Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
DIVIN'...IN...
An educational experience to last a lifetime!
Here we go! No turning back now! Home-schooling it is for us!
I am certain for the time being this is the BEST decision for Jonathan for now, for this year and probably next, but who knows what the future will hold? Not I.
So let’s do this thing!
It won’t be easy, but it’ll be good and we’ll make it work, heck we’ll make it the BEST experience we can and something he’ll remember forever — at least that’s the goal.
Here we go! No turning back now! Home-schooling it is for us!
I am certain for the time being this is the BEST decision for Jonathan for now, for this year and probably next, but who knows what the future will hold? Not I.
So let’s do this thing!
It won’t be easy, but it’ll be good and we’ll make it work, heck we’ll make it the BEST experience we can and something he’ll remember forever — at least that’s the goal.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Our Story
The decision to homeschool comes about differently for every family. While we knew that our children would never attend public schools, we only toyed with the idea that homeschooling would become a part of our family while our firstborn child, Jonathan, was still an infant.
As a certified teacher, it seemed wrong to us for me to leave him with a sitter in order to go teach (and essentially raise) other people's children. In the short time I was with Jonathan (vacations and snow days and such), he would grow leaps and bounds, but once I returned to work, he would slide backward again. As my hours got longer and my pay did not increase, we decided once my third year within the school system was complete, I was done.
As soon as my first official stay-at-home-mom day came, it was clear that Jonathan was/is brilliant. His language exploded and became quite precise.
As a certified teacher, I had access to the state assessment tests and began testing Jonathan at age two. He tested into kindergarten at 2 1/2 years old and out of kindergarten before age 3. I began to explore our options for schooling in the private sector, but was quickly turned away soly based on his age. Frustrated with the thought of him being completely bored and thus misbehaving after roughly three-years of review, we made an uncommon decision.
Now, we firmly committed to homeschooling each of our children. I teach on a year-to-year basis, never committing to more than one year at a time. Of course, I cannot foresee any reason why any of our children would rejoin the public schools but we'd like to see them enter the private or Montessori sector in the not-so-distant future.
The decision was stressful, the community/extended family back-lash harsh and financially a strain.
My husband and I, just about a year before we were married.
Our little "Bug", Jonathan (Jack), the true adventurer - hands-on eager to learn mentality. A true first born.
Our little "Beana", Katrina (Trina), the constantly moving, girly-girl with no fear, eager to do anything her brother is doing. So easy-going you'd think she was a middle child (no one tell my husband 'wink').
If at any time you have questions, please feel free to contact me.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Allergy Confirmation
So just to be daring or crazy or stupid. Take your pick... I decided to confirm Katrina's allergy to blueberries today. With fresh blueberry pancakes. We had just picked a WHOLE bunch in time for Katrina to have a strange response, so I figured... why not make sure its an allergy to blueberries and not some sort of heat-rash or something...
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Playing with Gia
We finally have gotten the chance to get the kiddos together. Watching them play together was adorable!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Blueberry picking
I told the kids ONLY to pick the 'purple' ones and they went up and down each little row and climbed under the blueberry bushes to get the biggest, best blueberries.
Katrina loved her "blu-blu hat", and Jonathan was an expert picker - and an even better eater!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Playing house...
And I quote "This is where the daddy sits.... here's another chair, but not for mommy. Mommy's don't sit, they just cook the whole time."
Sunday, August 7, 2011
ONE of THOSE moms....
Okay so I am one of "THOSE MOM'S" ... a home-schooling, diet regulating, recycling & reusing, home-making, schedule-oriented, attachment parenting, frugal shopping mom....
My kids are always dressed in color-coordinated outfits when we take family photographs. Their schedules are more full than mine. They both have team sports and activities YEAR round. I am one of THOSE mom's
I am strict, I set limits and I have high expectations for my children. I do not feed my children junk, or let them watch television. My heart breaks when they cry, regardless of the reason. My children have a chore chart THAT WILL be followed. We praise more than discipline and focus on the positives.
I know that getting dirty is apart of learning, and a dirty child is a happy child. I am one of THOSE MOM'S. My children are my number ONE priority.
