Back to Home-school

We are officially all back to school now that Labor day has passed and summer (although the weather isn't changing) is over.  Since Cole is attending school this year I will have more time to spend with the twins and Brynn.  

The twins are in first grade this year.  Where did the time go?  We will continue to work on bible, reading, writing, and math primarily and throw in some science, history, art, and some unit studies.  I try not to spend more than 3 hours on school each day (more like 2.5 if I get my way, but that depends on how cooperative they are).  That way it isn't over whelming for them or me, I don't neglect Westin for too long and I can try and fit it in when baby sleeps. 

They are such different kids than Cole, I am having to learn how to teach them the same things but in a whole new way.  It helped that Cole was almost a year older in this grade than they are now.  But, it's a huge change.  It's good for me and keeps me on my toes.

They will be taking Piano this year and Grammy has enrolled them in Tennis lessons.  They have a filled semester already. And, if daddy gets his way, they might play Fall Baseball this year.  I'm hoping to wait until Spring, but who knows.

The nice thing about homeschooling, which I tell people all the time, is it's not about doing school at home. It's about finding what works for your kids and keeping at it.  For my twins, it's about review, repetition, hands on, and keeping it brief.  Success is huge. If they don't have success they are totally defeated.  Also, I realize, that in some things, they just don't care yet.  Which is fine and when they do finally care, it will click.

I'm not sure yet if this will be their last year at home. They might not transition until 3rd grade. We will be praying about that.  Until then, I will do my best to fulfill the calling in their life as their mother, teacher, and their daddy's wife!

Brynn, although she is only 4 might as well be in Kindergarten this year.  It will be tough to keep her slowed down and in her appropriate grade level.  She is more like Cole, eager to learn and quick to retain information.  She is a January birthday so I cannot just let her get ahead. I don't want her to graduate high school at 17.  So, I plan to spend most of the school year just keeping her busy with crafts, cutting, letters, shapes, colors, painting, letter sounds, reading books with her and making school fun.   She is also taking Piano and trying Ballet for the first time this year, thanks again to Grammy.  We are also sending her 2x a month to see the tutor, like the boys did, our long time friend Alana.  It changes things up and makes learning fun and gives her some one-on-one.

Next year she will be 5 and we will start "real" Kindergarten but by then she'll probably be ready for first grade.  Oh well.  We do what we can right!  She is a lot of fun because she enjoys learning.  I haven't had her complain or whine about anything other than wanting more work to do.  Crazy in comparison to the twins.  She wants to keep everything she makes and colors.  If I let her my house would be stacked up with papers and pictures.  We toss those things in the quiet of the dark night and never bring them up again.  She often doesn't notice.  We've all been there I know it.

Cole has been enjoying school at NCS.  He really LOVES math and is an excellent reader.  Dropping him off and picking him up provides nice structure to our day. It gives boundaries to work and play and allows for a nice nap for the littlest ones.

He is doing Mathletes after school and also taking Piano lessons.  He is so quick to learn and eager as well.  We've been praying he makes friends easily.  Each day on the way to school we pray a verse over him out loud. I write it on a 3x5 card and put it on my visor so we can read and pray it together.  He has all the opportunities to be successful in school (not that I believe that is the gauge of a man), but if he enjoys education he has the ability to do well.  It has given us, already, opportunities to work on character, problem solving, the power of words, and so much more.  Those little blips in time I am so thankful for because those are the moments that refine his heart.

We took some pictures outside to commemorate being back at school, all the kids that is.  They were so funny.  I asked them to do serious pictures and then funny faces.  They were hysterical trying to make those funny faces.  I think Brody won the funny face contest this time around!

Of course, Westin had to jump in there. He is such a ham and cannot be left out! Stinker bug.