a few of the things I don't want to forget.

 



 

ON BEDTIME "Mama, how long have I been sleeping? Like three hours, or 100 hours or...maybe just one minute?" You've been sleeping three hours Ruby. "Oh I was right!!"

 

One day I was out with the three kids on a hot day and I heard Ruby chanting something and I listened. She was saying, "Be like daddy, be like daddy," over and over again. I asked her why she was saying that and she said, "Because daddy likes to walk in the shade!" As she was walking in the shade.

 



When Ruby doesn't hear you, for as long as we can remember she'll say "What you say?" instead of "What did you say?" Its pretty cute. She's says it really fast so it's easy to miss it.

 

I had one of Those Days and I needed to apologize to my kids on how I was acting. So I apologized to Ruby that I wasn't very patient. She said, "That's okay mommy. I love you when you're grumpy and every other way. I love daddy every way and Oliver and Simon when they're that way  too. And you love me when I'm that way too!"

A few nights ago Ruby says she not feeling well...

 

"Mama, I just want healthy food at breakfast. I know burritos are healthy and everything but I'd like some yogurt and that wet fruit with some healthy bread and the awesome apple butter. So yummy. Is that healthy mama? I probably shouldn't have too much yogurt then my tummy will get really sick and I might throw up a little and I don't want to do that and feel icky and sticky and stuff."



 

Last night Ruby came into my bed and said, "Mommy, you're a perfect mommy for me and daddy is a perfect daddy. You are just the best and I love you so much." 

 

She rolled over and went back to sleep.

She's a proud five year old that can count to one hundred.
 

Ruby said, "Mommy, since you don't have a mommy, I'll be your mommy".
 

"Mama, I miss you when I'm not with you. I miss everyone when I'm not with them."

What do you mean Ruby?

"When I go to preschool and I'm not with my family, that's what I mean."

We miss you too Ruby.

"Yeah but I'm always with you and you are always with me."

 How is that, Ruby?

"I have you guys in my heart and in my brain. I love you, mama." She gives me a BIG hug.

 

 



 



One summer day we were over at a friends house and I over heard her say, "Breck, You're a good builder. I'm a good artist and princess dresser."

 

She asks often of when she can marry her daddy? I think she figured out when.

 When she goes to fairytale land (Disney World).

 

"Mommy, I'm older then my brothers so I can be their mommy!"

I asked her, "If people could see inside you, what would they see?"

 

 She said "My heart and Jesus."



I also asked her, "Would you rather travel back in time or go to outer space?"

 

"Back in time when mommy was little."

 



 

Dear Jesus,

Thank for this wonderful girl. She has blessed us and brought us so much joy. I pray that one day she asks You into her heart and she desires a real relationship with You throughout her life. Help us to be the parents You designed us to be. We love her, fight for her, take care of her, and teach her to love and praise You. Thank You for her. What a beautiful gift You've given us.

We are forever thankful.

Amen.

last day of being four

 

 

 

 

Last year I took one of my favorite pictures of Ruby on the last day she was 3 years old. I have that picture on a canvas in my living room. I look at it daily, it brings me back to that day. That's exactly why I take pictures. Time is fleeting and I love nothing more then to capture a moment and make it a memory.



And, of course I'm a sucker for tradition. So this is the last day of her being 4 years old. Which actually is my birthday. I love that our birthdays are so close. She was and will always remain my best birthday gift ever!

 

We walked across the street to take these pictures. Which this is one of the reasons I love my house so much. It's so close to a bike path that can take me all over town. It's really pretty and there is a little park tucked back there too! 



 She is getting to be quiet the poser for me. She has never once said, "Don't take any more pictures of me." I'm guessing it's second nature to her to have mama take pictures everyday.

 

Here are a few more from that day. It's so hard for me to narrow it down. So many good ones!

 

Pretty girl, inside and out.

 So compliant. So teachable. So willing. So understanding. So sweet. So forgiving. So thoughtful.

Just to name a few.

Quite amazing if you ask me.

Ok, here she looks like she's 16 years old and I don't like it one bit...

 

Oh good...I guess she's still my 4 year old. For a few more hours anyway. 

Ahhh-weee turns two!

Oliver's birthday was just as fun! The boys opened up a few gifts on Simon's birthday, so today was mostly about having cake and ice cream, blowing out more candles and being together as a family!

 Later in the day we went to a friends house to swim and have more cake and ice cream. We were singing more birthday songs, trying to get all the kids names in during that time in the song. It all kind of sounded like a mush of words coming out of every ones mouths not in any order. The adults all kind of looked at each other with big eyes and shrugged shoulders like, "that was a train wreck, but funny!"

Oliver, you are a loving, determined, smart little guy. I feel like in just the last few days you've turned a big corner and you are communicating with me on a different level than last week.

 

Here are some fun things you are doing at 2 years old this week.

Since you boys are growing and developing so quickly, next will be a even bigger list.

 

 

There is going to be a lot of the same on here as Simon's just because you two copy each other and are always doing what the other one is doing.

 

You call the sky "wah wah"

Oliver, the other day a song came on from the Frozen sound track. So you picked up the little yellow guitar and started strumming it and tried to sing "Let it Go." It was completely awesome!

Simon slipped in the bath tub the other day and Oliver started rubbing Simons arm asking him if he was "k?" (OK) Simon let him know he was ok!

 

You call your diapers or you naked bottom "pew pew pew"

He thinks is hilarious if he toots. He cracks himself up.
What's even FUNNIER is if he does it in the bath tub!

 



 



Oliver loves it when he accomplishes something, with joy out of his mouth comes a "I did it!" 

I love how you boys share! Yes, at times there are toys taken away over fights. But more than not, you guys understand sharing.

I love when Simon yells down the hall for his brother with a loud "oaaahhhhweeeee" and then I hear Simon's little feet running to find Oliver.

 

Your bond is so tight. Its been a blessing that I've been the one to watch this develop. I felt you two in my belly and I've get to be home and raise you. Seriously, it can't get ANY better than that.

 

When I ask the boys who they are in a picture, they are always Oliver. I think that's interesting.

People ask me if one of them is more outgoing than the other and my answer is always no. They go back and fourth.

 



Oliver was telling Simon to "shhhh" in the bath as he held his pointer finger up to his mouth. (wonder where he got that...?)

He LOVES water.

  

Oliver, you rock at negotiations. If Simon has something you want, you'll go find a toy Simon likes and offer that to him. Then, as your giving this toy to Simon, Simon hands over the toy you want. Brilliant! 



 

You like it when I say "sit down". You repeat me with a "downnn" and sometimes you'll go stand on the couch and look at me and say "down."

 

I'm trying to teach you boys about what being nice is. You're getting it! You'll say "ni, ni" and that you saying nice.

Nice!!

 

He is starting to be able to converse with me. That's so wonderful.

He says "no," but it's a gentle no, not a defiant one.

He says "yay" when there is fun music or he accomplishes something.

They both have been signing "more" for over a year now, and Oliver is saying it and using it correctly.

 

Oliver, you are a fantastic brother and a joy of a son. You make our day brighter and we're so thankful every day for you. We love everything from your growl to your dance moves, your cuddles to routines. Happy birthday lil' man!