I'm also one of THOSE moms who lets my daughter play with dinosaurs, trains, and all that other 'boy' stuff. And I'd also let my son, if he chooses play with dolls, and wear pink.
I'm one of those moms that made my children's baby food because I didn't want them to eat anything that I wouldn't want to eat myself, and he eats organic where it matters. I am one of "those" moms that only take fresh fruit to my kids parties at school or a friends house.
I am one of those moms who can be seen hugging or kissing the children several times a day, heard whispering "I Love You" in their little ears JUST because they can never hear it too much. I am one of those moms who thinks her children are brilliant - because they are.
I'm one of those moms who has a messy house during the day, but clean at night.
Who lets their kids run around with milk mustaches, lets the kids run through the sprinkler in their undies, gives their kids vitamins every single day, chases their kids around the house pretending to be a scary monster or makes up silly songs with the kids.
I'm one of those moms whose heart breaks when their child cries, but usually tells them to stand up and "shake if off" or "rub some dirt on it" (as long as there's no blood). I'm one of those, "if you didn't clean your room yet, shut the door before you go out to play" moms. I am one of those, stay up late to get it all done, cook them breakfast so they don't HAVE to eat cereal moms.
I am one of those moms who tries to see both sides before making up my mind.
One of those who hasn't had her hair or nails professionally done in two years because she feels guilty spending money on herself.
But deep down, I'm one of those moms that is doing everything that I can to make my children the first in their generation to be healthy, emotionally secure and intelligent, because to me that is the key to success.
My kids are always dressed in color-coordinated outfits when we take family photographs. Their schedules are more full than mine. They both have team sports and activities YEAR round. I am one of THOSE mom's
I am strict, I set limits and I have high expectations for my children. I do not feed my children junk, or let them watch television. My heart breaks when they cry, regardless of the reason. My children have a chore chart THAT WILL be followed. We praise more than discipline and focus on the positives.
I know that getting dirty is apart of learning, and a dirty child is a happy child. I am one of THOSE MOM'S. My children are my number ONE priority.
I'm also one of THOSE moms who lets my daughter play with dinosaurs, trains, and all that other 'boy' stuff. And I'd also let my son, if he chooses play with dolls, and wear pink.
I'm one of those moms that made my children's baby food because I didn't want them to eat anything that I wouldn't want to eat myself, and he eats organic where it matters. I am one of "those" moms that only take fresh fruit to my kids parties at school or a friends house.
I am one of those moms who can be seen hugging or kissing the children several times a day, heard whispering "I Love You" in their little ears JUST because they can never hear it too much. I am one of those moms who thinks her children are brilliant - because they are.
I'm one of those moms who has a messy house during the day, but clean at night.
Who lets their kids run around with milk mustaches, lets the kids run through the sprinkler in their undies, gives their kids vitamins every single day, chases their kids around the house pretending to be a scary monster or makes up silly songs with the kids.
I'm one of those moms whose heart breaks when their child cries, but usually tells them to stand up and "shake if off" or "rub some dirt on it" (as long as there's no blood). I'm one of those, "if you didn't clean your room yet, shut the door before you go out to play" moms. I am one of those, stay up late to get it all done, cook them breakfast so they don't HAVE to eat cereal moms.
I am one of those moms who tries to see both sides before making up my mind.
One of those who hasn't had her hair or nails professionally done in two years because she feels guilty spending money on herself.
But deep down, I'm one of those moms that is doing everything that I can to make my children the first in their generation to be healthy, emotionally secure and intelligent, because to me that is the key to success.
One of THOSE MOM'S
Okay so I am one of "THOSE MOM'S" ... a home-schooling, diet regulating, recycling & reusing, home-making, schedule-oriented, attachment parenting, coupon shopping mom....
My kids are always dressed in color-coordinated outfits when we take family photographs. Their schedules are more full than mine. They both have team sports and activities YEAR round. I am one of THOSE mom's
I am strict, I set limits and I have high expectations for my children. I do not feed my children junk, or let them watch television. My heart breaks when they cry, regardless of the reason. My children have a chore chart THAT WILL be followed. We praise more than discipline and focus on the positives.
