The Magic of Education

Isn't it wonderful that we live in a country that gives us the freedom to choose how our children will be educated?

From Public school to Public Charter school,
From Private school to Home school,
the options are endless!

When we made the decision to homeschool last year it was for many reasons...
I frequently tell friends that the reasons were like grains of sand.
Some bigger than others yet all making up the sculpture of our decision.

In the process of homeschooling #1, I've felt a bond between us cement outside of our emotional interactions... a trust that transcends discussion and I have gotten to know my daughter in a way that has gone beyond the reactionary way we all live with each other...

She has friends - some of them are friends from her old school that she still sees on a regular basis... the quantity of time is not the same that's for sure, but the Quality of the time they spend together? Not a bad trade-off. Other friends she has met through the numerous activities she has been involved in through our home school co-op!

I'm not saying there aren't days where I'm like, she could be in school? All day? And I could finish a sentence without being interrupted and questioned? But that's the rub... She's learning - and willing to learn from me and from others. A little different than last year when she would cry not to go to school 3 out of 5 days of the week...

This does not mean that we were against the school! It means that she was having non-academic difficulties that they did not have the time or resources to get to the bottom of - and I do! After all, she is ours!

And just for the record: there have been probably 4 times this whole school year that she has wished for her old school... 4 days out of the last 40 weeks is really saying something to my heart...

....Already looking forward to September! (For a few reasons....)

11 Is A Good Number

On October 17th my husband and I celebrated out 11th wedding anniversary!

My mom and dad took our 3 girls for the whole night and we just hung out!

First we went shopping for Christmas Jammies for the little ladies,

Then we went to Champps for some college football,

Third we went to Toys R Us to look around

(#3 is going to turn 2 verrrry soon)

Followed by dinner out and a movie at home!

I love my husband and am so blessed to be his wife!

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In other news: Homeschool is still such a good thing!

I don't have any current pictures, but I just wanted to share something...

Today #1 was a helper in #2's kindergarten class!!!

She got on the bus with #2 this am and came home again...

She is enjoying so many opportunities to serve and learn.

She keeps up with her schoolwork and seems to love our morning time together.

Math continues to be a favorite, cursive isn't as fun as she thought it would be...

I love her and am so proud of her - she is flourishing!

I'll be back,

Aubrey

Not 75% Nervous Anymore!!!

I'm on my husband's computer so I don't have any pictures today, but I wanted to drop a quick line and tell everyone that we are doing GREAT! I believe in what we're doing and #1 is responding so well and appreciates the attention she is getting. Fortunately because she is older I really only need to start her on something and then just be available for questions etc. She had academy yesterday - she made butter, made a scrapbook and just had fun with a bunch of girls her age! One day of the week for 8 weeks she is doing a program called Swim & Gym at our local community center. LOVE IT! Both her and #2 participate and are receiving Red Cross swim lessons for an hour and focused fitness gym time for the other hour!

So this is a quick update, no pics, but now that my computer is working I should be able to post some up soon!

Love and Blessings,
Aubrey

T minus 3 days and counting....

This one is still waiting for school to start....

This one isn't waiting any longer...

And this one will be waiting a loooong time....

We're super excited to get started around here - and I'm only nervous like, 75% of the time!!!

Even though cold feet may threaten to strike.....well....we'll see what happens - won't we.

Peace,

Aubrey

Big Bowl

No pictures, but let me say...the Chicken Pad Thai takes the cake every time!

(Not to mention Chicken Pot Stickers)

(Oh Yeah - and the Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice)

(Oops - don't forget the leftover white rice from #2's bowl....I don't think I need to eat for a few weeks.....)

(And I better not forget to tell you about the Strawberry Ice Cream Pie my very talented sister-in-law served up after dinner...yeah, I had a piece...)

John's parents just celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary yesterday! So they took us out! Hey, I'm game...

They are special people and it's always wonderful to spend time sharing our little family with them...our girls are sooooo blessed to have such wonderful Grandparents!

In other news, #3 really likes her doggie cousins (sorry, again, no pictures) but not as much when they're at eye level. She'd rather be eye level with a camera....

Good Night and Good 'Luck'

Aubrey

Rain and Messy Basements

Today it rained....all day long.

Today my 3 girls and I cleaned the play area of the basement.

Today I couldn't stop thinking about homeschooling and the small details left to tie into a pretty bow.

See?? Teething, rubbing, pressing on her gums...whimpering, "Hodejoo." (Hold You)

Some days it just has to rain and kids just need to be held.

Love,

Aubrey

Brett Favre????

That's right folks...nothing to do with homeschooling (again)...but seriously.

This can only end one of two ways - let's just leave it at that.

In other news, I have become organized!
Here is 'My Binder' (sung to the tune of 'My Buddy')
It is pretty and happy and holds 13 wks worth of scheduling.
I've decided that 13 weeks is about all I can handle in one place.

Ta-Da!

'My Planner' (second verse same as the first)

August has been much busier than this, but 'my planner' isn't really for those things, right?

September is starting to get a little bulky...

Woah! Aaaand BEGIN!

Even the dividers are pretty! And in numeric order too!

(Proof that the buck stops at 13)

One last thing:

This stack of books is my praise report for today!

Because of the Christian Homeschooling Support Group my family and I have become members of and their wonderful (free) library, and because of a special woman's time and effort, my 'readers needed' list went from this:

To This:

All in just 15 minutes!

Hallelujah I'm almost there!

PS #3 is teething and has been teething her eye teeth for, oh, about 3 years (even though she's just 21.5 months old - small detail.) Someone help her!

The End