Homeschool Plunge

Hello digital world!

This week, Alvin & I are taking the homeschool plunge. It has been a blast so far. I'm still waiting for curriculum, so we are doing our own thing. I'm focusing on reading, writing, and math. I have Hooked on Phonics boxes from ages ago for math & reading. He's flying through it.

For writing, we are practicing brainstorming thoughts/ideas into a paragraph. On the first day, we decided to talk about snow. I put the word in a box in the center of the board. Then I draw verticle lines below & above, and horizontal lines left & right. Making four boxes outside the center box with "snow" written in it. He has to come up with 4 thoughts regarding the subject. I help him come up with ideas, "How does it feel?", "What do you think when you see it?", etc. We then flesh those ideas into a simple sentence he copies in his writing journal. Today, he wanted to write about my visit to the doctor and how they "stole" my blood. That expose went much quicker & with much more enthusiasm :)

I'm excited for this next adventure. Nervous some days, but overall excited!

New Chapter... page one

Nick graduated (check) Found a new job (check) Found a bigger place (check) Worried about my kids making friends in their new school & ward (double check!) Are we okay (so far... check).

A lot has happened. We're still in AK. We're still trying new things and we're still moving forward. Summer was a blur... lots of to-dos and not so letting go and having fun. I'm hoping next summer will be better.

I am helping plan our 10 year High School Reunion. I'm nervous and excited. I'm grateful it will be a laid back picnic, followed by bars, and a Sunday brunch. I'm helping with the picnic and wishing everyone well with the rest of it. It's funny out of the 4 other ladies helping out, I only recognize two of them. Hopefully the big day will go better.

While I may not have the same figure, I am excited to brag about my amazing husband... people will be shocked we're still together. Best friends turned senior couple turned break up that went down in flames turned cold & distant eventually turned into forgiveness and best friends again turned married with three amazing kids.

General Conference

This Conference hasn't been as peaceful, but that happens when you add a 16 month old to the equation. I stopped trying to take notes during the second session and just sat on the floor with my boys and half listened to everyone and everything. BUT I was able to feel the spirit of it and the boys' ears kept perking up "Mom, did they say prophet?" "Did they say scriptures?" It helps when you bribe them with chocolate chips and a few words to listen for.

As for working out, I had to take a sabbatical. Mid-March, I over did it and I have this line in my buttocks that hasn't healed. I can walk for 30 minutes every other day now and do all the mommy & household things I need to do. Which is a major improvement. I was lame for the first 7 - 10 days.

Exciting new, before this all happened... I ran 2 miles straight. For my birthday Nick and my parents went in on a jogger stroller for me. It's awesome! I love taking Rilie out in it.

School is out in 7 weeks. I'm prepping our "Summer School" for home. Figuring out what Alvin needs to work on. Right now, the plan is Hooked on Phonics (M, W, F) with Math & Science (T, R). I've highlited special days & birthdays as well, we can make birthday cards & art part of the writing practice. My goal is only an hour a day, done in 20 min intervals. Wish me luck!

Spring is here, I think?

Hmmm.... I'm tired. Emotionally, physically, and I'm sure some other parts of me are just tired. Nick is in the last 6 weeks of school. We still haven't found a job, but we have some more time before we get the final word from the job he REALLY wants. I go through boughts of thinking maybe I should start babysitting. Then I remember we don't have enough seats in our car to bring said children to Alvin's appts, and picking up the boys from school. So, faith is all we have and it's pretty good to live on.

Alvin is exploring defiance, but it's not too bad. He tries to argue his point and talk over me. I'm working really hard at not feeding the cycle (by yelling and arguing back, just ending it). Which means I have to bite my tongue and just send him to his room until he's willing to speak respectfully. He comes around, so I know it's just a phase... at least that's my mantra. GOOD NEWS! He has his annual speech evaluation. He scored in the average for all but two categories. Instead of upping his appointments, we'll actually be DECREASING! YEAH!!! For him and me!

Paul is just full of energy and joy. He is full of confidence with his new skills he wants to try out over and over again. He loves hide-and-seek. He is a strong reader, but not really interested. At school, they have a special reading group. You have to complete 5 Bob books, then you can join. Paul has been ready & able since February, but just forgets to turn in his books. It isn't a battle by any means, he'd just rather do something else. Lucky his teacher isn't pushy. She is amazing! Now his best friend is in the reading group. So, he is a little more motivated.

Rilie is mimicking our everyday activities. He likes to try and write, he actually holds pens in a tripod grip! He loves reading books. Crawling on the kitchen table is a favorite (okay, that's not mimicking anyone that I know of). Singing is a past time of his... his whole body gets into these whimsical poses as he stares at something unseen and sings. I think I have an artist on my hands.

I have been enjoying the sunshine! I can now run 2 miles straight . I'm prepping to summer school the boys myself, again. Just for an hour a day. For science we're going to learn about animals. Where and how they live, what they eat, etc. Alvin wants to learn about animals that eat people. We narrowed down the list: Lions, tigers, bears (oh my), snakes, sharks, and vultures. So far, Paul just wants to learn about dogs. Maybe we'll study the different breeds.

Primary is going AWESOME! I love my kids. We had a Primary Activity this week. Lauren lead games in the gym, Becky Marvin helped the kids dip Cake Pops in chocolate, and I helped them make Thank You cards. We separated them by classes: 3 - 5 years olds, 6 - 8 year olds, 9 - 11 years olds. We had a HUGE turn out. Next time, we'll take count.

Teaching, No Greater Call

I've been reading the manual, Teaching, No Greater Call and I am totally in love with it. I've had it since Singles Ward and only now am I really diving into it. I didn't realize it delved into parenting & Visiting Teaching. I can't believe all the tips and counsel they give. I'm finding so many answers to so many things. My favorite sections are Creating a Learning Atmosphere, teaching different ages, and teaching techniques. I'm feeling really good about my Sharing Time lesson this week.

Facing my underwater demons

Today I jumped in the pool! My goal was 4 laps... but I was able to pull out 36!!! They were not pretty or elegant, and I inhaled lots of water. But, I am so proud of myself. My new Visiting Teacher came over to introduce herself with a plate of brownies. Yes, we celebrated :)

My break is over... ready for more!

Two Fridays ago, I woke up with a whacked out shoulder & neck. I couldn't even lift Rilie. I went to a chiropracter recommended by a couple friends. Tomorrow is adjustment 4 of 4. The massages have been painful, but good. Apparently, the years of bad posture and lifting children caught up and exercising was just the last straw the broke the camel (or my) back. I learned a lot of good things... like Omega 3s are a natural anti-inflammatory, and I'm back to pushing hard.

Today, I was going to get in the water... since that is my weakness with the three events. But, CSI was airing part II of an episode I never finished in college (roommates fav show, but I did enjoy watching it with her from time to time). So... biking and elliptical it was!

I don't know what to call what I do on the elliptical ... it wasn't walking or running... something in between?? Whatever it was, I did 1.75 miles in 25 minutes.

Biking 6.35 miles (35 minutes)

Total burn for the day: 510 calories!