I know that getting dirty is apart of learning, and a dirty child is a happy child. I am one of THOSE MOM'S. My children are my number ONE priority.
I'm also one of THOSE moms who lets my daughter play with dinosaurs, trucks, trains, and all that other 'boy' stuff. And I'd also let my son, if he chooses play with dolls, and wear pink.
I'm one of those moms that made my children's baby food because I didn't want them to eat anything that I wouldn't want to eat myself, and he eats organic where it matters. I am one of "those" moms that only take fresh fruit to my kids parties at school or a friends house.
I am one of those moms who can be seen hugging or kissing the children several times a day, heard whispering "I Love You" in their little ears JUST because. I am one of those moms who thinks her children are brilliant - because they are.
I'm one of those moms who has a messy house during the day, but clean at night.
Who lets their kids run around with milk mustaches, lets the kids run through the sprinkler in their undies, gives their kids vitamins every single day, chases their kids around the house pretending to be a scary monster or makes up silly songs with the kids.
I'm one of those moms whose heart breaks when their child cries, but usually tells them to stand up and "shake if off" or "rub some dirt on it" (as long as there's no blood). I'm one of those, "if you didn't clean your room yet, shut the door before you go out to play" moms. I am one of those, stay up late to get it all done, cook them breakfast so they don't HAVE to eat cereal moms.
I am one of those moms who tries to see both sides before making up my mind.
One of those who hasn't had her hair or nails professionally done in two years because she feels guilty spending money on herself.
But deep down, I'm one of those moms that is doing everything that I can to make my children the first in their generation to be healthy, emotionally secure and intelligent, because to me that is the key to success.
My kids are always dressed in color-coordinated outfits when we take family photographs. Their schedules are more full than mine. They both have team sports and activities YEAR round. I am one of THOSE mom's
I am strict, I set limits and I have high expectations for my children. I do not feed my children junk, or let them watch television. My heart breaks when they cry, regardless of the reason. My children have a chore chart THAT WILL be followed. We praise more than discipline and focus on the positives.
I know that getting dirty is apart of learning, and a dirty child is a happy child. I am one of THOSE MOM'S. My children are my number ONE priority.
I'm also one of THOSE moms who lets my daughter play with dinosaurs, trucks, trains, and all that other 'boy' stuff. And I'd also let my son, if he chooses play with dolls, and wear pink.
I'm one of those moms that made my children's baby food because I didn't want them to eat anything that I wouldn't want to eat myself, and he eats organic where it matters. I am one of "those" moms that only take fresh fruit to my kids parties at school or a friends house.
I am one of those moms who can be seen hugging or kissing the children several times a day, heard whispering "I Love You" in their little ears JUST because. I am one of those moms who thinks her children are brilliant - because they are.
I'm one of those moms who has a messy house during the day, but clean at night.
Who lets their kids run around with milk mustaches, lets the kids run through the sprinkler in their undies, gives their kids vitamins every single day, chases their kids around the house pretending to be a scary monster or makes up silly songs with the kids.
I'm one of those moms whose heart breaks when their child cries, but usually tells them to stand up and "shake if off" or "rub some dirt on it" (as long as there's no blood). I'm one of those, "if you didn't clean your room yet, shut the door before you go out to play" moms. I am one of those, stay up late to get it all done, cook them breakfast so they don't HAVE to eat cereal moms.
I am one of those moms who tries to see both sides before making up my mind.
One of those who hasn't had her hair or nails professionally done in two years because she feels guilty spending money on herself.
But deep down, I'm one of those moms that is doing everything that I can to make my children the first in their generation to be healthy, emotionally secure and intelligent, because to me that is the key to success.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Getting ready for bed......BY HIMSELF!
I know at 3 1/2, he should be doing this already, but it has been a huge challenge just to get him to TRY to dress himself. I am happy to say now, he is picking out his clothing AND putting them on! Since we started a responsibility chart to go WITH his marble jar he is more motivated to try things he normally would say he "can't" do..
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)